Now, FOUR Years in China

Some of my closest friends knew that I was negotiating a deal with my employer (a well known personal computer maker who also makes a very popular audio device) for an additional year in Beijing.

Today, they delivered 2 contracts. One for 1 year and was written according to the terms I proposed to them last January. The other contract offered an almost 150% increase in salary, double the housing allowance, 2 business-class tickets to the US each year for summer break and xmas holiday, an allowance for a full time driver (w/ car), and a performance bonus which would really take the sting off of moving to the bay area when we re-patriate. The downside of this contract is that it is for 5 years. This is clearly a case of a corporation dangling a sell-your-soul-to-the-man-carrot. All things considered though, Beijing isn’t that bad and the school is really great, so this afternoon, I signed it and sent it back.

Lisa is looking forward to house-shopping but a little apprehensive about spending so much more time in Beijing. Considering the fact that she doesn’t self-medicate, use anti-depressants, or therapy, she could easily last the 5 years without a major breakdown.