Coming home for Christmas

I haven’t been able to write as much I would have liked to, but here finally a post again. I am back in the Netherlands for a few weeks. I came back for Christmas, which I spend at my parents house, where I still am, because I have a holiday this week. And I really needed some time to rest, so no busy schedule with meetings 24/7. Just some time at home for reading and writing. I am working on a business plan for Chinese companies that are entering Europe (a very important step for the decade to come). Next to my never ending focus on the China-Euro relationship I make time to play the piano – working on my musical theoretical background. And also learning to play the Double bass (my father has one). I am contemplating about buying one in 2010.

My time in the Netherlands will really start next week on Monday the 4th of January, when I go to Amsterdam and start working. There will be a few important dates during my stay in the Netherland. I will lead a workshop ‘Leading in China’ on the 15th of January at Meet the World (www.debaak.nl/en/events/meettheworld), the 19th of January Big Improvement Day at the Rai in Amsterdam (www.debaak.nl/en/events/bid), and The China Challenge on the 27th of January (www.debaak.nl/pictures/91A23DBE-01802CDD-0AFF020B-D8DD2F62.pdf). The last event I will not be able to attend myself, because I go back to Shanghai on the 22nd of January. Next to this event I will focus on the marketing of the Dutch Chinese Entrpreneurship Program (www.debaak.com/chinaentrepreneur), finalize the program structure for The New Manager, and other projects with the NFIA and Victoria University Beijing. After some very relaxing days at my parents I am slowly starting to look forward to my work again.

My last three weeks in Shanghai where not as hectic as October and November. Angie came for a surprise visit (to see me and the new house). Very great! I was planning to unpack everything with her, but this we didn’t manage. So the new house is still quite messy, but we got the internet and air-conditioner working (this is what you use in Shanghai in the winter to keep warm). The week before my flight back to the Netherlands my friend Joost came for a visit to Shanghai. During the mornings I worked, but in the afternoons I took some time off to show Joost around town. Next to many other cultural sights, we went to the Jing’An Temple. My first time, but I cannot really recommend it. However, the journey towards the temple was nice, because we used the Metro line 7. A brand new line making Jing’An Temple just 2 stops away from the Hengshan Lu instead of the previous six. What an improvement. In some stations you can already see the new metro-map for the Expo 2010. Quite cool – the Line 2 will also be extended and (next year) it will run from all the way from Hongqiao Airport to Pudong Airport. The speed in which the metro lines develop are a metaphor for the chances of whole Shanghai, and I dare not to compare it to the North/South line struggle in Amsterdam. I am just waiting for line 10 to open, which we give me again a metro station within 5 minutes walk from home, next to the Shanghai Library.

Wish you all a very happy 2010. The year of the Shanghai expo!

Still Alive!

It has been exactly a month since my last writing. I was just too busy to write. So many things have happened last month, that I actually don’t know where to start my writing. The time I wrote my last blog I was still in the preparation of Harry’s November trip, which seems ages ago already. The trip was a success. We made some good deals and the strategy for 2010 is totally clear. The Dutch Chinese Entrepreneurship Program was launched successfully and we did three other well attended events (two workshops and a network meeting) during his four day stay. Next to this we made a nice deal with the NFIA to host six China-roundtables with them in 2010 - four will take place in the Netherlands and two in China.

Just before Harry’s arrival I made crazy 12-hour days and weekend of overtime, after his departure it’s a little easier, but I still work a great deals of hours. Just to cope with all the things to do. I guess this is what ‘entrepreneurship’ is all about. I made the Baak Shanghai strategy outline for 2010 already, and almost finished the Business Plan 2010 – if everything goes well this will be a profitable year. Let’s hope so!

On the 21st of November I went to Beijing for little over a week. It was great to see Angie again, and even though I had to work also we enjoyed our time a lot. It was my forth time in Beijing and slowly I get to know the place. My favourite day was the one on which we went to the Hot Spring. Hot bathes and showers outsides on a very cold Winter day in Beijing, combined with nice massages and beautiful light in the evening. I can definitely recommend it. The only very shitty thing was I left my brand new beautiful photo- and videocamera in the taxi on the night of arrival. Wasted EUR 1.000 of equipment in 5 seconds on ignorance (let alone the emotional damage). Still feel a little shitty about it.

Came back to Shanghai this week and directly had to move house the first weekend I came back (Sinterklaas - weekend). It was a very busy weekend with a rehearsal and a gig at the JZ Christmas party and the moving of the house. Started packing a the Gao’an Lu at Saturday 17h and everything unpacked again in my new house at Wangping Lu at Sunday 14h. It was a crazy ride, but the new house (with garden) is great. Hope to be able to update you all a little more frequently in the future.

The roof comes down, while making long days

The last two weeks I’ve been working so many hours that I sometimes get a little crazy (and definitely tired). Since Harry left to Holland I felt the pressure on me to deliver some good results for his coming stay (already next week). On the 16th of November we will ‘officially’ launch the Dutch Chinese Entrepreneurship Program in Shanghai during the ‘Business diner’ with Frank Heemskerk. I still had to make all the promotional material to be able to put it in the market. Yesterday I finally finished the ‘Programmakaart’ and the coming week we will print the flyer (the result is satisfying). Next to this I wrote a new strategy document for De Baak Shanghai (on Harry´s request). Also we will have four events during Harry’s November stay (everyday one). All these had to be organised and I have to make sure there will be enough people to make it successful. Next to the practical organisation, we have to close a few deals next week concerning Baak-activities and products in China (this needs thoughtful preparation of course). All these things combined together made the last 16 days to so full of work that I feel quite exhausted from time to time. I get a better understanding now of business men who tell that leading a company is comparable to top sport.

Next to the working pressure the roof in the living room came down last Sunday evening. I came home and it was a total mess. Dirt and rocks everywhere! It was a miracle that nothing broke (except for the CD-driver of the computer and a glass). Last Friday I had workers over to fix the roof (I escaped to the office), but the house still feels like an construction site. I am happy to leave the place next month. My time here at the Gao’an Lu comes to an end. I enter phase two on my stay in China. The Gao’an Lu formed a good beginning, but all good things come to an end one day and make space for better/other things.

I don´t know how I can still find the energy and motivation to learn Chinese and do my music, but I do. This must mean I am really driven on both things. Last week I visited an Australian guitar player and he give me a copy of The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine. These 600 pages are all you need to know and be able to do, to call yourself a ‘player’. I am at page 10 now, so getting there. My Chinese is also going well – speaking was already quite good, but now I am starting to read simple stories in Chinese characters, and my phone texting skills are really improving – Angie is complementing me on my progress.

The thing that suffers the most is my ‘social’ life. There is very limited time to hang out with other people. I spend half the evenings behind the computer, and even in the weekend I am still busy with work, but last weekend I didn’t work and enjoyed a nice Halloween party in Bar Rouge (one of the hippest places in Shanghai). Bar Rouge has a great terrace with beautiful view on LuiJaiZui (the image with the TV-tower which everybody knows from Shanghai). I enjoyed it and still felt it was a special thing to be living and working in such a huge city on the other side of the world.

Going to the next level with help from Harry

At home on a Saturday night. I am recovering from a very intensive week with Harry Starren in Shanghai. It was great to have him over for the second time. The week was totally packed with meetings and Harry also facilitated 4 discussions in Shanghai. It were very inspiring days. Next to all those meetings we worked on the strategy for our China project. We are heading to the next (and more profitable) level. Harry will return to Shanghai in the middle of November (already in 3 weeks) to open our “Dutch China Entrepreneurship”-program here officially. So I expect the coming three weeks to be overloaded with work. I need to give all the follow up on the meetings of this trip (make the reports), prepare the trip for November, prepare the material for the Entrepreneurship program and the proposals for the deals we need to close with Harry’s next visit. It will be a real challenge to realize this all for me, but I will do all I can to make it happen. During Harry’s stay the Shanghai International Creative Industry Week was in Shanghai. So there were many Dutch creative professionals in town. The activities of Dutch Creative companies are growing very fast here. It is great to see that Shanghai is more and more a place where Dutch professional meet each other and are active. We were a parnter in the Education-day of the official program of the SICIW, but I also organized some other un-official events concerning Creativity.

The week before Harry arrived a Dutch Guitar player (Joep) stayed over at my place. He visited Shanghai to go Music Expo that week. I would have loved to join him a day. But the whole week I was at home with a fever (38,5 degrees). All the time in bed (mostly with the laptop, to finish the last things for Harry’s trip). I was happy to have some company at home, because to be sick and be home alone is not great. The day Harry arrived I declared myself (almost) better (I had no choice I guess). After the Music Expo there was the JZ festival in Pudong. I played there Sunday afternoon at 13h. We were not great, but it was the first time in this formation - next time we will be better.

When Angie was still here (she left to Beijing on the 10th of October) we managed to find a new house. I will move in the first week of December to a nice new place with a small garden! I looking forward to move to there and experience Shanghai from a different perspective. However, the new house is very close to my current place (10 minutes walking) and still close to the JZ School and even closer to Xindanwei (where I have my office). So won't be very different. My working permit is also fixed. So most practical issues are solved and this gives me the opportunity to focus on the Baak (the pressure is on and the time limited). After Harry's second trip I will go to Beijing for a week to see Angie. We call everyday and I miss her a lot, all I can do is count the days.

Our October Holiday

All is well and totally back into the Chinese lifestyle. Right now I am in the middle of the “October-holiday” in China. For me this holiday will be a kind of a 'long weekend' (Thu-Mon), since I plan to back to work tomorrow. However, the great thing is that Angie is back in Shanghai and I must say it is great to be back together. We enjoy our time by relaxing at home, making some walks, going to the zoo, eat with friend, etc. Until she arrived I was 24/7 focussing on Harry’s trip. I must say the basic outline is finished and I think I've created a fine program for him in which we can bring De Baak China to a higher level. I'm happy to have started the LinkedIn-group (Baak China Business Community), which I see as a start of a more content driven blog, which I still need to start (it's on the wish list).

Next to work and enjoying my time with Angie we are looking for possible new apartments, because the landlord is seriously thinking about selling this house. He wants to get a prince of EUR 3.000,- per square meter, which is a small fortune for most Chinese and probably a bit too much for this “Second hand” house. But as you can see – the house prices her in China are catching up with Europe. So it’s a little unclear if I will stay here or not. However I am not worried, because the general house hunting time in China is about 1-2 weeks (for a renting house at least) – this is still something incomparable to the Amsterdam standards I am used to. More difficult and important is my work permit, for which I went to the last formal procedure last Monday. If everything is accepted, I can pick up my passport (with Resident permit) on the 12th of October, and won’t have too worry about it anymore to coming year. This will save a great deal of time and stress (so very great!).

Last Wednesday of course was China’s 60th Birthday. I spend it by watching the parade together with Angie. I think I was a special moment for her, for me it was a nice ‘show’ at the time, but since I watch The Last Emperor yesterday I made me think more about it. It was a great movie to begin with (I saw it x years ago, but had forgotten everything). Next to the ‘sad’ story of this last emperor Pu Xi the movie offered a great deal of impressions on the 'chaos' China had to go through in the first half of the 20th century before finally finding a form of stability with the foundation of the People Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. Seeing this movie made me feel more special to be part of the 60th Birthday of this milestone in the long history of China.

It has been a while “From Holland to Shanghai”

It has been ages since my last blog. Already back in Shanghai since almost a week. In the Netherlands by schedule was so full (also with social activities) that I completely missed out on the blogging. My last 2,5 weeks in the Netherlands were great, and full of activities. We had some international meetings with de Baak “China in 2014”-breakfast (3 Sep), “Who are we?” (Launch International Brochure – 9 Sep), and a Panel Discussion “Entrepreneurial Leadership in China” (15 Sep). All these events were big successes. The debate session was also organised by my Dutch colleagues in June, but the audience had more than doubled this time (good!). On these China events you can find summaries if your interested on the www.debaak.com/china - we even founded a Baak China business community on LinkedIn to keep to people connected to each other online. Next to all the events I had many meetings and we’ve launched Shanghai Brochure (a folded A3, but it’s a start).

Right now Mark de Jong is doing an internship at de Baak and he is helping me with my China activities from within the Netherlands. He has been doing great work on building a database for the growing China contacts we have. Also helped with the practical organisation on a event de Baak will host in the Netherlands on China Legal Issues (15 Oct). Even now I am in Shanghai I will co-organise a China-event each month in the Netherlands to create a lively community of China professionals close to de Baak. Next to this, in collaboration with two Dutch colleagues, we have offered a program to an university in Beijing, which potentially can turn out to become a big program. So, after almost a year finally the things are speeding up – that’s great.

I feel my time in Holland has been very successful and nice. It was great to see family and friends. However, the social activities (every night meet someone) were breaking me up in the end – I got more tired and tired (and fat too). Arrived in Shanghai I slept for 14,5 hours my first night and really needed a few days to get things started. Right know I feel good again and also getting back to my normal weight.

Even though being exhausted the first few days I’ve already started with all the normal thing again in Shanghai: music, Chinese lessons and work. The band has grown to 8 members (3 sax, guitar, trumpet, piano, drum and bass), so a semi big-band. We have a first gig planned on the 17th of October on a Jazz festival in Pudong. The Chinese lessons are very difficult – a month of Holland is definitely not good for your Chinese, I really need to get back into it. Last Monday I started working again. I must say Monday was not great, but I am speeding up things and yesterday I was able to do a lot – working 11 hours straight for 9am to 20pm. The focus point is Harry’s second planned trip to Shanghai mid-October. It needs to better than his first one, which seems an impossible task. Socially in Shanghai I have not been very active (apart for some small activities last weekend and Tuesday), but now I feel rested more and more getting into the mood to meet up with friends and people again here in Shanghai.

Angie is in Beijing and I miss her in Shanghai even more than I did in the Netherlands, because the house just reminds me of our time together. I must say I find it lonely here by myself, but she is coming to Shanghai next week for the October holiday - so great.

Happy to be back anyway, the live is good in the Far East.

Running around the clock

I let myself be totally busy again in the Netherlands, I brought some reading books and Chinese study books to Holland, but haven’t found time to even open them. During the week I work hard and in the evenings I meet friends and family. When I came in the Netherlands two weeks ago I thought a month would be a lot, but now I find it is not much at all. The Dutch weather is great except for last weekend when it rained like crazy. Last week we had the Learning Lane at the Baak – a two day Learning festival in which there were some China activities. And even more important I got my Chinese Z-visa with which I can apply for my Chinese work permit, so finally my stay in the mainland is secured – this will save a lot of time and moment of worry the coming year, so I am very happy.

Today I had a internal presentation at De Baak on the developments with the Shanghai project. My colleagues are really enthusiastic and supportive. I believe the project has finally matured enough for others to start making the connections. The time I spend at De Baak locations in the Netherlands also strengthen my understanding of this very special institute. It is a very special organisation and I get more proud of my connection to this institute. Today I presented my Shanghai brochure – it’s only a four page brochure, but the time invested to produce it was a lot. Happy to finally carry the end-result in my bag-pack. Everywhere I go these last two week, I carry a bag-pack with me. Too much stuff to carry around… One of my colleagues said it was a metaphor for the transition I am in right now. Maybe she it right!

I have a nice room in Amsterdam-East for these weeks and happy to meet friends and family. Shanghai is far away now! Not much time to miss it, but when I think about it, I miss it a little. That's what happens if you decide to live in two places in the world.

Back home in the Netherlands

Back in the Netherlands I’m in a busy train on a Friday evening going to my parents. I’ve landed last Sunday evening and Monday I directly started working, so I am happy to start a very relaxing weekend in the East of Holland. The week so far has been nice, and the time went extremely quickly. I’ve met many of my Colleagues and already been to all the Dutch locations of De Baak in Noordwijk, Driebergen and Amsterdam.

Working highlights of the week in the Netherlands so far where a diner in Noordwijk on Wednesday with 20 contacts of De Baak in which we shared our ideas about the concept of “change” with each other, while enjoying an diner a the sea. After living in China and being exposed the constant change over the last year I found myself to feel at home around this group of Change-experts. Thursday I organized a strategy session on Dutch entrepreneurship in Shanghai, which was quite an interesting and useful meeting (sad thing was that 4 people didn’t show up, because of the expected storm that never came). A “weather-alarm” can really scare us Dutchies in our “land of the traffic jams”.

This week I was fortunate enough to be able to stay at my aunt’s place in the middle of Amsterdam. I met already some friends, but many of them I haven’t been able to call. The time I have been able to share with them so far was great. I found that coming back to Holland now for the second time is less exciting than the first time in February. Really everything can become a routine. After the weekend I will return to another ‘home’ in Amsterdam at a friend’s place, where I can stay until the end of my stay in the Netherlands. Much better than going from one place to another, like last time.

My last 10 days in China consisted of my birthday party, which was a great success. Around 35 people joined me when I entered my new decade on the 6th of August. Every body was enthusiastic and complemented about the nice atmosphere. After the party I spend a lot of time behind the computer to finish the text for the Shanghai brochure. The good news is that the text and even the design are finished. Although not printed yet, I will be able to present it on the 1st of September during my international China-presentation at De Baak.

So, all is well in the Netherlands. The only sad thing is that Angie has moved to Beijing now to start her Master there next week. We call and Skype, and after I will have returned to Shanghai, she will come to Shanghai within two weeks. But I must say I miss her not being here with me.

Green Guizhou, Health check and lots of other (work-related) things

My last day I am a 20-something guy. Tomorrow it will be my 30th birthday and we will celebrate it with a traditional Dutch party at home. I’m looking forward to it. I came back from my ten day holiday to Guizhou last Monday afternoon, but since then I hardly left the computer screen. There are many things I have to get straight because my flight to Holland. During my month in the Netherlands every week there will be some event I (co)-host, so that needs a lot preparation from a ‘distance’ already. I’m trying to squeeze out my neglected network in the Netherlands. I’m happy to find that most people didn’t forget about me. The first event on the 20th of August is a strategy meeting on “Dutch entrepreneurship in Shanghai” has been totally arranged and already enough people applied, so that’s a good start.

Next to this I have to re-write my proposal for a Shanghai brochure we want to release on
the 9th of September. It is almost like writing an academic university paper under time pressure. Since it will be my last week in Shanghai with Angie, I also want to spend some time with her. We cannot see each other for some weeks after next week. She will have started with her Master in Beijing when I return to Shanghai.

Next to all my working activities I have good news about my Work permit developments. It was quite some paper work, but I already when through 3 of the 6 steps of the procedure. The steps are: 1. Foreigner Employment License, 2. Vision Notification document, 3. Medical Check, 4. Return to home country, 5. Alain Employment Permit, and 6. Resident Permit. The first two documents I have successfully obtained and yesterday I went to do a health check, which was a special new experience again. First I waited for an hour in the lobby and the second hour I did a blood test, eye test, ultrasound, heart test even an X-ray photo of my back. It was surely efficient, beginning quickly sent from doctor to doctor. I bummed into a friend at the Health test (this city is getting smaller and smaller).

Now I would like to think back of my beautiful holiday in Guizhou. It was definitely the most beautiful province in China I have seen so far. It is so green, with beautiful waterfalls everywhere. Guizhou is definitely undervalued, if you look at the amount of foreign tourists that go there. However, the Chinese tourists have no problem to find their way to Guizhou. During the week there we went to the second biggest waterfall in the world, did a boat ride between the mountains, visit a village of a local minority group (called the ‘Miao’ people), hike in the mountains, eat the most delicious food and did a lot of shopping. I loved every second of it.

I was a little nervous to meet Angie’s parents, but they turned out to be the very lovely people. Although the Guizhou-accent is a little different from the Madarin, I have been studying so hard last year, I still could communicate with them quite well. My sister was totally lost, and could only say “Xiexie” (thank you) the whole time. Next to Angie’s parents I met the whole family (uncles, aunts, grandparents) and friends. It was very nice to meet the people Angie has been talking about. Everyday we were invited for dinners – very delicious, but I gained 5 kg. I promised myself to start to go to the gym, when I come back from the Netherlands.

Just a few more hours before 30, the bottle of champagne is already in the refrigerator!

Traveling everywhere, Working loads and a Rainy Eclipse

Tomorrow I will go on a small holiday to Guizhou. I’m still finishing the last things at home. My sister is still in Shanghai and she will join the trip to Guizhou, where we are going to Angie’s home town and meet her parents – very special. The ten days since my last writing have been rather hectic with many social activities, some traveling (explore a little more of China with my Sister and Angie) and my work has also been rather busy – always just before you go holiday things get hectic.

For De Baak the progress is going steady. This week I was very productive so far. I had an interesting talk with the Victoria Univeristy, which brought much opportunity for De Baak’s China project. However in China I found that opportunities are easy to find – the difficult thing is realizing them. Anyhow there will be another meeting will the Victoria University in the Netherlands in August, so at least the follow up is quick (let's hope for the best). Further I made the outlinse for two Shanghai brochures de Baak will release in September. The frame is there, but I really hope it will be possible to realize everything within the 6 weeks we still have – everybody in the Netherlands is on holiday, so the progress is not as quick as I hoped.

I’m also preparing my activities for my month in Holland (16 Aug – 17 Sept). There will be a China breakfast, debate session and many strategy meetings. Further I have many companies to visit and potential clients to meet. De Baak will also have very unique international symposium on Dutch Leadership and Society “Who are we” on 09-09-09
in Amsterdam http://www.debaak.nl/en/events/whoarewe. I think it’s going to be a great event (very happy I will be there to attend it). This week I slowly started to announce it to internationals in my personal network. It’s strange to think that I will already be back in Holland within a month (it’s been over six months then since my last visit).

Last week I made some serious progress on my new ‘working’ visa. I’m in the procedure to official register myself in China (no temporarily Business Visas anymore). Last week I handed in many official documents to the officials and it’s looking good. The first of six steps has been approved. I'm happy with this, because then I won’t have anymore unpleasant surprises as I had last May, when my Visa renewal was declined just before it expired. Things are getting more and more stable.

Because my sister is here I try to use as much of my free time as possible to go with her to some place outside of Shanghai. Last week we went to ZhuJiaJiao, which is a tiny old water town close to Shanghai. It’s quite beautiful and a nice day trip, but also very touristy, so you miss the real authentic feeling (positive effect is that there is a nice Italian coffee bar for these spoiled tourists). Last weekend we went to Nanjing, a former Capital of China (there have been many capitals in the long history of China – Beijing is relatively new – see also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_capitals_of_China). Nanjing was nice and reminded me and Angie of our visit to Xi’an in April (without the Terracotta army this time, instead Nanjing offers the tourists a “purple” mountain). The cable ride to mountain was my personal high light and the visit to the tomb of the first Ming Emperor was disappointing to me (it was also too hot, walking there). I'm happy I had these chances to see already quite some places of the many this enormous country has to offer. Slowly I find my understanding of the Chinese culture and history is developing.

Yesterday was a very special day, because of the eclipse. Angie got the morning off and we were invited by Clarisse and Daan to watch this climate wonder on their roof top, while having breakfast. We were with approximately ten people to enjoy this moment. The said thing was that it was raining heavily and very cloudy, so we couldn’t see the sun. It became dark and than light again quickly and I must say it still made an impression on me – I can understand that there are eclipse fan clubs. And a breakfast with friends is the best start of any day, so no sad face for me, because of that rain.

It’s already late. I’m going to start packing for tomorrow, a new side of China yet to be discovered.

My Sister, Xindanwei and as always developments everywhere (even underground)

It has been a quiet Sunday evening – outside it was raining, and we have watched a DVD. My sister arrived last Sunday (it’s been already a week) and is enjoying Shanghai quite a lot. So quite some tourist activities in Shanghai last week (although I’ve kept on working), and tomorrow we will make a little daytrip to one of the five water towns that surround Shanghai, this one is called Zhujiajiao. It’s always great to have family over it makes you feel very close to home (in the end Shanghai is only ½ a day flying – so quite close). My sister will stay here for 5 weeks … so enough time to enjoy, see a bit more of the country and finish her thesis.

As I have been on the look for a workspace/office next to my home I have been working at different places last week. Very interesting was my Wednesday afternoon flex working (or coworking – as they call it) at XinDanWei (literally translated: New Work Unit). XinDanWei (www.xindanwei.com) is a ‘space’ for creative companies and people to come together and work or communicate. I’ve been there three weeks ago for a get together, when it was still under construction. It’s finished now and I must say that the decoration has been done really well. Last week I had quite some things planned so I was only able to work there for a few hours, but I will definitely come back here more often. The ‘space’ is founded by two ambitious women, and is also supported by Isaac Mao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Mao). I think Isaac is an inspiring figure in the Chinese creative industry scene in China. The vibes are good, and two of my friends will probably choose XinDanWei as their working space. So, it’s all good!

Further I’ve made quite some progression with the Entrepreneurship program. My relation with CBC also brought me some new potentials ‘good’ things. My Chinese teacher has returned from a holiday and after a marathon of homework I ‘officially’ made it from the ‘beginner’ to the ‘intermediate’ level, according to the title of the Book in this case.

A city like Shanghai makes you think about constant changes and developments. Personally I was stroke by this fact again last week in the LujiaBang Rd Subway station. A new Shanghai metro map was presented to me there. There will be two new lines close to my house (I think line 7 and 10), and they will be hopefully finish by the end of 2009. I was quite excited to see this, because it literally will bring ‘Jing’an Temple’, ‘YuGarden’, ‘XinTianDi’, and even more places less that 10 minutes traveling from my house. Shanghai gets smaller and smaller. If you see the current Shanghai metro map is unbelievable to imagine that the first metro line only was established in 1995 (background info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Metro). Now there are 8 lines in service (http://www.exploreshanghai.com/metro/) and for the EXPO there expect to have finished a few more. In 2020 there will be around 20 lines – My God! .... We have to admit that the Chinese are superior in thinking both BIG and QUICK. I like it!

Further I decided to soon divide this weblog soon in two parts – a personal one (which will be more or less be the same as these blogposts I’ve been writing so far) and a more ‘business focused’ part. I hope to establish this change soon (let’s see how quick it can be).

Angie’s birthday, focusing on long term work strategies and goodbye JP

A very quiet Friday morning and I’m not able to concentrate on working activities. It’s close to lunch time and I’m still quite tired, so take this time to write you a 'Hello' again. The reason for my sleepy eyes is simple: no quiet evenings the last week (every evening was filled with going to bars, playing music or working overtime). And yesterday was the BIG birthday dinner of Angie, she turned 23. It was a very nice party and even though Angie just has been around in Shanghai for a few months she managed to invite over 20 people (so it was a lively dinner). A very happy day and I’m happy my stay in Holland has been postponed until August, so I was able to be her myself. Angie was also happy with the party and of course my present (an Ipod Touch)....

My work is not going to bad. It made some imported steps. I finally started with the realization of the Entrepreneurship program – from concept to a concrete project. Last week I had meeting with different entrepreneurs to get them interested in to coach in the program. I have three coaches now (of the in total 15 I need). However the Program won’t launch until springtime 2010, so there is still time. But it’s not just talk anymore, so that’s always an important step. Further I made the outline for my stay in Holland in Augustus / September. The schedule I made it quite crazy – if it will turn out like this I will be very busy during my stay in the Netherlands. However maybe some program elements will turn out to be impossible to arrange this quick. Let’s see what happens.

Since recently I work one day a week at the office of Your Op (www.your-op.nl). I had big plans to start a collaboration with them, but this will only be activated a small level, however as long as there is space in the office I can use it for one day a week. Quite nice! So everything slowly becomes more and more structured. I even found time last week to give www.debaak.com/china a small update (including a summary of the TNM-trip of October (in Dutch)). Next to the development of my own projects it’s nice to see some of my friends are also developing their businesses or projects well. Last Thursday I went to a presentation of Michiel’s GO WEST project, The Changing Face of China’s Invisible Cities. I really like this project in with they write a book about the current developments of China’s the mega, but to the Western world unknown, cities outside of the East coast. Definitely worth to check out their website: http://www.gowestproject.com/ .

So all has not been going too bad, my Chinese Teacher is on Holiday in Germany and gave me an extreme load of homework (which I haven’t started to do – so this I need to give up some of my other weekend plans to start catching up). My sister will come this Sunday to Shanghai and will stay here for a month – I’m looking forward to it. She needs to finish her Thesis, so we can sit behind the computer together (the modern 21st century live). Lastly my good friend JP (the now ex-singer of the band) has left to New York, he got a new job there. It’s a sad that people are leaving. I’ve been here only 9 months and I already seen some people leave and new ones come (slowly in some conversations I find that people are shorter in Shanghai than me). I can image if you’re here for more than 5 years you saw almost everyone come and go. Of course there is a small hardcore group here in the country that has been here over 15 years …. (so far I’m still on my way to complete my first year, which in the beginning seemed amazingly long).

Rebuilding Shanghai for the World Expo – Help, noise everywhere!

I’m writing this form a coffee bar close to my house. I’ve escaped my house, which has been turned in to a complete chaos, since the last few days. A huge renovation in my housing block has started and will last for three months - aaaargh! The outside of the house will be done, but also inside will be the necessary changes. Next to that our nextdoor neighbors (two nice American guys) have moved. The new Chinese couple that will live there is now completly rebuilding the apartment (which makes the noise surrounding us even worse). As you can read I'm not happy with this, especially because I have been working from home mostly since I’m here. Thank god, I made some deals now with other people/organisations that I use their offices once a week – so together with the coffee bar, appointments outside I try to limit my time at home. Further Eddie is moving out (he was a great neighbor), something I start to think about moving out myself too. However all the hassle of moving houses (including finding one) also doesn’t seem very appealing to me.

Also when I’m outside the amount of construction workers seem to double each week. Every street is open, houses are renovated everywhere, subway lines are build etc. etc. I guess next year Shanghai will be totally ready to welcome the world, but it seems there are a lot of last minute changes to be made – what to do? Just hope to get used to the noise and other disturbances.

My work is going ok, but find myself to have many different projects whit no quick deadlines, so I am working on all these things the same time, and that is sometimes not easy. Further I'm looking out to create clear agreements with a company/organization with which to integrate my activities for ‘de Baak’, else we will have to set up our own ‘real’ office here and that will definitely costs a significant amount of money and time. So the strategy is to link my activities to an existing company here. I’m talking with multiple possible candidates and no clear decisions have been made. I have to start to hurry a little, because on the 16th of August I will fly back to Holland and than it has to be arranged. Next to all this long term activities I made an outline for a Chinese group that want to visit the Netherlands in the fall of 2009, and finally also made a next step with the Entrepreneurship-program (maybe a content overview and timetable). I need to communicate more and more with the Baak in the Netherlands which is good, but also I find long distance communication sometimes difficult. Keep it together and slowly progressing (Shanghai wasn’t builds in a day – it goes fast, but everything takes time).

Musically I gave my last shows with the current band formation, one last show was last Sunday (in Jz again). However yesterday we played at Mario’s (new Sax-player) birthday party (he has definitely the most beautiful apartment I ever entered in Shangai (expect for the Consuls home maybe, which was also amazingly nice). It was a nice party and with the people staying we are quite determined to keep the playing level up high. And last week I also sing some songs with Angie at home (she has a beautiful voice). She just got a new job for a company selling classes on Chinese language and culture… we try to speak Chinese three days a week now, but this is difficult to maintain, because even though all the studying hours, I keep missing out a lot.

The summer has totally started and it's bloody hot!

My parents in town for a week, rain season and blocked sites.

At Rosalie’s and Michiels house, and outside it is rainy very very heavily. The rain season has started in Shanghai. Looking outside you can’t see further that one block of houses. It will be this weather for a month I've heared (nice!). My parents had very nice weather during their stay in Shanghai, so they were really blessed. It was very great to show them around town (although parts of the trip - they were only accompanied by Angie, because I had some meetings or other work activities). We did very nice things: visit the Shanghai Aquarium (biggest in the world), walk on the Lupu bridge (with view over the Expo-terrain), sightseeing in the French Concession (always nice), great dinners (incl. one were Eddie played the piano)… etc. etc. My parents loved Shanghai and a week was far too short, but that’s life. They also got along really well with Angie, pfff. During the weekend we went to Hangzhou with the four of us. Hangzhou is famous for its West Lake, which is amazingly beautiful. This was the second time I went here, but enjoyed it even more. I can recommend it to you all.

The work for the Baak is going well. I have enough projects to keep myself very busy, but also feel I will have a little more time this summer to create more structure in the things that I’m doing here. Yesterday I had a meeting with DiPauLi to discuss about the possibilities to bring a group of Chinese business man to the Netherlands. They would like to go by the end of 2009. This would be great for my colleagues in Holland, so the can feel the dynamics China brings to you, very well. I hope we can realize it that quick. The vibes in the Netherlands concerning China are growing and growing, last week there was a very successful event in Amsterdam in which the Old-consulate-general Jochem Haakma was the main speaker: http://www.debaak.nl/en/events/theartofleadingin. Four times a year there will be a China-event in collaboration with Pakhuis de Zwijger. Check it out, if you have the chance.

Not much progression for me personally on the music level. Next to the band I haven’t been able to study the bass guitar the last weeks and Jim (Sax) and JP (Vocal) are leaving Shanghai. Yesterday we had the goodbye party of Jim and JP is leaving by the end of the month. Tomorrow I’ll have two gigs and next weekend also one, but after that the band will have its summer break until September. Keep you posted … since the Chinese government wants to prevent unwanted discussions these days all the blog-sites and Twitter is shot down here in China. So only when I use a special internet tool I can reach my own blog (not very convenient, but what can you do?). Also I heard they are going to renovate my house (the whole apartment block), starting this week and will last for 3 months (ai, what to do?). Angie started a job as a waitress, but doesn’t like it very much (hope she can find something better, what can you do?)…. So you see there are some rainy bits here, but also a lot of sunshine.

Shanghai Summertime Starts

All is well and I’m back in Shanghai. I’ve got my new VISA and I am ready to start the Shanghai summer – I won’t go back to Holland in June as planned before (changed my flight to August). My three days in Hong Kong were nice. I got to see some more sights, but spend most time behind the computer screen – finishing the summaries of Harry’s stay in Shanghai and started with the outline for a Baak Shanghai brochure. Everything is really going well on the work field. The China project is getting more and more serious. As said, there will be a brochure, we started with the website www.debaak.nl/china (needs content badly, but it exists) and today I’ve looked at a potential office in Shanghai, so maybe no more working at home all the time. I think that a work space will be good, although I found it not hard to concentrate at home the last few months. Only in the beginning it was a little difficult for me, but I got used to it quickly. The secret is …. ‘Make sure you’re really busy, and the concentration will follow naturally’.

It’s great to back in Shanghai by the way. When I arrived last Wednesday Angie, Eddie and me celebrated by going to a Mexican restaurant, followed by a birthday party of Remko. Thursday I started working again directly and had a couple of meetings, including with Bencham (www.bencham.org) the Dutch/Belgium Chamber of Commerce and now ‘partner’ in some of our activities. Further I had a meeting on the Dutch Design Expo here in October (the plan is to also become one of the organizing partners in this big event in Shanghai (Harry will come back personally for this). Friday working also after a great evening, because we went to a restaurant with a big group – my friend JP (the singer of the band) told me that he will leave Shanghai (sad news). For him as for most people Shanghai is just a temporary thing (he has been here for two years).

Saturday music class and at night went to see Davide (the Italian bass player) perform. Next month I’ll have three concerts, but then there will be a big summer break until September. I’d love to get back on track with my recording with Davide (which has been ‘dead’ since TNM-trip) and also want to study all about the theory of music (I’ve downloaded some interesting books). My reading has been going well the last few weeks (so I confident to start with this soon). I finished a couple of books just now (“Dragons on your door” is a must-read for every China-entrepreneur) … still one more China-book to go and than I want to squeeze in some more Music Theory books.

The study of the Chinese language is also going very well now. My monologues finally really start to evolve into dialogues. Angie and I talk Chinese now about 30% of our time (that gives me a lot of practice time). I never expected to learn it so easily – just put some effort for a few months and it really pays off.

My blog, like the whole blogspot-site is blocked now in China, so I had enter my own blog via a special site. Now it worked fine, but it could be, that it will be difficult to write for me sometimes. So changes are that I cannot write very frequently in the coming weeks (for as long as this blocking of the site lasts). However, Harry asked me to also start a twitter on my experiences, so it will even be easier for you to get updates on the developments here. My parents are coming here for a week on Thursday, their first time to go to China – Great!

Hong Kong: experiencing the VISA run

At my good friend Theo’s house in Hong Kong I am writing this blogpost. I flew here today, because as I’ve written in my last blog I encountered some Visa-problems in Shanghai. My Visa was expired today and as I only heard five days ago that my application for renewal was refused there was no option for me, but to leave the country. Due to Harry’s stay in Shanghai last week I had not enough time to find alternative solutions. I just arrived a few hours ago in Hong Kong and tomorrow I am going to explore the answers to my Visa-problem. It is actually not bad to be back in Hong Kong again although it was unexpected. It is a great and dynamic city and of course my good friend Theo lives here, so I am not frustrated and enjoy the moment. However this Visa-case makes it clear that we need to get an official status as De Baak in China as soon as possible to make sure this won’t happen again. The time is right now too, because during last week when Harry was here we developed big plans for the Baak in China.

Harry’s stay in Shanghai was great, because it gave him an opportunity to see what is going on here in China and get a feel for the projects that we can develop here. For me it was good, because it gave me the commitment from the Netherlands to really start to get thing ‘on the roll here’. We will intensive the trips from Holland to China, the project with the Consulate will be realized, next to that we will develop a program on ‘Doing Business in China’ for managers, and lastly we will be a partner in the organization of the Dutch Design Expo in October in Shanghai. So there are many interested things planned for the coming months. I am very excited.

A few of the highlights of last week were eating with the CEO’s of the Dutch multinationals, a dinner at the Consuls home with a group of successful Dutch entrepreneurs, a visit to the Chinese Executive Leadership Academy Pudong, a session some key players on the Dutch Creative industry in China and a diner with two Chinese Dutch entrepreneurs that want de Baak to facilitate trips for Chinese entrepreneurs to introduce them to the Netherlands/Europe. So, it was business wise an important week for me. Further the week was personally also very good, because Angie came back to Shanghai. She will stay now in Shanghai until September, which makes me happy (expecting to also be allowed to come back to the country). The weekend was also quite social with drinks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (there are so many nice people in Shanghai). To summarize it all, I was a great week with Harry, very happy to have seen Angie again, and got a visa-problem that made me fly to HK. To plans for me are to enjoy HK for a few days and then go back Home to Shanghai.

Goodbye Stefan, Welcome Harry

In the middle of Harry’s stay in Shanghai I take a few minutes to summarize the developments of everything here in Shanghai. Harry Starren is the CEO of ‘De Baak’. He’s my boss, a very inspiring and smart guy and I've found out these days that he’s quite funny too. So, I must say (at least to my personal opinion) that the vibes are good and positive. Two days ago Harry arrived here in Shanghai and we have three more days to go, before he goes (so actually we’re half way through). I joined him on some little sightseeing, but most of the time we find ourselves in offices or hotels to meet up with potential clients and partners here in Shanghai.

Next to some network meeting we went to a Benelux Chamber of Commerce event (we’re looking for ways to establish partnership) and already had a strategy meeting with CBC (partner in management training). But the most interesting meetings (I think) will be tomorrow and Thursday: Strategy session on creative industries in Shanghai (we want to be a partner in the Dutch Design week here in October), lunch will all Dutch CEO’s in Shanghai and a diner at the Consuls home with successful Dutch entrepreneurs. So I’m looking forward to the coming days. Next to introducing Harry to as much people as possible we need to develop the China strategy for the coming period (which implies the good news that De Baak wants to continue in China). It's great to spend this week with Harry and it gives me a strong foundation to build upon.

I started this week with Harry being a little tired, because of the previous week with Stefan in Shanghai. I had to work during the daytime to prepare for Harry’s stay (there were a few moments I joined Stefan on some cultural sightseeing), but of course all the evenings I spend with Stefan and we did lots of social activities with some of my friends. Stefan enjoyed his stay here very much, and I enjoyed his company a lot, but because of the dual program I felt like I never had that holiday to Thailand by the time Stefan left on Friday (so tired). A few of the highlights for me during Stefan’s stay: visiting the Lupu bridge which gave us a beautiful view on the construction of the EXPO 2010, the observatory of the Shanghai World Finance Centre (not cheap, Yuan 150,-, but def worth it), very nice diners especially at LostHeaven, Guiyu Hunan and ‘50% off’ Mexican food and lastly band playing at the Brown Sugar at Xintiandi. When Stefan left on Friday I was very tired of course and spend a rather quiet Friday night with Eddie the guitarist and his friend Mike (bass-player). Then Saturday was a total music day: play at the Basque afternoon bbq, than rehearsal at Jz School and at night a gig for the European Chamber of Commerce in the Jin Mao tower (Pudong). Sunday I woke up 8am to go the Pudong Airport to pick up Harry.

So since my return in Shanghai I haven’t been bored once (and even saw an opportunity to restart my Chinese lessons again this evening). The only bad news that my visa application was declined (maybe because of the Pig flu - dont really know), so I probably have to leave the country this Sunday to go to Hong Kong to get a new Visa – just while I planned to relax a little with Angie, who will come back to Shanghai tomorrow. I haven’t seen her since my flight to Thailand. So very great she comes back. Let’s see what happens on this Visa-situation. Keep u posted from wherever I am.

Thailand Paradise

After 8 days of complete relaxation in the Paradise called Thailand I’m back in Shanghai. My Dutch friend Stefan is here with me and he is my first ‘official’ visitor from the Netherlands. I’m very happy that he is here and although my holiday is really over and I have to get back to work now, it feels that it’s a ‘special’ time now my friend is here in China. We came just back yesterday evening. We had a nice dinner (fish Hot Pot) with Michiel and Rosalie and after I showed Stefan some of the buzzing night life here – which he was excited about.

Thailand was totally relaxing. I flew to Bangkok, where the riots had finished (thank god!). Thailand provides very easy traveling – everybody speaks English and the country is totally focused on the back packing tourist. In Bangkok we stayed at the backpacker’s area called Kausan Road. This area consists of a couple of streets packed with restaurants, bars, (night) shops and street stalls. I saw drunken backpackers everywhere on the streets and Thai lady boys walking around– definitely not Shanghai anymore. We survived the night without any problems, and decided to leave Bangkok for what it was and go to some quieter place. There was just time to see one big beautiful temple (there all the same anyway as I heard) before we took of in the night buss to the South.

The next day we arrived in Railay, which is a beautiful beach close to Krabi (South Thailand). Railay is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. It’s a total paradise, but a touristy one, although not packed with people (yet). Firstly, low session in Thailand has just started and secondly, Railay is not yet discovered by the masses. It probably will soon, and become the new ‘superstar’ of Thailand. In Railay Stefan and I had a nice and relaxing time consisting mostly of beaching (I totally got burned), swimming, eating and drinking. We both preformed some songs in the local bar, known as The Last Bar (and yes, it is the last one on the island).

We hooked up with a couple of Germans in Railay and joined them to Kao Sok, a place next to one of the National Parks in Thailand. We stayed in a beautiful Treehouse resort; where the houses were literally build in the trees. We had to very enjoyable days here that consisted of scooter driving, jungle tracking, swimming, canoeing and good food. The holiday was definitely short and although Thailand supposed to be cheap, I spend a small fortune. Right now (and especially after last night) I’m physically quite exhausted, but mentally I feel rested (that’s what holidays are for, right?).

Stefan is still on the bed, but when he is awake we’re going down town to make him a suit and do some sight seeing. Tomorrow he will be on his own, because I have to focus on the preparations for Harry Starren’s visit. He will arrive already next week. So again it’s time for business, it’s business time.

A working week and jazzy weekend

Late Sunday night in the bed with my laptop (something I tend to do more often lately) updating you all on the recent developments here in Shanghai. My neighbors have just left after a nice social visit. I’m doing good, but dead tired and physically maybe not in my best shape (one of my teeth hurts). I need a holiday (which will be there in four days). I’m exited to go to Thailand. I think the political situation over there stabilized again a little, so still seems to be safe to travel there. So I didn’t change my plans and will go. I will meet my Dutch friend Stefan in Thailand and on the 2nd of May we both fly back to Shanghai, so I can show him the sights here. After his return to Holland the CEO of De Baak will be here. So in between all these holiday and social activities I have to create an outstanding program for the CEO's stay. I made the outline and already confirmed a couple program elements – but it will still be an amazingly load of work and I have difficulty finding the time.

Last week Angie was in Beijing to do her second test for a Master in Beijing (she made it – and is accepted), which will mean she will move back to Beijing in September. I’m very happy she’s accepted at the university, but the idea that’s she will live in Beijing is of course not something to look forward too. For now, I’m not stressing about it, and we will see how it will go. So without her I was alone again last week. I used most of my time during the weekdays to prepare for Harry’s visit and got other long-term Baak-projects rolling again, like the Entrepreneurship program with the Consulate, and there’s also a fresh project which concerns of group of Chinese entrepreneurs and business men that want to go to do a trip through Holland. This would be a great project for De Baak, so I really hope we can make it happen. When Harry is here in May we’ll set the next step for this, and I’m sure he will be as excited as me.

The week was focused on ‘work’, the weekend was centered around my performance at JZ Club. The JZ Club is the best jazz music bar in town and my band (which has the working-title: “The long undertones”) got the opportunity to play for an hour at peak Saturday night. We were the opening act playing form 8.30pm to 9.30 pm. The set went great and the public was also very enthusiastic. It was definitely a performance to remember and now at least I can also say: “I played the JZ”. I was happy to see that I master the Jazz style in six months enough to please the jazz audience’s critical ears. Still there's more than enough to improve music wise, so I will keep going. However, for the two saxophone player this was their last gig with this band and the drum will also leave Shanghai in June. The rest will stay, but we need to reform the group soon. Anyhow the gig yesterday was a nice achievement, we did it! Now quickly go to sleep… It’s going to be busy days, before the holiday ....

All over the country

The Trip of The New Manager was a huge success and now I find myself to have a three rest holiday in Xi’an, which is the old capital before Beijing and famous for its Terracotta warriors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi'an), which are really impressive. I’ve arrived here two days ago with Angie and will go back to Shanghai tomorrow. Xi’an is a beautiful city with a rich old history and many great sights. The atmosphere here is different from Shanghai. Although it is a very large city with over 6 million inhabits it feels quite local, definitely not international. Only when you are at the tourist hot spots I meet other foreigners. There are many large avenues with gives the royal feeling of an old capital. The streets down town are packed with large warehouses and fast food places, which totally makes it difficult at first to feel the unique features of a ‘new’ city (there all the same!). On the night of arrival Angie and I had the local specialty, which is a bread noodle soup. We, the costumers, had to break some small hard small breads into little pieces, this took us about 40 min – I must say we were definitely hungry after. If you ever set foot on Xi’an ground it worth to try, but I didn’t find it very delicious.

I’m here in Xi’an to rest a little after the intense trip of last week with The New Managers of de Baak. Saturday the group flew back to Holland after an full schedule lastly for 7 days. Jessica (Chinese logistic manager), Isabelle (Chinese cross cultural consultant) and I received so many compliments by the end of the week. That was just great. The managers also made their own report on this week which you can find on the http://dnm141.blogspot.com/. In this report I hope you can read their enthusiasm between the lines (it's in Dutch).

During the trip I’ve seen so many interesting things. A few of the high lights for me personally where the visit to (1) the Silk Factory on Thursday in Jia Xing, (2) the Creative discussion meeting I organized with PlusEightStar and (3) our visit to the Deputy President of ZhongGuanCun. The Silk Factory was placed on a huge terrain with multiple factories – I was exposed to big hallways full of noisy machines and literally hundreds of workers producing the most beautiful fabrics. ("Twente" in the 21st century I think). The Creative Discussion meeting with PlusEightStar was an great event with 40-50 attendants and it gave me a good starting point in the network of Creative entrepreneurial people in Beijing - want to see if I can create connections between this starting network in Beijing and the Creative community in Shanghai.

The visit to the management of the ZhongGuanCun was fascinating. It was a very official meeting and we were with a delegation on twenty people. When you’re with a big group a lot of things are going very different compared to when you visit just them by yourself. It gives it a very official feeling, and this is also the way in which the Chinese view such a group. I feel this is a great experience to have, to get a better understanding of the way China works. It was very nice that Isabelle was there to share her remarks and insights to gain an understanding for the group, but also for me personally.

It’s already very late, so quickly to bed. After tomorrow another new period in Shanghai will start with: (1) a trip to Thailand, (2) the visit of Harry Starren, CEO of de Baak, to Shanghai (mid-May), and (3) the feasibility study of my project with the Consulate. Further personally I want to keep my focus on my developments in Chinese and music. I have no clue how I can manage it all, but I will pull it off in the end, I’m sure.