Networking, Mandarin lessons, and new friends
In Beijing I nap. For at least the last 12 years I have not been a nap person. It appears to suit me in Beijing. My activities get justified. That’s the way I operate. When I play hard I have earned the play from the efficient and productive work that I just completed. When I work diligently, it is because my desire to buy something not totally necessary or possibly my plans to play when most folks are working brought on that diligent work.
I routinely wake before 6am and go to bed after 11 pm or midnight. These hours occasionally call for a nap. Heck, Sunday calls for a nap. Saturdays typically start before 6am and end after 2am. The past week like each week so far has been full of adventures. Scheduled dinners occurred Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening. Thursday evening contained an excitement filled multi-chamber networking event and a few hours of dancing. Friday night I stayed home in anticipation of the very long Saturday. One day I met with work related folks in their large office building wearing my shorts and t-shirt. I had tea at least once and I wrote several follow-up emails to (possible new) friends from across the world – all living in Beijing.
Friday the bike sat idle while the legs carried me to three different banks to make deposits into random bank accounts for product samples. Costa Coffee and Starbucks received a visit from me while I drank iced tea and updated website information. Late Friday afternoon a print shop updated and printed new business cards for me with my msn fun512@live.com and Beijing cell number on them. Tuesday and Thursday morning I practiced Mandarin lessons with my current instructor. After another week or two with her, my sessions will increase to the 10 hours per week range.
Saturday’s hike took nearly twenty of us to Fragrant Hills- a short 30 minute drive from town. This hike required ENERGY. We hiked nearly straight up hill for a solid thousand (meters) yards. At the top the we viewed the entire city of Beijing down in the valley. We walked back a different way after a brief rest. The group split up for the hike and arrived at our dinner place together. We dined with a group twice our size at the ‘once monthly hiking group’ party. Again, new folks and some regulars attended. Great food, good entertainment, and the best company were all parts of the evening. We ate buffet line style. I tried mostly regular (to me now) foods. The random items I ate: some egg I was not familiar with, an un sweet warm dessert- similar to a porridge, and some different peppers. Next time I may even bring a non-Chinese person on the hike and to dinner afterwards.
(Work related) Presently I am attempting to gather money to make product purchases for a shipment back to the states. The marketing machine is in action and the products will arrive back in Texas. New photos are appearing on the partymachines.com site weekly.
This evening I may schedule a dinner before my beverage outing at 8pm. After a nap I am slow to get back into the swing of the day. I am not quite there at this point.
