2017 June: Work and Play in Baoding (Hebei province)

June 25, 2017

Summer has officially arrived in the western calendar, but it has been here awhile already according to the old farmers almanac (based on the Chinese lunar calendar).  As a way of increasing the plant's management team to be more customer service oriented, we arranged to visit the Great Wall Car manufacturing plant in Baoding in the Hebei province. We are supplying this company some tires and we get audited by all of the car manufacturers so we arranged a trip to see one of them so that we could talk to them and understand face to face their needs and expectations.  It also allowed the team to spend quite a bit of time together and get to know each other and increase trust between the team too...trust is always a good foundation!
We took the high speed train direct from Shenyang to Baoding on Thursday afternoon (5 hour train time), very nice ride and easy to navigate with all of the Chinese team once again managing the logistics details!  On Friday, we went to visit the plant and R&D center (no pictures allowed, but very high tech!) and had some good discussions and observations, then we went on a test ride in a new vehicle with one of their test drivers.  I have to say that this company is producing some really nice cars for the money. Below are some of the pics I was able to take of this part of the visit!
There is a link to the test ride below...the numbers on the video represent speed in km/hr.  240km/hr = 150 miles/hr.  Very steady ride at this speed!  It costs roughly 200,000 RMB (30,000 USD). Amazing value for the money!  We also saw a video of their vision of the future connected car driving experience..pretty impressive as well.  Gone are my old school images and ideas about Chinese technology...believe me when I say China is very high tech...maybe not 100% of the country and certainly the wealth varies widely across the country and between city and rural.  China has progressed very rapidly in the past 30 years since opening up to the rest of the world. 

Sarah getting ready to take a Test drive /ride in the Wei brand Great wall car

Test ride of the Wei, going 150 MPH on the company test track at Baoding

The Michelin team along with the Production manager of Great Wall..inside the entrance to the R& D center

Sarah in front of the Haval brand building of Great Wall car company 26 stories tall,  (Think of Haval being the equivalent of Buick to General motors).  Haval is named to mean "Have All" in English.. Great Wall ha 70000 employees and is privately owned.  Pretty impressive!

Sarah with the Quality Manager with a H2.  This small  SUV goes for about 15 000 USD

After the visit in the plant, we took some time in Baoding and visited around Baoding.  Baoding used to be the provincial capital of Hebei during the Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty in China and it was established in 1636 and ruled China from 1644 to 1912. Greater Baoding is a city of about 10 million people  about 100 km (60 miles) from Beijing and has the unfortunate distinction of being the most polluted city in China...and that is saying something.   Good news for us is that when we were there,  had sunshine and good air, so I can neither confirm nor deny the pollution!  Being the head of this province I equate with  being the Mayor of Washington DC.  In this area, there are some old buildings still remaining.

A cart to haul the governor round

The desk where decisions were made

Living quarters for the provincial governor

 The best thing about the governor's area was the Lotus pond park...

The lotus pond in Baoding

A wall with a view in Baoding

The Lotus pond again...something about a moon bridge and pavillion!

Sarah's got the whole world in her hand!

Another bridge in Baoding Lotus park

Sarah's play day in Baoding

The team enjoying a cup of tea in Baoding park

The next day (Saturday), we organized a trip to the see a couple of tombs of the Qing dynasty Emperor's.  In the Qing dynasty there were 12 emperors.  The first 2 were based in Shenyang (where we live) and they have tombs here (each of these tomb areas is a park now, also nice).  The other 10 were in Baoding and Chengde and are buried there.
Tombs in the Qing Dynasty are all designed roughly the same way..there is a long path (the one in this area was 2.5 km and is lined with many statues of horses, camels, elephants, soldiers etc to "protect" the emperor.  On this path there are 3 main parts..the center is where the body is carried (so Chinese people avoid this path) the right is where normal people walk and not sure about the left side.  The sites were all chosen for their good "feng shui" and typically they have the mountains to their back and water to their front.   At the last part of the path, there is an official entrance to the core part of the tomb area.  The core area has 3 main building areas..the official entrance, then a building that has all of the accomplishments of the emperor, then a reception hall building, then a higher building that connects to a path around the top of the tomb area.  The layout of the area is very symmetrical and pleasing to the eye.

Playing around with the team..always fun!

If the hat fits wear it...actually it didn't fit to well..kept falling off!

The ladies on my team are all beautiful!

Sarah at the overlook of the reception building towards the entrance area

The building before the entrance to the tomb (still closed off)

The overlook from the top of the reception building just before the tomb to the entrance building of the tomb area

View from the inside of the building just before the tomb

The actual entrance into the tomb (not opened)

The view of the reception building from  the tomb entrance area

View from the reception building towards the entrance buillding

The bridges entrances to the tomb area

The view from part of the 2.5 km path into the tomb area in Baoding

The final bridge on the 2.5km path into the entrance area of the tombs

After seeing this tomb, we went to another one. The special thing about this 2nd one was that it was where last official emperor of feudal China (before Pu Yi, "The last emperor") is buried.  Normally, the emperor starts building his tomb area before he dies so that they can control quality etc.  This last emperor was poisoned so he died very early (48 years old) and had not started on his tomb yet.  So, the last emperor's administration built the predecessor's tomb when the fall of the feudal China had already started...so the quality was not so good.  Consequently, the security of the tomb was questionable and it was robbed in 1938.  Because it had been robbed, they eventually built an official entrance into the tomb (no photos allowed).  This was the first time, I had ever been inside a tomb and it was amazing to me.  There is actually a palace space comprised of 3 areas  (entrance, reception area and tomb area, very similar in concept to the tomb areas above ground).  There are big thick doors protecting each area and evidently there is an elaborate security system in the doors (similar to Indiana Jones movie in my mind!) so that when the doors are closed, they do not open again, trapping any would-be robbers inside the tomb).  The successful robbers tunneled very deep into the tomb building, going all the way under the foundation, and then calculating where to tunnel back up..and they bypassed all of the door security.  Just in case you were wondering, the actual tombs and bodies are still there but all the jewels and treasures were stolen.  For me, as the saying goes "Nothing good comes from bad money'...they can have the treasure and all the bad that comes from it.  The trip to the tomb area was worth it...but I don't need to see another one.   By the way Pu Yi, the actual last emperor of China is buried in Baoding, but not in a big tomb...he is buried in a public cemetary in Baoding.

After this, we stopped at a restaurant that is famous for the area...they specialize in donkey meat.  I don't eat much meat these days, so I didn't partake...but the team really liked it..looked really greasy to me!

Donkey meat sandwiches of Baoding!

 Soon we boarded the train and headed back to Shenyang...a good combination of work and play and I especially liked seeing the team work and play well together...but glad to be home!

Until next time, we wish you good choices and Godspeed. I leave one last photo (so we don't end on donkey meat!)

The foyer /entrance of the main building of the Great Wall Haval car company...26 floors of glass and steel

Sarah & Rod

2017 June: A Girls weekend out to Luoyang, Henan Province, China

11 June 2017

Greetings all and happy Pre-summer greetings from China. Even though it's "pre-summer", here in Shenyang, things are already hot in the day.  Getting ready to go into the rainy season of July and August.  But, before we get there, I want to share a special trip that I took with our Chinese family here.  I say "I" because this was a "girls weekend" with Daisy and her mother.  The location we visited was chosen by me for several reasons.

First of all, I heard about Luoyang in my first Chinese language course by Pimsleur and it said that this city is famous for the Peonies (the national flower of China). I would have had to go in April to see the Peonies...but from what I understand the place is wall to wall people, so not so sad I missed that time in Luoyang... a picture and a couple of silk scarves will do just fine for a souvenir of the Peonies!

Secondly, last year when Rod got a book about the different areas of China, in this area it showed some examples of Tang dynasty pottery, specifically some beautifully crafted large (some would call fat!)  ladies.  If you have been following this blog for awhile, you know I personally went through a  physical transformation from large to not so large (See May 2013: What I lost in China). 

2017 May: A new Christian is born in China

13 May 2017
Yesterday was quite a special day for Rodney and I as we witnessed something very special for us.  If you do not want to read or see some photos of a Chinese Christian baptism,  I suggest you skip this post.
 We have often referred to our Chinese family...and this family seems to continue to grow.  At first it was our driver and his extended family, the. It grew to include Daisy, and her mother and father who we met at a flea market. Now, it grows again to include a young man named Tom.  We first met Tom several years ago when we lived in the Intercontinental Hotel.  He worked as a server in the executive lounge.  He was always very shy, but spoke English, so we got to know a bit about him.  His mother is a nutritionist and his father died when he was a boy.  His job as a server was a promotion because he started working as a chopper in the kitchen.  We moved from the hotel, and he changed jobs and we somewhat lost touch, but we always remained in contact through WeChat.  Over the years, we exchanged notes and even some gifts at the important Chinese holidays. Fast forward to 2017 and Tom was more and more present and in fact started to work at the hotel where we live.  Tom calls us his parents, and in many ways we are.  His mother works in a city in the south of China, and Tom lives here in Shenyang.  He is not married and has a heart as good as gold.  I'm quite sure he would do anything in the world for us.

One day, he asked Rodney about Christianity and Rod took the opportunity to share our beliefs.  One thing lead to another and to make a long story short, it culminated in Tom being baptized yesterday.  We went to his baptism yesterday morning and it was a very special day for us.

The only Christian government sanctioned church here is the Catholic Church, where all priests must be approved by the government.  Protestant churches exist,  it they are all private and typically meet in people's homes or in shopping malls or other places that do not call attention to themselves.  Foreigners are typically not invited for fear of drawing attention, and we respect that.  We told Tom, however that we would like to like to attend his baptism, and he was over joyed.

The church group does baptisms about twice a year in a fitness center large jacuzzi.  So we were able to find it and witness a very special event.  I share a few photos below.  It's not a traditional "Church" building...but I can assure you that from our perspective God was indeed present and all that were there were blessed.

Tom in the middle ready making the profession of faith

First Communion.

After the baptism, Rodney giving Tom his words of confidence and pride

Rod signing as a witness, as did Sarah and 2 Chinese friends.

Tom's Christian family

Tom with his fellow new Christians

Tom's Christian family, the lady in the middle is Crystal...Sarah's Chinese teacher

Rod and Tom after a few tears were shed.  We gave Tom a cross necklace as a gift to remember the occasion.

All of the newly baptised Christians were given a bouquet of fresh cut peonies.  Tom gave his to me.  I treasure it.

So, here you have a glimpse into another facet of our life here in Shenyang.  When we agreed to stay longer than the original 5 year plan, we took many factors into account, including Rod's health care.  We gave up the ability to see our family and live in the US, to stay here.  Why?  Sometimes we ask ourselves that question.  Just last month, we missed our granddaughter's first communion.  It was not the same as Tom's to be sure, but it was another sacrifice for saying "yes" to stay in China.  We never know where it all leads, but one thing for certain,  we continue to strive to do God's Will and do the next right thing...looking back on our day yesterday, Tom was part of that greater plan of staying here in China.

How much longer will we be staying here?  Honestly we don't know...we take it one day at a time.  In life, we find what we are looking for...in the US, France, Romania, now China.

We thank God for each and every one of you and your continued support as we continue to live and work and do our small part to help improve our little corner of the world here in Shenyang, China.

Rod and Sarah Miller

2017 May, 34th Anniversary Greetings from SuZhou

Greeting all,
Its the 7th of May as I type this..hard to believe that 1/2 of 2017 has almost gone by.  I think my perception of time is changing the older I get!  And speaking of older..back on the 23rd of April, Rod and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary!  34 years ago, we said our vows in a small country home of a good friend of ours in just out side of Paducah, KY in the western part of the Bluegrass state.  I was to graduate from Murray State University in May of 1983 and we were getting ready to go on a cruise for our honeymoon. My parents made the 6 hour drive  from our family home in Germantown, KY up in Northeastern, KY to witness child # 5 officially get off the payroll.  My father wasn't exactly sure how to treat Rod...Rod had been married before...and he and dad had to have that "man to man" talk...to this day, I don't know the contents of that talk, but it must have been effective..we're still together!  Tomorrow is my mother's birthday..she was born on the 8th of May, 1928 and died on the 14th of December 2003.  She was a very special lady and will be in my heart until I too pass from this earth. 
Back onto happier topics!  I had a business trip to Shanghai on the weekend of our anniversary, so we took advantage and Rod went with me and I planned a long weekend of Suzhou for us.  I will share some pictures of Suzhou and the surrounding areas.  Suzhou is an old city known for it's beautiful gardens...and for this gardener's soul, it was a needed boost after the long cold winter of Shenyang. 

In a Taoist temple...the first time I have ever seen this hand gesture on any figure here in China...much less in a temple!  Probably not the best shot to start this blog entry with...couldn't resist!

Rod and Sarah enjoying a day in the Humble Administrator's Garden

A room with a view...such a nice water feature in the garden! (As long as someone else does the maintenance!)

Love the vase built into the wall around the garden!

The canals and pathways in the gardens were just so peaceful...except that there were a bazillion other people wanting to enjoy the garden that day too!

Taking a break in the pavillion in the garden

Just one of the gazibos in the garden

Scenes like this are what I really enjoyed about Suzhou...flowers...and lots of them!  ahh!

Beautiful scenes...like a fairy tale!

azaleas in The Humble Administrator's garden

Bonsai Azaleas!

Beautiful Pavillion in the Humble Administrator's garden

A peaceful walk in the park at the Humble Administrator's garden in SuZhou

After a lovely day in the park, we enjoyed our evening of rest and then the next day we went to Tiger Hill Tower park.  As the name implies, there is a big tower on top of a hill...the tower is over 900 years old and still standing, albeit with a 12 degree lean.  It was also a very nice garden/park.

Bridge into the Tiger Hill park in Suzhou

A boat cruise around the park is always a nice way to see things (and relax!)

Row, Row Row the boat

The Tiger Hill Tower with 12 degree lean!

Rod and Sarah enjoying Suzhou

Can't pass up an opportunity to take pictures of red white and blue poppies!

One of the meditation trails in the Tiger Hill park

Our chariot awaits for the boat cruise around the park

Rod and Sarah cruising Tiger Hill Park in Suzhou for their 34th anniversary!

The official name of the park..it's another Unesco site.

In the afternoon, Rod took a break at the hotel and Sarah went for a little adventure solo to a Water town not far from Suzhou called Tongli.  It's an old water town (meaning people live in houses typically on stilts on the water).  I'm pretty sure this is preserved for tourists..but I like it all the same.
Here are some pictures of Tongli.

The city gate into Tongli

Everything happens on and in the canal shores

Another boat ride for Sarah in Tongli

Lunch buckets on the back side of a restaurant being cleaned out...

Down by the canalside in Tongli

Tree lined canals make Tongli particularly pretty

Restaurants on the canal in Tongli

Just your average water town in the suburbs of Suzhou

Life on the rivers..outside of the tourist areas in Tongli

After the day of touring around, Rod and I took a nice stroll along the lake in Suzhou and enjoyed our last evening there.  The lakefront was typical of most Chinese places at night...lit up!

Lakeside in SuZhou in the evening

So, that's about it for our anniversary installment on this entry.  We are grateful to have this time together and we aim to cherish all of our time together.  Life is precious and we know we have no guarantees of tomorrow...so I ask God to bless us and bless you.

Rod and Sarah
Living large in China

2017 March update: international women's day

I remember back in March 2002. We were living in Romania and on the way to work there were people selling small bouquets of flowers along side the road on the way to work. When I got to work I was overwhelmed to find my office full of flowers. The tradition in Romania is that in the 1st of March (called Martisor in Romanian) is the celebration of the passing of winter and the birth of Spring and giving the women flowers with small red and white threads to wear for good luck. I loved this day in Romania and I have maintained this wonderful memory in my mind and even to this day 15 years later, I still get Martisor greetings and my heart swells with such good memories. So, I wish you all a belated Martisor and my we all enjoy the birth and renewal of Spring!



Then one week later the 8th of March rolled around and again, my office was filled full of flowers! It was international women's day. This is not a day that I was accustomed to celebrating in the US so it was a little bizarre for me, but hey, it brought a lot of flowers, so it must be good!

Fast forward 15 years and I'm in China where international women's day is celebrated fully! Women get 1/2 day off if they want it and from what I understand there are many sales (of course, here in China, any reason to have a sale and encourage more shopping!!). Anyway, this year, I was asked to speak at the International Club of Shenyang for a luncheon and celebration of both foreign and Chinese women here in Shenyang.





At the same time, I was honored to find out that Michelin asked me to be one of the portraits for the company for International Women's day on Linkedin. I have been very humbled by the whole experience and so many well wishes on Facebook from people all over the world.














And that same week, we had the Kickoff of 2017 events with the European Chamber of Commerce and I'm on the board, so I was honored to be a part of the kickoff!












After that we were honored to attend a grand opening of a new art gallery here in Shenyang.


















Things are really going well here in Shenyang, albeit it a little exhausting!

We are very near to passing our 7 year anniversary here in Shenyang..it's amazing how fast the time has passed.
I ask God to bless all of you and thank you so much for your continued prayers and well wishes.

Until next time!

Sarah and Rod!