Even though we’ve highlighted Alan Paul’s former blog, “The Expat Life,” oodles of times here on our own expat blog, we can’t pass up one more chance to bring attention to another article of his on WSJ.com.

In the article, titled Sweet Home Beijing,” Alan sums his experience in the band, which included playing shows during the Beijing Olympics, recording an album and, following his repatriation, a return trip to China to help promote the new release.

Here are just a few reasons why I find Paul’s experience so compelling:

• First, he was a “trailing spouse” that landed in China because his wife accepted an assignment there. I don’t know exactly how he felt about it, but either way, he found a way to make it work.
• He utilized his hobby, an art form (music), to connect with locals. These relationships seem to created a meaningful experience for him.
• The band he helped create really blossomed in China. He played in several areas of the country and did well in the l