My office

This is my office building.  Right across the street is the Shanghai soccer stadium complex.  Right now we have about 50 people and split between the 11th floor and 15th floor.  While we are trying to get more space it is another "China deal."  Meaning that office spaces are individually owned and managed within a building.  We can't just say to the landlord of the building that we want more space and they find it when leases are up.  We have to work each landlord then work out a deal to get out of our space.  So I'm resigned to the fact we probably won't get more space for the near future.  I'm spending more time here than I would like of late.  Looking for this craziness to slow down a bit. 

Amusing photos

Time for the piggies to go to market and make me some bacon!

Work visa/residence permit - physical

I got my results of my physical back and I passed.  Three things came back in the "abnormal" range as they call it:

• Skin/Lymph Nodes - that didn't sound good, until I read the details.  

• Spine and Extremities - again doesn't sound good.

• My ultrasound was also abnormal (insert all the jokes here should you wish).

So in reading the details the Skin/Lymph Nodes and Spine/Extremities boils down to scars from surgery (I've had enough as we know).  The report literally reads:  "Scar of operation for fracture of knee.  Scar of operation for fracture of ankle.  Major scar of leg due to accident.  Scar of operation for ligament injury on shoulder joint.  And the list goes on and on....


The details on the ultrasound says "slightly fatty liver."  It goes on to say that suggestion is "take proper exercise, improve dietary habit."  I guess that means I should cut down on McDonalds and get back to the gym.

Work visa/residence permit

We had a nice short week work wise thanks to a holiday.  So it was only Wed-Sat (customer on Sat) but it felt like a heck of a lot more.  My life so far has truly been - work, work, work over here.  Not bad just a lot to learn and get through.
Wed this past week I went to get a Chinese physical for my work visa/residence permit.  Quite interesting.  Was truly an assembly line of rooms that I had to go through.  Started with a blood sample.  Not liking needles in general I figured I certainly wasn't going to look at one here in China.  Then an ear, nose and mouth check up, followed by EKG, surgical check, general health and ultrasound.  The EKG was the weirdest.  They hooked me up to all sorts of 1950's type wires, laid me down on a gurney, turned it on and I felt nothing.  Then it was over. 
All in all I think it turned out just fine.  Get my results this coming week I think.  Then I need to apply for the permanent resident permit and work visa.
This week should be non-stop work.  We have at least 10 customer appointments that I know of already through the weekend.  I'm sure it will be satisfying but at the same time exhausting. 

100th Post And Happy Mother's Day!

Well this is my 100th post, so I guess you want something special huh? 
Well HAPPY MOTHER'S day to all the mom's out there!  To my mom, you have done a great job in raising me and I couldn't be more thankful that there was not someone else available (inside joke that mom will understand).  Thanks for everything and I hope one day you will get a chance to come and visit!  Lov ya!

Chicago - April 2010

It was nice to be back in Chicago.  Woke up bright and early, caught the sunrise while running on the lakefront.  From there a busy day hitting the Chinese Consulate to get my work visa, hanging with my brother and picking up some stuff to bring back to Shanghai.  From there a relaxing weekend with mom in CT and then off to High Point for the furniture show.  When all was said and done it was nice to get back to China.

Heading home...

Well it's only been 6 weeks or so now but I'm heading home tomorrow (wed pm here).  Back to Chicago for a day and 1/2 to visit the Chinese Embassy for my work permit application along with other stops, then to Connecticut for the weekend to see mom and finally to North Carolina for the High Point Furniture market.  
As usual, lots to do and only a little time to get it all done.   Looking forward to getting home and seeing some friends.
Weather here in Shanghai is still unusually cold and rainy.  Every day is dreary and magnified by the pollution.  But life itself is good.  I've seen a bunch of old friends and former colleagues in my short time here so that has made the transition super easy.
Bring on Chicago if only for a couple of days!

Easter

I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend!  I had a nice three day weekend, not due to Good Friday or Easter but to that not so famous holiday called Tomb Sweeping Day.  Basically a chance for the Chinese to pay their respects to deceased family members.  Historically they go to the tomb or burial places and burn paper (fake) money to pay respects, clean the tomb and remember their loved ones. 


My weekend was spent catching up with old friends.  I went down to Dongguan and had dinner Friday night with my old China team from my previous company.  A good chance to catch up as I hadn't seen them since resigning.  Then Saturday into Shekou where I lived before and dinner/drinks with friends followed by a Easter brunch on Sunday with a large group.  Then a relaxing day here in Shanghai on Monday before works starts back up tomorrow.

World Expo

Two years ago I was lucky enough to be in China to experience the Bejing Olympics.  This year, in one month's time begins the World Expo here in Shanghai.  It's a 6 month experience that is supposed to bring folks from all around the world.  

Shanghai has done a tremendous amount of construction and cleaning to get ready for it.  In recent weeks The Bund has basically re-opened with new walkways, viewing areas, etc.  Lots of construction still to be done though...

Today was one of the first good days to wander outside.  Not particularly warm but I was happy to be in a t-shirt!

Residency Permit and a visit to the police station

Well since I'm living here completely legitimately now, I needed to visit the police station and register my residency. Apparently this needs to be done within 72 hours of arrival. I was about 1 day late. So that meant I paid a 100RMB fine (about $14US). However the headache with paying the fine was typical China. I had to go to the station to get the ticket, then go to a bank across town, pay the fine, get a receipt and return to the police station to get the permit.  Below is the permit.

When I return to the states in April I'll need to go to the Chinese Embassy and submit other forms for my work visa in order to be totally legit. It's all a process I guess but not much fun, especially when dealing with the language barrier.

Below is my ticket for registering late.  I can't read it but for sure I did pay the fine.