Stuff just happens. And often times it can leave you blown out of your mind.

I've always told people I wanted to be a foreign correspondent working in China. But I didn't really think it was going to happen, what with the newspaper industry dying and all.

It's been frustrating at times. One of my main goals in coming to China was to be a journalist. But it's been more akin to living like a struggling artist. When I first came to Beijing last September I was a freelancer. The work was both hard, and the pay extremely low. The worst part was when I looked at the great works other journalists in China were doing. I couldn't help but feel inferior and out my league.

In February I decided to begin looking for permanent jobs China, hoping to find something related to journalism. Four months later I had come away with only a handful of job interviews, and the growing sense that my goal was a bit too out of reach. (Finding a real job, aside from English teaching, can be tough in China.) And though I kept looking for freelancing opportunities, my energies and motivation felt sapped. I don't like giving up, but admittedly I felt pessimistic about my career.

Part of me wanted to throw in the towel.  At the very least I had done my best, and published a good deal of articles as freelancer. In that sense I had already completed my goal of being a journalist. I could walk away happy.

But then something amazing happened. My mom, of all people, urged me to apply for a journalism job she found online. It was to be a Beijing Correspondent covering the IT industry. I had already seen the ad before, but I just got the feeling I wasn't good enough for the position. I had applied to dozens of other jobs and not even received a reply from those companies. I didn't feel like wasting anymore of my time.

But still, I applied, just to make my mom happy. It only took a few minutes.

Immediately, I got a reply back. The company was interested and wanted to set up some interviews. I had journalism experience and I knew the Chinese language. Apparently, I was a really good candidate for this position.

Then a week later, they offered me the job.

OMG!!!

I still can't believe it.

So now I'm going to be a real foreign correspondent. I feel so lucky! A few days ago I wrote my first article for them.

I want to thank all the people who have helped me get to where I am today. I'm not sure if anyone reads my blog, especially since my post count has dropped in recent months. But I still wanted to write something.

Thanks Mom and Dad for always giving me a helping hand, even though you guys are thousands of miles away. I also have to thank my bros back in Oregon for cracking me up all the time and giving me company online. Also thanks to all my journalism pals for their encouragement. And thanks to past teachers and past roommates for all their good advice.

And thank you China. When I decided to come to this place two years ago, I had no idea where it would take me. But this journey has gone above and beyond what I could have imagined. It's corny to say this. But yes, dreams do come true.

(Also, thanks Chloe Q!)

It's kind of a common sight to see workers take naps on the streets in Beijing. I spotted these two fellas dozing off on their cart today. People walked by as if it wasn't a big deal. Instead, onlookers saw me, thinking it was strange I was taking this random photo.

The foreign students at Tsinghua University rocked the mic at last night's karaoke competition. More than 40 of my classmates participated, all singing Chinese songs for us in the audience.

Many of the contestants sang really well, with little accent in their singing voices. Some students were so impressive that they immediately won the hearts of their fellow classmates.

There are many ways to learn Chinese. But I have to say, singing it is one of the most enjoyable.

Whether you respect them or not, gold diggers can make good TV.

This happened with Ma Nuo, a 22-year-old model who gained fame by appearing on the Chinese dating TV show, If You Are The One (非城勿扰).

When it came to the kind of man she wants, Ma notoriously said she would “rather cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle.” To sum up her view: luxury car trumps love.

This and her other sharp comments have catapulted Ma into stardom. Now she’s laid claim to the title of being Beijing’s  拜金女, the Chinese word for “material girl.”

Ma's career reminds me of how reality TV stars in America are sometimes born: do something controversial and you can get your own 15-minutes of fame.

But in China, it's not quite as easy to get away with such radical comments; apparently the honeymoon may be over for Ma.

News outlets across China are now reporting that the country’s broadcasting bureau has blacklisted Ma from appearing on TV programs. The reasoning seems to be because her “moral outlook did not accord with the public,” as the media has been putting it.

A large number of Chinese people seem to be welcoming the news. Ma’s most controversial comments have drawn disgust from many viewers. Others are worried that her attitudes will affect how other younger women will view marriage.

“She should have been blacklisted early on. This type of program should have restrictions,” wrote one Internet user on a Chinese blog site.

In America, reality TV stars come and go on their own. But as evidenced by Ma's plight, reality stars in China sometimes need the approval of the government.

This highlights a big difference between the two countries and their TV programming. In America, I sometimes hear about there being too much trash on TV, and it being a bad influence on people. Well, in China, the Chinese government will actually do something about it.

The Chinese justify it by saying it's moral and ensures healthy programming. But obviously the counter-arguments are that it's squelches different points of view. Furthermore, it makes for boring TV.

Notice something interesting about this car? (Other than the fact it's not supposed to be parked there.)

Only Star Trek fans would notice this. But the logo on the back of the car is strikingly similar to the one seen in the famous sci-fi franchise.

As any fan would know, all Starfleet officers wear an insignia badge that usually looks like the one pictured on the left. Save for a few small differences, Changan Auto's logo is basically the same.

I looked on company''s website and found an explanation for their logo. No mention of Star Trek, but it does use the word "celestial" at one point:

"The logo comes from the oval track of celestial body’s revolution, and the two letters “C” and “A” from “CHANA”. Through abstract combination and deformation, the logo becomes a mobile celestial body. The rising arrow head and the refined steering wheel shape indicate that Changan is a swift and smart vehicle, riding steadily on the road of auto industry to development."

To boldly go in your sedan. I was also surprised when I saw one of the car company's buildings. It looks like a Chinese-version of Starfleet headquarters.

Changan Auto isn't the only group in China to use the Starfleet insignia. Below is the logo for the China National Space Administration.

It's interesting to see how even Star Trek has influenced China in its own tiny little way, assuming it isn't just coincidence. But I don't know if you call this inspiration. Or just a form of stealing. Using the logo for your country's space administration is one thing. But putting it on the back of a cheap car?

The sight of logo lookalikes is a very common one in China. BYD, another car company in China, has clearly modeled one of their logos off of the BMW brand. Li Ning, a Chinese sports clothing company, uses a logo similar to Nike's.

Google also recently warned Chinese search engine Goojje to stop using its logo. At present, Goojje has yet to abide.

Seeing a big red banner in your neighborhood is not always a good sign in China. In some cases, it can essentially mean: "Get out now!"

There are a good number of these particular red banners in Laogucheng, a rundown area of homes in Beijing's west side.  A developer is wanting to bulldoze the place and has already started. But about 700 residents have decided to stay put. They won't leave until the developer gives them a better compensation for their homes.

Now red banners hang from some of the buildings in the neighborhood, their messages trying to convince residents to move out. The one pictured above tries to justify the developer's intentions:  "Strengthening the improvement of the city's villages. Moving ahead to restore the environment."

This message stamped on a column next to a demolished building tries to lead by example. It points out: "Party member takes the initiative and is the first to move out."

This message tries to reassure residents that they can come back to the neighborhood once its redeveloped. "Guaranteed return to new residences. Ensure the long-term livelihood." At some level, this all feels a bit like psychological warfare.

While about half of the residents in the neighborhood refuse to leave, the developer has already succeeded in demolishing the other already vacated homes. Now these streets feel more like a war zone. Eventually, it seems that old will have to make way for the new. Hopefully it will be done fairly.

Last summer I spoke with a former foreign correspondent to get some tips on how to make it as a journalist in China. He summed up the challenges as so: "Basically, its like trying to be an actor in Hollywood," he said.

"There are only a few people that get the big jobs like working at the The New York Times. And behind each one of those big jobs, there are dozens of other journalists hoping to one day work there."

After living in Beijing for close to a year, I have to say that analogy is a good description of what it can feel like to be a freelance journalist in China. You look for writing gigs to advance your career, all the while maintaining your part-time jobs to make sure you can feed yourself. Thus, it can be rough.

Back in America, my cousin Alice Tong, is working away at becoming a singer/songwriter. She is very talented. Yet her challenges are somewhat similar as she has to find ways to promote her music, while also getting enough funding to pay her band.

Right now she is asking donations to fund a music tour. For those interested, you can learn more by visiting this link: Alice Tong West Coast Tour- "It Takes a Village."

We are always told to follow our dreams. But obviously, it's not always easy.

Still, they say it's the journey that really matters, and not so much the goal. I think that's true. We just have to keep doing our best.

In the past weeks, the hot topic in China has been a series of student killings at the country's elementary schools.

Since March, there have been at least five attacks involving lone men usually hacking to death children at a nearby school. The latest attack centered on a merchant who killed seven kindergarten students.

Now everyone is trying to understand why these copycat killings happened. The attacks have usually involved unemployed single men, who for whatever reason, felt the need to take their frustrations on the society's most innocent individuals. Some have described it as the result of growing poverty  sending people over the edge, while others have linked it to the lack of services for people with mental health problems. Taking some flak is the government, which has been accused by pundits for doing little to stem the problem.

In the meantime, security at elementary schools in the country has increased. At one school near where I live, guards with white helmets stood outside the gates during the early mornings. Now suddenly what should be one of the safest places for children has become a target for random acts of violence. It's unthinkable that a danger like this could exist. But obviously, something hideous is lurking deep in China's changing society and we are all struggling to understand it.