The first time I went to China, way back in 1993, I brought three dictionaries, from pocket-sized to increasingly larger, with me. I also brought an 8.5 x 11 hard bound journal.
At the end of each day I took out my journal and reviewed the entire day. In a numbered format, I wrote a sentence or two to help me recall every thing I did that day.
A month later, when I returned to the U.S., I went through my journal and fleshed out my memories. It turned into hundreds of pages that I have kept under lock-and-key ever since.
Thing is, I still bring a journal with me to China and record my thoughts. In fact, I make notations in one almost every day no matter where I am.
So I got to thinking, wouldn’t it be cool if I gave you a recap of some of the cool, amusing or interesting things I did this past week. As well as the seemingly dull or mundane. Okay, here goes:
Monday, August 4
Took Frank to football practice. It’s his fourth practice of the season. While he trained I went out on the track to practice Dao Zou. While in another world, a man walked up to me and said, “You know, I oughta trip you for wearing that Giants hat.”
“That might be the biggest mistake of your life,” I said with a grin.
Tuesday, August 5
Getting ready for my presentation at AWAI’s Web CopyWriting Seminar. They have me scheduled to speak from 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 on email. I typed out an 11-point guide to what I do and how I do it.
Called Zhannie in China to see how she’s doing.
Did 3.5 miles on the track – backwards.
Wednesday, August 6
Packed my bags to head to the Marriott for the Web CopyWriting Seminar.
When I arrived, Susan, who works in the cafe, told me that she had a headache and was totally stressed out. I asked her if she wanted a treatment. She agreed.
Walked to a quiet corner with some carpet. She laid down and I did some Chinese Tui Na. It took about three minutes, total. Afterward she slumped in the chair, totally blissed out. Looked like she’d seen the burning bush. She began to sweat heavily as she sat in the chair relaxing.
“Why am I sweating,” she asked. ‘I didn’t do anything. You did.”
I smiled and said: “Ancient Chinese secret.”
In the evening, after a meal, I used the Tui Na on two women from the AWAI Seminar. Same sort of thing happened to them, too. They went from stressed and frazzled to smiling and laughing.
Thursday, August 7
Ended up doing an extra 50 minutes for my presentation. Wanted to make absolutely sure everyone got it. Reviews were positive with many people telling me I helped them a lot. Even so, I see many ways I can do better next time.
Friday, August 8
Frank had his first day with full pads on. When I was 8, all we had was fun-n-games in the back yard. This is amazing.
Watched the opening of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. What a show. I’m sticking with my prediction from seven years ago, “China will win the most gold medals of any country
in this Olympics.”
Saturday, August 9
Spent several hours reading today as well as mentally preparing myself for some big launches next week.
Sunday, August 10
Here we are with today. And if you were wise enough to follow me this far, you may have already noted that the Chinese are winning the gold medal race right now.
Best,
Matt Furey