A summer surprise in Chicago

I hadn't fully overcome my jetlag from the Asia trip when I boarded my UA flight to Chicago last Friday. But that exhaustion quickly disappeared as the summer breeze caressed my bare arms and kissed upon my cheeks. (My hair, thanks to good products, stay intact.)

In the summer, Chicago adorns a colorful outfit that glitters in the soft sunshine. For a few warm months of the year, Chicagoans can spend as much time outdoor as humanly possible - and that's exactly what they do: lying on the grass, playing in the park, showering under the water fountain, or best, eating outdoor. Chicago has a great number of excellent restaurants that pleasantly surprise their patrons. Two of my most favorites include:

* Ralph Lauren's RL Bar & Grille

The vision and decor of Ralph Lauren compliment the classic all-American cuisine served by waiters wearing polo-embroidered shirts and stripe ties. The salon has several luxurious leather armchairs that you just want to sink into and spend an indefinite amount of time reading books, or admiring the beautiful photos artfully hanged on the wall.

* Le Colonial

This upscale French-Vietnamese restaurant captures the beauty, romance, and spirits of the French colony in the 1920s with floor-to-ceiling French windows, lush potted palm and banana trees, brick tiled ceiling, and nostalgic black-and-white photos of Saigon in the early century. The food is delicious and relatively authentic, which will take your mind out of both place and time.

But the most pleasant surprise of all has to be the new $300bn Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, which is interestingly connected to the Millenium Park by a long upward bridge. Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano, the Modern Wing with its light-color wood and white interior provides a refreshing home for the museum’s collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. A true must-see!

And just like that, I carry those beautiful memories back to work - longing for the next visit out to the midwest....

Beijing - a new land of fantasy?

I took 3 days in Beijing on my way to Hanoi, and let me tell you, it’s a fascinating time to be in Beijing right now.

I didn’t just say that out of the ostentatious level of wealth possessed by some Chinese families these days, even though I was absolutely surprised, and rather annoyed, by the number of kids running around and crying in the Business Class cabin.

I didn’t just say that out of the somewhat expected degree of pollution, either, even when it really brought the worst out of some people, such as my Singaporean friend Selina, who uncharacteristically swore at everything, from her uncontrollably frizzy hair to Chinese rudeness.

Beijing is fascinating because of its burgeoning art scene. From beautiful architectures to a vibrant art community filled with amazing galleries and hard-working art dealers, it’s no better place to be than in the Chinese capital. Indeed, a friend of mine quitted her job in New York to work for an art gallery in the 798 art zone. Now she no longer spends sleepless nights to meet deadlines but surfs from one gallery opening to another meeting with art patrons. Dressed in style, surrounded by a beautiful art crowd, she never felt more alive.

And so do art lovers such as myself – or anyone with a tiny bit of appreciation for beautiful grand things. As I strolled through contemporary exhibitions and admired bold, iconic infrastructures, I was taken to a land of fantasy, where the dreams of becoming bigger, better, and more beautiful are woven and realized at a speed that, well, could very much be as fast as their economic growth.

But art can even offer a better escape. In a country where Facebook is blocked, artists are apparently left relatively free to express their point of view, even their criticism of the government. As my Chinese art dealing friend explained to me, Chinese artists are still testing the water to see where the boundaries are… As a country in transition, both the government and its citizens still have to see where to draw the appropriate line… but exactly for that reason, art is blooming in some very unexpected directions.

Just try to avoid the summer, but otherwise, go see it for yourself.

A new journey

Two months after my graduation, and I am here taking the first few steps of my new journey – the one that would last lifetime.

You know, I have taken many trips in life - traveling is one of my biggest passions. I have been living away from home - and I really mean a long way, as in half way around the world long - for almost 7 years. I have traveled to 25 countries. I have reached the bottom of Singaporean sea in a kayak trip and trekked up the mountain in India; eaten koala and kangaroo meat in Sydney and dined in style with foie-gras and wine in Paris; delivered aid to the cyclone-infected delta in Burma and worked with junior delinquants in Scotland; as well as strutted on the grand avenues of New York, London, Milan, and Hongkong - the biggest fashion capitals.

Yet, I have to confess. This new journey is a bit daunting. Because I am entering the real life. With a real job.

With an M.A. in International Affairs from the top school in this field, I have entered the work force with my first real job ever at a multilateral development agency. It's not my first time "working" with big multilaterals, but for the first time, I am undertaking real responsibility, having real worries, something much substantial than what to wear today, or how much time I would have at the gym.

So I decided to start this blog - not to rant about the difficulties at the new job - but to celebrate life as it is – très magnifique! It's not meant to be a professional blog, even though I am sure I will have a lot of interesting things to say about my job - because I absolutely love it! But this blog is meant to share the emotions and thoughts of someone who starts his career in an approximately 9-5 job but is unwilling to surrender to the salaryman conundrum and committed to pursue his passions of traveling, arts, dance, design, passion, men, and many more.

So until the next time.
Biz.