I’m at Disney world Marriot village hotel, in my room, waiting for sleeping and thinking I’m a little more than 3 months I’ll be in China….

Yes, it’s a fact now, I know it and I do not have any regret, quite the opposite I finally start making pictures in my mind…

Once moved I can forget all these trips, the great salary but I will also be able to forget Stavanger and my troubles and bad feelings there..

Soon I’ll start again, checking a if I’ll be able to make the dream reality and more, make the dream a new life.. But now I’m sure I took the right decision: at least I am trying! I will not have regrets. And I will move and put many km between my past and my future..

Where the time has failed until now, the distance will certainly help! And the new occasions I hope to find over there

Or in other words: China, I am coming!!!

This month I have officially resigned from my job in Stavanger and accepted a 2 years contract in Chinam, in Hefei, a town 450 km. circa west of Shanghai. Not a big capital, not my beloved Shanghai, but for sure a step into my dreams, in to Asia! The final test to see how much I will really like my dreaming, Asia!

I am aware I might not like the epxerience, and that is why I know I will be able to fall back to Norway (Trondheim) or Italy (Biella), but I am also aware that I got a strong CV and I will be able to find another job in Europe or else! And I do not want to let too much time run before doing this experience!

31st March 2010.. probably my departure date from Norway.. saying that was scary.. writing that it’s even more.. knowing that it will happen.. wow!!!!

[Written on paper 17/07-2009 - edited now]

Two countries that in the last 10 years at least have represented so much for me!

Let’s start with some highlights, from the top of my head:

JAPAN – Aikido (martial art that I practice since ‘95, first point of contact with Asia, Japan); Iaido (practiced for a shorter time but reason for the firstunlucky trip to Tokyo); Mami (Japanese ex-gf and good friend); sushi and Japanese food; manga; anime; shodo; Tokyo-Tanabe-Osaka 2008 (great Aikido experience and meeting with Kaori and Michiko, many years pen friends); nihongo; many Japanese people met here and there; the mixing of tradition and modernity..

CHINA – Wang Ting Ting (first Chinese pen friend, reason for my first trip to China, Wenzhou – Feb.07); Han Xu (first girl I loved to the point to get close to propose); Beijing – Aug.08 (Olympics, a wonderful city and a great family experience, even if the family is more happy for her present younger cooler husband); Shanghai (many fiends, one special, Arielynn); Ningbo (a wonderful friend called Psydee); Hangzhou; zhongwen; many new close friends; kao ya and amazing Chinese food; traditions and modernity as well..

Parallel to these 2 main poles, I got other Asian interests:

Vietnam – that is actually my first contact and reason of Asian interest, because of course of a girl. Next I met and appreciated several Vietnamese girls, maybe the most beautiful Asian type for me, even if I haven’t had a chance yet to share more than chat with any of them.. not even a kiss.. But I don’t give up!

Thailand – after the break up, got interested in this country maybe just for a different Asian vision, more toward the South East. Met and closely known for some time a girl from there.. interested in visiting the country. It must be amazing. And knowing more of the pretty girls around there, being aware of th famous “lady boys”, “girls” with extra surprise

Indonesia – a new friend here in Stavanger made me interested in this country. Mostly through her words. A pity she got too fast a bf and a serious relationship. But we share the same dream with opposite “directions”: I dream East, she dreams West..

Singapore – a few pen friends from there, one an amazing photography artist, Chen Xi.. another place I know through friends and that I hope to visit..

Hong Kong – same as above, I also know this place only through very pretty friends and a short transfer on my way to Taiwan.. I want to see more.. especially of the gorgeous people!

Philippines – I know only a little through photography contacts on Flickr: too sexy to be true! Until now, not too interested..

South Korea – that is place I have heard very much worth visitng, especially given that in Asia, both China and Japan are nowadays taking a lot from there, from South Korean culture, television, etc. One of the most beautiful girls I have ever met in my life, a girl that was perfection, is from there..

TAIWAN – last but not least. I left it here on purpose, especially after I was there in Oct.09. Very very very nice people. Nice country, great life, especially night life, beautiful places, gorgeous women. A person I knew introduced me to Flickr, she visited me, I visited her. I had a good time. A new/old contact will meet me in Christmas and new year, Italy and Norway. Lots of Taiwan in my year! I wish there were more openings there, but all the foreigners I met were English teacher.. and of course English mother tongue.. boring! (and almost all male )

In conclusion Asia is mainly represented for me by Japan and China, with an increasing interest in Taiwan. Japan had the “pole position” for many years, but even if my love story ended badly (as expected), lately China has taken a dominant position in my thoughts. Thoughts, dreams, goals, that in practice converge to a serious search of a new working career.

That is not because my present job does not satisfy me. Quite the opposite. Unfortunately, right now (since Nov.08) I would love to be anywhere else in the world than in Stavanger! But the challenging and interesting job I have here it is the only reason why I have not moved, yet! But the sudden death of a close friend of mine, close in age as well, pushed me to stop thinking about Asia as a dream but consider it a goal! And try to make it reality, because you never know what can happen tomorrow. I cannot and do not want to keep on postponing.

The good thing of my work is that it is project based. With a realistic deadline. Deadline that I can make it my own as well for moving to Asia, job or not! Feeling that I properly close my life here, the project in my work and start a new chapter.

So, Asia.. but what does it mean? Move where? I started asking myself the past weeks taking then a realistic decision: I am focusing on.. CHINA!!!

Am I betraying Japan? Why? The answer to the first question is partly yes, But the reason is very practical: Japan is badly suffering the world economic breakdown. Almost no job vacancies. Except for software or experienced managers. So, not for me. The choice of China as focus for my future efforts has not been easy. And not only for the betrayal feelings. Chinese language is far more difficult than Japanese and I think in China there are much less English speaking people than in Japan. In China, Shanghai is my main interest, also because the great Aikido club they got there! Beijing would be of course also a good place, not for Aikido though (the leader of the club where I practiced in Aug.08 was hitting on my ex gf before she became ex.. He got her email when she came there with me for introducing me to them.. and we were clearly together.. yeah, I know, she actually did give him her the email!! ). Any other place in China would be without Aikido, more special then (to start my own club!). But any other place would be a first step to Asia. And once there, focus on Shanghai, Japan or Taiwan..

Searching for a job in China, from Europe, and with only basics of Chinese language, is not easy, even with a strong CV as mine, and even stronger motivations. But this is just a little part of the main challenge of living in China after getting there. I regret I did not learn more Chinese from my ex when I had a chance. But on the other hand, I learned quite a bit about the Chinese way of thinking. That will help me for sure!!!

Wish me luck!

I’m watching this end of the world Sci-Fi movie and among the funny destructions and huge earthquakes, tsunami and volcano explosions, a line now show how fiction it is..

All presidents have prepared a special escape from Earth in the verge of destruction and only few brave ones have decided to die with all the normal people sacrificed for lacking of resources for escaping..

Of course the USA president does not leave the sinking nation (literally sinking!) but beside him.. also0 the Italian Prime Minister decides to remain praying for human souls and not getting on the salvation ships…

..The Italian Prime Minister??? OK, this is future.. then it must not be anymore the gnome, Berlusca!!! But it is few years in the future.. so.. Berlusca sacrificing himself for Italy??? Uauauaua’!!! Yes, Science-super-fiction!!!!

Upated MPLog page

I love System of a Down.. even if the main guitarist really look like an a$$hole that took away something important from my life.. but, I must admit (listen to the beginning of the song below) when you got “those” tricks, no competition!!! [I know, I know, I'm a b@st@rd!]

A bonus here:

HDR dusavik,
by ..AikiDude...

My first real HDR picture!

Thanks to Sverre for inspiration and tools

Workshops area around the building where I work!

Thirty years ago, 30 November 1979, Pink Floyd released “ Another Brick in the Wall”, a song that made history:

Yes, I think this is a good title!

Just back from 5 great Aikido days in Vienna at Endo sensei seminar, with the highlight of graduation on Saturday night, where Svein got his shodan, 初段, and I got my nidan, 二段..

A lot of thanks to all the people I practiced with in these years, on these last days and especially to my two uke, 受け: Saverio, just met in Vienna, and Enrico, met in Stockholm at Tissier sensei seminar in 2005!! Both Italians from Rome, Saverio from Aiki Roma and Enrico more a free spirit!

Grades that we received with a great comment from sensei: “very good!“, for both of us.. only us two out of four grading! But we were all good, all passed the examination! Well done Brett and Jason, as well!!!

I admit I was quite nervous: first time for me grading in front of sensei, even if I have spent almost the last 5 years since my last Aikido exam actively practicing with Endo sensei. Still, even feeling the technique quite ok, there is always the nerve factor.. And it was a good decision to keep all very simple, kihon (基本, basics), the way that sensei likes, essential techniques, principles.

A very useful comment/advise from Jan Nevelius (Vanadis Stockholm) at the yudansha seminar in Oslo last weekend (where I got great and useful practice with him and Mouliko Halén from Sunyata Aikido dojo) resulted in extra appreciation by sensei of my tantodori: Jan told me to keep it simple, out of the line and go for the tanto (knife) and then the most basic, short and safe technique execution.. and sensei liked that a lot! and I was very happy to hear! Also the practice here in Stavanger with Bob helped a lot to refresh my lousy technique!

There is though an extra element of luck in every graduation, and there is also in my execution of kotegaeshi as tantodori: Saverio was ready to attack in a position I thought was leading to yokomenuchi attack (side of the head strike) but he perform a very fast and realistic chudan tsuki (punch at stomach height with the knife). I realized and changed movement and intentions like 5 centimeters before the knife (wood knife!!!) was stroking my belly! This is always something to avoid in exams!!! After I got out of the line, with the heart racing for the “close call”, I went for a short, effective and basic kotegaeshi, with a sharp cut, throw and lock! And it was a “full score”

Good sensei did not see the expression on Saverio face that realized I almost got skewered by the tanto!!!

All in all, I had great feelings during the exam and again I thank Enrico, Saverio and all the other Aiki-partners and instructors of these days and these years!!!

A special thank to Margit & Robert as well, for their kindness to give us Norwegian hospitality and more.. and always a great practice with Margit (Robert was unfortunately sick!! Get well fast, my dear friend!!)!

Time to wash the keiko-gi, 稽古着.. not a single clean jacket

And on my way to graduation.. but it will never look like the videos below, exam of a good friend of mine, Joerg Kretzschmar from dojo Kishintai Forum Aikido in Cologne.. amazing good!

Very nice Endo sensei Aikido style, as you can check from the channel related to sensei DVDs and videos, the Way of Mastery.

There it’s possible to see also the smiling and funny side of sensei:

Hope he is in good mood also Saturday

…and tonight I will be in Wien for 5 days of Aikido with Endo sensei!

A nice big cloud reflecting partially some of the sun light… nice cloud in the nice Norwegian sky, one of the few thing I’ll miss for sure from here..

Time to change focus now.. one trip has started, another one might be imminent as well…..