tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71655574259779768842024-03-14T10:53:30.741+08:00Michele moved to China...really?...REALLY!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-38002241609482535222013-05-06T13:56:00.000+08:002013-05-06T13:56:06.302+08:00Pictures and Updates!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mark and I had heard that there was a replica of Tower bridge in London....and we set out to find it. Of course, our trusty driver/ "go-to guy" Mr. Shen knew where it was. Yep...a total replica of it in the city of Suzhou! There is also a photo of my handsome husband in front of a statue of lions. </div>
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Garden visits are always interesting and make for pretty pictures!<br />
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Playing poker? Heck yes! I had an OUTSTANDING month in January in the Poker Club. I ranked number 1 and was rewarded with the "yellow bangle." This is awarded to the top performer of the month. I was also the first female to achieve this honor. I am still performing well, as I am currently ranked in the top 10. Let's hope this continues...I am having fun! :)<br />
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I am also still playing mahjong on Tuesdays as well. In this gathering, I am not fairing well, but it still is a lot of fun and a great way to meet other expat ladies and socialize.</div>
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There is also the EAS lunches. These are fun and entertaining. We check out local restaurants and have lunch and visit with one another. Another great way to meet some ladies you haven't had the opportunity to meet and chat with. </div>
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Group photo of our trip to Cohngyuan Temple. It was a great day and very interesting place. I hope to post pictures in a future post of the HUGE Buddha "Goddess of Mercy" It was amazing. I am having issues with these particular photos! :(</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The "Gateway to the Orient" is STILL under construction...with a lot of stalls. I believe they keep running out of money (so I've been told) and have to wait to obtain more investor money to continue. It's going to be MASSIVE whenever it gets completed. I sure hope to see it completed before we leave... but at the rate it's going; I have my doubts. </span></div>
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So, that in a nutshell; is what has been going on here. I am still having issues trying to post through Blogspot (Google). I am going to look into moving my blog to a different server/provider to see if it may be easier to log on and post.<br />
It's now been over two years that I've lived here, and it feels more like home and I feel much more comfortable here. It's easier to get around, to find grocery items, and just make a life here in general. I am extremely blessed to have this opportunity to live abroad and make friends from all over the world. I look forward to heading home in 2.5 weeks for a big chunk of the summer (I will be home from May 24th-August 9th). I am hoping to reconnect with friends and spend time with my family. Mark will even be home in mid June for a couple of weeks as well. It will be nice to spend time together as a big, loud, crazy family that we are! It's going to be a GREAT summer! Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-64818460797088713172013-02-18T22:36:00.003+08:002013-02-18T22:36:47.454+08:00Home Sweet Home....<br />
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Hello Family, Friends, and Followers:<br />
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Mark and I are planning a little mini getaway to a couple of casinos. I have to get my poker fix in, and he needs a break from working on the house and car over the past week and a half. It will be nice to just spend a couple of days together driving, and relaxing.<br />
First stop will be Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, IN. It's a Boyd property and I got an offer for a free comped room. We've stayed there before and had a nice time. Then on Tuesday we will drive just a bit back into Michigan and stay at the Four Winds. We have also been here, but have never stayed at the hotel. We got a good deal on a room...so we are staying there on Tuesday. We will head back on Wednesday. Just a quick little R&R to relax and rejuvenate. I may even attempt to get a workout or two in while away, but I'm not going to worry if I don't. It is a little mini vaca.<br />
Time is flying by since we've been home. I am amazed I have completed all my shopping and grocery needs to take back with us to China. I had a pretty extensive list, and I got all of it completed within the first week of being home. Now....we just need to pack it and make sure that we ave room for it all! I am not too worried about having to leave some things here at home. I head back here on May 24th through sometime in August. That's really only 95 days until I return to the USA. I will be solo over the summer. I also will not be working since someone decided I was not needed as a casual contingent RN. I was pretty wrecked about it at first; but now I realize it's an opportunity for me to find bigger and better things to do with regards to my time and with future employment. I get even more satisfaction in know that "KARMA IS A %*&$!" and someone will get theres in the long run. You just shouldn't treat loyal employees like that. So, that is all I am going to say about that.<br />
I will hopefully take a few pics along the way during our road trip. I will post them sometime later with an update. Take care and until the next update.... CIAO!<br />
<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-27484861184844183512013-02-15T03:19:00.000+08:002013-02-15T03:19:25.835+08:00Pictures, lots of pictures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cheers! My handsome hubby says!<br />
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My friend Michelle and I. We refer to each other as "Bad" or Good" Michele depending on our mood and who is exhibiting the behavior! :P <br />
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The EAS "Mix and Mingle in January at the Renaissance Hotel.<br />
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Dinner after the Mix & Mingle at Damario's<br />
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The professional photo taken at the EAS Christmas party<br />
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After dinner and a few glasses of vino!<br />
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Some of my poker buddies. This pic represents the North American team. We have a tournament (RIJO Cup) in the poker club that is Team N.A. vs. "the rest of the world" Team North America took it (again), second year in a row! Check out the American flag in a maple leaf to represent our neighbors to the north (Canada). Love these folks!! <3<br />
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My friend and poker sister Cecelia! She is from Atlanta, GA. She is a hoot and I have a lot of fun with her! :)<br />
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Two of the poker players, Derek, and Gareth. Derek is from Ohio (yeah, I forgive him!) Gareth is from South Africa. Both of these guys are a lot of fun to play cards with and pretty good poker players.<br />
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<span id="goog_1749874870"></span><span id="goog_1749874871"></span> Mark and I at the AGM Poker Banquet.<br />
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Ronny (from Germany) a crazy poker lovin' guy.<br />
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So, that's some pics. I plan on updating this Blog while home, and hopefully get caught up. I have been having difficulties in China with uploads and just trying to post things. Hopefully, it will get better/easier and I will continue.<br />
Stay tuned for more over the next few days......Ciao!<br />
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<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-16305238077349361312012-12-14T19:14:00.001+08:002012-12-14T19:14:45.618+08:00December HappeningsHello All!<br />
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Man time just gets away from me! I cannot believe it has been almost a month since my last Blog post. I post a lot of stuff on Facebook and tend to forget about and neglect the Blog. I got to remember to be more mindful of this Blog. It's a great way to keep track and document my time here in China. Other social media has been a priority and I need to re-evaluate that in my life.<br />
So, what's been happening? Quite a lot actually! The Christmas Bazaar took place at the Kempinski Hotel on Saturday, December 1st. It was a huge success for the Expatriates Association of Suzhou (EAS). We raised quite a bit of money for charity and everyone put in a lot of effort, time, and hard work. I also had a poker tournament that evening. Long story short, did not win, nor did I place in the money :( Oh well, another time...hopefully. <br />
Below is a pic from the Bazaar. Two expat ladies Elaine on the left and Klattjre on the right. They got in the Christmas spirit at their Tombola table at wore light up antlers! They are both lovely ladies and I enjoy playing mahjong with them on Tuesdays as well. They are both a lot of fun! <br />
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Here' s some more photos of the happenings that have occurred these last couple of weeks. I think I am just going to post them and explain them as I go along. Getting the first one to align was frustrating!<br />
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The following day was the Children's Christmas party. They received a very nice buffet lunch, a visit with Santa, picture with Santa, and a present. Here's a shot of me with a couple other volunteers who helped and worked the party.<br />
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Here's a shot of the ballroom where the party was held. It was a very nice party and the children and their parents who attended enjoyed themselves! <br />
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Two more volunteers :Sylvia and Cecelia who are members of the Activities committee. They plan most of the events for the EAS members all year long. I also play poker with Cecilia. Unfortunately, after 5 years of being in Suzhou, Sylvia is leaving Suzhou in about week. She will be missed. <br />
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This is December 3rd., Monday. It was Theresa's Open House Holiday Party. I went to this event last year as well. It was a lot of fun again this year with great food, wonderful ladies, and some mulled wine and spiked punch thrown in as well! Here are Klaartje (from Holland) and Elaine (from UK) and me. I adore these two ladies! We always have TOO much fun together and end up laughing till we're crying. We have shopped, volunteered, attended EAS events, lunched, and mahjonged together and it's a great time every time! <br />
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More expat ladies enjoying the festivities....<br />
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It's a pot luck; so there is also plenty of food from around the world. It's a good thing Theresa's apartment is quite large and can accomodate a big crowd. There was easily at least 30 to 40 women at this event. Again, such a nice afternoon. It's an event I look forward to! I told Theresa I was very excited when I got the invitation that she was hosting this again. Many of the women expressed the same sentiment.<br />
Ok...as you can see, that was just the first three days in December! I will post more about this month this week-end. So many events and happenings! So, watch this space for more updates!!<br />
<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-16794232491137018562012-11-17T11:03:00.002+08:002012-11-17T11:03:33.765+08:00Going Ons...Hello All!<br />
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It's been a while, but really....nothing really exciting to blog about from here. I have been keeping busy with daily activities such as going to the gym, reading, housekeeping (light), and activities with the other expat ladies. I am thinking about taking some more classes on line. I am seriously considering taking some ESL( English as a second language) instructor courses. This may be very helpful in a job search. I am getting extremely ansy and find myself wanting to work and be a bit more productive while here. Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely loved my free time and taking a break from working and school. It's been a nice break. I can honestly say, it's a break...not a lifestyle for me. I enjoy living here , being with Mark on a daily basis, but the tai tai/ housewife thing full time is NOT for me. I just need to find something I enjoy that occupies some time.<br />
Mark has been extremely busy at work which means working late and coming home and working more! The conference calls and Webex meetings never end! I have said it before, my husband works WAY TOO HARD! I am looking forward to the Christmas holiday in England and him getting away from work, seeing his family; and enjoying some much needed downtime. I have been very busy with the EAS activities and gearing up for the Charity Bazaar (Dec. 1st.) and the Christmas party( Dec. 8th.). I also have a Poker Club party on December 12th. So, lots of activities and things to prepare for to celebrate the holidays before people jet out of here to go home or on holiday. There is also a big Open House one of the ladies holds at her home that is scheduled for December 3rd. It's a huge get together/pot luck with lots of food, wine and camaraderie! It is a really fun party and I am looking forward to it. <br />
Here are some pics from last year's party at T's house. A lot of ladies...and a whole lot of fun that afternoon for sure!<br />
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So, that is pretty much what has been happening on my side of the world. The weather is quickly changing and it is starting to get cold. I did take my winter coat to the tailor and got it altered so now...it FITS! Yeah! So, now I am prepared for the cold damp winter here. Although it is short, it does get cold here and now I am ready for it!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-38562072521115087562012-11-01T11:29:00.000+08:002012-11-01T11:29:42.070+08:00Nov 1st...Where did the month of October go? Wow, October pretty much flew by! It's been filled with different activities and adventure. The EAS held a charity event last week-end that was a "Casino Night." We raised a lot of money for charity and people who attended said they had a really great time.<br />
Mark and I even won one of the 50/50 raffles! Nice...it was the biggest one of the night. There was a lot of casino games being played as well as dancing and enjoying a cocktail or two. A fun night for sure.<br />
I also went to Ikea store in Wuzi with a couple of other expat ladies. It was fun to go, it almost felt like being back home again and meandering around the Ikea in Canton! (except the signage and price tagging was also in Chinese.) I found a couple of things to buy and use while here. Oh...and hello meatballs! I forgot you can buy the frozen meatballs that they sell in their restaurant. YUMMY! I actually used them in some spaghetti sauce and it was quite tasty if I do say so myself. I have to remember about those meatballs.<br />
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I have also been keeping pretty busy with the EAS organization. The craft Christmas bazaar is December 1st so the craft group has been busy making things. I am not at all crafty or talented in that area, but I do find things helpful to do and have fun visiting with the ladies as well. The Christmas party is December 8th. It's been a big task of the EAS to get things organized and done for that as well. That should be a nice dinner and dancing. Mark and I attended last year and we had a very nice time.<br />
I have a couple of dress choices. It will either be a print or a navy dress. I had them both made at a tailor at the fabric market in Shanghai. Great...the photo uploaded in the TOTALLY wrong place...{see above} I can't seem to upload the other. Oh well! At least one of them uploaded. I will try again another time.<br />
We are still planning to head to the UK for Christmas and see Mark's side of the family. I also hope to touch base with my friend Valerie that I met here in Suzhou and she left to return home before I returned to Suzhou. I will be so happy to see her! So, I am looking forward to seeing my English family as well as one of my BFF's that I have not seen since last February. It will be wonderful to see her and catch up!<br />
Poker has been kicking my a$$ lately. I have been taking some pretty bad beats and have been discouraged, but I continue to play and try to push through it. I have fun...but the competitive side of me hates the continual bad beats and the losing! I shall continue in my quest for a win...<br />
So, that is what is going on in my life on the other side of the world. I will try to stay a bit more current and try to post once a week. But, no promises. I have the best of intentions, but you know what people say about intentions...Till next time.....Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-21583664316645946362012-10-12T23:04:00.001+08:002012-10-12T23:04:06.928+08:00TIME MARCHES ON...October 13th, 2012Wow...it's been a while since I have blogged an update. Sorry, I sure was hoping to be a bit more on top of things now that I have completed school. Oh, but planning and hoping are not the same as doing.<br />
I have continued with attending the Powerhouse Gym pretty much every weekday. The only time I have not gone is if I have to be somewhere early, or the holiday(s) when they are closed! So, this past week was a full week of workouts at the gym. It has been a good feeling getting back into a routine and "getting my sweat on." Last week the gym was closed, and I was NOT happy. I did ride my recumbent bike and did a few different DVD workouts. At least I got some form of purposeful exercise in during the holiday week. <br />
The weather here has been absolutely lovely. In the mid to high 70's and sunny! I have been enjoying walking around the city to get to places. It makes for a much more pleasurable experience when the weather is nice.<br />
I have been playing in my poker league twice a week, and unfortunately; my poker slump continues. I have made a couple of final tables....but not in the money. Hopefully, that will change soon and I can report some winning! :) Mark and I will also attend a "Casino Night" next Saturday, October 20th that is sponsored by the EAS (Expatriates Association of Suzhou) and all proceeds go to charity. The EAS does a lot in the community here for the local orphanages and other charitable organizations. It's nice to work on these events and do something positive for charity. There are many generous people involved that not only give monetarily, but their time as well.<br />
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I went on a Tai Tai trip on Wednesday that took us to Tong Li. Here is a
great link for information on this city:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/jiangsu/suzhou/tongli_town.htm<br />
Here is a few photos as well: <br />
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It was a fun trip and I met a few new expats. I am certainly glad that I got to go and enjoy a different city for the day. We toured a garden, did some sight-seeing and shopping; and even went to the Chinese Sex Museum! An interesting and fun-filled day. <br />
This week Mark will be working on Saturday (tomorrow) so I will be on my own and will probably just be a tad bit lazy and do some leisure reading and catch up on some TV shows through my Slingbox and ON Demand. I want to watch a couple shows that I missed this week. So, that's what's going on in my world. Till next time...<br />
Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-45424205001355528102012-09-20T07:22:00.000+08:002012-09-20T07:22:09.587+08:00Always interesting ...never dull! So, the weekend was fantastic! Mark and I headed out around 10:30am on Saturday (after we both hit the gym!). We went out on the new subway. The first stop attempt was a bit off. We went a bit too far and ended up past old town/ downtown. That was Mark's pick for the stop. We headed back onto the subway and I picked the next stop. SCORE! It's the right one! We walked over to Walking Street and decide to just amble around. We see a new Costa coffee that has opened, and decide to stop and have a coffee.<br />
We walked around a bit, and headed over to PingJiangLu Street. I just love that street. It's old, and real China; with some hokey tourist things thrown in! Okay...here is where I tried to insert photos...can you say <i><b>EPIC FAIL</b></i>? I don't know how to get photos to post. I will have to play around and see how I can do it. Sorry, at this point, Facebook will have to suffice for photos right now. We walked the whole day...in fact I logged almost 9 miles according to my Fitbit. It was a great day and the weather was awesome too! It was actually sunny with a blue sky. That does not happen often here so when it does, I like to get out and bask in it! :) We were back at the apartment by late afternoon and dinner was at Jack's Home a restaurant about a mile or so from the apartment.<br />
Sunday was a rest and relax day. Mark made me pancake for breakfast. YUMMY! It was weird not having homework, reading, or a paper to write for school! I would usually spend the first half of a Sunday finishing up school work. Not anymore! WOOT! My time is mine! We watched Mad Men season 5. We had left over Indian for dinner (I<br />
had ordered in earlier in the week when Mark was away). There was plenty left over for our ritual Sunday night dinner! :) It was yummy. After dinner, we walked over to Mark's music teacher's apartment to give him a book of sheet music he wanted to borrow. We then stopped off at Starbucks for a coffee and sat outside and people watched and relaxed. It was a very enjoyable weekend. <br />
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Monday is here and Mark has to fly to Beijing this AM. He has to leave about a half an hour earlier than usual. He is leaving at 6:45am instead of 7:15am. I am walking over to the gym because I will get dropped off before the gym opens if I go with Mark and Mr. Shen. So I bid him goodbye, and off he goes. I head to the gym around 7:00. I get back and do a few chores. Mark then calls to inform me the administrative assistant booked him on <i><b>the wrong flight! </b></i>She had booked him to go somewhere in the opposite direction! So, no Beijing trip for him. By the time he can get on another flight, the meeting he is supposed to attend will be over. So, he is swinging by the apartment to pick up his computer/attache bag for work, he is going to head into the office. Perfect...I can hop a ride to the coffee meet up at Starbucks! I have to meet up with M.K. to go to the Renaissance Hotel to put my name on the Treasurer books for the EAS funds. I forgot to mention, at the Meet and Greet coffee the Tuesday after I arrived, I told a few folks that I would be willing to help with the EAS (Expatriates Association of Suzhou) now that I have completed school. Well, that's all it took! There has been an opening for a while for a co-treasurer and I was voted in by the board the very next day! So, I now am on the board as a co-treasurer. I like the other co-treasurer so i think we will work very well together.<br />
I made dinner at home, and we just relaxed the rest of the evening. Mark has conference calls and I finish up some laundry. <br />
Tuesday is mahjong day and poker night! I went to the gym in the am. I weighed myself this AM and I have lost 6.5 lbs. the last two weeks! YEAH!!! My clothes are feeling looser as well. Continuing my quest for health and fitness is paying off! :) I came home from the gym, did a few chores around the apartment, made lunch, and then it's off to mahjong. I had a good time at mahjong and walked home from there. These are the times I really miss my good friend Val. We used to walk together there and back, and usually played mahjong together. I am looking forward to seeing her in December when we are in England for Christmas.<br />
In the evening, Mark is coming home later than usual because of a team conference call being held at the office. He got home around 7:20PM and we head over to Ollie's for burger night and so I can stay and play poker. My poker game has been sucky to say the least since I got back. Not my poker league, my playing! I think I am in a bit of a poker slump! It's not been good. I hope it turns around soon. <br />
The real crazy thing that happened on the way home. I always get a taxi home. It's not a problem because they are lined up outside the Li Gong Di area on the street waiting for customers. I only live about 2.0-2.5 miles away from Ollie's so it takes all of 5 minutes to get home for 10Yuan (about $1.50). What I didn't expect was my taxi driver to get into a screaming match with another driver on the road!! I must first say, the driver I had was in need of lessons! We drove like a crazy man, too fast, on the wrong side of the road, and hit the brakes WAY TOO HARD! So...I was just hoping and praying to get home in one piece. Thank goodness it was after 11:00PM when the streets of Suzhou are pretty much deserted...except around the corner from the entrance to my apartment where the taxi driver precedes to cut-off and nearly side swipe another vehicle! Well the traffic light was red at the intersection, and the driver of the other vehicle started yelling out his window at my taxi driver. So I am directly in the line of fire of the screaming match, Oh...and I am in the front seat! I sit in the front a lot, because it is easier to hand them the card with an address on it and to pay. Then, the driver of the other vehicle gets out of his car! OH NO....so I start saying "stop, just go, stop yelling, etc..." but of course they are both yelling and screaming extremely loud, like I am not even there! Finally I decide I will end this; so, I roll up the window of the taxi and yell at the taxi driver ZHI ZOU (Straight ahead!) and off we went. Oh my, road rage is a universal condition I have unfortunately discovered! It's extremely uncommon here...because if it wasn't, people would be having screamimg matches in the middle of the streets and intersections all the time! Drivers don't follow the lines on the road, let alone traffic laws! Traffic is just plain NUTS here! I am utterly amazed that there are not more traffic accidents then what I have seen. Oh, the wonders of living in China. That was enough excitement for a Tuesday night! I arrived back at the apartment to tell my tale to my husband, who just smirked and said " You obviously have acclimated to living here if you didn't freak out or get out of the taxi and walk the rest of the way!" The funny thing is....he's right! :)<br />
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-70892035654624720322012-09-14T21:06:00.003+08:002012-09-14T21:08:15.460+08:00Friday, September 14,2012Well, Mark is back from South Africa. We had a lazy start to the day this morning. Mark arrived late (after 1:00am), so he gave himself a break and went into work at 11:30. He still had a 8:30am conference call that he did from home! My husband works WAY TOO HARD!<br />
I had a pretty uneventful day. I did not go to the gym...I have a horrible blister and area on the back of my left heel that is raw from my shoe rubbing. I don't know why... I have been wearing the same shoes I had worn at home to work out in. It's annoying to say the least! I have other athletic shoes..but they all seem to irritate that sensitive area. I hope taking a break today helps it to heal.<br />
We are going to head down to old town via the new subway (metro) line tomorrow after we head to the gym in the AM. I hope to take some photos, enjoy the surroundings, and just enjoy the day with my husband. <br />
Check this out...<a href="https://www.premierleague1.info/p/sZsi9XwLEo6W6WB4QYN4MYB4QY79EX7SSYNWLbdPEWNOAZcjEX6e3Zt08odW8ZdiOogj8lgf8nz__">http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/visit/suzhou-guide-459550</a> . It is a great overview of the city of Suzhou. I hope to post some pics and antecdotes from the weekend. Have a wonderful weekend...I hope to! Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-21314462234531682752012-09-12T08:16:00.001+08:002012-09-12T08:16:24.888+08:00Mid-week, September 12, 2012 I finally awoke AFTER the sunrise today! It probably helped that I went to bed after midnight. I went and played poker last night, I got home around 11:00, skyped Mark, and put some laundry away. I forced myself to stay up later to try and get my body adjusted to this crazy time change! It hasn't been going well. With Mark out of town, it was way too easy for me to fall asleep WAY TOO EARLY...thus; waking up WAY TOO EARLY! Hopefully, that cycle will be broken.<br />
This week has been fairly busy so far. I went to Monday AM coffee over at Starbucks by the new Metro line. I finally got to see Susanna my friend from Finland. I had lunch with a lady who had arrived in late July while I was back in the US. It was nice to sit and visit and get to know a new friend. It's been a bit weird feeling like a "newbie' all over again. There are many new faces and I just need to jump in and get to know more of the ladies. I joined the EAS board. That is the Expatriates Association of Suzhou. I am co-treasurer along with another one of the ladies I already know. I had not been involved with the board previously because of my obligations with Grad school. I figured I should get a bit more involved and give back now that I have the extra time to devote to it. So, the opening was for a co-treasurer...an that's where I was placed. I am meeting with M.K. on Thursday to go over roles and responsibilities of this position.<br />
The gym schedule is going well. I did have an issue with my new shoes causing a really ugly blister on the back of my right foot. I am hoping it heal quickly and it stops bothering me. I am taking a break from the gym today, and will ride my exercise bike, and do the rowing machine. I want to be able to go to the gym the rest of the week. Mark will be home late Thursday...so that is what has been going on in my life on the other side of the globe. I am laying low today and going to organize my closet...h it m<br />
needs it!<br />
Till next time.....<br />
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-32198805887033990802012-09-08T06:41:00.001+08:002012-09-08T06:48:48.105+08:00Start of the week-end...September 8, 2012 It's way too early on Saturday morning! I have been up since 3:45am after falling asleep around 9:00pm. This jetlag is kicking my a$$!<br />
Mark left VERY early yesterday morning for a week in South Africa. I am once again...on my own in China. I am gong to go to the gym in a bit...it is not open till 8:00am on the weekends. I will also do some organizing and rearranging of my belongings since arriving and unpacking. I will be busy doing that over the weekend.<br />
I went to Shanghai yesterday with a few of the expat ladies via the high speed train. We went to the fabric market and did a bit of shopping. I like going to Shanghai via the train and being able to use the metro system to get around the city. We had a mad dash to catch our train home! You have to purchase your tickets in advance to secure a seat. We had purchased out tickets the day before and knew we needed to be back in Suzhou before 5:00pm. We were scheduled to be on the 4:11 train and barely made it with 3 minutes to spare! It was a mad dash through the train station I'll tell you...but we made it! Crisis averted.<br />
I hope to go to Monday morning coffee and then after that, venture onto the new metro line in Suzhou. So far, one line is open an I haven't checked it out yet; as it opened in April when I was back home in the US. I am looking forward to the adventure and heading downtown for some leisurely walking and checking things out. I hope the weather cooperates with my plans.<br />
Time to go and start the day... Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-64589488200661554492012-09-06T04:21:00.000+08:002012-09-06T04:21:55.809+08:00This is NOT America...My first gym experience in ChinaSo...I began my day early because of the jetlag....I arose at 5:00am. Not too bad for day 2 of arriving back. I checked email, checked Facebook, wrote emails, and made a "to-do" list for the day. I still have plenty of organizing to do with my things from my arrival on Monday evening.<br />
I had a great first day back on Tuesday. It was fun and filled with plenty to do. Went to Powerhouse Gym to sign up for membership. That was done then it was off to the monthly "Meet and Greet" coffee at the Renaissance Hotel from 10a-12p. Some of the ladies who play Mahjong are going to lunch so we went to Hot Chic for lunch. It's really good Chinese-Taiwanese food. Then we went to play Mahjong. I had SO much fun! Played at a table with ladies from the U.K, Holland, and Germany. We were laughing so hard sometimes ...we were crying! Lots of fun and I just think it's hilarious that we can all be so different but find the humor in so much as expats and our life experiences here in China.<br />
The one thing that did make me a bit sad...walking home solo, in the rain; and realizing my really good "gal-pal" has left for good back to the U.K. While I was home, she received the news that her husband's company was sending him back to the U.K. in June. So, I didn't even get to give her a proper goodbye! Hopefully, I will see her in December over the Christmas holiday when Mark and I go to England to spend Christmas with his family. That is the plan and I certainly hope it works out! I miss her terribly! While you do make friends here, there is usually one that you have the BFF bond with and it makes it difficult when one has to leave. It's the nature of the beast with this lifestyle...but it still SUCKS!<br />
So yesterday, Wednesday September 5th I am getting up early with Mark, putting the work out clothes on and getting dropped off at the gym via Mr. Shen before he takes Mark to work. This is going to be my Mon-Fri game plan. I had received a telephone call from a fitness trainer from Powerhouse the night before telling me she would meet me in the AM for a "fitness test." Hmmm...ok, I know this is going to be different, but I'm pretty sure interesting if not amusing! Always have to look on the bright side of things while I residing here or it could be brutal. So, I meet "Momo" in the locker room while changing my shoes. She says to follow her and off I go. We go into a little room where there is a few workout items, charts on the wall explaining BMI, Blood pressure readings that are considered high or normal, weight charts, etc. She has me step on the scale, AFTER she gets on to check her weight. She explains to me in her best broken English that she wants to make sure that it is accurate. Ok...do you think 1-2 kilograms off is going to be a big difference on my frame? LOL! So, I get on the scale and it is plain to see that I easily weigh DOUBLE what she weighs! She is only 5 feet tall and just a little petitie thing...but really? Okay...so here comes the tape measure. As she is measuring me, she is also poking and squeezing areas of my body informing me of how "fat and soft" I am! Really? Well, thanks for the bulletin Momo, maybe thats why I am at the gym? She then goes on to explain (in her very broken, sometimes hard to understand) English that I need to exercise EVERY DAY and eat right! She then tells me she can give me a diet to follow. Ahhh...no thanks (insert images of fresh fish and tofu here! YUCK to both! ) I politely decine her offer and I then explain to her that I am an Registered Nurse and I do know what and how to eat. She seems a bit surprised by this news. So to really throw her for a loop I explain that I have lost close to 27 kilograms. Her eyes bug out as I explain to her that yes I am fat...but I was REALLY much fatter before! :)<br />
Now, I must explain that I love the Chinese people and their culture. They just have NO filter and to them, telling someone "the truth" (in my case, that I am too soft and fat) is not mean...it's simply the truth. So, while I am smiling and almost giggling to myself, I realize that had I not had the opportunity to come here to live among a vastly different culture; I would be offended and my feelings even might be a bit hurt. So, I explain to Momo that I understand the importance of eating right and exercising, I am also going to work very hard to get in better physical shape and condition. She seems pleased with this news and informs me we will be meeting again in three months to check my progress. So...off I go to the treadmill in the non-air-conditioned gym to start my workout. I am smiling as I realize my "fat/soft' body WILL improve as long as I continue on my quest to a healthier me. Momo will be very happy with me in three months..as will I! Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-67596652263724540652012-09-04T06:54:00.004+08:002012-09-04T06:54:37.070+08:00I'm bacccckkkk....Tuesday, September 4th.Hello Family and Friends...<br />
<br />
I am back in China. I had a "nice" (insert sarcasm here) surprise at the airport. Apparently, the baggage policy has changed. I had three pieces of luggage but was only allowed two. Really? I am going to the other side of the world and I just get two pieces of luggage? Being a Gold frequent flyer member does NOT appear to be doing me any good either! There is a $200.00 charge for the third bag! SERIOUSLY??? The very nice ticket agent (he really was VERY nice) tells me to take the smaller bag as a carry on. I tell him I already have my carry on so he says..."that can be your personal item" Okay...I am carrying a purse as my personal item. He then informs me to look around, "do you see how many people don't follow the rules?" Okay...so Michele (a.k.a the "rule breaker") decides to carry the smaller bag on to the plane. I do a quick check to see if there are any liquids in the bag. I find one hair spray and that appears to be all. I put that into one of the bags getting checked...Off I go to security.<br />
I am amazed there are virtually NO lies or waiting anywhere. The airport is not busy AT ALL. So through security I go..and then I hear the dreaded yell "BAG CHECK" Great, not what I want or need to hear at this point. So...the bad that was SUPPOSED to be check is pulled and gone through. I missed one of the hair spray bottles (no biggie) and the toner /developer for my hair when I go to the salon! OH NO! Not that! Yep...24oz bottle....GONE! I am then offered that I could check it....hmmmm...lets see pay $200.00 to get my $3.89 toner/developer to China? I think not! I will contact the lovely lady who does my hair and I am sure she will drop it off at my house. Mark can bring it back with him at the end of the month when he heads back to the States for a meeting. Problem averted...for now.<br />
The flight was uneventful, comfortable even! No one sitting in the middle seat. We landed early and my wonderful husband was waiting for me. Mr. Shen (the driver) was there too. It was good to see him as well. Now, for the 2 hour car ride to Suzhou to the apartment. I sleep on and off during the car ride because trying to sleep on the plane was not successful because the man behind me couldn't stop kicking my seat! ANNOYING! We stopped off at Heidi's (a local restaurant) for some soup and to split an entree. It hits the spot and then off to the apartment. I unpack two of the three suitcases. It is now after 10PM and it is bedtime! Off to sleep, I have a big day tomorrow!<br />
I awoke this am at 4:00am! Hello jet lag! I attempted to stay in bed and try to sleep, but to no avail. I am out of bed, I finished unpacking (what I could) I can't wake Mark to put things away in the bedroom and master bath. I will wait till he gets up to finish putting those things away. Now it's time to hit the shower and start this <sigh> rainy day! Till next time...Ciao!<br />
<br />
Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-40656622108283446412012-05-31T02:32:00.000+08:002012-05-31T02:32:26.254+08:00Wednesday, May 30thWow....I need to make sure this blog will publish and see if there is a way to make it easier to publish from China! I had a heck of a time trying to publish postings last time from China.<br />
Right now, I am back in Michigan till September 8th. I had to come back in February to finish up Grad school. There is now three weeks of school left...and I will be FREE! WOW... A summer free of school.That sounds awesome to me considering I haven't had that in over 3 years!<br />
I will work at least 2-3 shifts a week once school is completed and save money to take back with me for my busy life in China which consists of shopping , lunching , and of course poker playing! A girl has to support her habits you know!<br />
So...that's it from here. I may post another time or two before returning to China. We will see. I just hope to be able to publish once I am back there to keep all my friends and family in the loop!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-88840187379597663392012-01-01T16:04:00.002+08:002012-01-01T16:25:03.636+08:00Looking Back…and Looking ForwardAs I look back on the incredible journey I have had<br />in 2011, I can say I am grateful. I am grateful for things I should be grateful<br />for and things I did not realize at the time; but in hindsight I am glad these<br />experiences happened to mold and shape the person I continue to evolve to<br />become:<br />·<br />Moving to China and experiencing this<br />vast land and its rich culture.<br />· <br />Being able to meet people from all over<br />the world and count them as friends<br />· <br />The frustration and tears of living in a<br />foreign country and learning to deal with the stares, picture taking, and<br />language barrier in a country where I look vastly different then the natives.<br />· <br />Attempting to grocery shop and find<br />things that are familiar and experience new products not found at home.<br />· <br />Learning that patience IS a virtue and<br />practicing it regularly here.<br />· <br />Coming to the realization that my son is<br />an adult and I have to let go….21 years old and living on his own makes me<br />proud and sad. I’ve done my job raising him, but not wanting him to ever stop<br />needing me in his life. I am still attempting to find the balance.<br /><br /> As 2012 begins, I am left wondering what is in store for me? Mark and I will be taking some intense Mandarin lessons over the Chinese New Year holiday (later this month). I leave to head back to the USA on February 23rd. , so I can began my practicum for school. I will be finished with school at the end of May. What then? I don't know is the truthful answer. Should I look for a teaching job? Will Mark's contract get extended through 2013? Some of these questions I just have to leave and not concern myself with them until the time comes. I just like knowing what is in the works. But, we all know what happens when we make plans right...God laughs!<br /> May you all have a very joyous and properous New Year and hopefully 2012 will be good to all of us.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-30154095697535853922011-12-27T16:02:00.002+08:002011-12-27T16:25:39.021+08:00Christmas in EnglandHello Friends and and Merry Christmas!<div><br /></div><div> Well, it's the 27th of December and Christmas is over. It was a wonderful time spending it here in England with Mark's family. It has been even better knowing Ben was able to come and spend time with his Brit cousins! They have been having a great time and enjoying taking him out to the local pubs to partake in consuming the local draughts! He has been enjoying that. </div><div> The weather has been typical English weather, dreary, overcast, and rainy....but no complaints from me...I'm with my husband and son and having a fabulous holiday! Ben leaves the 29th for Detroit before he heads home to Atlanta. Mark and I leave on the 30th for our return to China. I only have 8 weeks left in China (I leave the 23 rd of February) so I can do my Capstone practicum for the last 15 weeks of school at home. I will probably also work a bit at my job so I don't forget how to be a nurse!! ;) I miss my work family and it will be good to see them. I really can't believe how fast time has flown by! I will be done with school at the end of May/ beginning of June and then I am done! The light at the end of the tunnel is a lot less dim, and getting brighter with each passing week. </div><div>Till next time.....</div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-48164695637666445852011-12-02T20:03:00.005+08:002011-12-02T21:35:09.705+08:00Yowzer...time is flying by! It's December 2nd already?Hi Again..so it appears we are posting WOO-HOO! So much has been going on over the last few weeks. I will do my best to do a bit of a synopsis. Have gone and done a bit of shopping a couple of times in Shanghai. One trip was with just 5 other ladies. MJ was heading back to the USA and wanted to get a shopping trip in before leaving. We did that on a Thursday, and the following Monday, we had a bus full of expat ladies heading to another shopping area to shop for the holidays before heading back to homelands for the holidays. I have become quite the bargainer!<div> In fact, my reputation preceded me into the shops! (We call it the "Chopstick Express") Once it's known there are Westerners in the area who are buying...word spreads from shop to shop! One lady said to us, "I will deal with her (pointing to one of my shopping companions) and then YOU (poining at me)...I know you look like tough negotiator!" Seriously? Okay...and bargain I did! I scored 3 bluetooth keyboards for 3 of us who have Ipad 2 for $20 each. I also got quite a few gifts for Christmas and a few other personal bargains! I'll tell you it's a sport to shop here...and I am getting to professional ranking!! :) </div><div> Speaking of rankings, my poker club has been busy and fun. It's getting quite professional in as much we have been getting ranked and even have a banquet scheduled on December 8th. I am looking forward to it, and it should be a lot of fun for us degenerate gamblers! I adore these folks who have welcomed me with open arms and make it fun as well as competitive to play poker with folks from all over the world! I always look forward to my weekly poker game at Ollie's. On Thanksgiving, we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">had Thanksgiving dinner at Ollie's with 2 other couples. It was a lovely traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It made missing it with my family back home a bit easier to deal with. We enjoyed it and our table companions were fun. </span></div><div><br /></div><div> Crafting has been busy on Fridays to get things completed for the Craft Bazaar being held tomorrow at a local hotel. It's a charity event that raises money for some local charities here in Suzhou. Mark and I will be volunteering from 12-2. Should be fun, and a productive day. There will be quite a few vendors there as well, so I am sure I can get a few Christmas decorations for the apartment while there. I have NOTHING that even resembles a Christmas feel anywhere! Even though we are going to England to spend the holiday with Mark's family, I need it to feel a bit "Christmasy" while here before we leave on the 22nd. I will miss spending Christmas away from my family in Michigan, but at least Ben will be joining us there! Mark found him a flight from Atlanta to Manchester on the 24th. He will be with us for 5 days and get to spend time with his cousins that he hasn't seen in 8 years! It should be a great time for all of us. The down side is, it will be rough for the family since it's the first Christmas without Mark's mom since her passing in August. It will be nice to see Mark's dad and spend some time with him and see how he is doing. </div><div> So that's a bit of what has been going on here. I hope to be more of a regular blogger...let's hope the Internet, Blogspot, and my proxy server cooperate! Ciao my friends!! </div><div><br /></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-38099034616866698722011-12-02T19:39:00.002+08:002011-12-02T20:02:51.123+08:00Been busy..and frustrated with Blogger!Hello Friends!<div><br /></div><div> I know...longtime, no postings! Believe me, I am beyond frustrated! I know it has something to do with Blogger and having to use a proxy server to access the internet to publish my musings from this foreign land. If it was something easy to fix...I would but it's hit or miss. The internet over here has been pretty dodgy the last few weeks as it is. So, this is a bit of test(again) to see if this will publish. (Crossing fingers and saying a prayer.....)</div><div> </div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-92191624781464137262011-11-13T10:22:00.003+08:002011-11-20T14:27:36.953+08:00Surviving in China...husbandless!<div>Mark is in the USA, and I am in China. He had to go back for immigration travel document issues. He was supposed to leave on the 10th of November, but we pushed his flight up so he could see a doctor while there. His ankles and feet were still pretty swollen and now he has a horrible rash all over his body! We stopped his meds (antibiotics and diuretic) because obviously he is allergic to something! So, he left on the 4th to head home and I have been solo in China for over a week. It's been a bit lonely at times, but not too bad. I have a lot to keep me occupied between school work and activities with the other expat ladies. </div><div> It also made me realize, I have become quite acclimated to living here in China. I can fend for myself (with a little help from Mr. Shen), and I have plenty of things to keep me busy without feeling alone. There is always something I can find to do, even if it's just going for a walk to get a coffee, shopping, whatever. It's a good feeling that I can be in a foreign country and not feel isolated.</div><div> I even went and played poker on Tuesday and Thursday. I usually just play on Thursday, but decided to play on Tuesday too. I didn't win, but I had a great time. It's nice to spend time with my poker friends because they are always fun!</div><div><br /></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-82606106859139405132011-10-29T11:18:00.010+08:002011-10-29T11:47:11.848+08:00The rest of my week...Tuesday consisted of getting my final paper completed and turned in. That was accomplished. On Wednesday, I had a Tai-Tai outing to Taicang. Taicang City is located in the South Jiangsu Plain and on the southern bank of Yangtze River, close to the mouth of the river. The city borders Baoshan and Jiading Districts of Shanghai on the south, Kunshan City on the west and Changshu City on the north. It was about an hour bus ride for us. We visited 3 different areas of agricultural gardens. A few pictures:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXj8c3CIkYs/Tqtxom_9GSI/AAAAAAAAARg/KD0ExQ97TFo/s1600/DSCN0801.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668749498453399842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXj8c3CIkYs/Tqtxom_9GSI/AAAAAAAAARg/KD0ExQ97TFo/s320/DSCN0801.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SQT0cC3W0Z8/Tqtx2tHHJTI/AAAAAAAAARs/UsLzsFddORs/s1600/DSCN0809.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 298px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668749740612199730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SQT0cC3W0Z8/Tqtx2tHHJTI/AAAAAAAAARs/UsLzsFddORs/s320/DSCN0809.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq3vByMw-QM/TqtzU3fZyMI/AAAAAAAAASQ/zgpXDkkEdRo/s1600/DSCN0792.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668751358306142402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq3vByMw-QM/TqtzU3fZyMI/AAAAAAAAASQ/zgpXDkkEdRo/s320/DSCN0792.JPG" /></a><br />Pretty Finnish Ladies! They have made me an "honary Finn" They even gave me a Finnish name "Key-ah-lou" (that's phonetic spelling because I have NO idea how to spell it in Finnish!) it means lilly of the valley (flower) the national flower of Finland! I love these gals! :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It was a nice day for it. Not too hot or cold. We had lunch there…here are some pictures of some interesting food choices: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668750595347724418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gEN1nWRui4/TqtyodP8OII/AAAAAAAAASE/CLIzGltvXZA/s320/DSCN0827.JPG" /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27OsitjnqGg/TqtyVNuIUAI/AAAAAAAAAR4/te5-tn7cdDw/s1600/DSCN0826.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668750264761864194" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27OsitjnqGg/TqtyVNuIUAI/AAAAAAAAAR4/te5-tn7cdDw/s320/DSCN0826.JPG" /></a> Mark worked late, so I had the evening to just relax and do a bit of leisure reading. Mark got home from work around 8:00PM and we just relaxed the rest of the evening and went to bed early.<br />On Thursday, Val and I had made plans to take the bus downtown to obtain a bus pass for me. She had gotten one while I was back home and she has become a “semi-expert” on the bus system here and she knew where I needed to go to acquire one for myself. So…we headed out around 10:30am for downtown. We got there and it was very straight forward and no problems. Woo-Hoo! You just never know here…some things are more problematic and you just learn to roll with it. We decided to go down Pingjiang Lu' (Píngjiāng Lù, <a title="Show information about all characters" href="http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqtm=0&wdqcham=1&wdqt=平江路" target="_blank">平江路</a>) street. We both enjoy just strolling that street and taking in the culture and browsing in a few of the shops. My camera is dead..so no pictures but I have posted pictures of this very picturesque street before. After walking around for a while, it was coming up on lunch time, so we decided to head back on the bus and go to Heidi’s for lunch near home. We hopped the bus back; (using my new bus pass) which proved for an interesting ride. Our bus driver was of the belief that his aggressive driving and using his horn would get us there much quicker! Also, this bus’s suspension was nill! It made for a very comical ride to say the least!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We arrived back to Singha Plaza (about a mile from home). We stopped at Summit which is a market that carries many import items for westerners and picked up a few things here. Then we headed over to Heidi’s for lunch. We enjoyed our lunch of chef salad and ice tea and ate outside. We ran into a few of the other expat ladies we know. It was a nice day. We then headed back to our apartment complex. I made spaghetti for dinner and had picked up some garlic bread at the Franco Papa bakery that was quite tasty! That will be something to get again when having pasta for dinner.<br />It’s Thursday, so that means poker night! Mark’s feet and ankles are still bothering him, and even though the swelling has subsided, they are nowhere near normal. So, I tuck him in bed with the dvd clicker and one of his tv series to watch and head over to Ollie’s for poker. I enjoy my poker night with my poker buddies; they are a great bunch of people from all over the world. I did not fare as well as last week, and get knocked out of the tournament around 10:00PM. I then catch a cab and head back to the apartment. I get home and Mark is awake and still watching his tv series. Off to dreamland by 11:00PM.<br />It’s Friday am and it’s crafts at Pam’s from 10:00-12:00 then we usually do lunch after. So Joanna, Val, and I meet up at the gate to walk over to Pam’s. There is quite a big group this week. Ladies are working hard to get things finished for the craft bazaar which is being held on Dec. 3rd. I had to pin quilt squares together for the quilt that is being assembled. As much as I love to craft…I suck at it! So something like pinning is easy for me to do and I really can’t screw it up! J Here’s a picture of the crafters hard at work:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KX_nNTlnQEk/Tqt1ap_ZkOI/AAAAAAAAASc/KTB-ufdE83U/s1600/DSCN0860.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668753656784720098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KX_nNTlnQEk/Tqt1ap_ZkOI/AAAAAAAAASc/KTB-ufdE83U/s320/DSCN0860.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JecT1rl2urQ/Tqt1az_UciI/AAAAAAAAASk/fvLrlIayocU/s1600/DSCN0862.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668753659468739106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JecT1rl2urQ/Tqt1az_UciI/AAAAAAAAASk/fvLrlIayocU/s320/DSCN0862.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Around noon, we decide to head over to Casa Zoe for lunch. They have a nice lunch buffet. So, 12 of us (some ladies had other obligations) walk over to the restaurant. It was a nice lunch and I had the opportunity to talk with a few ladies I don’t know. It was very enjoyable. Time to pay…where is my little bag with my money and other things? Hmmmm…I empty my HUGE purse contents onto the table…it’s not here. Did I leave it on the dining table at the apartment? My friend Theresa loans me lunch money (thank you Theresa!) and pay. Some of the ladies are heading downtown for some sightseeing and shopping. I pass as now I have to go and find my little silk purse that has not only my money, but my new bus pass, my expat membership card, my address card (I use this for taxi drivers to get me home), and the card that lets me into the apartment building when the doors are locked (they are usually left wide open…but sometimes they are closed, and you just never know when you may need it to get in). Susanna and I head back towards are respective apartment buildings and say goodbye at one of the corners. I head up to the apartment. My little silk purse is NOWHERE TO BE FOUND! I search all over the apartment. NO luck. SERIOUSLY??? I know I had it in the taxi coming home from Ollie’s last night. I am really upset and mad at myself! Where could it be? It must have fallen out in the taxi or out of my bag between getting out of the taxi and walking to the apartment building last night. GREAT…now I have no bus pass, expat membership card, address card, not to mention the money that was in there! Mark calls, and I tell him I lost my little purse and he can tell how upset and distraught I am. He tells me not to worry, everything can be replaced and at least it wasn’t my wallet with my ID or credit cards. True…but I am SOOO mad! I just got my bus pass yesterday and now I have to replace it? Not to mention the other things and the money! I am such an idiot!<br />So, I figure I’ll turn on the TV and see what might be on…oh and a side note here, to add insult to injury, my Slingbox is not working. No American television for me. It stopped working last week, and after my brother reset it, it worked for a day and is NOT working again. So…Chinese television and DVD’s it is. Mark has to hardwire it to the router when he goes back in November for a week (another long story!) instead of it being wireless. It loses the signal too easily being wireless. So, I turn on the TV to discover it is not working! All the channels say “this channel is not handled by your smartcard” Great! This day is just getting better and better! Mark offered to take me out to dinner but I told him I didn’t feel much like going out and I was probably not fit for human interaction at this point of the day. So, when he got home, we ordered Indian and it got delivered within an hour. Dinner was good and we just hung out at home. I was not good company and that wonderful husband of mine just tried to make me feel better. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>I just need to count my blessings and realize that losing replaceable things is really pretty trivial in the big scheme of things isn’t it? Lesson learned… I’m no worse for wear, and I’m still a very blessed and lucky lady to be living the life I have! Hopefully, the weekend will be an uneventful, calm one. I’ve had enough turmoil this week. Till next time… </div></div></div></div></div></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-45338599983878148692011-10-27T08:31:00.004+08:002011-10-27T08:51:50.073+08:00Monday, October 24th.Hello friends!<br /><br />It's been a fun week so far. I did manage to finish my last paper for my class and skipped a couple of things with the ladies early in the week to get it finished. Mark and I had a trip to Metro (like Sam's Club or Costco) on Monday night for some essentials. We decided we needed a wok for cooking so that got purchased along with a few other things. We had a pretty big haul of stuff. Mr. Shen had taken us so he assisted with putting it all in the trunk. Then...we headed over to Zappata's for dinner (burger deal night). Since Malone's has closed...we have been searching for a replacement burger place. While they are okay here...not as good as Malone's! After dinner, we headed home. Mr. Shen dropped us off and we had to get the loot from our shopping trip and Mark's computer bag out of the trunk. What?? Mark's computer bag is there...no shopping purchases! Mr. Shen had taken it upon himself to take it to the apartment for us while we were eating dinner! It was a miserable day/evening too. It had been raining all day. He had taken all our purchases up to the apartment for us in the pouring rain! What a superstar driver we have!<br />That man is a blessing everyday that we are here! I thank him profusely and let him know that it wasn't necessary, but very much appreciated! Let me tell you, hearing some of the horror stories about drivers over here with some of the other expats...we are extremely lucky to have him in our lives in China. My friends over here love him too! They even realize what a gem he is! Yes...my husband spoils me rotten...and so does Mr. Shen! :)Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-8522196285584775322011-10-23T06:02:00.007+08:002011-10-23T07:05:23.798+08:00Saturday, October 22nd<div><br /><div><br /><div>Well it's been a good week in Suzhou. I went to play poker on Thursday and managed to finish 2nd in the tournament from a field of 30. I like it when I can play AND win money! It was great seeing all my poker buddies after being gone for 4 months. I enjoyed myself and I am looking forward to next week and playing again.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Friday I went to Crafts at Pam's apartment. I met a few new people that have arrived while I was gone. We then went (there were 10 of us ) and had a Chinese Szechun lunch. It was delicious lunch and as usual, very inexpensive (3.12) and we had a really nice time. Then it was off to Franks Place. This shop is located down by Humble Administrator's Garden (a very "tourist-y" area. It sells a lot of souvenirs and Chinese trinkets, as well as furniture and tea sets... LOTS of stuff. We (the expat ladies) love going down there. It was the first time I have actually felt uncomfortable while being here in China. </div><br /><div>It was very crowded and busy with a lot of people. There were many tourists and I was getting a lot of stares and pictures taken. Ok...fine. I can deal with that. Well ...a few times people came up to me and in my personal space (way too close for my liking) and blantantly stared and touched. I actually began to feel like some sort of freak show! I told some of the others...I need to get outta here! They were sympathetic and understood. The blonde hair and green eyes on this chick just fascinated some of these Asian folks! Thank goodness Mr. Shen was nearby and came to fetch us fairly quickly. It was quite surreal...I never felt uncomfortable like that before. I hope I don't ever again. it was not a good feeling. </div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_y08snN5wlQ/TqNGqQDntRI/AAAAAAAAAPA/yNr4_dvTFt0/s1600/DSCN0762.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666450447840818450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_y08snN5wlQ/TqNGqQDntRI/AAAAAAAAAPA/yNr4_dvTFt0/s320/DSCN0762.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Saturday Mark and I got up and decided to head to Casa Zoe for breakfast. Picture on the left. It was very good we stayed a bit longer and had a couple extra cups of coffee while signing up for benefits through Mark's company. We discovered while back home, this year we had NO dental and the international medical insurance pretty much sucks!!! So...we will have decent medical insurance for 2012. Woo-Hoo! We are now off to the medical clinic. Mark's feet have been swollen since he got back home (in the U.S) at the end of September. At first, we thought it was from flying...but it didn't go away...then he had extremely swollen and one ankle was reddened. So, my husband who HATES going to the doctor and/or taking medicine says he needs to go...so off we go. You have to love going to the doctors here. You sign in and you see a MD within 5 minutes. Well, the doctor runs some blood work and figures it's some sort of infection ....so IV Rocephin dose for him... <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666452788574598130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA98kNaJP5Q/TqNIyf-Cs_I/AAAAAAAAAPM/cmXxFnPwT0I/s320/DSCN0765.JPG" /></div></div></div>Well...me being the nosy nurse that I am...I am just sitting there, decide to scope out the room and look and see what kind of medical supplies and "stuff" they have. Mark was truly appalled that I was opening drawers and rifling through things. Hey...they don't want me being nosy...lock the drawers..if it's not locked it's fair game! H<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1N7WyuvYhbg/TqNJ8G-TWSI/AAAAAAAAAPY/2SKKegMqULs/s1600/DSCN0764.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666454053175122210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1N7WyuvYhbg/TqNJ8G-TWSI/AAAAAAAAAPY/2SKKegMqULs/s320/DSCN0764.JPG" /></a>ere is a few things I found:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After the antibiotic infusion, we got his oral antibiotic (Augmentin) and off we went to Eurofoods across the street to do a bit of grocery shopping. We bought a few things...then it's time for a coffee break at Starbucks where we sat for a bit and enjoyed our little break. it was a lovely day to sit outside and enjoy the day. We got back to the apartment around 3:00. We stopped off at the market to get some produce and chicken for dinner. It's been a good day. Hopefully, the antibiotics will work and Mark's feet will be back to normal soon. He has a follow-up appointment on Tuesday. Let's hope that his feet will be back to normal and he can wear shoes without trying to squeeze his feet into them!<br />Till next time....Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-67346848233568608732011-10-21T08:03:00.003+08:002011-10-21T08:07:52.508+08:00Getting into the swing of things...<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f1wcD_ljuIA/TqC3LNDIXtI/AAAAAAAAAOo/cSWaZb8SdLA/s1600/DSCN0753.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665729734341320402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f1wcD_ljuIA/TqC3LNDIXtI/AAAAAAAAAOo/cSWaZb8SdLA/s320/DSCN0753.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Hello Friends!<br />Yes, it's taken some getting used to...but I do believe I am getting back into the swing of being a "Tai-Tai" (housewife). I even remembered to pick up milk and bananas for Mark's daily breakfast while coming back from getting my nails done! Poor guy...sometimes this housewife "forgets" the simpliest of things to do on a daily basis. I am really trying to better at the housewife thing this go around in China.<br />I did take a couple of photos while in the local shop that is located right downstairs in our apartment complex.<br />These are some kind of "Nabisco" (China -style) Oreos...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665730073311129858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UmVzvqiSK6o/TqC3e7z1MQI/AAAAAAAAAO0/VGl_OxZUdPQ/s320/DSCN0752.JPG" /> notice the lovely colors? I have NO clue what the flavors are...I can only imagine they are something I would NOT eat! The photo above is a shop of one or the aisles...PACKED with all kinds of food from all over the world. Many imported items at "imported" prices. I was lucky...usually this place is pretty crowded. Imagine these type of aisles with a few people in them. Oh so fun!<br />I remembered to take shopping bags in my purse so no paying for bags! Yes, I am getting back in the habit of running through a checklist in my head of things I may need while out and about in this wonderful city. The list is long and the purse I carry here is HUGE!<br />I really must figure out why my photos are not getting placed where I want them on these blog posts. It is very frustrating.<br />So...I must go and work on my last paper for this class I am in. Two more classes (16 weeks) and my practicum (another 16 weeks) and I will be finished! Hopefully, graduated with my Masters degree. Till next time......<br /><br /></div></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-28932432724659594772011-10-17T21:14:00.008+08:002011-10-17T22:06:19.550+08:00Gettin' my groove back...it's been a busy week!<div>Well, it’s been a full week back in China. It has been a busy one and pretty exhausting too. On Saturday, we headed out with 7 other couples to dinner at Piccola Italia.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664450203444472994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w8YXvDLyyyg/TpwrctAybKI/AAAAAAAAAMw/VlyTRt7OagQ/s320/DSCN0742.JPG" /> Divided table: men at one end; women at the other.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664449301756429634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHtRf0nA1Lw/TpwqoN9mxUI/AAAAAAAAAMk/UY6znEqTDeI/s320/DSCN0735.JPG" /> Group table shot<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>It was a great dinner. Then after dinner we headed over to Harry’s Bar that has a really good band for entertainment. There wasn’t enough room for a large group inside, so we sat outside. It was a beautiful night for it.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 323px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664451358467128178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D-ntILWPTK4/Tpwsf7zpe3I/AAAAAAAAAM8/4QBrMNmwasQ/s320/DSCN0743.JPG" /> Jim goofing with Marcy's new shoes!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We enjoyed a couple of cocktails and then called it an evening.<br />Val and her husband (Phil) decided they were ending their evening too. So we all headed toward the street to catch a cab back to the apartment complex.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664452784238959778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EHcQLUR8RsQ/Tpwty7OJHKI/AAAAAAAAANI/ZULoMZrSwi8/s320/DSCN0747.JPG" /> Mark and Phil (Mark really isn't avoiding Phil...Phil is just blocking the light that was blocking my camera shot!)<br /><br /><br />It was a lot of fun. We hope to do it again soon. One funny thing...on the walk to our apartments in the complex we discovered some new signs that have been posted:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 388px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664454126829927714" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbpSYzB8x-k/TpwvBEwxfSI/AAAAAAAAANU/3zklWLkjfbk/s320/DSCN0749.JPG" /> It says: "Take trecautions atainst durglais" ("CHINGLISH" TRANSLATION: Take precautions against burglars.....HILARIOUS! We see a lot of this and I really need to take more pictures of them...so much gets "lost in translation!" Oh...and take a look at the "no horn" sign...yeah...like that will EVER happen. I think the horn is attached to the gas pedal on Chinese driven vehicles!<br /><br />***I must apologize in advance for the lack of postings that will be posted until I figure out the reason I am having so many technical issues with photos and general posting/ publishing issues. It has taken WAY TOO LONG do get this one done. Ridiculously too long {over an hour! :( }<br />So bear with me as I try to figure this out or find another site to blog on. We will see what the future holds. All I know is...I can't take over an hour to post one little post! *** Wish me luck!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165557425977976884.post-9338314542242885142011-10-11T21:00:00.000+08:002011-10-14T16:59:20.414+08:00I'm back...and so is the jetlag!We arrived back at the apartment around 9:15PM on Monday night. We were exhausted and tired from being on a 14 hour flight in cattle call economy coach class plus a 2 hour drive from the Shanghai airport. After about 11 hours…I’m over it! It also doesn’t help that Delta is using their 747-400 aircrafts much more often for this flight (more bodies more $$$ I suppose) which do not have video on demand. But, we survived and arrived safely and that is the goal.<br /><br />We did a bit of unpacking, showered, and went to bed around 10:30. I woke up around 3:30AM, attempted to go back to sleep, but was unsuccessful. I got up around 4:00AM and did a bit more unpacking, and some school work. Mark got up at 6:30 when the alarm went off. He is off to work today. Poor guy had no milk or OJ for breakfast so…he made do with my oatmeal.<br />I have a big day ahead. I phoned my friend Val to see if she was attending the monthly EAS (Expatriate Assoc. of Suzhou) coffee at the Renaissance Hotel. She had another engagement so we chatted a bit and made plans to get together tomorrow. So, Mr. Shen arrived to pick me around 10:15 to drive me over (I would have walked…but it looked like it may rain). It was wonderful to see so many of my friends! There were lots of hugs and chatting, and catching up on what was new. At noon, a few of us decided to go to lunch before Mahjong started at 1:30. Off to Zappata’s we went. It’s a Mexican place that offers a great lunch deal and there is plenty of offerings to choose from. Lunch was delicious and then off to play mahjong. I got high hand!! Must be beginner’s luck because I sure needed a bit of a refresher! We all put in 10 RMB (around 1.50) so I won the pot! So…lunch for me was a freebie!<br /><br />After mahjong, I had to stop off at the market to get some essentials. The fridge and cupboards were pretty bare! Of course, I forgot to put a shopping bag in my purse..so charged for bags! Grrrrr… I really have to remember that I have to carry everything but the kitchen sink when I venture out! Back at the apartment a little before 5:00PM… Mark calls at 5:15 to say he is on his way and it’s Indian for dinner!!! Score! No cooking for this chick!<br />Dinner was delish…as usual at Indian at the Cross. The traffic to get downtown was horrendous as they are still tearing it all up for the installation of the subway system. I’ll tell you, our driver Mr. Shen should get hazard pay! He’s a Gem! We are very blessed to have this man in our lives in China. He is my “go-to” guy when I need him. I brought him back a couple of pairs of Levi’s and an Itouch to show my appreciation for all he does and he was very appreciative and thankful. It’s the LEAST I could do! Mark let him know the gifts were from the “Big Boss”…not him! It’s a running joke with all of us….Mark is Mr. Shen’s boss…but I’m the “Big Boss! LOL! I just want to keep him happy and make sure he continues as our driver because decent ones around here are not easy to come by! So this girl will make sure Mr. Shen is a happy guy!<br /><br />So…of course I can barely keep my eyes open by 9:00PM and it’s off to “Dreamland”. It was a good day and I am looking forward to seeing Val tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll sleep in a bit longer!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870466483956073986noreply@blogger.com0