Chinese Turkey

With only two weeks of my Chinese adventure left, there are so many things to be thankful for. Though there are still aspects of this nation that I respect but may not understand, it definitely has been a learning experience. One thing I definitely do not understand is why the Chinese do not celebrate Thanksgiving. They pick up every other American holiday except the most uncommercialized, and I mean come on…the Pilgrims and Indians are cool people too. In all honesty, they claim to celebrate Thanksgiving but without Turkey and stuffing it just is not the same.

Our CSP Thanksgiving Dinner

The past two weeks in my internship has been an absolute blast. Every morning Jon and I get picked up by our driver and taken to The Pack Fortune (www.thepackchina.com). Our company is a manufacturing plant based out of beautiful Xiamen that produces over 80 million custom paper shopping bags and millions of garment bags, gift boxes and specialty retail items a year.

Our Paper Bag Plant

From the first day I spent 8 hours tying knots on Chanel bags, I have gained such an appreciation for the simple label “Made in China.” If you look at it as a means of outsourcing or a mysterious label that you never think twice about, you will never allow your mind to broaden and soak in the truth. For Jon and me, we now know what it means to be made in China. From the raw materials, administrative support, the hands themselves and the cargo containers we have gained such an appreciation. This is where I give my first thanks. I am just so thankful for my family which has taught me to take in every moment, love what I am doing and learn all I can. Thank you Gram for teaching me all you have in the past, and for supporting me to continue learning, appreciate what surrounds me and to keep up the hard work. It really means a lot to me and as saw on Skype…puts a smile on my face.

Getting Ready with our Adviser Ashton to conduct an Interview

(Which we now do alone...haha)

I have been able to experience just about every aspect of this company. We have conducted interviews (which is a riot when you are trying to read Chinese characters while not understanding even one and trying to look professional), developed a marketing campaign, taught courses on cultural difference especially in western business etiquette, global conflict resolution, acquired new customers for the company (Dallas Cowboys), and even helped a factory line worker advance to the office. It is weird walking through both six floor factories and seeing so many familiar names: Chanel, Prada, Lexus, Target, Abercrombie & Fitch, Cole Haan, Victoria Secrets and more.

Checking the line.

With that in mind, we have probably broken every rule of the company without even knowing it; including drinking at my desk….and I am talking about tea here people so get your mind out of the gutter. For me, this internship has been extremely rewarding. Learning all of these new skills is great, but I am even more blessed to be giving back to this nation and its people. In every little way, from eating lunch in the canteen to practicing English, I hope that I would be able to touch the lives of these people in thanks for all they and their country has taught me the past few months.

Jon teaching our first class.

Though this year I was not fortunate to indulge in turkey, stuffing and cranberry, I have understood what it feels like to be truly thankful for all we have. When you live somewhere with nothing of the norm, you feel thankful for every little thing you have. Granddad, thank you for being such a blessing on my life through your gifts, lessons and support. I would not have been able to grow as much as I have, experience all I have and built the relationships I have without your help, which I am gratefully thankful for. Though thanksgiving is a time to be spent with family, being thousands of miles from home makes it extremely difficult, but I tell you now family and friends, you are all in my heart during these days. I am thankful for each and every one of you, especially my friends who keep me smiling and in check! J

Sorry, that this note is not nearly has humorous as my previous…I guess it will show you how thankful for humor you may be. I did have one of my co-workers prepare and sing a song from the Sound of Music for me. Stuff like that never gets old…or Cockroaches…They never get old either. Two weeks from this moment I will be boarding a plane to come back to the US of A….and not sure what I will be thinking. I know that as I look back on the tarmac I will be burdened with sadness from all the memories, relationships and adventures I leave behind….but I will also be excited to come home and be surrounded with people I love most.

Coming to China has been one of the most incredible things I have done and I am not only thankful for the experience but for all the people (esp. my incredible family) who have gotten me here today!

A view out our office complex.

Zaijian Zhongguo.