Shanghai VS.

Being a traveler, and while currently planning a trip, I like to spend my time doing some reading about, well traveling. One of my favorite sites (well for everything) is the New York Times website. Mostly I use the the site to read about world issues, business, and technology. But every once in a while, something grabs my attention from one of the other sections. This time around it was in the travel section. Read the rest of this entry »

On my own. So thing shave been kinda hectic over here at sharkfin central. By roomate here in Shanghai, picked up and flew down to the Philippines last night for 3 weeks or so. For anyone out there who is considering a trip to the Philippines or if this will make someone think about it, make sure to check out Cebu Pacific Air. They have a huge sale on seats now if you are leaving from within Asia. Also once you get there it seems there domestic flights are extremely cheap as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Living in China, I see how cheap some stuff really is. For example, a DVD in a box, much like Id find if I was shopping in a store back home will cost about $1. Buying a canopener cost about $0.40. My cuff links, cost about $3. Shit is cheap. No wonder everything we own in the west has a made in china stamp on it. Made in China is everywhere, even as a child you know the phrase made in china.You’re not really sure why everything is made in China, or the implications on domestic industry or trade balances or what not. But regardless, Chinese made good are everywhere. Read the rest of this entry »

So when I first got to Shanghai I made sure to hit the ground running in terms of finding some “meaningful employment” as my mass emailed cover letter described. One thing to learn about a city like Shanghai (not sure if there are others though), is that if you shake off your western cloak and dagger and throw caution to the wind, you’re sure to find some interesting opportunities. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s a common question I get. I’ve been fielding the question since I first became dead set on moving to Shanghai while still a university student. Let me back track a little though since this is only post number 1.

I graduated from University this past April with a hefty BA, majored in political science and international development studies. Now anyone out there with a BA knows what I’m talking about when I say the BA doesn’t exactly set you on a career path (unless of course you want to drown yourself in the law). This isn’t to say the BAs not useful or it wasn’t enjoyable, but to me the sole advantage of the BA is such: It allows you to dick around for a little while. Its every liberal arts graduates dream to go abroad. Some have noble dreams. They are going to change the world. They are going to volunteer. They are going to put their knowledge of grassroots organizations to use in the field… and I applaud them. My dreams were never so noble. Not to say that I’ve never thought about doing such things, but ultimately I never really entertained it seriously. For me my post BA dreams were a little different. Read the rest of this entry »