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Name: Mark
Country: China
Metro: Shanghai
Interests: Faith, China, Japan, North Korea, computer graphics, math, physics, miscellaneous hackery, digital photography, learning new languages, gadgetry, classical music, writing, reading, running, international travel, aviation, GOOD Japanese food...
Expertise: Wandering and wondering...
Occupation: Computer related
Industry: Entertainment
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
Member Since:
11/20/2002
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| While I consider myself a believer in Christ, I've realized more that
faith can express and manifest itself in different ways to different
people.
I strive to be a witness to others, but I also believe
that evangelical "culture" (especially in America or promulgated by
American organizations) can often be full of legalism, insularity,
groupthink and emotional rhetoric, so I found it refreshing to take
a step back at times and build relationships with people who like
intellectual questions and challenges, while experiencing a variety of
activities and lifestyles.
And thus, my soundbite summary of spiritual revelation during my time in Asia. Something tells me this won't make it into the GrX Unstoppable newsletter...
In any case, it's good to be back. =) To delve into a new job, to start (re)discovery of community old and new, having the new benefit of seeing through the lens of overseas experience -- and in a way, to finally finish healing...
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| Now that the news is out, I feel like I'm able to finally write here again. Indeed, as I approach my final month of this current China adventure, free from full-time work, I've been doing a lot of introspection lately on the last three years: both looking back, and looking forward -- tackling questions that have risen, or perhaps always lingered on my mind, but haven't been fully developed in the hustle and bustle of this city.
So here goes the first one: why?
Indeed, not just that but why now of all times? After three years I'm just hitting my stride in starting to enjoy Shanghai as a resident and not someone on an extended business trip. I'm at a point where I finally have balance in life, and my spiritual walk is slowly getting back on track after the hell of last year.
Furthermore, many of you are probably asking: didn't you want to go for "a higher purpose"? As anyone who knew me during the first half of this decade can attest to, I was very much a modern Hudson "If I had a thousand lives, I'd give them all to China" Taylor. I went to Urbana (twice), attended WCC (thrice, even serving on its Planning Committee), took Perspectives... Every one of those events always seemed to have some speaker who, despite furious parental opposition, gave up a lucrative stateside career to pursue "His calling" on "the field". For five years between my first "summer project" and a professionally-relevant path to return as a tentmaker finally opening up, I was telling everyone and anyone who'd listen about my dream.
So, am I selling out? Was my fervor not genuine? Worse, am I just "another casualty" on the field?
Sure, my new job is with "a great company", "a great professional fit for me" and "I'll learn a lot", yadda yadda yadda. I even have some tickets to that grand Silicon Valley lottery, aka "pre-IPO stock options." But those were just a small part of the equation, so I'll skip that and focus on what made me realize that I could say yes to this new opportunity without much reservation, confident in Paul's words that He who began a good work will carry it to completion.
First, a main goal of mine has been accomplished in a way. There were very few specific ones, mind you. But I did have at least one -- that of helping to get GrX and its congregation "plugged into" China. I came with a broad vision, trying to learn the key players and map the landscape, and network and build relationships with them on the ground, relationships that I could then pass on to the GrX leadership as they wondered (like many groups, secular and otherwise) just how to "enter the China market" so to speak.
It took several vision trips and a strategic detour or two -- but now that we've identified a partnership, I'm glad we have someone to execute it. I'm thankful for Jeff and his heart, and that in a way, I'm passing on the torch of GrX's "rep" in China to him.
Second, while everyone here knows people staying five, 10, even 20+ years here, the average half-life for expats (whether involved in business, government, or "other stuff") is around two years -- not one, not three, but two. I've realized there's probably a reason: year one is effectively "learning the ropes", transitioning from survival to exploration mode. It's followed by another year, working and going deeper -- but nevertheless with a finish line visible in front, acting as a goal that keeps lethargic apathy from setting in. So in a way, I'm ahead of the curve already here. But it was never a numbers game for me, and never a competition.
Most importantly, these three years have taught me like never before about myself, my strengths and my weaknesses -- how I communicate, approach relationships, etc.
You can have all the orientation, preparation, briefings, and training in the world, but no matter the quantity or quality, it doesn't hold a candle to actually living overseas, for getting to really know yourself -- your strengths, weaknesses, and how you react under stress factors you would never see in the sedateness of Suburbia, USA. This is a race most strange... one where the players often don't know how they ought to be equipped until they spend time playing in the field.
Thus in this expat life of learning by doing, I've gotten a better sense of just what I need to be thus strengthened with... and that knowledge is what lets me return home with a sense of accomplishment for now, ready to "take a breather" and seek a community that provides healing where necessary but also development, with a much better focus by virtue of my experiences here, both the good and the not-so-good.
So is this goodbye to China? No, it's not, that I'm sure of... if anything. You can think of me being "on furlough." My time back in the states is a temporary one. The Chinese word for farewell literally means see you again, and it's a apt one for me too. So 再见 for now, and see you around...
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| Some of you have heard already, but I guess this makes it official: come late August, I will leaving Shanghai and returning to my roots in the Silicon Valley, USA to join an early stage tech startup.
I'll be with Cooliris, based in Menlo Park, CA, USA and focused on changing the way we interact with online media. In my new role, I will be responsible for leading the architecture of our next-generation graphics engine, building out a development team, and helping to drive our expansion into new platforms and applications.
While I am truly thankful to be close again to family and friends, and to be working with a talented and visionary group of people pursuing an area of long-time interest, I certainly have mixed feelings about leaving this city and country that slowly but surely, I have come to call home -- and most of all -- you and everyone else in the incredible community here, local and expat, spanning all worldviews and walks of life. It's definitely been an exciting ride, with moments of triumph and trial, but ultimately memorable: friendship, learning, and seeing first-hand amazing economic, social and other transformation here.
I made the decision not because I'm tired of China in the least bit, but rather because I feel this is a perfect opportunity to be equipped -- professionally and otherwise -- to eventually return. One thing's for sure: I view this stint back home as temporary, and I still hope to be involved some way even then.
I'm currently back in the Bay Area until July 27th, and then will be back in China (SH, with some travel to BJ, HK and maybe elsewhere) for the next month or so. I anticipate that my move back will be completed around August 30th.
** For those in SH, I'll be having a farewell event the last week of August -- tentatively evening/night of Friday, August 29th so save the date! =) ** Venue TBD, but somewhere in Puxi. If you can't make it for sure, I would still love to catch up, so let me know and I'll try to make time, one way or the other. Or if you ever come to the Bay Area, please let me know.
To my friends in SH and the rest of China -- thank you for being part of an unforgettable journey these last three years. Please do keep in touch and here's to many more in the future, on either side of the Pacific.
Cheers,
Mark
PS: ** On a more immediate note, I am seeking someone (or two, or three...) to take over my apartment lease in the Jing An area, starting in September. ** If you're interested or know people who may be, please let me know and I can give you the details.
PPS: I will probably want to sell/get rid of various furniture, electronic, and other sundry items as well, so if you're looking for something let me know, and chances are I might have it. ;)
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| Got this forward from a friend. Sorry, don't have time to translate this now for non-Chinese readers, but trust me -- funny, irreverent at times, and yet so true... =)
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| My last day at MSFT is June 30th. So all of you have exactly two weeks to use me for my employee discount on software, hardware, and Xboxes. Email me if you want me to get something for you. PS: If you haven't talked to me in years but come out of the woodwork to take me up on this offer, I promise I won't be offended. =) | | |
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