So, it's Chinese New Year's eve. Having understood that fireworks aren't allowed in town, and certainly not around People's Square, there have been fireworks alllllll day today. Standing in the street, in pretty much any direction one can see fireworks. A few have been set off from our estate too, which makes me regretful for not buying from the taxi man.
Worse still, the fireworks I've seen have mostly been 'regular' fireworks. I only once heard the unmistakeable 'double bang' of mortar launched fireworks, like those sold by taxi-man.
I called home to speak to an aunt in the UK and my cousin Kai Keen. My aunt is doing well but keeping herself busy as ever, and Kai Keen is getting fat from lack of tennis and swimming. Which makes me feel better, because I'm rather rotund from the Shanghai winter and a fair deal of overtime.
I've been pondering over my career again as of late. The early development stage of my company, and the fact that my mandarin isn't fluent yet, causes me a problem. My choices are limited while my mandarin isn't fluent, and the developing nature of my particular part of the company means that we expend a lot of effort for only modest tangible results in return.
Good news is that we have a new COO, who is global head of transformation consulting. Medium term, this is a good sign. Short term, it'll probably make no difference.
There are a couple of project opportunities floating about. If I can land a good one, then I'm good and can stop worrying.
If not, then I have more thinking to be done. I could seriously focus on Mandarin. I could take 3 months full time to complete the electives for my MBA, studying perhaps in HK or London. I could change industries to take up a non-consulting job, hopefully where I could get chinese and work experience without having to worry about growing the company. Or... like my original plan, I could accept that this leg of the journey is going to be slow yet tiring, and soldier on in hope.
Some other thoughts from on the street. The last few days, I have seen short men in dirty suits, carrying black bin bags. I think these are migrant workers, taking their few possessions with them as they head home for the new year. I've also seen more beggars on the street, seemingly more desperate than ever. Sparklers for sale (safe ones apparently), but no fireworks. And, men (and a woman) walking around the busy streets with a monkey each on a chain.
The monkey business got me thinking a little. Firstly, why is it that having a monkey improves one's chances of getting money? Secondly, where do these monkey people hang out for the rest of the year? Why is that I'm only seeing them now? Lastly, what are they afraid of? I saw one monkey man go up to customers outside a restaurant. Moments later, he ran past me, having grabbed up the chain (monkey now dangling by its neck) and he disappeared down back alleys.
Perhaps the person he was begging to threatened to call the cops. Other than monkeys, there are children with their mothers begging, and today I also saw a mother with a baby. Sure, any cities has beggars. Knowing that social security isn't as strong here as it is in the West, my conscience does hang heavy.
For now, I'll help with fundraising. Last year my mother, uncle stephen, auntie teresa and auntie metis donated money on my birthday to give to a Shanghai celebral palsy unit. This year I've joined the organising committee for the british chamber charity ball, a major fundraiser. In the future, as well as raising funds and donating generously, I hope my work directly contributes to the development of China's social structure and quality of life.
