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9/30/2004		 Hong Kong
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6/20/2003

Journal from the Strickland's trip to Hong Kong for Jake's first movie.

Wednesday, September 29, 2004 12:04 PM EDT

Hi guys.  It's Jake and Bri reporting from Hong Kong.  =)

We got a call last night from Kristy who is a production assistant telling us that we would be going to a Press Conference tonight.  Kristy came to the hotel to pick us up along with Jon Foo.  He's the Jackie Chan stunt team member who is from the U.K.  He was the in the picture Lisa sent earlier.  We went to the hotel where the press conference was being held.

We were taken to a conference room where a table was set up in front and Jake talked to several people he had met.  We talked to Willie Chan and Solon So from JCE.  Everyone is soooo nice.  Jake was sitting there when Steven told him that rumor has it that Jackie was going to be at the press conference.  Jake said..."you're kidding" and he said "nope...not kidding."  Jake immediately had a smile from ear to ear.

A few minutes later they ushered us into a back room with lots of security.  As soon as we walked in Willie said..."come meet Jackie".  Jake and I both got to meet Jackie.  He was very friendly.  He was kind enough to take a picture with Jake which we will send with this email.  We got to hang out in the back room and mingle with the stars who include Michael Wong, Steven Fung, Master Ping and Daniel Woo.  It was quite an experience.

Next we were taken back to the conference room where Jake was seated on the front row.  Jackie and some other people were taken to the front table facing the crowd where they were asked several questions by the press.  Of course everything was in Chinese so we didn't understand any of it.  At the what we thought was the end of the press conference they called Jake and Jon Foo to the stage and they all took pictures together.

We were then taken back to the back room for a little more mingling.  They came back in and got Jackie, then Steven Fung and a few other people one by one for more questions from the press.  I thought Jake was finished when they called him back out.  He got to go on stage with Jackie who told the press that he was Jake Strickland.  They asked his age and told him to do something.  He did a butterfly twist for the crowd of press who seemed to be impressed.  Then they introduced Jon Foo who did a few poses for the crowd.  One of the reporters asked if he had a girlfriend and he responded "no".  Everyone laughed.  Jackie said (in his best British accent) "Would you like his phone number."  It was priceless.

I was able to get some pictures and some video so we will plan a get together when we get back.  They showed a trailer for the movie but we were in the back room and missed it.  When all was said and done Kristy said it was time to go and security escorted us out the back entrance through an elevator to a waiting taxi.  It was quite a surreal experience.

Thanks to everyone who has been keeping in touch with us.  Its nice to get note from home.  We'll see you soon.  Also, thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Jake & Bri

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 10:20 PM EDT
Hello Everyone,

Sorry it has taken us so long to get HK4 to you.  Things have been busy over the last week but here is the latest.  Filming is going great.  Jake does not have to film every day so we have had some time to sight see and get some of his school work done.  We went to the premiere of Police Story 4 (Jackie's latest film) and it was awesome.  There was supposed to be a pre premiere party in which Jake could spend some time with Jackie but it was being held outside and unfortunately it was very bad weather and the party was canceled.  All of the press, guest, movie stars and bodyguards were moved inside the theater and after the interviews the movie started.  We got to see Jackie and all of the stars but Jake did not get to talk with him.  Jake was a little disappointed at first but then I reminded him that it was Jackie that invited him to Hong Kong and I was sure that the future would allow them to get to know one another.  He smiled and the disappointment was gone.  We are on our third week of our adventure and that is when I had to leave.  Bri, our family friend, has taken my place for a week and then Jake's grandmother will be arriving to finish up the film and bring him home.  I can tell Jake is getting a little homesick for his family and friends but he knows this is a dream come true.  He would not change a thing.  I truly don't think either one of us will ever be the same. Not just being in a movie but being in a foreign country.  America really is a wonderful placed to call home.

We have learned so much about the Asian culture.  One of the first things we noticed is that very few people in Hong Kong are overweight.  Jake and I have decided it is because they walk everywhere they go.  We have never walked so much in all of our life.  Every night you  are so excited to go to bed and get off your feet.  We also noticed that all school aged children where uniforms until they finish secondary school which is about age 18 or 19.  On school mornings, those uniformed children are everywhere.  In fact, there are people everywhere.  Imagine Disney World in the summer and that is the number of people we are talking about.  The city reminds us of New York only we feel a lot safer here than we did when we visited New York.  I guess that is because there are always a lot of people around you everywhere you go.  You are never alone.  There are also a lot of policeman type individuals around.  Security seems to be tight.  Jake has mastered the art of "hailing" a taxi.  We did learn however, that you do not get into a taxi without having your destination written in Chinese.  If you do not have this, you won't get there.  Ask me how I know this.

There is a "House of Fury" (which is the name of the movie) party tomorrow night.  Jake is excited about this.  Everyone involved in the film will be there.  This should be fun.  I am sad that I cannot be there for this but Syde, Jett and Ed are glad I am home.

Please keep Jake, Bri and Jake's grandmother in your prayers for safe travel until his mission is complete.  I will have Jake send the next update.  Thank you all for your support.  We love you guys!

Jake and Lisa

Tuesday, September 21, 2004 6:32 AM EDT

Hello everyone, it's Jake and Lisa again.  Well, where do we begin...Fortunately, they decided Jake's hair was fine so no "hair treatment" was necessary.  Even better, Jake found a pizza hut that delivers.  Yummy!  We went sight seeing Saturday night up to Victoria's Peak where we went to Ripley’s Odditorium and Madame Tussauds wax museum.  You can see all of Hong Kong Island from this mountain, as it is the highest elevation in Hong Kong.  It really was a beautiful sight.  We have mastered the MTR subway station and found that you can get anywhere quickly if you take the train.  Our room is starting to feel like our second home.  Filming started on Sunday.  It was a half-day and Jake's role involved sleeping on the couch in the background.  It was not terribly difficult but a good easy start.  He met Michael Wong, a Hong Kong movie star, who is playing his dad in the movie.  He speaks very good English and immediately took Jake under his wing.  He invited him to a new fitness gym here in Hong Kong and the two of them worked out together Monday night.  They stretched, sparred, did some martial arts moves and climbed the rock wall.  The gym was unbelievable.  It was on the second floor of a mall and was enclosed by glass overlooking the harbor.  It had a spa, kick boxing ring, restaurant, weights and a rock-climbing wall in the gym and parking was valet.  I have never seen a gym so nice.  I feel like Jake made a good friend in Mr. Wong.  He has done over 70 films and has been so helpful in filling us in on how "it all works".  Monday the production company picked us up at 7:30am.  It was ACTION day.  Jake got to the set, they brought us some breakfast, he changed into wardrobe and the fun began.  He worked harder over the next 12 hours than he has ever worked in his life.  The whole day was spent on one fight scene where Jake goes one on one with one of the stars of the movie.  He wore wires, flipped, kicked, and fought scene after scene after scene.  Master Ping is the most incredible action director.  He and his stunt team really know how to make the fighting look so awesome.  Stephen Fung is the director.  He is relatively young and speaks good English.  Jake has really been able to communicate well with him.  By the end of the night, we were a family.  There are over 40 people on that set at all times and everyone has a job.  At the end of a take, when everyone gets it right, we all clap and smile.  I wish you could all have been there with us.  It is so hard to contain the excitement.  I kept looking up and thanking God all day for such an incredible experience.  I really was proud of Jake today.  Not for being blessed enough to be in a movie but rather for putting his heart into every scene.  No matter how difficult the move, number of takes or how hot it was under those lights, he just kept pushing.  Being an actor truly is hard work.  If I didn't believe it before, I know it now and so does Jake.  Thanks for your prayers and support.  We love you all, Jake and Lisa

Friday, September 17, 2004 8:25 PM EDT
Hello again, Jake and Lisa here for an update.  Since our last email I am happy to report we have found some more American food.  We ate at Jack Ryan's yesterday which is a Chicago style restaurant.  We had potato skins, chicken fettuccini alfredo and a blt while we overlooked the boats in the harbor.  We saw more Americans in that restaurant than in all of Hong Kong so far.  For a moment, we were home.  We have never seen so many shopping opportunities.  From street vendors to the most exclusive boutiques, the shopping here is endless.  Some of the stores are open until 3 in the morning.  Jake went into wardrobe this week and was measured for his movie clothes.  He tried them on the next night.  Mainly cool street clothes that are functional for the fight scenes.  He and I signed his first "movie" contract yesterday at the JCE office.  I took a picture.  It was exactly what they had told us it would be, no surprises, but it hit me yesterday that my son now has a job with an income in the entertainment world.  Wow!  Filming has been postponed again until Monday.  They are filming everyday but have assured us that this is the way it goes in entertainment and barring no additional changes it will be Monday before he actually starts.  I do not know if that will keep us here longer or not, we will see how it goes.  Last night, we had dinner with Jackie's top personnel and some of the other JCE stunt team members.  We are making friends and everyone has been so welcoming to Jake.  We ate authentic Chinese over a 3.5 hour dinner at a very nice restaurant.  The food just kept coming.  Jake really opened up and his personality came alive for the first time since we have been here.  He is starting to feel like he is a part of this wonderful experience and not just a guest.  Jackie is in China filming a movie himself but sent a "stunt team package" to Jake including our "Police Story 4" movie premiere tickets which is next Tuesday.  Jake will get to spend time with Jackie at the premiere party.  They told us yesterday that Jake is scheduled for a "hair treatment" on Sunday to get ready for the movie.  For a moment, a bald head flashed before Jake's eyes but then they assured us that he would have plenty of hair after the treatment.  Will keep you posted.  Today we are going over to JCE to train with John Foo.  He is also new to the JCE stunt team.  He is a 21 yr old stunt person from the UK and loves to do martial arts tricks.  He and Jake are going to have some fun today.  After that, we are going to do some sight seeing.  Take care everyone and thanks for the prayers.  We will keep you posted.  God Bless,  Jake and Lisa

The attached picture (from left to right) is Solon So (senior vice president JCE group), Willie Chan ( President and CEO), Jake Strickland (newest member of JCE stunt team) Jon Foo (new 21 yr old stunt team member from UK) and Kenneth Low (who has been with Jackie for 20 years as stunt team member, body guard and starred in the last fight scene of Drunken Master 2)

Wednesday, September 15, 2004 10:09 PM EDT
Hey guys, Jake and Lisa here.  Hopefully you heard we arrived in Hong Kong safe and sound.  We got here Monday night after a very long flight (over 15 hours) from Chicago.  They served three meals and three movies.  We got through customs with no problems and two people from the production picked us up.  They took us to the hotel, we placed our bags in the room and went to dinner.  We ate authentic Chinese with no American menus.  We ordered by site and had chicken that still had the head (Jake examined the brain) shrimp fried rice, shark fin soup and deep fried octopus!  What an experience!  We then immediately went to the set.  They have been doing shoots all night every night this week.  We met the director Master Ping and his assistants Fish and DD.  Jake's shooting schedule starts this Friday or Saturday depending.  This is a whole new world.  Jake would love a big juicy pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut.  He misses American food.  We did find a McDonalds and have had breakfast there twice.  The second day we were here we had a meeting at Jackie Chan Enterprises (JCE).  It is a short walk from our Hotel.  We met his President and CEO and everybody else.  Yesterday Jake and went and trained at JCE for a while.  Everyone has been sooooo nice.  We are finally getting our internal clocks reset.  We got the script yesterday.  The movie is in Chinese but Jake will be doing a lot more fighting than he will be talking so I think we are OK.  We have shopped but that is another story.  Love you all, take care and keep us in your prayers.  WE ARE HAVING THE TIME OF OUR LIFE!  Jake and Lisa