So i haven't posted anything in awhile... i figured i owed it to ppl out there to at least take a look at what happened to me over halloween... yeah...

The group:

Being a lady:

my "boyfriend":

My little "sisters":

and thats enough incrimination for a night...

These past few weeks here have been some of the most educational and elucidating in my life. In the short 3 weeks that i've spent here, i've met ppl from Norway, Germany, England, France, and of course America and Singapore. What's excited me most about my time here is how much i've learnt and can still learn. Apart from the civil engineering aspects of my job, or the management of chinese contractors and interactions with other business units that comes with my post, there is also the mastery of the chinese language that i've had to come to terms with.

Introduction to Schmoozing 101:

Last night i was at a farewell party for some of my friends here, Lisa and Esther. They goto Wellsley, and Lisa (the lolo) is from Hawaii, and Esther... well she never did tell me where she grew up! Anyways, at the party i ended up talking to this couple in their late 20s early 30s- the guy was an American lawyer, the girl was a  Chinese-Malaysian art gallery co-ordinator. It was pretty interesting b/c i found myself being able to engage in relatively interesting conversations with both parties. Part of the reason that definitely aided in my conversation with the lawyer, was my taking business law, and the fact that my sister, uncle and aunt are all lawyers. To the art gallery co-ordinator i managed to find a common interest in South-East Asian cusine. At which point i actually managed to introduce her to a fairly authentic eatery in Shanghai (SH). Later on in the party i met this French guy, Pierre. We ended up sharing old war stories about the military service that is mandatory in France as well Singapore.

As the night grew on i found myself drawn to the people from different countries and different walks of life, but soon realized that i was neglecting one of my new Shanghainese friends that i made here, Mao Mao. He's a really nice guy whom Eiline and I met at a club several weeks ago. Through several degrees of seperation i got to know him, and started hanging out with him and a few other local Shanghainese guys. Unfortunately, b/c of the language barrier he didn't have a very good time at the party that night. Whenever possible i found myself acting as translator for him. 

***Interjection: 

I was just attending an Asian Youth Orchestra concert, with another singaporean i met here working in the same company as me. As i've never really been an artistic person, i found my mind wandering during the performance. I took this opportunity to let my mind digest the events that had transpired over these brief few weeks, and have come to a conclusion.

My experience in Shanghai has been made more fruitful and beneficial because of all my previous experiences.

i'm not sure if that statement made any sense, b/c if not let me try and explain.

Because of my time in taiwan, the army, the states, and singapore, i'm in a better position to incorporate and put to use all my previous diverse experiences to mingle with other ppl.

***Return to earlier thought

Had it not been for my time in Hopkins and my Nationality, i would not have been able to talk to the American-Malaysian couple.

Had it not been for my time in the Army, i'd not have been able to have such a good time recalling events with Pierre.

Had it not been for my time in Taiwan, i would certainly not been proficient enough in chinese to translate anything to Mao Mao.

These are some of the conclusions i came up with at the end of Schmoozing 101, and i'm glad for all that i've been blessed with.

I shall put up pics of the party later on ... gotta sleep and wake up for work morrow.