PandaPassport.com – China Blog

Just a quick note to say Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy New Year.

I wish I was home this year, but we’re gonna pass on that in the hopes of dropping my in mid to late summer instead. Probably best to avoid winter in Newfoundland.

In any case, it’s been a busy year and work has been hectic to say the least. But I’ve managed to squeeze in some online “hobbies” too, and I’m happy about that.

Here’s a quick look back at some of my highlights of 2007:

• Re-tooled Pandapassport.com, with the theme you see now.
• Learned a ton about computers at work.
• Met my girlfriend’s parents in Tokyo. Did not die.
• Started using Facebook. I know that’s a weak highlight, but I can’t overlook reconnecting with that many old friends. Great stuff.
• Scrapped my Dalian website, in favour of creating DalianDalian.com.
• Started writing for CNet Asia. I’m still not sure how that happened.
• Took a two week vacation, and played host to my brother. Thanks for dropping over Jeff!
• Pandapassport.com closes out the year with some decent year-end stats and a Google PR of 5. While I don’t really care about this stuff too much, I am somewhat pleasantly surprised.
• Survived another year in Dongbei, without significant damage.

And while all that’s well and good, here are some of my goals for 2008:

• Be more like Ryan, and learn more computer stuff.
• Spend less time on my computer. I need some exercise.
• Be more like Chris and actually try to write well, rather than posting short pieces about titties and lesbians.
• Find some freelance writing gigs.
• Get serious about learning Japanese. My effort at Japanese study was unacceptable last year.
• Re-tool my PandaPassport design/theme. This one has some issues.
• Bring my girlfriend to Canada to meet my family. And try to drop in on Japan once more to say hello to her parents as well.
• Make a new website. Preferably one that matters.
• Make a move outta Dalian. It’s been a good run, but I’m eager to get back to civilization.

In any case, I hope that everyone is doing well out there, wherever you are – whether you’re old friends home in Newfoundland, new ones here in China, or random passers-by along the way. I look forward to chatting with many of you guys over the next few days.

If anyone out there ever needs to reach me, drop me a line via email at:

Or track me down via Facebook or LinkedIn.