December 31, 2003

Check out your Kansas City Star today!  The article is not online yet, but you can’t see the pictures in the online version…  The hard copy versions you buy in Lenexa or Shawnee will have the Lenexa/Shawnee Neighborhood News, with me on the front page.

  Stephanie making traditional Chinese dumplings during her homestay.

  Stephanie accepting a key to the city of Shanghai from the Governor of Pudong Province.  Pudong is just one part of Shanghai and is home to 3 million people!  That's more than in all of Kansas!  The entire city of Shanghai has more than 17 million people.

“Nee-how” and Happy New Year!

It has been a crazy month – a big mailing to all voters in the district, Follow-A-Scholar days at eight schools, a trip to China, and a big article in the Star.  In between all of that, life is still moving right along!  (See Where’s Waldo below)

If there is one phrase that describes this journey it is "This is not your father's communist China!"  I wanted to send you a note from China, but internet service was expensive and SLOW in the hotels.  Then, the trip home was eventful – as the year’s first confirmed cases of SARS erupted in Taiwan, I became deathly ill the morning we left Shanghai (no, it’s not SARS, but that thought crossed my mind!).  After two+ weeks of coughing fits combined with serious jetlag, I am finally feeling human again.  So, I’m catching back up with the Sharp Record.

During my stay in China, I observed businesses, women's issues, religious life, human rights, and many other facets of everyday living that are very different from the United States.  There are many insights to be gained and lessons to be learned. 

Whatever your pursuit, I have made a wide range of contacts to help expand your business or area of interest to serve a literally endless stream of demand in China.  In every meeting with different levels of government or business, I found myself brainstorming what Lenexa and Shawnee companies could fill the specific need being discussed in that meeting.  It was invigorating, encouraging, and exciting to see how China has changed from the textbook knowledge we learned in school.

Not only that, but I made fantastic contacts across the U.S. as well.  My colleagues on the exchange were from Oregon, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Missouri, North Carolina, and Massachusetts.  We learned a lot about the legislative process, campaigning, and different approaches states have taken to the challenges we are faced with each day.

Soon, I will have all of the pictures (200+) posted to the website and organized so you can follow the course of the trip.

I have a couple of “Thank Yous” to impart: 
Dean Newton for nominating me to the American Council of Young Political Leaders.
John and Michelle Peterson, lobbyists who had just returned from China and briefed me on what to expect.
Lisa Benlon, where do I start?  For one, she lets me drop off checks and receipts for the upcoming reporting requirements, right before I leave town for 2.5 weeks!

Where’s (Waldo) Sharp?  November 17, 2003 – December 31, 2003
• Fundraiser for Rep. Rob Boyer (R-Olathe)
• 4 Colonies Town Hall meeting
• Follow-A-Scholar at: Trailridge, SMNW, Shawanoe, Benninghoven, Rising Star
• Lenexa Chamber lunch
• Women’s Assembly meeting
• Shawnee Chamber, Bank Midwest ribbon cutting
• KU Med Center press conference re: Mason's large donation for research
• JCCC Foundation legislative agenda breakfast
• Briefing by Cerner Corporation
• Shawnee Chamber Government Affairs Committee meeting
• House Health and Human Services Committee paperless orientation

Whew!  I think that’s enough, especially since I was gone for 21 days in the last month! 
Have a safe and fun New Year’s Eve, and I look forward to serving you in 2004!