Well summer is definitely upon us here in Beijing. I think I mentioned this a little the other day, but we're raising an average of about 4 degrees F each day. Even thought it hasn't rained for the past couple of weeks the humidity is on the rise too. In the spring we were averaging around 10-15% humidity, we're know up to 25-30%. Hey, I'm not complaining just stating the facts. I much more prefer this to winter!
Hey a also wanted to let you know that SPC Dude has started up a new blog and has a few posts on it already. He's also got some good pics to check out. You can click on the SPC Dude and it should take you to his site.
Sorry not photos on this one, it's been pretty hazy the past few days, so I'm hoping for rain to clear things up a bit. Besides you know they would most likely have been of the sunset here anyway! ;-)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
More Photos from Brussels
Sorry folks, but I've been tied up these past couple of weeks with presentations to my upper management. I've got to justify why they brought me over here in the first place! ;-)
That being said, I'm back and should be able to get back on track. I just wanted to share a couple of more photos from our recent trip to Brussels, and then I'll get back to reporting on my life in Beijing.
Here's a couple of shots of the sunset outside of our hotel window.
The riot police came pulling up while I was out picking up dinner for us. There was a big inter-Belgium rival football (soccer) match that was going on that day and a riot started afterward. I was able to capture these photos of the squad in action as they headed down into the subway to squelch the hooligan's activities!
There were probably about 10 of these trucks that pulled up and the police emptied out of them and were down into the subway in a flash!
We're definitely heading into summer here know. Since I've returned from our trip the daily high temperature has been rising about 4 degrees F each day. We should begin to get up into the 100's F in June and Will most likely stay around that high until after August. I'm fine with that because I'd rather have summer time than winter time any day!
One more thing: Uncle "E" I hope you get to feeling better! I know you'll see this, even if you don't respond!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Trip to Brussels and My Brush with the Law
I had to travel to Brussels for business and was able to use one of my paid trips to bring Lightnin over for a visit. It's really only a long weekend as we both leave tomorrow, she back to the US and me to PRC. It's been a short visit, but fun just the same!
Do you recognize this place from my previous posts?
We ended up running into a couple of parades on Saturday, and during one of them I met up with the Brussels police!
As you can see though it was a friendly encounter! ;-)
While we were sitting at LeRoy's (might be a hint for the question I posed on the first picture) in the late afternoon we met some nice folks from the Netherlands and started talking. The conversation (and beer) was just too good to end so we continued the comaradary over dinner and on into the night. It's always nice to meet folks from other places and share points of view, laughs, food, and drink!
Wineger and Amerikana (the names have been changed to protect the innocent), we hope to see you again sometime it was a blast!
Alas it's time to say goodbye to Brussels, I'm sure there'll be a next time though!
Do you recognize this place from my previous posts?
We ended up running into a couple of parades on Saturday, and during one of them I met up with the Brussels police!
As you can see though it was a friendly encounter! ;-)
While we were sitting at LeRoy's (might be a hint for the question I posed on the first picture) in the late afternoon we met some nice folks from the Netherlands and started talking. The conversation (and beer) was just too good to end so we continued the comaradary over dinner and on into the night. It's always nice to meet folks from other places and share points of view, laughs, food, and drink!Wineger and Amerikana (the names have been changed to protect the innocent), we hope to see you again sometime it was a blast!
Alas it's time to say goodbye to Brussels, I'm sure there'll be a next time though!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Earthquake
First of all, I'm fine!
If you've been following the news alerts from China, especially on CNN, then you may have been a bit misinformed of the location of the earthquake that hit the other day. The first reports were of an earthquake in Beijing.
True it was a 7.8 quake, but the epicenter was actually in a city named Wenchuan, in the Sichuan Provence. this is about 1000miles south of Beijing. None of us here at my work felt a thing although some people reported feeling some of the tremors. We have a production facility near that city, but everyone was evacuated and accounted for with no injuries.
In my opinion the news media really needs to clean up their act. They seem to be so intent on being the "First On The Scene" and way short on accuracy of reporting! They also only seem to know about 4 cities in China and over use them as reference points: Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tibet. If anything happens remotely near any of these places they act as if it happened right in the heart of the city.
Also it was actually the Tibetan fault that slipped and cause the quake, Karma perhaps! ;-)
So whenever watching the news these days please keep in mind that they are always trying to sensationalize things (excitement sells, not necessarily the truth!), and you need to check the sources because they certainly are not anymore!
If you've been following the news alerts from China, especially on CNN, then you may have been a bit misinformed of the location of the earthquake that hit the other day. The first reports were of an earthquake in Beijing.
True it was a 7.8 quake, but the epicenter was actually in a city named Wenchuan, in the Sichuan Provence. this is about 1000miles south of Beijing. None of us here at my work felt a thing although some people reported feeling some of the tremors. We have a production facility near that city, but everyone was evacuated and accounted for with no injuries.
In my opinion the news media really needs to clean up their act. They seem to be so intent on being the "First On The Scene" and way short on accuracy of reporting! They also only seem to know about 4 cities in China and over use them as reference points: Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tibet. If anything happens remotely near any of these places they act as if it happened right in the heart of the city.
Also it was actually the Tibetan fault that slipped and cause the quake, Karma perhaps! ;-)
So whenever watching the news these days please keep in mind that they are always trying to sensationalize things (excitement sells, not necessarily the truth!), and you need to check the sources because they certainly are not anymore!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Hou Hai
Hou hai (Ho-Hi) is a little lake area inside Beijing that has lots of little shops and restaurants around it. Yesterday was a beautifully clear, sunny day, but the wind started to pick up pretty drastically as the day went along.
While heading back from the shopping trip we ran across this little neighborhood Asian Bar-B-Que restaurant and decided to stop in a try it out. The food was great and the beer was the coldest in Beijing! They kept it in a chest freezer and it was a very refreshing drink after walking around the city all day. We feasted on grilled lamb, chicken wings, and mushrooms, and some sauteed spinach with a wasabi dressing on it. It was all very tasty!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Traffic
I think I mentioned earlier that I'm now working from home on Friday's, well if I didn't I'm mentioning it now!
Here's the view from my apartment of typical Friday morning traffic. That's the direction I would need to go.
The traffic is really bad on Monday's and Friday's, so I decided to do my part to try to reduce that by not taking the 2 hr trek into work that day. That's right, it can take as long as 2 hrs to get to and from work on Monday's and Friday's, and Wednesday is starting to get that bad too. I guess it's just a preview for the Olympics coming in August.
Here's the view from my apartment of typical Friday morning traffic. That's the direction I would need to go.
The traffic is really bad on Monday's and Friday's, so I decided to do my part to try to reduce that by not taking the 2 hr trek into work that day. That's right, it can take as long as 2 hrs to get to and from work on Monday's and Friday's, and Wednesday is starting to get that bad too. I guess it's just a preview for the Olympics coming in August.
Oh, by the way a friend of mine over here scored some tickets to several events, one of which is the 10,000meter men's finals, and he's offered up one of them to me! This is simply incredible because you see I used to run track and cross-country, and the 10k was one of my races. I had always hoped to get to the Olympics one day, well at least I'll get to be a spectator! ;-)
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Beijing Boomerang and the Magic of the Mango!
Well I thought I was putting my love on a plane yesterday. I took her to the airport and saw her go through security. I was sitting talking to friends over beers and dealing with things, when the surprise phone call comes. I hear a familiar voice on the other end say: "Where are you?"(this can't be because it's about 9pm so she should be over the ocean by now). My response: "Where are you?" (obvious confusion in my voice). From the other end I hear: "At the Kempenski, come get me!".
At this point I'm trying to figure out who's playing this cruel joke on me, but the voice in my head told me that the demanding tone that was used for the phrase: "COME GET ME!" could have only come from one person. I set my beer down and tell my friends I have to go, but I'll be right back! I hop in a taxi and almost instinctively say: "Qing Dai Wo Qu Kempenski!" (Please take me to the Kempenski). The driver nods and says: "OK". About 10 minutes later I'm walking into the hotel and see Lightnin waving to me from over at the bar (of course, hey two peas in a pod!). I go over and give her a hug, she introduces me to her new, fellow stranded, friend. It seems their flight had been cancelled due to mechanical issues.
We invite her friend to join us back at the "Goose and Duck" (a sports bar that I've become familiar with and where I have friends waiting to see what the sudden issue was). She declines at this time, but accepts the idea of trying to get up early to try to watch the Kentucky Derby the next morning (You get used to the 12 hr time difference here; we watch US Saturday evening sports on Sunday morning here, but that's another post!). We hop in a taxi and head back to the G&D where we're welcomed by confused looks on faces, you see they've already met Lightnin and where helping me get over my mild depression of her leaving, so they were caught as off guard as I was!
After Lightnin tells her story of hours spent sitting on the runway One of my new friends tells her: "OK, but you understand that if the flight tomorrow gets delayed you were meant to stay!" (this of course is exactly what is going through my head at the same time). So it seems we had one last night together given to us!
Well that was last night, but today is today! I was mentally prepared to say goodbye yesterday, but today is different. I don't know if the infinite master of the universe decided that yesterday's departure was simply too easy for us or what, but today was definitely different. Having the extra time together was great, don't get me wrong, but I was prepared for her to leave yesterday not today. So mode it be!
We spent one more night and morning with each other and I sent her off again, this time seeing her board the shuttle bus from the hotel. After I see them depart I walk back home to make the best of the afternoon. Oh did I mention that the Kempenski is about a block away from my apartment? Oh, I forgot, well I guess I just made up for that! ;-) Yes, as luck would have it they placed her in a hotel right down the street from me! So it was a very convenient inconvenience for her! ;-)
Oh, "The Magic of the Mango", don't worry I haven't forgotten! As I walk away from the hotel, where I left Lightnin on the bus, I know that they will come right by me on their way to the airport, so I give her one last wave goodbye as they pass by. I head up to my apartment to spend the rest of the afternoon sitting in the sun on my balcony and sipping a wonderful concoction known as the Mango Margarita!
You have to understand that the mango's that we get here are the yellow Malaysian variety, not the green ones you get in the states. These things are tiny, but are sweet as candy! I've become a fanatic for them and get a few each time I go to the fruit and vegetable market. So today I decided to put them to a good use. I added the proper ingredients (I'll disclose if you want the recipe) into the blender, poured myself a glass, and headed to the balcony to sit in the sun!
Check this tasty treat out!
OK so it's a wine glass and not a margarita glass, hey man this is Beijing you have to make certain sacrifices! ;-)
I've got Buffet playing in the background, sipping one of nature's wonders, and I think I'll be alright now! Bon Voyage Lightin, see you in Bruxelles!
At this point I'm trying to figure out who's playing this cruel joke on me, but the voice in my head told me that the demanding tone that was used for the phrase: "COME GET ME!" could have only come from one person. I set my beer down and tell my friends I have to go, but I'll be right back! I hop in a taxi and almost instinctively say: "Qing Dai Wo Qu Kempenski!" (Please take me to the Kempenski). The driver nods and says: "OK". About 10 minutes later I'm walking into the hotel and see Lightnin waving to me from over at the bar (of course, hey two peas in a pod!). I go over and give her a hug, she introduces me to her new, fellow stranded, friend. It seems their flight had been cancelled due to mechanical issues.
We invite her friend to join us back at the "Goose and Duck" (a sports bar that I've become familiar with and where I have friends waiting to see what the sudden issue was). She declines at this time, but accepts the idea of trying to get up early to try to watch the Kentucky Derby the next morning (You get used to the 12 hr time difference here; we watch US Saturday evening sports on Sunday morning here, but that's another post!). We hop in a taxi and head back to the G&D where we're welcomed by confused looks on faces, you see they've already met Lightnin and where helping me get over my mild depression of her leaving, so they were caught as off guard as I was!
After Lightnin tells her story of hours spent sitting on the runway One of my new friends tells her: "OK, but you understand that if the flight tomorrow gets delayed you were meant to stay!" (this of course is exactly what is going through my head at the same time). So it seems we had one last night together given to us!
Well that was last night, but today is today! I was mentally prepared to say goodbye yesterday, but today is different. I don't know if the infinite master of the universe decided that yesterday's departure was simply too easy for us or what, but today was definitely different. Having the extra time together was great, don't get me wrong, but I was prepared for her to leave yesterday not today. So mode it be!
We spent one more night and morning with each other and I sent her off again, this time seeing her board the shuttle bus from the hotel. After I see them depart I walk back home to make the best of the afternoon. Oh did I mention that the Kempenski is about a block away from my apartment? Oh, I forgot, well I guess I just made up for that! ;-) Yes, as luck would have it they placed her in a hotel right down the street from me! So it was a very convenient inconvenience for her! ;-)
Oh, "The Magic of the Mango", don't worry I haven't forgotten! As I walk away from the hotel, where I left Lightnin on the bus, I know that they will come right by me on their way to the airport, so I give her one last wave goodbye as they pass by. I head up to my apartment to spend the rest of the afternoon sitting in the sun on my balcony and sipping a wonderful concoction known as the Mango Margarita!
You have to understand that the mango's that we get here are the yellow Malaysian variety, not the green ones you get in the states. These things are tiny, but are sweet as candy! I've become a fanatic for them and get a few each time I go to the fruit and vegetable market. So today I decided to put them to a good use. I added the proper ingredients (I'll disclose if you want the recipe) into the blender, poured myself a glass, and headed to the balcony to sit in the sun!
Check this tasty treat out!
OK so it's a wine glass and not a margarita glass, hey man this is Beijing you have to make certain sacrifices! ;-)
I've got Buffet playing in the background, sipping one of nature's wonders, and I think I'll be alright now! Bon Voyage Lightin, see you in Bruxelles!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Gloomy Day in Beijing
Yes it was a gloomy day here in Beijing! Not just because it was raining all day, but because Lightnin boarded her plane back to the US about an hour ago. Actually that's what made this a bit of a depressing day and not the rain at all.
Her bags are packed and she's ready to leave!
The rain is welcomed because this city is so pretty after a good rain. There is so much construction going on that there is dirt/dust that builds up on the sidewalks and on the sides of the buildings, but after a good rain it's all washed away and the city shines.
I'm bumming though because Lightnin just left after a great 2 week visit here. However my gloomy mood won't last too long because I'll meet up with her again in just a couple of weeks. I'll be traveling to Brussels on business and she's going to join me over there!
Also, I'm meeting up with a few of my friends over here in a little while to drink a few beers and shoot the breeze. That should help to take my mind off of it for a little while anyway.
Her bags are packed and she's ready to leave!
The rain is welcomed because this city is so pretty after a good rain. There is so much construction going on that there is dirt/dust that builds up on the sidewalks and on the sides of the buildings, but after a good rain it's all washed away and the city shines.
I'm bumming though because Lightnin just left after a great 2 week visit here. However my gloomy mood won't last too long because I'll meet up with her again in just a couple of weeks. I'll be traveling to Brussels on business and she's going to join me over there!
Also, I'm meeting up with a few of my friends over here in a little while to drink a few beers and shoot the breeze. That should help to take my mind off of it for a little while anyway.
Answer to the Puzzler
These pictures might help!
It's a German Ice Tray, or more appropriately Ice Bag. This is courtesy of RBP who sent me 6 boxes of them.
The first time I saw these "ice bags" I thought what a great idea. They take up little space and actually seem to make a more dense ice cube than a regular ice trys, or it's possibly the shape of the ice, but either way they seem to last longer in your drink than standard cubes do. So maximum efficiency: saves space in the freezer, lasts longer in your drink!
Thanks for sending them to me RBP, and I think the chocolates will be a big hit here too!
It's a German Ice Tray, or more appropriately Ice Bag. This is courtesy of RBP who sent me 6 boxes of them.
The first time I saw these "ice bags" I thought what a great idea. They take up little space and actually seem to make a more dense ice cube than a regular ice trys, or it's possibly the shape of the ice, but either way they seem to last longer in your drink than standard cubes do. So maximum efficiency: saves space in the freezer, lasts longer in your drink!
Thanks for sending them to me RBP, and I think the chocolates will be a big hit here too!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Zhe Shi Shenme?
What is this?
Thought I'd try my hand at a little puzzler.
RBP, Spc. Dude, JaF, and STEB, please give everyone else time to see if they can figure it out first since you all have an unfair advantage on this one!
So, Zhe Shi Shenme?
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