HAPPY THANKSGIVING to my friends and family. I miss you!

I Love This Train!

Yes, That is our speed! Do the math.

The pictures say it all!

Local Buji Area

Shopping for some sheets for my apartment.

Coming soon, just a block from our office!

A weekend treat. In the local market a fresh truck load of sugar cane has been delivered.

Golfing in China

I got to golf for the first time on Sunday. It was a great weather day and I was able to paly in a short sleeve shirt. The golf course is called Lakewood Golf Club in Zhuhai. I played with our Operations Director, Henry, and the owner from one of our factories.

Each person in the foursome had their own caddy, even though we are on carts. The caddies don't let you do anything. More times than not, I tried to pick up the flag after putting out and one of the four caddies would run over and take it from me.

Here are some pictures from the course.

They told me this is the #2 ranked golfer in China?

Henry gets some pointers.

Week # 2 in China

Business- Very busy and loving it. There is much to do here and that keeps me going. I spent Wednesday and Thursday in Hong Kong this week attending the Info Comm Asia 2008 trade show and spending time in our Chief Manufacturing booth. The show was very busy and our sales team was very impressed by the turn out. I also got to visit the booth of one of our related companies AMX and get a better understanding of what they have for services.

Our Managing Director, Stuart, and I stopped after the show to sit outside at a local Hong Kong establishment call the "V King Lounge". We talked about the days sales leads and the activity at the show.

Two take aways- I want to have some of the integrated home conveniences offered in AMX's product line, and I saw the largest coolest TV on the market, the Sharp 108" LCD. WOW! Remember that I am 6' 5" tall standing next to this TV.

Personal-

Not a whole lot happening this week. I got my cash card back. What a dummy!

Rode a ferry across Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong. It was a sunny day. The cost is 6 Hong Kong Dollars or about $0.80 for a ferry ride. That is pretty affordable transportation.

I had some 2 nd showings on about 4 apartments and decided on 2 of them last night. I am in negotiations for the best price and options. I hope to be moving in this week or next weekend at the latest. I would like to get settled and start making my own dinners. Eating out is not as fun as it sounds. I hope to post some apartment pictures next week so you can see what it look like.

I get to ride the fast train again on Monday. Myself and 3 others from the office are traveling to see a factory in the Dong Guan area and so we are taking the train. I will get some pictures of that too. Miss Kayla, Nick, Robin and the rest of my family, but keeping busy helps greatly.

I got all my stuff yesterday after 10 days of China Customs clearance delay. Unpacked the golf clubs first as I am going to play golf tomorrow (Sunday). Looking forward to golfing in what I would call a beautiful spring or fall day (65-70 degrees F). The locals call this winter. I like China winters.

If you have any questions or want to know something, just send me a note.

Talk soon,

Kevin

Week # 1 in China

Work-

Started the week on Monday in my new office. Spent my work week documenting processes and learning. One trip to Hong Kong to look at our warehouse and meet with staff in Hong Kong Office. Caught up with business contacts I had not seen or spoke with since my last trip in August. Work is going very well and the staff in our office is outstanding. Very friendly and act as my translators as needed.

Personal-

Looked at 4 apartments on Monday afternoon and another 16 showings on Saturday. I was very tired Saturday evening. I have narrowed the list to 4 apartments in the Futian District in Shenzhen. I will go back and see them again this week, then see what price is negotiated. I wish to get into an apartment and begin settling down in my own space. All the apartments come furnished and ready to move in. It is a mater of finding the right location and the space in which I can be comfortable. I will put photo's up when I get a place. Looking forward to getting out of a hotel, which is a very nice hotel, but my own space would be great. View from hotel window is attached.

Talked to home a fair amount and used Skype. That software works really well and lets me see my family.

China Problems-

I learned another China mantra to keep in mind; China Problem, China Solution. I had a couple of these this Sunday. First while riding in a taxi alone (driver speaks ZERO English), the cab broke down on the busy expressway. The driver tried to get the car running and did not want me to get out of his cab. I was not about to stay locked in the back seat of a cab in the middle of an expressway traffic lane. After some actions that showed him I am would be making my own door, I stood in traffic and caught a ride with an off duty cab. He got me off the expressway on into a local neighborhood taxi stand. The largest American for miles in a local Louhu neighborhood. End of story, it took 5 cabs later, but I got a taxi and made it back to the hotel safe and sound. IT WAS FUN!

Second problem on Sunday. Headline would read- "Dumb American sticks ATM card in wrong machine". Yes, I lost my only source of cash when I inserted my ATM card into an Chinese Bank passbook machine. It will take about 3-4 days, but I should get my card back.

More Later,

Kevin

Made it to China. Flight is long as always. Had a bad chest cold, so I think I made people nervous on the plane. Slept for the first 36 hours I was in the hotel. Don't know why, but feel better today. In the office early and started work in China. Going to look at apartments this afternoon. The sooner I can get settled, the more comfortable I think I will be.
It is hard leaving everyone I love and everything I know behind. I miss Kayla, Nicholas, and Robin.
More to follow. Will put up pictures of the apartment I choose.

3 1/2 days till I go, this is kind of weird. Packing for a 6 month business trip. Never done that before.

I am Kevin R Johnson and this blog has been created for my friends and family to track my tour of duty in China. On Friday November 7 2008, I will begin a 6 month assignment for my Company and will be working from our Shenzhen China office.