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My dream coming to China wasn't to make Millions of dollars, but to help improve the lives of Millions of people!
- Happy Dragon Boat Festival
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Although I have yet been able to fully experience a traditional Dragon Boat Festival, where there are suppose to be many boats racing in the rivers, I have been able to fully experience eating the traditional food, Zongzi.
Eating my delicious Zongzi during the Dragon Boat holiday!
Zongzi (also known as rice dumpling) is traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival (Mandarin: Duanwu; Cantonese: Tuen Ng) which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar (This year May 28th), commemorating the death of Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet from the kingdom of Chu who lived during the Warring States period. Known for his patriotism, Qu Yuan tried unsuccessfully to warn his king and countrymen against the expansionism of their Qin neighbors. When the Qin Dynasty general Bai Qi took Yingdu, the Chu capital, in 278 BC, Qu Yuan's grief was so intense that he drowned himself in the Miluo river after penning the Lament for Ying. According to legend, packets of rice were thrown into the river to prevent fish from eating the poet's body. Another version states that Zongzi were given to placate a dragon that lived in the river.
(Excerpt taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zongzi)
Friday May 29, 2009 - 10:06am (CST) Permanent Link - Happy Dragon Boat Festival
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Although I have yet been able to fully experience a traditional Dragon Boat Festival, where there are suppose to be many boats racing in the rivers, I have been able to fully experience eating the traditional food, Zongzi.
Eating my delicious Zongzi during the Dragon Boat holiday!
Zongzi (also known as rice dumpling) is traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival (Mandarin: Duanwu; Cantonese: Tuen Ng) which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar (This year May 28th), commemorating the death of Qu Yuan, a famous Chinese poet from the kingdom of Chu who lived during the Warring States period. Known for his patriotism, Qu Yuan tried unsuccessfully to warn his king and countrymen against the expansionism of their Qin neighbors. When the Qin Dynasty general Bai Qi took Yingdu, the Chu capital, in 278 BC, Qu Yuan's grief was so intense that he drowned himself in the Miluo river after penning the Lament for Ying. According to legend, packets of rice were thrown into the river to prevent fish from eating the poet's body. Another version states that Zongzi were given to placate a dragon that lived in the river.
(Excerpt taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zongzi)
Friday May 29, 2009 - 10:06am (CST) Permanent Link - Keep Hope Alive!
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Candle light Vigil!
5.12.09Last year I had promised myself, if I were still in China, I would organize a candle light vigil for the victims of the Sichuan Earthquake. But lately since I have been busy traveling in and outside of the city, I had no certainty if I would be able to plan such an event. A voice inside of me told me that this is what I had to do, and so late at night I went searching for candles. I ran into a Park n Shop supermarket, as it was getting ready to close. After asking the store workers for candles they had told me they had none. I figured to forget about it this year, since what’s a candle light vigil without the candles and I had to travel outside the city the next day anyways. As I started to walk home I stopped at a small store where a lady was selling drinks and snack foods. She had asked me what I wanted. I said in disappointment, "I need some candles." She showed me on her shelf a couple of long candles, but I shook my head, as they were not the right type. As I motioned her I needed smaller ones, she then went opening some boxes underneath the counter. To my surprise she pulled out some smaller ones that looked good enough to use. I told her I'll take 60 of them! With great joy as I walked home in the night holding on to the candles, I knew the candle light vigil would go on! Now I just had to find a place to hold it.The next day as I went to a military training school up in the mountainside, I told the students and military men that I want to hold a candle light vigil tomorrow night. And this is how we were going to do it. As everyone agreed things started to come together.The next day May 12th, the candle light vigil began with Army veterans, marching onstage to the National Anthem, with their country flag. Next I had given a short speech telling everyone the importance of this event, remembering the victims, honoring the military men, rescue workers, volunteers, and for all who had helped. Then I showed pictures of last year’s tragedy. The students later came on stage to talk about their feelings. Afterward's they gave some performances. After the performances was a moment of silence and then some singing. Everyone had formed a heart shaped circle around the army men for the candle lighting. I had told everyone as they held their lite candles to close their eyes and to say their prayers for the victims. Last was a song, hugging and tears. The candle light vigil turned out to be better than I expected. I’m so grateful to the Army men, students and all those who participated! We have not forgotten those victims and families, we will keep hope alive.- James Chane
Sunday May 17, 2009 - 10:32pm (CST) Permanent Link - Remembering 5.12
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The day 5.12 will be a day in history that the Chinese will never forget. It is a day that more than 68,000 people had lost their lives. Among them were more than 5,300 students. The Sichuan earthquake was one of the deadliest natural disasters that shook China since 1976. It being only 1 year ago still remains close in my mind and deep in my heart.
We should never forget to honor those victims, rescue workers, volunteers and hero's who rushed to the scene to help where they could. On Tuesday May 12th, be sure to take time out to offer a moment of silence in respect and tribute to all of them.
Keep hope alive! -James Chane
Last year GZTV held it’s telethon days after the quake to raise money. Remember to continue to donate goods and money to the people in need.
Last Year GDTV put together a wonderful tribute for the volunteers, rescue workers and hero’s who spent countless hours helping were they could. Be sure to continue to volunteer in places where needed.
Sunday May 10, 2009 - 02:38pm (CST) Permanent Link - James Chane with celebrity food critic Johnson Wong
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Celebrity food critic and columnist, Johnson Wong, had demonstrated to foreign guests the art of making wonton noodles. Johnson has written for numerous publications as well as the Guangzhou Daily. It was this time though I had the opportunity to write about Johnson Wong's food demonstration, featured in the Guangzhou Morning Post.
The Guangzhou Morning Post is the largest English publication in Guangzhou and is a great place to advertise for those companies looking to reach out to the local expatriates and Chinese, who like reading English. You can read my past article to learn how to make the famous Cantonese wonton noodles. (James Chane with celebrity food critic Johnson Wong)
The Discover Guangzhou Reality TV Show, Season 2, had finished up and had its award ceremony at Oggi's Italian restaurant. The contestants and selected show audience members got a chance to get together to watch special clips of the show, play games and eat delicious Italian food.
The winners of the second season’s reality show won a 10,000 RMB travel certificate and a nice trophy. An online vote determined a Chinese student as the most popular contestant of them all. Congrats to all of winners! (James Chane at the 2nd season, Discover GZ Reality Show, Award ceremony)
Test-driving a 2.3 Million RMB BMW.
In the U.S. it's quite easy to walk into a car dealership to test drive a car around the block and through the streets. But here in Guangzhou, a group of us were picked up at the BMW dealership and bused two hours away to the nearest racetrack in Zhuhai. Here we got to test drive all their latest models on an open track, pedal to the metal. The BMW 6 series had accelerated to 160 KM per hour in no time. I was quite impressed that even redlining the Tac, the engine would smoothly shift automatically to another gear. The handling around corners at high speeds , the car was quite stable. Not only did we get a chance to test drive their ultimate driving machine, but also all the other models, including their convertibles, coupes, SUV's and sedans. The 740Li is also one of my favorites, quite roomy and luxurious inside with a lot of power and road stability. Unfortunately in China luxury cars can cost 2 to 3 times the U.S. sticker price. For 2.3 Million RMB ($343,283 USD), that can buy a nice size apartment here in Guangzhou. Thanks to my friend Coco, who had invited me out for this great event. It was a lot of fun. (James Chane test driving a 2.3 Million RMB BMW on the racetrack)
My friend Justin Fischer for more than a year had talked about his much anticipated art exhibition show. With years of hard work and last minute preparations, his dream finally became a reality. Displaying some of his finest paintings I heard a lot of great compliments from the guest, which is a good start for Justin’s career as a commercial artist. Justin is one of the few Expats that I know living in Guangzhou, who will go out of his way to give selflessly to the Chinese community. I often have seen him at many social and charity events enthusiastically willing to give a helping hand. And because of this, there were a lot of people from the chambers, consulates, and local media that all showed up to give him support for his first art show. I’m quite proud of Justin’s vigor and wish him great success in the future! (James Chane with friend Justin)
Daniel Krause, a fellow American, has been living in China for more than 20 years. He is a professionally trained and master sculpture, who is internationally known for his ancient Chinese bronzes and Terracotta sculptures. His series of sculptures “China on the Move” has been featured on many television programs, print publications, and art exhibits around China and New York. There were some guest who flew in from the U.S. to see Daniels Exhibition, which was held in Panyu at the Renaissance. Daniel is fluent in Chinese and teaches at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, were also he was trained. ( James Chane at Daniel Krause Sculpture Exhibition in Panyu.)
Rendevous part of the 37°2 restaurants had a wonderful cocktail party, inviting many local and foreign friends. After speaking with one of the owners, Simon Ng, I found out that he was a Chinese American from the Los Angeles area. After living in the U.S. for more than 20 years, Simon decided to return to China and give it a go. I have met several overseas Chinese who have returned to open up restaurants in Guangzhou but were not quite as successful as he. I often buy walnut and raisin bread from one of his 37°2 shops near the north side of Sun Yet-Sen university, it is quite delicious. Congrats to Simon’s success, and I hope to see more of his chain stores around the city. ( James Chane with owner of Rendevous, 372 restauarants in Guangzhou.)
Sunday May 3, 2009 - 07:31pm (CST) Permanent Link
