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Business cards - Great for networking... but I sure feel bad for those trees...

admin | 29 September, 2007 14:39

Gotta catch 'em all - Card-e-mon!

My wife got her business cards the other day from her school and it made me think... Business cards aremore than a necessity out here, it's a way of life.

Every professional job I've had out here, whether I was an English Teacher, PR Account Exec, Law Firm Consultant, or a Radio Presenter, I was always given business cards. Even when I attended Nanjing-Hopkins, the school had business card templates for all it's students to use.

Networking is a big thing out here. In Chinese, we use the word chuan zi to describe one's circle. What's more impotant that your circle are your relations with those in that circle, or your guan xi. Business cards here in China are a means to having greater guan xi and make you more powerful, smarter and cooler a.k.a. gain mian zi or face.

Let's say I, a foreign Chinese language radio show host, met a successful Chinese CEO out here in China and we exchanged business cards. Our meeting and business card exchange was as far as our relationship would go, maybe talk about once a month or whenever we needed something from each other, maybe... Our CEO has an old client stop by his office and that client teased him about not knowing anything about foreign countries, he works too much and doesn't have a life, the CEO could pull ot my card, show it to him and say, "Hah! You're wrong, the guy on this card is a personal buddy of mine from America, and on top of that, he's a cool radio show host that does great shows in Chinese!"

Wow, now that CEO is "'Da Man". Even I don't even think I'm that cool.

This is how things work in China. Even my father-in-law fits that statistic. He already has my number and he can call me anytime he wants. He doesn't necessarily need my business card. But he really wants it. It's a cool thing to collect and some cards look nice with their raised lettering, funky colors and shapes and paper styles! Come to think about it, business cards in China are like baseball cards in America but with contact information!

So for those planning on visiting or living in China, no matter if you are just studying abroad for a semester, taking a trip on the Yangtse for a week, or planning to become a lifer, get your business cards ready! You're helping yourself out and an interested Chinese!


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Back To The Roots 8 by The Lab

admin | 27 September, 2007 14:23

Long poster, but fun party.

An official fixture in the Shanghai music community, The Lab's Back To The Roots Block Party is back for the eighth time. Wow... Come through for a fun time with great local DJ's and MC's - like Redstar!


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Special Olympics in Shanghai

admin | 27 September, 2007 07:38

China has heart.

With all the buzz going on about the 2008 World Olympics, we forget about those games that hit home. That's right, the Special Olympics, an event that raises awarness and the importance of physical fitness for the mentally disabled. This is China's first time to host this event, and a lot of time, money, people and, most importantly, care has been invested in this event to make it happen. It's happening from October 2nd -11th.

China has made huge steps in developing the physical fitness of this nation (as I've mentioned in previous posts), particularly since winning the Olympics Bid in 2001. China will be the first country to host the World Olympics, the Special Olympics and the Paralympics all within the span of a year. A huge step for a huge country.

On to other Olympic news, my friend Mike Longe is competing to become an official Olympic Torch Bearer and he needs your help!

Mike Longe, for as long as I've known him, has always carried a strong Chinese (even though he's a foreigner) and Olympic spirit. Mike has lived in China for a few years, speaks pretty good Chinese, runs marathons, plays soccer (which he played in college), works for FIFA, speaks several languages, and is an overall good guy.

Please take a second to vote for him here: - VOTE FOR MIKE LONGE - Spread the word!

Keep fit, stay fit!


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Yue Festival

admin | 26 September, 2007 07:43

Yue Festival at Zhongshan Park on October 5th!

Howdy ya'll. There's a lil' hoedown happenin' on October 5th. Whooo wee! it's gonna be a rootin' tootin' good time!!

Ok... Let me stop... the Wild Wild West talk isnt working here...

October 5th is the Yue Festival. Got a lot of great bands, Faithless, Ozomati and a musical onslaught of other local and international bands. Personally, I'm very excited about the performance by my Brooklyn brother (Didn't know he co-owns Nkiru Books with Mos Def! Small world!!) /hip-hop educator/the man Jay-Z calls extolls as the best lyrical rapper -- TALIB KWELI.

Talib's take on performing in China is on-point and very real:

"China has long been a dream of mine" says Kweli. "It's gonna be a privilege to connect with the country that will shape our planet's destiny."

He's so right, shaping our planet's destiny. I can see where he gets it from. His dad and mom are college profs.

By the way, the Shanghai Yue Festival is hosted by no other than: REDSTAR! (That's my group, people...) So come through if you can and enjoy quality international and national music in Shanghai!!


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October 1st, China National Day is here!!!

admin | 26 September, 2007 07:23

National Day is coming up! Raise those flags!

Yes, it's China's version of July 4th, except in the Fall and there's a lot more Chinese people running around in this country visitng every spot in and out of China for a week. It's bananas.

I don't think you guys really understand how crowded it gets... Here's another video:

They say that every human being needs at least three feet of personal space. National Day is when you give back those three feet away to the entire nation, litterally.

I'm off to Guiyang with my lovely and smart wife, Zoe. She set up the trip... well... kind of... she used Ctrip and got us a good package. I've never been to Guiyang, nor Guizhou before, but I've heard a lot of great things. Apparently there's a few waterfalls to check out and stuff like that. I just know one thing... when 1.3 bllion people are on vacation at the same time, everywhere's gonna be packed! Happy National Day!

Say goodbye to space and hello to body odor!


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Remember: Wednesday, September 25th China's Moon Festival

admin | 23 September, 2007 21:51

It's that time again...

Just want to send a reminder to all you guys out there, whether you're in or out of China. This Wednesday the 25th is China's Moon Festival. Check out that full moon cause this is as round as it gets all year long!

The meaning behind the moon festival is really cool. Finally, it's one time of the year where the moon is complete and for those relatives and loved ones that are far away, you can share the moon with them and remember each other together.

And on that note, here's a little diddy by Tao Zhe aka David Tao called "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin" (The Moon Represents My Heart). This is a new and more R&Bish version (Respect to Deng Lijun! R.I.P. Keep the moon bright for us in heaven!!), but it's perfect for the '07. Enjoy!

Dedicated to my lovely wifey, Zoe!


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H&M in CHINA!!!

admin | 21 September, 2007 08:58

Kylie Minogue helps my blog and H&M become popular. Kylie in SH for H&M Grand Opening on April 12th!

OK, so this post is a little late, yeah, yeah... But the big news isn't in H&M's initial opening... it's in H&M's growth.

Yours truly just picked up a copy of H&M magazine just outside of my complex. I took a picture with the lady so kindly handing out the magazine on the store to all passer-bys. (She needs the picture to show her boss!!) She told me what this was all for, and of course, it for the openig of H&M at Cloud 9 Mall, only two blocks from my house!

I'm starting to see kind of a "Starbuck's trend" with H&M, cause you can find a local friendly H&M in just about any neighborhood in Shanghai. H&M's marketing team must be really tired, cause they work their butts off to get Shanghai's attention. Tons of signs around, but no date on the exact opening, the suspense is killing there people! (Opening is September 27th at Cloud 9 Mall, payday's the 28th... Excellent...)

But don't sleep on C&A, Mango, and Zara. What are all these brands doing here? They aren't Louis Vuitton type brands, but they aren't LV knockoffs either... and they are all real... Are we seeing the beginning of a middle class in China??? Will Old Navy, Banana Republic and... you guessed it... The Gap makes it's mark too??? Hey Madonna went from The Gap to H&M... I can see the Gap taking the market out here to give Madonna a run for her money... Who knows... T.I.C. (This is China!!)


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Typhoon (and MoJo) in China

admin | 19 September, 2007 10:16

See that grey cloud? Under all that is me...

Wipha's the name, and blowing crap down is it's game. My wife was off from work cause of it, I've cancelled two important meetings because of it and it knocked down my make-shift closet on my terrace... But it is by NO MEANS "Ripping Through The Shanghai Area". At least not the city center.

Apparently, my wife checked out the news today and about 200,000 people were evacuated frm Shanghai's suburbian areas yesterday afternoon in preparation for this typhoon. As for central Shanghai, there have been some strong winds and a lot of rain, but, man... People are taking advantage of this "typhoon" and taking a day off to RELAX!


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Hey, China! Got problems with Flickr? Try "YuPoo".

admin | 13 September, 2007 12:03

YuPoo, I Poo, We all Poo!!

Granted, the name isn't very amazing, appealing or appetizing in any way, it sounds like a punchline from a third grade classroom joke, but it's memorable as heck and it whoops the pants off of Flickr (in China). YuPoo works for me!

Why doesn't Flickr work? It all goes back to the Great Firewall of China. I won't give a lesson on it all, but it stops me from doing the things I loved to do on Shanghaiist and still do with Mojo In China - upload personal photos and make full use of my 1800 RMB Canon!

Disclaimer: YuPoo has nothing to do with the actual substance and YuPoo is only in Chinese. Learn Chinese, man!


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Journey of the "Nan"s: Back home to Nanjing!

admin | 12 September, 2007 08:56

At Fuzimiao in Nanjing.

Don't get it twisted, I've been gone for a bit, but MoJo In China ain't over. It always takes me some time to find some inspiration and news from this huge country worthy of throwing up on this blog. Today, we're in for a treat. I've gone over a few of the "Nan" states, as I like to call them... Now it's time to take a tour through the most popular Nan of them all. My former home, Nanjing.

I decided to take my wife Zoe on a trip to Nanjing for a weekend. It was her first time there and I wanted to give her a pretty memorable time there. I think I planned the trip pretty well and we went to some of the city's hotspots.

1. The Presidential Palace aka Dr. Sun Yat Sen's Mausoleum - Sun Yat Sen's home and office. Real big place with a lot of 20-30's office style buildings, a nice little creek nearby and it's all in the heart of Nanjing. Man, I want to be president...

Salute! (pic of Sun Yat Sen meeting with American Military Chief George Marshall) Back in the day!!

** Correction - The picture is with Chiang Kai-Shek (Jiang Jie Shi) NOT Sun Yat Sen. Thanks KMW for your comment!!**

2. The Nanjing Public Library - Yes, we went to a library, but this one is HUGE. I really think the inside was built by an airport architect. Really chill library with tons of couches and tons of... y'know... books.

3. Fuzimiao - Some call it Confucious Temple, some call it classic Shanghai, I call it a great place to shop till your drop, get some good food and still a piece of Chinese history. This place is full of that world reknowned Chinese architecture that we all know and love. There's even a building called "Ming De", the same name of my college (Middlebury) and also froma famous quote (Zai ming ming de, xue bu ke yi yi - In Ming De, you never stop studying.). Check out this cool trip we made through Fuzimaio -- on a rickshaw! Old school!

4. Behind The Wall Cafe - We have to mention this great bar/mexican eatery/ live perfromance spot in Nanjing. So convenient, so close to the colleges, and so chill, you can even sit at this spots out side patio and still feel warm all over!

5. Castle Bar - Miki, Bernie, it was cool to chill out with you guys over here. Castle is a cool underground-ish kind of bar with cheap drink and busy crowd on the weekend. DSK and I have performed there once before and would love to get back over there SOON! And for all you headbangers out there, there's plenty of local and foreign live rock and punk bands to check out over there.

6. Gold and Silver Restaurant - The each dish here is about 5-10 kuai ($0.50 - $1.25) more expensive than most Chinese food restaurants in China, but here's the big difference... Gold and Silver is better. The boss is a really nice too, but won't move his restaurant for anyone or do any kind of marketing... he keeps it close to the students... He's basically IN Nanjing University. Also, he gave my wife a pearl necklace as a wedding gift. (I know him, so it's cool.)

7. Nanjing University - Last but certianly not least, Nanjing University. My Alma Mater and the most reknowned college in Nanjing and one of the best in China, Nanjing University's campus sprawls around the Xuanwu/Gulou areas of Nanjing and has been a popular landmark in Nanjing for centuries.

Now there's a few places I missed due to lack of time or some rennovations made to the spots I planned, but overall, she got the jist. But I think the most important part was having some quality time with a loved one to see something new and something great. Nanjing forever!

Zoe on the rickshaw. She ridin' spinners!


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