CHINA
Country Overview:
"A land of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet rapid modernization, and delectable cuisine coexists with complex political realities."
My seven-year journey in China, from May 2013 to August 2020, was a whirlwind of experiences. I taught English, pursued my Master's in Politics & Foreign Policy at the prestigious Tsinghua University, and immersed myself in the media landscape at China Today and Xinhua News Agency. Beijing was my home base, but my travels painted a vibrant tapestry of China's diverse landscapes and cultures: the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the historic city of Xi'an, the tropical paradise of Sanya, the unique blend of East and West in Macau and Hong Kong, and countless other destinations in between. From savoring the exquisite flavors of regional cuisines to navigating the intricacies of daily life under a distinct political system, China left an indelible mark on me.
Books I Read in 2019
Since I work in news and a lot of the writing I do is non-fiction, all the books I read this year were fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of them and yes, I read 3 Murakami books this year and loved them all. Will definitely be reading more of his work in 2020. I’ve also made a goal to read 20 books next year, 15 fiction and 5 non-fiction. I’ve written a review for all of these books which can be found here. Any recommendations for both genres are welcome!
*Most disappointing book I read this year was The Plague. Was expecting something more exciting given the premise, but didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would
** Toughest book to read was Kafka’s collection of short stories
Fatherland - Robert Harris
The Chrysalids - John Wyndham
Empire of Dragons - Valerio Massimo Manfredi
South of the Border, West of the Sun - Haruki Murakami
Dune - Frank Herbert
The Outsider - Albert Camus
Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami
Dune Messiah - Frank Herbert
One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich - Alexander Solzhenitsyn
The Gilt Kid - James Curtis
The Sound Of Waves - Yukio Mishima
Money: A Suicide Note - Martin Amis
Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick
Rendezvous With Rama - Arthur C. Clarke
The Plague - Albert Camus
The Dog Stars - Peter Heller
Anthem - Ayn Rand
The Metamorphosis & Other Short Stories - Franz Kafka
1Q84 - Haruki Murakami
Let It (not) Snow
The Chinese is a public service announcement that says “Adhere to “one country, two systems” and promote the reunification of the Motherland.” So ya, stuff like that happens in China.
China's Soft Power
I wrote an article about China’s soft power. They need to step their game up
Decorating Christmas Tree
I don’t remember having this great a time but a picture is worth 1,000 words
Beijing’s Last Game at Gongti
Yesterday was a really big day, not only for Beijing Guo'an, but also for the city and me as an individual.
With a 3-2 win against Shandong Luneng (scoring the final goal in the 91st minute), the players managed to offer an action-packed afternoon to their 51,000 fans in their final game of the Chinese Super League (CSL) season. Despite the exciting game, they finished 2nd in the CSL after Guangzhou.
More importantly, Beijing Guo'an has officially said farewell to its beloved Workers' Stadium in the heart of Sanlitun. The team now starts preparations to move to the Olympic Stadium for the next three years while their regular home undergoes extensive renovations.
When I first got to Beijing, I expressed an interest in the team to a coworker and she ended up getting me a signed Beijing Guo'an jersey in 2013. I’ve been a fan ever since and have attended numerous games over my years in the capital. With an exciting last game of the season, and last game at the stadium I’ve visited many times, it also signified my last Beijing game as I am planning to leave China before next year’s season begins. Thanks for the memories!
The last picture is from my 3rd thanksgiving dinner at a bar on Friday.
The Bookworm in Beijing
This is the entrance to “The Bookworm”, a local hangout spot, bar, library, and space to host events like poetry readings, live podcasts, and lectures. Sadly, it got shutdown last week for being an “illegal structure” despite having been in Beijing for a number of years with no problems. It’s important to mention that other popular “hangout spots” for foreigners have also been shutdown for a variety of reasons in the past two years. Beijing isn’t the city it once used to be. It’s now a homogenized and gentrified version of what the leadership thinks is best for the people. It’s lost it’s charm, it’s uninspired, and the recent changes have solidified my decision to look for opportunities out of China once my contract finishes next year.
