Basic Chinese

China survival kit:

你好- nǐ hǎo (hello)

饭店- fàn diàn (restaurant)

出租车- chū zū chē (taxi)

路- lù (road)

前面 / 前边 - qián miɑn / qián biɑn - in front

后面 / 后边 - hòu miɑn / hòu biɑn - behind

左边 / 右边 - zuǒ biɑn / yòu biɑn - left / right (sides)

东- dōnɡ - east

南- nán - south       

西- xī - west   

北- běi - north 

zài jiàn - 再见 - goodbye

谢谢 - xiè xie - thank you

Qingdao in HD (photos by Martin Dietz)

I really miss this city!

If you would like to visit, intern, or study Chinese please visit Intern China Business Exchange for more details

Technology "Good vs. Evil"

How can we really tell if the advantages of technology are really helping or hurting our youth.  I am going to attempt to list what I believe are the positives and negatives of the New World Order - 21st century.

(+) Positives:

1. Fast, easy information systems
2. Potential to help the entire world through access of infomation
3. Availability of massive amounts of really any information - easy now even with a cell phone
4. Creates networking abilities that were never able to happen before
5. Creates new jobs and promotes new ideas and competition
6. If you are smart and stay up on all the tools you will have a job and a good salary
7. If you are the type of person that can adapt to change well you will be fine
8. Use to create relationships in many different ways -Global Communication-

(-) Negatives:

1. Everyone's personal information is out in the open
2. Created confusion and a new paradigm (debatable if that is positive of negative)
3. Creates a high level of competition globally and makes jobs harder to have at an entry level
4. Changed the music and entertainment industry forever (could be positive or negative)
5. Complicated when used in ways to profit from and difficult to stand out from the billions of people using online devices
6. If you are a little slow then it is really hard to stay on top of these tools and ways to stay creative and may get lost and not make enough money to survive
7. If you don't take well to change and are not able to adapt you will probably struggle forever at this point
8. Kills traditional behavior and has potential to damper small communities and small business

*This list applies to web pages, blogs, multimedia devices (cell phones), and any other tools that are on the open market for all to contribute to.

-image features Jeff Han and the article is actually old - Feb. 4th, 2009 entitled

                                                      -"You May be Able to Buy A Sixth Sense"

America, Blogs, and Do I Make Cents?

Well I don't know if I am putting my views out there properly or giving really any valuable information that people haven't already heard.  I don't even know if I make any sense... I am most certainly not making any cents, dollars, or investments here.  Is anyone reading blogs or do you have to find a niche blog... I think Blogger is too general of a place to put this blog... Anyways...

image provided by Twitter.com

Let me talk about America and our job market... Where is it going or should I say where has it gone... Overseas?  Maybe?  To specifically intelligent people that have the ability to hone in on detailed work (they are the ones getting paid.. right?)  We have lost our blue collar jobs... Yes I believe a great deal of them are gone and they will not come back.  Not only has technology replaced them but dealing with more global world has replaced them.  We need to get more enlightened and trust me I don't know where to start especially when you cannot resist going to Walmart to buy a few groceries and end up with a cart full of shit. 

Have we lost the war or are we still in this game of life?  We need to find ways to educate more people but not scare them.  Our politicians and or government and media strive off of scaring people... We are blind to the truth because we lack the good of what is going on in the entire world and what we can create with the good.  Entrepreneurship will rise to the event and is... If it doesn't and we don't create new jobs and small business we will fail... Unfortunately we are failing now.  We haven't pulled out of the war in Afghanistan and we still have to worry about South Korea on a daily basis.  What about China as well... I personally love China because I was just there but they are shaking and believe it or not I think they are shaking because I believe even though they under communist ruling they are very much like the U.S.  Wow... enough of my ranting for today... Until next time... Happy trails.

Warrren Buffet, Apps with Mobile Phones, and the Recession

Old white men are runnin' this rap ish.  The all mighty Warren Buffet... Extremely rich and giving in many ways.  Born in 1930 and still rockin' the house!  He went from being a regular Joe to becoming a millionaire to now being a billionaire.  Mr. Investment himself I would call him.  He is extremely smart and understands the trends of not only the stock market but the economic ups and downs.  I love that Jay-Z & Diddy as entertainers compare themselves with this man... (the crazy thing is that someday they may be comparable)- I don't know if they will be as kind though, they probably are just in different ways- hustlers!  I also think of them as mafia related in some ways but maybe Warren is and we don't know... I think he is just as an old white dude... What do you think?  He is a philanthropist which means he is for the good of all of mankind (those are big shoes to follow)... There are skeptics of Mr. Buffet and of his intentions but he donates loads of money and really anyone that is that rich must have some flaws.. right?  Please comment and let me know what you can tell me about Mr. Buffet and not Jimmy.. haha..

Check this link out from the Daily Trade Alert!

-image provided to me by dailybail.com and from mp3.com/artist/jay-z/summary-

On another note in the Wall Street Journal weekend edition of December 18-19th there was an article about the iPhone, Google phone, and the Android applications and the privacy behind them all.  Did you know that many apps that people subscribe to on a daily basis leak their location, gender, and even cell phone numbers out to companies.  Your information is being sold behind your back... We throw out our information on the Internet and on our Blackberry's, Androids, and iPhones all the time!  Sure the gadgets are wonderful and apps are fun, but it is questionable about their security.
                          -image provided by reuters.com- 

People seem to be spending more and more for the holidays, which really looks good for this season but it doesn't mean people are necessarily making more money or getting new jobs.  We are still in a recession people and the money that was meant to go to stimulate the job market still hasn't been put into the right places and or hands should I say.  Our education system in the U.S. is still shaky as all hell and we really need to start there.  Good job in buying all those new flat screen televisions and blue-ray players as well as the newest iPhone or iPad I am jealous.. Really I don't care that much but I am a little weary about the internet, Google, and my information... Google is still the best I will say but its because we really don't see any other search engine that can compete with them at this point (they are amazing)... but has it turned into a somewhat monopoly?  Let me know?  I still have no followers... Whats up with that!

                      -image provided by illustrationsource.com-

Google runs the world now?

I think Google has a pretty firm grip on all of us now.  I am finally coming to the conclusion that all my tools are provided by the same company and I really don't use any other search engine anymore.  Fun fact, for some reason at my college a few weeks ago after I got back from China Google was blocked in my lounge and it was really weird... Everyone panicked for a few days until it started working again... Isn't that strange I thought... I was even going crazy having to use Yahoo and Bing.  I really only use Google- Let me think of all the tools (Google Analytics, Gmail, Blogger, YouTube)- There is nothing that Google doesn't have there hands on or is not good at and that the people want.  Everyday it seems life gets easier through using their tools... But does it?  I hope that by using all of there stuff I get better and better and I am not realizing it so that I can keep up.  I am nervous for the future of technology and also nervous that we share and have all this information passed through one central "God" company.  Google, you are amazing and your people are geniuses.  I see a continual great future but I still don't know if that much power and information is good?

image provided by connect.in.com

The world famous Paul Krugman everyone!

I can't get enough of Paul Krugman even though I am a lazy at times and don't read everything he writes usually he is spot on in my opinion.  By far my favorite economist but I haven't been exposed to many, I feel he speaks intellectually to all types of people.  I am a basically a college grad now and I would not put myself on any pedestal on being able to write well or spell or even understand what an economist is even talking about (although I am a business major)... Maybe I am not giving myself enough credit but it is difficult to understand the economy especially all the changes we have seen from not only; the housing market crash, but stocks rising and falling, money being borrowed from the Chinese government, and fraudulent behavior left and right.  Watching the Enron scandal to witnessing the government stimulating the economy by making up numbers and plugging them into a computer to spent "non tangible money"- there was no paper printed but money was coming and going.  I never really understood that.  Anyways, Paul Krugman has always been a little of a pessimist and rightfully he should be because he is kind of an educated fortune teller (he looks at the past and predicts the future).  I find that fascinating but crazy.  Trends are everything I guess but in tomorrows world I really don't know... I can't help to be a little of a pessimist as well but I am looking forward to getting a job and trying to contribute to society in some way.  Check out Krugman's blog in the NY Times. 

-image provided by thinkers50.com-

What do you think we can do to help understand this huge paradigm shift we are going through?  It is easy to say we need to educate our children and ourselves but what else can we do to help close the gaps in our social classes?  How can we- control wages, create jobs, and help the environment stay together?  I don't have the answers and I most certainly don't do my part many days with recycling or conserving on energy but we must be at least aware of everything and as long as some of us are talking about it and doing things then the world will get better.  Putting these pieces takes more than blogs, books, and people talking... If I can help in a physical or alternative mental ways contact me and I will try (I must say I am more of a talker than a walker but I will follow if you lead me).  Until next time... Stay optimistic!

-image provided by elementalshiatsu.wordpress.com-

College is amost finished and is anyone following my blog?

Communication is vital in the world today and it is important to understand how important it really is.  From cell phones to computers, to interactive media; the world is fast and moving faster everyday.  We have programs like Facebook, Twitter, and our own blogs.  This is great and communicating with each other on a daily basis and the passing of information quickly is also great but when will we slow down?  I don't think anytime soon.

From iPads to Kindles, online reading and newspapers available at a blink of an eyelash is something that is inevitable but there is much more talk than there is walking on these new devices.  Yes, schools are integrating them into their curriculum but there is a cost and there may be a downside as well.  Are we as people spending too much time on computers and with technology?  Many wouldn't think twice in the fast world we live in of instant food and fast cars... The future holds many tools that are handy but will they make or help us become smarter or lazier?  That is the true question.  I may be saying things you have already heard many times before but it is important that we understand how to use tools properly and still teach our youth what they need to survive in an unstable economy and a new world order. 

Otto Scharmer, professor and author of Theory U offer excellent insight into a new culture and a world where sustainability and structure will prevail.  He has had programs at MIT and is an all around brilliant man.  Check him out- Otto Scharmer's Blog.

He is truly a remarkable business leader of the 21st century.  His efforts to not only educate his students and business leaders are profound beyond belief because his theories are fairly simple yet when really broken down extremely complex to put into place.  One could read Theory U a few times and still pick up new information on themselves and practical information on worldly business ethics and culture amongst just a few topics. 

Another one of my favorite writers of today is a little cliche I would say because he is very popular and writes very simple but is very informative I believe (Thomas Friedman).  His newest work; Hot, Flat, and Crowded sounds great!  I read The World is Flat and found it to be pretty close to being right on... I did read it after Y2K and after Walmart had taken over the world and UPS had started its domination process on the Postal Service but still it was cool looking at how the processes of everything worked and still works.  Amazing, a little depressing, but usually very truthful.  Because I just got back from China I can now really start to understand how the world is flattened and how we really need to get and stay connected with each other to benefit off of not only our resources but as people.  We should celebrate our differences and embrace our problems with open arms and fix them... But as a team.  If the team effort doesn't work it is my opinion we live it alone.  Please don't get me started on the current situation in Iraq and Afghanistan.  At least we are pretty much out of Iraq but why are we still in Afghanistan? 

Last but certainly not least Peter Barnes must be mentioned in this blog entry.  I hope I don't burn any of the truly incredible writers by highlighting them... Anyways no one really reads this so I guess it doesn't matter right now.  Anyways, Peter Barnes wrote Capitalism 3.0 and I read it in my junior year in College about a year or so ago.  I found it to be very intriguing and I had no idea what I was getting into when I started to read it.  It is offered for FREE as a pdf document online!  If you want it just click here!  If you are interested in "the commons" and how they are some of the most important factors in our society today try it out.  Lets just say its a book about figuring out how to be sustainable in every way (looking at our streams and rivers, to our natural resources, to what we have lost) and making capitalism work in a different ways... An updated form of Capitalism "3.0".  Take a look at it I am bad at explaining what it is all about.  I read it more than a year ago and I should re-evaluate it before I try and describe it to you.  Anyways until next time happy journeys and I hope someday someone will read this blog and leave me a note:)

Southern Vermont College and life after China

Over 300 acres of land and former home of Edward Everette... Southern Vermont College is a calming atmosphere which offers and average class size of 16 students.  The college currently and continually only has around 500-600 students attending each year.  The faculty ratio is around 13 to 1 which makes it very easy to interact and get comfortable with everyone.  Need help on a paper or help with getting enrolled in a specific class, easy.

The college has soccer (both gender), volleyball (both gender), baseball, softball, and even offers rugby as an alternative club sport (not under NCAA).  I know I am forgetting some sports because you must have 10 NCAA sports to be part of the NCAA.  In 2010 our guys basketball team broke an NCAA record, unfortunately losing in a "7 overtimes" game against Skidmore College.  Wish I was there but China was something I will NEVER forget so I wouldn't take that back... Have any interest in Southern Vermont College click the link to learn more! 


There are a few bars and good restaurants in town (Madison Brewing Co (review on yelp) , Carmody's Irish Pub, and you can't forget Ryan's (a fun spot for live music and a cold beer)... I really like Madison's food and the beer brewed there isn't bad either.  I have never been a huge fan of the greater Bennington area and its events and activities but maybe it has something to do with its population of more elderly population, historical sites, and beautiful scenery...

I am a country boy from the start and grew up in Vermont... I think I take the small country living for granted.  I never got real big into fishing (I do fish), I don't hunt, and well I like the city I am not going to lie.  Being in China really opened my eyes to the opportunities that are in reaching distances.  I do need to work harder and open my mind to new possibilities, I am willing to travel, so if you can help me leave drop me a line or two or check out my LinkedIn account below on an older blog post.  I apologize for not being honest in China in where I came from.  As you can see in this picture New York is very close but I don't live in New York and never have.  Please continue to follow my posts even though at this point I don't think anyone really is... The internet has loads of people doing the same thing (posting blogs) everyday and who knows who reads them all... Probably only the famous people tweeting everyday get the pulls of people that get them moving along.  I need some subjects to get on, some topics to create dialog.  Ask me a question... Feel free to drop a line... Will I ever get discovered with this blog?  Until next time... Happy journeys.

Fushan Mountain Video, Qingdao, China

I actually was privileged enough to live very close to the Fushan mountains in Qingdao while I was there from September-November of 2010.  This is a short video clip of me and my camera pretty close to the top of one of the points given a show of the city of Qingdao.  Amazing... Worth checking out quickly.  I lived so close to this mountain that I could walk out my door and walk down a few streets and then hike the mountain... Like I said, very lucky.  Enjoy... For more cool stuff check out where I interned while I was in China Internships, Language Studies, and much more!

Back to Hunter Hall at SVC in Vermont

Back to college in Vermont... Crazy... The past two weeks back at SVC have been fun but a little weird.  Graduation is right around the corner for me and I don't know what I am doing right now.  I have to complete one more class and then find work.  If you have any ideas for me feel free to contact me on my LinkedIn account Stephen Nostrand's Profile. 

I really felt different coming back to college and hanging out with 18-24 year old college students and even spending time with my parents.  It is a difficult transition at least it was for me to come home.  I just was getting comfortable in China and then it was time to go back home.  I am ready for the next experience so if you are reading this blog and feel you can help in any way or you have interest in going to Qingdao, Zhuhai, or Xiamen look into International China Business Exchange... They will change your life and open your mind to new opportunities that you never knew existed.  Until next time... Happy traveling:)

Tai Dong Shopping District in Qingdao China

Be careful to not get lost in the crowd... A fun time to walk and get food and shop until you drop.  The picture on the left shows elevators that look very space age I think... Very cool looking building in Tai Dong- Qingdao, China.

A mess of apartment houses, retail stores, and a huge movie theater.  Tai Dong is an enjoyable place to visit and get your shopping done.  On the picture on the left you can see the golden arches, thought it was funny to see McDonalds in China but like they say, they are EVERYWHERE... I hate to say that I ate there (not this one)... But I ate there a few times, most of the time it was after a long night out after the clubs or bars but other times just for a snack.  This didn't differ me from eating lots of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese food as well.  Just a little embarrassed that I ate there at all.

Shop, shop, and more shopping... Actually one night I went to Tai dong and eat amazing street food and watched people make fires on the streets.  I was told that they do this to remember the dead and give homage/pay their respects to them.  It was sad but a traditional piece of information that I got to witness first hand that night.

This is an amazing place to shop but really once you have been a few times I didn't think I needed to go again.  Feels very much like China but very Western as well due to having Adidas, Nike, Walmart, and McDonalds- just to name a few.

They actually have a WAL*MART in Tai Dong... Crazy.  That kinda of turned me off but they also have a bunch of wonderful shopping as well.  They have tons of restaurants, local shops, a large cinema that shows American films and Chinese films.  I saw The Sorcerer's Apprentice while I was there... not great but a good teen film I guess.
What I really enjoy about Tai Dong is there night market and there video game arcade that is underground and has tons of new and old video games that are very interactive.  I played some kind of Drum Hero game and by the time I was done I had a calus on my left hand due to the friction and me playing crazy on the drums... Really fun time and I had great Tsingtao beer right from the keg and you can get beer in a plastic bag also... I never got it in Tai Dong but I bet you could get it.  It is a great time... Like I mentioned great shopping but be prepared to be around lots of people.  Until next time... Safe journeys:)

A look at the City of Qingdao

What an amazing city... Nestled in surrounded by the Yellow Sea; this fabulous, metropolitan city is something everyone should get to experience.  Located in the Shandong province, with around 7 million inhabitants and the home of the world famous Tsingtao beer... It is a travelers paradise, trust me.  Don't let the number of people scare you its really only a few million in the city and even though it is large the people are very friendly and you will grow to love it very quickly as I did if you have the chance to visit.  I suggest using a company that helped me go over called International Chinese Business Exchange... Check them out www.internchina.org!  Until next time, happy traveling:)

Back from Qingdao China and Beijing (the Forbidden City)

So I have been back to the States now for over a week.  I had a great time in Qingdao China where I spent most of my time.  I spent 3 months in China where I got to visit Beijing, Shanghai, and Weihai (which is in Shandong province)... 

I had a great time and if it wasn't for my college and for International China Business Exchange it would have never happened.  Please have a  look at their blog and follow me as I post more and more pictures and blog posts in the weeks to come.  For now this is it.  Me outside the Forbidden City and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing China (very famous, everyone knows this place and knows Chairman Mao Zedong - Mao Tse-tung).