Sayonara Japan

Last night's dinner and meeting was the final event on our trip for this year.  I want to thank Yoshi Tomita's father, Hiraaki, for all his help in making last night's event possible.  We gathered at the Grand Central Station Oyster Bar, a real replica of the same restaurant that actually is in Grand Central Station, New York City.  A thank you also needs to go out to Kyle Riley's dad, Paul, for his help too with our trip.

Seated L to R: Tomoko Oyama ’03; Yuto Takahashi’s mother, Naoko Yuto; Kneeling L to R: Kyle Riley’s mother, Yuko Riley; Yoshiaki Tomita’s mother, Hiroko Tomita.  Standing L to R: Akito Wakamatsu’s mother and father, Yuko and Yasurhiro Wakamatsu; Raylene Davis; Jim Bastis; Ayana Yagi’s mother, Hiromi Yagi, Kanami Sugiyaa’s mother, Mayumi Sugiyama; Kyle Riley’s father, Paul Riley; Takuya Oida’s mother, Hiroe Oida; Mio Tanaka Yoshioka ’05; and Yoshiaki Tomita’s father, Hiraaki Tomita.

We had a very good turnout with seven families being represented at the dinner.  I believe the highlight of the evening was having Tomoko Oyama '03 and Mio Tanaka Yoshioka '05 join us.  Both alums shared with the parents how their Brewster experience helped them in college and in life.  The parents of today's Japanese students were extremely grateful for their insight and help.  Both Raylene and I are very appreciative of Tomoko and Mio taking time out of their busy schedules to help alma mater.

It is hard to believe that this year's trip to Asia has come to a close.  It has been a long, but very successful and enjoyable trip.  It was good to catch up with parents and alumni I've met on past trips and to meet new folks this time around.  I had the opportunity to meet with more than 25 families and about 10 alumni.  A hearty thank you to all those wonderful parents and alumni that helped us by being our point people.  Without them we would never have been able to accomplish so much in so many places and in so short a period of time.  Both Raylene Davis and I are thank you all and are extremely grateful.

Japan, Australia, America, & Italy

Front L to R: Hirona Imamura Hayashi '05;Mio Tanaka Yoshioka '05; Shiori Taguchi Brummer '02; and Tomoko Oyama '03; Back L to R: Jim Bastis, Raylene Davis, Scott Algate '05, and Daigi Sakamoto '02

That's what the night brought when two Australians, two Americans, and five Japanese got together at an Italian restaurant, Pane E Vino, for an alumni gathering last night.  It was a great time for all to catch up with each other, or to get to know each other.  Scott Algate is in Japan teaching English.  Both Mio Tanaka and Shiori Taguchi have recently married.

Nice Way To End Seoul Visit

It was a pleasure to have lunch with the family of Tony Kwon '16 this afternoon.  Tony's brother-in-law, Steven, served as our translator.  Tony's mother asked many motherly questions of concern for her son who is so far away from home.  Questions that relate to dorm life and roommates, preparation for college, and many others.  I assured them of our obligation to make sure all our students are properly prepared for a successful Brewster experience and seamless entry into college.

Front Row, L to R: Jimmy Lee's mother, Hyun Joo Kang; Jason Han's mother, MiKyung Choi,  Jim Bastis, Shin Park's mother, In Young Choi; Second Row, L to R: Eric Heo's mother, Jin Hwa Han; Jason Han's brother, James Han; Jason's father, WonDon Han; Shin Park's father, Kyung Ho Park; and Tony Kwon's mother, Sang Rye Lee.

The evening was the time for meeting and dining with other members of the KPA (Korean Parent Association).  We all came together in the Grill Room at the JW Marriott.  I need to thank Jason Han's mother for serving as this year's president of the KPA and also to Jason's father for all his help with the logistics of the evening.  We discussed a number of topics ranging from the food in the cafeteria to what Asian food I like the most.  Guess what?  I'm not going to answer that question.

A Rainey Night In Seoul

So many things that happen to us in everyday life are singular to us in that they are of importance to us and only us and to no one else.  Tonight it rained.  No big deal except to me since this is the first time it has rained in all of my visits to Asia.  So there.  Let's move on.

L to R: Jason Kim '00, Bo Kyung Choi '07, Jim Bastis, Mo Kim '05, Raylene Davis, and John Boulet

Raylene Davis set up an alumni get-together tonight over at the hotel at which she is staying in another section of Seoul.  After a taxi ride, I joined the group for some good chat at a Korean beef restaurant.  That's where they cook the beef right in the middle of your dining table.  All are doing well.  Jason has just finished a full-length motion picture, Bo is finishing some graduate studies, and Mo is almost finished with his military obligation.  Jason has agreed to head up the Korean alumni chapter.

Happy To Be In Seoul

Yesterday, we left Beijing with hugs all around.  Sam Wang's mother was so gracious to us during our visit and in leaving she was no different.  She drove us to the airport and offered all of us a warm goodbye.

L to R: Won Don Han; Jim Bastis; Jason's mother, Mi Kyung Choi, Raylene Davis; John Boulet; and Alice Lee, Jason's cousin.

After an uneventful trip into Seoul on an Air China flight, Raylene and I split up in Seoul.  Raylene is headquartered in the Sheraton in a separate part of town and I am in my usual Seoul location the JW Marriott.  Jason Han's dad retrieved me at the Incheon Airport.  We had a very nice chat and discussed our plans for the upcoming dinner meeting with the Korean Parents Association Saturday night.  Mr. Han also invited all of us to dinner that night.  It was good to meet Jason's mother again.  The night was a welcome way to enter Korea that is so different than China.

Oh What A Beijing Night!

L to R: Sam Wang's mother, Hong Zhen; Haoran Li's uncle, Fengxian Jiang; Tim Shi's mother, Liang Meishan; Jim Bastis; Raylene Davis; John Boulet; Minji Son, Shi family friend; Sam Wang's father, Xuetao Wang; Anna Dong's father, Fong Dong; and Mandy Yuan's father, Huibin Yuan.

After a very adventurous previous night joining together the next evening with many of our Beijing students's parents was very enjoyable. We dined at the Todai Restaurant.  I spoke with each student's family members one-on-one before we all moved to another private dining room for good talk and good food.

Beijing You Are A Friend Of Mine

After the problems I had with my flight heading to Shanghai out of Hong Kong, leaving Shanghai without trouble was certainly on m mind.  After help from the guys back in the States, all went OK and we made it to Beijing in good shape.

After getting my boarding pass and clearing security, I told Raylene Davis I could face anything moving forward the rest of the day.  Well, during the flight on this humanity packed China Eastern Airbus 330, I knocked a Pepsi off my tray and into my lap.  Not only was that annoying, but it was a full blooded sugar laced version.  The type that sticks to your hands and everything else that I will not mention here.  Diet drinks and sugar substitutes are not prevalent in Asia in general.  You almost always have to ask for some and still the wait staff does not know what you are talking about.  Like Shanghai's, Beijing's airport is huge.  It is hard to comprehend how large these airports are.  Yet they do not always have gate space for all the flights at these two ports, our flight deplaned away from a terminal gate somewhere out on the tarmac.  They had us all get off  this huge plane to be bused into the terminal.  It was not easy for those older folks to climb down some serious stairs from the plane.  

What a pleasant sight to see Sam Wang’s mom, Hong Zhen, waiting for us waving a Brewster Academy banner.  It was worth a few laughs.  Thanks to Sam’s folks for picking us up at the airport.  The evening was a pure delight when they insisted on taking us for a foot massage and a pedicure.  This was a first for me.  Ann, my wife, has often tried to get me to sit still for one.  Then we were whisked off to dinner at a very famous Chinese ethnic restaurant - A Fun Ti.  What was interesting was the fact the food and folks running the restaurant where from Xinjiang Province which is an autonomous region located in China's northwest.   It borders Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.  How about that folks.  It was a learning experience watching their dances and eating their food.  Such a departure from what you expect in Beijing.  

I guess this next little story related to the evening at A Fun Ti was my enjoying one of the food selections offered.  I thought i was eating a beef, green pepper, and onion dish with a very nice spice.  It really complemented the local beer we were drinking.  To my surprise, I found out that what I was eating was not even close to what I thought.  I will leave the description unmentioned here.  SURPRISE! Just look at the photo to the right to see what Jimbo came upon.

Shanghai It Is

After a bit of trouble with my flight reservation, we finally made it to Shanghai via China Eastern Airlines.  With three of us traveling, John Boulet, Raylene's good friend is with us, it made sense for us to hire a van at the airport to take us to our hotel, Les Suites Orient.  The hotel overlooks the Hangpau (Yellow Bank) River.  The Haungpau is the last major tributary to the Yangtze River that empties into the East China Sea at Shanghai.  We arrived mid-evening on a very active Saturday night where the lights where bright and the Bund (famous part of Shanghai) crowded with people walking its shoreline enjoying themselves immensely.  The Chinese love to use lights everywhere especially all over their buildings.  It is a fabulous light show.  Even the tour boats traversing up and down the river are all aglow.  After a day's worth of traveling, we decided to dine at the hotel and call it a night.

My room has a view of the river that is quite impressive as you see from above, especially as the sun rises.  Compared to the vast numbers of people out Saturday night, there where very few walkers and joggers moving along the Bund in the still of the morning.

I took the time to prepare for today’s meeting with our Shanghai parents by sitting in front of the window watching the many, many boats coming down river loaded with all kinds of cargo.  It is a unique experience.

Sherry Mao and Paul Yao’s fathers came into town early to join me for lunch.  Both had to get back to their respective towns for important business meetings.  We enjoyed catching up and discussing Paul and Sherry’s plans for the remainder of the school year since both will be graduating this May.

Just a few hours later, Raylene Davis and I met with the parents of the students from Shanghai.  We were fortunate to have Jerry Zhu’s mother help us with the translating.  It was two well hours.  It is no surprise to see the concern in the faces of our Asian parents what with having their children going to school halfway around the world.  All parents, whether in Shanghai or Boston, want nothing but the best for their children.  Our individual meetings with each of the parents was followed by a wonderful authentic Chinese dinner at a very famous restaurant, Yuan Yuan.  Many laughs could be translated into their happiness with the Brewster experience.

Front L to R: Jeffrey Zhou’s mother, Qin Pin; Lily Wang’s mother, Chunfang Ma; Jim Bastis; Raylene Davis; and Jerry Zhu’s mother, Ran Chen.  Second  L to R: Zing Wang’s father and mother, Wei Dong Wang and Baomei Wang; Sherry Xie’s mother and father, Jianmei Shi and Kelie Xie; Doris Xiang’s father and mother, Peijun Xiang and Bing Geng; Cynthia Mei’s mother and father, Qing Cai and Guobiao Mei; and Tom Liu’s father and brother, Jian Hua Liu and John.

Next, Beijing

First Stop Hong Kong

I did not realize what I was in for when I flew from Boston to Chicago to make my Hong Kong connection.  It only dawned on me that the flight was going to be 16 hours.  That's two 8-hour work days back-to-back.  Of well, I settled in for the long flight and plowed into a good number of my backlog of magazines I brought with me that I had not had a chance to read during my everyday life in Wolfeboro.  Hong Kong is really a unique place.  So much of the British influence is still here despite Hong Kong being turned over to China in 1997.  Hong Kong has its own currency, immigrations, and so many of the freedoms inherited from the British that do not exist in Mainland China.  They even drive on the other side of the road than do the drivers up in the Mainland.

L to R: Howard Kwong '99, Raylene Davis,  & Jim Bastis

After a smooth entry into Hong Kong and a day to get my jet lag under control, I joined up with fellow Brewsterite Raylene Davis.  Raylene runs the summer programs for the Academy and is over hear on both sales calls and admissions visits.  We enjoyed a great lunch and good talk with alum Howard Kwong '99.  We took the MTR (subway) from our side (Kowloon) of the harbor over to Hong Kong Island to meet up with Howard.  Howard is one our staunchly loyal alums here in Asia.  We discussed ways in which to increase Brewster's presence in both Hong Kong and Asia in general.   Both Raylene and I look forward to Howard's help going forward.

Not having too much down time, we were back at our hotel to meet Nelson Ngai and his wife, Rowenna.  Nelson and Rowenna have two daughters that are Brewster alums.  In fact, we jumped into a taxi and weaved our way through the crowed streets of Hong Kong with a crazy driver at the wheel.  They have these grab handles above the door of the taxi that you can hold onto when you need to.  Well, I never let go of the thing until we got to our destination.  We met one of their daughters, Janice '07, at the restaurant.  It was here that I had my first collision with Asian cuisine this time around, although I did manage to enjoy a goodly amount of tonight's offerings.  I must be getting soft or just flat out used to Asian cuisine  this being my fourth trip to Asia.  Nelson and Rowenna's other daughter, Susan '09, is back at Penn State finishing up her final year.  It was good to meet Janice and her folks.  Janice is working in the fundraising area since coming back to Hong Kong after also attending Penn State.  We parted ways with us walking back to the hotel.  I know Friday nights bring out people no matter where in the world they are, but here in Hong Kong the lights on the buildings are so bright and go on for miles as do the number of people on the sidewalks.  You cannot walk a straight line anywhere here in Hong Kong.  It was a very enjoyable evening.

Tomorrow we fly off to Shanghai.

Off to Asia Monday Morning!

All the preparations have been made for my fourth trip to Asia come Monday.  It is always exciting to visit our alumni and the parents of the students at Brewster from that part of the world.  Thanks to so much for the help from many of the parents in each location we will visit, the trip is all set.  We will visit Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo before heading back to the states just before Thanksgiving.   Raylene Davis is joining me on this trip.