Have you ever sent a postcard and thought “I hope this doesn’t get lost in the mail” or “Did he ever get my postcard?” Well, I have, and I’m not alone when I don’t send a thank you note or call to acknowledge the kind gesture. Actually, that’s always bothered me, and it’s an impetus to start this project. What can I say? I’m Chinese and grew up with chopsticks, fried rice with a side of guilt and worry.
IGYP started off as a writing project and way to acknowledge those that have sent me postcards since I moved to China. Also, it’s a great way for me to catalogue and "comment" on all the postcards that I’ve been collecting in shoe boxes over the years. Having toyed with various way of displaying and sharing them, I've never felt satisfied with my options. A photo album – no way; clipping them to string hanging from walls with clothes pins – kinda cool but I was too lazy to scale; attached haphazardly to the fridge – not enough real estate. So, eventually back to the shoe box.
But each postcard tells a story and in turn can inspire. That together with my need for a creative outlet, I started writing – usually whatever comes to mind. Some of these stories are memories – most are real, many are embellished and a few sprinkled with fiction.
As for me, I’m Alex – a Water/Gemini. I live in Beijing. A transplant from Atlanta/New York/Los Angeles – moved to Beijing in 2004. I have a little dog called, Charlie – she's kinda emo. I travel as much as I can, but often find myself with too much time and too little money. I’m lacto-ovo intolerant and have matured to know that having my favorite indulgence, ice-cream with cake, will make the next 48 hours really shitty. Sometimes, when I go to sleep, I put my right arm in the air to see if I can get it to stay there on its own. I’m also into extreme walking, while I still have the use of my knees and can jump higher than a street curb. I think I have ADD.
