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Practical Beijing

After three months, I have figured out how to get most of the essential bits –for my conception of “living well”– in place. I can buy food; I can buy office supplies; I can mail things; I have a Western gym; I can re-charge my subway card. I’ve decided to record some of this in [...]

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Posted December 30th, 2009 - 8:39 pm by maria
Categories china

Some forward momentum

So there’s been some progress, as can be noted by my and our general absence from this blog. First, my IFC (International Festival Chorus) Messiah concert has been postponed until the 19th of December. Apparently they’ve been having more and more problems getting government approval to perform Handel’s Messiah in a public venue, and it [...]

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Posted December 6th, 2009 - 9:57 pm by sean
Categories china
Tags apartment, Connections Bar & Grill, family, movies, rambling

Seoul Photos

Seoul was lovely, though we both thought it looked very much like any major city in the US, specifically San Francisco. By the time our trip was over, we were calling it San Francisco. We were quite lucky with the weather, which was gorgeous. A funny story though, we had trouble finding trash cans while [...]

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Posted November 26th, 2009 - 12:53 pm by sean
Categories photo albums

Onward to Seoul!

Having successfully hopped, skipped, and jumped over to Korea for the sake of sorting out our visas, I thought I’d put down some of my thoughts on the entire process and Korea in general. 1) Everything’s expensive there, basically the same price as in the US, but in won, which makes everything looks horribly expensive [...]

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Posted November 26th, 2009 - 12:42 pm by sean
Categories china,reference
Tags funeral, reference, Seoul, tips, travel, visas

“Your Chinese visa…”…is expired!

So we have been in the country for 54 days now; our 60 day tourist visa (“L”) will expire next Saturday. We have to leave the country by next Saturday. Although there’s actually a little give on this if you overstay your visa; apparently it’s a $40.00 per day fine, but if it’s just a [...]

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Posted November 15th, 2009 - 7:40 pm by sean
Categories china
Tags adventure, bureaucracy, visas

First Snow in Beijing

It was an early snowfall this year. Apparently it’s good fortune. If it snows in November, it means the next years harvest will be bountiful, or something like that. It came on real fast, completely out of the blue. Incidentally, the mosquitoes are quite hearty and are STILL around somehow. And it looks like it’s [...]

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Posted November 8th, 2009 - 2:42 am by sean
Categories china,photo albums

Sick, Weather, IFC, Maria Runs, Updates

(Sick) So I’m sick, and have been for a few days. And I realize now that a good many of my blog posts begins with the word “So.” I wonder why that is…But I think it’s the weather. (Weather) It was like this when I was in New York; as the seasons noticeably change, I [...]

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Posted November 8th, 2009 - 2:26 am by sean
Categories china
Tags apartment, Connections Bar & Grill, International Festival Chorus, renovations, running, sick, snow

How NOT to make a burger

Ingredients: 200 g (.46 lbs) extra-lean hamburger patty, pre-formed, individually-wrapped 1 sesame bun, preferably frozen Shredded white “cheese” “Pickles,” otherwise known as ZhaCai, literally “Pressed Vegetables” (no dill was harmed in the making of this pickle) Garnish: 1 lettuce leaf, sliced tomatoes and onions Seasoning: Salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, red cooking wine, cooking oil Equipment: [...]

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Posted November 4th, 2009 - 3:15 pm by sean
Categories china
Tags business, Connections Bar & Grill, food

Observations on the Chinese legal world, which now apparently includes me

This post consists of rambling observations on 1) Chinese law and Chinese lawyers, 2) Maria’s fascinating work in Beijing that she doesn’t regret at all getting snookered into accepting, and 3) Maria’s disinclination to work (“I have a plan, and this isn’t part of it!”). Shortly after arriving in Beijing, I responded to an ad [...]

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Posted November 1st, 2009 - 11:40 pm by maria
Categories china
Tags business, china, Chinese people, lawyers, rambling, rant

Owning a Restaurant in Beijing

I don’t actually have time to blog, neither does Maria, but I figured I should try to say something about what’s been going on, and I’ll leave it to her to tell about all that’s going on with her later, if she feels like it. So I now own a restaurant! I am the general [...]

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Posted October 29th, 2009 - 1:20 pm by sean
Categories Uncategorized
Tags business, Connections Bar & Grill, food, FTC, FTC Art/Gen-Next, PDL

Tsinghua and Beida

These photos were taken when we first went to visit the two campuses. Maria had arranged to sit in on some of the classes at both schools, and we wanted to be sure we knew where she had to go. It was also on the way to ZhongGuanCun where we tried and failed to purchase [...]

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Posted October 21st, 2009 - 1:42 am by sean
Categories photo albums

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Milestones

April 28, 2012 - S. and M. go date tasting
April 1, 2012 - M. runs Half Marathon of the Harbors
March 25, 2012 - M. runs Paso Robles Wine Country Half Marathon
February 17, 2012 - S. switches to full time w/ SM
January 21, 2012 - Lark is born
January 16, 2012 - Ashley Furniture gets delivered
January 7, 2012 - M. runs Irvine Half Marathon
December 28, 2011 - M. starts new clerkship!
December 26, 2011 - Move in to BHT
December 16, 2011 - Christmas in OH
December 11, 2011 - M. sets new PR of 1:56:26 at the Oxnard Santa to the Sea Half Marathon
November 15, 2011 - S. starts remote job w/ SM
November 13, 2011 - M. runs the Riverside Mission Inn Half Marathon
October 23, 2011 - M. runs Temecula Half Marathon
October 9, 2011 - Carleen's wedding in Boston, MA
September 16, 2011 - S. and M. arrive in LA
September 16, 2011 - RIP Tan Van, outside Kingman, AZ
September 15, 2011 - S. and M. night in Grants, NM
September 14, 2011 - S. and M. leave Findlay for LA, night in Joplin, MO
September 13, 2011 - S. and M. donate blood in Findlay, S's first (and last) time
August 28, 2011 - M. runs "Bronx" Half Marathon
August 26, 2011 - S. and M. leave NYC for LA, 2011
August 13, 2011 - S. and M. go to Balloon Fest in Findlay, OH, S's 2 year anniversary
August 12, 2011 - S. and M. go to Put-in-Bay, OH
August 9, 2011 - S. and M. go to Hocking Hills, OH
July 30, 2011 - M. runs NYRR Queens Half Marathon
July 26, 2011 - M. takes NY/NJ Bar
April 25, 2011 - S. and M. go to China for S.'s grandfather's funeral
April 16, 2011 - S.'s grandfather dies
April 10, 2011 - M. runs George Wodicka Hook Half Marathon
March 18, 2011 - S. and M. visit OH to collect their China boxes
March 5, 2011 - M. takes MPRE
February 17, 2011 - S. and M. get INTERNET (no more wireless tether)!
February 16, 2011 - S. and M. get their clam couch
February 15, 2011 - S. and M. celebrate 3 years together!
February 14, 2011 - S. starts new job with AHAlife
February 8, 2011 - Phillip "Phil" the Dolphin arrives!
February 6, 2011 - M. starts BARBRI Early Start for the NY Bar
January 22, 2011 - M. runs NYRR Manhattan Half Marathon, 2:04:38
January 14, 2011 - S. and M. visit M.'s Emily in Boston together for the first time
January 8, 2011 - M. gets her own Android (Mushkin)
January 8, 2011 - S. and M. get non-contract family plan from T-Mobile
January 6, 2011 - M. gets new PC laptop (Adelle)
January 2, 2011 - S. and M. move into their NYC apartment
January 2, 2011 - S. and M. drive/move to NYC
January 1, 2011 - Happy New Year from Ohio!
January 26, 2010 - See S.'s Emily in Cleveland
December 25, 2010 - Merry Christmas from Ohio!
December 24, 2010 - S. and M. move back to the States, first stop Ohio -- goodbye China!
December 22, 2010 - S. and M. ship 8 boxes from China to Ohio
December 20, 2010 - S. makes moving to NYC, leaving MBA, and engagement announcement on blog
December 19, 2010 - S. and M. have small, family-oriented engagement party
December 18, 2010 - S. and M. host Beijing-friends-centric engagement/going away party
December 17, 2010 - S. sings Christmas Carols at the British Ambassador's residence
December 12, 2010 - S. and M. take train back to Beijing
December 12, 2010 - S. sings Handel's Messiah with the Shanghai IFC
December 10, 2010 - S. sings Handel's Messiah with the Shanghai IFC
December 8, 2010 - S. and M. and FTC close PBL
December 7, 2010 - S. and M. take train to Shanghai
December 5, 2010 - S. sings Handel's Messiah with the IFC
November 27, 2010 - S. and M. return to Beijing
November 25, 2010 - S. and M. celebrate Thanksgiving in Findlay, OH
November 23, 2010 - S. and M. hitch ride to OH
November 22, 2010 - S. and M.'s new "anniversary"
November 21, 2010 - S. and M. decide to extend NYC trip through Thanksgiving
November 17, 2010 - S. finally gets his China work visa
November 16, 2010 - S. and M. leave for NYC to get Work Visa for S.
November 16, 2010 - S.'s China visa proper expires
November 15, 2010 - S. celebrates 27th birthday in China
October 18, 2010 - S. starts part time work at Pixology Studios Ltd.
October 16, 2010 - S. sings Yellow River Cantata with the IFC at the Forbidden City Concert Hall
September 28, 2010 - Happy (Noticed) 1 Year in China Anniversary!
September 22, 2010 - Happy (Official) 1 Year in China Anniversary!
September 22, 2010 - Non-moon cake Mid Autumn Festival!
September 13, 2010 - M.'s first day of school!
September 4, 2010 - S. starts process again for work visa
September 3, 2010 - S. receives job offer letter from joint FTC/Matrix
August 26, 2010 - M. starts 3 day EMI Orientation
August 25, 2010 - M. starts Pre-course/Orientation
August 25, 2010 - M. registers with Tsinghua IMBA
August 22, 2010 - M. returns to China from NYC Summer Internship 2010
August 21, 2010 - M.'s last day in NYC for Summer Internship 2010
August 20, 2010 - S. loses contract job with ISB due to visa woes
August 20, 2010 - S. gets contract job with ISB doing Help Desk work
August 19, 2010 - S. gets 3 month "visiting relatives" extension on his visa
August 11, 2010 - Happy 1 Year Anniversary Blog!
August 11, 2010 - M. gets her China Student Visa!
July 21, 2010 - S. officially begins doing web work for the IFC
July 13, 2010 to July 17, 2010 - S. takes train down to HK to get on his last visa entry
July 12, 2010 - M. gets all trained up for her internship
June 28, 2010 - S. starts M. in NYC Music Project
June 27, 2010 - M. flies to NYC for finance internship
May 30, 2010 - S. sings with the IFCC at WAB
May 23, 2010 - S. starts doing freelance work for Cary
May 16, 2010 - M. and S. manage to drive through "Bay to Breakers" and catch their SFO flights back to China
May 15, 2010 - M. and S. attend Miguel's wedding; S. is groomsman
May 14, 2010 - M. and S. meet in LA and drive up to SF for Miguel's wedding
May 10, 2010 - S. leaves for the States for the first time since coming to China
May 4, 2010 - M. signs partnership agreement
May 2, 2010 - M. runs her first full marathon: the Cincinnati "Flying Pig"
April 30, 2010 - S. buys 200RMB bike in China
April 27, 2010 - M. leaves for the States for the first time since coming to China
April 26, 2010 - M. accepts Tsinghua IMBA admissions offer
April 25, 2010 - S. sings "African Sanctus" with IFC
April 8, 2010 - Maria gets "acceptance email" from Tsinghua
April 8, 2010 - Happy Birthday M.!
April 2, 2010 - M. gets "acceptance email" from BiMBA
April 2, 2010 - M. interviews with Tsinghua IMBA
March 27, 2010 - S. and M. eat SUSHI for the first time in Beijing; it's been over 6 MONTHS!
March 27, 2010 - S. and M. celebrate much belated 2 year anniversary
March 25, 2010 - S. and M. celebrate 6 months in China
March 24, 2010 - S. and M. buy seeds!
March 23, 2010 - M. interviews with BiMBA
March 19, 2010 - S. and M.'s work visa applications get submitted. Wish us luck!
March 19, 2010 - S. finally gets all his work visa materials together
March 14, 2010 - S. and M. go to Hong Kong to get on their third entry into China
March 4, 2010 - S. files 2009 US State and Federal tax returns from China
March 3, 2010 - M. turns in MBA application for BiMBA
March 2, 2010 - M. takes GMAT in Beijing
February 21, 2010 - Lantern Festival in China, fireworks FINALLY end
February 15, 2010 - S. and M.'s 2 year anniversary, celebration postponed for a month
February 14, 2010 - Happy Year of the Tiger!
February 14, 2010 - S. and M. celebrate first Valentine's Day in China together
February 14, 2010 - S. and M. celebrate first Chinese New Year in China together
February 1, 2010 - M. turns in MBA application for Tsinghua
January 14, 2010 - S. and M. go to Seoul, Korea again to get on their next visa entry
January 1, 2010 - Happy New Year in China!
December 25, 2009 - S. and M.'s first Christmas in China; successful Christmas buffet at Connections Bar and Grill
December 19, 2009 - S. performs Handel's Messiah with the IFC in China!
December 16, 2009 - S. performs at the British Embassy with the IFC
December 15, 2009 - S. and M. open Chinese bank account
December 14, 2009 - M. starts taking Chinese classes
December 10, 2009 - S. is really managing Connections Bar and Grill; huh?
December 1, 2009 - Renovations FINALLY finish at S. and M.'s Beijing apartment.
December 1, 2009 - Renovations finish at Connections
November 26, 2009 - S. and M's first Thanksgiving in China
November 22, 2009 - S.'s first concert performance in China with the IFC Children's Chorus
November 18, 2009 - S. and M.'s China visa expires for the first time
November 16 to 18, 2009 - S. and M. go to Seoul, Korea for visa purposes
November 15, 2009 - S. celebrates his 26th birthday in China
November 13, 2009 - S. joins the International Festival Chorus in Beijing
October 31, 2009 - Renovations begin at Connections Bar and Grill
October 30, 2009 - M. gives talk at China University of Political Science and Law
October 24, 2009 - M. runs first race in Beijing, the 3rd Annual Pride in Beijing "10K"
October 23, 2009 - M. has first "non-S. et. al." business lunch
October 22, 2009 - M. sits in on iMBA class at BiMBA, BeiDa
October 20, 2009 - M. sits in on iMBA class at Tsinghua University
October 13, 2009 - S. and M.'s apartment gets internet
October 11, 2009 - S. and M. move in together
October 11, 2009 - S. and M. move into their own apartment in Beijing
September 25, 2009 - M. takes first run in Beijing
September 22, 2009 - S. and M. move to China
September 19, 2009 - S. and M. christen "Bob"
September 14, 2009 - S. and M. take last vacation in States to Carmel, CA
September 12, 2009 - S. and M. attend their going away party at Craig and Becky's
September 12, 2009 - M. sells her car
September 11, 2009 - S.'s last day at VSM
September 7, 2009 - S. and M. get one way tickets to China
September 5, 2009 - M. gets added to S.'s checking account, making it "their" checking account
September 4, 2009 - M. finishes her MCLE
September 3, 2009 - S. and M. approved for visas to China.
August 31, 2009 - M. applies for visas for S. and M.
August 30, 2009 - S. gets new glasses after nearly five years
August 30, 2009 - S. and M. book last vacation in US to Carmel by the Sea
August 29, 2009 - M. transitions to T-Mobile pay-as-you-go cell phone, saying goodbye to Verizon
August 29, 2009 - M. submits paperwork to roll over SMRH 401k to IRA
August 15, 2009 - S. visits OH and meets M.'s immediate family for first time
August 10, 2009 - S. gives notice to VSM, last day September 11, 2009
August 9, 2009 - M. visits RI/OH, meets twin nephews for first time
August 8, 2009 - M. purchases gap insurance
August 7, 2009 - M.'s last day at SMRH; thanks for the memories
July 31, 2009 - S. and M. move to his father's home
July 24, 2009 - S. moves collective furniture to his mother's home, moves into M's apt.
July 24, 2009 - M. 1st chair at trial, fails at submitting the stipulation, but inadvertently gets the case dismissed
July 23, 2009 - Everything OK with M.'s oral surgery
July 23, 2009 - S. sells his car
July 22, 2009 - M. sells her couch
July 21, 2009 - M. gives notice to SMRH, last day August 7, 2009
July 16, 2009 - M. gets oral surgery to remove wisdom teeth/cyst

To Do

S. and M. - Determine what to do with our lives...
S. - Buy NAS

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she says "mutatis mutandis," he says "festina lente"

Home > 2009

Posted December 30th, 2009 - 8:39 pm by maria Categories china

Posted December 6th, 2009 - 9:57 pm by sean Categories china Tags apartment, Connections Bar & Grill, family, movies, rambling

Posted November 26th, 2009 - 12:53 pm by sean Categories photo albums

Posted November 26th, 2009 - 12:42 pm by sean Categories china,reference Tags funeral, reference, Seoul, tips, travel, visas

Posted November 15th, 2009 - 7:40 pm by sean Categories china Tags adventure, bureaucracy, visas

Posted November 8th, 2009 - 2:42 am by sean Categories china,photo albums

Posted November 8th, 2009 - 2:26 am by sean Categories china Tags apartment, Connections Bar & Grill, International Festival Chorus, renovations, running, sick, snow

Posted November 4th, 2009 - 3:15 pm by sean Categories china Tags business, Connections Bar & Grill, food

Posted November 1st, 2009 - 11:40 pm by maria Categories china Tags business, china, Chinese people, lawyers, rambling, rant

Posted October 29th, 2009 - 1:20 pm by sean Categories Uncategorized Tags business, Connections Bar & Grill, food, FTC, FTC Art/Gen-Next, PDL

Posted October 21st, 2009 - 1:42 am by sean Categories photo albums

Meta ···

Posts | Categories | Tags | Comments

Milestones

To Do

Posted December 30th, 2009 - 8:39 pm by maria
Categories china

Posted December 6th, 2009 - 9:57 pm by sean
Categories china
Tags apartment, Connections Bar & Grill, family, movies, rambling

Posted November 26th, 2009 - 12:53 pm by sean
Categories photo albums

Posted November 26th, 2009 - 12:42 pm by sean
Categories china,reference
Tags funeral, reference, Seoul, tips, travel, visas

Posted November 15th, 2009 - 7:40 pm by sean
Categories china
Tags adventure, bureaucracy, visas

Posted November 8th, 2009 - 2:42 am by sean
Categories china,photo albums

Posted November 8th, 2009 - 2:26 am by sean
Categories china
Tags apartment, Connections Bar & Grill, International Festival Chorus, renovations, running, sick, snow

Posted November 4th, 2009 - 3:15 pm by sean
Categories china
Tags business, Connections Bar & Grill, food

Posted November 1st, 2009 - 11:40 pm by maria
Categories china
Tags business, china, Chinese people, lawyers, rambling, rant

Posted October 29th, 2009 - 1:20 pm by sean
Categories Uncategorized
Tags business, Connections Bar & Grill, food, FTC, FTC Art/Gen-Next, PDL

Posted October 21st, 2009 - 1:42 am by sean
Categories photo albums