This is a picture of my hotel room. I'm studying more Mandarin phrases. It looks small but is really just right. All the electricity is turned on when you insert your room card into a slot by the door. This helps keep costs down. The furnishings are all new and the bathroom is clean. Plus the room is freshly changed when I return home from work. Bonus!  

Monday June 27th

This past weekend I went to explore Beihai Park in Beijing. I was taken by two fellow workers: Ricky Zhang and Mr. Gao. Within Beihai Park there is the Round City. The Round City actually was a small city on the island. Upon entering the city I hit my head on the threshold. The Chinese ticket staff had a good laugh at my expense. I was very careful from that point on when entering or exiting any room. On the island there is a white tower that stands tall over the lake that surrounds it. I could see boats transporting people from the other side and individual paddle boats. The city view of Beijing is apparent not only by the buildings that surround the park but by the sounds of horns honking and brakes sqeeking. What a different atmosphere it would have been like many century's ago. Throughout the island there are many different buildings that showcase artwork, sculptures and 8 foot Budda figures made completely out of one large piece of jade. They also have a Bell Tower that was used to warn the island, and for a small fee I was able to hit the bell three times with a wooden mallet that would swing against the bell. On our way out of the park I could hear the bell being hit. It could be heard very distinctly all over the island. Ofcourse I took many pictures of my surroundings, but have not tranfered them to USB yet. After the Beihai Park visit all three of went to eat at a traditional Chinese restaurant, where we had Peking Duck. The duck was sliced so that you could put it into a wheat tortilla with accompaning onion and cucumber slices. It was very good. Look for the picture to be posted in a few days. You'll like what you see. After eating a dinner that only cost a total of around 15 dollars US I went to explore more of Beijing close to my hotel. The amount of people that are here is amazing. For those of you who like to people watch, this is the place to do it. As long as you don't mind being looked at yourself. Check back again soon...

Friday June 24th

Hello to all that are reading my blogspot entries. It seems that I hear of someone new every email. That's great! I'm glad that I can stay connected with you all while here in Beijing. There isn't much of anything new to report.
Today for lunch I ate downstairs at the kitchen hall. It was a rice bowl of sorts, but not the traditional USA style. The mystery meat was chicken but the meat was still attached to the bone and the bone had been cut up into little sections. It was hard to eat. I had to really take time at getting any meat and I always came up with some size bone in every chop-stick helping. I'm getting better at the chop-sticks though.
I did receive an address today from a guy that I work with that says it's the place where the Chinese National Olympic Diving Team practices. Since tomorrow is Saturday I think I will go check it out, I know April would love to visit there when she comes in July. Work is going good. It has been keeping me occupied throughout the day and making me tired at night. This morning before work I did talk to April & Ellie. It was great to hear the voices of those I care for the most. Ellie is getting so big without me there to see it.
Oh ya, work.. If you want to check out another website you can go to www.pmac.ca . This is the website to the Canadian Company that is starting to work more in China through the agency I'm working for. They want to promote Supply Chain Management programs more in China, and UDS Education Software Inc. is heading this project up for them.
My blog entries will die down over the weekend becuase I don't have a computer where I'm at. On Monday I will update you on more of my food intake, travels and adventures...
Until then.

Peaceful one bedroom hotel room, with only Chinese stations. Lets say that I read alot more here. Atleast there's airconditioning! 

Busy streets of Beijing... 

Good Morning

Today is Wednesday the 22nd. I am enjoying my work. My supervisor has me working on a Policy Manual that will be presented to all students and teachers throughout China who wish to participate in the PMAC sponsored Certificate in Purchasing (CIP) program. PMAC has just recently offered the CIP program to Chinese graduates who meet certain criteria. It is a great opportunity for me to work on such a wide spread document that will be used in the future.
Last night after work I saw alittle of an American movie: Rudy. I couldn't stay up to watch the entire movie because I was so tired. I know, some of you might think, "Jacob couldn't stay up to finish a movie? Something must be wrong." I think it was just that I knew I had to get up and get to work on time. My commute to work on the subway is around 25 minutes. It is getting more comfortable for me to get around. Last nights dinner was nothing special, well maybe a little. I had Mc Donalds. It was good to taste something I could recongnize from home. For lunch yesterday though, I went to eat with Ricky and five other guys from work. Ofcourse they took me to a place they go a few times a week. It was good. They did have me try the Ducks blood that was in a stew with onions, spices and peppers. It was very hot(spicy). The other dishes were sliced tofu that was flavored well, spicy chicken w/ peanuts, mushrooms w/ cabbage, another cubed tofu dish, and white sticky rice. After that meal I needed a bottle of water. Oh ya, all the water that is served here is warm. You can however get cold bottled water on every corner. I should go. Hope all well with you and I'll write more later.

Tianamen Square at night.  

In front of the Forbidden City entrance.  

At my hotel. It is the courtyard where you can enjoy the evenings. Sitting with a manager who speaks some english.  

This is the Beijing Railroad Station. My hotel is less then one block away.  

Workplace view..

Hi. I'm now seated in a cubicle on the 17th floor of a 28 floor building. The view from the office is amazing. You can see all of Beijing, ok not all but the skyline is great to see. The business takes up the whole 17th floor. I'll make sure you visit when you come next month. The people I 'll be working for are great and seem very helpful in assisting me. Kelly Zhang is a Education Development Manager for UDS Education Group. Their website is http://www.udspmac.com/. She says that I will assist her in managing accounts for Canadian based partners with the company. I had to take the subway to get here. It is about a 25minute ride. Not bad though. This is my first experience with riding a subway. I feel like a New Yorker.
Early this morning I watched some of the US Open. It looked like most were struggling to keep afloat. It was great to see M. Cambell win. He looked very emotion and grateful. I would be too if I had just won 1.7 million dollars and the opportunity to play in so many more US Open's in the future. :):). But I can't complain. I have a beautiful wife and daughter that I love and they love me. As I am so far away, that is all that really matters. I am though enjoying my stay and am excited for the oppotunity to learn from those I will be working with. Take care, and thanks for all the Father's Day wishes.

Father's Day!

Father's Day in Beijing! It is lonely not having your family near you on father's day. I miss Ellie's half tongue kisses and her little feet running through the hallways. Yesterday afternoon I took the bus to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. They were amazing to see in person. I had looked at them online before coming to Beijing but never would have thought they were so enormous. The square is filled with visitor's, from far and near. I walked around the temple and looked at all the structure that was built so many years ago. I saw some local vendors selling souvenir's that would nice to have. April and I will have to bring something home for Ellie. On the street nearby I ate at McDonalds. It was nice to get a meal for under 2 dollars. They even sell a traditional breakfast. I will have to try that out. I meet with my employer tomorrow. It looks like I will be moving from this place to a closer location. It will probably happen on Tuesday or Wednesday. Well, I think I'm going to close for now and get some fresh air. Everyone smokes here and there's no room for a non-smoker. I enjoy reading your comments, but don't get discouraged when I don't email back. I love to stay connected with you all. I will write again soon. Check back later...

Good Morning or should I say afternoon?

It is 8am here and I just experienced a pretty bad breakfast buffet. The food is all oily but I managed to use some sugar on what seemed to be a egg/bread/spices flat pastry. I don't know if you can picture it? Jill I haven't taken a picture yet but will have plenty of time for that. All the comments you all have been sending are great to read and help me stay connected with you. We met with our professor yesterday night and it seems he is very happy to have us in Asia. He is from Taiwan and is travelling there today. I am just on my way out to view more of the city. The Forbidden City is on the list for today and I'm sure there will be more to write about later today. Talk you later.

Market Heaven!

Silk Market! I can't say more, but I will. I traveled into downtown Beijing where I met my fellow classmates that came over on Sunday. I ate sliced lamb that is cooked kind of like fondue. There is a bowl of water mixed with spices. Inside the hollow area of the bowl is where there is coals from a previous fire. The lamb is placed inside where it cooks and then you can dip it in the sesame seed sauce. It was hard to get used to but there was also veggies to go with it. Ok, let me talk about the silk market. Mohamed and I went to it after meeting with the person he would be working with. He was there earlier in the day and bought an Armoni suit for 50 USD. This amounts to 410 RMB. There is anything and everything you want and MORE. I 'm afraid that April won't have enough room in her suitcase. So April start saving your money. They have everything over here. Right now we are waiting for Dr. Wu who is our professor to come and meet us at our rooms. I will write more about my room situation later. For now I have to go and make a phone call. Beijing out!

Beijing Living

Well I arrived in Beijing at around 5pm, but it was Wednesday instead of Tuesday. The flight was alittle over eleven hours. There were plenty of meals and movies to pass the time. As most of you know I can't turn down a good movie. There were alot of American's on board. A school from El Dorado was taking a week and a half tour of China also. I couldn't believe how big the plane was. I switched seats a few times in order for me to have a isle seat and the exit door. Lets just say the leg room was great and the view to the TV monitor was not obstructed. When I first landed I followed the signs to customs, where I waited in a line with my Passport and visa accessable. At the moment I reached the police officer who looked over my passport and picture I new there was no turning back. I was entering China. I was able to call for my ride who came 20 minutes later to pick me up. While on the road to the place I would stay for one night I couldn't believe the driver's all around me. Everyone could drive where ever they wanted and they weren't afraid to use their horns. Ofcourse I wore my seatbelt not becuase I was used to it but because I feared for my life. Last night I ate a authentic first meal with the family I am staying with. The daughter speaks broken english but the parents do not. The only thing that I know I was eating was rice, cucumbers, some type of chicken or beef. I have to go for now. They are ready to take me to downtown Beijing. I better get buckled fast. HA... I will write again.

On my way!!

Hi there! To all who are keeping close tabs on my departure to Beijing, I leave tomorrow (Tuesday June 14 th). I catch a shuttle that leaves Monterey early in the morning in order to catch my flight that is scheduled to leave at 11:30 am. From that point on I will be in the air for the next 10+ hours until I arrive in Tokyo. While in Tokyo I will switch planes and fly another 3+ hours to Beijing. I actually arrive in Beijing on Wednesday at 8:05 pm China time and around 4 am California time. The flight is long but it will give me more time to read about Beijing living. It seems that everything is in place, bag packed, ID's visible, passport and visa secured. I guess I'm really on my way. I'll update you again soon, but this time from Beijing.

Created Blogger

Hi there everyone. I just created the Blogger page for my travel plans this summer to China. I hope all who read about my internship in Beijing, China will enjoy me sharing my positive experiences as well as my negative ones. I am anxious for the opportunity to travel abroad, but have many nervous thoughts about living there and being so far away from the ones I love for the better part of the summer. I am glad though that my wife will be joining me my last week(July17-24th). We will experience together in Beijing and Hong Kong the culture, arts, language and bargaining with vendors that will increase our world view. There will be more thoughts to come in the near future. Keep checking back.
-JD