Thursday, April 15, 2010 – 3:28 pm (China)
So far so good, all flights have been on time. I got a free sandwich at lunch and found a dollar at the Detroit airport. The food on the flight to Shanghai has been good, definitely better than I remember. I am seated next to 2 Ph.D’s; one is an engineer and the other is a physician. We are currently flying over Russia; I got some great shots from the airplane. Frozen white mountains and rivers as far as the eye can see. What I wouldn’t give for some skis right about now. Truly beautiful, the untouched wilderness.
The physician seated by the window helped someone with a medical emergency. Luckily the guy was alright. I watched the Blindside, what a powerful movie. I would highly recommend it. I have been reading about User Stories, learning modes, and Scrum. Good stuff. I would like to relate all of this back to project management, but it’s 1:29 AM to me so this is as good as it gets.
Insights into the Chinese culture (Gentleman sitting next to me on the plane – he is Chinese although lives in the states now)
• Their North is our South and our South is their North. In China the northern half of the country is mostly farmland and lagging behind in industrialization. However, their south is highly industrialized.
• There is no “I” in China (at least with our parent’s generation). Everything is team oriented and done for the good of the team. A dissenter or someone with a contrary opinion is shunned. Also, you put your country first, city second, family third, and yourself last (in terms of your needs, desires, wants, etc).
