Nutty, Eh?

The PM was in China last week after APEC.  He went to BJ, then Hangzhou and then SH.  I was a volunteer to help take his 100 strong team around SH if they needed to go shopping, wanted to sightsee etc.  This 100 strong team included his wife, some of his grandchildren (at least 2 that I know of) and I'm sure other people in his family (this is where our tax money is going!).  Anyways, me and JC, yeah, there were about 100 other people who had this exact same picture.  We all lined up and they shot us through one by one.  It took all about 15 minutes.  Kinda takes the glory out of it, eh?  Anyways, back to Canadian Tax dollars, lets see, they flew in from BJ, then some of his team flew to HangZhou.  They stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel in Shanghai, rented a fleet of 19 vehicles (inclusive of vans, limousines and Benzes).  I'd estimate a figure of at least $500,000 CDN in cost towards this little trip to China.

I am saddened to hear that Ms. Soong Mei Ling died the other day.  For those of you who don't know who she and her family are, I suggest you read up.  The Soong family was very powerful in the early 1900's and Ms. Soong Mei Ling was truly an exceptional woman.  Ms. Soong Mei Ling died at age 106.  Born in Shanghai, she was married to Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek, the leader of the Nationalists and the man responsible for the uprising against the Communists.  Chiang Kai Shek, out of Shanghai, held many meetings and formed alliances with those in the Chinese underworld in his efforts to thwart the commies.  All while this was going on, Japan was attacking China.  Many criticised Chiang because they felt that efforts should have been put towards deterring the Japanese during this time (the corruption in his ranks didn't help either).  Ms. Soong Mei Ling, Western educated, became his personal interpretor and probably one of the most influential ambassador's of the Chinese people.  She's not very well regarded on the mainland.  She has tried to overthrow the gov't several times, and led in lobbying efforts in the US to raise money against the commies.  It is said that her influence on the US's China policy was also very strong until the early 70's.  Born in a family of 6 children (3 daughters, 3 sons), the daughters were each known in a unique way.  One loved money, one loved power, and one loved China.  Ms. Soong Mei Ling, was the one described as loving power.

More info on her here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/24/international/asia/24CHIANG.html?th
http://www.wellesley.edu/Anniversary/chiang.html
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/1206/90673

Hear her voice here:
http://www.historychannel.com/speeches/archive/speech_193.html

Happy birthdays to Hank, Grace, Jude and Elsa!

I Don't Just Promote Parties in Shanghai

After going back home and talking to old friends and acquaintences, it seems that my Xanga site gives the impression that my job in Shanghai is that of promoting parties all the time.  For the record, I work at a marketing communications company.  Our business consists of event management, event and campaign conceptualization, sponsorship procurement, design, PR and marketing consulting.  We have been involved in varying degrees with concerts, conferences, exhibitions, marketing campaigns, press conferences and various PR events and parties.  This party thing, is just a small tiny thing that we do on the side.  They also happen to be the best parties in Shanghai heh heh... aiye.

Having said that, next Saturday October 25th, join us at China-In for Original!

I  forgot what else I wanted to write about.

Missing Toronto

Wow, this new Xanga interface is pretty neat... kinda threw me off.

So I had a farewell thing today.  I'm boarding a plane for Shanghai early tomorrow morning.  Coming back really did me good, I didn't realize how much I missed it here in Toronto.  I was explaining to my friends that I felt very nostalgic when I first left Shanghai.  But then, after a while, life catches up with you and you sorta forget about things and let life pass you by.  Coming back made me realize what I was missing, the comforts of home can never ever be replaced.

I was looking through old shoe boxes and realized how much my friends mean to me.  Old letters, words of encouragement, pictures and memories strewn in different places.  I realized that I forgot about all the little things that make friendships unique.  The little notes and gifts, cards and gestures that let people know you care.  I've got to start doing that again.

So what's changed?

Sass and Keith now have 2 wonderful kids and just bought a home.
Kirby and Jane, still happily together, likely to marry soon.
Nick popped the question and now Kathy has a fat diamond on her finger (congratulations guys!)
Grace and Jon just finished writing their accounting exams.
Mel is with a new boy and very happy.
Jay and Fred have motorcycles.
Ricky is very much into his girl and feeling the pressure to get engaged, since his younger sister just got engaged too.
Coral is going to marry in 2 years!  Congrats.
Colman is the EVP at a new firm that seems to be growing at an incredible rate.
Daph and Terry at law school.
Ann and Ed, married.
Allison and Matt, married.
Sush is employed!
Charissa is still with Stan and remembers our star.
Linda's got a new boy!  And looks better than ever, I guess it's true that girls with boyfriends always look hot.
Tina's a free bird!
Karin is single...
Ming has a job!
My brother is graduating this year!
Eastman has been with his girl for 7 years!
Yvonne is living downtown and looking better than ever.

I'm going to miss home...

One More Week...

I've been in Toronto for over a week now.  About 10 days.  What have a I done?  I've tried to keep priority with family.  I went bubbletea already.  I've lined up for a club (and didn't get in).  Come party with me in Shanghai, and you won't have to line up   I saw Lion King yesterday, a bit long, but great performance.  Timon and Rafiki were definitely one of the best characters.  Didn't win the lottery last night, still waiting for my turn.  Thinking of going to Kingston this weekend for Homecoming.  Still so many people I want to see that I haven't really gotten into contact yet.  When I was younger, it seemed I had more energy for this sort of thing.  As you get older, it seems like you want to seem less and less bothered by it.  It's also growig increasingly difficult to make conversation with certain people   Catcher in the Rye, baby.  I guess life's like that.  But then, I could always work a little harder at it.  Certain people are just programmed to care a little more.  I will work harder.