Chen Xiao
CNN had this inspiring story off its front page.
Chen Xiao, living in Beijing, had a terrible 2008. So she put her life online, asking strangers to hire her for $3 an hour. She does little tasks around Beijing, meeting people and sharing in their experiences. She’s found that she’s making a good living and meeting lots of interesting people.
What she stumbled upon was not only a new life but a new way to make a living. She charges about $3 an hour, and she’s been asked to do almost everything from delivering pet food to caring for stray cats to taking a hot lunch to a homeless man.
What surprised her the most was not so much the varied requests but being able to find happiness in the process.
“If somebody asks you to do something, something simple, and you do it, it can make you very happy. You can change from a gloomy person to a very bright one. It can help give you a new sense of self-esteem,” she said.
So far, the most meaningful assignment she was given was attending a child’s birth — the father was a complete stranger who just wanted someone to take pictures and share the moment.
I thought this was an excellent example of a person using the web to connect with people. I only wish CNN had published her website–if anyone finds it, let me know! Chen puts pictures of her activities online. Check out some of her pictures on CNN here. It’s wonderful that someone is finding a way to connect with others during this financial crisis.
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I also wanted more rice than what could fit inside the wrap....
I was actually trying to find her website when I came across your site. Anyhow, it took a couple minutes of intense googling but I found it.
http://shop33691501.taobao.com/
This comment is not meant to belittle anyone. I’m just noticing something. She is essentially playing an MMORPG in real life. She is running “misc. quests” she receives from taobao. lol.
Stephanie,
Thanks so much!!! Your Google skills are definitely superior to mine. I kept hitting results for a “Xiao Chen,” who is apparently a big-time computer hacker in China.
http://www.trendblogging.org/2008/03/xiao-chen-hacker/
Haha…I guess it’s computer related, but it wasn’t the result I was looking for…
Thanks so much for finding the site. I’m going to take a look at it (with the help of Google Translator…)
JesterJames:
I had to google the definition of MMORPG, probably because I’ve never played one before. I keep hearing about those games; someday I’ll have to check them out. Looks very interesting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMORPG
Did you post this story because you were actually “inspired,” Byron; or did you post this because the girl is a cutie?
This is an interesting way to make a living.
I will venture to say, however, that she is probably able to do as much as she is doing due to, as Akrypti noted, her good looks. I know, it sounds shallow but I’m sure it didn’t escape anyone’s attention that she is a very good looking girl. I noticed on one of the photos that some guy paid her to meet him at the airport and then later to have a meal with him.
That said, her looks don’t take away from the fact that this is actually quite an excellent and innovative use of the internet to do simple things – things that make her feel fulfilled in life so kudos to her!
Akrypti,
How shallow do you think I am? Gosh, I’m offended!
She is very easy on the eyes, and as Mama Nabi said, her good looks are most definitely part of the package. As much as I value my own sense of entrepreneurship, I don’t think people would pay me to have a meal with them or pay me to see the birth of their child!
Well, good looks or not, I’m happy for her. She’s doing lots of philanthropic-volunteer-types-of-things, and it sounds like she’s translating her ideas into some pretty cool actions. If she wrote a book about what she has learned after doing this, I’d definitely check it out. (and not just for the pictures, Akrypti!)
Very cool story… as jaehwon said, I’m sure the initial draw for most people is that she’s cute, but I like the altruistic / innovative bend of the idea of someone helping out other folks as a means of self-actualization. Interesting.