Life in Xiamen

Life in Xiamen is moving along, and I am enjoying it. My classes with Chinese professors started Monday, and it has been an incredible experience. Our Chinese professor is a Chinese Techno loving type. Our first official lessons started off with learning the word sexy and having a 10 minute disco dance break. I must say, it’s much different than Messiah professors, but I think we could institute some changes in Grantham. Shortly after our lesson, we were off to have our first of many experiences with our Contemporary Society professor. She is an overenthusiastic laser pointer happy woman. Besides the choppy English, fast power points and the laser pointer all over the room, we are staying in tune to her lectures.
This morning we had an incredible visit to a local factory that Dr. Jay scheduled for us. He knew the owner of the business as an incredible business man and an influential “Church Worker.” Basically, he runs his company with a business as missions structure where he can freely evangelize throughout his working day. The company was absolutely incredible and seemed to be a viable, profitable and self-sustaining business. Meixei was the name of the actual business, which was a mere parent company to the various divisions within the manufacturing building. The building itself was a 5 floor building with only one of the floors rented out. Turns out, the floor rented out is to a leather company that really took off when President Obama was pictured boarding one of the Presidential Helicopters with a leather bag that he was given at a debate produced by that very company…. Small world, huh?
The owner of Meixei, Bill, was an incredible man. In his eyes, success in Chinese business involves constantly updating his production line with new products that have larger selling markets. He currently has 200 some employees but has had up to 600 before the recent economic downturn….You must be wondering what types of products we saw being produced. Well, I wish I could have brought some home. His main industry is reproduction of stained glass products. He is the largest and sole producer of reproduction Tiffany and Frank Lloyd Wright Stain glass pieces in the world. His company is actually contracted by the Metropolitan Museum and the Tiffany museum headquarters in Florida to reproduce miniature versions of these famous pieces. The company also produces other items on smaller scales for worldwide retailers. Another floor of the factory that housed a branch of MeiXei produced Kevlar and resin bushings to replace bearings. He was producing these products on contracts for many companies throughout the US and Europe. This venture was really interesting for Bill’s involvement in improving the manufacturing process using lean production principles. His US counterpart could pump put 7.5 million units a year, and with a little reconstruction, Bill was able to pump out 21 million units of even better quality using what he called “Phenominons” such as using gravity to move materials and a process to rotate the bushings that was designed off of 7-eleven hotdog cookers. Lastly, we saw his newest venture that begins full production tomorrow and first shipment leaves Xiamen on Friday. This new department Bill will produce cement and fiberglass table tops used for decks and outdoor eateries in addition to the fire pits and pots made out of similar material. I enjoyed this one the most, for it was a product I have seen in the states. Interestingly enough, he sells these products which then get marketed under various names depending on the US buyer. Makes you wonder….do we really know what we are buying or at least the brand? I do now…
This afternoon I have my second class in Tai Chi, which has been incredible. It is a form of Chinese relaxation that involves the control of our bodies through breath, mind and our muscles, and happens to be much harder than I thought. It does feel good to be settled in and learning the language. I am beginning to be able to order more easily and communicate a little better. I guess when you need to survive you learn to adapt quickly. Emersion is the only way to grasp understanding in my eyes. It is almost as if chopsticks have become an extension to my fingers, but I like it. This week looks like yet another busy one, so I hope to post a blog in the coming days but it may not be until the weekend.
As someone close to me always says…..God Speed.