The Blindside

NO! I did not see the movie.

But it is time for a bit of personal business here. I've not been physically well for the past month or so, no real symptoms, but I knew something wasn't 100%, and I figured as most young people do, that it was just a combination of weekend excursions and work stress combined with little sleep that so many of us succumb to regularly.

I honestly figured I was just chilly most of the time as it was dipping below 40 in Shenzhen, and downright cold in Boston. Until the 24th when my parents urged that I check my tempurature. Behold the 102.5!

I've never run a fever close to 100 so needless to say we were slightly concerned. Two days passed with no downswing of temp, prompting a nice little trip to the hospital.

A few blood tests and X-rays later, a confounded doctor told a confounded patient that he had both pneumonia and mono (yeah, the disease everyone got in college and highschool). The most confusing thing is the blatant lack of symptoms other than lethargy and fever, but suffice it to say the tests did not lie.

The result: An extended tour of duty in the US until the 19th of January. I will travel as far as I can to see anyone, but it's looking like I'm limited to day trips at best right now.

Confused blogger will update with more upbeat news hopefully.

Back in my hometown

I certainly hope everyone is doing well given the extraordinary weather we've had lately. The holiday season is apparently in full swing, though the malls seem a bit less hellish this year.

Anyway, after tying up loose ends in Shenzhen, we are all returned to the states, and given the weather events, could not have been luckier with our flights.

Not much else to update at this time, but if anything comes to mind it will certainly show up here. Hope to see everyone this winter.

Deck the halls

The hour for our return is quickly approaching, as expatriates the world over scramble to close rank and tidy everything up for their trips away from the desk and back to loved ones. Holiday parties abound, and we begin to bid farewell to some, and express our condolences to those stuck at their outposts, unable or unwilling to leave for the holidays.



China does not shutdown, and though they love the glitz and glam of a shopping season, it is apparently business as usual.

The remaining Anemoi partners are trying to secure as much work as possible for our return. Thankfully, all of our clients have some sort of Western ownership or face, and will also be taking holidays similar to ours, leaving us with some space to breath while at home.

We are all looking forward to Christmas and New Years, but equally excited to get some work rolled-out once we return. After some promising talks with a large domestic company, January is looking like a potential Godsend, details will be withheld until we know more, but it's damn exciting to entertain the possibilities that lie (lay?) ahead.

An overdue post: Dating abroad, have we found women more complicated than Americans? Stay tuned, details at 9

Lethargic

Apologies everyone, after 2 brutal weeks, this week has been very low key. The laid back week, no gym membership, and a general malaise has combined to make one lazy foreigner.

I will have a few more proper posts about the events that have transpired here in the last couple of weeks up shortly.

On a side note, I'll be back in the states on Dec 20th, so get excited.

Dreaming Big

Thanksgiving flew by, and it is now December. China has taken to Christmas much like we do at home these days. "Seasons Greetings", fake snow, and tons of sales. Family? Togetherness? Jesus Christo? nope, just fake snow and shopping...

Anyway, the title has little to do with anything, I just really dig the guy who does these paintings. We have been grinding almost non-stop since Thanksgiving and will have presented two assessments by week's end and are co-sponsoring a very large networking/educational event at the Ritz Carlton Saturday.

It's amazing how one can make connections out here, and it really seems like THE way to meet new business contacts. For example, a friend of mine is a DJ out here, and gets invited to random places to put on shows. While we were at one of his shows, a few people came up to our little entourage to say hi and dance a bit. One girl starts talking to my date, invites the two of us back to her table, where I meet two Turkish businessmen living in China. An hour later, we have another potential and an ally in the city.
From the clubs to the professional networking events, you must always be on your game, and have at least several business cards in your back pocket. You are never really away from work if you are able to sell to someone else. NOW, there is a line, and this exists everywhere, someone too eager to sell to anyone will alienate friends and groups and distance yourself from those few people out here you can relax with. We walk the line here, for better or worse it seems to be playing out in our favor so far.