globe trotter

Im excited. I'm traveling with an e-pal for the October holidays. Finally, I'll have my own backpacking experience at its best.

As the nickname indicates, he's currently traveling around the world, again AROUND the world. I'm humbled to know this guy having had the chance to chat up with him for just two days when he passed by Shanghai while he was committed with his plight to the world. He's turning 38, not married, very accomplished in terms of educational attainment and career. Impressive.

He is very sensible and down to earth. He's the most "not conform to society" person that I know so far. Of course, there are downsides to this based on society's standards as his personality is always conceived as weird, abnormal, crazy. He has developed his passion for photography and I myself was lucky enough to get some of the scrap/discard pictures he has. His image as a backpacker made me re-assess my lifestyle and affirm that being rich indeed is having less and still be happy about it. Sometimes being immersed in a very cosmopolitan city, it's very easy to get tempted to give in to consumerism. He is very practical with his spending and attest that one can travel the world comfortably with 10Kusd/year budget, do your math, check if u can keep up with that.

I've been "following" him on his travels, now, in Kyrgystan, and I've witnessed how many friends he has and who were joining him on his travels. One can just envy these friends of his to have the chance to get loads of info on anything that u can think of. He is very generous to share his knowledge on the world, humanity and himself.

Initially, I thought too this guy is ur geek/nerd/weirdo profile acquaintance. He may be falling into that category but I think he is more than that. He is very funny, in touch with his feelings, shared his disappointments, frustrations, excitement on love/family/friendships. He may have all those badge of "greatness" or being so accomplished but he's so grounded and very normal.

Same as you and me living this wonderful life, worked his laboratory for 7 yrs going from one mice to another is not an easy task, I guess he deserved this great journey on life and the world. I hope he finds what he is looking for soon. I'm sure he would love to hear your story. One careful reminder though, he can be sarcastic for those soft-hearted and very cynical.

If you want to know more about him, see his awesome pictures or travel with him. I'll hook u up just leave me a comment.

polka dot

Yuan Yuan in Chinese means 'circle.' Colleagues I have here in the company tagged my staff, 'polka dot.' She's really cute and very accomplished at her age.

She has worked for me for two months. I'm very happy that she's my assistant now. I dont think I could have gotten my import license without her help. I took her to Beijing with me. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment seeing authentic joy and smiles in people's lives. It makes sense living in this world knowing that u have somehow touched them.

Yuan Yuan is two years younger than me. She never got to go to college. She is originally from Anhui province but then her mom is Shanghainese so when she was 16 yrs old she was able to change her residency and move to bustling Shanghai. Immediately, she started to work for the company for 7yrs now. She married early as life being single is tough. As she said, live life "差不多" Marie -- means 'not too much'; 'just enough.' I think this is better explained as 'contentment' without being lukewarm. It's just difficult to strike the balance when enough is enough. It seems to negate the idea of 'passion.' It's just eye opening how people have different levels of what makes them happy. :)

It humbles me deeply how one can be so happy with so little things life gives them. It makes me more level headed that sometimes being passionate has a degree of 'enough.' Anything to the extreme is vicious. Let's keep that timid heart and learn when contentment is supposed to fill our hearts without being lukewarm.

saving for the rainy day

How much do u think this piggy bank can accumulate with your 1rmb?

Answer: 448 rmb with a couple of fens and jiaos. This is my second time to fill this piggy bank. It takes 6 months to get it filled. Some trivia, huh?

I started this habit of saving the 1rmbs back in Beijing. It was because of one of the homilies of a Jesuit priest in the embassy. Since he got in Beijing, he has been putting all his 1 rmbs in a big piggy bank. After a year, he said he was able to save 1000rmb. The touching part is that, he gives the money he saved to charity. It got me so excited and started this habit. I wasnt as motivated to set aside those 1rmbs when I was in Beijing. However, when I got here in Shanghai, I thought it would be a nice 'habit' to start keeping all these 1 rmbs in this piggy bank (cute Ikea pig too). I wanted to be more financially responsible and what better way to start small. :)

I'm always fascinated with how people develop a habit and later on it becomes a virtue. There are people who say that 'routines' are boring, dull and no meaning. I disagree. I think developing routines in our lives is necessary. It helps us to be orderly, have a plan of life and ultimately, develop a virtue. A repetitive good habit makes us better individuals. I think, developing a habit that later on becomes a virtue is a reflection of what true passion is. Any passionate endeavor must be done repetitively.

Sigh! I hope I already moved to be virtuous in saving up! hehehe! 2 piggy bank filled in my one year in Shanghai. I think I should get a bigger pig....

jack of all trade, master of none

I'm feeling depressed today..YES! U got it right, I can also feel bad. Unlike u though, I can still momentarily give a smile (something I've developed which is my trademark). Anyway, work isn't so great that's why I've been thinking over and over where I am, who I am, why I am, how I am.

As a conclusion, I might just be a 'jack of all trade, master of none.' I have this passion to always try something I have not done and knowing I dont know yet. Some of friends ask me, do you have a favorite song, favorite movie, favorite actor/actress. After serious scanning/thinking...I can't mention any. Though if they suggest titles, I'd give a comment or two, whether it sucks or i like it. It makes me think twice am I the only person who is like this!?!?!

I only have a little of everything.....is this passion too? I think this is what too much liberal arts has done to me!!!!!! I'm thankful though for this liberal arts since it really helped me deal with different people on all walks of life.

With serious thought about this...I know what I'm passionate about...humanities and being more human. I think people are not to judge me for not having a lot of favorites!!!! I personally dont have any attachment on things...except for knowledge and priceless experience. My money gets wasted on books and trying on new things (diving, yoga, travel, new skills); except that I just signed up for an insurance!!! Geeezzz...now, I have a serious reason not to be unemployed.

So the next time somebody asks me, "marie, what's ur favorite something..?" I know what to answer.... "my favorite something is to know more about u and learn from u!" -hows this for a passion?! or am I just justifying the advantage of being a master of none! That's why I dont want to talk about myself!