Semester 1

Chapter XVIII: Wrap-up & Break

Okay, I have submitted all papers, I have done all the exams, my school responsibilities are over. The first semester in China is all wrapped up and ahead of me, there’s a month of recovery. Mental and physical. I love Shanghai but changing the environment for a while will be nice. Cannot wait for the warm Malaysian weather, cannot wait for breathing something that’s not full of chemicals killing you.

It’s been fun – all the shit I went through, all the people I’ve ran into, all the parties, bars, game nights, wandering around this enormous city… I still don’t miss my hometown much but I do miss it a little. I believe that by the time summer kicks in, I might be actually looking forward to getting back and enjoy its calmness, cleanness, organization, little hipster cafés on every corner, no nightlife etc… Point being, getting out of there was one the greatest things I’ve ever managed to execute – no question about that…

As for the last week, I went to see the new Star Wars movie. I didn’t expect much so I wasn’t really that disappointed. It has its moments. I didn’t really socialize much as there was still shit to do, deadlines to meet and responsibilities to face.

I also went face to face with corporate machine after a while again. A friend of mine passed me this one day gig at HP – I was assisting with localization of one of their products to the Czech language. All those open space offices, motivation posters, statements referring to environmental responsibility, recycled paper cups and shit… It’s just beautiful. I kinda like how Chinese spend their lunch break. Some go out to eat, but others just use that window to get some sleep. Legs on the table, comfortably pushed into their chairs – haven’t really seen that before…

One of my friends I hosted like a year ago through Couchsurfing arrived to Shanghai for couple of days too. I gave her a little tour around local vegan places, we hung out, drank some beers, involved some other people – it was cool. On Friday, I joined a group of veggie heads (and veggie friendly carnivores) for this hot pot dinner at one of the high class vegetarian restaurant at West Nanjing Road. The food was amazing but the place is shit. It’s on the third floor of a mall, you place orders on ipads and when you need a fucking service, you push a button. Thanks but no thanks…

Yesterday, me and my bro went for some beers at a Windows bar right next to Jing’an park. I’m glad we discovered that one – definitely the best choice for cheap beer around my place. Afterwards, we continued to the Elevator for a party headlined by Murlo and those Genome guys. It was lit, music was on point, lots of cool ass people around – I needed that. Since I still had some shit to do today, I left after 3 o’clock to make sure I wake up at 8 and appear as a presentable young man.

And there you have it. The first fucking semester is over, 7 more to go. Tomorrow, I’m outta here and I’ll be back in around 3 weeks to follow-up on my Chinese life. For now, your boy taeb is czeching out. Peace!

Highlights:

• I kinda enjoy the new season of Sherlock. Just sayin…
• Air quality has significantly risen over past couple of days. After weeks of shit, outdoor work out doesn’t feel like a suicide. Compared to Europe, it’s still ridiculous but on local standards… All good.
• Being able to keep this blog for so long. Didn’t really expect that.

Semester 1

Chapter XVII: New Year’s and Promises (December 25, 2016 – January 4, 2017)

This one took a little longer since two of my people from the Czech Republic paid me a visit. They left yesterday. It was cool to have some of the closest around plus I had a chance to practice a role of a guide in this city. Shanghai has been quite cold over the holidays and the pollution stays on extremely unhealthy levels. I guess this won’t get any different over the upcoming couple of weeks though – winters are apparently like that.

I tried to balance hanging out with them Czech assholes and school/work responsibilities. Last week was the most hectic one in terms of finals, final presentations and exams. I believe I have passed it all though. Even the Chinese language. Speaking of that, I was invited to participate in a 6 member feedback group formed out of Chinese language students to make some comments on the way the course was delivered. No idea why ended up among selected but it was a cool event and we were given 100 RMB for participation. Cannot get mad for that.

As for my guide responsibilities, I showed my friends some cool shit I’ve discovered since my arrival. We went to Powerstation of Art, I took them to the game night with vegan buffet, we checked M50, got a vegan brownie with some ice cream at Happy Buddha, had some veggie hot pots, ate shitton of dumplings, drank lots of beer and wine, went to some bars (and to the party in C's where my Macedonian guy did like a 6 hour set), and watched some TV shows. I even fit them into my room. They took my bed and I slept on the floor. A friend of mine lent me a mattress which turned out to be this giant king size thing… I kinda half inflated it so I could squeeze it between the wall and the bed... It was fucking awesome.

On the new year’s, we went to the top of the building I sometimes hang out with with my friends on, and shortly we were joined by a group of my classmates and their friends. Like 10 people in total. This was probably over the line, as for the first time ever, we got kicked out by a guard. I sincerely do hope we didn’t fucked up the place forever.

The city was quite quiet on the new year’s eve. We drank in a park close to South Shaanxi metro station in the French Concession when someone pointed out that midnight is happening in about 2 minutes. No people going crazy all around, no countdowns, no fireworks. We toasted for brighter tomorrows, hugged it all out and continued to Mirror to get some free booze. The club was almost empty so we had a private party with lots of vodka. Eventually, everyone went their own way and me, my friends, and a bottle for Smirnoff (which became my partner for the rest of the night) continued to the Elevator. I barely remember anything from that but we all got home safe… I’m kinda sorry we didn’t do the last night of The Shelter but as I read afterward, police managed to shut that joint down before midnight which is super fucked up as people from different cities and countries came to witness that. Oh well…

So yeah, there we have it… 2016 is over, UK is out of Europe, Trump is the motherfucking president of the USA, world is still the same shithole as it used to – now just a little closer to the doomsday. And boy, it is coming. So what do I wish for 2017? I really don’t need shit… Still don’t know what I want, where to go and how to become a fully functional human being… For others – don’t believe every bullshit you see or read cause the world is not black and white. Don’t fucking hate, don’t generalize, don’t waste your time and energy on shit that don’t make you or others happy and be aware… Be aware of what you do, what do you participate in, what do you support… Try to go to supermarkets less, try to buy less clothes and smart phones, try to eat less meat and animal products, try not to wear leather shit… It ain’t solving shit but being around people, who are aware at least of some shit, is nice… No, we won’t save our planet, we won’t stop corporations from destroying our environment, morality and souls and we won’t stop nazis getting stronger all over Europe. But till this all goes to hell, we can at least try… not to be complete assholes to each other and to the world…

Highlights:

• Went to St. Peter’s church for a Christmas service. It was so packed they didn’t let people in anymore when I arrived (like 20 minutes before the start). So no new experience there…
• The current Biennale in Powerstation of Art. One of the best installations I have ever seen. Period.
• The glass under the kitchen stove cracking during cooking. That was fucking random...