Although I don’t have as much time to spend on this blog as before, I have to say that I’m in love with my “new”-old Shanghai life. My new job is challenging but fun, and I enjoy being back in the “city” after 2 years in Suzhou.
Looking back at everything I’ve done, I’m glad I decided to stay in China even though I’ve been real homesick at times. All in all I’ve soon spent four years of China, and I feel like life over here is just getting better and better. I’ve experienced so much since I came here in 2006, and there is still so much to come. Ah… life’s so good right now. I almost wish I could hit the “stop” button.
Suzhou old town
Olympic torch frenzy, Suzhou
X-Games, Shanghai
Needs no introduction, no?
Visiting Rocky's family in Shuangxi, Hunan
Mountain village, Yunnan
Slippery slip in the mountains of Yunnan
Soon to be the Swedish Pavilion at the World Expo, Shanghai
Beijing Olympics
Chinese TV show
Hainan
Dali
Running competition in Suzhou
Live to eat 
Food, food... amazing food!
Dalian
Horseback riding in Suzhou
Meeting "China's Galliano" Lu Kun
Trekking in Yunnan
Nanjing
Crazy wedding shoot in Suzhou
Eating snake in Changsha
Wonderful friends
Zhu Jia Jiao
You have a lifetime of beautiful memories just in these pictures alone. I can't imagine everything you've seen and experienced in the last four years. Congratulations on the new job, and I hope you continue making wonderful memories in Shanghai, and that you continue to share them with us, no matter how infrequently you get the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWow. A-freaking-mazing photos!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice little recap of your time here. For me it's ELEVEN years but let me tell you it goes quickly. And just like for you, it keeps getting better for me too. But I do wish I did more. You seem to be making more of your time here, I hardly travel in China.
ReplyDeleteRight, maybe I should go back in to my photo archives and put together a picture review of MY years in China!
Oh how I remember following your blog over a year ago in your days of Suzhou.
ReplyDeleteYou've put it on a priority travel spot for me.
PattyF -Will do. I've been thinking that maybe I should stop blogging for a while now, since I cannot keep the same "pace" as I used to have.. but then I don't wanna give it up completely! Keeping the blog is like keeping a diary, and I like posting photo essays every now and then to remind myself of what has been. So I'll keep sharing!
ReplyDeleteMiss.chief - Photos = OK. Experiences = amazing!! :)
WoAi -11 years is a looooooooong time!! That's longer than the total time I've been living abroad! (however, I am close, going on 10 year!) U, who is such a talented photographer, should def post a photo essay of your eleven years.. maybe u could do 5 at times or something? Would love to see/hear more about your traveling experiences. I don't know how much u have travelled within China during your time here, but if you haven't been in Yunnan -then go, go, GO!!
Soap -You mean that Suzhou's your "spot"? Yeah, I guess suzhou is quite nice, however, I still prefer Dalian or Dali... :) Glad to hear u have been reading my blog for such a long time! I wonder if here's anyone who's been following my blog from the very beginning...I doubt so. When I started I had no readers at all!
Hej Jonna!
ReplyDeleteDet verkar som du har 'the time of your life' nar man ser korten pa vad du gjort! Trivs du pa nya jobbet? Har din pojkvan hitat jobb i Shanghai?
KRAMAR
Janike
Nice summary, don't take this as a strange question ... but how do all you sea turtles/foreigners treat the bathroom situation in China? My biggest phobia in China is having to take a number 2 in a public restroom ...
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are a)feeling happy about your life and b) actually KNOW that you are feeling happy. These blissful stages we experience really are so precious. It's wonderful to see someone as young as you are have the sense to cherish them as they deserve.
ReplyDeleteAs for your blog, well, it has already undergone many transformations since you first began it. Your style has changed, and developed, as you have grown through and into different experiences. There are so many valid ways to keep a blog, I don't think you should be concerned about damaging it, or diminishing it, because circumstances dictate a new approach.
But, of course, if you ever become tired of keeping it, I think your readers will all understand your desire to walk away. We'll be sorry to say goodbye, but glad to think of you striding towards new horizons.
---- my life. I'm really depressed right now and I should stop reading blogs on the internet.
ReplyDeleteWOW! such memorable experiences. Great living and I'm sure you'll never ever forget them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Exciting times!!
ReplyDeleteJanike -ja, just nu är jag glad för att jag blev kvar i Kina trots att det inte alltid var lika kul som det är nu. Jag trivs jättebra på mitt nya jobb!! Själv? har ni flyttat till Brisbane ännu?
ReplyDeletesask18 -that IS a strange question indeed. A toilet's a toilet. Not rocket science :)
flyingfish -I haven't seen u for a while, nice that u dropped by! Yeah, some wise man told me (last week) that instead of seeking for happiness, one should stop for a moment and look around at what one have here and now. Very wise person. I took it to heart thinking it would make little sense NOT to do so... Then I went through some old photos and couldn't help but thinking: "man, life's good!"
--- hope u r feeling better soon!
Keats -sure won't :)
Tiger -yeah, and when are u coming to China?!!
Janike -ja, just nu är jag glad för att jag blev kvar i Kina trots att det inte alltid var lika kul som det är nu. Jag trivs jättebra på mitt nya jobb!! Själv? har ni flyttat till Brisbane ännu?
ReplyDeletesask18 -that IS a strange question indeed. A toilet's a toilet. Not rocket science :)
flyingfish -I haven't seen u for a while, nice that u dropped by! Yeah, some wise man told me (last week) that instead of seeking for happiness, one should stop for a moment and look around at what one have here and now. Very wise person. I took it to heart thinking it would make little sense NOT to do so... Then I went through some old photos and couldn't help but thinking: "man, life's good!"
--- hope u r feeling better soon!
Keats -sure won't :)
Tiger -yeah, and when are u coming to China?!!
Great photo's and awesome memories!
ReplyDeleteJonna, I'm happy to say things are moving on the job front!
ReplyDeleteI had a phone interview for a French company in Shanghai yesterday for pretty much what I want to do. So now just a few more interviews in Paris and I should be there soon!!!
Exciting!
Little tiger -that's aweeeeesome!!! I hope you get it -just in time for the expo, huh?
ReplyDeleteOMG I never thought of that! Now I will be able to throw eggs at the Irish pavilion by myself! woohooo
ReplyDelete