MOJO IN CHINA

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If you think expats are only in Shanghai and Beijing... Think again!

admin | 31 January, 2008 13:42

Sanya Bay

I stumbled across a few Sanya expat sites while I was searching for the weather in Sanya (which is now between 70-80 degrees!)

Check them out and let me know what you think... Looks like laowai are everywhere in this country...

Sanya Expat

The Best Sanya Information On The Web (This site is run by an events MC named Mario Cavolo.)

If anyone finds any more related sites... let me know! I leave Shanghai this Saturday afternoon!

MoJo's China stories: Chapter 1

admin | 31 January, 2008 11:59

MoJo stars as Captain America

TRUE STORY: "I Hate Americans"

Last Tuesday evening, I was on my way to the gym near my house. I took the elevator and as I entered the elevator, I stood by the front so I could be the first to get out, show my gym card to the front desk and dash to the lockers. (I was already late for Body Pump class and my wife was waiting on me with al lmy equipment ready.) In the elevator were two young Chinese women, one to my left and another behind me. There was a bit of space in between all of us, since the elevator was pretty big.

The elevator stopped at the 4th floor and three middle-aged Chinese women got on the elevator. And one of them had some things on her mind that she HAD to spurt out for the entire elevator to hear... Of course... this was in Chinese:

"I hate Americans!!" (Wo Hen Mei Guo Ren!)

I had to pause at that moment. I though she said something else... I kind of hoped she said "Wo Hen Mei Li De Ren" which means, "I hate beautiful people", but that wouldn't make much sense... She continued her rant, and this time, with more confidence:

"I REALLY hate Americans!!" (Wo Zhen De Hen Mei Guo Ren!!)

Woah... Ok... I think my hearing was right at this point, I was ready to out on my Captain America suit, load up my shield, and defend my country, but I'm not much of a confrontational person, I needed a bit more... evidence...

"The people I hate the most are Americans!!" (Wo Zui Hen De Shi Mei Guo Ren!!)

THAT'S IT!!! Wow.. I was right all along... Now I don't know what her deal was, but I was floored by her very forward statement in such a public place... And her rants were consecutive... She didn't stop to think about it, she just went for it... Actually at this point, I WISHED she would say that line... and she did!!

She obviously didn't see, me, but if she did when she walked in the elevator.. she might have said it anyway... Thining that I can't understand her... Man, she had another thing coming! It kind of reminded me of when I first got to China in 2002 and overheard this lady talk about black people... Yo, I had to jump in!

For the sake of clarity: The rater will be R, and I'll be M, for obvious reasons... This conversation/debate/punking out session was all in Chinese...

M: "So, you hate Americans, huh?"

R: "Yep!"

M: "Guess what? I am American!"

R: "Really?"(smiles nervously) "Well, you're probably not like all the Americans I'm talking about!"

M: "Listen, miss, you are absolutely rude. I know we may not have the best global policies in the world or a great president that can handle those policies, but do go on thinking all Americans are all the same and that we're all awful!" (The lady to the left of me laughs, probably because she's surprised that I can say global policies in Chinese and the pure fact that that lady just got punk'd!)

R: "Yes, but..."

M: "Next time, you best watch your mouth and be careful when and where you say things and who understands you! Watch your back!"

I left the elevator, politely asked for my locker key at the front desk and gave them my card... I felt like a champion, a fighter for Sino-US Relations...

I can't think of a clever way to conclude this story.. I have no diplomatic ending here... I can't defend Americans or Chinese on this one.. I just think people need to think before they make statements... Even I have to do the same, cause hey, you never know who is out there listening or watching.

Vacation is is coming!

admin | 31 January, 2008 11:40

Gloria Resorts Sanya, one of the places Zoe and I will stay for CNY!

The snow is finally starting to melt and the sun is out... the powers from up above is giving China a moment to breathe and get a good start on the Chinese New Year holiday.

The week before the holiday is always the most hectic, everyone's trying to get their last chunk of work done before vacation, folks are trying their hardest to buy bus, train and plane tickets back home to to a special vacation destination... it's a mad house...

Luckily for me and my wife, we manged to score tickets to Sanya on Hainan island, so it'll be a good getaway from the winter cold. We'll be back the eve of Chinese New Year on February 6th.

We'll try our best to put up posts and pics on our vacation!

Careful of the snow and safe travels!

admin | 28 January, 2008 14:47

It's Chinese New Year, have a safe vacation this snowy season!

I've seen nothing like it, a foot of snow in Nanjing, 150,000 passengers stuck in Guangzhou, slush all over Shanghai. Places that haven't been affected by snow in years are getting a taste of winter's medicine.

Just wanted to take the time to which everyone safe travels wherever you go and as the Chinese say, "Wear more, drink more warm water and stay indoors as much as you can!" Peace.

Chinese Inspiration and Leadership by Lao Zi

admin | 25 January, 2008 11:48

Today, I want to share a piece of leadership and inspiration by Lao Zi.

"The leader is best,
When people are hardly aware of his existence,
Not so good when people praise his government,
Less good when people stand in fear,
Worst, when people are contemptuous.
Fail to honor people, and they will fail to honor you.
But of a good leader, who speaks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
The people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"

~ Lao Zi

The Loft

admin | 18 January, 2008 16:49

The Loft

If you're into fashion and you want to find a new plce to get local and international fashin clothes and artistic stuff, check out The Loft. It opened recently and Redstar is performing there tonight. See you there?

Stephen Chow (Zhou Xing Chi) has a new movie called CJ7

admin | 15 January, 2008 21:42

CJ7 aka Chang Jiang 7 Hao

Stephen Chow's got a movie coming out on the 31st called CJ7 (Chang Jiang 7 Hao/ Long River Number 7). He's the director/lead actor for such comedies as Kung Fu Hustle (Part 2 is supposed to come out in 2010!! Just in time to shows it's dope FX during the year of the Shanghai Expo!) and Shaolin Soccer. I hear that this movie is a bit more serious, and less slapstick. I will be sure to check it out on the 31st! Steven Chow is great stuff.

(30 kuai Tuesdays are at Cloud Nine mall!!)

Concerned Shanghai Residents Not Pleased With Maglev Train

admin | 15 January, 2008 10:47

Shanghai Maglev

It's been a while since I've posted some hard-hitting news. For all visitors of Shanghai coming into Pudong Airport and those concerned about the environment, check this out:

Local residents aren't pleased with the extension (from Pudong Airport to I'm not sure where...) of the maglev which currently runs between Pudong Airport and Long Yang Road station on the city's Metro Line 2 saying that the radiation causes problems for those living near the line. Some have said that residing near the maglev is like living near a microwave oven. There have been protests (the protesters have called them "strolls") about the maglev in public spaces out and around the maglev.

Inside of Line 2 Metro

Protests don't happen much here, or at all, but I think this is for good reason. Here's yet another environmental "Inconvenient Truth".

Local officials have notified the residents and told them that they are taking every step to lessen the hazardous effects of the maglev and to stay calm.

I've taken the maglev a few times and I find it quite fast and convenient and for 50 kuai and a subway ride (about 4-5 kuai), it's much cheaper than taking a cab. But I didn't know that the maglev can cause radiation. Maybe next time, I'll take the bus that leaves from Jing An Temple by Jiu Guang mall... But it is true, many residents live near the line and it whizzes by several thousand homes and apartments about a several hundred times a day. (imagine the noise too, eh?)

I've heard about maglev developments between Shanghai and Hangzhou before, but if that happens, it will bring big bucks to the city, but a bit of an environmental stir...

All in all, this is another issue I have a tough time with. This train has brought a lont of money and prestie to the city, it's convenient and fun for travellers - like yours truly, but it's killing people... Let's hope scientists and officials out there can get behind this matter and help those people living by the maglev. Any ideas, Germany?

MC Battle with Tangking

admin | 14 January, 2008 10:09

Check out a Chinese (Mandarin) freestyle battle between Tangking (Shanghai) and Lil' Ray (Beijing). Is it just me or are Chinese freestyle battles really loud? Oh well... Tangking - Redstar - Jia You!

For all "I-something" users on the Mainland...

admin | 14 January, 2008 06:43

You can get your Apple fixed in this country!!

So good news to all Apple/Mac users, you can get repairs out here. Yay! (I use XP, which fails on me every other second, but I got an ipod, so I can kinda relate.)

In Shanghai, you can hit up the Hui Jia Da Xia in Xu Jia Hui (Xu Hui District) and get your ipod, iphone and anything mac related fixed. Hit up the 16th floor and follow all the signs. They're open from 10am to about 5:50pm. The price wasn't cheap though. I had to replace the hard drive on my ipod and it cost me about 360 kuai... uggghh... (but it includes a one month warranty to get it fixed and whatever)

BTW, while I was out getting this fixed and getting some extra shoppng done... it snowed!!!!! It was the first snow I saw in Shanghai... EVER!!! So if you are around SH... 1. Dress Warmly 2. Drink plenty of water. (That's what the locals say... and it really works! China is madd dry!) Peace!

Chang Chen Yue and MC Hot Dog

admin | 12 January, 2008 15:57

Chang Chen Yue and MC Hot Dog: Reppin' Chinese Hip-Hop on China's pop circuit

What's up, all. I've been checking out a lot of entertainment news lately and R&B singer Chang Chen Yue's name has come up a bunch and when there's smoke, there's sure to be a fire, so along with Chang (aka A Yue), we have popular Taiwan rapper, MC Hot Dog. They're having a show on the 26th in Shanghai and I'd like to go to see how they do with the mainland audience, but I have a lot going on that day with Redstar, so we'll see.

Anyway, I remember watching the Lycra style gala on Channel Young (Yes, Lycra is big out here... Kind of surprising cause Esprit is huge out here too... Random!) the other day and Chang Chen Yue constantly mentioned coming from the street and repping the streets all the way with his music. I have to respect that because he's approaching the pop market with a whole new angle - something a bit more hip-hop.

For all those that don't know about MC Hot Dog, you can check out what he's all about here and peep his music. He's one of the first of his kind in terms of hip-hop in China.

MoJo In China (Daily)

admin | 11 January, 2008 14:46

I'm in this issue of China Daily and I don't know why...

But they put me in. Check out the article online here. It's about the things you normally hear on my blog: Redstar, Hip-Hop, Chinese, Future and Current Plans, and last but certainly not least, my family life. Respect.

Peace to Ida on the article and congrats on getting the 1,000 words!

ICS Shanghai

admin | 07 January, 2008 23:00

"I See Shanghai" - Clever, very clever...

Let me start off by just wishing everyone a very Happy New Year to all! I hope you all are writing up your resolutions and sticking to them! This is very important! It looks like China is sticking to one resolution, to become a major player in the inernational community. And what better way to do that than by starting up a new international channel. There's already one on Beijing's CCTV 9 (which is full of news, news... and more news) which is run by the governmentt... It looks like Shanghai's got a brand new bag, called ICS, International Channel Shanghai.

ICS is a more entertainning and flashier than CCTV 9 and has a bit more international flavor... The channel's motto: "I See Shanghai"... That's pretty darn clever... They also have some internationally sydycated shows on the channel like America's Funniest Home Videos (But they change the name on the station to something like "Family's Funniest Videos" and got this young Canadian dude hosting the show instead of Bob Saget) and some national ones like Getaway (with Da Long, aka Andrew Ballen), More Than Jazz with Lawrence Ku and You Are The Chef.

But, (and I have to do this) I'm a bit bitter. I'm waiting for when they'll give your boy MoJo a show. And I would like for the show to be on Hip-Hop or urban culture in China. Why? Because Hip-Hop/urban lifestyle is international, as for the music style, it's will take over pop in China, and they need someone in the know who is in the scene in China and can give it the right reporting that it needs, in Chinese and English -- That person is me.

Also, the market out here in China is opening up for more hip-hop related artists like Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas and Talib Kweli... Anyone from ICS reading this... I'm telling you, You would be making a smart choice...

Anyway, I enjoy watching the programs on ICS and hope to see the channel develop in the near future... then, you can bring MoJo in and pay tha man. Holla!

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