A few days ago, a friend of mine who works for a satellite radio operation in the US asked me how the satellite radio project that he knew I had worked for was progressing in China? I had to tell him that I have no idea at this point…I have not worked there for 2 years. In fact, very few people knew about my work in this area…so I will share it with you guys now…In addition to and apart from my FM radio work, I worked for a company which has satellite space above China…and it would have provided at least 60  different radio channels available to all of China! Maybe even more channels! And no commercials! Very exciting! Like XM Radio or Sirius Radio in the US (you can look them up online.) I worked as the music channel consultant/director for this operation for a few years and my job was to design and execute at least 20 music channels. Each channel would provide a specialized kind of music. Some with music from other countries; some with music from China. 24 hours a day! Well, as I told my friend, after 10 years it has still not happened. I did design the channels but did not get the chance to execute them. Very frustrating! If it does happen, and perhaps it will someday, I would still love to be a part of it. But for now, as far as I know, it is not happening like we planned years ago. In the US, it is the most exciting radio happening now! Hopefully, some day China will have this kind of radio option available to everyone who loves music and and a modern way to enjoy something much more advanced than “regular AM/FM radio!”  

It’s been a busy time for me recently. Let me bring you up to date. I was in ShenZhen May 12th…the day of the horrific earthquake. I was an invited judge of an English speaking competition which will be on CCTV 10. I did not feel the earthquake itself, but like the rest of us in China, and the world, we have felt the aftershocks. We still do…and I do not mean just the physical ones. On May 19th, I was in Wuzhen, which is a remote canal city near Hangzhou. We did not hear the massive horns like in Beijing. But instead, we stood looking at the peaceful canal that night and set a few flowers floating in memory of the deceased. It was a private offering, and extremely meaningful. Very personal… 

Came back to Beijing and was a judge in the Outlook English speaking competition finals. A half a million people tried out for this competition! You will have to watch to see who the winners are. You will be able to see it on CCTV 10 in the near future. I have been consulting English speaking skills for a large cell phone company and a few other clients. And doing some voice work for various products and services. Also doing some writing these days on an autobiography which seems to be taking forever! But I am reminded of the past these days as I am taking the time to clean out storage boxes in my apartment that contain too many pictures and other junk. But I am saving people pix and throwing away pix of scenery, objects, etc. The people pix are irreplaceble. The scenery can be seen on the net easily. 

One of my students asked if I enjoyed being on the radio or teaching more? I enjoy them both, but in many ways I enjoy teaching. I can see immediate results and in many ways it is very rewarding! I will always cherish the bond with the audience and my colleagues of Joy FM on CRI. But that program will never come back as it was. In fact, the name is now used by another radio station in Beijing! I have no idea how that happened! So strange! Wonder who gave away that name so easily which CRI used for about 15 years? Anyway, it is not my concern. But, I do encourage all of you who were part of that program, especially as a listener, to “always look for the JOY in life!” And hope to hear from some of you here on this blog…

Last weekend was very cool..Once again I hosted the China Daily 21st Century Cup, this time in Beijing at my old home, The Friendship Hotel. This year I co-hosted with Jane Zheng whom I first met a few years ago when she was working with Radio Beijing on “Touch Beijing.” In fact, she almost became a co-host of Joy FM at one time. It’s always amazing to me to hear the contestants from many cities in China speaking almost perfect English! Congratulations to all the participants; they are very talented! And it was great to meet so many who were there to support the event. Looking forward to doing it again next year! 

spent the past week in Hong Kong (for residence renewal) and then Macau to catch up with old friends and see the “New Macau”…fun…then came to Thailand a few days ago…sitting in internet cafe right now and ready to go out and explore the sights here…in Bangkok with my brother…had coffee with a guy I have know for years…he works on the radio here…he has been here for 5 years…perfect place…he does a morning show here…we shared radio wars stories…I will be back in Beijing mid-next week…don’t want to miss the spring in Beijing!

it’s a Beijing Spring and it’s starting to feel like it…I’ve been busy doing all kinds of things…consulting English pronunciation for people like Nokia, going to the gym to exercise, writing the music column for the 21st Century, and working on some projects…some related to radio, some English training, and some totally different…I will travel this week to Hong Kong (I am an official resident there) and to Thailand to hang out with my brother who spends quite a bit of time there…should be fun…I will update this blog more often…promise!  

Been cold lately in Beijing…I like that though. Outside in the cold sometimes and then back indoors for warm coffee…I still wake up before the sun, a habit I have had for years. Don’t want to miss a minute of the day! Some people think this is crazy! Here’s my view from my living room as the sun rises over Wangfujing!!!

Yesterday was very cool…cold actually! Love it when it snows…which is fairly rare in Beijing. Looked out the window and watched the flakes fall…and this is what it looked like…in Wang Fu Jing…