A Bryson in China

Recent News Postings from China

2011-10-13T05:21:00.003+08:00

It's always interesting hearing and reading the latest from China. A few newscast, were of particular attention:

Video Shows Young Girl Driving Down a Busy Street
- And this really means "Young"!
- But be sure to read all,
- watch the video,
- and best of all, be sure to get the commentary at the end
- And yes, I do agree too! She does drive better than most!

China Launches Spaceship to "America The Beautiful"
- You just can't find better "patriotic" music!

Obama Fried Chicken
- Shanghaisst blog (as usual) covered it first
- Gotta love the slogan: "We're so niubi (cool), aren't we?"

Bike Photos from Shanghai

2011-09-23T08:01:00.002+08:00

Just got an interesting link for photos from Huffington Post:

Portraits of Shanghai's Burdened Bikers

Some amazing photos here! Enjoy!

Featured on Storyline Project

2011-07-28T09:39:00.004+08:00

Before I left Winston-Salem, I was coaxed into telling my story about my life through kidney issues and transplant. The city started a project of capturing stories of residents a few years ago. They asked me to tell about my finding out about kidney disease through my health issues and getting the kidney.

This week Storyline Project is featuring my story on their website. You can go to the site and listen to a short version of my recording at: Storylineproject.org

I've tried to figure out how to put the whole long version on Youtube or something on the internet where I can link to it, but I've been unable to figure out how to convert the format so far. Maybe soon.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the short version.

Recent News from Myself & China

2011-06-22T05:18:00.003+08:00

I haven't posted much lately. I'm busy! My new job is really keeping me busy! And I'm really enjoying it!

But there has been some extremely interesting news lately from China:

A wave of unrest is spreading amongst migrant workers. That is something very rare. But unrest from Middle East seems to have inspired workers, as they get more worldly information and desire more public freedoms. There is even surprisingly more open discussion about grievances while they desire more protections.
Workers strike at Japanese watch factory in Dongguan
Chinese Security is said to be reverting to bribery of migrant workers to get more information and to undermine the unrest in Guangdong Province

In another more curious move, China has copied a city in Austria! I'm sure it's not quite the same, but more interesting to me, is that this is not the first city copied by the Chinese! ........ I guess they do more than copy watches.

A Bryson to Atlanta!!

2011-04-21T02:44:00.001+08:00

Several friends have called or sent notes asking: “How hot is it in Vietnam?” Well, I usually answer: “Hot, as far as I know. At least, that is what my friends in Ho Chi Minh City tell me.”

I know many of you thought I had gone to Vietnam in March to work there for three months. Well, sorry, I haven’t updated the fact, that I never made it to the Mekong Delta area. Instead, I made the shortlist for a permanent opportunity in the US, that would require me to foreclose any chance of hiring had I gone to Vietnam. I opted to stay and take my chance on the new opportunity. And I got it!

On May 2, I start at Geiger International, a division of Herman Miller in the office furniture business. I’ll be a vice president for the casegoods manufacturing. The main facility is located in southwest Atlanta, and I’ll be relocating to the area over the next few months.

It’s a new beginning. I was blessed to receive a new kidney last year, and I’m taking this new lease on life to live the fullest with this new opportunity. I have a lot of preparations to make, but I can’t wait. The job will be challenging, but I know many of you are happy to hear I’ll be staying in the US. Equally, a lot of my International friends are sad I won’t be moving back to Asia. And actually part of me will miss Asia too. But I had to take the best available for me now. And I love getting back to the office furniture business, with the preeminent leader in high end wood furniture for the office. I should even be traveling back to West Michigan soon, where the Herman Miller headquarters is located. So I will see my many friends in that area!

Well, it’s back to moving preparations for now. I gotta find a temporary home for my dog, Goldie. I still don’t know what I’ll be doing with my home. And I have to get things packed. So it may be a while before I can pass on more progress. But my next post will probably be from HotLanta!

China Plans Megacity ..... or Not

2011-01-31T22:06:00.005+08:00

Did ya see the news recently about the plan by China to create a mega city of 42,000,000 people??!! Reports were broadcast widely from CNN to the internet. A good Aussie friend from Dongguan, Roger, sent me an article about it posted by several newspapers, including the Sydney Morning Herald and The Telegraph in London. The headline read:

42,000,000: China's mega city will eat Wales.

Reading you will see that the city, basically already exists. It includes the area between Guangzhou, with its 25 million, to Shenzhen. So that includes Dongguan. Total population of around 42 million!!

But reading a later report from an announcement by a Guangdong Province official, the efforts are just to integrate public and commercial services. Not necessarily to integrate governments. It would be good to integrate transportation efforts, and other public services!

I guess it's already basically VERY BIG!! Question is, will it be just one mega city or just a big Province?? Either way, it's a lot of people!!

Milestone Almost Missed

2011-01-14T06:58:00.005+08:00

I almost forgot a major milestone!

The week here in the US has been filled with sad news from Arizona, a football championship, and a major winter storm in the South and East. I’ve been stuck right in the middle of that storm. I finally got out of my home last night for the first time in three days. We didn’t get that much snow here in my area of North Carolina. But nearby they got up to 8 or 9 inches. We were lucky on the amount of snow. We were not so lucky about the ice! Freezing rain on top of our minor snow, coupled with constant freezing temperatures, made the roads like skating rinks. To say the least, those events have occupied most minds.

It occupied mine so much, that I missed the fact that the six month anniversary of my new kidney had come and past. I finally remembered today!! Yes, January 11, marked six months with this blessed new addition to my body!!

I had been thinking about this special milestone for months, and here it came, and I forgot it! Just goes to show how much my physical life has returned to normal!! Hopefully, I'm just at the point of thinking about annual milestones from here on.

Yes, the kidney continues to work great! I was in to see my doctor last week, and he was so pleased with my progress, that he got me out fast enough to only be charged the minimum for the hospital parking! How great is that! All my health tests have been nothing but normal! That’s just what I love to hear!

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-20T06:04:00.002+08:00

Remember that simple Corona beer Christmas commercial of the palm trees across the water on some secluded beachfront; with the whistling of “Oh Christmas Tree” in the background; and then comes the lighting of one lone palm among the five in the row?

It’s an epic commercial from years ago. But I did see one replay of it the other night. A sample can be seen on YouTube by clicking here.

Whenever I see that commercial, I can’t help but think about a trip to Thailand when in Asia. I was out visiting a factory supplying us. It was located a couple of hours outside Bangkok. My driver and I met some local Thais and were invited to go to dinner with them out in the country. We had no idea where we were headed. And we got more worried as we turned off the main road, and cautiously rolled down a rutted dirt road for a mile or two.

But similar to the commercial, a lit tower appeared. No it wasn’t a tree, but across the water it appeared like one, and had that same magical spirit as the lone Christmas palm in the Corona commercial.

The night was magical too. Beside the tower was a great little fish house, where the gracious cooks prepared us a wonderful dinner. We sang karaoke by the pond. We even strolled through the nearby coconut grove. And we made new friends, in the same spirit of Christmas. It was a great night! Like many in Thailand! And like any other time, when shared with friends.

Merry Christmas to All!

Pizza Hut Xmas in China

2010-12-09T23:19:00.004+08:00

While I was in China, more and more American restaurant businesses were entering the market. We had many McDonalds, two Starbucks, and Papa Johns Pizza. Well the Shanghaiist blog just released a great little posting about a special being offered this Christmas at Pizza Hut in China. As they put it, it's "Pizza Hut's Christmas Gift to China? A Heart Attack."

It relates how Pizza Hut is offering a special Christmas platter of a turkey pizza surrounded by mini cheese and sausage roll-ups. But it's the link to the real advertisement that is priceless: Click here to see the Chinese Pizza Hut Christmas Special TV commercial. It is a great example of Chinese tv advertising. And yes, I know its in Chinese. But it is well worth seeing and hearing.

What you will notice in that link and advertisement is that the Christmas special also includes eggnog, shrimp tempura, bbq wings, waffle fries, wine, and soup!! Don't you always serve shrimp tempura with your eggnog? When I lived and visited our Papa Johns, it always amazed me that they were serving as much soup, bbq wings, and corn kernels than they were pizza. Not exactly the selection you would expect to find in an American Pizza Hut.

Dressing as a Panda??

2010-12-07T22:45:00.005+08:00

Did ya see the news yesterday from the panda center in Chengdu? Handlers dress up as big pandas to care for baby pandas!

Check a web report here.

Or see the newscast from the NBC Nightly News her e .

It's all a part of the effort to reintroduce pandas into the wild. The center has been very successful in raising more pandas. But now with the renewed effort to introduce pandas to the wild, the theory is that humans cannot be involved with the pandas' care. Of course, the handlers have their hands poking out of the suits. Oh well. It's a worthy effort.

Another Major Traffic Jam in Beijing

2010-12-06T21:59:00.002+08:00

News is out of Beijing that the 110 Highway has backed up again. This time it's been a massive traffic jam for NINE DAYS!!! And is expected to last A MONTH!!!

See: Traffic Jam along National Expressway 110 hits 9th day; Expected to Last a Month!

Don't want to be in that traffic jam!

Nihao Neighbors - What a Great New Service!

2010-11-13T03:59:00.005+08:00

My good friends from One for the Road pub in Dongguan, always send me newsletters to keep me connected with goings on back in my former home. Jason, the manager, had a little contest to see who could catch an error in his last monthly edition. Within minutes, he had over 150 entries. I wish I had that much interest in my blog!

They recently started offering a monthly classified newsletter for interested local businesses and individuals to reach the ex-pat community through the OftR mailing list. This month the Classified featured a most interesting new group. They call themselves Nihao Neighbors, for being the Welcome Wagon for expats to Dongguan. Nihao means hello in Mandarin. And this group of ladies states that they:

"have come together to offer guidance and information as you take your first steps toward the adventure of living in Dongguan, China. Yes, you CAN have a great time and meet some terrific friends while on this journey. We've been where you are and we're ready to help you get started."

What a great concept, and should be of great service to newcomers to the area. Wish they had been there when I got to Dongguan.

But what really got my attention at their website is a monthly feature: To Pee Or Not To Pee (toilet report)! Yes, it’s a toilet report! Where: “Each month we will feature a clean western toilet complete with paper and hand washing facilities.”

Remember how I showed on Facebook recently where Asian toilets are “squatty style.” Well, here they are helping new residents – particularly the ladies – know where to find “Western Style” toilets when out and about in Dongguan! Great new service!

GB Update: Four Months!!

2010-11-13T03:34:00.002+08:00

Another month past! Yep, yesterday marked my fourth month with my new kidney! Really nice to keep counting down the months.

And I’m really getting down to a normal life finally. Wound vac is gone. I can roll over in my sleep without getting tangled in dialysis or vacuum pump tubes! What a comfort! This is great.

I did have a few scares, but all turned out to be nothing major. First, I’ve mentioned that my foot had severe aches for a long time. Doctors felt it was a flair up of gout. I’ve had it before, so that was only reasonable. But medications just weren’t reliving the pain. And x-rays had shown no visible concerns. So finally I had a bone scan last week. And surprise: I have a broken metatarsal bone! Nothing I can do for it now. It’s healing already. Just gotta be careful and let it heal more. Big positive: not gout, nor infection (which really scared me!)

Second, I had some swelling in area of my new kidney. Doctors thought this might be another hernia. Can’t imagine that, since I had played golf so easy (yeah – right!). Well, luck again prevailed. After CT scan, it just seems to be a little swelling or fat. Don’t laugh! I have a right to be concerned about such things when I’m depending on this new kidney now!

I’ve even been working some. I spent a week in Toronto recently for an office furniture manufacturer (connected by an old friend). And I’m working in Thomasville with an upholstery plant for a month. I even have some good leads on a permanent job. Afraid it may take me back to Asia. I want to work there, but prefer to base in US now. Just not sure I can find anything that good. We’ll see.

In meantime, I can get back to golf!

Three Months Now….... And Golfing!!

2010-10-14T11:14:00.000+08:00

Monday marked three months for my new kidney. And Tuesday I PLAYED GOLF!! And did pretty good too! I actually pared six out of eleven holes. The course had us play the back nine, but had us start two holes earlier on number 8, so we got in an extra two holes. I won’t talk about how I did on the other five holes. They were “others”. So the overall score wasn’t anything to brag about, but I’m satisfied for my first round in months, and playing with a new kidney.

I now just see my nephrologist every quarter, and have some blood work every two weeks for monitoring. I not only have been released from the transplant center, but also from home health care. I’m really on my own now. Yes, I have a lot of medication to take daily, and I’m still fighting some gout in my foot, but otherwise, I feel GREAT!

Hopefully, I’ll get back to work soon, and back on track with a normal life.

Are There Still Production Advantages in China

2010-10-08T01:55:00.003+08:00

A lot of US citizens and, particularly, those that have been involved in domestic manufacturing, have been hopeful that recent changes in China will make them less competitive. A couple of internet accounts have discussed this:

One, an article at Omaha.com relates how China Moves Away from Low Cost Manufacturing.

However, at one of my favorite blogs, the China Law Blog, they have a position and have a good debate going stemming from the post of Competing with Chinese Companies on Price, In Your Dreams.

There are definitely signs that rising costs in China are making it more costly to produce, but as mentioned in the China Law Blog, it is still very difficult to beat the total costs advantages. There may be some return to more US manufacturing of some products, but I would venture to believe that will not be in labor intensive type products.

Another Hurdle Cleared!

2010-09-29T23:22:00.000+08:00

I can play golf!! I certainly didn’t expect this now, but I got released from the care of my Transplant Clinic yesterday!! I will still have close care from my neprologist for months, but this is a big hurdle.

When I had my surgery in mid-July, the staff scheduled my care to switch to the nephrologist in early October. But I then had my setback from the infection of my incision, so I expected that switch to also be delayed. To say the least, I was quite pleasantly surprised to get the release yesterday. I have progressed rapidly enough to get the clearance.

At the clinic, the doctors have been rotating for my weekly appointments. Dr. Stratta, the surgeon who preformed my surgery met with me yesterday. It was the first time I had seen him since I left the hospital. He has that aura of professionalism one loves in a surgeon. To think he oversees the gift of life is amazing. He was very pleased with my improvement.

Oh yea……. I started by saying: “I can play golf”…… that doesn’t mean I can play golf well. And the doctor suggested I just start with a par 3 course. I hope to get out soon, but I will definitely be taking it slow. Here’s to keeping it in the fairway. At least, I can play golf!

No More Man-Purse!!

2010-09-15T03:26:00.001+08:00

I’m free!! I’m free! No more man-purse!

Yesterday, I had an appointment at the transplant clinic and was shocked to have my wound vac removed! They decided the open wound had healed enough to just finish healing with the aid of wet/dry dressings. My home health nurse had previously indicated the wound was healing great, but she had not said anything that indicated I would not need it much longer. I was really pleasantly surprised.

My shoulder and back are relieved. The vacuum pump was small, but constantly carrying it over my shoulder was beginning to weigh on me. My back has been strained from it.

Of course, I must now change the dressings, but that is a small nuisance compared to carrying the wound vac. I have never liked medical stuff, so I hadn’t even really looked too closely at the wound until I had to change it last night. I’ve been hearing for weeks about how it has reduced from 22cm long and 2cm wide down to 6cm long and less than 1cm wide. Well, looking at it myself now, it sure looks big enough! I’m glad I didn’t see it before!

Best of all, I was able to sleep last night without a tube running from my body!! I’ve had one or another for almost two years now! First, I had a catheter inserted in my stomach for peritoneal dialysis in October 2008. I then did the dialysis every night, with a connection of a long tube to my catheter. But as soon as I had it removed with the transplant, I had the infection that caused me to have to use the wound vac. It was connected by a tube that was sealed over the wound. It wasn’t into my body, but it had the same impact of having a tube from my body at night to the pump.

I was able to actually roll over last night! Of course, I was just able to…. But now my body has finally adjusted to the tubes, and I don’t know when I will get back to really feeling like there is no tube.

Same goes for being without the pump. I love not having the man-purse, but I got so accustomed to it, I still reach for it every time I move now! But that won’t be for long!

Two Month Update

2010-09-11T23:49:00.005+08:00

Today is a solemn day of memories for most of us. It’s been nine years since the horrific experiences of events around the nation on 9/11. Many of us are flying flags in rememberance of that day.

For me, I’m actually having a private celebration of another anniversary on this date. Today marks the two month anniversary of my new kidney! I’ve not got any real plans, but I am so thankful for the new lease on life that has been given me now.

The kidney is still working great. All the stats on the kidney have been terrific. The major measure is my creatinine level. It has been steadily below 1.5. That reading was over 7 when my kidneys were getting so bad.

The open wound still affects my mobility. I continue to have the “man-purse” for carrying my wound vac. The wound is getting better. It was over 22 cm long originally, and is now about 6 cm. But at its worse spot it is still over a centimeter deep and almost as wide. That area has been slow to heal. I’m told it may speed up now. I sure hope so. The wound vac is a pain. It is just heavy enough to be a nuisance. And I’m tired of having a tube from my stomach. I had to contend with that through dialysis, and I was hoping I would be out of that by now. I look forward to the day I can roll over when I’m sleeping without being bound up in tubes! [I’ll post a couple of recent pics of me with the wound vac, but you may have to go direct to my blog site to see those: www.abrysoninchina@blogspot.com.]

I am feeling much better and I’m told I look healthier. I feel stronger by the day. I now just look forward to getting back to work and back to a normal life. I’ve been cramped up in my home too long. It’s time to get out and move along! I hope it’s soon.

More Traffic Jam News

2010-08-30T02:58:00.004+08:00

Since the widely publicized news of the massive traffic jam near Beijing earlier in the week, there have been new conflicting reports. First there were reports an NBC reporter that went to see the 60 day traffic jam did not find one. It reportedly had vanished and only occasional tie-ups or slow-downs at toll booths remained. Authorities evidently stepped in overnight after seeing the news being broadcast around the world.

However, The NY Times reported an officer admitted that the highway being cleared overnight was "impossible". Even if cleared, the congestion would certainly be back soon. The highway is important in bringing much needed coal from Mongolia to power plants in Hebei. That highlights one of the infrastructure issues affecting China, as reported by the Times. The Chinese government can cut through and build rapidly, but still cannot keep up with the demand of the large population intent on catching up with the world.

I could relate to both points. It was common to see the government make decisions rapidly and get things built fast. And it could easily be understood that the government could eliminate the traffic jam by massive overnight effort of police and other resources. But there were always so many people and fast economic growth, that one could even see that the massive efforts could still not keep up.

But I also couldn't understand the traffic jam for another reason. I can tell you my driver, and most I ever saw in the Dongguan area, would never be caught in a long traffic jam. On one occasion my driver did a 180 turn in the middle of a highway and just headed right into oncoming traffic for about a mile to get off an exit ramp we had just passed - all to avoid a tie-up notice he noticed ahead. And in another jam, my driver went the wrong way down an entrance ramp to get away from the jam, as reported in "Wrong Way Home" post in July 2007. Most drivers would just do anything like that to get out of a jam. I don't know how so many were patient for days near Beijing. They probably weren't.

Health News and a Major Traffic Jam

2010-08-25T20:52:00.003+08:00

One might ask why I keep a blog know as abrysoninchina, when I'm back in the USA now. Well, mainly I've kept it becasue I thought I would get back there sooner. But I've also used it to provide news about China, primarily since most of my friends still in the country, don't always get much in-country news in English. And last, I've used it to provide news to my friends about my status, especially my health situation.\

On that last note, I continue to progress well. I've been graduated to only one clinic visit per week. I should be off the wound vac in another week or two, and will then be given my freedom to drive and work. I can't wait.

As for news from China, there was a lot of coverage about a traffic jam near Beijing this week. While I was in China, I began to see the increasing volume of cars and trucks. China has done well with a growing infrastructure to handle, but when there are so many new vehicles on the road daily, the new roads are still not enough.

The incrasing volume became evident with some of the news yesterday when it was announced that there was a major traffic jam near Beijing. It has already lasted 10 days, and stretched 60 miles. It is expected to last another month, since it has been caused by road construction, which is not expected to be finished for a month. This is getting a lot of coverage, and surprisingly, I have even heard about it from two friends in China. As one put it: "And you thought the traffic was bad in LA!" News about things which marks China bigger than the rest of the world, gets coverage.

Over One Month Now

2010-08-17T04:07:00.000+08:00

I got my new kidney on July 11. I guess I’ll always think about that fact every time I pass a Seven/Eleven convenience store.

As the days and weeks are now passing along, I’m getting stronger and healthier by the day. At least I sure think so. And the doctors seem to be concurring. They opted not to even see me today at the Transplant Clinic. Seems I was in such good health they sent me along so they could tend to the backlog of patients. They’ve been rather busy lately. They did nine transplants the weekend I was held over, and three more the following Tuesday. I don’t know if that is an inordinate number, but it seemed like a lot to me, and the hospital staff was strained to handle the increase of patients.

Last Friday, I got the IV line removed from my arm. I was released from taking antibiotics by IV daily, so there was no more need for the line. I still have to take antibiotics orally for 10 more days to assure the infection clears completely.

I do still have the wound vac. The incision is healing nicely with this marvelous machine. In measurements by my home health nurse, the incision has decreased from 22 cm to 15 cm already. I’ll still probably have to carry my “man-purse” with the pump for another 3–4 weeks. It is cumbersome, but I know it’s the best way to heal this.

In the meantime, I cannot drive a car. Since the wound is technically still “open”, they want no risk of me doing something that might hurt the healing process. So I’m a nuisance calling friends for rides to the numerous hospital, clinic, and other appointments they demand to maintain my care. There have been weeks, that I’ve had appointments every day. But soon, I should be down to only one visit a week.

These first few months are critical to assuring my body does not reject this new kidney. So the meds are extensive, and the care is close. I have to limit public exposure during this period too, so I cannot go to games, church, or other events for another few weeks, and have to be careful even after that.

But I am getting closer to the freedom of a regular life, with no tubes for dialysis or wound vacs, with a new lease on life. I can’t wait!

My Wound Vac

2010-07-25T04:30:00.001+08:00

After the Wake doctors decided to open my wound and probe around, they opted to treat the healing in a very special method. They used a wound vac which was invented right here at Wake Forest University in 1990. It covers the wound with a special foam, is then sealed over the whole area, and then plugged with a hose to a vacuum pump. Turned on, the foam is sucked down to the wound. The bad drainage from the wound is then pulled through the foam into an entrapment case along the pump. The good cells are held at the wound to assist healing. Thus prompting healing more from the bottom of the wound to the surface. And all quicker than normal.

The wound vac has been very successfully used in many applications of healing. It is even very popular with the military with bullet wounds. The Winston-Salem Journal even happened to have highlighted the use of the invention in a unique application for an endangered Komodo dragon in Singapore this week. You can check the article by clicking here.

The device is marketed by KCI. Some of their marketing information can be accessed by clicking here.

Wake Forest has profited well from the patents for the invention of the device in 1990. Some of the information from Wake can be found by clicking here.

Saturday, July 24 - I'm HOME!!!!!

2010-07-25T04:15:00.001+08:00

I’m HOME!! YES! Slept in my bed last night! Of course, I had to constrain myself to sleep on my back with a hose for a device to my wound (I’ll explain that in another post soon}. But at least I was in my bed!

It took most of Friday to get out of the hospital. I got home around 5 PM. There were a lot of last minute processes, including a stress test on the new kidney. That constituted driving 2 bags of IV solution fast. My bladder had its own test with this. It hadn’t worked so much in a long time. But the new kidney continued to work admirably!! That’s the great news.

I did have to come home with a new IV. Because of the infection, they want to treat me with more aggressive antibiotics through IV. I’ve already been trained in how to administer daily. It will take about 3 hours. Just when I thought I was getting away from hours and hours of dialysis, I now get to do antibiotic IVs. Oh well, it should only be about 3 weeks. Getting to good healthy body is worth it.

As a new kidney recipient, I get to also take some aggressive drugs. One of the keys is immunosuppressant drugs to keep the new kidney from rejecting. Remember, it is in a foreign body, and has to adapt. And we have to take these drugs to assure it gets every chance to adapt without rejection.

And during this time, I am more susceptible to infections, particularly viruses, etc. The infectious disease doctors recommended I not even attend any public settings for 2-6 months. That unfortunately includes church, ballgames, etc. And anyone visiting should only visit if not sick with any type flu, or having been exposed to any possible infection from someone else, such as around kids in a daycare center. So forgive me, but I must insist on use of antibacterial soap in any visit, and only if the points above are met. I want to see everyone, but I must really take care of this kidney for now.

Part of it, is that I am also more susceptible than every to viruses, etc. And if I get any, it will be worse for me than with any normal healthy human. So I guess I’m going to become like Monk or any other germ phobic. Forgive me if I am not quick to shake hands or hug. I know that’s a big change for me, but I must insist right now. I want to see many of you, but only by minimizing the risks.

Thanks,

New Kidney Update

2010-07-23T02:48:00.000+08:00

Thursday, July 22, 2010
I’m still in the hospital! Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. But hopefully, if all goes well, I finally get out tomorrow! What a stay!

The kidney has been great! But I had a second surgery last week to remove my dialysis catheter, and I seem to always have problems with my digestive system after the anesthesia. And then I got an infection at the incision for the kidney. It puzzled doctors a while, but they finally opted to go in and open the wound. … Yeah, I said open. That was a lot of fun!

To top it off, the doctors decided to dig into it yesterday. Only the doctor had only told me he was going to “look at it”. First thing I knew he had all kinds of devices and was pulling one way and another. I was looking for a bullet to bite between my teeth! I hadn’t had pain medicine!!! Finally, someone suggested some, and soon I was feeling much happier!

They then applied a new device to vacuum the bad cells from the wound, while allowing the good cells to help heal the cut. It was actually invented at Wake. I’ll have a small “man purse” type bag for the pump for a few weeks, and have to take regular antibiotics.

Long and short, I should be out tomorrow. It will require regular social nurse care. I’ll be home soon and can’t wait. Hopefully, I’ll see many of you soon. Come by if you can, but please call first. Remember, most of you must call to get entry into the community. I’ll do my best to accommodate.

And I’ve opened for Visitors Okay today. Please call in advance though. I never know when a doctor wants to come by to “take a look”!!

Update

2010-07-15T08:15:00.001+08:00

Wed night everyone. I've had a couple of tough days, but kidney is reacting well. It's been more post-operative issues, that seem to be a little better (although I hesistate to jinx it again). I may get home soon, for more slow recovery. But I really thank everyone for the prayers and amazing comments of support!

A New Kidney for Bryson

2010-07-13T17:42:00.000+08:00

I received a kidney transplant Sunday, July 11!! Out of ICU & in Wake Baptist Hospital 4 days recovery. On cell now. More when get laptop later.
Thanks for all the support & prayers!

Two Local Favorites Combined!!

2010-07-01T22:46:00.002+08:00

We North Carolinians are awfully proud of our roots. We grew up on a few local traditions: Moon Pie and RC Cola, BBQ and Sweet Tea, Cheerwine and a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Well, leave it to the Krispy Kreme folks to pull a coup and combine those latter two in a limited edition doughnut!

Yes, effective today, I can walk into a nearby grocery store and buy a Cheerwine filled Krispy Kreme doughnut! It will not be offered except in grocery stores in North and South Carolina this month. Sorry my Hong Kong friends! You will have to come over here for this great combination!

I'm off to the grocery store!!

Rain and Labor Strife

2010-07-01T22:28:00.002+08:00

It's July, and that means rain, heat, and high humidity in China! I don't miss that! Rains have caused havoc across the nation. Economic losses are estimated at over $13 billion, but far worse, is the fact that over 500 people have been killed, many in the Guangdong province.

The wildcat strike is over at Honda, but the results there and with the Foxconn news, have had a ripple effect through industries in China. After workers received a substantial increase in pay at Honda and Foxconn, other factories have had wildcat strikes by workers expecting the same wage increases! Workers are becoming more knowledgeable and expectations are increasing. A general wage increase is being enacted, but with over 360 million internet users in the nation, word is spreading more rapidly about the increases and more workers are expecting the same. One friend informed me he had factories that had suffered absences of 50 percent of workers, because they hadn't received the same increases.

Even with the increasing wages and labor strife, China is still considered a prime industrial location. China Law Blog put together an interesting comparison of countries and their advantages, even considering current increases.

Update

2010-06-02T03:30:00.002+08:00

Before I get to some recent news from China, let me post again why I still maintain this site. I've been back from China now for over 2 years. I had to come back when my kidneys failed. I'm still awaiting a transplant (help if you can by checking my Favorites site for information), and doing dialysis daily.

But I still maintain this site to maintain communication mostly with my friends still in China. While there, I realized it isn't always so easy to find out what is happening right in your backyard or around the corner. And many others of you seem to just enjoy it. So here is some more news:

Honda is offering labor concessions to end strikes impacting auto factory production. Organized labor is a new challenge for the Chinese.

There has been a lot of publicity recently about the Foxconn factory complex in Shenzhen. At least 10 employees have committed suicide there. The complex employs over 400,000 workers, making electronics for Apple, Dell, and Sony. Many of other iPhone and iPad products come for here, and Apple is assisting in trying to assure its name doesn't get hurt in the publicity. The factory is increasing wages and adding "anti-suicide" nets surrounding the buildings.

In a most interesting posting, The China Tracker blog of Forbes, is reporting that China is buying Hawaii!! It all has to do with how much of China owns of America's wealth. It's also all in jest, but a good read nonetheless!

And have you ever heard of QQ? Well, in China it is hotter than Facebook! There are hundreds of millions of users. It's basically an IM type site, but very popular. Don't be surprised if you don't hear more about it in the US in the future. My good friends that publish the great English magazine of Dongguan, Here Dongguan, had a good article about QQ last month.

Good reading my friends!

News and Blog Info

2010-05-15T00:34:00.002+08:00

It's been the rainy season in Dongguan..... something I really do NOT miss! Watching the humidity listed for Dongguan, I seldom see it below 90% this time of year! It has been so bad that rains have caused severe flooding:

Reports indicate 86 killed and 16 missing.
And reports were widely circulating in one area last week, that the mirage of a mountain appeared on the horizon. See picture and article here.

In some recent blog reports:

My favorite China blog, China Law Blog, has reported and started a dialogue about the reported labor shortages in China and Vietnam, and what may be causing it.
And I came across a very good posting at Fool's Mountain about How to Survive as a Foreigner in China.

New Performance Acts in China

2010-04-13T21:18:00.003+08:00

The major news networks have recently highlighted some interesting, if not bizarre, new attractions in China:

ABC reported on a Dwarf Theme Park, where a trope of dwarfs perform for visitors and show them their "village".

NBC Today Show reported on a tightrope act over a Siberian tiger pen, involving a 3 year old. Another report on the tightrope act, including some scary pictures, can be accessed at the Daily Mail Online, by clicking here.

More News from Guangdong and China

2010-03-22T23:12:00.003+08:00

Driving into Dongguan the fist time, I remember being awed by a new highway that crossed a big lake, Songshan Lake. A monstrous building under construction was pointed out to me on a point across the water. It was to be the new Hyatt hotel that I later frequented and enjoyed immensely. The development around the lake continues. The Administrative Committee of Songshan Lake Science and Technology just announced a major greenway corridor around the lake. It stretches 122 kilometers. That's over 75 miles for my American friends! It will even have bicycle rentals along the corridor. Wish I could get back to enjoy that!

Other news from Guangdong continues to lament about the rising cost of manufacturing in the province. Surprising considering the recent reports of labor shortages, the government has announced a minimum wage increase of more than 20 percent!!

The China Law Blog came out with a recent post, "You Want Chinese Workers? Think Outside the Guangdong Box". There are certainly still plenty of workers in China, and more interests is being given to areas other than Guangdong.

In an interesting post, NPR recently posted "Wait, What's the Difference between 'Yuan' and 'Renminbi'. Good reading and a nice audio on how to pronounce yuan and renminbi in Mandarin.

Digging Up Golf Courses in China

2010-03-10T09:35:00.002+08:00

Back in one of my earliest (and probably longest) posts in June 2006, I relayed my first experience of playing golf in China. It was at Camdour Harbour Golf Club on one of the hottest, muggiest days I can ever remember. And I had to walk! The course only had one golf cart, and I guess you had to reserve it months in advance!

But I was baffled by the homes around the course. They were large, but mostly unoccupied and in poor condition. I later learned the course and development had been in a debate over legality of the seizure of the land from previous farm owners. It seems many golf courses in China have been developed in illegal manners. And the government is taking some action.

My daughter was good enough to make me aware of a great review of the situation. The Slate wrote the great article about The Forbidden Game! They principally focus on the fate of the Anji King Valley Country Club, where "more than a dozen bulldozers" recently stormed the course one morning and plowed up the fairways. Only the greens and tee boxes were sparred. Negotiations are ongoing to reopen the course again soon. See pictures here.

But the government actually banned golf development in 2004. In the meantime, the boom in golf in China has been greater than anywhere in the world - even if much of the development is illegal.

The government is trying to assure sufficient farm lands are available to feed the huge growing population. There are other illegal land uses, but golf courses are a good political target. But many government officials are behind the growing popularity too. It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out.

News from the Last Month

2010-03-08T08:21:00.002+08:00

Sorry, but it's been over a month since I updated news I've observed about China and the Dongguan area. During that period, the Chinese Lunar New Year was observed. Many workers and other Chinese nationals made their annual treks to their homes. It is probably the biggest mass movement of people in the world. With it come some of the interesting points observed over the last month:

Many migrant workers are not coming back to the Guangdong area after the Chinese New Year. A few years ago, this trend started, as many workers want to stay in their home area, or have been disappointed in pay and opportunities in Guangdong. Many lost jobs as the recession hit, and decided not to continue their migrant work, thus leaving the area in a severe shortage of workers - over 2 million by some estimates!

Since the implementation of the "one child policy," there are now severe shortages of women. Unmarried men outnumber women by as much as five to one in the Dongguan area!

Two police officers from Guangdong province have been reprimanded for holding extravagant family weddings where they received gifts from constituents.

Free Market Mojo blogsite posted some very interesting facts about China, including: there are more Christians in China than Italy, and China will some become the largest center of Christianity in the world; and China has more than 150% more soldiers than the US.

And Stephon Marbury is playing basketball now in China. His first game was in Dongguan where his team lost to the local team. ESPN.com has some interesting coverage.

That's all for now. Enjoy!

Chinese Buy Mall in Wisconsin

2010-02-06T23:55:00.003+08:00

Well, here is a twist! The Chinese have bought a dormant mall in Milwaukee, WI and plan to reopen it as a Chinese megamall:

Coming to Milwaukee: A Chinese mega-mall?

I hope it does better than the world's largest megamall in Dongguan, where it has become a ghost town!!

Subways of Shanghai

2010-02-06T07:27:00.003+08:00

A friend from China, and former co-worker with Pennsylvania House Furniture, Steve, sent me a most interesting article about the subways of Shanghai. Seems they are experiencing such high volumes, that they have had to hire "shovers" to push passengers on board.

Check the photo and article here:

Shanghai metro hires people to shove commuters into trains

All things are crowded in China, but this must even put all things to an extreme. Glad I don't have that commute!

Traffic in Dongguan

2010-01-19T02:24:00.002+08:00

One of the things I do not miss about China, is the traffic and particularly crossing streets as a pedestrian!

I often wrote in this blog, while I was in China, that riding and crossing roads was always a unique experience. Pedestrians have NO right of way, and the rules for right-of-way for cars is more than a little vague to a Westerner. There are few if any STOP signs..... not that they would be observed anyway! One only observes that the biggest and/or bravest gets the right-of-way.

Seeing this video so reminds me of that fact. Watch the black van on the right try to get across the intersection, and watch the bicycles and pedestrians crossing the road. All just have to learn some good timing to cross along with a lot of bravado!

Books on China

2009-12-24T23:03:00.003+08:00

I've often mentioned how I admire the China Law Blog. The author, Dan Harris recently was asked to give Forbes his Top 10 books about China. The article is a great resource to the books that are best for anyone working, visiting, or interested in China.

I particularly like his comments about his #1 book: Lost on Planet China: The Strange and True Story of One Man's Attempt to Understand the World's Most Mystifying Nation or How He Became Comfortable Eating Live Squid by J. Maarten Troost. As Dan says in the Forbes article: "If you still want to go to China after reading this book, you are ready to move on to the next book." When I gave that very book to a friend, I wrote in the cover "to not let his wife read the book, if he ever wanted her to visit China with him." The book is really that straightforward and right on about the tough and difficult aspects you encounter when you visit The Middle Kingdom, including people constantly clearing their throats and lungs anywhere, deadly haze of smog everywhere, and smell of urine in places like the gatehouses of The Great Wall and other visitor venues. If you are thinking of visiting China, Lost on Planet China is a must read to prepare you, .... at least, some anyway. BTW, it's definitely my #1 book on China too!

Miscellaneous Notes

2009-12-21T08:18:00.002+08:00

Guangdong Province to soon have new world records:

Construction began this past week on the world's largest sea bridge to connect Hong Kong with the Guangdong province.

The world's fastest train starts service from Guangzhou to Wuhan in Central China on December 26. The bullet train is expected to hit speeds of almost 400 km/hr. The current 10 1/2 hour journey will now only take 3 hours.

In other news from China:

Asian Games will be in Guangdong Province next year. Land fights are erupting with developers where encroaching with villagers.

Migrant workers number up to 170 million, and are now demanding more rights.

In a recent NPR broadcast, the move of furniture manufacturing from North Carolina to southern China was highlighted. The news seems a little old now, but does relate the recent decline in exports and fewer jobs due to the US recession.

In a completely different issue and around the globe in Spain, new efforts to encourage organ donation, has catapulted the country to the highest rates of donation in the world.

Tidbits of Interest

2009-12-14T04:10:00.002+08:00

Some interesting recent observations:

China uncertain about limiting growth in golf.

Hundreds of workers between two competing firms clashed recently in the Guangdong Province. Twenty-six were injured.

Five workers were killed and three more injured in a blast in Zhongshan city of Guangdong. Workers had been installing new spray painting equipment.

Something that doesn't surprise me at all, because I was already seeing the growth surge before I left China - Annual auto sales in China have already exceeded US sales.

Surgeons have developed ways to use cancerous kidneys in transplants without affecting recipients.

China is setting up a "wait list" for renal suffers in need of a kidney transplant.

HSBC Champions Tournament

2009-11-08T06:35:00.004+08:00

Its been great the last couple of days watching the HSBC Champions Tournament from the Shanghai area. The Shenshan International Golf Club reminds me of golf in China. Some of my best time in China was on the links at the Dongguan Hillview Golf Club, with my good golfing buddies Lucas, Leon, and Mitchell.

But I am reminiscing, and I really meant to focus on HSBC. The Golf Channel is showing the tournament on a time delay (not too many viewers probably want to watch in the middle of the night). And they are even repeating several times in the course of the day.

The Shenshan course looks much like Hillview, although not with Hillview's tall berms surrounding the greens for viewing. Amazingly, Shenshan, it is said, edged Hillview for the HSBC Tournament several years ago. Hillview would probably be better for spectators, but probably not long enough to be a challenge to Tiger and others.

Speaking of which, Tiger is challenging. Phil took the lead today, so tomorrow should be very interesting with two of the world's best vying for the win.

Try to catch some of the tournament if you can. And check the homes around the course. In true Chinese spirit, the homes are impressive. A few links to see online:

HSBC Champions Golf Tournament website
Shenshan International website - be sure to put in English and go to the photo gallery to see the course and homes!
Dongguan Hillview Golf Club

More News from Dongguan

2009-10-30T23:22:00.002+08:00

Reports continue to come out that fewer workers are returning to southern China as economy improves. More are remaining in hometowns, creating shortages for some companies increasing production.

The Financial Times reports conflicting information on wages in the Guangdong Province. One estimate reports wages increasing 19-38 percent in the first quarter. But other sources claim they "see the opposite."

In an interesting twist, The People's Daily, the main newspaper of the Communist Party of China, is claiming Google is censoring some of their content. It has usually been the other way around!

It's Halloween season, and that means some big parties in Dongguan! Hollywood Baby Too and One for The Road will both be having special events. It's definitely one of the biggest party nights of the year. And also a little strange to see locals trying to understand why foreigners dress up in very weird costumes.

In some news, not related to Dongguan, more patients with failing kidneys are going straight to transplant and foregoing dialysis. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a transplant before having to start dialysis. I have now been on peritoneal dialysis for one year, and on the wait list for a transplant for 3 1/2 years.

Dongguan News

2009-10-28T05:17:00.003+08:00

Interesting tidbits of news from Dongguan recently:

Officials are probing reports of illegal racing in the streets of Dongguan late in the night; complete with betting.
In a report of particular interest to me - reports of a black market for kidneys in Dongguan and other parts of China has surfaced with more details
A Dongguan resident got stuck in an elevator in a hotel in Guanzhou and called his wife. He later stated: "I should have called the police." (Think he caught some grief over that statement?)

The Last 60 Years

2009-09-28T23:27:00.003+08:00

I just came across a very interesting post at the Financial Times website. They have put together the key moments in recent history of China with a timeline and photos:
Time Line at the Financial Times

It's a great way to see how history has unfolded since Mao Zedong took over leadership 60 years ago this Thursday, October 1 - National Day in the People's Republic of China.

From China Recently

2009-08-08T22:36:00.002+08:00

News items of interests from Dongguan and China recently include labor unrest, arrests of politicians, and cultural shifts.

Dongguan reported job losses of 10 percent during the global recession. Exports are down 24 percent in the heavily industrialized city.

The higher unemployment has continued to raise labor issues:

Politicians in Guangdong Province and China are having problems of their own:

In one cultural shift, parents are now preferring their offspring are daughters. The glut of boys has caused need for more girls and is even economic considerations are being blamed.

In odd news, an old Chinese couple in Tanxia Township of Dongguan, is complaining about a neighbor girl that wears no clothes in her home with the blinds open.

You just never know.

Cat is a "Winter Dish"

2009-07-27T00:01:00.003+08:00

Well, that's what the article says: "We don't serve cat in the summer time. It's more of a winter dish."

Click here to read the whole article. It seems there is a backlash against cat as a dish in China. But in the meantime, you can still buy cat in the markets.

Good Economic News

2009-07-22T03:58:00.003+08:00

There is some good economic news coming out of Guangdong recently, for a change:

Many factories closed previously during the recession have reopened in Guangdong. Of 1000 closed textile factories, over 700 have reopened.

Employee demand increased 15% in May and 10% in June for Guangzhou and Dongguan. The only drawback is that due to so many migrant workers going back to their homes during the downturn, there are not enough available workers now for the openings.

A very large steel plant has announced it is starting construction in Dongguan City to open in 2010.

Unfortunately, ethnic tensions remain high in China, but is primarily focused in the western province of Xinjiang.

Seen in the News in China

2009-07-08T03:30:00.004+08:00

News from China continues to be grim and concerning:

Number of cases of swine flu continues to climb. Over 60 cases of H1N1 recently reported in Macao.

The "great firewall of China" seems to be strengthening. Reports of blockage are up, and blogs I've often read are "unavailable".

One blog did have an interesting if not bizarre story of the writers encounter of a knife fight at a Dongguan bus station, where the police did little to instigate things to a riot, but at the same time let the knife-wielding attackers leave without arrest, even though one person was visibly victimized and bleeding.

A recent fight at a toy factory in Guangdong has been blamed for the rioting in the Xinjiang province, thousands of miles away.

That riot in Xinjiang grew so violent last Sunday, that 140 have reportedly died from the conflict. The conflict involves Muslims in the western province of China.

Be careful over there my friends!

2009-06-27T21:07:00.008+08:00

Happy 3rd Anniversary to One for the Road!

Entrance to One for the Road on Grand Opening Day three years ago!

Bar gets crowded at Grand Opening of OFTR!

Original scene outdoors at OFTR!

In the News from China

2009-06-22T22:08:00.003+08:00

Contrary to most opinion, China does seem to try to get ahead of trends, even when related to the environment. Shenzhen is currently considering subsidies for buyers of hybrid vehicles.

Weather conditions have been particularly difficult in Guangdong province lately:

Speaking of cars, traffic was halted on a major highway recently in Jiangxi province by furniture dealers, protesting a proposed tax crackdown.

And a Chinese worker in Dongguan, recently stabbed and killed two of his Taiwanese employers last week.

Be careful over there!

Furniture Factory Blues

2009-06-22T22:05:00.002+08:00

Mike, a good friend from my days with Pennsylvania House Furniture, sent me an interesting video the other day: Furniture Factory Blues. (Click on the title to the left to go to the YouTube video). It relates pretty well, whether ya worked in a factory in Galax, Pennsylvania, or anywhere else.

Seen in Guangdong News

2009-06-08T20:13:00.003+08:00

Travel Channel in Asia (Forget Seville)

2009-05-28T01:47:00.005+08:00

Ahhhh!! ...... It's Samantha Brown climbing to the top of the Cathedral of Seville again! I feel like I'm stuck in a rerun of Groundhog Day!

But I look outside, and I'm in North Carolina. It's not Dongguan this time! What's going on?

Okay, it was just a local rerun of Samantha Brown's visit to Seville on Travel Channel. Unfortunately, that's the same show I saw over a hundred times while living in China. It was the default show whenever the China censors didn't like the ABC Evening News broadcast. Which was frequent!

But I have enjoyed a couple of other Travel Channel shows in particular recently. The best is Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods. He travels the world and tries everything and anything. Recently, I caught reruns of his shows from Guangzhou, Taiwan, Thailand, and Asia. Wow! It had me downright wanting some of those local specialties, like black chicken, duck tongue, tofu, and tea. ............Okay, maybe not the tofu.

I didn't get to where I loved the foods of Asia, but I certainly enjoyed the foods. The adventurous nature in the choices, the spices, and the settings were all great. And Andrew explores them well. He even visits the Guangzhou Reasturant where our company dined on a business trip to the city. And the fresh chicken with the yellow skin looks exactly like that I had almost daily from our company chefs.

The shows get rerun often, so set your DVR and travel from your home to these special locales in Asia. The Guangzhou show is next on June 8 at 2 PM EDT. Catch it if you can, and just think of me sitting there being served all the same "bizarre foods".

From 30 Rock: Kidney Now !

2009-05-16T22:57:00.003+08:00

And I must make mention of the hilarious skit and song on 30 Rock's season ending show last Thursday night. The song "Kidney Now" parodied "We Are the World", and included many top singers, including Sheryl Crow, Cindi Lauper, Clay Aiken, and Michael McDonald. (Info on the show and the song available here.)

But the song still made a point about the importance of kidney donation. And the proceeds generated from sales of the video on iTunes are being provided to the National Kidney Foundation.

The full show is available here (song is near the end).

Nice touch!

Interesting Book Published: Larry's Kidney

2009-05-16T22:16:00.005+08:00

I just got word about a most interesting titled book that has me doubly interested. The title is Larry's Kidney: Being the True Story of How I Found Myself in China with My Black Sheep Cousin and His Mail-Order Bride, Skirting the Law to Get Him a Transplant -- And Save His Life. (Some background on the book can be found here.)

I said "doubly", because first, I lived in China for three years, and two, now need a new kidney myself. And while in China, I contemplated purchasing a kidney, and even visited a hospital there. But I couldn't go through with it, and in fact it is against the law to transplant a foreigner, so this author went through some interesting actions to get the kidney for his cousin.

The book is available on Amazon. Search Larry's Kidney. Or click here (it might work, if I set it up right).

This Week in China

2009-05-16T22:04:00.002+08:00

In gathering news from China this week, I came across some interesting developments (as usual, a click on the underlined italized note will take you to the original article):

Police arrested someone behind a bomb blast in the Humen section of Dongguan that injured 14 people. The man confessed that he was taking revenge on society!??!

Home prices around Dongguan have plummeted over 30% since the end of 2007. The drop has followed the US housing woes, and many online chat blogs are encouraging people to not buy homes for six months in hopes that prices will fall further!??!

A ban on pole dancing in bars and clubs in Dongguan was not enacted, as originally feared. I don't remember such activity and sure didn't know there was a need for concern!!

In the News - Guangdong & Dongguan

2009-05-09T22:50:00.003+08:00

The government is taking action on kidnappings of youngsters, particularly around Guangdong. Bold claims are that "child abduction will be ended" to stop the actions often by criminal gangs.

Pork is falling in price, over H1N1 fears, and an oversupply created in the last few years.

A Las Vegas court has convicted several Chinese for embellizing from the Bank of China, after fleeing Guangdong eight years ago. The scheme started in 1991, and continued after the participants came to the US. They have been ordered restitution of $482 million.

And in a scary development, a factory manager in the Zhuhai village of Guangdong, released hundreds of snakes for religious purposes. Villagers had to organize to kill over 200 of the reptiles combing trees and roads!

Guangdong Retains CBA Championship

2009-05-09T22:37:00.003+08:00

The Guangdong Tigers won the CBA Championship 4-1 with a 106-95 victory in the deciding game in Dongguan in early May. It is the fifth time in six seasons that the Guangdong team has captured the national basketball title in China. Several former NCAA athletes play in the league, including Smush Parker, formerly of Fordham and the Denver Nuggets.

Congratulations to the Tigers! One of my biggest regrets is not getting to see a CBA game while I was in China.

Hooters to Open in Dongguan

2009-04-30T22:47:00.003+08:00

I just read where a Hooters is opening in Dongguan! (Click here for more detail from HERE! Dongguan) Unbelievable!

Shanghai and Beijing have had them for a couple of years. I guess Dongguan is the next big market. I just don't know where they will find girls that can work there!!??!!

Of course, I would never visit such a place..........................

Pandemic Alert Status Raised in Hong Kong

2009-04-27T20:27:00.002+08:00

The Hong Kong government has raised the alert for a Influenza Pandemic from "alert" to "serious" in response to the swine flu cases reported in Mexico and US. Since the SARS epidemic of several years ago and the bird flu cases in SE Asia from time to time, this is no surprise. The level is frequently changed and precautions increased accordingly. It's a safe move for everyone.

My friends in the area, can keep abreast of the situation more closely by following the Hong Kong site by clicking here.

Stay safe!

From Dongguan

2009-04-25T20:53:00.004+08:00

It's St. Georges Day, and One for the Road is celebrating:

St. Georges Night Party at One for the Road

Wish I was there to celebrate! I'll have to look for photos at Here's Dongguan!

Dongguan Tigers have won there opening game in the CBA playoffs:

Guangdong Takes Opening Win in CBA League Finals

Several former NBA players on the team.

An enterprising noodle restaurant has gained attention with a new promotion:

Restaurant Issues Noodle Eating Challenge

Such good noodles in China!

And in other China news, new nuclear plants are still popular in China:

China to Build Five New Nuclear Plants This Year

Got to stay ahead of that need for growth with electricity!

In the News in China

2009-04-20T20:25:00.003+08:00

Jackie Chan stirred up a lot of controversy in China this past week. Of course, most Chinese probably never heard anything. I think this blog writer said it all best in his post:

Jackie Chan does the Orientalist Thing

There also has been a lot of publicity (internationally anyway) about kidnapping of boys in China. It seems to have prompted by the desire for boys in a family, but causing some families to resort to kidnapping for a boy to avert the strict "one child" policy. Two reports:

From NBC News:

I Didn't Look After My Child

And from recent activities in China to publicize the situation:

Parents of Kidnapped Children Take to the Streets in Dongguan

Some encouraging news, albeit only that is is not as bad as a month earlier:

Exports fall by 20% in February, versus fall of 31% in January.

Breaking News

2009-04-01T21:54:00.002+08:00

President Obama has just accepted an invitation from Hu Jintao to visit China in the second half of 2009!

That will certainly prompt some new efforts by China to showcase the country to the world again. I wonder if it will attempt to clean the air prior to his visit. Or build new facilities, as prompted by the Olympics.

Kidnapping & Extortion on Rise in China

2009-04-01T21:42:00.003+08:00

I see two reports today from US State Department warning Americans doing business or traveling in China, that there is an increase in kidnappings for extortion. As the US Consulate General in Hong Kong puts it (in newsletter release of April 1):

Recently, incidents of foreign businesspeople, including American citizens, being detained against their will by workers or hired gangs for the specific purpose of extorting money or to intimidate have increased. Typically, the foreigner is threatened with violence and detained at a factory, hotel, or private residence until payment is negotiated and delivered. Sometimes the foreigner is physically assaulted or abducted.

Typically, China has been a relatively safe place for foreigners. This type activity has been more common in South America. It's sad to see it reaching to Asia now.

Be careful my friends!

Post-Chinese New Year Business Blues

2009-03-25T23:25:00.002+08:00

Since Chinese New Year, factories, government, and employees continue to struggle for survival in Dongguan:

Thousands of migrants apply for only a few jobs at labor market

Factories use emails and other tactics to solicit new needed business

Labor unions vow to maintain jobs for workers

China government takes efforts to maintain "social stability"

Post Olympics Beijing

2009-03-09T06:43:00.002+08:00

It's been a tough few weeks of news about Beijing:

First, fireworks for the Chinese New Year, burned the towering new Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Fortunately, it hadn't opened yet. One firefighter was killed. But what a fire! Incredible video and story here.

Now this week, NBC reported on post Olympics Beijing being overbuilt (over 100 million square feet of vacant office space), and struggling to find uses for the Water Cube and Stadium.

But I'm not finding any news about the pollution since the Olympics.

HIllview in Golf Magazine

2009-02-10T03:52:00.003+08:00

I was waiting in one of those tiny patient rooms for a doctor today. I have to do that way too much with my health issues. At least they had one old ragged issue of Golf magazine in the rack!

I flipped it open to one of the first pages and there before me was a double spread picture that seemed vaguely familiar. It was a golf course and scene I recognized! Reading the caption block, it said it was golfers at the Dongguan Hillview Golf Club, teed up at night, and in the rain! By golly, I've done that there!! Its the Hillview!!!

How had I not heard about this mention, ............ in Golf magazine no less. (For those looking to find it, it was the September 2008 issue, and close to the front in the Teeing Off section.)

But the caption went on to mention that "Rumor has it they have great General Tso's chicken at the halfway house." ........Huh? First off, General Tso's chicken is one of those Americanized dishes called Chinese. I don't think you can get chicken that sweet anywhere in China. And as for food at a halfway house, good luck with that too. All I ever saw were bananas, apples, and chocolate bars. You could get some good dishes in the clubhouse, but not at any halfway house at Hillview. Not when I played there! Great golf, but not great on food. But watch out if you want to try the night golf - it's impossible to read greens, and mosquitos are worse than ever then!

The Year of the Ox

2009-01-24T03:26:00.004+08:00

Tis the New Year.............. Chinese New Year anyway!

I'm sure celebrations are in full swing across most of Asia now for the Year of the Ox. I guess January 26 is the official date of the Lunar New Year. But the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is celebrated for several weeks. Xinhua News Agency of China has documented many of the celebrations here.

In other news from Guangdong and Dongguan:

Nearly 1,000 toy exporters shut down in S China in 2008

One China city has banned web users from posting about officials

And here is some great warnings about joint ventures in China

With a key feature article about joint ventures here.

恭喜發財 (Kung Hei Fat Choy) / Wish you a prosperous new year

Internet, Gambling, Fake Yuan, and The Economy

2009-01-11T10:36:00.004+08:00

Headlines from this week:

You can't read everything in China. Government crackdown of websites has been expanded again, and has even included MSN!

Guangdong officials have been punished for gambling almost $3M in government funds.

Fake 100 Yuan notes are being circulated in Guangdong.

Economy good for one law firm in China anyway. Read about that here.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Dongguan News Bits

2009-01-09T04:13:00.002+08:00

News from Dongguan:

Export growth in China only grew 5.2% in 2008, after growth of over 20% in the prior year!

Migrant workers head home for Chinese New Year, and many not expected to return to industrial cities.

More Trouble in Dongguan

2008-12-20T04:50:00.000+08:00

News of more trouble is again coming out of Dongguan:

Protesting China Workers in Standoff with Police

While economy continues to suffer:

China Says Investment in Assets Slows in November

And more of the same from the New York Times:

After 30 Years, Economic Perils on China's Path

The Chinese New Year is fast approaching. The Year of the Ox will begin January 26. This is almost two weeks earlier than last year, when severe winter storms crippled the nation as migrant workers were attempting to go home for the holiday. With an earlier date, and bad economic times, the potential exists for more unrests and disruption. Many workers will be looking to get paychecks to go home for the holiday. If more factories are closing and/or laying off workers and pay is not forthcoming, there could be many more similar incidents to the suitcase factory or recent toy factory unrest.

Dongguan Mall News

2008-12-20T04:40:00.003+08:00

The South China Mall in Dongguan remains the world's largest mall. The top 10 malls recently recorded as:

South China Mall , Dongguan, China - 660,000 sq-m
Golden Resources Shopping Mall, Beijing, China - 560,000 sq-m
SM City Edsa North, Manila, Philippines - 425,000 sq-m
Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines - 386,000 sq-m
Dubai Mall, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 350,000 sq-m
West Edmonton Mall, Alberta, Canada - 350,000 sq-m
Cevahir Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey - 348,000 sq-m
SM Megal Mall, Manila, Philippines - 332,000 sq-m
Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 320,000 sq-m
Beijing Mall, Beijing, China - 320,000 sq-m

(Conversion to square feet = multiply sq m by 10.764)

The third place mall in the Phillipines just expanded, but it still is only 2/3 the size of the South China Mall. See ABC News feature on the new mall here.

Of course, I still don't think that means that the South China Mall is occupied. When I was last there, it probably wasn't a tenth occupied. The place was mostly a ghost town.

I've even heard from my friends at Dongguan's One for the Road pub, that some entrepeneurs have opened a go kart race inside the Mall. It may be in a parking area, but I'm sure there was plenty of free space. In fact, they track has been so successful they were planning to open a second connect floor. That should make it rather exciting. One for the Road management can give more assistance.

Recent Headlines & News from Dongguan

2008-12-13T22:46:00.004+08:00

Economic conditions continue to be the headliner of most news from China. Leaders concerned with possible unrest are acting to support businesses, but not necessarily individuals. Some leaders are even protesting.

China helps capital-thirsty small businesses tide over difficulties

China boomtown withers as Buyers push workers rights

Factory owners protest in China

Beijing bails out exporters, but not golf caddies

Job market for college graduates is just as bleak in Asia as in America:

Job market tough for university grads in China

But even though caddies may be getting laid off at Mission Hills, the club still garners awards:

Mission Hills a multiple winner at Asia Golf Monthly Awards

Riots in Dongguan

2008-11-27T22:29:00.003+08:00

I recently wrote that unemployment could easily lead to unrest in China. New reports indicate that has already started:

Workers Riot at Toy Factory in Dongguan

Be careful over there my friends!

Dongguan & Guangdong in the News

2008-11-11T04:05:00.006+08:00

Recent news has not been kind to Dongguan & the Guangdong Province:

Two Chinese Factories Close; 7,000 Workers Fired

China's Worst Nightmare: Unemployment

And even from CBS's 60 Minutes: Following the Trail of Toxic E-Waste

Maybe China's actions today will help:

From ABC News: China Announces $586B Economic Stimulus Package

Time to Fix the Heart

2008-09-28T09:23:00.005+08:00

For more info and to stay up with my procedures over the next week, I'll have more posted at GeneBryson CarePages.

Wow! I Always Thought Dongguan was Big

2008-09-09T01:52:00.002+08:00

For the three years I lived in Dongguan, I always thought it was big, but I'm just now getting some confirmation. It is in fact bigger than I really thought! Population figures vary, but I have to really believe this from About.com, estimating at 6.5 million people!!

But it probably is even more! The counting of migrant workers is always tricky. China doesn't count the migrant workers in official population of a city. They are still counted in their home city. This blog probably pegged it right at 5.2 million regular residents and 1.7 migrant workers for a total of 6.9 million people! That's almost the size of Hong Kong!

Post Olympics Notes

2008-08-31T20:51:00.003+08:00

And now some info following the Olympics:

Edit any bullet above to go direct to the original post.

Qingdao Olympic Update on China Law Bolg

2008-08-20T05:46:00.003+08:00

Another great post on China Law Blog - this time about way the Chinese are conducting sailing events in Qingdao. Steve's perspective from a local expat highlights some of the issues while still keeping a positive outlook for the future of China. Enjoy

In the News (In China Anyway)

2008-07-27T02:17:00.004+08:00

Interesting news readings from China:

Dongguan & Guangdong continue to suffer from influences not making it so attractive to manufacturers. Is it an "industrial downsizing"? This article from US News & World Report eyes the difficulties of manufacture in the "world's factory floor".

Of course, Olympics coverage is increasing now with the Olympics in only two weeks. But coverage by the media seems to be the first real topic of many authors. Here the Associated Press outlines its frustrations and the difficulties of the media in operating in China. (They could have asked many bloggers on what to expect long ago.)

Did everyone see the stampede to get the last Olympic venue tickets? Here is one good account of the situation.

And here is a great blog report by The Peking Duck, actually trying to get some of the last Olympic tickets. It reminded me of so many of my frustrations in China trying to get information and queing.

Beijing has even setup a courthouse specifically for the Olympics. Not exactly what you would expect for The Games. But for China, I am sure they think it makes perfect sense.

And last, Labron James to play for Guangdong Tigers? ............ Okay this ones a satire on the movmement of basketball players. But with the money coming into China now, this could become a reality.

[Be sure to visit www.abrysoninchina.blogspot.com to link directly to the articles above.]

No Dog Next Month

2008-07-11T21:15:00.003+08:00

In an effort to not offend visitors, Beijing is ordering that dog meat be removed from menus for the next month, through the Olympics. Note that the article goes on to say that there was no mention about the often offered donkey meat.

I wonder if some of the other foods available in Beijing will continue to be offered for the next few months. See this slide show of treats.

South China Mall Never Quite Made It

2008-06-22T03:18:00.003+08:00

All developments do not succeed in China: Read this recent posting about the South China Mall in Dongguan.

China News

2008-06-18T05:37:00.003+08:00

I also have to mention a couple of other interesting posts:

A City Full of Scandals is about Dongguan and some of the unusual recent government regulations.

Blog with care in China.

Olympics Info

2008-06-18T05:32:00.003+08:00

Many people ask me about the upcoming Beijing Olympics. Two recent articles I have come across shed more light on the issue:

First read about how Beijing is trying to orchestrate the event in more ways than one.

Then, read about how blogging may be impacted. And note, that I was never able to access this very blog while in China, but I could previously post through blogger.com as it mentions.

It is definitely going to be an interesting event to watch, in more ways than sports alone.

In Dongguan Times

2008-05-24T04:00:00.001+08:00

Interesting post on earthquake:

Earthquake diaries in the Dongguan Times

Noteworthy Postings

2008-05-13T08:52:00.003+08:00

Very good recent posts on other China blogs:

China's Earthquake: How You Can Help on The China Law Blog

Bear-Baiting China at The Opposite End of China

Autonomy & Harmony at The Opposite End of China

Enjoy!

Taking Every Advantage

2008-05-13T08:44:00.002+08:00

Notice how many oncoming cars are across the double yellow line and taking every advantage possible to get down the lane.

Rules of Driving in China

2008-05-10T23:55:00.001+08:00

It seems so odd now to drive on calm roads. I saw someone crossing along a road the other day, and it made me think about all the “froggers” criss-crossing highways and streets at all times in China. It was always like driving through an obstacle course. Here in the US, it is like a calm stroll in the park.

A friend in China once told me about a video driving game where the challenge was to pass through different countries of the world. The toughest was China, because it suddenly had people crossing the street and cars driving in every direction. That is a pretty good representation of how it is there.

I was recently told they have two rules in China about driving:

Do not hit anything or anyone
Do not get hit by anything or anyone

Anything else is pretty well free game. In fact, I am convinced after three years of riding the roads and watching, that the Chinese will take any opportunity for gain in driving. If a shoulder is drivable, drive on it. If you can get through an intersection without getting hit or tracked by a camera, running a red light is okay. (Thankfully, they put up more cameras!)

The Asian driver just has an entirely different attitude toward driving. My friends at Here Dongguan summed it up best in an analogy a few months ago: If a Westerner on a two lane road goes around a blind curve and is met by two cars coming at him in both lanes, he freaks out and brakes to get off the road. If an Asian meets the same situation, he veers over to let the cars pass and continues along driving on the shoulder.

I have had that exact situation time and time again in the backroads of Thailand. And it is just amazing. Cars just continue to pass, and everyone just makes way and keeps on moving without a care in the world. I am usually in the floorboard scared to look!

In China, it was not uncommon to have cars coming at you down the wrong way of a street or highway. Motorcycles used any lane or passageway, and frequently drove the wrong way down the inside lane to get ahead.

All the while, Chinese just “usually” obey the two rules, keep moving, and avoid each other without a care in the world.

Me, I am glad to be back on American soil driving in the right lane without the “froggers’ and cars going the wrong direction.

A Bryson in North Carolina

2008-05-05T00:21:00.000+08:00

Wow! The sky is blue! I haven’t seen so much blue in a long time.

That is at least one great benefit to being back in North Carolina. Certainly, I miss a lot in Dongguan. But fresh air and blue skies make it a little easier.

I am back in High Point. It’s a fresh new start in the upholstery industry for Decca. The plane ride was long…………. As usual. At least I got an upgrade to Business Class. That made it much more fathomable. But 15 hours is a long time, no matter what. And the total time from door to door was closer to 30 hours. It takes a toll on the body.

So, for now I am a Bryson in North Carolina again. It’s good to be back.

I don’t know how much longer I will maintain abrysoninchina. There will probably be a couple of more posts, but not nearly as many. I hope you’ve enjoyed. This has been a lot of fun and at times made a lot of difference in my survival of the Far East.

My thanks to all my wonderful friends, both at home and afar.

2008-04-30T18:01:00.002+08:00

With the girls of Decca Furniture

Farewell Decca Dinner at Pousthouse

2008-04-30T17:24:00.004+08:00

I never thought I would find a family here. I found two.

When I left out of the USA three years ago, I figured this would be a good job for a couple of years. Little did I know that I would love the work, the company, and even the country of China. Maybe my expectations were low. Never did I expect to find that in China I would come to love my company and the company of my friends in Dongguan.

Last night, I had the chance to share some of that love with my closest associates from Decca Furniture. They threw me a Farewell Dinner at my favorite haunt, the Pousthouse Restaurant in Nancheng area of Dongguan City. Almost 40 associates piled into the Decca buses to ride to the city for a evening of good food and fun together.

More of the unexpected, was the norm. I knew the dinner would be good, but I didn’t expect the champagne and frivolity. They even coaxed me into singing a few songs. ………. Not so sure that was a good idea. But they seemed to enjoy.

I have worked for too many companies in my career. I never expected that I would find a family atmosphere in a company in China. We have that here at Decca. We do things together. We eat together. And we work hard together. It is a family. And a great one to have been a part of for three years.

I will miss it all deeply. At least I know, that I am not leaving the family. I am just going to be apart for a while. And I know I will return.

Photos of the party and dinner can be accessed by clicking here. Enjoy!

2008-04-30T07:41:00.000+08:00

With the guys of Decca Furniture at Farewell Dinner at Pousthouse

2008-04-30T07:29:00.000+08:00

Me, singing at the Decca Farewell Dinner at Pousthouse. Scary, huh?

One Last Foot Massage

2008-04-29T17:48:00.004+08:00

Nothing like one last foot massage at the Global in Dongguan. Now where am I gonna find massages like this in NC for 40 rmb?

One Last OFTR Golf & Tepanyaki

2008-04-27T16:23:00.002+08:00

It’s been an odd week, as I prepare to return to the US. Leaving a place you have called home for three years is never easy. Having made great friends here and become very attached to this area, I feel a deep loss in my stomach about leaving it.

But there is also some pain in my body. The PKD is taking its toil, and my renal function is worsening. I need to get back to the US and get “active” status on the UNOS wait list. The prognosis is still not very good though. I could soon be on dialysis. My turn on the wait list is probably a couple of years away. It could be a painful couple of years.

I did raise enough strength to play golf with my friends at the One for the Road golf outing yesterday. It was great! Our team even won on my last round with the boys. The camaraderie and friendship there among the guys is greater than any I’ve ever been associated with. I’ll deeply miss the group and the monthly outings.

And we finished the night at the Kingpot Tepanyaki for a wonderful meal. The restaurant is one of the best. Andy is an incredible chef. A night there is like no other. And it’s certainly not like any typical knife-slinging Japanese steakhouse that rustles you in and out like cattle being fed at a trough. No, at the Kingpot a meal takes about 3 hours for the six or seven courses. And each one tops the last in flavor and experience.

It was a good day. I’m just sorry it was one of my last in Dongguan…………. But I will be back.

Chef Andy prepares banana flambé in right photo.

Don’t Rile the Chinese! ....... Or is it Too Late?

2008-04-23T19:12:00.001+08:00

It does look too late. The pride is so strong here that the recent events have caused a groundswell of patriotism unprecedented in my time in China. The demonstrations during the Torch Relay events have sparked the local Chinese to show their support of the Beijing Olympics and their solidarity over Tibet, and in condemnation of the worldwide media showing anti-Chinese leanings.

This past weekend demonstrations even made it to Dongguan. Many locals marched in the streets. Calls have gone out for boycotts of Carrefour a major French superstore chain with many locations in the country here. The boycotts may also extend to McDonald’s and KFC for unknown reasons.

I can’t speak to the fundamental causes of either side, but I am amazed at the local media. You get used to censors cutting newscasts when you live here. But for now, we rarely even get to see newscast at all. As I mentioned in my last posting, I have only “heard” ABC news on one day recently.

Instead, we certainly get the Chinese side in the story here. All the CCTV broadcast feature specials about the retributions in Tibet since the March riots. And features tout accomplishments and improvements to Tibet under China.

In one review today of the media reporting on the recent events, one guest made a slight defense of CNN and got promptly cutoff before completing his comments. He was attempting to note that the commentator’s comments that have gotten so much publicity were only rhetoric that gets leveled as easily against US interests in the same broadcast.

I don’t agree with public rhetoric used by the CNN commentator either, but I do accept that there are opposing views and like to hear all sides. The media should not be biased and should be more open to all views. It may be offensive from time to time, but at least it is heard. That is more than I can say in trying of much of the news here.

Hearing the ABC Evening News

2008-04-21T13:25:00.003+08:00

Well, I finally got to hear the ABC Evening News the other day! It was the first time since I returned. Only as you will see on the right, I only got to "hear" the News. Either someone forgot to turn off the picture and open the full feed from the US, or China didn't want us to see all the broadcast. Few broadcast from the outside are getting through the filters right now. If they do, they are frequently interrupted.

China after 30 Hours

2008-04-14T17:33:00.000+08:00

Man, 30 hours is a long time. I never get used to that long flight over here. And being crammed up against a bulkhead sure didn’t help me yesterday.

But I am back in China now. I’m not quite sure what time of day it is here, but I saw the sun shining. That is a good thing here anytime of the year.

So back here for a last three weeks. I’m sure it will be more later, but this is my last official weeks for the near future. It really seems odd, but I’m glad I’m here to enjoy it for now.

More later.

It's National Kidney Month

2008-03-29T22:24:00.002+08:00

This month is National Kidney Month. I have Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). It affects 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million children and adults, worldwide. There is no treatment or cure, but there is hope. Read more about this at PKD Foundation.