A Modest Proposal for Father's Day

From the desk of Jerry C. Chan,

Department of Paternity,
Chan Household

Baiziwan Lu,
Chaoyang District, Beijing

PRC

Prepared for: Department of Household Finances and Purchasing, Beijing Branch

Prepared by: Department of Paternity, Beijing Branch

Summary: Father's Day is fast approaching and the Department of Paternity is in dire need of equipment vital to the effective performance of its fatherly duties.

Implementation Plan: The Department's goal is to utilize these items to further improve the quality of life and living environment of department members. This will provide a much needed morale boost for the department and ensure its continued smooth operations.

The following list of equipment and materials is hereby requested:

A. One Espresso Maker: The department is in dire need of a quality coffee maker to enhance productivity. Not just any coffeemaker, however. DeLonghi and Nespresso machines are available on the fifth floor of Shin Kong Place, ranging in price from around RMB 1,100 to 50,000 each. As our department is ever conscientious of fiscal responsibility, a purchase of the basic DeLonghi EC155 Pump Espresso Maker with milk steamer for RMB 1,100 at Shin Kong Place would be sufficient.

Note to Department of Progeny Members: A hand-designed coffee mug from funkypots dedicated to Dear Old Dad would go great with all those cappuccinos.

B. Office Decor: Departmental morale would be greatly boosted by the acquisition of a few pieces of fine decor for the working environment (like this fine piece by Michael Wolf, which would look great the in the Department's Living Unit). We recommend purchasing reproduction photos, maps and/or prints from any number of local galleries, including the The Bookworm, Beijing Postcards, 798 Gallery and Galerie Paris-Beijing.

C. One Spa/Massage Treatment Package: Physical comfort is absolutely essential to carrying out paternal duties, therefore the department also requires a gift voucher for a spa/massage treatment. Oriental Taipan and Dragonfly do reflexology sessions in upscale settings, while Bodhi Sense and Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat both offer 90-minute aromatherapy sessions. Better yet, the Sanlitun location of iSpa is offering a Tropical Spa Package that includes an hour-long Tropical Body Wrap, 30-minute "Fruit Express" facial and topped off with another full-hour invigorating massage for RMB 988 (original price RMB 1,288). Further afield, The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu has a spa package and jacuzzi and private terrace all within the vicinity of the Great Wall.

D. Organic Vegetable Subscription: A healthy diet means a healthy department and Beijing has a range of organic farms offering subscription services to their all-natural produce. Green Cow Organic Farm, God's Grace Garden, Tianfuyuan, Sunlin Farm and Helekang all deliver organic foods and vegetables on a subscription basis, as do Beijing Home Delivery and Tongchu Organics out of Shanghai. Check this link on Agenda for more details.

E. Juicy Steaks (and Ribs): Optimal protein intake of is also key to a healthy diet and Baode Home Delivery, which imports and distributes supplies gourmet foods to restaurants, hotels and homes alike, delivers juicy imported steaks, ribs, pork chops, seafood and fine wines straight to your door via their website. Gift packs of wine and prepared food items are also available. Grace Vineyards also produces and distributes some of the best wines in China. Check this link for their Beijing shop location. For gourmet cheese acquisitions,the department recommends sourcing from Le Fromager de Pekin, available at fine food stores around town.

Otherwise, we can simply skip to dessert and purchase a few Banana Cream Pies from Beijing pie delivery service Pie House and homemade cakes, cupcakes and other sweet delights from CCSweets and Bread of Life.

Or better yet, go straight to the spirits and choose from this fine list of whiskeys that are widely available around town as told to Beijingboyce by local connoisseur



Shannon Roy. The Single Malt Club sells specialty and hard-to-find brands on their website.

F. Photographic Equipment: The department is always in need of the latest and most technologically advance camera equipment - say, for example, the Sony NEX-5C, an interchangeable lens camera that comes available as a kit with 18-55mm E-mount lens and full HD video (RMB 4,999, Sony Store, L330, Building 1, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. 6587 1350 朝阳区光华路9号1号楼L330) or the Panasonic HM-TA1 Video Camera - a sleek and cellphone-sized camcorder that also records in full HD (RMB 1,100. Available on Taobao).

G. Wireless Speakers: State-of-the-art audio equipment will also improve the departmental working environment - both the Jawbone Jambox (pictured above) and Creative's ZiiSound D5 stream music via any Bluetooth-enabled device from a range of up to 10 meters and cost about RMB 2,200. Similar models can be found at Taobao and at the Apple retailers around town, including the one in Wanda Plaza (1-16, building 12, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. 5960 3731 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场12号楼1-16)

H. Suitable Departmental Attire: Help with the upkeep of the department's appearances would be appreciated. Custom shirts and suits from any of these fine tailors - D&J, Carol & Luc, Senli and Frye, Yashow 3066, Tom Custom Tailoring, Fei Fei, Tailor He and Dave's Custom Tailoring - are recommended; as are locally made yak-hair sweaters designed by New-York designers that can be purchased online at khunu.com (more info can be found at nicelymadeinchina.com).

Gear for outdoors field assignments, including clothing and supplies, can be purchased via local Beijing-based company Ozark (more info from nicelymadeinchina.com here).

And for something more seasonable, popular designs for Men's T-Shirts from Plastered are suitable choices for departmental wear during the summer months.

Note the purchase of the aforementioned goods and services can occur throughout the fiscal year, particularly during birthdays, anniversaries and other holiday celebrations. This is by no means a complete list and will be added to in the coming months. Please direct any further questions directly to the Department Head via e-mail.

Sincerely,

Jerry C. Chan, Department Manager