How to motivate a kid...

Motivating a child in the East is very different from the West. Everyday I learn more and more about these differences as we teach many juniors to play golf. In Asia, the parents are very involved in the child, as most only have one. There is great wanting and maybe a need for them to succeed. There seems to be a good ethic of discipline. What I find oftentimes in the West is a overall ethic of love. What has been going through my mind in the last year is how to mix both to create a system that will motivate kids but also allow them some freedom to think for themselves. Here is an article about this issue in Asia: "Olympics push Chinese kids to the max"

Eatins Good in China "请客文化“

When it comes to culture in China, sharing a meal is nothing like the American culture I grew up in. And, that is why I have grown to love China sooo much.

What does "qing ke" mean? Qing ke is to "invite" or "entertain" and this word is thrown around all day long at my work. Not only at my work but even among friends on every street corner or housing complex. In China, if you want to celebrate, entertain, do business, etc. you "qing ke". Even for your birthday, it is culturally correct to invite friends for your own birthday party and you "qing ke", which means you pick up the bill. From a Western perspective, this often seems crazy but in China the special guest oftentimes will "qing ke."

As growing up as an American, we had important meals with family like Thanksgiving and Christmas. And, I always enjoyed having family meals together. However, for the most part, as an American we typically see eating as just a part of the day. I feel some Chinese feel it "makes" the day. There are so many types of foods and ways of preparing it. You can go to a restaurant for a month and not eat the same dish. It's not just the food that makes the day, it is the relationship around the table being built.

Why do I like this part of culture so much? While in the US, I always enjoyed going to good restaurants with friends. I find people will share more about their lives and it is so much easier to get to know someone over a meal. Here in China, that is very evident. I have heard many good stories over my three years in China over a meal. I have learned a lot about China and the Chinese by sharing many meals with friends and clients. I can hardly repay the graciousness of the Chinese to buy my meal. I feel like I am forever in debt to many people. What that means is that it is my turn to "qing ke." In the West, we like to split up who pays. In China, one time one friend pays, the next time the other friends pays. Now, when I go back to the US, it makes me feel weird when friends want to split everything. I guess China has grown on me in the sense that it seems so crazy to figure out who owes me how much ... it makes me think we are often very aware of what is "mine" in the US.

Another reason why I love this culture is the variety of food to try. Not only can you order many kinds of food, but when people eat in China, many dishes are shared. I don't mean just a few dishes, usually an overabundance. When finished, there are plenty of leftovers. The Chinese love this. I still don't really understand if this is something to do with the fact that many didn't have much food growing up or the fact that they just want enjoy part of the great food culture. Could be a mix of both?

Restaurants in are nothing like that in the Western world. We are talking large, expansive, expensive places where you usually rent a private room if you have special guests. Seating is important and many parts of the banquet. Maybe I'll cover this in another Culture issue on my Blog. I have been in a restaurant in Tianjin I thought was a botanical center that my hosts told me sat close to 2,000 people. I am oftentimes impressed with the restaurant structures and what goes into building a restaurant in China. Lets just say they don't "skimp".

I had a day recently where I shared two meals with two different clients. One client was getting ready to go to a golf tournament and we enjoyed a nice meal of hotpot together. This is where you have meat, veggies, and many other things and throw them in a boiling pot. This time, they decided to order a delicacy... pig brain. So, I tried it, many people say it helps out your eyesight or makes your mind sharper. I am still trying to figure out what it did for me. That evening, I was asked out again by another client. That time we had some nice Cantonese food. This time they ordered some beef stomach. It wasn't my favorite but wasn't all that bad. I write this not to scare those of you not living in China. I write this as an example of what some of my days consist of. However, usually I don't get double hit with two delicacies in one day!

I hope you can understand a little more about my new world in China. Would love to hear some of your comments from those who have been to China and maybe from some friends who haven't. Happy Eating!

This world IS small

For those of you who are on Facebook, you have seen that I met a random friend this past week. This world really IS small. So, here's what happened... I was walking back to the clubhouse and someone shouted out, "patrick!". I looked and the guy looked familiar but couldn't tell who it was. Then, I made the connection, it was my Chinese friend from Atlanta who was born in Korea and opened a Japanese Hibachi and Sushi restaurant. He used to come up and play Windermere all the time and I used to go down and have sushi at his sushi bar with friends after work. I couldn't believe it. Here is George's restaurant... if you like sushi, he has some of the best in Atlanta: Ichiban. You have to try their Yami Yami roll :)

My partner, Jim, used to teach a nine year old boy here in Beijing. His dad decided to move to Atlanta because it would allow him a better place to practice and learn. While in Atlanta, he met my friend George and this time brought him back to Beijing with him... crazy world we live in!

Just the other day, my partner introduced me to someone else. He is a local whose dad was a General in Mao's Army. We began talking and he noticed the logo on my shirt. The logo was of Windermere, the club I used to manage in Atlanta. He said he played it and has a brother in Atlanta. Each year I am here I make more Chinese friends who have connections with Atlanta. I still don't know what to do with this?

Importance of China in the World

Learning Chinese is becoming more popular in the US. Here is an article in the AJC regarding Chinese being taught more in Atlanta:
(Click here)

A interesting article on Yahoo:
(Click here)

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Last week I was in Yunnan Province. I spent some time at Tiger Leaping Gorge (one of the deepest gorges in the world). Yunnan is an amazing place. In Yunnan Province, there are over thirty different minority groups. It is an interesting place for travel and culture. Definitely a place to go back and see again. Take a look at some of my pictures: (Click here)

One year until the Olympics!

This week, Beijing celebrated the one year anniversary to the Olympic Games here in 2008. I unfortunately was in Jiangsu Province at a Golf Tournament and flew in the day of the activities. From the sounds of friends, it was truly impressive. I see the change for the Olympics everyday on my way to work. It truly is incredible the change going on in this city.

For those who don't know, the Olympics will start in 2008 on August 8th at 8pm. You may ask wy so many eights? Well, in China the number eight is a good number. It is the same meaning for success. So, next year the Olympics will start 8, 08, 8008 at 8pm. Not a bad idea if your Chinese. It is going to be an amazing year leading up to the Olympics.

Photo taken from China Daily Website

Studying Chinese / Summer Camp

It has been nice to have a break this summer from studying Chinese. As many of you know, I have been studying Chinese Full-time or Part-time for almost 2.5 years. Sometimes I wonder where the time went and wonder why my Chinese isn't better than it is. But, I am also very thankful to learn this difficult language. It has given me better insight into China and most importantly, it has allowed me to speak to locals. This is what I love the most about China... the people. Chinese people are very warm and welcoming to a foreigner and especially one that speaks Chinese.

I'm thankful for this summer as I have a chance to work more and get our teaching program more organized. It has also been a fun summer with junior golf camps. I'll add a picture of one of the camps this summer.

Beauty of China

I was in one of the most picturesque places in China this past week. Maybe it's just that I live in a big city I often forget how many other places there are in China that are worth going to. China is a vast country with amazing landscape scenes. Here are a few I have had the chance to enjoy....

Number 8 at Yan Ji Golf Club (North East China)
Tianjin Great Wall
Three Gorges on the Yangtze River
Unrestored Great Wall North of Beijing
XinJiang Autonomous Region
Anhui Province Countryside
Beijing Summer Palace
Countryside in Anhui Province
Tea Plants on top of a mountain near a bamboo forest

Haircut

I love my haircuts in China... 10 kuai. For those in the States, that is a whopping $1.43. You can't beat it. Complete with a wash. Not only a wash but a host of other stories. I go to the same place each time. There is a little barbershop in my neighborhood. The people there are always so talkative.

Today, while I was getting my haircut, I remembered they are from North East China. I will be traveling there next week. So, I asked them what I should do and what I should eat. I will be on the border of North Korea, so they mentioned I need to go to the border. (I am looking forward to that as I hope someday I can do some golf training in NK. For those that think it is crazy, they are building courses there now). What I thought was interesting was they said I HAVE to eat the dog meat there. They say it is so delicious and fresh. And, for some reason, when you eat dog meat in the winter it keeps you warm. As I was sitting there listening to them talking about this, it was as if they said I should have an Iowa steak or crab in Charleston (there was nothing trivial or interesting about it). So... guess I better try. Check back for an update when I get back :)

Another day as I was getting my haircut a Korean Ayi came in. (Ayi stands for Aunt). She lives in my little neighborhood and son is learning Chinese at a local university. My haircut 师傅 "master" tells me she comes in each day and dances. At first I thought he was joking. Then, all of a sudden, she turned on the TV to the wonderful Chinese programming and started up. It was a sight to be held as this 60 year old Korean danced. Not only did she dance but she had made some amazing Korean food that she continued to feed us each by hand. After my haircut, i tried speaking to her in my Chinese and her broken English... it was pretty funny.

Just a few stories of the crazy things that make me laugh everyday I live here...

"Little Emperors"

This term is something I deal with on a daily basis at work. Here in China they are known as "小皇帝“。 This a term many are using for China's youth. They use the connotation "Emperor" because families in China only have one child and have a lot of hope for that child. In order for that hope to come true, parents these days are doing almost anything they can to give their kids the best opportunity to succeed. Children these days in China are very busy. Several kids I teach will have a schedule like the following... 7am: go to class 4pm: out of class after school: cram class and extra-curricular activities including: English, Piano, Dance, Violin, and yes.... now Golf. After extra-curricular activities... homework. If you play golf in China, you are known as someone with money. I believe parents believe that golf gives the children a good opportunity in the future to make more friends and maybe play good enough to be a Tiger Woods. It is interesting to meet so many parents and their children and see how they interact. This is a small part of my world in the Middle Kingdom.

China Daily Article
NY Times Article on China's Little Emperors
CNN Money Article

Foreigner Sighting

This past week, as I was about to get on the bus heading home. I noticed the first 老外. Laowai is a word used here for foreigners. The literal translation is "old foreigner" but it doesn't really have that connotation. In riding this bus for eight months, I still have not seen a foreigner on it. It rides through the Olympic park everyday. I just think to myself next year, this will all change in a BIG way. I just try to enjoy it all now before all the foreigners come. The funny thing was I looked at her and she looked at me... it was as if we were both amazed to see each other there.

I continue to be amazed at the rate of construction around the Olympic Village here. It seems like such a special time to be living in the area I live. Not many people get to see the vast changes I see on a daily basis. I just wish I could capture it all on camera better. The area is going to be absolutely amazing when complete next year.

As I was going to work this week, I snapped two shots for you. One is of the "Birds Nest". This is where they will host the Opening Ceremonies. Still a lot of work to do around it but it is a beatiful structure. Another picture is a streetscape shot around where I get off for work. I always find it interesting to see black VW Passats whizzing by as old men on horse and carriage take bricks somewhere. This shows the vast difference in ways of living that exists even in the cities here.

Random Things

For some of you, especially those living in China, you may think this blog entry is crazy but there are things that in everyday life continue to amaze me here. I was teaching a beginner golfer awhile back (she was a 50 year old lady) and she was wearing high heels trying to hit golf balls off the driving range. She was having a great time... smiling and absolutely loving it. I was just wishing I could have snapped a good pic. But, not an opportunity:( So, I thought this pic would do.

Qingdao

I was in Qingdao seeing some friends and going to another China Tour event. Qingdao is a great city... on the ocean and very clean. We had a great week meeting people and helping the players but the best part of the week was seeing two friends. One afternoon, a good friend and I took his mountain bikes and rode the entire boardwalk in Qingdao. It was beautiful, except for the fog. That day we really must have seen at least 300 couples getting their pictures taken for their wedding. Here in China, people typically get their pictures taken before the wedding. I asked a local why so many people today? He replied: 好日子, which basically means a good day on the Lunar Calender. This is also the year of the Pig... so everyone and their dog who wanted to get married was out that day... it was pretty interesting. Wish I would have taken some mor pic's... some of the outfits and pictures were pretty funny. If you ever get a chance to go to Qingdao... don't pass it up... fun place!

Cultures

One of the main reasons why I love living overseas... meeting people from different cultures. I don't know what it is but I am so intrigued by hang out with people from other countries. Especially countries that most people don't go to or know much about. That's why one of the highlights of this year was and still is teaching twelve North Korean professors golf one afternoon.

Last night, I had a fun time hanging out with some friends. As I looked around, the thing I loved about this group was: There were two Mongolian guys I sat next two who spoke amazing English, a Japanese girl, an Italian, South African, Aussy from Cambodia/Vietnam, and a Chinese. Why couldn't we have just threw in an Egyptian and Argentine for fun? Anyway, for those who know me, you probably know this... but I thought many may not know what intrigues me about living overseas... other cultures are great and we have a lot to learn from others.

Chinglish

Living in China has its ups and downs. One of the things I enjoy is finding good Chinglish signage. Here in Beijing there is less and less as the Olympics draw near. But, if you venture out, you can find some pretty funny things that will keep you laughing. I could only imaging what our signage would say if we used Chinese in the US! Anyway, thought I would share with you my favorite. Never knew Go Cart Racing was so good for the body. Guess I'll have to do it more!


If you want to see more, go to my Photosite. It is on the upper right hand corner of my Blog site.

More Hiking Pix

Okay... I really liked this hiking trip... a friend just gave me his pix. Thought I would share...

the group heading to the top...


the group looking out over the world...


the unrestored wall...

Trip South...

This past week I was in southern China. Each time I am in southern China, I can't believe how much more the cities in the south are developed than the north. This time I was in Nanjing and Shanghai. The first part of the week I was in Nanjing for the China Tour. This year, we will go to each site to help out with the players. Next stop... Qingdao. Can't wait :) Nanjing reminded me of the Southeast in the US. Natural rolling hills and lots of trees. Left is a picture of downtown Nanjing on the river. Sometimes I wonder, why do I live in Beijing? But, I know I am suppose to be here. I have come to love Beijing. Almost a 180 turn by now... when I first came, I remember not liking living here. I am feeling much more connected and familiar with my surroundings. With the Olympics on the forefront, it is an exciting place to be :) Come visit... I know you will like it!

I always love visiting Shanghai. I had about a day and half in Shanghai. I was at Tong Ji University... a very green campus. I was there trying to find a professor and I had an experience I often have here. One cultural tidbit for those friends in the US is that the matter of "face" is very important in China. Oftentimes if people don't know an answer they will not let you know. That may be a "loss of face." So, I went to Tong Ji looking for a small office hiddin an old building. I wanted to meet a golf professor. I finally did but I must have asked at least ten people who all in a very helpful way offered advice. I could have been upset by looking for almost forty minutes but the campus was so peaceful that I took it in stride. Something I have been learning since coming to China... take things in stride.

I love the old alleyways of Shanghai's old city (below):

Lastly, I was in Pudong... the new city... Shanghai is constructing the world's largest building (bottom).

May Holiday Adventure

It's May Holiday this week... so that means a week off for most people. For me, I'll try to get some time off soon. But, I did find two days to go up into the mountains and go camping. We found an amazing place north of Beijing. Our initial plan was to hike up to a portion on the Great Wall that has not been restored. Well, we didn't find it, but we found the most amazing view I have seen in a LONG time. We climbed 700 meters in elevation up a mountain... and I mean a mountain... on the way, I hit a ball off one of the cliffs... it's been my goal to hit a ball of the Great Wall... not this trip... next time. If you could see my legs... you would see what great lengths we made to get to the top (not talking about muscles... scrapes). Not to mention, my hiking shoe fell apart... if my roommate adds the youtube video... I'll upload it to my blog. It was by far the hardest hike I have ever been on. But the view was incredible. Eventhough, we didn't find the Great Wall... it was an amazing trip. For those John Hessler fans... he lives up there when he is writing his books. My friends and I are planning to go up more often. Anyone want to join?

Check out my roommates pictures... click here

What to write?

Now that I am officially "blogging" I have to come up with things to write about. Any friends out there actually reading this... let me know what you think is interesting to learn about in China.

Anyway, this week the weather is absolutely gorgeous. This is the time to live in Beijing. I'll add a picture of the Forestry University across the street from me. It is a fun place to walk around when I have time... whenever that is!

This week is the week of the Asian Tour's Beijing Open. My partner's and I went out there to see Jack Nicklaus put on a golf clinic for kids. One of our kids hit Jack's knee while practice swinging... luckily nothing broken. whew. It was a good time to see some players and meet and greet. I also had a nice surprise of seeing a guy from Iowa I used to play junior golf with. I hope Jason does well this weekend. Here is a pic of the "Golden Bear" on the left.

Next week is May Holiday here. Most people are off work for about a week. I'll work some as most people who want to play golf will. I'm planning on going to the Great Wall camping for a day with some friends.

Standing In Line Day

Today is what is called "排队日“ or what is known as "Standing in line day." As the Olympics draws closer, many things are being done to make way for the big event. In China, standing in line is basically an option. They have made the 11th of each month "Standing in line day". I took the following picture while standing in line at a subway station. The red flag in the background awares people to please stand in line. By the looks of the picture I took, it doesn't look like they are; however, for those friends living outside of China...standing in line is typically not a cultural habit here.

Thailand... hope i see you again soon

Well, I'm back in Beijing. Back to the grind. Chinese class and teaching golf:) The trip was great. However, it really wasn't a vacation. I look forward to going back sometime and being able to take it easy for about a week. Living in Atlanta, I always loved Thai food and when I went to Thailand I fell in love with the country. It is a great place. I think for future vacations, a trip to the beach or mountains are a good idea. I've been many places in the past few years but hardly have I taken a good break from everything. I think Thailand was a place I could finally relax. Here is a sunrise I enjoyed one morning...

While in Bangkok, I went to the largest outdoor market I have ever been to. It was amazing. They stuff they had there was incredible. And the food was amazing too.

Lastly, in Thailand, the greeting is interesting. I always felt very honored in their presence. Here is a picture of Ronald McDonald outside a McDonald's with him greeting you in Thai.

Thailand

I have always wanted to go to Thailand and this week I finally had the chance... there is a big Asian Junior Golf Tournament here this week and one of my clients asked me to go with them. It has been a great time. I absolutely love it here. I had my favorite food on earth tonight. I am not kidding... I used to crave eating Penang Curry in Atlanta. Now, I finally had a chance to eat it in Thailand. The beach is great and town (Hua hin) is really fun but I really like the mix of cultures and food here. In addition, this week I am traveling with twelve Chinese from Beijing. So, I am speaking mostly Chinese except for some translating, while I have no idea what people are saying in Thai. In addition, the amount of Europeans here is staggering. The food ranges from Swedish to Thai to American Ribs. It is crazy. I'm learning a lot about junior golf in Asia. We still have a long way to go in China but I think it is a unique time for China Juniors... in ten years I think we will see some really good talent coming out of China in the world golf circuits.

My ride to work...

Since the second week of March, things are changing twice as fast as they were around the Olympic Village area. Each day I go to work I take the lovely 466 bus (if it’s raining or just tired I may take a taxi) but I can go to work for less than nickel. If I take a taxi it is about $3. Really crazy. Anyway, I live on the west side of Olympic Village and work on the east side. I have taken this bus for more than eight months and have never seen another foreigner board. Each time as I take this bus to work, I just think how everything will change in the coming twelve months. Five hundred thousand foreigners are expected to arrive in Beijing for the Olympics. I think that in about twelve months, my dirty 466 bus will be transformed to a new, clean bus that will be hauling foreigners through the Village. As I look at progress on each side of the window, I sit in utter amazement. If such a project was tried in the US, it would take three years from now to finish. Even though it looks far from done, I believe if anyone can do it the Chinese will… and will be done right. Recently, the weather has changed and the tree planting campaign has begun. Thousands of trees are being hauled into to make instant areas of beautiful landscape. The world is changing before my eyes… it is such an interesting time to be living here

China Architecture

Many of my friends know I love architecture. If I wasn’t working in the golf business, I would love to be working for a landscape or building architecture firm. My favorite form of architecture is modern with a mix of Asian design. I guess this is an influence from living here. Anyway, architecture is changing rapidly like anything here in China. I will try to write more as I have time. I was at the Capital Museum with a friend recently and just snapped this picture. At the time, I didn’t think much about it until I downloaded it and realized it was pretty interesting. I am standing in a very ultra modern Chinese building looking through the glass through apartments that are very typical of the 1970 – 1980 time era here further looking back a small Chinese temple of some sort. To me, this represents three different generations of Chinese architecture and living. The furthest away, the ancient China, the middle being the era of Mao, and the current reform and opening up era of modern buildings and capitalism.