Holland opened my eyes for the money-side of life

My time in Holland is almost finished. The last two weeks have really busy, seeing all my friends and colleagues. All the days were packed with meetings (both business and pleasure). The first week was a little strange for me with all the changes I found at the Baak and being physically not very well. I had to really adjust my mindset towards my China activities for them. The current approach of everyone here is focused on money, money and money. However, I must say right now I also adopted this idea into my brains and my mouth.

Nowadays I find myself to be mostly interested in the money-side of things. Let’s see what this brings. Last Friday I gave a presentation to a few of my colleague’s at the Baak in which I revealed the China-strategy for the coming months (of course based on the question: “How are we going to make profit or add value for our current costumers?”). I will focus on acquisition and a new project for Dutch entrepreneurs in Shanghai (it will by dynamic times the coming moths). Actually I feel this commercial perspective is freeing in the approach towards my activities (things that don't make profit are directly unimportant). However, I need some luck to succeed, because June 1st will be there very soon. Keep you posted on these business developments.

Next to working everyday I met my old friends in the evening. I must say it is nice that I was able to see so many people again. Nobody really changed and not much happened (total score: 2 pregnancies, 1 new house, 1 break-up and 1 new relationship). However, meeting and seeing everybody felt totally normal and some questions about my China experience I found myself in it’s-like-I-never-left-conversations. My Chinese adventure feel far here in the Netherlands. I’m still listening to Chinesepod.com, but don’t practice my Chinese and I’m afraid that I lost the magic. I’m curious to see next week if I still kept my level of the language. The only strong connection to China the last two weeks was my contact with Angie – we still kept in contact.

This weekend will be free for family. Tonight I’ll have a dinner with my grandparents and tomorrow is my sister’s birthday. Monday morning back I’ll be back in the plane to Shanghai. A strange idea, but also exciting. Looking forward to continue my adventures in the East!!