How are you? I do hope that you are well and have an easy and relaxed weekend.

This week, several important things have happened in our company.

One is, that the company has announced, that a cooperation between our company and an American company has failed. That is not because we did not do a good job, but for our system and the special position of our company in the Chinese securities market. We are a state company and are appointed to publish the information of the listed companies, stockjobbers, fund companies, stock exchanges and the management departments via our multimedia system with TV, web sites, magazine, newspaper, telephone, mobile phone and the stock exchange’s real time quote price system. We also stand the duty to edit, maintain and manage the stock indexes of a stock exchange of China. So, something is limiting us to have the cooperation with a foreign company and to be a stock listed company abroad.

We are sure that along with the opening of the industry and China, we will certainly have some new opportunities to make our dream to be true. So the failed project is bad and good. For me, the good hand is that I will not need to work so hard as I did, when the project was started up in the May Day Holiday, to go to the company at 7:30 am or earlier and to go to sleep at 2:00 am or later for the time difference between the two sides. However, as an occupational manager, I must re-think of how long my career life will be? How should I develop myself under the new situation. After all, when I chose to stay in China instead of studying in the U.S, one of the reasons that I was just working on the project. Whether I should think of finishing my employee life and to work on something that I really love -- the art of painting, music, language and writing as a free professional, to re-arrange my own life? I need time to think of it seriously.

Another thing is, that some virus hit our system, made over 100 servers to be affected. Whole of the company had to stop working for 2 hours and made a big lose.

The good news is that our company has created the highest revenue in its history and we will have a better income this year. So, all managers and some excellent employees went to a holiday village by the sea to have an advance yearly summary and to discuss our work plan for 2008, before the company and the departments make their formal summary and plan for whole of this Saturday.

Instead of eating a work dinner and to enjoy the view by the sea on Sunday, I came back home Saturday night. I wanted to think of something more, to look after my little birds and to work on my little web site. I am sure that luck will always accept the people of being preparative.

Ha, when I entered my home, a cat was hitting my birds. And my clean lady lost my parrots for she had forgotten to close the door of the cage.

How about you? Have you made your yearly summary? What is your plan for 2008?
I am just a learner on that art of painting, music, calligraphy, languages and to work on the web site in my free time. I would really like to do a little bit things with what I have learned to make this little web site to be An Electronic Bridge Of Culture Exchange, Friendship and Language Learning. To help the others while to improve myself.

I appreciate your understanding, directions and supports. I do hope to get your friendly help...

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please write to shirley@ebridge.cn or shirleyz004@yahoo.com. You are welcomed to publish your opinions in the forum.

Shirley Yiping Zhang
Written and Edited on Sun, Dec 9, 2007