I was very excited to find that a hero of mine Jim Rogers will be coming back to Shanghai for a presentation on the 19th. Jim was kind enough to meet me lunch in Shanghai a few years back, and I very much look forward to seeing him again. Rogers is an absolutely fascinating guy. In fact, if I had never read his Adventure Capitalist book, I very well may not be here in Shanghai right now!

If you have a chance, you should check out his new book: A BULL IN CHINA

Just a reminder for anyone not keeping track – Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) will begin on Wednesday, February 6th. This means that we will work non-stop from January 28th until January 5th (no Sat/Sun off for Feb 2 & 3), but then will not return to work until Wednesday the 13th. So that’s actually a total of a 3 day holiday, because the weekend rest of the 2nd and 3rd gets moved to the Spring Festival vacation.

Not sure what I’ll do for the Spring Festival… Any ideas?

Here’s a handy reference chart for anyone that needs it

In case you prefer english, the dates in order are:

新年：new years 春节：spring festival 清明节：visit the graves of our elders (扫墓) 劳动节：labor day 端午节：dragon boat festival (eat zongzi) 中秋节：mid autum festival (eat moon pies) 国庆节：national day AKA independence day 妇女节: Women’s Day 青年节: Youth Day 儿童节: Children’s Day 建军纪念日: Military Memorial Day

Today, I got one of the most flattering compliments that I can remember. I went to the neighborhood Starbucks to meet my Japanese tutor and while waiting for coffee the Barista overhead the Japanese girl and I speaking in our only common language (mandarin).

The the barista looked me in the eyes and said, wow, you’re chinese is so good I’m not even going to try speaking english with you! Your Vanilla Latte is ready sir. And, your friend over there, she’s sounds like she’s japanese. –spoken in Mandarin

A, konichiwa, (japanese hello), (more japanese…) OK, you’re hot chocolate is ready as well.

I get complimented quite a bit on my spoken Chinese, but this is definitely the most flattered that I’ve ever felt. OK, enough boasting now