Lawrenceville

Snow snow snow

Jeff, , ,

Ah, it’s snowing again. I don’t think I’ve seen this much snow since I left Michigan. But after two consecutive snow days last week, I don’t think I can stand another one (but it won’t happen, most likely).

Although this is kind of random, watching the snow fall reminded me of my Modern Thought and Literature class during my fall semester senior year at Lawrenceville. After digging around my computer, I finally found my original story that I wrote in the “stream of consciousness” style. It’s pretty aptly called “Snowflakes” — anyway, reading it again really did bring back some memories. I’m attaching a copy below. If you’re really bored, give it a skim and let me know what you think 😉

STORY: Snowflakes

Update from Work

Jeff, , , ,

Things are starting to pick up at the office, and I’m beginning to feel excited about my work. I’m also in a much better mood, since I’ve decided to take a taxi to and from work from now on rather than suffer indescribably on the perpetually crowded 701. Now, not only is my commute shorter, but I can get to and from work without sweating through all my clothes. Because the distance isn’t too long, the cost is only 30 RMB a day. Well worth it, IMO. It’s a lot less than what my dad has to pay for parking and the train on a daily basis, to say the least. Even better, there’s a changing room right here in the office, so don’t have to wear my work clothes outside. I also received my temporary ID card this morning, which serves as my access card to both the main building and the offices of various departments. My CITIC ID Card The whole security system reminds of Lawrenceville’s “fob system",” albeit a lot stricter: doors are locked 24 hours a day, so you need to have your ID with you at all times. No doubt this would never work out at a high school…

While am pumped about settling in,  the main reason why I am excited is because of an important event that the Financial Institutions (F.I.) Group is organizing next week. Recently, CITIC has been in the talks with foreign banks about promoting the RMB as a standard international currency of exchange (as opposed to the Dollar or Euro). In order to do this, CITIC has decided to invite representatives from foreign banks in hopes of getting their respective banks to enter into a deal/contract with CITIC known as the RMB cross border settlement (e.g. through opening an account). The next event will be held on Monday, and there are eight banks slated to come, including big names such as BNP Paribas and ING. As the F.I. group, it is our responsibility to make sure that every segment of next Monday’s event runs smoothly down to the last cup of coffee. So far, I’ve reworked a PowerPoint presentation, prepared name tags for all the guests, and created a table of contents for the materials to be distributed to the guests. I found it amusing that Hu Xiao was impressed that I knew how to operate a paper cutter. I guess it’s all thanks to cutting hundreds of möbius strips for our annual Math Club MLK activity :).While many of these tasks have been straightforward, I believe they still provide me with a valuable experience. For one, they teach me the importance of hard work and perseverance. One must remember that every executive once started at the bottom as a sales clerk or assistant. Only through industriousness, an eagerness to work, and a positive attitude can one move up the ladder. My work has also taught me that no matter how small of a role you believe you play in the workplace, you can you make invaluable contributions to the company. No one may notice or care about who made and set the name tags during next Monday’s meeting, but when it comes down to it, someone has to do it, and thus, the very task that once seemed so menial has become necessary—the event would not be the same without it. For me, it is the feeling of being able to partake in something much bigger than myself that motivates me to put in my best effort.

Grandma’s House = No Internet

Jeff, , ,

After a week of rest (but really not, since I had to help my cousin move into her new apartment,  as well as accompany her while she traveling around the city making plans for her wedding) at my uncle’s house, my aunt and uncle helped me transport all my luggage to my [maternal] grandparent’s house, where I will be staying for the remainder of my time in Beijing. My aunt and I joked that we had done so much moving this week that would should start a family business.

My grandparents live just inside the third ring on the city’s east side, a fairly convenient location as far as commuting goes. Traveling to CITIC, where I start working next Monday, is a mere 20 minutes away by bus. Grandpa and grandma live in a two bedroom apartment not too far away from the Beijing Lufthansa Shopping Center (Yan Sha). About five years ago, they decided to purchase the adjacent one bedroom suite and connect it to the original suite, so now, the place is pretty spacious. It is also more convenient for my grandparents, since they can accommodate guests more easily. Recently, due to my grandpa’s health problems, my grandma has “moved in” with him to the newer suite. As a matter of habit, however, I am still staying in the guest room on the apartment’s older side. Truth be told, I’ve stayed at my grandparent’s so often over the past few summers that aside from Lawrenceville, their apartment, and the guest room in particular, has become my home away from home. The only downside is that in this age of rapid technological growth, the apartment is still without internet connection. However, I’m not going to complain too much, since it gives me more time to read, write (offline) blog entries, and other more productive activities. Besides, I’ll most likely be able to access the internet during weekdays while I’m at CITIC.

My room at my grandparents' apartment My only major concern at the moment is mosquitoes. In the past, I’ve had some nasty encounters while staying in Beijing. This year, I’ve only been bitten once, and I hope to keep it that way. If things start to get bad, I may have to start burning incense every night, a measure I have resorted to in years past.