Dear fellow expat,

You pay way too much for a shared flat that consists of a conspiracy theorist stoner, a struggling musician and the “other one” that you never seem to see or hear. You came to Shanghai so hopeful and ambitious but look at you now. What happened to those plans of speaking perfect Chinese and owning a nice flat with the perfect skyline view.

Monday to Friday you leave that hell hole of an office, miss the train by just a few seconds most days but finally make it back to the place you call home. You crack open your nightly, lukewarm Qingdao, crash into your bed and prepare your Sherpa’s order.

Your “fitted” sheet definitely doesn’t fit, revealing a thin but evergrowing layer of Doritos crumbs on the right side of your mattress. Your VPN magically stopped working this week and you’re dying to find out whether Jim and Pam ever end up together.

HR very well may have jeopardised your soon-to-be expired visa… Woops! But hey, f@&$ it, it’s Friday and there’s a whole lotta year left. A wise Sherpa’s employee once said the key to a happy, prosperous year begins with how you spend your weekends.

Buy a train ticket to a neighbouring province, finish that book that’s collecting dust on your nightstand and seriously, clean up those Doritos. Take advantage of your precious weekends here in Shanghai. Don’t let Mondays win this year