The workweek has been very busy. I have had the opportunity to draft a couple of agreements for specific clients. I am pleased to announce the attorneys used both of these in the form I presented. It helps to proofread enough to make sure the standard errors are all missing. I also was able to attend three client meetings, one with an ongoing client of Sinowing Law, the other two were new potential clients. All were different and interesting. I joked with Mr. Zou, the senior partner, that I understood fully the 3rd meeting (90% English). This client had both British and a Chinese passport, so business is under whichever is more favorable. My Chinese has improved dramatically in even the short time I have been here, but it not at the level I spoke 20 years ago. That will take some doing. As Mr. Zou said, however, just being able to speak some and to be able to listen makes a client feel much more comfortable. I am truly enjoying the whole experience.
As for outside the office, it rained hard on both Monday and Tuesday evenings. Rain makes for less enticing walks in the evenings. I did, however find a nice little bakery, just one subway stop from our apartment that sells my favorite small custard pie tarts for just 1 Yuan RMB. That is about 15 cents. This find could fully reverse all my walking and exercise! My APALSA members may win the bet that I add pounds! That was one of my weaknesses in Taiwan, and at 15 cents each, they are hard to pass up. I sent William a message to see how well he can master the craft before I get home! As the official baker of the family, he has a flair for building and culinary mastery.
Saturday I walked through three large parks. Humidity was high, along with the temperature. For those of you who have lived in that weather, you will understand what walking for 12 hours will do to one in that heat! Yes, it is better 3 days later!
 |
| Bakery Chain - located inside a nice mall in Beijing |
 |
| High End Mall in Beijing - one of many |
 |
| Subway prices about the same as in USA |
 |
| Egg Custard pie tarts - YUM!! |
 |
| A bakery my budget likes! And tastes great, too! |
 |
| Dinner at a chain restuarant |
 |
| My daily bus ride to work. |
 |
Kung Fu show - English with Chinese subtitles.
Made for the tourists, perhaps? You know it! But still very good. |
 |
| Kung Fu. |
 |
| Wang Fu Jing market street - before the rain |
 |
| dumplings on my right, chicken feet on my left. |
 |
| YuanMingYuan Park |
 |
| YuanMingYuan Park - lots of these to be lit up at a future festival. |
 |
| YuanMingYuan Park - ruins from the 1800's |
 |
| 25 shops for motorscooters on this street. |
 |
| Summer Palace |
 |
| Summer Palace |
 |
| Summer Palace |
 |
| Summer Palace |
 |
| Summer Palace |
 |
| Summer Palace |
 |
| Fragrant Mountain - Yes, it was a lot of steps! |
 |
| Lunch with Li Yiming, Wang Lei, Kevin, Zou Zhengdong (Sr. Partner) |
This is a great experience and it has been wonderful to work with such good people. Very active with investment deals with clients in all areas of the world from Canada, Africa, Mongolia, China, Hong Kong, USA, so many people all coming through or already in China to get things done.
I am down to single digit days left. I approach this with both excitement to be home with my family, eager to get more schooling done, and sorrow to leave here, a place I am really enjoying. I will be very glad to give all my family big squishy bear hugs!
