Moving day...

I would like to apologies for not writing for a long time. We have had some busy weeks and we have finally settled in to our new office...in the basement of the hotel. It has been a long way coming but here we are!! Very exciting actually. Good change from our old office...can not really call it an office...was more of a small meeting room with a table and chairs around it. Now at least we have a desk to sit at. And our own telephone!!!

As I was saying...it has been some crazy weeks. We are continuously working on our projects but at the same time getting more urgent tasks thrown at us. Like last week. Already feeling the pressure from our bosses, we are assigned to make an introduction video for all new employees of what not to do at the hotel. Zach was selected to be the bad employee who keeps on messing up. He was spitting (made of some old coffee), burping, picking his nose and other things that you should not do. Was extremely funny filming the whole thing. So Zach was the leading actor, Ivan the supporting actor as the angry manager and myself the director...behind the camera and the computer. The result was good. Could have been better but considering the time constraints we did a great job! And the new employees loved it...Zach is now a superstar around the office.

We were also assigned the wonderful task of punching...meaning that we have to check all areas completed and given over to us by the owners of the hotel. This turned out to be a monstrous task. Ended up spending two 14 hour days last week checking all rooms on level B2, where we are now housed. Got it done on time though.

Life here in Beijing is getting a normal routine...wakeup alarm goes off at 6:50. We take turns in having to wake up first. The other stays in bed until 7:15. Leave the apartment at 8:00. Buying a chocolate croissant in the lobby shop. Meeting our colleague Hilda and taking a cab to the office...shin fu dasha! The lucky tower!!! Working hard until around midday...then either down to the staff canteen or going out for some cheap lunch. It usually turns out to be the later...food in the canteen is not that good...not even the locals eat it. Pushing on until around 7:30-8:00PM. Leaving before this time is not possible. Our night routine is as follows: going to a restaurant nearby our apartment or stopping at Jenny Lou's supermarket to pick up some groceries or ordering in from home...the energy to cook at home is very rarely there. Bedtime is usually aroudn 11PM, Zach is first in bed...I am closely behind. Do not want him to fall asleep before me...he snores... So now you know how we spend our days. Its hard work but great rewards! Will be putting up some photos soon....keep checking!! / Martin