Philippine Independence Day Celebration

Here are some pix during the independence day celebration of the Philippine Consulate here in Shanghai.

love for pets

Last monday, I was processing document papers in one of the big state owned trader here in Shanghai to hasten the shipping documents I need. I was invited to join for lunch at their building canteen. It was actually his third time to invite me to have lunch but I declined for the first two incidents. Unfortunately, I felt obligated to join him because this will be my third time to decline him. It was a real experience.

It was very clean for Chinese standards considering that the building is actually state owned. hehe! People were orderly qeued and waited for their turn to choose their meal buffet. It was a LOT of food, for 7RMB you get to choose one square rice, 3 veggie dishes and 2 meat dishes with overflowing soup. However, I opted to take the 'ban mian' which is actually boiled noodles with sesame oil and soysauce to swap for my rice. With this I only get 2 veggies and 1 pork dish but I also get to have the buffet soup. We were eating our meals and the old man beside me, he started putting in his stainless steel container with newspaper left over of his fish bones. My counterpart started to speak in Shanghainese. He asked me if I understood, from the looks of it, I knew what it was for. It was for the pet kitten. We were laughing because we were just discussing about my dog food. I was giving him an overview and here it was in actual setting. Seeing someone put their pets while they are even away from home. It is very interesting how people value their pets as if they are humans. I think this is a result of the one child policy. Everyone gets lonely without anyone to play around. Especially so most of them have their kids leave their homes at a very young age for boarding school or college or work. I dont think i can ever develop the love for pets. I'm too practical to dote.

san fran friend

I have a friend from the Philippines who dropped me a line saying she's heading to San Francisco for a business trip. It was a light bulb moment. I thought of asking my good friend in San Francisco to take lady friend to go around town since it was her first time. San Fran friend didnt fail me..indeed a true friend.

It's so surprising how generous people can be with their time despite the fact that you haven't given time or gotten in touch with them for the longest time. San Fran friend is truly one of a kind. I never thought he'd take the 'job' of being the tour guide for a day.

What does it mean to be a true friend? I think San Fran friend is one of these true friends I have considering how brutal I was when we were physically together.

San Fran friend is a passionate Math teacher. I've seen how he developed this love for teaching because we used to be teaching English to chinese students back in Beijing. He was not as confident then as I think he would be now. I knew that he can make it because I've seen how dedicated he was trying to make himself better as an English teacher then. I feel so embarrassed I'm not putting much time preparing for the classes we have then. He's very competitive. I think this is one of his hallmark for future success. More than all of these good qualities, I fail to see the wisdom he shared to me at that time.

He coined me a 'princess,' which I refused to admit before but I realized that I WAS. He tried to make things hard for me but I took it against him when in fact he wants me to build character. I said, "i always get what i want" which now I realized how selfish I was for saying it. Thus, he made it difficult for me to have things that I want. He was very patient for my bratty ways. He never asked anything from me and here I am annoying him. He never failed me but I always fail him.

San fran friend is a true friend. He's there for you to tell you what are ur defects and try to help you correct it. He never asked anything in return for all the small but many favors you always ask. He always extend help when needed at the most unexpected times. He brings you small no ocassion gifts because he knew you liked it. He still posed that happy smile despite the fact that he hates taking silly kiddie neoprint pictures.

No time and money shall ever return such a big heart of unrecognized friends. I just wish I will have the opportunity to return the many favors I had from him. Sad to admit, I'd have to say, thanks to ur not giving in my bratty ways because you made me a better person today. I just wish I can visit San Fran friend soon or vice versa.

random act of kindness

Looking back at how I've spent my two years in Shanghai, I've come to realize that Thomas Hobbes' philosophy that man is evil by nature is not true. I'm very lucky to have had a lot of incidents that made me conclude that man still has a good side after all.

Here are some of these so called unexpected act of kindness from people:

1. I consistently received pictures from a traveling friend from wherever he's been to for the last two years. It always surprise me how this really makes me happy every time I receive it.

2. I received free muffins from Wagas because the head supervisor thought I am a loyal customer.

3. I received free dessert and another welcome drink when I took a foreign tourist to visit Corregidor because the head chef was from my high school alma mater. (Note: we werent close. She just recognized me.)

4. I got invited by an acquaintance to attend an Italian cookout get together.

5. I got a 1rmb discount from a taxi driver because he liked my smile.

6. I got free foot massage because I accompanied a colleague to hear mass and go grocery with her.

7. I got a free management handbook from raytheon couriered to me directly after sending an email that I want a copy.

8. I got free entrance tickets to attend the Shanghai Auto Show (very expensive entrance tickets) from a friend.

9. I got free admission at the Old Residence of Gen. Zhou En Lai

10. I might get a free trip to Taiwan soon from a new project.

I think if we really keep a positive attitude and show a good heart, people unconsciously return the favor without an effort. Try practicing to smile for no reason in the subway. I feel that the subway is infested with grumpy, ugly and lonely-looking people. I do this exercise sometimes, just smile and check how it affects others. These small things make life more interesting. I hope you do urself a favor from time to time.

end of poverty

It's been a while I havent updated this site. I'm really demoralized on how the progress of my project is going. TOUGH road ahead but I'd have to hang on until this is up and running.

I happen to attend a very interesting talk given by Mr. Jeffrey Sachs. I was so excited because I have a copy of his book, "The End of Poverty," and I was able to have it signed. I felt so star struck having the chance to come up to a very renowed economist of the millenium. I just had my 30 second brief introduction to get my book signed.

He was visiting Shanghai to attend the talks of the Chinese and African government with an observer status how deals will materialize for loan grants to alleviate poverty in the African region.

There were a lot of things discussed. I learned a lot of new technical terms especially as regards the environmental issues daunting our generation. I learned words like carbon capture technology, carbon credit system, energy efficient automobiles using ethanol, etc. Some are too technical for me to remember. After being so immersed with the pet industry, this is really a breather.

He said a lot of these big banks are caught up with internal politics and prejudices regarding how to address complex issues in Africa. Africa receives little funding from the developed nations having all the excuses that Africa is corrupt and it's impossible to get them out of extreme poverty. I admire his optimism on the plight of the African nations. Indeed, he was very impressed how a country like China, not having entirely gotten the 'developed' status is already trying to extend help to Africa while the so-called rich nations are being very greedy and snobbish of the issues. As I've read his book, his propaganda may sound rubbish to us because as we see how terrible the situation is in Africa, we become discouraged to help them. But he mentions a lot of reasons why this will work. The politicians may be corrupt but the people have the pain and hunger to get themselves out of their situation. We've seen how seemingly impossible things happen in this world and I think Mr. Sachs will achieve what he put on as his agenda in this world. I wouldnt be surprised if he will be read in the history next time.

Here's my attempt to take a pix of him during the talk: