my view from my apartment. Pretty ugly on that Saturday a week ago. Woke up as usual about 4am, looked out the window and saw what looked like a layer of snow. After dawn, I realized that I was looking at a layer of brown sand…went outside anyway that day because I had friends in town from Shanghai. They wanted to go to the Great Wall. But the sandstorm was so heavy, I told them they may not see much of the wall! We did not go…Went around the city instead..

But the past week, the weather has been clear. I am ready to go rollerblading soon..pulled out my skates and I an ready for another season of skating!

Went to YuanMingYuan (Old Summer Palace) over the past weekend. Had not been there before and I am looking for new places, new experiences, and new friends!

That’s the maze at YuanMingYuan. Amazing to see people try to get to the center. It is not as easy as you think!

Me at the old summer palace.

I have to tell you about a graveyard.  Remember on one of my posts I mentioned about satellite radio that never happened in China? I worked for WorldSpace preparing for a very modern version of radio for China. Well, they went bankrupt and it never happened. Last week, WorldSpace was allowed to send their 2 satellites into a higher orbit. It is a graveyard for old satellites. They can’t just let satellites fall back to Earth! RIP WorldSpace. A great idea, with incredible potential…now in the satellite graveyard! I didn’t even know there was a graveyard in outer space! Sounds like an idea for a future movie like Avatar?

I will go to Guangzhou in a few weeks to again be the co-host of the China Daily 21st Century National English speaking competition, April 8-10 and after that I will go to Hong Kong for a few days.  I always look forward to this event. I am proud to be associated with such a prestigious English speaking gathering. This year, in the south of China.

“Always look for the Joy in life!”

I have been waking up early every day, working on my book about my life. Seems that people are interested in this. So, it has become my priority. Bit by bit, I add to it every morning. It’s a new season! Fresh start..Clean and Clear and heading into the future…and first on the list of things to do is finish this book. Tell you the truth, I think it will be a best seller in China, and then a best seller after that overseas. It is my hope anyway. So, I have been enjoying this time to finally finish this thing. Hope you guys like it..Still needs some work. But progressing, for sure.

It is spring time…time for re-birth. And you will see me on the streets soon rollerblading through this capital city, Beijing!

If you see me, come up and say hello!

Here’s a view from my window as I wake up to greet the sun. I am always awake before the sun.

morning view from my window, center of Wangfujing

Feb 14th- I was home and relaxed and thought that I should do something different on this day. So I took the subway and jumped into the masses at Di Tan. Amazingly packed with people. Tasted some of the local food and just wandered with my iPhone through the park. The first day of the new year brought out many to celebrate in this traditional activity in parks around China. I had not done this for years. Valentine’s Day and the first day of the Year of the Tiger on the same day. There must be some meaning there, but not sure exactly what that is…but it must mean something! Any ideas? Seasons change…

I am finding more and more people reading this blog…kinda surprised but thanks! Spent about 5 days in Hong Kong, which was just enough time. People ask if I shopped (no,hate shopping…I am a man!) and if I went to the Peak and Lan Kwai Fong? Actually, my purpose for going to Hong Kong was to maintain residency. The rest was to hang out with a few friends and not do tourist things. I am very comfortable in Hong Kong because I spent so many years there. I did go to Macau for a day…and stayed away from the casinos and walked the old streets. Basically just relaxed and enjoyed the warm weather and walking with friends for the time there. I love hanging out around the harbor. Pleasure to go to HK…but great to get back to Beijing where I will be  for the New Year. Hanging out close to home. Having coffee all day while working on my book. And I will step out from time to time…maybe see you in Wang Fu Jing?

Every year I must stop by Hong Kong to maintain my residency. I am here again, until next week, trying to pack in as much as possible. It is always so comfortable to be here, since I spent so many years living in Tsim Sha Tsui. I try to see as many friends as possible but find I can’t fit in everybody I know. But it’s a good place to remember many things! I went to a little lane where they sell little things like light bulbs, drinks, and other small shops squeezed between the tall buildings. I always go to one shop off of Cameron Road where I used to buy ice tea and other drinks for the refrigerator. Even though I left about 15 years ago, I have made it a practice to see this old couple who had a shop in the lane. They are somewhere in their 70’s or 80’s now, but it was always a warm feeling to share smiles and stories I would tell them about my life in Beijing. And they would always insist on giving me an ice tea. But I went there yesterday and they and their little shop were gone. I have known them for decades, and I am just hoping they are in peaceful retirement and happy. But my heart was saddened that these old friends, whom I always stop by to see every year, were not there. I have a few days left here and I have more to do. I did NOT come here to shop! I am a man, and shopping is not a pleasure, ever, for me! I came to reconnect with the Hong Kong I knew, and is still a part of me!

So many people asking what everyone did on the new year night…well, actually, I did the opposite of what I intended to do…I thought I’d go to a club and surround myself with people..instead, I chose to spend the transition from 2009 to 2010 in a quiet way at home…it was so cold that I did not want to fight for a taxi…and I was surprised that so many people were online that night…For the years before new year’s eve was spent in well thought out ways…Actually, I see the transition from last year to this as a period of time that has streched over the past few months! So, entering 2010 with a positive attitude and looking forward to all that lies ahead…Wangfujing was packed with people that night..I went out and walked around a bit…and then came back to the warmth! I find more people are reading this blog…so I will try to keep you updated more…that…is my only resolution! Stay in touch…and let me know how you are!

I have posted this before, I think, but as that day approaches, I go back to one of my favorite pictures. I took it at Hou Hai one chilly day a few years ago. I love the many contrasts in the photo. It captures Xmas in Beijing!

Well, I know it’s been a few months since writing here. So, let me take today, my birthday, to fill in some info about me! This is a good day to reflect. Like many times in life, we encounter changes that we did not anticipate. That is natural. It is how you deal with change that shows the kind of person you are. I have been away from radio for a few years now. That means FM radio (CRI) and satellite radio(Worldspace.) I cannot say I listen to radio much these days except satellite radio on the internet. So, many people ask me what I am up to? I have been writing my autobiography that has been in the works for years. This break is a good time to finish it, and I promise to do that asap! Also, I am working on a marketing project that I cannot disclose here. My lawyer suggests that I protect the idea before really telling people. But, believe me, it is a huge project that I am dedicating a lot of time and energy to. I am still living in the center of Beijing in Wang Fu Jing. My door is always open to my friends! I live in an old red brick building that is very hidden. Very cool. My friends love visiting and feeling a little of the “old Beijing” while sharing warm coffee. Wish I could invite all of you who read this blog! Who knows? Anyway, looking at this day as the start of another year for me. Want to meet more people and do more things! A positive approach to a year that has had some very high highs and some low lows! UFB! But another year has passed since celebrating my last birthday in Hawaii. And another year ahead to fill with future memories. So, leave you today with what I reminded you of every night for more than a decade: “Always look for the Joy in life!” And thanks for all the love and support all this time! Post on this blog or send me an email and tell me you are as we head to the end of 2009.

Flew into San Francisco first…and spent a long weekend with friends and family..Cool to hang out next to the water..Pier 39 on a weekday is good, weekend too busy! Watched the seals laying in the sun getting suntanned..it is their adopted home. Then hung out with with few friends I know from the time they lived in Chinese places; American friends who have had a similar experience as I. Then went to San Diego to spend time with my stepmother. Family is important and I like to visit her every year. She was a great companion for my father who passed away a few years ago. They were both 80 years old when they fell in love. An intense and meaningful romantic couple! Always kissing and holding each other. Many exchanges of “I love you.” So inspiring! If it ever happens in your life like this, you will be lucky! Does not happen often! Also spent some time with friends who flew in to San Diego to hang out. Bonding with your peeps is heartwarming. So, it has been a good travel so far. In Detroit now, and will write more. Glad you guys are checking my website. I will return to Beijing next week. A little earlier than planned. Need to get back to things in China!

have not updated for a while. Things have been a little busy lately. Travelling these days. Arrived in San Francisco yesterday for a weekend. Then to San Diego next week to see some family. Back in China mid-Oct. Thing that I notice is that no matter how far away I travel, China and China experiences are still a large part of me. I guess after living in China so many years, my life is truly a mixture of cultures. And I am happy to feel this way.