In A Spin

Nothing much to say, except I realize that expat China is very different from local China. I haven't figured out exactly how much more different, but... it is different

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Wink - In A Spin (DJ Kurt)

Now I know you're near
Things won't be the same!
I reach inside, my love is true
No place to hide, what else can I do?

Oh I'm in a spin and I wanna start this loving thing
Because you get me high and I don't need nobody else tonight
So let it begin so I can give you everything
And now I can fly, I don't need anybody else tonight

Week 1 *Pre-class

It's the end of the first week here in Tsinghua and it's been a fairly interesting week. Lots of new people, the typical foreign student exchanges phone numbers within 5 minutes or so of meeting each other. Not just because for networking purposes, but I think it's because we share a common purpose of being here and in a way, to form a support group.

I don't think cliques per se have been formed, although at this moment, I haven't seen many local chinese students participating in our dinners/drinks. Possibly because we don't know many of them, and that they also would have other friends and families. For us, we're the only ones that we know here - so perhaps stronger bonds form.

Just about everybody seems pretty nice, there don't seem to be any jerk/bitch personas. It'll be interesting to work with them. At the moment, I'm looking forward to meeting my group mates - especially the local chinese. Truth be told, I don't think the locals need us as much as we need them, which might explain why they rarely interact with us.

Comparatively to our western counterpart schools, pre-program pedigree doesn't seem to feature highly with the students. We don't have ex-McK/GS people who graduated from H/Y/P attending us. But instead, there are several themes to the students that attend:

1. Foreign Chinese that intend to do business in China.
2. Family businesses.
3. Entrepreneurship experience of sorts.

The caucasians that attend tend to have had some form of China experience prior to this, and are looking to stay in China after this or be involved in some role that involve China.

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Mikk & Envias - Bittersweet Symphony

1st Class

Pre term maths, what a way to start the program. I guess it's a necessity though - having to remember all the maths (mainly calculus) that haven't been used in years. In a way, it was fun to do maths again, a bit like doing the GMAT.

The schedule for the next 3 months seems pretty hectic, but I was sort of expecting that after talking with students from other schools. Data, Modelling and Decision Making seems to be a very important module - given that the pre term math classes are probably for that module.

Doing the pre term maths made me remember a project that I wanted to do at work - to take 5 years past data of prices and sales and chart it out for every price available. Unfortunately that project died when a new hire quit after 2 weeks due to family reasons. I never did get around to getting the data that I wanted, although it would have been interesting to look at the numbers. Could probably have done a more accurate projection of demand based on the prices too.

It's so complicated!

First you need to register your residence with the police. But before you do that, you need to actually HAVE a place that you're staying at. But not only that, you need to show legal documentation that you're staying there (rental agreement) and preferably get the landlord to follow you to the police station to register yourself there.

Then you need to get a medical examination (or verification of the medical examination you took before you came). In order to do that, you go to some strange place out of town that's a good 30 minutes by car (yup, cab fare is going to be high). And don't forget your photos AND x-ray scans! Get that stamped and then back to the Foreign Student Affairs Office.

Then only can you be registered with the university. Oh, and remember, if you pay with any method other than cash/credit card - you'll need to wait for the money to clear before they issue you a full study visa. Until then, you're only issued with a partial visa.

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I've decided to go ahead and rent a place near the school, approximately 12 minutes by foot (I timed it). Pretty convenient, however, like most of the flats here, it's a bit run down. Sad to say, the flats are pretty cramped up and dirty, and at times... dark as well. It's pretty spooky heading up to the current place where I'm staying, makes me feel like I'm walking into some drug den.

I should have all details settled by next Monday latest! And class starts tomorrow, well, at least pre-term starts. I heard that's when all the fun starts... so hopefully.

Lost at sea

As far as today went, I've accomplished what I set out to do

1. Get a mobile number
2. Open a bank account

However, I'm not too sure about my mobile number - I've got SOME sort of mobile number, but I had to pay a RMB1000 deposit. And they don't have blackberry access for the normal consumer - apparently it's only for corporates :( I wasn't able to understand enough to actually register for that, I'll do that when I have somebody more fluent in the language than I am. Does that sound like a plea for a language partner?

I was told to choose a different bank from ICBC as ICBC charges a huge fee to withdraw from it's ATMs outside Beijing. So just in case (which is unlikely, but still) I go out of the city, I opened an account with Bank of China and happily dumped in all my money... I do hope that I opened the right account. I'll test it out tomorrow when I see an ATM machine.

Note: Foreign cheques and bank drafts take up to 2 months to clear....

I went to register at the Foreign Students Affair Office, however they're unable to convert my visa as I paid with a bank draft and that takes time. They also required to see my testamur before they fully register me, so I'll have to do that tomorrow again.

A whole new day tomorrow, I wonder how much more Mandarin I'll learn...

Beijing Day 1

I've landed!

With a headache now, just set up a Witopia account :)

Going to rest!

4 days more

It's been pretty hectic getting things together, bags packed and saying good-bye. At the moment, I've packed about 85% and am about 90% ready to go - all that's left is arranging for accommodation when I'm there.

I wonder what the future holds..

Last day in the office, no make that, the last 1 hour 10 minutes I'll be spending here! Had the lunch, had the goodbyes; no tears, it's been the most challenging yet enjoyable career experiences I've had.

Onward to a award presentation ceremony dinner where I hope the dot com will be able to pick up the seed funding. 5 awards are going out, we just need one of them. At this point, there's a 40% chance of getting it, which is pretty good. I mean, you would bet on a 40% chance for some money....

Feeling a bit nervous, excited, apprehensive, sad, etc. I leave for Tsinghua in 9 days. Visa done, money ready - I just need to find accommodation (which I'll do when I get there). Hopefully, everything works out...

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Adam Harris - Heaven's Above (Hixxy Remix)

H.T.I.D Hardcore Till I Die
When the rain falls down I look up to the sky
Picture you up there and all I do is cry
Being here without you is like a dying pain
I'm here looking up, searching for you in the rain
You're looking down on me like a guiding star
I will always love you wherever you are

Being without you is like a dying pain
I'm here looking up, searching for you in the rain
Since they took you from me I have no reason for life
You're in the heavens above, looking down with the light.

London is calling

London is really a lovely place. You don't get the feeling that it's going to be the next big thing, but you get the feeling that it's already there. It's no wonder that London is one of the top cities of the world.

Just as long as you don't convert the pound and don't have to pay for accomodation, it's very livable and enjoyable. Had a wonderful time here, met up with some contacts and friends, spent a night out with really interesting people who showed me what London was all about.

I didn't do the regular visits to Tate Museum, Kew Gardens or even Harrod's. I spent time around Picadilly circus and with my friends - I ended up walking around London at 2am looking for something to eat with my friends. Drinks at a pub are incredibly cheap, dollar for dollar. Taxi fare, is on the high side. If you're earning a decent living (maybe 80k - 90k), you could definitely enjoy London.

The most memorable time I had? Having lunch at le Renais de Venise, excellent steak, excellent chips, excellent dessert and most of all, excellent company that enjoyed the food with me! Would I stay here for 2 years? I would if I had the money and opportunity.

On another note, I realized that I don't think I could work for Goldman Sachs. One of my friends, had to head back to office at 2.30am to finish up more work on a Saturday night. Apparently, it's a normal occurences - as in, he's been doing it just about every weekend. 18 hours a day, or about 110 hours a week. The money is good, really good - but the hours and lifestyle, that's just hardcore.

3 more weeks to Beijing. I'm looking forward to that.

It's like a dream, no end and no beginning...

Bass D & King Matthew - Like a Dream (Darwin remix)