Finally Fireworks!

Chinese New Year is wonderful --and we moved into our apartment just in time! First, red is the color of luck -- and I love red! Second, everyone shoots off fireworks -- and it's a huge party!

It's hard to believe...but John and I saw over 100 fireworks displays from the windows overlooking the park -- and they've gone on all week. In Beijing, you don't need a special permit -- people simply light them in the streets. It's fabulous. I'm so happy!







We also went to the Temple Fair in Chaoyang Park across the street -- there's a thin veneer of weiguoren (foreigners) here in Beijing -- we were the only "big noses" (an endearing term also used for foreigners...) in the place. Yan Shifu taught me to say, Xin Nien Kuai Le (Happy Spring Festival) and I say it to everyone. As John says, I've become the trained monkey...the local folks are shocked when they hear you utter a single word of Mandarin!










Everything shuts down for Chinese New Year, even Starbucks. My wonderful Berlitz teachers still made it in -- we were the only ones in the place! And of course, Yan Shifu has been driving me around...and teaching me even more phrases!

Moving Day!

It's finally arrived...moving day! Our new apartment overlooks the largest urban park in Asia. John and I feel like we're in New York -- and looking at Central Park!

Yan Shifu helped...and brought his wife as well (Yan Tai Tai -- Tai Tai is the respectful name for wife in Chinese...don't you just love this language?). There was a big crew -- it got done in half a day. By then end, every mover was my Chinese teacher as well -- pointing to a box of books and saying, "shu..."











Yan Shifu organized lunch for the crew -- they all instantly disappeared with their boxes...and I found them on the back landing, squatting down and eating. They are much more flexible than us rigid Americans!
It's the beginning of Chinese New Year -- and part of the tradition is giving your driver a monetary gift in a red envelope. I found the perfect set -- until the girl at the front desk told me the Chinese characters were for a wedding....

Language is funny -- Yan Tai Tai would simply repeat things to me --as if by saying it often enough I would eventually understand...

Our new kitchen is red, red, red -- and I adore it! Everything is new -- a wonderful way to start.

My only challenge -- keys! I haven't locked a door (car or house...) in 30 years! But there may be some salvation...a single card makes the elevator come to our apartment...and if you don't have that card, you can't get off at our floor.

So an unlocked door wouldn't really be that unsafe.... stop by sometime!

The Corporate hug

We're part of a corporate community here in China -- and had the chance to touch base with old friends. During my orientation day (they show you the ropes in China) I ran into one of my favorite people from Marketing -- and he's going to live down the street from us when we get our new apartment. It was such fun to simply chat and catch up!

That evening, we were part of a corporate dinner and saw more friends from our past. One of my favorite parts of my last job was working with young people -- new to the company, marketing training. Such energy! The future! The Beijing team has these folks too -- so smart and motivated. It was wonderful to connect...

And they corrected my Mandarin! How's that for a terrific deal? I had heard that weiguoren in Beijing are often approached by people wanting to speak English. I'm just the opposite ... everyone in China is my teacher. In the stores. In a taxi. At a restaurant.


So great to feel the corporate hug.