I had lengthy phone-conversations with two friends this afternoon. Cao and Chen have been my best friends since my teens. We didn't contact each other often during these years of living far apart. Each of us has been busy, Cao in Shanghai, Chen in Toronto and me in Vienna.
Cao is the only one among us who is married (I'll catch up soon :) He has a lovely six-year-old daughter. I can feel through the phone that he hasn't changed much, hard-working while easy-going. He's a businessman, successful and nice-hearted. Successful businessperson is not difficult to find, but being nice-hearted is handful nowadays, specially in a city like Shanghai, that business is almost equal to hoax and humbug.
Out of his profession he encouraged me to do some trading with him, however I don't feel it my thing anymore. I prefer to get entangled in my books. I know I've changed and I'm well aware that the last six years formed a turning point of my thoughts and values. I immerse myself totally in studying, and will take research as my lifelong occupation. I feel comfortably off with my computer and my love; no need for more.
Chen's immigration experience is much tougher than mine. She works almost full-time beside her study. Her supervisor is definitely a hornet. Five and half years time will probably make her MSc more valuable than some PhD for her. I wish that she will as lucky as I am to find THE ONE of her life and be happy with him together. Somehow everyone deserves it. Being abroad for almost six years let us have lots of common topics. Living far away from home is back-busting. Bitter and happiness are never separated to each other. What gratifies her now is that her parents are going to visit her in May for three months.
Chris and I plan to go to Shanghai or Canada next year. I look forward to the moment to meet my old friends again, introduce Chris to them and them to him.
Cao is the only one among us who is married (I'll catch up soon :) He has a lovely six-year-old daughter. I can feel through the phone that he hasn't changed much, hard-working while easy-going. He's a businessman, successful and nice-hearted. Successful businessperson is not difficult to find, but being nice-hearted is handful nowadays, specially in a city like Shanghai, that business is almost equal to hoax and humbug.
Out of his profession he encouraged me to do some trading with him, however I don't feel it my thing anymore. I prefer to get entangled in my books. I know I've changed and I'm well aware that the last six years formed a turning point of my thoughts and values. I immerse myself totally in studying, and will take research as my lifelong occupation. I feel comfortably off with my computer and my love; no need for more.
Chen's immigration experience is much tougher than mine. She works almost full-time beside her study. Her supervisor is definitely a hornet. Five and half years time will probably make her MSc more valuable than some PhD for her. I wish that she will as lucky as I am to find THE ONE of her life and be happy with him together. Somehow everyone deserves it. Being abroad for almost six years let us have lots of common topics. Living far away from home is back-busting. Bitter and happiness are never separated to each other. What gratifies her now is that her parents are going to visit her in May for three months.
Chris and I plan to go to Shanghai or Canada next year. I look forward to the moment to meet my old friends again, introduce Chris to them and them to him.
