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Shanghai expats expound about their personal hopes and dreams for 2017
Westerners tend to dedicate a lot of importance to New Year's resolutions. It is an annual tradition of self-improvement, reflection and optimism that has become a veritable opportunity for people to start a fresh chapter in their life; a new beginning; another chance to do all things you never got around to before.
New Year's resolutions are passionately shared on social media and at get-togethers every New Year's Eve, ranging from the obvious "quit smoking" or "get fit" to deeper, more personal challenges to one's heart, mind and soul, such as "be a better person."
The Global Times recently spoke with several foreigners in the city about their personal New Year's resolutions, finding a shared ambition, positivity, enthusiasm and optimistic outlook among them, which speaks volumes about the wide range of opportunities and possibilities afforded to expats living and working in Shanghai.
Sabrina Samra, 24, English teacher
"2016 has been an amazing year. Nevertheless, there's always room for improvement. My New Year's resolutions for 2017 are to continue to stay healthy, fit, happy and ambitious. I want to try to eat more vegetables, fruit and natural products. I wish to further improve my Chinese and also, by the summer, restudy Spanish as a language. Additionally, I'd like to successfully begin my course in becoming a qualified History teacher! I hope to have gained lots of historical knowledge and life experience to share with my future students."
Julie Chun, 46, art historian
"My resolution is not to come up with a list of "to do" objectives, but to lead a lifestyle with choices made that will better myself and the community of which I am a part. I hope to continue the projects I began last year and see them to completion this year and continue to cultivate healthy life choices that will grant me a strong body and mind so as to carry on my idealistic vision of promoting cultural understanding through public arts education and stir minds to critical thinking with my lectures and writings. I would also like to strive for nuclear disarmament and world peace but haven't exactly figured out how to achieve that, so all empirically-based suggestions are generously welcomed."
Andrea Leng, 28, consultant
"Actually, I don't have that much of feeling that it's a year passed and it has been switched to another year, I don't want to live like 'hey this is a new year, let's make some big decisions.' Life is a journey, it's not broken down into pieces. But if you ask me, I'd say how I want my days be, live like nature, be naturally grow, bloom, and rest. Be in touch with myself and family every day, keep positive. Do sweet, nice things for everyone, even it's small."
Gufran Demir, 24, student
"It is said that how you enter a new year, then you will have a year like that. New Year is the time to start a fresh life. So, give a big hug to your parents. Give a sincere self-hug to yourself and promise you will remain truthful forever. Smile and hug your friends and hug a friend with whom you had a fight lately. Make a promise to help the needy and abolish greed from your life. Finally, just forget all your grudges and hatreds, send your best wishes to your beloved ones. Because life is all about inspiration, live it and share it! Maybe there is no tomorrow, cherish the time you have!"
Connor Bralla, 24, English teacher
"I have a lot of specific goals I'd like to accomplish in 2017: passing HSK 6, learning guitar, reading a big long list of books, finding a better job. And then I have goals that are really more like general guidelines for life, like cooking more often or keeping in touch with family and friends better. But above all, my hope is that, at 25 years of age, I can feel like I have my life properly together."
Hiro Namba, 34, art consultant
"We all witnessed political and economic challenges against globalization in 2016. These incidents made me aware of how humans are innately afraid of losing a sense of belongings. My concern about globalization is particularly in the loss of authenticity in art and design in today's massively standardized society. With my diploma in art history and work experiences in interior design industry, I have developed an immense respect for artists who dedicate their lives to the mastery of artistic expression and artisanal craftsmanship. I have always wished to help them and establish a connection between them and the rest of the world. Last year, I had a chance to work as an art consultant in which I was assigned to integrate pure forms of arts and crafts in various inspiring spaces. It was such a wonderful experience and encouraged me to pursue it professionally. My New Year resolution for 2017 is to have my career take off as an art consultant who brings authenticity forward in the world!"
New Year's resolutions are passionately shared on social media and at get-togethers every New Year's Eve, ranging from the obvious "quit smoking" or "get fit" to deeper, more personal challenges to one's heart, mind and soul, such as "be a better person."
The Global Times recently spoke with several foreigners in the city about their personal New Year's resolutions, finding a shared ambition, positivity, enthusiasm and optimistic outlook among them, which speaks volumes about the wide range of opportunities and possibilities afforded to expats living and working in Shanghai.
Sabrina Samra, 24, English teacher
"2016 has been an amazing year. Nevertheless, there's always room for improvement. My New Year's resolutions for 2017 are to continue to stay healthy, fit, happy and ambitious. I want to try to eat more vegetables, fruit and natural products. I wish to further improve my Chinese and also, by the summer, restudy Spanish as a language. Additionally, I'd like to successfully begin my course in becoming a qualified History teacher! I hope to have gained lots of historical knowledge and life experience to share with my future students."
Julie Chun, 46, art historian
"My resolution is not to come up with a list of "to do" objectives, but to lead a lifestyle with choices made that will better myself and the community of which I am a part. I hope to continue the projects I began last year and see them to completion this year and continue to cultivate healthy life choices that will grant me a strong body and mind so as to carry on my idealistic vision of promoting cultural understanding through public arts education and stir minds to critical thinking with my lectures and writings. I would also like to strive for nuclear disarmament and world peace but haven't exactly figured out how to achieve that, so all empirically-based suggestions are generously welcomed."
Andrea Leng, 28, consultant
"Actually, I don't have that much of feeling that it's a year passed and it has been switched to another year, I don't want to live like 'hey this is a new year, let's make some big decisions.' Life is a journey, it's not broken down into pieces. But if you ask me, I'd say how I want my days be, live like nature, be naturally grow, bloom, and rest. Be in touch with myself and family every day, keep positive. Do sweet, nice things for everyone, even it's small."
Gufran Demir, 24, student
"It is said that how you enter a new year, then you will have a year like that. New Year is the time to start a fresh life. So, give a big hug to your parents. Give a sincere self-hug to yourself and promise you will remain truthful forever. Smile and hug your friends and hug a friend with whom you had a fight lately. Make a promise to help the needy and abolish greed from your life. Finally, just forget all your grudges and hatreds, send your best wishes to your beloved ones. Because life is all about inspiration, live it and share it! Maybe there is no tomorrow, cherish the time you have!"
Connor Bralla, 24, English teacher
"I have a lot of specific goals I'd like to accomplish in 2017: passing HSK 6, learning guitar, reading a big long list of books, finding a better job. And then I have goals that are really more like general guidelines for life, like cooking more often or keeping in touch with family and friends better. But above all, my hope is that, at 25 years of age, I can feel like I have my life properly together."
Hiro Namba, 34, art consultant
"We all witnessed political and economic challenges against globalization in 2016. These incidents made me aware of how humans are innately afraid of losing a sense of belongings. My concern about globalization is particularly in the loss of authenticity in art and design in today's massively standardized society. With my diploma in art history and work experiences in interior design industry, I have developed an immense respect for artists who dedicate their lives to the mastery of artistic expression and artisanal craftsmanship. I have always wished to help them and establish a connection between them and the rest of the world. Last year, I had a chance to work as an art consultant in which I was assigned to integrate pure forms of arts and crafts in various inspiring spaces. It was such a wonderful experience and encouraged me to pursue it professionally. My New Year resolution for 2017 is to have my career take off as an art consultant who brings authenticity forward in the world!"
Two foreigners overlooking Lujiazui. Expats in Shanghai share their resolutions for 2017. Photo: CFP
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