From: Mr Scott MacMillan
Sent: May 15, 2008 10:11 PM
To: Peter McAuley; Bruce Friis; Pat Sanford; Ali Celikkanat
Subject: China

Just three stories to share:

1. The tragic earthquake happened in central China quite a ways from here although it was felt in Southern China too. I was very impressed to see the students create a huge display on campus where people were donating money and signing a large banner of condolences (I did both). Also, downtown students in the high schools were all over the place collecting donations. There has been an amazing outpouring of concern.

2. The Vice-President of the university next door, the Beijing Institute of Technology heard I was here teaching and wanted to meet me as he had lived for a number of years in Vancouver. He took me on a tour of his university and then out to lunch with ten other people from the university. We went to a seafood restaurant overlooking the South China Sea where we ate at a large round table outside. The beer was flowing heavily and there is a tradition called “Gum bei” which is basically bottoms up. If someone wants to “gum bei” with you glasses are filled and you must down it all at once. Gradually (especially as the alcohol kicked in) I got into the spirit of the occasion. After more beer than I have ever had in my life I agreed to do a talk on “Winning at Life” for 300 of their students. The talk is next Wednesday night. Oh boy…

3. I ran a few days ago in the rain. People are always biking past me as I run. On this day a young man with an umbrella biked beside me and held his umbrella over me. A very heart-warming gesture.