Dubai | Happy New Year!
Yep, this post is 20 days too late to the party, I know, you would think I'm talking about my New Year that will happen in less than 15 days already. But hey, better later than never right? Plus, a little party never killed nobody!
I welcomed 2018 in the extreme cold ( at least to me ) and now I'm here in a hot night, impatiently waiting for 2019 to come. Talking about what can happen in a year? I really thought 2018 wanted to kill me. It's the year I shattered into million pieces and it's the year that I look back and my heart aches. I'm so ready to save the file 2018 in a folder that I won't open for a long long time and ready to put some of the shattered pieces back together in the coming year, with hope.
My friends booked a table and that brought me to DIFC and the universe brought me fate. Julia, a dear friend of mine is all about astrology and stuff like that, I often roll my eyes when she does that. But the last day of 2018 converted me into her too, I am utterly thankful for what the universe brought to me and I can't think of a better way to start a new year!
Champagne and fireworks, hugs and laughter, music and dance, glitters and chocolate cake. I like to celebrate things in a big way and I need all these essentials. At one point of the night, I thought I was somewhere over the rainbow. Okay maybe I was dancing on the table, but it got me there.
DIFC is such a wonderful place, I spent a large amount of time reading under the trees or in a cafe when I lived here. The galleries and auction house, different restaurants. I might have a few glasses of drinks, but I was so surprised to see Chinese artist Zhuang Hongyi's works showing in Opera gallery. Art really has no borders and it can bring us together.
I left Dubai in early 2014, shortly after the new year. I danced in LPM with all my girlfriends to celebrate that new year. Maybe because I know I was leaving, I hugged everyone a bit harder and laughed a bit louder. It was an epic night, so is this one. I have to catch the flight back home in 4 hours. I have my luggage packed in Marina's car, and we headed to the beach after picking up some shawarmas from Zaroob of course.
There's something about a big body of water that calms your soul. It was so quiet and peaceful. And the new moon is up there, with us. It's always this kind of spontaneous trips that stay in your mind and excites your nerves right? The short 16 hours I spent in Zurich, the weekend at the Nai Harn Beach. And now another epic new year memory.
I wish when I'm old and grey, I can still remember those days and remind of myself what a wonderful journey life has been, and because I don't want to disappoint my future, I will keep wandering, keep moving, keep believing, keep loving.
Where to next, my heart?
Photos by Marina Qureshi and me shot in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Dubai | Half Desert, Half Sea, Half of My Heart
My feelings towards the desert are something extra.
I read about Echo and her Sahara life at a very very young age and always dreamed about going. So when school was finally finished I found myself a job in the desert and didn't hesitate a second and jumped on the plane.
And my oh my, was it a wild ride.
I left the desert for about 5 years now, but the life I had there, forever has a soft spot in my heart. The sunset is different from any other places, the water is different from any other beaches.
I don't know about other countries, but in China, you get three days off over The New Years, and it might sound crazy to a lot of people, but I booked a flight and decided to go to the desert for a quick weekend getaway. I'm newly single, and I need my supporting system. Plus I really miss my girlfriends over there. Adding all that up, I booked the ticket and went straight to the airport after work.
Well, it is kind of crazy, even the guy at the check-in counter said it's crazy. It's not from Germany to Spain, it's not from Shanghai to Phuket. It's a solid 10 and a half hour flight, it's like going to Paris for a weekend and come back. But I went for it. I followed my heart and I knew it's worth it, and it was way beyond my imagination of how wonderful the trip was.
Half Desert, Half My Heart
I didn't even go to Downtown the first day, I stayed with my friend Marina, the brain behind the Fashion label Marina Qureshi London at The Villa, outside of the city and I can't wait to go into the deep desert with her.
Other than the Christmas Eve we spent in the desert for Moroccan tea and talk 7 years ago, Marina hasn't done any desert safari before and I decided that it's time for her to experience. For people who don't know desert safari, a desert safari involves a jeep drive through enormous mounds of sand (called "dune-bashing"), you have to flat your tire first before you hit up the hills. We were only paying for it for the sake of Marina's safari experience. The rest of the packaged deal of camel riding and belly dancing etc are just too touristic for us, and we decided to escape. Also, I think the camels there were crying and it's too sad for me to watch, let alone ride.
As we sat back in the car and headed back home, we saw the sunset and decided to against the GPS's will and to do a little detour, and we found the perfect desert that just there for us, no one else. I always loved a good desert sunset, You hear the wind, the prayers far from the mosque, it's something that I call "beautifully sad". It's so grand that you, and everybody else, seem so small within.
I came down here for some consolation, not necessary from people. I know if there's any place in the world can keep me grounded, it's here, with my barefoot in the sand. I always consider here as the starting point of my adult life, This land kept a lot of my "First". It might seem strange to someone that home is not the place where I feel most comfortable at. But at home, I can't be completely who I am, I'm my parents' daughter, my little siblings' big sister, my grandparents' sweetheart and all the other hats that are me, a real me too. But at some level, subconsciously I behave the way that they want me to, not exactly what I wanted to.
But here, I can be truly who I am. I can walk down the beach at 4 am, I can drive to the desert for the sunrise. I can eat as many shawarmas as I want, at any time, any place. (Well, actually the best two places to get shawarmas are Zaroob in Sheikh Zayed Raod and Al Malah in Al Satawa. ) I am a little bit out of control, and I feel free anytime after midnight. I would not consider moving back here because life is all about moving on right? But what this land gave me is something I will cherish forever, whenever and wherever. And that, my friend, in a city where money can literally buy everything, is precious and certainly priceless.
Photo by Marina Qureshi and me, shot in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
It's Christmas and on Christmas You Tell the Truth
I know honey, at this point, Shanghai has made it quite difficult for everyone to love her. We are looking at 5 weeks without a peek of sun. I mean come on, how many tears can you cry?
However I have a theory, Shanghai is moody and cries a lot but she never messes up with important dates. A lot of us complains about the summer in the city too, it rains, a lot. But I've noticed that when it's weekend, mostly the sky is high and the air is hot, the sun's out, fun is found. And starting from Monday, it would rain cats and dogs and the waterworks make everybody blue and wet. Same goes to the holidays and festivals. She knows how to handle herself let's say?
Just so it proves my theory, two weeks back on Christmas Eve, we had a little sun break from the winter rains and made "back to the street" shoot, and, of course, the Christmas celebrations possible.
I love Christmas, even though it's not my holiday by origin but I love the holiday spirit and my experience with Christmas Eve made me like it even more. One Christmas Eve back when I was still in university (gosh sounds like forever ago.) I was invited to a Christmas dinner, and I left in such a hurry that I forgot my wallet, of course, I didn't notice until the taxi driver drop me off, let me remind you that was pre-online payment, pre-uber/didi time, and I think I then own a Motorola Flip phone? Anyway I was super embarrassed and told the driver I forgot my wallet and I have no money on me. If he can go with me to my friends' house so that I can pay him. Suprisely he said to me: "it's okay, Miss, consider a gift to you! Enjoy your dinner! " I was so touched and I believe it was the holiday spirit. I remembered the night with warm lights and Christmas tree and great food with friends, most importantly that complete stranger's kindness. I carry that story with me and keep trying to return the good to other people.
I was kind of avoiding this year's holidays, for an obvious reason. Truth to be told, if it wasn't my Seoulmate Tara texted me and asked when should she come over for dinner, I would completely forget about tonight's tradition. But thank god we don't live in 2009 anymore, half an hour before said dinner time, I finish the table setting with flowers and Italian food both were delivered to my door. Dinner was lovely with my closest ones and we decided to go out to share the joy with others.
You know you make decisions every day, and they all have an impact on your life. But at some point, there will be this one decision, that you make, most probably you didn't even notice, you just did, spontaneously, would have the strongest impact on you.
I fell asleep at 4 am on this Christmas Eve. I have trouble falling asleep for a while now, but for the first time in forever, I fell asleep feeling happy. After a long long time, something sweet was gifted to me, so sweet it reminded me of the Danish Cookie Kjeldsens(?) that my father's friends would bring to us every Chinese new year.
There are things happen on certain days that just make you wonder if it's all written in the stars. I don't know that for sure, But I know for a fact that, this is another yet best Christmas.
Photos: Xiaoyu.
Talk to Your Neighbors
I’m always a big fan of dressing up for occasions. New Year’s Eve is obviously no exception.
I wanted to put out some outfit options for New Year's Eve and photograph them too. But by the time Xiaoyu arrives, there comes my Ayi (cleaning lady) and I know my apartment would not be the ideal location anymore.
“Why don’t we shoot outside? ” I suggested, Xiaoyu and Tina agreed too, but my Ayi is like: “ Miss are you crazy? It’s so cold outside! ” True, and I just recovered from a nasty flu.
“Oh, I have an idea! ”
The Fruit Shop Owner
5 mins later, we found ourselves in the corner fruit shop, owned by a family and they are such sweet people, I asked them if we can shoot in front of their shop, and the guy is like it’s too cold outside, come inside and shoot! It’s all yours!
I know you would think that because I buy fruits from them all the time and they know me. Truth is I usually just order from certain apps. Very few times I physically shopped in their store and they remembered!
I grew up in a house of a street where everyone knows everyone. People don't just close their doors all the time, especially in summer, the gate of each house is wild open, even when they are napping or out for grocery, and as a kid, when you pass by, the neighbors are always asking if you would like some chocolate or a slice of watermelon.
Back to the city, everybody lives in their own squares and even in the elevator we just stare at our phone and avoid eye contacts (guilty).
The fruit shop owner's sweet smile just melts my heart and I decided to do a few more experiments.
The Florist
The same story goes to the florist. I have the habit of having flowers in the house always, and I shopped in their store several times, but every time it was a girl and today it was a guy, I guess it's the husband. I felt terrible to ask him the question since he has customers in the shop and I would just be in the middle of the thing. Out of complete surprise, he said do what you must do, any flower you like can be used in your photos! In fact, he actually gave me a pink rose. I felt utterly grateful and head to toe overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers.
The Teashop
I knew it wouldn't be a problem to shoot in this tea shop, cuz judging on the color and the decor, this place is made for Instagram. After receiving the confirmation from the shop staff, we jumped into the pool and had a great deal of fun.
At this point, I already forgot about the purpose of what we were supposed to do today, who cares what you are wearing, today I learned that our fruit shop owner is an ex-military, our florist used to live in Indonesia, and the girls in the tea shop are studying computer science.
Talk to your neighbors, and love them too.
If you don't know it yet, they love you.
Wearing: Black evening dress Marina Qureshi London. Flower print jumpsuit Topshop.
Makeup by Tina Cai, shot by Xiaoyu in Shanghai, China.
London | 28 Degree and Sunny
There's something special about the European Summer. Those sandy beaches and seafood pasta, pink sky and longer days are making it much harder for anyone to be anywhere else. I love Shanghai as much as the next person, but god, summer in the city is just a cross to bear. 100% humidity, rains almost every day, sometimes 48 hours non-stop. Like what?
So this summer I planned a two weeks getaway to England and spent a wonderful time with my nearest and dearest.
I know, I know, England for summer? Really? Why?
Honestly, I wasn't sure in the beginning either. But I figured as long as I'm in Europe, I can just hop on a train or plane if England's summer fails me. So with some extra scarf and jacket packed in my summer luggage, I took the flight to a little town called London.
Wow, was I surprised that the whole time when I was there, United Kingdom was sunny and hot like a proper summer every day! They even had their heatwave (29 degrees! LOL) ！Summer '18 might just be Europe's best summer yet.
First and foremost, we obviously took our first day in London as proper tourists and went to all the sites that you've probably seen a million times. But like "There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes", my experience is unique to myself. Walking on Piccadilly street like what I have read from "Mrs. Dalloway" is something personal and emotional, and when we walked down the Fleet street, I thought of Yeats and his "The Lake Isle of Innisfree " immediately.
We went to the London Eye and my fear of height decided to kick in at that very moment. It's not even that high but because it's not very still as the cabin is shaking by the wind, I couldn't move at all only to hold on to the bench. Money well spent.
If the London Eye made me almost cry, then the London Dungeon just made the 27-year-old me burst into tears! Even though I know everyone is just acting and everything is fake, it's just way too much for me to handle. I only signed up for it because I saw a 9-year-old boy was in the group too, and I figured it can't be that scary, turned out, I can't even beat a 9-year-old. Shame.
I couldn't be happier when the tour in the dungeon was finally over, and I was able to breathe under the sun again. Walking around with ice cream in my hand, I felt grounded and safe. Tate Modern in front, St. Paul's Cathedral in the back, Jasmine blooms on the sidewalk and the wall, red phone booth kept reminding me where I was.
The sundown came as late as 10 pm as we were crossing from the south bank of the Thames. The Knight bridge was on our right side. That was a beautiful summer sunset, the whole sky was rendered by the color of orange, like a piece of work from Claude Monet, my favorite artist de le Impressionnisme.
Do you believe the charm of "love at first sight"? Do you believe it's all written in the stars? The first time I came to visit, you abandoned your usual " 15 degrees and gloomy ", and welcomed me with sunshine and flowers. It's my first time landed on the island physically, but I felt I've known you from long ago already.
"与君初相识， 犹如故人归。"
( I can't and don't want this poem to be translated. If you know, you know.)
All photos my own shot in London, United Kingdom.
Balibaba | In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle
I tend to write about every trip in just three posts and trust me, it's not an easy job! I have to skip a lot of things that I wanted to talk about. But if you do understand a simple language that is called Mandarin, then, by all means, go to the Chinese version of it, you will know that I like to yada yada a lot.
It was one typical hot Bali afternoon, we were hiking to a spa that we reserved a month ago. The whole hike is about 30 minutes, but my weak city legs stretched it into one hour. And every single time when this happens, I would immediately sign up a gym class back home and end up not going. (can't deal with gym, really. )
Apart from my weak city legs that caused the delay, I was also just taking a moment and soaking in the beautiful scenery along the way. It's simply breathtaking.
Ah Jungle!
In the house where I spent most of my summers as a little girl, we had this small forest in the backyard. According to my grandpa (may he rest in peace), years ago, it was a grand river, and it went dry up and trees and other things started to grow in it. And half a century later, it became what it is today. A lot of the nap time, or so my grandparents believed that I did nap, I would escape the house with bare feet and go down to the little "jungle" with my other fellow "nap-skippers". We'd climb up to the mulberry trees, or lie down on the grass, it's so quite, and only the cicadas sang along, strangely I found it's very soothing.
So walking around besides the real jungle just bring back those sweet memories! I also saw houses among those trees and could not help but wonder what their lives look like? How does it feel to live in such a luxury oxygen factory? Would they want to trade life with me? Even just for a short brief moment?
The Massage in Karsa Spa is so good that I slept the entire time! Honest writing about it just put me into that mood again and I almost fall asleep! The room is quite private but not completely closed, they have the sarong instead of the door so that the hot breeze went through the entire room and it just felt so relaxed. They also have an outdoor shower in the garden which is just incredible. The last time I had an outdoor shower was in a Tibetan tribe family house facing Qinghai lake. There is something about outdoor showers. They are of course private and honestly, no one else will see you, but you still kind of feel bold and fun and has the thrill that someone might just pass through. Does that sound pervy? No?
I mean the massage was that good that we decided to stay a little longer and have a drink, and a drink led to a long lunch. We talked about everything and nothing, and time just went by like that. I stared at these rice fields and thought about one article of Shanghainese writer Chen Danyan. It was published in Traveller Magazine I believe. I read about it when I was in high school. (wondering if that magazine still exits?) She and her daughter were traveling in Bali. And One afternoon in a ventilated gazebo, everything seemed so quiet and peaceful. She felt a little tipsy, not sure if it's the gin tonic or the gorgeous view. She fell asleep, without the help of the Balinese massage. And that was her best memory of that trip.
I didn't know if I was just mumbling or actually telling the story out loud. But that day, I got to experience what Chen Danyan has experienced and I know the young girl in the school library would be happy to know that too.
Isn't life just beautiful?
All photos my own shot in Bali, Indonesia.
Note on Culture
Many years ago when I was living abroad. One night my friend had an emergency and I took her to the hospital. Instead of checking the patient’s broken finger, the doctor turned to me and said, "So Chinese people are tall now? " I sensed the tone and couldn’t just ignore, I knew my mother would say: " be the bigger person and let it go " but I replied: " Well doctor, aren’t there tall and short people everywhere? We are all different. ” He continued:” I just didn’t know they are producing tall people in China too. ” I was this close to snap but then he turned to my friend and actually started his duty as a doctor.
Funny enough, It was my friend’s middle finger that got caught by the door and during the whole check-up, she was giving him the finger that I would give.
I’m sure he meant no harm, but it occurred to me just how people still have that stereotype of China?
You would be amazed how many times I heard people say, “ But you are not a typical Chinese, you can’t represent the majority.”
But darling, if I am an authentic Chinese, what I do, what I say should represent my generation, my people. You can’t ignore me because I don’t fit in that image in your head. What you should do, is maybe get your facts right and more importantly, up to date, and embrace who we really are, because like it or not, We are coming.
At least I am. At full force.
In the hope of helping people to understand better my country and my people, people who actually live in this century, I created this culture category, one post at a time, use my own voice, to present my generation to the rest of the world so that next time when you think of me, you won’t have that picture of a girl, dressing in Qipao and trying to eat pizza with her chopsticks anymore.
Please D&G, we all use hands.
Photo by my favorite Paul Claussen shot in an old historical building on East Beijing Rd, Shanghai, China.
* Editor's note: this location is no longer available to the public, the building is under construction.