Many of my friends, staff, and business associates ask me what’s my plan for 2012. This is what I have outlined.

• Continue to focus on bridging China to USA.
• Training seminars in Shenzhen and hopefully throughout China.
• Consulting for Chinese companies going to USA
• Trying to get more Americans to China
• Market foreign trade ecommerce association “Hero Meets Hero” to USA, getting members + sponsors
• Finally get loadpipe off the ground, and connect USA agents to Chinese manufacturers.
• Accept the fact that I am not a manager, and have good people to manage certain projects and teams. Build better teams!

As for a basic outline / calendar of 2012:

• Jan 2012 – outline SEO/SNS training program in China. Testing it out this coming Saturday Jan 7, 2012.

  Firm up some ecommerce consulting projects, interviews – VIDEO / podcast is way past due!

  Develop HeroMeetsHero.com (the English version of hiwto.com, Chinese foreign trade federation)

  Go to Guangzhou for Chinese New Years, meet my good friend Gao Xing who is currently based in Beijing but his hometown is Guangzhou. He is the one who gave me my chinese name 迈理倪 (Mai Li Ni) and I have known since 1999 where we met in Stevens Tech.

• Feb 2012 – Chinese New Year ends

  Social Media week in Hong Kong

  Hopefully more developed plan for marketing HeroMeetsHero Chinese Foreign Trade Federation, as well as SEO / SNS training.

• Mar 2012 – Xiamen SEO conference – hope to bring 20 – 30 Americans/ Europeans to China to go to the event (will use domain HowToInvestInChina.com – coming soon)

  Launch beta of Load Pipe platform for connecting USA sales agents to Chinese manufacturers.

  Have at least a couple more Americans here working in China on projects with me.

• Apr 2012 – Shenzhen startup weekend (possibly a mega event)

  Hoping to take a trip to Shanghai as well, visit XinDanWei coworking, as well as meet Caidy and the others from Shanghai startup weekend.

• May 2012 – Guangzhou startup weekend, the city has been really pushing for it.
• June 2012 – Hopefully take a trip to Bali, Indonesia and check out what my buddies at tropicalmba.com are doing with Marshall, Chris, James, and more of the Shenzhen crew.
• July 2012 – leaving this open to suggestions. Maybe Beijing, it will be warm there in the summertime, and want to meet the startup and ecommerce connections I have.
• Aug 2012 – possibly go to Las Vegas, USA “Made in China” expo
• Sept 2012 – Shenzhen startup weekend
• Oct 2012 – Guangzhou startup weekend
• Nov 2012 – more ecommerce meetings, hope to have Loadpipe in full swing
• Dec 2012 – Hero Meets Hero major annual meeting.

  I hope to spend Christmas in Philippines, see my godaughter Charlotte and her parents Tess + Bas

Feels good to be open about my plans, seems when I post my schedule – others can align with me and make even bigger things happen.

Think bigger, don’t let others say its not possible!

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I never want to grow up!

Read below:

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life.  

When I went to school they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy”.

Then they told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.

 

- John Lennon 

Its true….my parents just want me to be happy. Our friends….life is too short. What is it for, to accumulate wealth and die? Or is it to experience life and share with others.

I really hope it is the 2nd…but then again, on my deathbed I don’t want to have any regrets…and for the most part…I believe I am going the hard way in life and not listening to everyone around me.

Like Steve Jobs says – we need to look in the mirror every day and make sure we are living the life we want to live.

Maybe I will be a blogger writing his last blog post I hope to continue to share like this blogger did…hopefully make some people realize what are we really stressing about.

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And sometimes, when it rains, it pours. But I have to hold my breath….step back. Realize that I knew it wouldn’t be easy, I can’t take the easy way out, and just gotta deal with it.

I remember watching a TV commercial back in USA….something like, when times get rough, take a deep breath and think to yourself…before I go and do something I may regret later…

Don’t let yourself get…..too….

HUNGRY – did you eat? Are you eating regularly? Healthy food?

ANGRY – Maybe the specific situation you’re in isn’t even the center of your anger? Why are you angry? Is it something in your control?

LONELY – Maybe you’re missing someone….or you have been locked up in your office or room too much?

TIRED – This is a common one for me personally….usually the center of all my stress and agrivation… that I’m not getting regular sleep, and overworking myself….so often I lose control of my emotions because I’m so exhausted. And I think this is a common issue with all businessmen, especially entrepreneurs.

See that!? H.A.L.T. it has saved me time and time again from saying something or doing something that I would regret later. Holding my breath, and thinking through each of these H.A.L.T. items.

Another way…. Writing down all my stress and pressure always helps me, and I’m not going to have secrets, so enjoy sharing it for those who care to read here on my blog:

Startup weekend is top priority this week, have Silicon Valley guys coming, some high level VCs and businessmen here too….and getting decent amount of applications. The team really came together the past week and we are looking to be in great shape for this coming weekend!
• Chinese Ecommerce launch party. Past saturday rushing around to the opening ceremony for ecommerce dropship platform entering USA via the Los Angeles, domestic USA warehouse. Same day in a high-level speaker organizing event for upcoming Chinese ecommerce meeting Nov 19-20. Will be blogging on it soon.
• Techcrunch party was a lot of fun, but of course a couple days of visiting venues, designing posters, printing, phone calls with attendees, etc.
• Startup Tuesday…every week is too much. Going to re-organize it to be once or twice a month instead.
• Working on Brazilian ecommerce joint venture deal… not yet public want to debute it bit bigger, but really excited about it. Want it to be a big launch.
• Working on cooperating with Chinese ecommerce society to bring Chinese businessmen into USA. Six trips next year in planning…connecting them with American business travel agencies. (future post will go into more detail)
• NewYorkBarStore audit by SEO due diligence expert Doug Pierce while learning how to “import Americans” into China for ecommerce and SEO.
• Still dealing with drama in the Philippines with my scholar still trying to get her job back. I can’t look soft, my team has told me my respect will go down if I take her back, and it will set a bad example for how future issues like this in the staff are dealt with in the future.

So there it goes, just typing this all out has been therapeutic! Its mental training. emotional intelligence. Learning what you are good at, testing your limits and going above and beyond.

Hope this post helps some people be more proactive to be aware of their internal feelings before making emotional decisions.

JUST GET IT DONE!

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But still, my dad is one of my top readers here….and I love him more then ever because of it. You know when you’re a kid, you have this weird feeling to your parents, not wanting to tell them too much, hiding things, feeling they are being too nosy about your life. I sometimes post his motivational emails. But for the most part now, they know all my crazy problems….well they do get all the mail in USA….my bill collections, letters from lawyers…so its not so easy to hide stuff either!

But another way my dad and mom motivate me is these scanner articles, motivational poems and horoscopes (and another horoscope I don’t blog all of these horoscopes and articles on this blog (or it would be jam packed! But occassionally it inspires me and gives me motivation to blog it.

Recently I got one of those (typed it out here:)

this paints your picture exactly
glad to be able to read your blog.
mom said hi hope you had great sunday
love jim

 

Your greatest gift is a strong spirit.  Never give up. When the chips are down you can always hang in there, give 110 percent and do the right things needed to survive and thrive. The stress of the past year or so will begin to ease soon.  You will see life and finances gradually easing by the fall.  Keep on keeping on.

HUSTLE is how I interpret this. Just can’t give up. I know its this internal battle inside of myself in order to prove to myself and the world that I can achieve success. well, what is success. But anyway, the struggle, the fight….and the hard work ethic I learned from my father.

Hope this motivates my friends this Sunday afternoon.

And like my friend Paul Chong tells me, I gotta be the man in the arena!

Whats a podcast?

I know some of you guys reading this (hi Mom and Dad!) may not understand what a podcast is, do I need to buy an iPod to listen? No, its simply become a term for online recorded content, or as wikipedia’s definition of a podcast:

A podcast (or non-streamed webcast) is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication. The word replaced webcast in common use with the success of the iPod and its role in the rising popularity and innovation of web feeds.

I will make a podcast, aiming at the beginning to have 2 per month, (my buddy Vlad and I were discussing it, and I think his idea is great:

• First will be an interview, someone doing business in China. I was going to do it more focused on tech and IT, but Vlad recommends I let it be a bit wider…as so many foreigners have no idea on how China business works…and my blog currently is rather general on business, China, internet…so those kind of people will be featured. Maybe 30 minutes long.
• Second will be a recap of all my blogs that month (I know, I blah blah blah a lot), and for those lazy people who don’t want to read, I can give about 20 minutes to cover each one.

At least that is the plan for now. I want to stay flexible….take feedback, and let it adapt / grow.

But unfortunately, this podcast will be ENGLISH only (For those of you aware, I have this blog translated to Chinese on http://www.mailini.com/blog and sadly my chinese friends and readers won’t be able to listen (sorry guys!!!) Maybe if my Chinese gets better….I can record it in both. But I gotta get started, and English language it has to be.

Some reasons, and how it lead up to this podcast radio show series:

• Bruce Williams, a popular USA talk radio show host…has always been someone MY DAD LOOKS UP TO. I remember listening to Bruce Williams on the radio at home when I was a kid….his talks about “business with real talk”, straight talk. I remember back I think in 2004, I was just filing my first company for my ecommerce startup….and I filed a general partnership in New York City….My dad suggested I give Bruce a phone call and ask for some advice. I got put on LIVE RADIO…..I was so nervous. I told him I am starting my own business, and I filed a general partnership. HE SCREAMED….get rid of that, file a corporation or an LLC! He exclaimed how crazy America is for lawsuits, and no matter what kind of business you do, you risk some crazy customer or client suing you…that you have to protect your personal assets. It was so valuable….and it was only a 5 minute phone call I will never forget it. I went right away to change my corporate structure, dissolving my NY partnership and filing a corporation in NJ. But I am so excited to be able to have some influence on people, and change their lives for the better in only a few minutes…while others are also learning.
• Vlad, Dan Andrews, others help – I attended the tropical MBA meetup in Philippines (yes, I was a few days late and missed most of it….) but Dan suggested I do a podcast – FROM CHINA….and how fascinating that would be. Vlad supported it, as well as Chris, and more and more I talk to say its way past due. Also Gary in Hong Kong has some pod cast set he is offering me. the time has come
• Told not everyone reads all the text in my blog, and prefers taking content in via voice / downloading podcasts. Vlad admits it, others back in NYC tell me they don’t have so much time….so lets try distributing content in another way. Though I do like text writing and am a bit nervous to have my voice recorded….if people prefer it this way, and want to get my content, then this is cool!
• bought a Mac Air for it as well. Told recording podcasts will be much easier on a Mac than a PC. Hope so….(less excuses for me)
• Getting more CONFIDENT, bolder, and not afraid to be who I am, speak my mind, and have my life on the internet. This is just another step. Trying not to get too “full of myself”……as I believe the internet, social media, etc makes us more self-centered in a way….I think these podcasts will be a cool way to share my China business experiences, and entrepreneurial travels. Seems like people reading enjoy the adventure.

Well, this blog, today, is gonna push me to do it….and I’ll give myself til end of August to record (not going to promise publish by then), and hope you guys can push me to do it.

Read below, I’ll add my perspective after:

Enjoy your coffee this morning!

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups – porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups… And then you began eyeing each other’s cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. The cups are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us.”

God brews the coffee, not the cups……… Enjoy your coffee!

“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.” Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly and bloom where you are planted! Leave the rest to God.

Again and again, I as well as probably everyone in this world thinks what is the point of life? I’m not going to get into religion here, and I know the end of the poem does get religious….but even if you take that part out (I didn’t want to edit it)….then you still get a great deal of value here in the read.

ITS ABOUT THE LIFE WE LIVE. Not the clothes we wear, not the car we drive, the house….its about spending good time with friends. Its about the life adventure. Its about “writing the book of our life, the chapters in it”, the people we meet, LEARNING ABOUT WHO WE TRULY ARE

And for me, its also inspiring people to think outside of the box, challenging themselves.

Enjoy your Friday morning coffee my friends in America today.

Signing out.

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Here goes:

Pair of Old Shoes

A young man, a student in one of the universities, was one day taking a
walk with a professor, who was commonly called the students’ friend for
his kindness to those who waited on his instructions.

As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which were supposed to belong to a poor man who was working in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his day’s work…

Student turned to the professor, saying: “Let us play a trick on the man, we will hide his shoes, and hide ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them …”

“My young friend,” answered the professor, “we should never amuse
ourselves at the expense of the poor . . . you are rich, and may give
yourself a much greater pleasure by means of this poor man.

Put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how
this affects him..” The student did so and they both placed themselves
behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes…

While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes, but
feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found
the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance.
He gazed upon the coin, turned it around and looked at it again and
again.

He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen. He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin . . .

His feelings overcame him . . . He fell upon his knees, looked up to
heaven and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save them . . .

The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears.

“Now,” said the professor, “are you not much better pleased than if you
had played your intended trick?”

The youth replied, “You have taught me a lesson which I will never
forget. ..

I feel now the truth of these words, which I never understood before:
“It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

Morale of the story : If you want happiness, help someone in need !!!

I think this is a great poem, especially being a Monday when most people dread going to work, etc.

We just make life too complicated too much, we have to see what the true meaning of life really is, and it really is about giving back….because we can’t keep anything when we die

We are just shadows and dust.

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got a new folding bike…..petite but urban-useful. (hope it doesnt get stolen like the last one)
Added 23 hours ago

Jocelyn Peng, Gene Soo, Ed Chok and 22 others like this.

Jacob Hsu I think the thief don’t dare to steal it from your office, lol

Michael Michelini this is one reason why i got a folding one! Guards let me take it upstairs

Jacob Hsu u should pay more attention to your belongings when u in China, some guy broke in my house and steal my computer last year.

Louie Lopez Fong is it the Dahon one? how much? I used to have one but gave it away, wanna get one again!

Michael Michelini its an Oyama 6 speed, got it at Decathon for 999yuan

Louie Lopez Fong do they also sell the nice retro chinese bikes..

Michael Michelini hahaha, maybe at a second hand shop, or a stolen underground one where my stolen was probably ended up

Louie Lopez Fong haha its new though, the site i sent you was thier website, super cheap retro bikes..

Lunie Rahj hey mike, you can just fold it and bring it along with you, thief cant steal it. =)

Mark Ambrose LOL infected with folderitis! welcome to the support group! i’ll invite you to the ‘tiklop’ group…it means ‘folding’ in filipino..

Des Koval Man, my bike got stolen from our aprtment on the 22nd floor. Lock down your stuff!

Junghoon Lee nice bike!. you look cute on it.

Eric Cheng Mike and his bike!! Freedom!!! Why not a scooter? Where’s your office! I’ll announce to my village that a free bike is up for grabs and see how long you can hang on to it!!

Milia George omg i want one! haha

Andrew Fakemiddlename Moran oh boy….

Magdalena Kudlacz Do women ride those too? Because if it’s predominately men you might deter theft by getting it in an unpopular shade – like hot pink.

Jason Leung Wow man how much is this one?

Gautam Dadlani cool bike man

Jochen Kleef Your co-working space very much looks like a cycle track. Any races coming up?

Jonathan Kirkland Awesome.. your new commuter? Where is the helmet?

Michael Michelini yea this is my new commuter “car”. I just like it cuz I can take it on the subway, into the office building, trunk of a taxi, etc etc without being hassled…its been awesome already!

Dann Diez where to buy and how much? i need one

Michael Michelini price is in the previous comments. I bought at decathon, but seen them at all the Chinese shops that sell regular bikes noww

Dann Diez nice bike

Jonathan Kirkland Put up a pic of it folded! 16″ or 20″ wheels? It’s cool…

Michael Michelini maybe make a blog about it

Colleen Concepcion i have one!

My friend Karta, from A Go To B bikes will be excited to see this! Why folding? A few friends called it “uber-gay” (haha, makes me laugh!) but I bought a folding bike for a few reasons:

1. I love the “work anywhere” idea, previously showing off my tablet phone and amazed that I can do a big chunk of my work literally from anywhere. Having a portable bike compliments that.
2. In China, I have had my bike stolen late last year and cell phone jacked earlier in 2011…..I am HOPING (guess you’ll see if I blog otherwise) that being foldable and portable, I can take it into office buildings, restaurants, taxi trunks, subways….whereas with a full sized bike the Chinese security chase you down and don’t let you in any of these places. So far, I’ve been able to jump off the bike, quickly fold it, and enter all of those places listed….really slick!
3. Do like to feel I’m contributing to the environment – “green” or whatever you want to call it…riding bikes basically makes me feel I’m doing my small part to avoid gas being guzzled as well as more traffic and congestion on the road!
4. Last but not get GET EXERCISE, as many have pointed out…I am gaining a bit of weight….I believe my body type comes and goes with fat…but this exhausting traveling (yes Marshall, commuting) has made getting into a routine of running or exercising very difficult. So having this bike allows me (forces me) to get off my arse and spin some wheels! Only have had it a couple days and can feel it in my legs and gets my heart pumping.

And yes, riding a bike makes me happy….maybe its getting fresh air (well….is it so fresh in Shenzhen?), wind in my face, the freedom feeling of biking anywhere, not stressing about taxis or going into subway stations….its just cool.

Details on the bike:

• Wheel size: 16 inch
• folding – at the main frame, as well as the handlebars
• six speed
• cost – 999 rmb (about $150usd)
• brand – Oyama Dazzle
• Has a single shock in the middle of the frame

I could have gotten a cheaper version for 700rmb (about $110usd) but single speed, no shock, and didn’t seem as slick.

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I am getting warning signs from a few of my friends and advisors on this shenzhen coworking project taking too much of my time and not getting enough return for my efforts —> but you know what, I ENJOY DOING IT…..thats what matters most right? I know these people are just out for my best interests, and I make my own decisions in life, but I am going to do it.

And sticking in China, I enjoy the “chaos”, I believe Shenzhen is a great city to be in, and my only setback is the GFW (great firewall of China) blocking the majority of websites I need to access on a daily basis. Basically, that is the main issue I am having.

I still have to figure out my living situation, still crashing at my buddy Dave Ho‘s pad, and commuting between the apartment here to coastal city, taking the metro to the szteam coworking office. My buddy James has a place out in Longhua district…but seriously I am trying to centralize my living and working environment….so tired of travel/commuting. Also considering a “tropical MBA” in China (ecommerce centered), so maybe rent a big place and have interns also get accomodations there. But for now, stay at Dave’s.

I’m looking to buy a bike again (my last bike in China was stolen), this time a folding bike as I can take it on the subway when needed. Also get some much needed exercise!

I’ll continue to grow ecommerce websites, help guide people on which carts and services to use, have more monthly ecommerce meetups. I enjoy meeting people, enjoy marketing, and enjoy the internet. I don’t have patience for doing services (web design, SEO) so making money online via ecommerce is where I belong. Scale-able, automate-able, outsource-able. Hoping to build a business that is not centered around me and my time.

I also see China to continue to grow and develop and mature….I want to be here as that happens. Since I’ve been here in end of 2007, seen so much already…whereas I believe USA has stayed about the same in the same period (if not decreased…)

But most importantly, I have good people around me every day, a supporting mom and dad back in USA, good staff supporting the operations, a cool new community in Shenzhen for entpreneurs/ecommerce, friends in USA, China, and Philippines I believe I can count on and understand me.

What else can someone ask for? Although I can’t say what the future may bring, I am excited for the adventure.

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BUT HE MAKES AN AWESOME POINT when voters choose leaders. He takes us presidents election Bush vs Kerry ( page 20), leaders are voted in who say “stay the course” rather then wishy washy…..And Kerry is seen as a wishy-washy decision maker….changing his mind on many different debates….therefore not winning the votes from Americans who want a strong leader who will not bow down and give up so easily…..

whether we like it or not, trial and error is a great way to solve problems in a complex world…but leadership is not seen that way.

He reflects on the fall of the soviet union, explaining that feedback was supressed…..only central government made decisions, engineers were held captive from open free thinking and trial and error.

Book is also loaded up with great quotes, one by the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping:

“Cross the river by feeling for stones” – Deng Xiaoping

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No Matter. Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better” – Samuel Beckett

“One doesn’t have to be a Marxist to be awed by the scale and success of early-20th-century efforts to transform strong-willed human beings into docile employees” – Gary Hamel

Throughout the book, the author Harford constantly refers to Peter Palchinsky’s principles:

1. Try new things, expecting that some will fail
2. Make failures survivable: create safe spaces for failure or move backwards in small steps.
3. Make sure when you know you’ve failed, or you will never learn

Funny thing also was it brought up Shenzhen, noted as one of a charter city from mainland China’s competitive threat to Hong Kong as China’s first special economic zone. (page 150)

Organizations many times have to take the bottom up approach, to have workers that are willing to adapt and speak up. Also “whistle blow” when his/her company isn’t following regulations or safety standards. And to reward these whistle blowers….the company must not punish them or ridicule them,

Trial and error will always be part of how any organization solves a complex, ever shifting problems (page 66)

On page 49 he talks about US president Lyndon Johnson was always confronted with a unanimous view from his advisor team, not to show dis….WRONG he needed to be presented with all kinds of perspectives, choices, data, information….clues…..

He proclaims Google as a great innovative company, and highlights that some of the recent biggest technology failures have been Google’s, but Google is smart to cut off those programs/products and focus on the winners.

The book’s last paragraph sums it up nicely:

The ability to adapt requires this sense of security, an inner confidence that the cost of failure is a cost we will be able to bear. Sometimes that takes real courage; at other times all that is needed is the happy self-delusion of a lost three-year-old. Whatever is source, we need that willingness to risk failure. Without it, we will never truly succeed.

Not from today’s book, but something I thought would be interesting to include in today’s post: From Harvard Business Review’s 9 things Successful People do differently:

1. Set specific goals
2. Seize moment to act
3. Know how far you have to go
4. Be a realistic opportunist
5. Focus on getting better
6. Have grit (willingness to commit long term)
7. Build willpower
8. Don’t tempt fate
9. Focus on what you WILL DO, not what you won’t

This was a great read, as a “leader” and a businessman, I realize how I have to stop being afraid to make a mistake….but yes, I also cannot be too extreme in making crazy risky decisions that can completely bankrupt me either or lose my income. If we can master this balance…I’m sure we will be ahead of so many others in life.

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But I enjoy to blog, so who cares what others may think.

Maybe its the weather changing, but I have been “perma-sick” for the past two weeks, congestion, headaches, body aches, cough. I finally took a day off this Saturday and SLEPT!….much needed day of doing nothing.

While waking up and falling back asleep…..I had so many wild dreams….mostly thinking back to different times in my life…..business deals, relationships, family. Maybe some situations I wish I could change, go back and change….at least thats how it seemed in my dream. I had these chances in my dream, these intersections of my life where I could do more, say more, do less, say less.

There is the saying, dance like nobody is watching, and I applied that to my blog today, “blog like nobody is watching”.

What a week last week was, let me hit on a few points:

Marriage – So much pressure for women to get married before they are “too old”. Both directly in my life, and in my friends’ lives…this is a daily topic. At the age of 30, I also get that pier pressure to do what everyone else is doing and settle down, get a family. But to do it for the sake of doing it is crazy. I want to be 100% convinced I have found the right person, and am confident in my current life position its the bes thing to do.

Divorce – The opposite of the above, but I have been talking to friends who are going through divorce…that has to be extremely painful for anyone…wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But I also feel in today’s society, its getting more acceptable to give up more easily in a marriage…whereas in the past, social pressure frowned on divorce thus it was much less. Then in the past, did people simply stay together because friends/family/society didn’t like it? Did people live for themselves, or for others?

Pregnancy – Been a bit sad learning in Philippines unexpected pregnancy can affect a woman’s life so drastically. And in China its so common for birth control and abortion. Just such extremes. But I feel an unexpected child birth is why there is more poverty in Philippines and other lower income, less fortunate countries. Not saying what is right or wrong about “after morning pills” and abortions….but when a women gets pregnant at a young age, or an unexpected time in her life…it really has harsh reality outcomes. Yes, I know, this is life….

Child birth – Once the baby is born, the woman (or hopefully happy couple) will have to take care of this newborn baby. Food, clothing, school. Hopefully the child will grow up with equal opportunities to live the life they always wanted.

Unemployment – People feeling rejected from their jobs. Not sure what they are meant to do with their lives. Are they not good enough to add value to the company they used to work for? Which company or industry do they best fit in? Whats the point of work? These are just the random thoughts flying through someone who is unemployed and cannot find the right job. Hearing this over and over.

Working in jobs we don’t like because we don’t have a choice – Then so many people get stuck into jobs they don’t like. Maybe they have to pay the bills. They don’t have the schooling or education for their dream job. Maybe they don’t have confidence to quit and take a chance in their life. I think that is the most common reason, so many people are afraid to quit their job, to try something new.

I am glad I got so much must needed rest today. Didn’t check into any places on foursquare (ie, didn’t leave my apartment in Hong Kong), ate some various dried foods in my place, didn’t check email (too much) and instead…

slept and thought

Wish I could do this more often. It is mind expanding.

I wish I talked to my father more, but I did give him a call last night to catch up. Just the idea he supports me unconditionally has helped. To be honest, I almost credit this blog…he reads it regularly. In the past, I had this internal pressure to do what would make my dad and my family proud of me. But lately I feel they will support me for what I want to do. Below he followed up with this email:

you will make the right choice
there is full moon so go slow
i have your back we will make it .
life is a good experience we end up
stronger every day that goes by
we are a strong unit that only goes up
thank you for the journey of life
we will always be as one
love jim

And he attached the photo that I put in today’s blog post. Its him on the golf course down in Florida, happy, enjoying life, seems fulfilled.

Now, I can live my life the way I think is best, knowing that my family supports me. It makes life much easier, like a weight it off my shoulders.

And my family believe in this full moon theory. When I was a little kid, I used to get wired up (like a werewolf) and run around the house until I got tired to go to sleep. They used to say it was the full moon, makes our minds crazy.

I am ready to make some big moves and changes….further developing my life and my career…..my dad doesn’t know too much about my business life, but he does warn me I should take my time, maybe wait till the full moon is over.

I’ve already made some strong decisions the past couple weeks, to FOCUS.

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Its changing lives. I enjoy seeing someone learn and be able to create opportunity for themselves. While most of 2011 I have been in South China and Hong Kong, I do miss my experiences in the Philippines….and feel the people there just need a better chance, or hope.

Maybe its also on the comments I’ve been receiving on my blog post Leaving Philippines You wonder people are so frustrated.

But one of my favorite workers, Darlene, is a very loyal worker. I remember her interview (wow, that was a lot of interviews) and she was curious, wanted to learn, and studied the company site (new york bar store) before talking to me. She applied herself much more than the others and I think its worth investing in her education. I really wished I could have hired so many more people, but maybe each year I can return and offer a scholarship / work contract exchange program.

Here is her email to me today asking about the scholarship:

.. ahm about university is it okay to enroll in second trimester also to get me in, in my one year contract for studies coz for now i want to study call center the one that marie recommended I was already registered for my slot in informatics all i need to do is to pay for my tuition. But all things must goes to you and came by you thats why I’m just waiting for your decision always boss.

Darlene

I’m so soft….but really, what else can be better in life than to help someone build their career and education. I may be too nice, but in the end, its not business, its making the world a better place.

I remember talking to friends / business associates in the past about these programs, they would always say I need to earn more money before I can do this, and then I can help people. But come on….when is there enough money? We will always have an excuse, its about MAKING it a reality.  I will set aside enough money to make this program work.

Also, I hope to attract top performing students into this scholarship.  I am going to try to have one per year, and interview them when I am visiting the Philippines, from the clearcafe internet cafe in Manila. This year Darlene, who has been working with me almost a year now, will be the first recipient…still testing exactly how this will work. She will still do some part time work for the company, a bit flexible, but focus her time on her studies.

She is interested in computer engineering and programming, she has already been studying how to fix computers and gadgets. She plans to stay with the company for as long as we will have her, and loyalty and hard work in each staff member is critical in success.

So I don’t think this scholarship program is at all a waste….it will make me happy too, to be honest.

I may die tomorrow, at least I can die knowing I helped people expand their minds and further reach their potential.

Been getting a decent amount of emails of other foreigners interested in investing in a Philippines scholarship, as below:

Hi Michael,

I briefly read your post on setting up a scholarship in the Philippines to help some of the Filipinos/as make it to and thru university / education.

I am interested in creating a similar vehicle to help fund a specific person through their education.

Were you successful at this? Do you have details at how to organize it to make it easier for me to embark on this? Or, is it possible I could take advantage of the vehicle you have constructed by contributing funds into it to be dispersed to a specific person?

Regards,
Aaron

I hope to organize more, and will keep you all updated!

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Reading it cant help but make you think how you should appreciate your time on this earth. Some of us know when we are going to die, others it happens unexpectedly. But one thing for sure, when you put life in perspective, a lot of those little things that upset us or stress us out from day to day are negligible when facing death.

And no matter how hard I try to remember these words in this blogger’s blog post, I still get caught up in the day to day hustle and stress.

Again and again, I think back to my own posts, a favorite one – how do you live your dash which means the dash between the day we are born and the day we die, often on your grave.

Another favorite is the 5 regrets as we are about to die and I really push myself to think this way….that we have to live life to the fullest, without regret.

Today is a rather short post, but meaningful. It makes me wonder, as a regular blogger, open blogger, will I too be like Derek posting about my upcoming death on my deathbed?

To be honest, I hope so…I love blogging, sharing feelings, and connecting with people! Even in death.

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I have been in Asia almost 4 years now, and I used to not mind doing China daytime work and USA nighttime work (which is mostly USA phone calls)…but it wears you down. And as I get more and more clients and relations here in China, I have to build those relationships, by spending time at dinner and drinks with them. And on top of that my hyperactive traveling. I feel myself getting less and less connected to America.

Maybe this is what I wanted, I was always afraid of the future of the American economy, and a big driver of why I came out to China in the first place was for business opportunity and long term growth. In one way, I had hoped I was wrong, I don’t like to see America declining more and more…

As this blog title states, many people choose to ignore making a decision, to delay a decision, but by deciding to not make a decision is a decision in itself.

Sure, it is hard to make a decision, there is fear of making a mistake. There are so many moving variables in life. Many people want, or hope, others will make decisions for them. But that too is a decision.

And I have made the decision to be in Asia, to build my career, my business here. And my friend Sarah left a facebook post on my wall today, which sparked this post:

Sarah Zakarevicis –> Michael Michelini
Sarah: Reminds me of you!
me: nice it is inspiring! have a blog pot topic for it

So, obviously this got my attention, Sarah is a good friend from Jerzzzzy, and has known my through my travels and struggles since I moved out of New York City in early 2007.

Here are the lyrics, I’ll highlight the interesting points that maybe Sarah felt reminded me of her:

OneRepublic – Good Life

Woke up in London yesterday
Found myself in the city near Piccadilly
Don’t really know how I got here
I got some pictures on my phone

New names and numbers that I don’t know
Address to places like Abbey Road
Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want
We’re young enough to say

Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life

Say oh, got this feeling that you can’t fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life
A good, good life

To my friends in New York, I say hello
My friends in L.A. they don’t know
Where I’ve been for the past few years or so
Paris to China to Col-or-ado

Sometimes there’s airplanes I can’ t jump out
Sometimes there’s bullshit that don’t work now
We are god of stories but please tell me-e-e-e
What there is to complain about

When you’re happy like a fool
Let it take you over
When everything is out
You gotta take it in

Hopelessly
I feel like there might be something that I’ll miss
Hopelessly
I feel like the window closes oh so quick
Hopelessly
I’m taking a mental picture of you now
‘Cuz hopelessly
The hope is we have so much to feel good about

Yes, reading the lyrics I get to understand the song so much more (you know how you listen to songs and never catch the lyrics and true meaning of the song), yeap I’m a big traveler always on the road. Seems this is what everyone thinks of me, but hey its the life I love and glad that what I am, want to be seen as, are connecting.

To wrap up the post, at least I am

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