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[chinatong]

Expat stories are numerous as there are expats in China.  Just curious as to what brought you to China and what is keeping you in China (let's face it there is a shelf life of the expat that when exceeded brings out an irritable grumpy troll that was once your fun loving self)

OK, I'll start. 

What Brought Me to China?

I came to China in 2001 (to Hefei as a starting point) as an expat engineer dispatched by my company.  Yes, Hefei back in 2001 was used as a stage set for "Escape from NY" and I still loved the place!  I have since changed companies twice in the last 11 years working a cumulative 8 years in China.  China has developed me both as a person and professionally.

What's Keeping me in China?

I married a Hefei local and consider that my second home (ok third home since I live in Beijing now).  I consider myself battle hardened (by developing the patience of a Saint and learning to stop asking the question "but why ___", blank filled in by some inexplicable comment or action.  I have no expiration date now...haha (or was it altered by Walmart?)

Please share your stories!