sorry for slow reply uncle Bill

….this is why I keep a blog…I am a bad family member maybe…I am so out of touch with dad, mom, Jocelyn, Nana…..sorry Uncle Bill, I am so slow to respond

the longer I stay in China, the harder for me to stay in touch with my family and friends in USA. Just the time zone, the startup of the business…and I don’t keep a US number anymore….I hope you don’t mind I reply in this blog entry, so that I keep everyone up to date in the friends and family network…

Here are your emails, and my reply below:

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Saturday September 12, 2009

DEAR MIKE,
I’M STILL WAITING FOR AN EMAIL FROM YOU IN RESPONSE TO THE LAST ONE I SENT YOU.
DIDN’T YOU GET IT? I’VE BEEN READING YOUR BLOGS WITH INTEREST.
HOW ARE THINGS? DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER YOU’LL BE ABLE TO STAY IN CHINA?
BARB AND I ARE DOING OK. WE PLAN TO GO DOWN TO FLORIDA THIS MONTH TO SEE ALICIA, HER HUSBAND AND OUR GRANDSON SCOTTY. I HAVEN’T BEEN DOWN THERE FOR A YEAR. SCOTTY WILL BE 3 IN NOVEMBER. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
REGARDS,
YOUR UNCLE BILL

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

DEAR MIKE,
DID YOU EVER RECEIVE THIS EMAIL THAT I SENT YOU IN JULY.
I’VE BEEN READING YOUR BLOG WITH INTEREST.
DROP ME A LINE WHEN YOU CAN.
LOVE,
UNCLE BILL

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Friday, July 24, 2009

DEAR MIKE,
HOW ARE YOU DOING? I’VE MISSED SEEING YOU ON YOUR BLOG. HAVE YOU JUST BEEN BUSY, OR HAS IT BEEN BLOCKED? THE SUMMER HERE IS STILL COOLER THAN NORMAL AND WE ARE STILL GETTING MORE RAIN THAN USUAL. THIS YEAR REALLY STINKS AS FAR AS WEATHER GOES.
I’M GLAD TO HEAR THAT JOCELYN IS THROUGH WITH HER SERVICE. SHE MUST BE HAPPY. NOW FOR HER TO FIND A JOB. MAYBE SHE COULD VISIT YOU IN CHINA?
I HAVE TOLD YOU THIS BEFORE ABOUT MY MOTHER, YOUR GRANDMOTHER LIVING IN HARBIN, CHINA AS A CHILD FROM 5 YEARS OLD TO 9 YEARS OLD. HER FATHER AND MOTHER RAN A SMALL BUSINESS THERE. I THINK IT HAD TO DO WITH ORDINARY ELECTRIC DEVICES AND SMALL APPLIANCES USED BACK THEN. MY GRANDMOTHER HELPED MY GRANDFATHER IN THE BUSINESS. I HAVE A PICTURE SHOWING THEM WORKING IN THEIR OFFICE. MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO REPAIR SMALL TABLE LAMPS FOR THE CUSTOMERS ALSO.
I JUST THINK THAT IT’S SO IRONIC THAT YOU, THEIR GREAT GRANDSON, IS NOW RUNNING A BUSINESS IN CHINA. I ALSO TOLD YOU ABOUT MY UNCLE OWNING AN IMPORT BUT MOSTLY EXPORT BUSINESS WITH AN OFFICE AT 11 BROADWAY IN NY. HE EXPORTED MOSTLY APPLIANCES TO ARGENTINA, WHERE HE HAD LIVED FOR A WHILE BEFORE THE SECOND WORLD WAR. HIS SON JAMES WAS BORN IN BUENOS AIRES AND COULD SPEAK SPANISH FLUENTLY. IF THERE IS ANYTHING MORE YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, LET ME KNOW. KEEP IN TOUCH.
BARBARA AND I SEND YOU OUR LOVE.

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My reply

I wish I knew more about the Harbin, China business – I remember you telling me about that, and how the family then moved to Seattle, Washington…and some to San Fransisco, while my grandmother went to NEw York City… thats about all I know….

I am trying my best here in China….its definitely a completely different culture, and I have to learn to adapt more and more. But I think that is a true test of my ability, to grow a business in a completely foreign land. And this is where the future is, and will be for the next 100 years.

I would love to see the photos you have…maybe I can post them on this blog. I try to share all my experiences here so that others can learn and feel what I am seeing.

How much longer I will be in China

That is a question I am commonly asked, as both sides want to know – my new friends in China want to know how long I will remain with them, and my old friends back in the state want to know when I shall return. I really don’t have a clear answer, but it seems I am to stay in China for some time. As far as how long is possible, the passport visa seems to be an issue, but I am learning ways around it, and now with my own company here, I will apply for more formal residency. Still doing a lot of research – not very clear as even the government is hesitant to tell me exactly what the rule is. (it keeps changing!)

You mentioned your uncle importing from South America before, I wish I had known these family businessmen more. I always think of my grandfather, Gelindo, and wish I had known him more. I can imagine him doing his route in New York City, sharpening knives, building his customer base and managing his business. I feel a bit alone, but realizing there were family members in the past with successful startups give me hope and confidence.

I do miss home, and the USA, and the food, and of course the family members who support me so well. Keep routing for me, I will continue to fight my way here and hope to come out ahead! Better then going for an MBA I would say!

Love, your nephew, Mike