ReidaBlog

As part of U of M’s 1st year MBA program all students take part in a seven week project sponsored by a company. Sort of a mini consulting project were we are placed in random teams. Supposed to allow us to use everything we’ve learned during the year. They call the program M.A.P. which stands for multi-disciplinary action program. I call it B.O.O.N.D.O.G.G.L.E. I got very lucky though; my random team consisted of “good” people. And I got a 9 day, expenses paid trip to China.

We were supposed to focus on work but my priority was visiting with friends and getting a haircut. Plus I was on the lookout for new Chinese signs.

Now on to the pictures.

Since this post is so late I’m giving up on a particular order and just posting.

Jing (MAP mate) and his wife Xiao Ru. They are one of the funniest couples I’ve ever met and from what I hear Jing is a bad influence.

Worst dinner ever. Food wasn’t bad but the company was terrible. No joke - it was so bad I laugh thinking about it.

Tony, one of my MAP mates, getting his tongue into the picture. The blond is Nina - one of the best things about China is that when I go back I get to hang out with good friends that I can’t remember originally meeting.

Ashwin, another of my MAP mates, hanging out in Suzie Wongs. Nice “girl fist” Ashwin.

2008 Olympic stadium. Looking pretty cool.

“One of the best things about China”

Land in Beijing at 11pm, check into hotel and then out with the guys to grap food and some beer. This is my welcome at Bar Blu.

After an really awkward interview with the Director of Reuters China we take a group picture. My team is on the right - ending with me. Michael - our client contact is on the left. Jenny the lady on the left arranged our meetings for the day. Vivian - the girl in the middle was the admin for the Director. After the meeting HeeSup wasted no time and getting her number with some really smooth moves. Good going HeeSup!

The whole team: “working”. Graham our faculty advisor was in town for a day to check on progress.

Lunch with people from the client. The cute girl in the middle is Coco. To me she looks just like a girl out of anime.

Jing, Tony, and Coco. We may have been drinking a couple of beers that night.

What is Beijing without a trip to Indian Kitchen? HeeSup’s pickup lines worked.

With the recent news that Starbucks is removing its controversial Forbidden City store I thought I’d point out that they are also at the Great Wall. Just doing my part.

Of course Starbucks doesn’t seem so bad next the giant bill-board.

Dancing Tony

I think Jing would make a great mob boss.

Coco - cartoon character

The good looking people. I like to throw in these pictures to help my ratings.

And I can’t have a post without a great shot of Nina.

She cleans up well.

Stuck in Tokyo on the way home. Even our delay turned out well since I ended up meeting a cool girl in the Airport. But that is a story for another time.

Let’s end with a sign. I read an article that the government is trying to fix up the crazy signage for the Olympics. But on the last night HeeSup and I were out at a fancy club and when I went to retrieve my coat I noticed:

As I post this I am just 3 weeks from boarding the plane to start my next trip.