Final thoughts: China is a prepubescent boy

I think as a result of its size, population and rapid modernization, China has become a very conflicted country similar to a conflicted prepubescent boy. Although some areas are maturing, other areas are still rooted in its old ways. It wants to change but it also wants to hold on to the past. And as a result? Awkward features, contradicting behavior, and major mood swings. Some examples I've observed:

- TRANSPARENCY: Somethings are very transparent about Chinese culture. People leave their clothes out on their balcony to dry, including their undies. They don't mind leaving the bathroom door open and some bathrooms don't even have doors. You know exactly how much your neighbor makes. Kids are publicly ranked in school. You know everybody's business and they surely know yours. But at the same time, there are certain things that are kept very mum and hidden. Government policies. International relations. Politics. Your love life. Sex. Homosexuality. Media (Facebook, Blogger.com, and Youtube are all blocked).
- CUSTOMS: There are certain customs and traditions that are mandatory and looked down upon if you don't perform them. For example, gifting, pouring alcohol for your elders before yourself, and giving and accepting business cards with both hands. But also, Chinese people tend to be disorderly in public. Spitting all over sidewalks. Cutting in lines. Speaking loudly and aggressively. Excess slurping.
- DRINKING: Men are expected to drink A LOT, especially in a business setting. The more you drink, the more respect you gain. But at the same time, if you get drunk, you lose all respect and you're looked down upon. Also, if you drink at bars, you may be considered a crazy drunk.
- MEN: My dad's generation and before tend to be manly men. They're the breadwinners and protect their families. But since the one-child law, parents have spoiled their only children so much that the men my age act like girls. But even girlier than girls. They don't play sports, they're lazy, and they can be whiny. So no wonder that Western media has portrayed Asian men as asexual and inferior.
- SPACE: There's not much need for personal space in China because there's so many people. You stand close to each other. You practically sit on top of each other in crowded subways. You talk close to one another. Girls hold hands with their girlfriends. Guys put arms around their guy friends. BUT, if you're dating someone, you're expected to keep a certain distance from them in public. PDA is still very much looked down upon.
- PEDESTRIANIZATION: Chinese consumers desire exclusive products such as high end luxury items or elite activities. But Chinese marketers also have a way of pedestrianizing these products or activities. For example, ping pong used to be a very exclusive sport only for the rich which in a matter of what seemed like minutes was turned into an activity for everyone in China. Also, the Chinese ability to replicate luxury items has been able to put brand names on everyone in sight. You will find 90-year-old grandmas wearing Nike sneakers, janitors carrying Louis Vuitton fanny packs, and barbers wearing Christian Dior glasses.
- KIDS: My parents' generation went through some major hardship in their youth, with most going to work camps under Mao's regime and then experiencing the cultural revolution. Now with a better political environment, parents want to provide the best for their kids giving them everything they want: toys, food, and money. The result? Super spoiled kids who are accustomed to having everything. But at the same time, parents are frustrated and scold their kids for having no empathy for their hardships; some even send their kids to rural villages to live like the way they used to. It ends up creating a temulchuous relationship within the family.

Lost in translation: I can also spot passive agressiveness

Nan Luo Gu Xiang hutong

My cousin Chloe and her boyfriend introduced me to a hip little area called Nan Luo Gu Xiang. Its an old hutong converted to a street dedicated to night owls. Plenty of shops, bars and food stands that open only at night and close at around midnight. I found great little shops that offered handmade leather, hip clothing, and even high end 2nd hand purses. The bars were little and quaint and the food stands were creative, such as churros, fancy gelato and cakes (as pictured). The street is very foreigner-friendly. I would HIGHLY recommend this cute little area for anyone visiting Beijing.

Dating in Beijing: the essentials

I finally got to meet my cousin's boyfriend, the one nobody in my family has met or approves of. You guys are getting an exclusive picture here! What may seem like two young adults dating, there's a lot more going on than just that. Unlike dating anywhere else, dating in Beijing comes with a whole list of requirements. Here's a checklist of essentials to look for in a suitor:
1) Height - is the guy at least 5'8" (considered tall). Height is not a big deal when it comes to girls but it is a problem if she's too tall, like my cousin Zhaojing who is 5'11".
2) Skin color - the paler the better. My cousin's boyfriend's mom said about Chloe, "She may be dark but she's got a good job."
3) Job - the male should have a job that has a promising future in a managerial position. The female should have a stable and "soft" job such has teaching, marketing, or HR.
4) Housing - parents usually buy several apartments so to make their kid more desirable. This is something provided by the parents, rarely the kids.
5) Car - on top of the apartment, parents also like to equip their single kids with cars to appeal to the opposite sex.
6) Parents - what the parents do and their financial situation is a huge factor. Nobody wants the burden of constantly supporting their in-laws. Also, it is considered an honor to have in-laws who are managers, professors, or diplomats.
7) City vs. Non-city - Beijingers prefer to date Beijingers, but non-city kids are very hard-working. Similar to people from small towns who try to make it big in NYC. So, if the non-city suitor is hard-working, the Beijinger will make an exception.
With all that said, if the person is incredibly hot, all of the above can be forgiven. Hahaha.

Woman selling disguises at the Summer Palace

Because Beijingers are obligated to retire at the age of 50, the only over 50 workers you see are the ones from out of town selling touristy trinkets. This woman was one of the younger ones I saw. There was one woman who was definitely not a day younger than 80.

PSP fever

It seems that everywhere you turn, someone is holding a PSP. They're either watching a movie, playing a game, or going online. PSPs are all the rage for young adults in Beijing.

Rock climbing at Ritan park

I started rock climbing about two months before leaving on this trip, so it was a pleasant surprise to find this 50 ft wall in the middle of Ritan park! For only 40 RMB, you can climb all day long.

Personal princess bathroom

Kids are so spoiled these days. Check out this individual bathroom inside a mall equipped with its own miniature sink and mirror.

I will survive

I've experienced a major allergic reaction to the air in Beijing where I've been coughing non-stop for a week now. So, per doctor's orders, I'll be sporting a mask for a while. I've become one of those masked people who I used to make fun of. A good number of people on Beijing started wearing masks after the SARS epidemic. Now, they even have designer masks. I've, however, elected to go with the all-white couture look.

Beijing still green after the '08 Olympics?

I'd say yes, Beijing has kept up its 'going green' efforts. Stores still don't offer plastic bags and cars are restricted from driving one day of the week depending on their license number. The only thing I would say that needs drastic improvement is education on recycling. Although there are recycling bins all over the city, I've seen all kinds of trash in these bins including non-recyclable materials. Also, most families I know only sort out plastic bottles.

Happy Mother's Day

...From my cousin Zhaojing's baby, Carson. He's 1 and a half but is at the weight of a 3 year old. He's also the first of the 4th generation from both sides of my family.

Super Size This: Health Crazes

Back to the topic of everything in extreme due to a repressed past, this post is about health crazes. Beijingers seem to be obsessed with the idea of living forever, so they'll try anything that promotes heart health. The latest craze is doing acupressure exercises on hands that supposedly help exercise the heart and other vital organs. In this video, my grandpa demonstrates a heart-strengthening exercise. Don't be alarmed if you find people doing this or clapping their hands while walking down the street. They're not crazy, they just want to live above 100.

The Bird Nest 2 years later

That's what she said

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Lost in translation: Good to know

Funny engrish all over Beijing. This one was particularly educational.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Oh my Lady Gaga

Some of you may remember my little cousin Wendy, who first won our hearts with her English explanation of the meaning behind the Water Cube.  Now that she's 11 and in the 5th grade, she has given me some insight into what's "cool" with the kids these days.  Apparently, all her classmates are obsessed with Lady Gaga.  So they've replaced the popular phrase, "Oh my gaaa" with "Oh my Lady Gaga." 
Wendy was very excited when I did my own Lady Gaga creation on her hair.

I'm back in Beijing!

It has been almost 2 years since the Olympics in Beijing and I am back to visit family for almost a month! Just a word to the wise, if you fly United internationally, make sure to pack some extra food. For one of the on-flight meals, I received half a turkey sandwich (like half pieces of bread and a layer of turkey). I was starving! Then just to make the 14 hour flight more enjoyable, the landing wad extra turbulent so all of my neighbors threw up. Yum.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Was it a green Olympics?

Check out this story I did for GroundReport.com.

Bye bye Beijing

By the time you read this, I am probably on my way back to the U.S. I've had an incredible time here and am a little sad to leave. I've seriously considered living here long term and I think this trip has solidified my decision.

Beijing is like a prepubesent kid who is growing faster than his body can handle. So many things have changed in Beijing that locals don't even know how to get around. In the past year, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions have popped up faster than Hollywood divorces. And what happens to a kid that grows too fast? Hormone inbalance and mental instability. I feel like that's the state that Beijing is in right now. It's still balancing the ancient and the modern, the old and the young, and the right and the wrong. What a great time to watch Beijing grow up.

When I get back to NY, I will post all the pics and videos that I didn't have a chance to upload. I promise!

Meet: Siji

I met this nice cab driver on my way to meet up with Joe and company for karaoke. Driver in Chinese is Siji, so I will call him Siji.

(I must preface this by saying that in China, it is considered beautiful to be pale and "odd" to be tanned.)

Our conversation went a little something like this:
Siji: Where are you from?
Me: Beijing. Can't you tell?
S: You sound like a Beijinger but you don't look it.
M: Why, because I'm dark?
S: But an unusual dark. Bronze dark. I've never seen that color before. I didn't think it was possible.
M: This is how I get when I go outside. I get tanned easily.
S: Why don't you cover up? Wear long sleeves? Carry an umbrella?
M: Because it's so hot I could faint.
S: You wear too little clothing. But I guess if you get dark, you get dark. It's natural beauty.
M: I live in America where it's good to be tanned.
S: But Americans are all so pale!
M: Because they can't tan as easily.
S: What do you do in America?
M: I work in advertising (I hate telling people I'm an actor because then I have to explain everything I've done and frankly, nobody really cares about that one time I was on TV hosting that one thing about that one event)
S: Advertising? That sounds so easy. I've thought about advertising a lot. I come up with great ideas. It's so easy. I come up with things while eating watermelon. How much do you make a month?
M: A million dollars.
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I love having conversations with cab drivers in Beijing. They love to chat because they're so bored all day sitting in traffic. Also, they may know where everything is but have never been inside anything. They love to inquire about the different places I go to. If you get a chance to go to Beijing, try to have a conversation with a cab driver (some speak excellent English).