Interesting Facts about NYC (Episode II)
More interesting observations in NYC:
1. Dogs and Dogs' remainNo matter daytime or evening, one will always see a lot of dogs running around, but all being tied to their owners. However, one will rarely see dogs' remain. In my opinion, partly because of their sense of social responsibility, but also has to be with the fine - it's $100 if you get caught. That will be shitty lot!
2. Parking
Alongside the one-way roads in New York, there are one lane each on each side of the road (e.g. An avenue will be a 5-lane road but 2 on the sides for parking). And the drivers in NYC like to park really close to each other - even not enough for a human body to cross in between! I'm not sure how could they do that, maybe I'm still a new driver...
In addition, there are always signs on the road saying "No Standing" Guess what it means?! It's not for people but it means no parking! By the way, at certain part of New York, such as Times Square area, one will have to pay for thousands for the fine if you park illegally.
3. The Chelsea NeighborhoodDon't get me wrong, it's not the English Premier League Champions Chelsea, but the neighborhood of Chelsea in Manhattan. If you have been to NYC, I'm sure you will know what it is famous for...its bars, restaurants, and GAY culture! Check out the picture below which I took from my windows, then you will know the uniqueness of Chelsea!
4. ATM and Credit cardsI guess like everywhere in the US, many shops in the City have ATM machines built in their shops. Though it is convenient and it is a habbit that Americans are using cards so much, you get to pay a surcharge for using these ATM at stores. However, ATMs in banks are free...talking about banks, major banks here in NYC include CitiBank, Bank of America, Chase, Washington Mutual and HSBC!!! There are actually a lot of HSBC, but I hardly see them when I traveled in Boston, Washington DC and Baltimore.
To be continued...
Unexpected Returns - DC & Baltimore Trip
What a tiring but very meaningful and enjoyable trip for this past weekend!
Some highlights before the trip- My first visit to the US capital
- Meeting AIESECers from LC George Washington (GW)
- Meeting Fr. Gene Geinzer, an old friend I met in Beijing in Baltimore
- Visiting Baltimore and Loyola College, the "home" and where my respected former boss Fr. Ron Anton used to work
- Having Cindy as a traveling companion (my friend studying abroad in USA)
Itinerary
April 23
- supposingly we're catching the bus at 8am to DC but we missed it by 2 minutes (!!!) but we paid for another bus and arrived in DC at around 1pm
- Then we visited some museums/art gallery with LC AIESECers and some other AIESEC alumni in DC
- Dinner & Party with AIESECers at George Washington Campus area
April 24
- Headed to Baltimore with a coach, and arriving at about 10:30am
- Touring National Aquarium, Little Italy and downtown area
- Went to Loyola College in Baltimore
- Stayed at Ignatius House
April 25
- Took the MARC train from Penn Station of Baltimore to Union Station in DC
- Visited the National Geographic HQ, International Spy Museum
- Rushed to Chinatown for bus to NYC
- Arrived NYC at 9:15pm
Thoughts/Feelings after trip1. AIESEC-wise: Although it's not really a reception activity for my traineeship, I treated that as a very good mean for integration wit local members, as well as learning a lot more about the AIESEC culture, DC culture and networking within the organization. Also, again, thanks for LCP Andrew Martin and other GW members, I witnessed the power of AIESEC network and the passion of the new blood. Of course, not to miss the party we had...
2. Excitement in GW campus - with the Cops!
When we're having the home party, somehow someone threw up and attracted the attention of the campus police and we were forced to stop the party and followed by ID checking....well, the treatment for non-GW members/alumni was a line from the cops - "Get out from that exit and I dun want to see your faces again!" So, we left the party apartment without any further trouble.
3. What a great museum trip for Me, a history-majored master student
I love the Arthur Sackler Gallery in DC - having a lot of artifacts from Asian cultures, Buddhist statues from India, Tibet, exhibits from Silk Route, Chinese ancient art pieces/antiques...I learnt much more about the Asian cultures, unbelievably from an US museum. The international Spy Museum was a place allowed me learning a lot more about the history of the US - KKK's anti-minority approach, anti-communist propaganda in the Cold War period (videos from the time, etc)
4. Excellent Discussions on Christianity at Loyola Baltimore
I had long been educated in Christian schools and interacted and interested with the religion. With the night staying at Loyola College, I had a wonderful time with a Chinese priest who studies in the college now. It strengthened the knowledge I learnt from schools and at the same time created a lot more thoughts to me...that was really a surprise - to have some spiritual moment for me.
5. Exchanges and touched discussions/Self realization Process
Since we're taking the buses, I had a lot of discussions with Cindy - lots of exchange about HK's policies, histories and exchange of thoughts of development in Chinese economies, and the most powerful and touched discussions for MYSELF - 1989 Tian An Men...I realized that it still stroke me a lot and it still made me emotional when I have to talk about it...after these discussions, I really have another valuable gain - self-recognition as a HK citizen and Chinese, not politically at all, but it's more like a personal feeling just simply being a "yellow-skinned decedent of the Dragon - a Chinese" and the hope for our country - no matter what regime is it. It's about MY country.
6. Importance of Friendship/Interdependence of human being
Seems to be big words, but the trip reminded me again the welknown Chinese sayings, "Counting on friends when you are away from home". Without the help from so many individuals, my trip would not be as meaningful, interesting and rewarding as it is now. I do not have a faith yet, but I do want to say thanks GOD for granting me this.
7.
"Si Nian" (Chinese, meaning "Missing")
There was certainly something which would have added much more value to my trip - most of all is if I could have Cinde with me. I have to admit, I do miss her very much but as I promised her, we would be traveling together in the world. I keep my promise and I will keep it...I'm preparing and learning to be a more resourceful and better traveler, as well.
Looks like it's the time for me to pause for it now...
Kicking-off MY Career Path
It has been about 3 months since I came to the United States. Given that I had lots to experience in a new country, I'm still getting the same feeling - weeks passed by really quickly.
I think it's time (also as response to friends) to summarize a little bit what has the professional side of my life been like. Started July 1 of year 2003, I graduated from HKUST finally after 5 years living on the wonderful campus. Then I was lucky to get a job offer from The Beijing Center, which is an educational joint-venture between the US and China. The center brought over American college students to study, live and experience in Beijing and so as the Mainland of China. It is an excellent idea of integrating academic advancements, exploring the Chinese culture with first hand personal expeditions and immersion with local people. (For more information, please refer to the link to The Beijing Center on the right)
Fortunately, I have built a network of good friends and family-like colleagues at The Beijing Center and the fabulous city - Beijing!
Then in October 2004, I made a decision to realize my long-term AIESEC dream - to be a trainee of AIESEC, living and working abroad, to challenge myself and further develop my global perspectives. Then I underwent interviews with the company Nielsen Media Research and got confirmed an offer from it. I began my journey to "the West" - applying my visa in HK in X'mas 2004 and then booked my tickets flying through Japan to New York City!
So currently I'm with Nielsen Media Research, a TV ratings company. As one will expect, our client base basically includes all major US broadcasters (ABC, WB, NBC, CBS, Fox, etc...), cable TVs (CNN, ESPN, TNT, TBS, History Channel, Discover Channel, National Geographic, etc) and the international and local advertising agencies in the United States.
The business unit I'm now assigned with in NYC is for broadcast stations in 210 local markets in USA. I'm involved in a new product launch - including marketing plan and strategies formulation, revenue forecast and initial client feedbacks, etc. In addition, I also do product portfolio reviews and revenue analysis...and since the traineeship itself is also the management development program of the company, so I have a lot of management training sessions and I am going to have rotations in different business units in the parent group VNU Inc. (a business media and information group HQ in NYC and Harlem, The Netherlands) Ocassionally, I will also travel for manager meetings, etc...Tampa in Florida, Chicago in Illinois and LA in California are among my next stops in the coming 13 months of time.
The industry itself is challenging and interesting, plus USA is a matured and huge TV and entertainment market, so I'm having a lot to learn and catch up :) Also, since my former job was sort of an NGO, while I have to be more business/profit oriented now. Even adjusting my mindset itself is also quite an experience.
I think I am lucky to have these 2 different professional experiences which help me realize my future career goals step by step. I also enjoy the work culture in Nielsen and intereactions with the co-workers, as well as learning from my senior management.
To my current thoughts, I hope I would be posted back to a business unit in China or HK within the parent group VNU or Nielsen Media Research after the training period and further persue my career development. Of course as my past experiences tell me, what is more important is to keep my eyes open and be ready for new challenges and always creating a difference!
"The Producers"
"The Producers" - The best Broadway show I had so far. What a wonderful musical - highly recommended. Remember to check it out if you come to New York City!
(Click on the image for the Official Show Website)
Intrepid Sea & Air Museum
Welcome to the Intrepid Sea & Air Museum in Manhattan - Yes, you're right! It is an actual aicraft carrier!
Even though we couldn't make it to go into the "museum" due to long waiting line, we can see the fighter and other aircrafts on the carrier. I'm definitely going to check it out soon!
MCP Re-Union
We met first in Guatemala City in AIESEC's International Presidents' Meeting 2001.
Then, it was International Congress in Switzerland.
Thridly, Hong Kong was the spot.
Malta's IPM 2002 was our fourth time meeting each other.
Then, 3 years passed and it is April 2005. Michael Moosberger and I meet again here in New York City, USA - How amazing it is! Not just to the fact that we are meeting always in different countries, but to me, it's a good case practice (GCP^_^) demonstrating how the AIESEC alumni keep our network, even years after our official terms with the organization.
It is also motivating to know that Mike is persuing his intellectual and career development in a new stage - enrolling in the Master program in International Relations in Cambridge.
So we talked a lot about the current affairs and shared the old AIESEC stories and updating friends in our network...that is really nice.
In the past weekend, we also did some tourings in the New York City together. Even though we failed to get the tickets to see the Statue of Liberty (apprently they sold too many tickets for the day and we arrived the pier late in the afternoon) and the Intrepid Sea and Air Museum, we had some great time touring Chinatown, WTC site, Wall Street, NYC's Central park and even a Broadway Show! I'm also glad that I went out with Mike's classmates and shared a lot of good conversations and exchanged ideas on different issues with the international group from Cambridge University. At one point, it was really interesting that since all of us were foreign to the City or even the country itself, I became the "local" with my only 2.5 months experiences living in NYC.
Besides, I'm also glad to see the warmth finally seems to arrive in NYC. This is something I like, given that I'm going to tour around in Washington DC and Baltimore in the weekend.
Cranium Party
Last night, I played the board game,
Cranium for the first time. It was a party with my fellow management associates and other Nielsen colleagues. We had great food and snacks prepared by the host Adrian and Nic. It was quite an expereince. The game is a very participative and requires a lot of wisedom and creativities and cooperations among group members.
It reminded me the old days in High School...we played
Monopoly, Hotel, Risk, Uno, etc...these are great! In fact, I just bought a UNO with Harry Potter design last week. ^_^
Interesting Facts about NYC (Episode 1)
After living in the Big Apple for about two and a half months, I realized something which is quite appealing, at least to me, as a Chinese and a Hongkonger:
1) One-way roads- I was in the Americas region for the first time in 2001. In Guatemala City, there are a lot of UNO or one-way roads...I found it really kind of strange as even in HK, we have so narrow roads, but we still have two-way mostly. Then when I came to NYC, I found that it's the same here; except some cross-town streets and avenues, most of the Avenues (North/South) and Street (East-West) are one-way only.
2) Subway- There're a lot of observations one can make with New York's subway system, MTA. Firstly, it is run 24/7, meaning 24 hours and 7 days. (except certain lines) Second, the concept of "express" and "local" is highly incorporated into the system. So there're altogether 4 tracks basically in each of the subway station. I had a colleague in NYC actually asked me why HK has onyl two tracks - he asked what happen if one broke? Well, that was a surprise to me. We do have subway malfunction but since we have overnight checks, so it rarely happens...The reason for NYC to have express and local trains? My wild guess will be since the subway trains are all north-south bounds, it will be much faster and convenient for one to get on an express to go from north up (like the Bronx) to say Chinatown in lower Manhattan.
(footnote: even in the former World Trade Center, the express/local idea was implemented for the elevators)3) Bagels, Pizzas and Diet Coke- Food is always a nice thing to explore and think about a culture. Bagels are really big here for breakfast. In my company, we have weekly sales meeting that I usually sit in. Breakfast, primarily meaning all kinds of BAGELS, is provided. Italian restaurants here are overwhelming. Remember to grab a slice when you come to NYC! (Lonely Planet USA's advice: get one from a pizzeria with Italian-looking staff and near a subway station, they're the best and genuine ones)
For drinks, diet coke is all the time for ladies here, and some gentlemen like me who do not really like coke but when soft drinks turn out to be the choice)
4) Tippings!- If you do not know the rule of tippings or simply like me, are not used to it, you will be in big trouble. Always keep in mind in restaurants, taxi cabs, bars - tip appropriately for the services! In restaurant, we normally tip for 15-20%. For cabs, good services can goto 20% or when you asked the drivers to wait for you or carry the lugguages for you.
5) Lady first- Elevators, doors, entrances...remember to respect the ladies! I like it because it is a polite manner. On the other hand, it could be a good example/counter argument for people saying that we're in hurry and simply forget that. Business people in NYC also practice it all the time.
to be continued...
Global Village
My Global Village counter and Chinese National Flag at Baruch College, City University of New York. (April 11 night)
It's April - Spring Time
April - the beginning of Spring...
As Chinese sayings told us, Spring is the time to plan for the year. Together with the warmer weather, I also started to do more exploring in the City and the country - United States.
Last Saturday, I met with Sherry, my old friend from Taiwan who's studying in New Jersey now. And then followed by lots of AIESECers in the birthday party of Suzanne Moyer's (former MCP of US). I also went up north to the Bronx for my first time to visit my friend Jay and the Bronx Zoo, as well as a great tour of the Rose Hill campus of Fordham University - NYC's Jesuits University. What an amazing weekend! Thanks god for the excellent weather, too!
In the coming weeks, I'm expecting another old friend Mike, a New Zealander from England and then my best friend in college, Mr. Yeung Jr. I'm excited for that. Plus, I'm going to Washington DC and Baltimore in about 10 days. After 10 weeks of stay in USA, I finally get to see the capital of the country...
Last night, I also had a nice AIESEC session in Baruch College of City University of NY. I presented the HK culture and learnt about some Eastern European (Bulgaria, Russia, former Yugoslavia, Georgia) and Latin American (Ecuador, Argentina, Colombia) cultures.
Time really flies like an arrow - my New York stay will only last for another 3.5 months before I'll be posted to Oldsmar in Florida. Well, this is exactly why I'm seriously planning for more sightseeing and new experiences. Afterall, it's great fun to travel and see the world we're in - thats why I'm here for.
CK's Online Album
If you think this site is rather plain...let's take a look at the CK's online album:
http://community.webshots.com/user/calvinc_hk-date
