He is seeking cooperation opportunities with television, video and film studios.

He says the secret that enabled him to realize his Chinese dream came in three steps: think about what you want, express it and make it happen.

"There is power in the belief that things can come true. But it takes time. It is like baking a cake, which requires patience," he says.

"Some goals take a bit longer. Nobody knows whether it will take weeks, months or even years. You have to be patient, watching it being baked in the oven."

Geronimo is grateful that dancing brings him the opportunity to have a life with zero stress, the chance to do what he really loves doing and the great pleasure in meeting people of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dancing gives him more exposure to Chinese life and culture.

He now spends three hours a day learning Chinese. It is a habit he has been keeping for years.

Enjoying drinking tea, he likes to go to the city's teahouses where he can be surrounded by the Chinese community.

"The environment is good for me to learn Chinese and Chinese culture. My present awareness for living a healthy, peaceful and spiritual happy life lies there," he says. "There are always ups and downs when we try to make something happen but that's the fun part of it and that's what I call things that make us feel alive." Jorge Geronimo and his partner, Espi from IsraelJorge Geronimo

Nationality: American

Age: 36

Profession:

choreographer, dance coach and performer

Q&A

Self-description:Calm but fiery at times, I love to study Chinese because it relaxes me. I don't drink alcohol or smoke, I am very into drinking teas. I like exploring the potential of the mind such as in meditation, hypnosis, DNA reprogramming, esoteric arts and similar topics. I like working out, I like Chinese girls, like all kinds of music, especially jazz and trance music. I can be picky at times.

Favorite place: Yuyuan Garden.

Strangest sight: To me, the strangest sight can be the little old Shanghainese homes that are almost destroyed, with poor people living inside, and disappearing slowly. I wish there were a program and a budget to restore them to preserve the authenticity of the old urban culture.

Worst experience:Nothing too bad in Shanghai, people are so great here. But just last year my computer crashed due to a virus and I spent two months trying to fix it!

Motto for life:Don't take life too serious, it's just an illusion. Play it as if it was a game.

How to improve Shanghai:

Put the trash inside the bins, drive and smoke less so we can have better air.

Advice to newcomers:Don't bring bad habits from the West to the East. Display a good image as an expat so we all look good. Learn Chinese, it makes your life easier and happier!

(Shanghai Daily August 12, 2009)