tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54659796780373378862024-03-13T14:36:58.251-07:00UW-Eau Claire China Study Abroad: Summer 2012GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-57034735355599310402012-08-21T20:30:00.000-07:002012-08-21T20:47:37.217-07:00DeeAnne's Thoughts and Reflections of China<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thoughts and Reflections of China</span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DeeAnne Peterson-Meyer<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday, May 21, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Minneapolis-Chicago-Detroit-Hong
Kong <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What
a day!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re traveling at 31,000 feet
and it is -57 degrees outside right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our route has taken us north over Canada, over the Hudson Bay and the Davies
Strait – it appears we are traveling north by northeast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a real nice dinner and afterwards we
were asked to shut the window shades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guess people are trying to get on a sleep schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
are now at 33,000 feet it crossing the Kara Sea and the Ural Mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have almost 9 hours left to go and already
crossed over the polar ice caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty
cool!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
have crossed the Laptev Sea and are down to 6.5 hours to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My rear end feels permanently flat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They served us a sandwich and cookies and
banana….nice snack. Since we crossed the date line its actually Tuesday, May 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the inflight map it appears we are
crossing the Asian Continent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now
it’s 12:13 AM at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are still
experiencing daylight…two days without darkness – it’s pretty strange to say
the least.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
were served another hot pasta dinner because it is now dinner time in Hong Kong
and we are landing soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We flew
straight down through the center of China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I suppose<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>we don’t want to
get into Korean or Pakistani air space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We flew over China at 36,000 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can see small islands in the Yellow Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we’re flying in I can see the Yellow Sea dotted with oil platforms
and tankers scattered like toys throughout the Yellow sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appears volcanic activity has created an
outcropping of “unattractive” islands – not very green at all!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
are here!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is 6:42 PM Hong Kong time
(4:08 AM U.S. time)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday,
May 22, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hong Kong<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s
just midnight and I’m finally tucked in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a long day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so cool
to see Jean when we came around the corner!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seeing a familiar face in a sea of strangers is a welcoming and warming
feeling that makes one feel a strong sense of pure joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We waited another hour, sharing our traveling
experiences (mine were not so good between Chicago and Detroit) and listened to
Jean fill us in on her adventures thus far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We took a train to the drop spot and then a shuttle thru downtown Hong
Kong. Joni almost got left behind by an over-zealous driver!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to take off without her!!! It is
crazy!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot imagine navigating
around the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminds me of the
movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking forward to this
adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday, May 23, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
had an incredible meal at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile. Definitely a high class
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we took a shuttle to the
Ferry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing Hong Kong in the daylight
was eye-opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are very poor
looking sections intermixed with wealth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You wouldn’t want to get lost on a side street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to returning and going on a
few adventures around this massive city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
arrived at CKS Ferry (our transportation to Zhuhai, in Mainland China) early so
we used their free WI FI and touched based with home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 45 minute ferry ride was a different
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got so seasick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I was going to toss my awesome
breakfast but managed to keep it in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After four hours I was still trying to recover and was probably still
green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a way to meet my buddies for
the first time! Should have taken the Dramamine I had packed (but way too deep
in my big suitcase and little access – not smart).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Zhuhai<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
Jinan University buddies were at the terminal to meet us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to go through customs again to get
from Hong Kong into China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we took
a small mini bus to the Junlin Hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before we left the terminal we were able to get Yuan without any cost at
the machines in the terminal – simple process with a debit card.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Junlin Hotel is definitely old and compact but it worked for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we need is “air” and we have it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walls in the bathroom are glass so Joni
and I agreed to stay away while each other are using the facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
went out for dinner tonight with our Jinan buddies. We took the bus there and
cab back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinner was at a cheap
restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really sucked!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first real Chinese dinner should have been
at a nice restaurant with classic Cantonese cuisine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone in there was laughing at my feeble
attempt to use chopsticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We I asked
for a napkin they brought a package of Kleenex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My buddy actually had to pay for it right on the spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, napkins and Kleenex are a premium
and luxury, rather than an everyday item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My do we take things for granted back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also noted that toilet paper is in the
same demand….very little of it anywhere so always carry your own!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
am exhausted and glad to get to bed tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p>(Our hotel in Zhuhai)</o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday, May 24, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
were up at 4:30 AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if it
was the time difference, jet lag, or if it was pure excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine a little of both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we are close to the equator the sun
comes up much earlier here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
walked to campus this morning which is about one mile and there were signs all
over welcoming UWEC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a super
nice ceremony for us and then a nice tour of the campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They went out of their way to make a warm and
hospitable welcome for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a good
sign of what was to come in the next two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are clearly and kind and proud people and I cannot wait to get to
know them better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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(with me, Joni and Greg)<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
days’ highlight was our fancy Cantonese lunch – chicken heads and all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a large glass lazy susan on the
table with many different dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ate
prawns and several types of fish and a very large clam – a first for me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After
lunch we were on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shopped a
little with our buddies but mostly, jet lag is still a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we rested while the other students went
bike riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do miss my family but am
looking forward to this new adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have to explain my feeble attempt at translation while at the grocery
store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were asking our buddies where
the breakfast aisle would be with all the cereal and other morning breakfast
snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did not understand what I
was trying to so in my zest to communicate in a common language I asked, “do
you know Tony the Tiger, there grrrrrreat!!” I guess I said this a little loud
because Joni looked around and then proceeded to crack up!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
we returned to our room, the red message light was blinking on the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had expected my family to call and was
anxious to hear the message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, everything was in Chinese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After much frustration, I went downstairs to
get help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using a lot of sign language,
I attempted to communicate my dilemma to the desk clerk and bellman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They clearly had no clue as to what I was
saying or attempting to communicate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have to wonder just how ridiculous I might have looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, (and I think due to frustration on
their part), they gave up and the bellman came to our room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pointed to the phone and the light and
attempted my best pantomiming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
finally nodded his head, smiled and quickly left the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure where he was going but a short
time later he came back with another phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He simply disconnected the phone, hooked up the new one, pointed to the
light (that was no longer lit up) and smiled as though he just figured out a
complex puzzle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, he thought
the light was bothering me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has no
clue that it was really the message I was after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joni and I laughed so hard we almost cried!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it was really time to go to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday, May 25, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up
early again today but I feel so rested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were off to school by 8:30 but only after eating breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a limit of 20 RMB which translates to
approximately $3.20 (trading at 6.25 RMB/$1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The problem is that no one could read the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could see the ‘20’ and knew this was our
limit but had no idea what it was for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we ordered one of everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had some very disgusting dishes but more than that, not one of them
was a breakfast dish!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things like
chicken soup, pork and noodles, beef and noodles, rice and fish, were all
common breakfast items – something I would have to get used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, a couple dishes were so bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am craving pancakes and waffles
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
walked to school and were amazed at the sights we took in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The housing units are several stories high
with bars on all the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
have to ask about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walk under
Mango trees on the way to school – now that is cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pass the police station and there is a
guard who stands like he’s protecting the Queen of England – fully erect,
straight back and looking forward at nothing in particular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t even flinch when we gawk and take
pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He probably thinks we’re
nuts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good representation for the United
States, eh?</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being
day two and walking, I noticed other things that escaped me the previous
day:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Cannas were in full bloom
everywhere!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The streets are two lane
with dividers in between and are covered in beautiful cannas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can smell magnolias all over Zhuhai and
the Phoenix flower is blooming from trees all over campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Incredibly beautiful to behold. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Class
started at 9:00 and our first lesson was on the Chinese language. We had class
again at 10:00 on the Chinese culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was extremely interesting enlightening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of the things I learned about today was the food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are 8 different types of Chinese
cuisine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cantonese<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Hunan (spicy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sichuan (hot)<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Suzhou<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shandong<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Zhejiang<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anhui<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Fujiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They are all from different
provinces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be enjoying a
Cantonese diet for the most part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we also learned about
tonation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would have been nice to
know when we were working on our Chinese before we left on our trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are four different tones in the Chinese
language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also learned that the
Chinese language doesn’t use tense in their language (past tense, future tense
and current tense).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is captured in
their writing and when they speak, the words convey the meaning based on how
they put the words together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
no transitional verbs in their language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We talked about Opera in class
today and we were told that the men in opera dress like woman, so they don’t
use many woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man will have the part
of both males and females.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard
to tell when looking at the opera singers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We talked about the shape of China
– a rooster!!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guangdong (where we are
located) is in the belly of the rooster and located along the South China Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Yellow River is called Mother River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Yangtze River is the largest river in
all eight provinces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zhuhai is basically
a fishing village, although with a population of more than a million people!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Afterwards
we went to lunch with our buddies and ate on campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took us to their bookstore where I
bought a few school supplies and snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the way we got a tour of their dormitories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s is interesting to note that every single
balcony had laundry drying on it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes,
they wash their cloths and hand it out to dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Considering the problems with heat, I imagine that using dryers creates
more heat in an area that it already too hot!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it could also be to conserve energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are always conscious of wasting very little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could learn from these smart people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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(student dorms - notice how they use the umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun)</div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
lunch room was a large open area and was similar to any other large
lunchroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had choices of dishes and
were served on large metal trays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
food was terrific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
made some observations while visiting the bookstore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, the lights are kept off during the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine this is to conserve on
energy and reduce the heat in the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are no real doors to get in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is very open and accessible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s the only way a person can see inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a dim lamp in the back of the store
so we could see the items on the shelves but still it was very dark.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also,
when I paid my bill I noticed that the cashier did not use a cash
register.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The money was thrown
haphazardly in a drawer and when I needed change, he simply sifted through the
bills all mixed together until he found the ones I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to wonder about their accounting
system!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another
noteworthy item I should convey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather
than using air fresheners in the bathrooms, they use Incense and I have to say,
it smells very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine there is
little cost to incense and nothing to dispose of.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After
all that we went back to our hotel to take a little break and regroup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 3:00 our buddies came back and Joni, Greg
and I, along with our buddies hopped the bus and went to a new part of town
where the Zhuhai Museum is located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
spent several hours touring the museum which was dedicated primarily to the
history of Zhuhai and the people of Zhuhai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was incredible. There were rooms filled with large scale photos of
people of all ages doing numerous daily tasks and enjoying life’s events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was interesting to see their own
perspective of how they look and behave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was like getting an inside tip on people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of the artistic pieces were ivory
carvings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intricate detail of each
carving tells a story of a people who have outstanding abilities to work with
detail unlike anything I have ever known before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards we shopped a little and I was able
to find some very nice gifts to take back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And we found a Starbucks!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
truth be told, the coffee just isn’t that great because of the water
quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just didn’t taste the
same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was good to see
nonetheless.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
should clarify a few things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At every
meal we ate, we would have to take the boiling hot tea and wash our teacups,
chopsticks, bowl and plate with it in order to remove any germs or residual
water on the dishes and ‘utensils’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
we would dump the excess tea in a bowl on the lazy susan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we would have our tea to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how everyone in Mainland China
prepares to eat on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of our group members got very sick because of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Morning tea in China is called “Yum Cha” and
considered part of the social communication process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People get together for yum cha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is typically made from green tea and floral
teas in the summer months and black tea in the winter to help keep you warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every
hotel room has large electric kettles to boil water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would pour bottled water (our greatest
expense) in the kettle and boil it and then use it to brush our teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could have boiled the water from the sink
but we didn’t want to take any chances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We never ran our toothbrushes under the faucet in the sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday, May 26, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Traveled
by King Bus Lines<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shenzhen<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What
a day today was!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off to Shenzhen!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we are taking a very nice tour bus to
Shenzhen and then off to Guangzhou – still trying to get the names of these
cities right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breakfast is another
guessing game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It we stick with white
rice and tea, we’ll be alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
boarded our bus at and no one had to share a seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were taking King Bus Lines, a coach that appeared
to be almost brand new. They were comfortable and we able to just sit back and
enjoy the ride.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
is only one main road between Zhuhai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou and all of
Guangdong Province I am told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
no exits along the 150 mile stretch, like we see in the United States…just a
long road through the countryside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
so different from home. I miss having my husband here to talk about all the
beautiful flowers, shrubs and plants that are carefully sculpted along the
highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been anywhere in
the United States that took such care and created such beauty along the roadways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so pristine and cared for that it’s
hard to find the words to describe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They obvious take great pride in their landscaping and design and put
forth a great deal of labor hours in maintaining it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are plush greens, magnolias, azaleas,
and the Phoenix flower, along with many other types of flowers that I’ve never
seen before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beauty is endless and
of course, I took tons of pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps
this is a good time to introduce my traveling companions:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jean Pratt:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
leader with a gentle and kind spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her quiet demeanor and subtle way of handling issues has helped us all
feel cared for.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott Swanson:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He was quiet in the beginning but his sense of
humor came out finally!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is our
second leader who is constantly bringing up the rear and ensuring that we all
arrive in one piece. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joni Staack:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My roommate and traveling pal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joni keeps me laughing (along with everyone
else) much of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a lot of
energy!! Joni and I have gone through the MBA program together for the most
part.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barbara Arnold:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She was not in our class in the
MBA program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barb joined our group and
is one of the most knowledgeable when it comes to the Chinese. Barb has a
‘Chinese daughter’ that she hosted back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She has a curiosity like no other.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alexis Wong:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our Chinese/American student who knows no Chinese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alexis is a tall beautiful young woman who
has had the unfortunate time of having to tell our Chinese pals so many times
that she doesn’t speak Chinese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
just assume she does and they start talking to her in Chinese!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beatris Mendez-Gandica (Bea):<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We love Bea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is such a smart young woman (who has lived a life much older than
she should for her young years) who speaks several languages fluently!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I had a brain like hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christopher Dressen:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Chris is quiet but adventurous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a very independent young man who has
already done some traveling in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I venture to guess that he will do much more before his life is done!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 2in; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Samual Roedger:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Same is a fun young man who seems
to be a walking computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a great
deal of knowledge about numerous things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 2in; text-indent: -1.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greg Jaggeman:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last, but not least, my good
friend and MBA pal Greg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have worked
together on many projects throughout our degree and it’s like having a little
brother on the trip with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks
out for me!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
group grew on this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the high
level faculty members, Mike, came with us along with the tour guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t our guide knows English real well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He defers to Mike a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not long into our journey, we stopped along
a wayside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were vendors selling
their fresh produce and our guide bought us all a whole bunch of bananas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now this was a treat like no other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I know what a banana is supposed to taste
like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The size is much smaller than we
are accustomed to but nice and yellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bananas are sweet!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never
had a sweet banana before!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all ate
them and had to have seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
that, I looked for bananas where ever we went to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mike
(took pictures for us):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His real name
and title are:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lv Qingwen<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deputy Administrative Director<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">International Business School – Jinan University<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But he just had us call him Mike, which was very nice!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday, May 27, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Guangzhou<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
are on our way at this very moment to Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong
Province.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just enjoyed an amazing day
and night in Shenzhen on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
arrived in Shenzhen approximately 11:00 AM via a tourism bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me first tell you about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a driver who has never spoken to us
or even glanced our way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is very
dedicated to his service and let me tell you, driving here in China is nothing
like driving in the US!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people
must be very skilled drivers to navigate the roads here. For example, when we
arrived for lunch yesterday, we were on a street similar to a residential
street in Eau Claire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our bus driver was
driving up the center of the road with vehicles in the oncoming lane on our
left AND right!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those on the right side
of the bus were going both directions depending on whether or not there was
space available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Chinese people
truly take advantage of every possible space with NO WASTE!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even while driving!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So kudos to our driver!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have much confidence in his skills!!<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back
to our arrival in Shenzhen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We first
visited the Shenzhen Museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
difficult to put to words the historical significance of this visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I am in awe of the Civil War
Museums in the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is
nothing like the museums here in China!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Imagine capturing a history more than 2,000 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was so much to see and truly, not
enough time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people of China take
great pride in their history and it is reflected in the Shenzhen Museum – a
master piece both inside and out. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Regarding
the exterior of the building and all buildings here – it is something to
behold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no such thing as
square/rectangular buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
structures are carefully designed and we believe (and will confirm later) that
it has something to do with Fung shuay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tops are general rounded or oblong in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the building has square corners then it
has rounded/oblong shapes somewhere in the design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
arrived for lunch at a Cantonese Restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Prior to leaving the Museum we were joined by Melody, a representative
from H & T Logistics, Ltd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lunch was
served family style and again, the chicken head sat proudly on the plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>There is no waste here in China</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Melody informed us, it is very important
that they serve the animal whole – meaning all parts are used in the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feet may be used in the broth that is
served first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, it is as though
they took a cleaver and hacked it up and then put it on a plate – fully cooked
and appealing in appearance (minus the fully intact chicken head).<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After
lunch we went to H & T headquarters where Melody served us tea while responding
to questions from eager students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was very forthcoming in her responses which were refreshing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterward she took us to the Yantian Port,
the largest port in Mainland China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was quite an experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people that
work at this port live there as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
as though they set up their own city in order to be more efficient in accessing
employment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Restaurants are stores are
everywhere and laborers are moving large containers of fresh fish (some of
which we could only venture a guess as to what is).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Following
our port visit we checked into our hotel:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Perthden Hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very
nice luxury hotel and we enjoyed a nice Cantonese dinner family style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we were done, we were all
exhausted and went to our rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning
we met for breakfast and are now on the road again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will check in again later!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today,
Sunday, we had breakfast that included toast, peanut butter and
jelly…yeh!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our way to breakfast
there was a man in front of Joni and I who stopped and gobbed a big spit into a
spittoon and then entered the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was gross!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a wonderful
breakfast though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Guangzhou
is beautifully manicured with a landscape of magnolias, cannas, azaleas and
much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grape leaf-like plants cover
the cement on overpasses and bridges within the city making them actually quite
beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This area reminds me of San
Diego.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were three toll booths on
our trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also noticed people here do
an awful lot of honking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could learn
from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
stopped at the main campus of Jinan University and took some pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a beautiful campus from what we could
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike bought us key chains and
postcards when we visited their Olympic stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had lunch today with Mike Schroeder,
Economic Officer of the U.S. Consulate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The restaurant was called “366”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This one actually had real toilets but no toilet seats! Yuck….<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
thing that stuck in my mind as we listened to Mike was that the garbage here is
very picked over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had noticed
everywhere we went that the garbage cans were very little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I know why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people here will strip everything down
and save every bit or garbage, either to recycle or reuse for something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They simply do not believe in waste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My could we learn from them!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
all went on a dinner cruise on the Pearl River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have never seen a light show like this before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every building seemed to participate in the
show and even the bridges over the river lit up in a rainbow of colors,
changing moment by moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a
wonderful evening and food was great to boot!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday, May 28, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
of the things I noticed today while traveling is that all the road signs are
similar to that in the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
spend so much time seeing and looking at the differences that I forget to look
at the likenesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They use the same
green reflective road signs that we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You just cannot always read what they say!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Traveling
today is quiet on the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I watch
out the window I am struck by the poor village areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminds me of a shanty town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see people working hard in their
gardens and fishing on the river in their flat bottom boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roadway is impeccable and we see many
workers along the highway cleaning up the roadways and manicuring the beautiful
landscape that surrounds the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Back home we would call them master gardeners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It somehow reminds me of the highways in
North Carolina during blooming season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
of the many places we visited today was the Cuiheng Village of Zhongshan to see
the former residence of Sun Yat-sen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was interesting to see his wife Soong Chingling, who attended Wesleyan College
in the United States and wrote four articles, published in the Wesleyan Paper
“The Four Dots”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
were bananas hanging in the trees everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was an entire old village and museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What a site!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we traveled, I
noticed (or didn’t notice) there were NO BILLBOARDS anywhere!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How refreshing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I could see how into the plush
mountainous terrain – so green and healthy and thick that I imagine it would be
easy to get lost up there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, road
construction crews work barefoot!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
afternoon we visited a park and also the Hengqin Nea Rea, Zhuhai China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was really interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is supposed to be done in 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended our day in a park where my traveling
companions climbed to the top and road down in go-carts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, with my fear of heights it wasn’t
happening for me!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
had dinner tonight at the Yue Pin Xuan Restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was supposed to be our seafood dinner but
I think our tour guide took a short cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday, May 29, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back
to school today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s topic:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>International Trade with Instructor <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Guoqin Bu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We discussed Global Production Networks,
Knowledge diffusion and local capability formation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we also visited Gree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gree
was an interesting place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people we
met with could not answer our questions at the end of our tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took us through the facility and I felt
bad for the people working on the assembly lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They work at the same job day after day and
hour after hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They live on ‘campus’
and work overtime as needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
was kind to us but I had a bad feeling about how employees were really
treated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just a feeling…</span></i><br />
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<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight
is laundry night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, our hotel room
looks like a Chinese laundry!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s
only Joni’s stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have to do
mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun!!</span></i><br />
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday, May 30, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
of the things I noticed about their culture versus ours has to with translation
from Chinese to English and capitalization of titles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, Mike (Lv Qingwen) is the Deputy
Administrative Director; this is what is written on his business card; however,
it is written like this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deputy
administrative director.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not
capitalize any of their titles or names of cities and states in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed that with Gree, when their
documents indicated they just set up a business in Tennessee, they did not have
the state name capitalized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most things
that we feel as important in America we will capitalize the first letter; but
here, the significance fades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s as
though some things are not important enough to warrant the respect of a capital
letter...interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Map
of United States and China:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a
map with the US centrally located and the remaining countries around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in China, I had to do a double-take on
the map hanging on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked
wrong; that is, until I realized that China was centrally placed with all
remaining countries located around it!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Today
we visited Print Rite today and met with Arnold Ho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an exciting day this was!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My notes are attached at the end of this
document but I must say, he is such a cool guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mr. Ho provided us with a question and answer forum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began working at the age of 13; now
celebrating 40 years of working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jimmy
Chan is the Marketing Director and he spoke to our group first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dress code is quite casual at Print Rite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Ho started in Hong Kong in 1981
distributing stationary and printable solutions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Print Rite can now print on anything!! F (We
were given I-phone cases with a unique printing on them including our first
names!!</i><span style="color: #17365d; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Business Philosophy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sleep Well At Night”:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He indicated that he sleeps well when they do
business correctly/legally/tax/environment/people/employees,etc. I took a lot
of notes while we were visiting Print Rite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I really enjoyed listening to this mastermind of business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I was in awe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a fan!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What can I say?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday, May 31, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today
I walked to school alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I got the
crap scared out of me!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it was
a chameleon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got pictures after my
heart returned to normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
certainly seen some interesting sights here in Zhuhai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I Hope I can return someday.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In
a million years I could never have envisioned how this day would end for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was life-altering but not in the
way I would have thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me
explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Macau is like a combination of
Las Vegas meets Portugal with a Chinese city intermixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a gambling mecca with hotels and
casinos that match and surpass, in size, their counterparts in Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have the Winn, MGM Grand, and the Sands
along with many more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a Portuguese
village, if you will, with a population of more than 4,000 – very small in
comparison to other places we’ve been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is considered a SAR (Special Administrative
Region) and this have significance later on as I explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Macau maintains its own </span></i></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_system_of_Macau" title="Legal system of Macau"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; mso-ansi-language: EN; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">legal system</span></span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, </span></span></i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Security_Police_Force_of_Macau" title="Public Security Police Force of Macau"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; mso-ansi-language: EN; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">police force</span></span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, monetary system, customs
policy, and </span></span></i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_Macau" title="Immigration to Macau"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; mso-ansi-language: EN; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">immigration policy</span></span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
journey started when Greg, Lexi and I shared the cab ride of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am talking grand prix!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This driver flew through the streets of
Zhuhai at such a high speed I was sure he would get pulled over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The streets were two lanes in each direction
and most of the time he was in the fifth lane!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the middle of the road! ! You could either laugh or freak out so Greg,
Lexi and I laughed our butts off!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
arrived at the gates into Macau alive and met up with Barb and Scott along with
Manny, our Zhuhai buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WE met up with
Roland, our local Macau buddie…he lives in Macau and goes to the University of
Jinan so he travels back and forth on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why didn’t everyone go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, Bea is from Venezuela and her VISA
wouldn’t allow her to go to Macau.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
had a grand time going from historic site and tourist sites one after
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took so many photos of beautiful
places along with the goofy poses that we had all become accustomed to taking
(self-entertainment?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up at
the MGM Grand at the Starbucks of course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After relaxing over some good coffee and dessert, we felt it was time to
head back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was after 11:00 after
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By
11:30 we were at the checkpoint to come back into Zhuhai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone had passed through but me and Scott.
And then it happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got flagged and
was not allowed to pass through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
some yelling in Chinese (I had no clue) and some assistance from Manny
(Roland’s English was not very good), we figured out what the problem was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had only one entry into China on my
VISA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone else had selected
multiple entries because the cost was the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My advisor had told me to select one since I was not returning to China
again within the next three months. At this point, I did not even know that we
left Mainland China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as I mentioned
previously, Macau is a Special Administrative Region and apparently, separate
from Mainland China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not going
to let me back in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
felt a flood of emotions as I stood there is a secure zone, staring out at my
friends who had already passed through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The look on their faces said it all – they were scared too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were scared for me and for leaving me
behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure they were all thinking
“I am glad it’s not me” and I wouldn’t blame them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have thought the same thing if I had
been in their position – but I wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My
mind raced and came to terms with what was happening to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not go back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There quite simply was not a damn thing I
could do about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scott didn’t know
what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands were tied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he went through and joined the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roland, our guide, looked at me and said, “I
brought you here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are my
responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will stay with my
family tonight”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep in mind that I had
just met Roland briefly the previous night at dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I knew nothing about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a college student who help his youth
well – he looked like he was about 14 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
I waved goodbye to my traveling companions, I had to smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled because if I didn’t, I knew I would
cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the look on their faces showed
the fear I felt deep inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I
needed to let them feel I would be alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the only way I could do this was to smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they were gone. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
I was in the middle of customs with a strange young man who was speaking
rapidly in Chinese on his cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently, he had called his mom and said he was bringing an American
woman home to spend the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you
imagine what she thought?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he was
parked below in the underground ramp and I was relieved to know we didn’t have
to catch another cab or take the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, my relief was short-lived when I saw my ride – a high speed
motorcycle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t been on a
motorcycle in years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had two helmets
so I put mine on, said a quick prayer, and got on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my backpack with my camera in tow, a
sweatshirt and the clothes on my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess in China you
don’t put your arms around your driver – you grad the little bar on the back of
your seat and hold on tight!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Macau’s
landscape is no different than that of Mainland China – enormously steep hills
(felt like mountains) and we zipped through traffic, in between cars and buses,
at a high speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I closed my eyes and
thought “DeeAnne, you can have the biggest anxiety attack of your life, or you
can pretend you’re 25 again and grab life by the horns and enjoy”, and that is
exactly what I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I surprised myself
in that I remembered how to be a good rider on a motorcycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a time in my younger years when I
spent a great deal of time on the back of a Harley Davidson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
stopped for water and for me to get some more Macau cash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there is Hong Kong dollars, Chinese dollars
and there is Macau dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about
confusion!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we headed to Roland’s
house. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
was an apartment several stories up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
followed Roland up many flights of stairs and then we arrived at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was first what we would call a screen door
only theirs had bars on it and it was made of a heavy steel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he unlocked the screen door, the next
door surprised me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful,
large ornate wooden door that you might find on a million dollar home in Eau
Claire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was beautiful and heavily
locked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We entered and were greeted by
this petite woman who clearly had worked every day of her young life and it
showed on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thing she
did was give me a brand new toothbrush!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can you believe it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then she
spoke Chinese to Roland who then translated telling me he would sleep with his
dad, his mom would take the ‘couch’ and I could have his room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
entire place was not more than 400 square feet – a three bedroom
apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bed was plywood with
bamboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roland had a small desk with a
laptop that he kindly allowed me to use to communicate my dilemma to the
outside world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I did not have a
phone or any numbers to reach anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
let my family back home know I was stuck in a foreign land and could not return
to China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagined what their thoughts
might be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, they didn’t get
the message until after I was safely in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roland’s mother brought me her slippers
before she went to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
went to the bathroom to brush my teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I entered I noticed the first item – a round washing machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t take up much space but that was a
good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next came the bathroom sink
but no running water in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the
toilet which also didn’t operate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond
the toilet was the shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only came
up about three feet off the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was open and you had to fill a bucket to dump into the toilet to flush it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water is like gold in China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very costly to use so people are wise
about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bathroom was also the
storage place for all the kitchen cooking and prep materials – bowls and such
hung above the shower on the walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
make use of every little piece of space available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
kitchen was basically a cubby with a hot plate and toaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The living room held a large storage cabinet
with lighted candles and a catholic statue and incense – obviously a place for
them to worship and pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ‘couch’
was a wooden bench with storage underneath and about four feet long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt bad thinking of his mom sleeping
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then there was another table
with a large flat screen television on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was such a paradox – what appeared to be a poor home had a high tech
television. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBsgr1xgcxY/UDRNfrD4MsI/AAAAAAAAAIg/G3qh917Ov9c/s1600/IMG_8564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBsgr1xgcxY/UDRNfrD4MsI/AAAAAAAAAIg/G3qh917Ov9c/s320/IMG_8564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXjep0-erkQ/UDRNi73yyuI/AAAAAAAAAIo/kgKdUsj7gtA/s1600/IMG_8571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXjep0-erkQ/UDRNi73yyuI/AAAAAAAAAIo/kgKdUsj7gtA/s320/IMG_8571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEm9BhdeGdk/UDRNGa1l7II/AAAAAAAAAII/2whvzE6kr6Q/s1600/IMG_8582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEm9BhdeGdk/UDRNGa1l7II/AAAAAAAAAII/2whvzE6kr6Q/s320/IMG_8582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Ruins of St. Paul’s
Cathedral:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing left standing
after a fire is the façade)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well,
back in Hong Kong. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jean, true to her
word, brought my entire luggage and the two of us, with an escort all the way
to the boat by Roland, took a Ferry back to Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a long day and I had little
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jean and I had the luxury of
traveling my high speed ferry so the ride wasn’t as bad on the way back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I3QUX4cOyRs/UDRM6ZcSewI/AAAAAAAAAH8/KzkPYmdm1cw/s1600/IMG_8603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I3QUX4cOyRs/UDRM6ZcSewI/AAAAAAAAAH8/KzkPYmdm1cw/s320/IMG_8603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(This
is Roland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we shopped that morning
in the market I bought myself a t-shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had slept in my clothes and really needed to put something else on.
What a perfect shirt!!)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
we finally arrived at the hotel, we were exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a shower and crashed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around 7:00 Jean woke me and we went down for
dinner – a delicious, succulent meal and the hotel restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been starving!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so glad to be safe and sound in Hong
Kong but my heart was with my friends and buddies who were, at this very
moment, having a goodbye party and exchanging gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am thankful that Joni was able to take my
gifts and give them to my buddies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
sad that I couldn’t say goodbye myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday, June 1, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
slept little that night thinking of what I needed to do the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roland had thought we could go to the
consulate around ten but I wanted to be there when the doors opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out people don’t get up so early in
Macau – the doors didn’t open until nine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyway, the next morning I brushed my teeth, sent out some emails and
went out to the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I passed
Roland’s sister’s room and it was just big enough for a single bed and space to
walk out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father was busy doing laundry in the
living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been washed and he
was painstakingly putting it all on hangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then he went out on the veranda/deck (completely barred in) and began to
hang the clothes out there to dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roland
was finally ready to go and had made the decision to take me to a local
restaurant – the best in Macau but unknown to tourist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a local hangout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we arrived (by cycle) we went upstairs
to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I experienced for the first time
in my life what it feels like to look different from everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stares were many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood out with the only white face, tall,
and blond hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People openly stared but
smiled all the while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now I know that I will never do that
again!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
had the most delicious pastries that just melted in my mouth and a cup of
coffee! Yes, coffee!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then Roland
took me to all the back markets of Macau where the local bought and traded
their wares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The produce was like
nothing I had ever seen before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were seafood markets, poultry markets, clothing markets, and more, all
outdoors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked and I gazed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After
we had killed lots of time we headed to the Chinese Consulate so that I could
purchase another VISA to get back into Mainland China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, it was Friday and tonight was our
big going away celebration and the time to say goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I surely didn’t want to miss this event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My buddies had grown to mean a great deal to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it wasn’t meant to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The consulate was not going to give me a VISA
until Saturday at 5:00PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said if I
were from the U.K. or Austrailia, I could have gotten a VISA today at
5:00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I was an American and
therefore, I had to wait an additional 24 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does that say about us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I made the decision to go on to Hong Kong
by myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roland called Jean on his
cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought him time on his
phone for all he had done for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jean
had said, in no uncertain terms, that she would join me and together we would
travel on to Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joni was going
to pack my suitcase and Roland would meet Jean in a couple hours at the customs
gate and help her bring my things through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the meantime, we had a couple hours to kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Roland took my on a sight-seeing trip of
Macau and the historical sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were times that my knees almost touched vehicles and city buses as he
maneuvered through traffic on that motorcycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went back to places our group had visited the previous night but
couldn’t see well in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What
started out to be a scary event ended up being the adventure of a life
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so glad to have had the
opportunity to be a part of the true culture of Macau and the Chinese
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be forever grateful to
Roland and his family.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday, June 2, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jean
and I got up early and went down for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, we were back at the Golden Mile Holiday Inn with their incredible
breakfast!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had pancakes piled high
and sausage and waffles too!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt
great to eat a real American breakfast!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
couldn’t wait to get going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
catching the train and heading to the ferry to meet the rest of our group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew they had all been worried about me and
I couldn’t wait to let them know I was safe and just as happy to see them too!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to say, the underground train system
in Hong Kong is quite amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
get anywhere is a very short time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
all color-coded so there is no way to pick the wrong line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the escalators are another story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not much for heights so having to get on
escalators that are as big as three stories is a little scary for me!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the city if full of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They use escalators instead of elevators
(although they have elevators).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assume
that with the population, if they didn’t have escalators people would be
spending half their lives waiting for elevators.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jean
and I made it to the ferry early and waited…and waited…the excitement was
almost too much!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t long and our
tour guide joined us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we were
traveling throughout Hong Kong today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he was taking us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he was
there to meet all of us and was surprised to see Jean and I already there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a long wait (they had to go through
customs when the ferry arrived) our companions finally arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held the sign up high that our tour guide
had that said “UWEC” and waved it in the air!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they all saw it they laughed and you could see the relief in some
of their faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they made their way
to the entry, I was greeted with many hugs and some tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I had discovered a new family in these
people I had been traveling with – they had all become my friends in the truest
sense of the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were all back
together again and ready for another adventure – as a group!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
all hopped on a bus and headed to our hotel where everyone got registered and
put their bags in their rooms and then we were off to see Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to Victoria’s Peak (I didn’t walk
around the outside but stood, feet planted firmly, right outside the door on
the rooftop and gladly gave my camera to Bea to take pictures for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
went to Repulse Bay and the Stanley Market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then went on the Aberdeen with Sampan Ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boats were packed in the bay, side by side,
as though it were a neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
could see that people lived there because there was laundry hanging (common
indicator) and decorations all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
was becoming a long day. We ended up with dinner at a downtown restaurant and
once again, enjoyed a typical Chinese meal. Following dinner we ran down to the
water the capture the night light show in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was raining at a pretty steady
pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were troupers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stood there for at least 30 minutes before
we decided that it was time to head back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were wet, tired and ready to go to bed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday, June 3, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today
I had the opportunity to meet with two people who live in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arranged this visit prior to leaving the
United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to meet with
Ben Furneaux, Strategic Director - Global HL&A, CIGNA International
Corporation and Natasha Hung, Analyst, Bloomberg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with two other MBA students Joni and
Greg, we shared a lunch with Ben and Natasha (as we were advised to address
them) at The Royal Garden, a luxurious restaurant in the center of Hong Kong. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They shared their stories of what business is
like in Hong Kong and Mainland China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
enjoyed hearing about their lives and how they ended up in China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so grateful to them for sharing their
time with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
should make note of a few things I noticed in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no such thing as pedestrian right of
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, there are bars alongside
sidewalks as though they are intended to keep people from getting pushed out
into the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today
we are on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, we
traveled the underground trains and in the station you see signs like this
everywhere!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, spitting is a problem
in China and Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is such a
problem that we are given disposable slippers to wear in our hotel rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each day we get a new pair!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday, June 4, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today
we visited the ICAC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They handle all the
fraud and corruption in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too
bad Mainland China doesn’t have something similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to say that I really enjoyed this
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved learning about all they
had accomplished and the challenges they faced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could have spent all day here!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
went for lunch and afterward headed to our next stop:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to kill time so we walked around the
waterway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to see the Batman
building over the harbor in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is the building that Batman fought the Joker in the movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a cool building!! We learned that there
is a landfill area around Hong Kong harbor. Victoria Harbor is getting smaller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tour guide filled us with tidbits of
information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>December too hot and July
through August is the rainy season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were seeing signs during the day as we traveled through town:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Drug Driving may be Your Journey to
Death”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t mince words here!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Notice
the next photo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They use bamboo here for
building and construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is what
they climb on to get up many stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How scary?!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday, June 5, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ocean
Park!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greg, Bea, Chris and I spent the
entire day at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ocean Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not want to leave China without seeing
the panda bears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This place is like
Disneyland, Marineland, Valley Fair and Seaworld all rolled into one enormous
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a truly fun and enjoyable
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have included a panda photo for
your enjoyment!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday, June 06, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Streets
of Hong Kong:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
went to the local 7-Eleven store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say
local because there are probably 12 of them within a block of this hotel in
each direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I was on my own
and took a wrong turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up in a
dead-end ally and to be honest, frightened for a moment when I took in my
surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was dirty and the odor
started to assault my senses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly
turned and went back the same way I came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just couldn’t get my bearings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you follow a group of people for days on end, you forget to pay
attention to the details of your surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although I had been to the 7-Eleven many times I had never really paid
attention to my location as it related to our hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back to the hotel and went out another
entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I could not find this
store!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hot and frustrated and it
was the first time I was completely alone in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back to the hotel and asked a bellman
to tell me where to go – quite simply it was straight out the door one block,
turn left and you’re there!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
bought my soda and M&M’s – the plain ones do not taste the same so I opt
for peanut and then purchased a Coke ‘Light’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On my way back I realized that there were bars along the sidewalks
everywhere you go in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
reminded me of guardrails in Wisconsin only much taller and in lengths of about
12 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine they are there to keep
people from crossing the street in the middle of the block rather than using
the crosswalks; in addition, with the millions of people in Hong Kong it would
be very easy to accidently get ‘pushed’ into the street – and let me tell you,
oncoming traffic does NOT STOP! And you are sharing the street with quite
literally millions of people!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At
this moment, I am attempting to catch up on homework and notes for the
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The week in Zhuhai left me with
little to no internet time unless I wanted to stay up until my roommate
finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I opted to go to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to recall all the moments of this trip
will be very difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
am also waiting for room service to change our room (again).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room we are currently in is the second
room this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first room was
horribly wet and damp and cold!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they
told us they were moving us in a newly renovated room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, imagine our surprise when we found out
that the ‘newly renovated room’ had a television set that was 18” DEEP!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very old model!!....there was nothing even
remotely new about this room other than the bedspread (they changed color to a
navy blue sash across the bottom of the bed).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So our last night here (and I cannot wait to go home) is dedicated to
packing and moving to another room only to pack up and leave very early in the
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now
we are moved into our new and improved room (ha!) It has reading lights and a
flat screened TV and a nicer bath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other
than that, there are no real major improvements except space and a better
view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is more space and the one
thing that stands out for me in China is the lack of space!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
evening ended with some gold old fashioned shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked for miles and went up and down the
streets of Hong Kong at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a
blast on our last night of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
miss this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday, June 7, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Homeward
Bound!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave today and arrive today
but after 20+ hours of travel I get home 7 hours after I leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, I am going backward in time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greg and I took a cab together but were on
different flights as he was going to Japan for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was excited but not looking forward to the
long journey home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a long time
to board my flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had lots of
luggage to go through - mostly gifts for my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have purchased another
suitcase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
are about 30 minutes into our flight and according to the map, we have already
flown over Macau (been there, done that) and Guangzhou, one of our weekend
destinations and Shenzhen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This moving
map in the back of the seat in front of me is great! I am sitting in the same
seat (41A) as I was in coming here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
this time no one is next to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
hoping to see the Great Wall as we fly over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are traveling straight over Beijing at 950 KM/hr. and 31,500 feet up.
Amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are traveling over the
country itself and not the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s
noon and our first meal is arriving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am so tired I’m afraid I’ll sleep over the Great Wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">OK,
I saw it!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, from this
height it is just a thick line over the mountains of Northern China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at least I saw it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We flew north over to Russia dn east over the
Sea of Kotosk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appears we are heading
right over to Greenland again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
are now flying over the Sea of Okhofsk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will have to look these places up when I get home!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never heard of most of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now
is it -68 degrees outside – darn cold!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve had some bad weather a few times and the pilot made us put our
seatbelts on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It now appears we are
heading toward the northeast most corner of Russia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am thinking we might come over Alaska on
the way back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone on the plane is
sleeping and all the windows must stay closed – darn.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Update:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just flew over the Russian city of
Magaden, located on the coast of the Sea of Okhostk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see the ice caps on the map and cannot
wait to see them out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slept
through that the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Update:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are now headed straight toward
Siberia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are almost to the East
Siberian Sea just on the other side of Russia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have about eight hours left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The landscape over Russia appears so barren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed a hole in my window!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OMG!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It looks like a bullet hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
called the stewardess over and she wrote down my seat number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope it doesn’t break and I get sucked out
over Siberia!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I guess I’d freeze
before I ever hit the ground!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\Owner\Pictures\2012 China Trip\2012-06-08\IMG_9229.JPG" id="Picture_x0020_7" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 312pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 468pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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</v:imagedata></span></v:shape></span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
mid-flight lunch is being serviced. To our right is the Chukchi Sea and the
Bering Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see the little strip
of land that almost connects us to Russia (Alaska).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, we can see the Isles of Aleutians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WE have just over seven hours to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Update:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are now across the Siberian Sea and the
large masses of ice are absolutely incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s an island in the middle of the sea and it is mountainous with
lots of snow and nothingness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That must
be where the bad guys go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see
Alaska on our map and the city of Bethel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, we are flying up and over the top of Alaska.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Update:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you see the United States on that map in
front of you it is a wonderful feeling – home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It sounds so good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot
wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel so fortunate – particularly
after having been held by the Chinese Government and now allowed to access the
country and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was so scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
are now in North America and almost home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have flown over Alaska Brooks Range, the Chukchi Sea and over
Wainwright, Barron and Prudhoe Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re above the Yukon Territory ( I know a song about that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are over the Beaufort Sea and flying over
the top of Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember many
of these places in my geography classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bullet hole is getting bigger and ice is
building up on the inside of the outside window!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well,
another flight with no darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
headed into Detroit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Home…How blessed I
am. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">June 14, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Read
today’s Volume One Magazine, Page 6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was story about one writers (Kinzy Janssen) time in China and the appreciation
of our democracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking, “how
timely”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t’ wait to read the
article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The author had spent a year in
China and was talking about the control the government has over everything,
including Google.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She speaks candidly of
the issues that the Chinese people and students face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the purpose of the story is really how
fortunate we are to have a democratic nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can disagree, speak our minds and live our lives according to our
faith, beliefs, etc. without government intervention and attempts to change our
beliefs. There is free speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
couldn’t believe the article’s timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a good read if anyone is interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check it out.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">July 4, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
know the trip is over and there are no longer requirements to keep a journal;
however, today is Independence Day – July 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just got home from watching the most
impressive display of fireworks I have ever seen in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These fireworks were sponsored by our local
Lions Club here in Altoona, Wisconsin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They started 15 minutes before Eau Claire’s and last 15 minutes
longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But
that’s not what I’m writing about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
I lay there on my blanket staring up at the beauty overtaking the sky above me,
I really thought about today – Independence Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I have been home from China for
almost four weeks now, China is still a part of my conscious brain every
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And tonight that was all I could
think about as I watched the firework’s beauty above me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded me of just how fortunate I am to
live in this country, where I can speak my mind if I choose, peruse the
internet without my government blocking my attempts to visit different website,
and practice my own religion if I so choose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are only a few of the liberties I enjoy each and every day and
yes, I take them for granted; but not anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My friends in China are not as fortunate as I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their government watches everything they do
on the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not allowed to
openly practice their religion in most places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They do not enjoy the liberties that I have so often taken for granted
or simply forgotten about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
also noticed the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although no
longer a full moon (waning) I recalled the night in China when I looked up at
the full moon and realized just how connected we all are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stared at the moon that night knowing my
family was looking up at the very same moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And tonight, as I looked at the moon low on the horizon, I was reminded
that my new friends in China were looking at the very same moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How close we all really are!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s simply a matter of perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am left with some thoughts to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, the people of China are the most kind
and gentle people anyone could want to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They out of their way to ensure we were happy and cared for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will miss them terribly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This trip has been far more than I had ever
expected or could have imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
grateful and thankful for having had this opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><span style="color: #17365d; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-5160225779885562862012-06-06T05:39:00.002-07:002012-06-06T05:39:30.277-07:00Ba Ba La's Second Week in Mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
June 6, 2012, Hong Kong, the Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hotel, 11:30 am<br />
<br />
With this post, I'm going to try to capture one week of adventure in
Zhuhai, Macau and Hong Kong. Time-permitting, I'll post day-by-day
details when I'm back in the states.<br />
<br />
Today is officially the last day our "Globalization in China" course.
Drs. Pratt and Swanson have done a terrific job of leading Team China
through a lot of twits and turns. We've learned only too well the
meaning of TIC (This is China). A tour with Montreal
Bank for this morning never materialized unfortunately after many
emails back and forth, so we have a free day.<br />
<br />
I will be heading to Shenzen at 12:30 pm to re-connect with Kate
Wang, one of my international students I've hosted, and a 2+2 program
student at UW-Eau Claire and Jinan University-Zhuhai Campus. An-ling,
her mom, will be meeting me at my hotel in Hong Kong.
She doesn't speak a word of English, and I barely speak Chinese, but
something tells me with the relationship we have with her wonderful
daughter, we will do just fine with my Chinese translation book and hand
signals.<br />
<br />
On the last blog, I recall leaving off describing the weekend
cultural tour of Shenzen, Guanshou and Zhuhai over Memorial Day weekend.<br />
<br />
Tues. May 29, 2012, aft:<br />
Tour of Gree Air Conditioning Company in Zhuhai. Jackie Chan of Kung
Fu movie fame is its celebrity spokesperson. Master of Kung Fu ties into
Gree being the Master of AC technology. Gree contributes 50 percent to
the GDP of Zhuhai; so as goes Gree; so goes
Zhuhai. Throughout our travels, I've seen Gree air conditioners
everywhere, and I mean everywhere, except the Zunlin Hotel where we
stayed which had Panasonic. They also have expanded into chiller
technology, water heaters, dehumifiers, and some appliances,
such as rice cookers, tea pots, etc. Their president and CEO is a
woman.<br />
<br />
The tour brought back memories of my working as a spokesperson for
Com Ed in Chicago. My friends took great delight in teasing me about
being outside for a TV stand-up in front of our gas-fired peaking
generating station in a typically pastel colored suit,
hard hat, and pearls advising customers how to conserve electricity
during peak electrical times on the hottest days of the year.<br />
<br />
Wed. May 30, 2012:<br />
AM: I have an opportunity to visit an Organizational Behavior class
by "Susan," a professor who is married to the head of the International
Business School here Dr. Zhaobin Fan. Theresa, one of my buddies, is
giving a group presentation on a research topic.
In this course, student select a topic of interest, and then as a team,
work on reviewing a published research paper, and then present to their
classmates using a power point presentation. I view about half a dozen
in the two hour period, and am asked to ask
questions at the end of each one. I'm glad to see group/team projects
as many employers have commented that Chinese students need to do more
work in groups/teams to work in business in China. For so many years,
they are so individually based in their studies.<br />
<br />
AFT: Tour of Print-Rite in Zhuhai. I've never complain again about
our printer cartridges after seeing the assembly and production lines of
teenaged workers putting them together. Trust me, it's a very involved
process. Arnauld Hue, the founder and CEO,
addresses us, and answers our questions, along with Jimmy Chang, the
director of international marketing. Interestingly, we are generously
provided with a cover for an I-Phone with the assumption that all
Americans own I-Phones. Print-Rite is an amazing success
story.<br />
<br />
PM: We meet on campus for an excellent meal prepared by the cafeteria
staff at the university. Afterwards, my buddies and I practice our song
in Chinese (mostly me practicing with me) for our Farewell Ceremony.
After six rehearsals, we're in our groove.<br />
<br />
Thurs. May 31, 2012:<br />
A full day of classes today, and then an impromptu trip to Macau.
Highlights: Our excellent tour guide, Jinan University student Rolland,
delicious dim-sum, and the superb architecture brought to the island by
the Portuguese as it used to be a Portuguese
colony. Plus, Haagen-Daas ice cream, a Starbucks on the street as well
as Starbucks in the Venetian casino. Lowlights: Dee-Ann, one of my
classmates, is stopped at the border passage on the way back to mainland
China. Her visa only allows two entrances and
exits total to mainland China rather than multiple visits as she had
applied for. Rolland takes her under his wing, and she is stuck in Macau
for the night, not exactly a bad place to be stuck. We are all
extremely grateful for our student buddies who translated.
Without them, we would not have known what was going on very easily.<br />
<br />
Fri. June 1, 2012:<br />
Great Joy! I've been invited to guest lecture again, this time in a
Principles of Management class for 20 freshman students. I successfully
"test" my interactive American teaching style with them in constrast to
the Chinese style of professor lecturing and
student taking notes.<br />
<br />
Update on Dee-Ann. Dr. Pratt will travel to Macau, and together they
will go to Hong Kong directly, a day in advance. SIGH OF RELIEF!
Everything is going to be AOK. We'll all be able to leave mainland China
at the same time.
<br />
<br />
Tammy, our English teacher, provides our names in Chinese. Mine means
"children's toy." Ba Ba La. Everyone else's name has greater
significance, but no matter. We learned a lot from her in the short time
we were together.<br />
<br />
AFT: Two tours. One of Reminda batteries, which I am familiar with
based on my work with cell phones at Motorola. Portions of the factory
and assembly production lines are shut down to conserve electricity
during the heat as well as give the employees a
couple of days off. That is followed by W.S.M., a clothing manufacturer
for many U.S. and European, Latin American, as well as Chinese brands.
Fascinating to visit the showrooms, and see pictures of how the knits
are truly knit.<br />
<br />
PM: Farewell Ceremony. Laughs and tears. My buddies and I do a
fabulous job with our Chinese song. Fareewll by Lu Shutaong. (I'll post
the words later.)<br />
<br />
Sat. June 2, 2012:<br />
Back to Hong Kong on the ferry. I strike up a conversation with an
American next to me in line. He is China building racing sail boats. And
he has captained quite a few boats in races, including an all-female
crew, in Hong Kong. He confirms what I thought,
that the water is too choppy between Zhuhai and Hong Kong for sailing.
He's familiar with the Chicago Yacht Club, where I used to crew when I
lived in Chicago. Fun! I love the water! I love sailing! He takes off
for an 11 am race in Hong Kong!<br />
<br />
Aft: Tour of Hong Kong Island. The Peak, Repulse Bay, (fun to run
along with hot sand and put my big toes in the water), Stanley Market,
Sampan boat ride, Dinner at the Jade Garden, and Laser Light Show on
Hong Kong Harbor.
<br />
<br />
Sun. June 3, 2012: I'll post later the details of my wonderful visit
with Bill and Mary Poon, who I met on the flight out. They are native
Hong Kongers, and invited me to dim sum at their club today. Really FUN!<br />
<br />
Mon. June 4, 2012: Two intriguing tours, worth going back another
time for more information. The Independent Commission Against Corruption
(I Can't Accept Cash) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.<br />
<br />
I'm off to Shenzen.<br />
<br />
BaBaLa </div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-84829633953567586682012-06-02T18:58:00.003-07:002012-06-02T18:58:34.018-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Come and visit Joni Staack's <a href="http://jonistaack.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>. </div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-74141983617337540732012-06-02T02:37:00.002-07:002012-06-02T02:37:59.242-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Blogging from China was blocked. We're back in Hong Kong.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2012 China Blog Pratt</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sunday/Monday, 20-21 May</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
3:45
departure from Eau Claire was early (especially after going to be around
midnight), but it actually helped me get on China time. The flight over was
wonderfully uneventful, as I slept most of the way, waking only to eat. Scott
was on the same flight but seated a few rows over. After we landed, we shared
dinner with Alvin, our Hong Kong tour guide, who introduced us to a new term:
TIC. It means, “this is China,” and refers to the unpredictability of working
with the Chinese. He had encountered some challenges in arranging for our ferry
tickets to the mainland. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tuesday, 22 May</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The 4
undergrads had arrived and had been sightseeing in Hong Kong before Scott and I
arrived. They are having a good time. Taking a cab from the airport to the
hotel worked the best for them and made me less anxious about ensuring their
safe arrival to the hotel. I took Alvin’s suggestion to pick up the grads: take
a shuttle to the train and then the train to/from the airport. It worked well.
The grads came in 2 groups of 2. The first group was delayed 2 hours and the
second group (Greg and DeeAnne) arrived a little early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All arrived safely and we travelled by
train/shuttle back to the hotel. We met Tim and son Michael at the airport, and
they joined us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday, 23 May</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Alvin
arranged for a bus to take us to the ferry. Thank goodness! One of the original
budget-cutting decisions was that we would walk to the ferry—bad idea. Some
students travel with huge pieces of luggage and the distance was farther than
originally estimated. The ferry trip was a bit rocky, as I remembered from
before. We need to put “take Dramamine before ferry trip” into the
pre-departure notes. Only one person sick. Susan and some of the Zhuhai
“buddies” met us at the ferry station. After getting us checked into the Junlin
Hotel, the buddies took us by bus downtown to buy necessary toiletries. The
Chinese-American students are already starting to bond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thursday, 24 May</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had a
very nice opening ceremony attended by the top people at Jinan University
Zhuhai College (JUZC), which impressed upon us the importance of this
relationship to both universities. We were surprised and humored that the
ceremony did not follow the printed agenda, but that Tim and Scott were both
called upon to address the group. There was much laughter throughout the
ceremony. After an Oral Chinese class, the JUZC administrators treated us to an
excellent lunch. One student got sick, but Pepto Bismal was available in the
group and she was well enough to join the rest of the group in the afternoon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Based on the
2011 January trip to Shaoguan, the schedule this time included some early
relationship-building activities for the students. This worked great. The
students took off together in the afternoon. They took a bus to some nearby
islands and rented tandem bikes to ride along the shoreline. Each bike was
powered via Chinese-American collaboration. I could not have planned such a
great relationship-building experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Scott and I
had dinner at a little community restaurant. The tall apartments are arranged
in a U shape with shops on the first floor. The center is concrete and is the
gathering place for young and old. We watched a woman help an elderly man do
his walk therapy, very slow and laborious. A young boy with only a shirt on
played in front of us. School children were playing kick-ball. Several small
groups of people sat and visited. It was a very pleasant and relaxing evening.
More people came out as the sun descended and the heat subsided.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Friday, 25 May</b></div>
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We had two
more classes today: Oral Chinese and Chinese Culture, with a focus on the
cities we will visit this weekend. Both classes were informative. The afternoon
included another relationship-building time for the Chinese-American buddies. I
took the opportunity to catch up on some university work. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saturday 26 May</b></div>
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Took the bus
to Shenzhen to visit the Shenzhen Museum, H&T International Transportation
and the Yantian Port. The bus ride was nice and provided an opportunity to see some
rural settings as opposed to the more affluent city environment. Shenzhen is
incredible, having transformed in just over 30 years from a fishing village to
a major metropolis. It's one of the Special Economic Zones that is friendly to
international trade, and it shows. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A Shenzhen
Museum exhibit included some 10-year span before/after pictures depicting the
city's development. Amazing. The museum gift shop had 3 sections. The first was
your typical gift shop with inexpensive touristy items. A doorway in the back
led to a jewelry shop with nicer items. As I walked around the glass cases,
they opened up the “wall” at the back of the jewelry store to enable entrance
to high-market jade and pearl jewelry. When they realized I was not planning to
buy anything, the wall closed again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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Yantian Port
was also amazing--they move 1 million containers through there each year. It's
the largest port in China. Melody, from H&T Int'l Transp got us as close as
she could to the port, which was in full operation (the only port open on
Saturday in China). It was mammoth.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Interesting sights: </b></div>
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1. The
street lights in Shenzhen have small wind propellers and solar panels on them.
Presumably they generate their own electricity. Very forward thinking. </div>
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2. An Asian
version of a Tour de France bike race was weaving in and out of traffic on a
busy freeway.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Public
smoking is something that surprised me. Our hotel rooms here are smoker rooms
and people smoke in the restaurant. I prefer our clean WI air. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Learning
Experience:</i></b> Allow at least 15 minutes between checkout and departure.
They have to check each room to ensure nothing was left or stolen. I had two
infractions. First, I checked out an iron and ironing board and then lent it to
Sam and Chris. Our bus was held until I told them in which room to find the
items. Second, the evening before I pulled back the desk chair to set up my
computer. The chair leg was broken (I was glad I had not discovered this while
attempting to sit on the chair!). A maid was servicing a nearby room, so I
summoned her to my room and showed her the chair. Being from a customer-service
society, I assumed she would call someone to replace the chair. That didn’t
happen. Next, I found a service person and, through gestures and pointing at
the chair, was able to communicate that I needed a new chair. That worked. The
next morning, though, the hotel would not let us depart until we resolved who
was going to pay for the broken chair. That discussion took close to 15
minutes, mostly between our Zhuhai faculty member, the travel guide, and a
hotel manager. The end result was that we did not have to pay, but the whole
discussion of both situations put us a bit behind schedule.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sunday, 27 May</b></div>
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Today we
travelled to Guangzhou, where visited the site of the Asian Games, had lunch
with David Schroeder, the Economic Officer at the U.S. Consulate, visited the
Chen Clan Academy, and the Dr. Sun Yat-sen memorial Hall. We concluded the day
with a lovely dinner cruise down the Pearl River. Like Hong Kong, Guangzhou lights
up its buildings and bridges with neon lights at night. Although it rained most
of the day, it stopped raining for the cruise, so we were able to go above deck
to appreciate the light show.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The site of
the Asian Games was similar, but on a much smaller scale, to the Beijing site
of Olympics. I can only imagine how spectacular the opening ceremony was. At
night the site lit up in different colors. We could see it from the dinner
cruise.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Memorial
and Academy were both interesting. We would have benefited greatly from having
an English-speaking tour guide who could have provided us with contextual
relevance. Our wonderful little tour guide spoke very broken English.
Fortunately some English captions were provided.</div>
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The lunch
with David Schroeder was very informative. He provided us with the “American on
site” perspective that helped us interpret what we hear both from US news media
and from Chinese students/faculty. Possibly of most interest to me was the
depiction of China as three fairly geographic regions representing economic
purchasing ability. The high-purchase consumers are located on the shorelines,
especially in the Special Economic Zones. About 200 miles in exists a type of
middle class (can’t remember the population number) that represents about 5
times the purchasing power of the first class. Then the entire rest of the
region is comprised of the majority that have little purchasing power. China
and the US need to focus on the middle-class consumer, since they represent
huge purchasing power. China is focused on exports, not so much on producing
for domestic consumption. One major barrier is lack of domestic freight
transportation.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tuesday, 28 May</b></div>
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Attended two
classes today: one good, one not. Why? Personal and cultural instructional
methods, content, and possible lack of confidence in English language.
Interesting. The first instructor spoke better English so engaged interactively
with the students, answering questions as they occurred. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His presentation compared/contrasted
differences in transportation logistics between the US and China. Very
interesting. The second instructor read from full-page-text slides and shut
down questioning early. Her content was intro textbook content that our
students have had (e.g., difference between implicit/explicit knowledge and how
knowledge is diffused). One student fell asleep; others played computer/phone
games. Couldn’t blame them. I would read her slide and then work on my blog
until the next slide.</div>
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Lunch was a
welcome KFC, even though I rarely eat there in the States. I even had an
ice-cream cone…can’t remember the last time I had an ice-cream cone!</div>
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Afternoon
site visit was to Gree Electronics. The visit was very interesting. They are
very interested in changing the “Made in China” negative connotation to a “Gree
equals six sigma high quality”) brand awareness. They don’t let anything under
level 3 (out of 5 levels) out of the plant. A Zhuhai faculty member pointed out
to them that their fail rate was still 3 points off six sigma. Their
competitive strategy is to focus on their strength, maintain high quality,
diversify only within their area of expertise (refrigeration) and outsource
everything else. </div>
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Sending our
questions to Susan for distribution to the sites prior to our arrival has
worked out very well. Doing so has provided the spokesperson for each site the
ability to research questions outside the area of his/her expertise. It also
provides opportunity for translation. Even with having the questions
distributed early, we saw some confusion, but the questions provided a base
from which other questions were asked.</div>
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Dinner was
at the Red House, where Rama and I stayed in November. Although also a school
cafeteria, the food here was much better than in the student cafeteria and
better than in some of the restaurants we’ve visited.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday, 29 May</b></div>
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Two classes
again today. The first, International Investment, was delivered by Dr. Wu, who
is the CFO for the Hengqin New Area, the new development area we visited on
Monday. Educated at the top school in China and then at Cornell and Knoxville,
he was both very knowledgeable and very familiar with Western-style learning.
His fairly short presentation about the Hengqin New Area provided a good
foundation for the interactive Q&A which engaged the students so much that
we ran about 10 minutes overtime. That’s okay, though, because now we’re
enduring the second painful reading from the instructor from yesterday (and I’m
writing my blog). <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
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We met
Print-Rite’s founder and Chairman Mr. Arnald Ho. He’s the Steve Jobs of
printing. I was amazed at how genuine he was. He provided forthright answers to
our questions and kept us comfortable with jokes and stories. The innovation he
develops in his employees is demonstrated through the diversity of their
products in a time when personal printing of documents is decreasing. He and
Print-Rite were amazing. </div>
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The faculty
(Scott, Tim and I) joined Yang, Jane and Jane’s family for dinner at a
traditional Hunan restaurant. We’ve been eating primarily Cantonese to this
point. The food was delicious. Some was very spicy and brought tears to my
eyes, but there was plenty of tea to cool the mouth. I like the Chinese version
of dessert after meals: fruit.</div>
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Paying in
cash is a bit inconvenient for me, since I’m so used to using my debit card
everywhere. One of the tourist places we visited accepted credit cards, which
some of the students used; however, day-to-day transactions are cash, and the
shopkeepers keep the cash in a regular desk drawer. Limited security.</div>
</div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-2489977228070774672012-05-31T06:10:00.002-07:002012-05-31T06:10:08.871-07:00The Weather<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What's the weather like? Hot and humid, except when a rare light breeze comes off the China Sea. It's summer in southern China and the Pearl River Delta, which means it's the rainy season. It's tropical. It reminds me of New Orleans in May/June. That hot, humid oppresive kind of heat where it's best to move slowly. It will rain typically in the afternoon from time to time like in Mexico, and this past weekend, we actually had a couple of days of rain most of the days. Air conditioning truly revolutionized and modernized this part of the world. Thank heavens for fans and air conditioning! GREE Air Conditioning Company tour coming up soon! Barbara</span></div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-83025144127736227762012-05-31T06:09:00.002-07:002012-05-31T09:22:54.605-07:00Friday, May 25, 2012, 5 pm, from Ba Ba La<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After classes this morning, my buddy Rainey and I head to the faculty cafeteria to eat. At our table, a young female student is visibly praying, with her head bowed, eyes closed, and hands together. After she has finished and looks up, I venture a "Ni-How." She responds: "Hello." She then shares that she speaks English; so we converse in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>English. She shares that she is a Christian and from Tibet. "To see the real China, you need to visit Tibet," she says. "Most of China nowadays is too modernized, too westernized."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let her know, maybe next time as there is no way to fit in Tibet right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After lunch, we head to Rainey's "Investment Banking" class which is taught in both English and Chinese. It is three hours long with 10 to 15 minute breaks in between each hour (2:30 to 5:20 pm). Her professor is Dr. Ning Zeng. I learn that she is a tennis fanatic, and went to Wimbledon one year and ended up staying in London for eight years to earn her advanced degrees. She asked if I would speak today since I have firsthand experience with an "IPO" and an "M&A”</span><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho";">。</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I see a familiar face: Michael Vaughn, the son of Dr. Tim Vaughan, operations management professor at UW-Eau Claire, who is teaching a class here for four week. A Chinese student in the class introduces Michael as they are tennis partners. And then Michael reads his poem. My neighbor and creative writing professor B.J. Hollars would be proud of Michael's reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael then introduces me, and I share my experience with an "M&A" and "IPO" with the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), a global energy company, which processes uranium for use in nuclear power plants. I keep it simple, and I'm able to access the website: </span><a href="http://www.usec.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.usec.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. The Dept of Energy's uranium enrichment enterprise became a non-government organization in about one to two years, and then it became a private corporation on the New York Stock Exchange in another one to two years. Then we come across a concept that is totally foreign to them: Privatization. China has many state-owned businesses, and they remain state-owned businesses. Nothing is privatized from the government. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know from my research in advance that the Chinese classroom is very traditional. The professor lectures and the student listen and take notes...or not. My teaching style is more interactive, and I consider it a success that at least three students respond to my questions. Shy or not. Some of them are willing to speak up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Later we look at the stock price history so they can see the opening price at the IPO, approximately $15/share. Today's price is 60 cents per share. Any ideas why? Slowly I coax out of them the Fukishima Nuclear Plant disaster in Japan. Sometimes, such as incident can impact an entire industry and thus this company, USEC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After my impromptu presentation, we listen to BBC economic news, and then the last hour is spent listening to seniors defend their theses. They speak in Chinese and I make out GDP, PPI, CPI. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Class ends, and Rainey hands me off to Theresa. It's her birthday today; so we are meeting her and some of her friends for a birthday dinner. It is Cantonese style and simply delicious. I meet her freinds, Ting, Sassa, and Woo (two girls and a guy). Ting lets me know that they have brought a birthday cake; so we sing happy birthday in English and then Chinese (I try). After dinner, each of them wants a photo with me, and then another guest in the restaurant, requests a photo with me too. I've never been photographed so much in my life as here in China.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barbara</span></div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-41803248214300531052012-05-30T06:09:00.002-07:002012-05-30T06:09:10.148-07:00May 29, 2012 Update from Jinan University Computer Lab<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bad News! Heard about the 80 mph wind and rain storm to hit Eau Claire late last week. Good News! My house is still standing with no damage to it, and only parts of trees down in the yard "but nothing too terrible" according to my AWESOME housesitter Charlotte. Thank you Charlotte for your email and report. I can now rest easier. And hopefully, my yard guy Mike has come by to clean up the branches and use the chain saw if necessary. Charlotte is also posting the blog since I'm not able to connect with Google here in mainland China. (BTW, I knew that. It's just interesting to actually experience it in Chinese.) And I heard Google bought Motorola Mobility, the former cell phone business at Motorola, where I used to work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now back to Jinan University-Zhuhai. I'm back in the computer lab with my darling buddy Rainey. We were assigned two buddies the first day, and I am so blessed with Rainey and Teresa. They tag-team me based on their school schedule. And their English is excellent. My Chinese not so great! But we make everything work. Once I get back to the states, I'll upload their photos. As I mentioned before, it's problematic in the computer lab. Heh, but at least I have access to a computer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since I last blogged, which I think was last Friday, we had a three-day weekend cultural tour. Our tour guide and bus driver were topnotch. Driving here can be quite a challenge. As can walking. Pedestrians do not have the right-of-way like in the states. So we need to keep an eye out when we cross the street. I can understand now why many expats working here have drivers. Mike from the International Business office and Robbie, another student buddy, accompanied us. They are excellent guides, all of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first day, we traveled to Shenzen, the hometown of Kate Wang, my "adopted" Chinese daughter. I LOVE IT! It is China's fourth largest city, and its population is 13.5 million. So it's definitely a big city, about four Chicagos, if you can imagine that. There we traveled to the Shenzen Museum. We were there about an hour. Definitely not enough time to see everything, but it gave us a good taste about Chinese history, and how Shenzen was created. My classmates had a blast taking lots of hilariously staged photos. Shenzen in the 1970s was a fishing village. Today, thanks to stimulus funding from the Chinese government, it is a thriving, bustling metropolis, with tropical greenery aligned with high-rise office and residential buildings everywhere the eye can see. From an economic development standpoint, it's amazing to see such growth in about 40 years.In the afternoon, we visited H &T (Honesty and Trust) Shipping Company, which handles the logistics but not the actual transportation by air and sea. Melody, our host, was very accommodating, as the office has a resident office-cat, and a couple of our students are allergic; so we moved conference rooms three times. After she answered our questions, we headed to the Yantian Port, which reminded me of working for USEC, when I "visited" ports on the west coast. Sea to land shipping containers for as far as the eyes could see...everywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Sunday, we traveled to Guangzhou, also known as Canton, and the capital of the Guandong Province. There, we had lunch with David Schroeder, the economic attache to the U.S. consul. Very insightful visit. What I noticed the most along the road on the bus trip was all of the factories, and of course, all of the transmission and distribution lines. When I worked for Com Ed in Chicago, we actually sold a coal-fired plant that we were shutting down, lock, stock and barrel to an organization in China. So somewhere it is producing electricity for all the factories that are producing all of the exports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also visited the Memorial Hall of Sun Yat-sen, sort of like China's George Washington, prior to Mao. Guangzhou is known as the city of flowers, and they were everwhere. I'm going to rely on classmate Alexis' photos of the flowers. We also visited the Chen Clan Academy which was created by the Chen familyh in 1894 during the Qing Dynasty. Its purpose was to educate all the Chens. I'll add photos to this blog later, as words simply do not do justice to the architecture and craftsmanship. We also visited the site of the Asian Games in 2010, and the highlight was the Pearl River Night Cruise. What a light show from all the buildings and the tower there. Since I used to work for an electric utility, of course, I wonder about the light bill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday, we were back in Zhuhai, but on the way, we visited the home village and home of Sun Yat-sen. He was educated in Hawaii, and designed the home himself. Being a huge Frank Lloyd Wright fan, I was interested to see how he incorporated the two architectures of Hawaii and mainland China. In the afternoon, we also visited the Meixi Royal Stone Archways, and our guides then Dr. Fong and Frank shared that one of these archways was destroyed during the cultural revolution, but the people of the town banded around the remaining archways, and saved the two that remain. We also visited the home of Chen Fang *(1825-1906) who was China's first millionaire. He had two wives (one from China and one from the States) and 16 children. The more children you have, the closer you can get to heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the late afternoon, we visited the Hengqin New Area, which is a new economic development area. My grandfather, father, and brothers would be very impressed with all of the construction going on. I took lots of photos to share with them. Lots of mud, and an interesting rebar and concrete on the sides of the new expressway going in. Hengqin in essence will connect Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I better stop by as I need to get back to the hotel for a tour of GREE, which makes air conditioners. I would say they definitely have a monopoly on the market. They are everywhere. The food here is delicious; typically nine plates, and we never can finish everything. And yes, the squatty potties leave a lot to be desired. It's not that different from camping and going in a hole in a ground in the woods. You just need to go with the flow. CHI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ying. Yang. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Barbara<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-68239498073314866462012-05-25T06:04:00.001-07:002012-05-25T06:04:18.619-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last time I blogged was from the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Hong Kong. Today, I am seated in the Computer Lab at Jinan University-Zhuhai. I cannot access my google blog or the COB blog from here; so I've asked a friend to input this blog for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The attendant in the room just made an announcement, and my two buddies translated. There will be a class in the computer lab at 2:30 pm; so we will need to leave. So having classes in computer labs appears to happen around the world, not just UW-Eau Claire.My scheduling colleagues in the Registrar's Office will appreciate this thought.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived in Zhuhai after a ferry ride from Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon. We met our buddies that afternoon and headed to a market. My buddies are fantastic: Rainey and Teresa. They prefer I use their American names. Photos will need to come after the trip due to the fact that my buddies and I tried to download photos from my camera in the the computer lab, and it has not been working, and I don't want to risk losing the photos entirely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The welcoming ceremony on Thursday was amazing! They consider our group lucky and prosperous because there are 8 students, and 8 is a lucky number in China. All the Chinese officials and the American officials spoke, including Dr. Tim Vaughan, Dr. Jean Pratt, and Dr. Scott Swanson. Then Sam, one of our students, did an awesome job of sharing the feelings of our groupin English. His BCOM teachers would be SO proud! Robbie, a Chinese student, did an excellent job of expressing himself in English. Maybe someday our students will be able to express themselves in Chinese. After the welcoming ceremony, we had the pleasure of a superb Cantonese banquet, where as the Chinese say we eat anything on four legs except tables and anything that flies except planes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday afternoon was a bike ride to the fish girl statue, which is a landmark of Zhuhai along with a bike ride around an island. Some of the Chinese students had never done that before, including riding a tandem bicycle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is Friday! Classes so far have been in conversational Chinese and culture. I'm going to an English class in Investment Finance right now with a couple of my buddies. I want to see what their classes are like here. Thank God the class will be in English!</span></div>
</div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-4743829648277600772012-05-22T20:15:00.002-07:002012-05-22T20:15:47.807-07:00Ba Ba La and Joni Departure, Flight, and Arrival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Right now, I'm in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Hong Kong using their computers to check email and block. The past two days have been a blur. It's Wednesday here, about 11 am. We are 13 hours ahead of Eau Claire, WI.<br />
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On Monday morning, Joni and I arrived at the same time early early at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport and ran into Dr. Tim Vaughan and his son Michael . Dr. Vaughan will be teaching here this summer,.<br />
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We arrived in Chicago O'Hare about 6:45 am with the Chicago skyline, my kind of town and former city. Then the wait began for our 1:30 pm flight, and the time passed quickly. <br />
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Sitting in C18 while waiting for a flight to Shanghai leave, and being surrounded by Chinese speakers all around, I truly felt like a minority. It reminded me of one of my first visits to Chicago with a friend from college to the south side of Chicago Black Muslim Louis Farrahkahn Family Day. One stylish black woman walked up to me, and asked me, the only white woman for miles, what I was doing at Family Day. I replied "to learn," and my friend Carlos Mohammed Green interjected: "she's cool, she's cool, she's a journalist." <br />
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By midday, we move to C16 as our flight has been delayed due to maintenance problems, and we're unsure exactly when we're going to leave. But having been a road warrior in the corporate business world for years, I'm unphased. You learn to control what you can, and what you can't, you go with the flow. But in addition to maintenance problems now, there are weight problems, and United Airlines is offering $500 plus hotel stay plus guarantee on the next day's flight to Hong Kong. A group of students of 8 steps up to the plate. Still not enough. Closer to the boarding time, United has upped the ante to $600.<br />
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Finally, we start boarding at about 3 pm. And once we are on the tarmac, we are delayed once again for Air Force One. President Obama is in town for the NATO, G-8 Conference, although I recall hearing on the news that most of the conference occured at Camp David. So everything at O'Hare is shut down to clear the airspace for the President of the United States. Makes sense to me. <br />
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The wheels come up and we take flight at 5 pm. And I settle back and meet my seat mates Mr. and Mrs. Poon, a retired school teacher and IT professional from Hong Kong. Their children were educated in the United States, and have remained there. One is a physician in Boston, the other an IT professional in San Francisco's Silicon Valley. They have just completed their annual visit. <br />
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The flight is 15 hours, and remarkably the time flew by. Our flight pattener is northerly westerly through Canada and around Alaska, and then back down again through Russian, northern China, we even fly over Zhuhai where we are going to be most of the time. Every time I raise the window, it's sunny outside until we approach Hong Kong. Then dusk has fallen.<br />
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The hotel accommodations are luxurious even by western standards. And the breakfast buffet this morning, I can only describe as East meets West for the tastebuds. What didn't they have? I heard one of my classmates took photos; so perhaps they will post. Just about every nationality was covered: Chinese, Indian, English, American, French. I'm a huge breakfast eater, so I had a three course breakfast.<br />
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In 15 minutes, it's 11:15 am here right now, we'll be boarding the ferry for Jinan University at Zhuhai. And meeting our student buddies, who will be with us everywhere and help translate. This is the first time I've gone to another country where I don't have better grasp of the language. I'm so grateful for our buddies.<br />
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Who knows if we'll be able to access Google and Blogger on mainland China? If so, you'll hear from me again. If not, then later. Ba Ba La </div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-54259001303005299222012-05-19T08:26:00.002-07:002012-05-19T15:43:22.799-07:00Commencement Day for Dee-Anne and Greg<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsvITpYnEeY/T7e7atIexaI/AAAAAAAAAGs/5t5nCll9UXs/s1600/DeeAnne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsvITpYnEeY/T7e7atIexaI/AAAAAAAAAGs/5t5nCll9UXs/s1600/DeeAnne.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDnek9mZ7D0/T7e7eRjIIfI/AAAAAAAAAG0/-YkVykVM1Y8/s1600/Greg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDnek9mZ7D0/T7e7eRjIIfI/AAAAAAAAAG0/-YkVykVM1Y8/s1600/Greg.jpg" /></a>China Program classmates Dee-Anne and Greg are graduating this afternoon with their MBA degrees from UW-Eau Claire. Congrats you two, and see you at the Starbucks at the Hong Kong Airport on Tuesday night at 8 pm Hong Kong time. Ba Ba La</div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-19530449249376607192012-05-18T09:19:00.001-07:002012-05-18T09:20:21.366-07:00The 10 Myths of Modern China by Tom Doctoroff, CEO, JWT North Asia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"The Top Ten Myths of Modern China, " by Tom Doctoroff, CEO, JWT North Asia (J Walter Thompson Advertising Agency) <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-doctoroff/china-myths_b_1526079.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-doctoroff/china-myths_b_1526079.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008</a> Just came across this intriguing article, and want to share. Ba Ba La </div>GLOBE CHINDIAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07415538902441237641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465979678037337886.post-98829231656912412012-05-17T21:12:00.000-07:002012-05-17T21:15:01.040-07:00Four Days and Counting: Nihow from Ba Ba La<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvp9X8IAz0M/T7XJLnozMAI/AAAAAAAAAGg/BRd_bvTMMhw/s1600/barbara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvp9X8IAz0M/T7XJLnozMAI/AAAAAAAAAGg/BRd_bvTMMhw/s200/barbara.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ba Ba La</td></tr>
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Nihow,</div>
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My name is Barbara, Ba Ba La in Chinese, and I'm a nontraditional, lifelong learner student who is going to the Jinan University at Zhuhai for UW-Eau Claire's Globalization in China class led by Dr. Jean Pratt and Dr. Scott Swanson. I've hosted international students Kate Wang, from Shenzen China, and Jamie Hoo from Sengalore, Malaysia, for the past two years as part of the 2+2 program. I'm thrilled that I'll get to meet Kate's family while I'm there. </div>
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Today, my classmates and I received our Jinan University buddies' names and contact info. I'm eager to meet them. I've emailed them, and I got an email back saying delivery has been delayed. James Fallows from the Atlantic Monthly gave this interview about 3 Signs that China May Be Ready to Innovate (and create its own Silicon Valley). He does mention the internet is slower over there compared to here; so here' s hoping for a faster internet real soon so I connect with my buddies before I step on the plane with my classmate Joni early early Monday morning. <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/video/archive/2012/05/3-signs-china-may-be-ready-to-innovate/257014/">http://www.theatlantic.com/video/archive/2012/05/3-signs-china-may-be-ready-to-innovate/257014/</a> </div>
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