Maybe the last update - some photos

Sheesh, it's been forever since I've been here. Amongst the many reasons are moving, lots of work and Facebook ("blogging for lazy people" - Janine). I haven't done a lot on Facebook either, so don't feel left out if you only check out vfmatt.com.

I doubt that I will update here much. It's more difficult to upload photos and I really don't have time and energy to write posts. I thought about getting a blogging app for my iPod since I spend 3 hours per day in the back of the car, but I doubt I'd use it much, it's difficult to type in the moving, bouncy car, and I'd still have the photo issue.

So, I'll try to at least put some words up sometimes, but I recommend you check my google photos page for any new photos. And there are many new ones . . in the camera at least. You can see some updates in a few minutes. Mostly the Mouse who is now known as the Monkey for the simple fact that she is too energetic and outgoing for a Mouse. And the fact that she crawls, walks and climbs all over.

Employment becomes me

Or I become employed, something like that.

Yes, friends, after 8 months of joblessness and about TEN months of looking, I will start a new job June 1, 2009. It'll be nice to work again and move to a bigger place (this one-bedroom stuff is ok for one person, but not two adults and a baby).

However, the bigger place is in the Philippines. Just south of Manila (scramble frantically for Google Earth now, dear readers).

To cut to the quip: if I'da known I'd be on hiatus for 8 months and then go back to Asia, I'd have just stayed in Asia.

Maybe I'll update the blog more while I'm employed. But probably not :^D

Happy May Day!

It's a big holiday in China and my friends there get a 3-day weekend. Enjoy, my friends!

We recently drove from Philly to Omaha to visit the US family, with a stop in Pittsburgh for a job interview. It was a good trip, highlights being four nights without the baby (thanks, Grandma!) and the baby being weaned to a bottle. Well, best part was actually getting to spend time with the family. I'm not doing that drive again, though, because my increasingly strained knee turned out to be DVT - blood clot in the leg. Oy!

So, after one night in the hospital, I am now laid up for a few days taking my medicine and trying to dissolve some, but not all, parts of my body. Weird when you think of it that way.

Trip photos, mostly of the pretty Mouse, will be coming as soon as I can spend time at my desk. I don't like doing a lot of work on the laptop while it is on my lap - get's too damn hot.

Updates for my remaining 3 readers

Maybe I still have 4 readers, but probably not.

On the job front, I didn't get the job in New Jersey. Woe upon me and my family unit as it was our last option for imminent US employment. The good news is that the Philippines job is pretty much tied up, I just need to pass one phone interview (not scheduled) and the high-level management interview in Pittsburgh next Friday. Wish me luck!

In better news, GP once again got a "1" ranking for her school work, the only one in her class of 50 (there can be more than one 1, many 2's, etc.). She was the only person to get a 1 rank all three years and that means she gets one last scholarship check. She also received her diploma (well, her friend in Suzhou has it) and the Mouse and I are very proud of her. Good job, GP!!!

Finally, here are some new Mouse photos. She's getting bigger and funnier every day. I'm hardly ever tempted to toss her out the window anymore, though we do talk about leaving her with Grandma Joyce for a few months. That also gets an "ok!" from Grandma.

Mouse hit the 6 month milestone of foot grabbing. Also sock removal is standard.


Today I broke out the penguin bowling set from Steve and Kathy.


GP wanted a laptop and now we know why. All she needs is a cat in the mix to complete the assembly.


We bought a Bumbo chair for the Mouse and today added the accessory tray. She really likes the tray - it makes a great drum.


I'm always baby juggling. No spit up accidents yet.


Stretchy leg baby has started to damage some of her more oft worn clothes. Time to change to the spring wear anyway.

HAPPY HALF YEAR TO THE MOUSE

Today the Mouse is 6 months old. She doesn't know it, sees no significance, but we will celebrate nonetheless.

Perhaps we'll commemorate the day by taking her favorite food source(s) and replacing them with a bottle. I think her mama will celebrate that more than baby will :)

Only words, trying to get back to blogging

No photos of the Mouse this time, just updating to current status. Seems like there is a fair amount of activity in my life, but not much progress being made.

I've got two solid-looking jobs on the horizon. One is a good R&D position in NJ, good industry, forming a new R&D group (over time, for now just me) and making good connections for my career. We could live in PA near the river and I'd have an hour commute. I made the cut to the final three for onsite interviews, did well, and latest news was the choice is between me and one other. Decision was originally mid-March, still waiting to hear.

Job two is a technical director position for a metals company in the Philippines. I'd be in charge of fifteen or so people, learning everything about getting metal out of scrap / ore, and developing new products. This would be an expat position with housing and car paid for, make contacts in different industries, stay up to date on relevant technology. I was one of four for onsite interviews (returned 2 days ago) and heard yesterday I am the leading candidate. Also heard that the decision date of "next week" has changed into "we want you to interview at HQ in Pittsburgh in two weeks".

So, if I get two offers it will be a tough choice. If I get one offer, from either, it would still be a great job. But . . nothings happened so far and I've been chasing Job 1 for more than 3 months, job two for about 2.5 months. It takes a long time for a high-level job like this, but it is nerve wracking.

The scariest part is if both fall through, I've got no other leads right now.

When we looked at the pros and cons of the Philippines, safety was one concern. The have a history of kidnappings (though usually in the far south, Muslim region) and high security all around: checking bags at the shopping mall entrance, checking trunks at the hotels, gated communities with armed guards and redundant airport security.

On the other hand, 13 people were killed in NY yesterday, in the fifth fatal mass shooting in the US in the past month. Makes it harder to look askance at PH security measures.

shopping with the Mouse

The Mouse and I gave mom and break and went shopping by ourselves today. CVS, the post office, the running shoe store, and Macy's. It was a good time and a sunny pleasant day.

Now, everyone says the Mouse is cute, beautiful, adorable, well, you can imagine. Today I heard a new one. We were paying at Macy's and a nice lady, probably in her 20s, was working the register. I forget what she said first, something like "pretty baby", and then she said "oh, she has chinky eyes".

Huh?

She said, "yeah, she has chinky eyes, is her mom Asian?"

Mouse's new clothes

We don't buy many clothes for the Mouse as so many friends and family have supported her well. There was a clearance dress from Gymboree (not shown) and we had to have the clearance hat and shoes from Babies 'R Us.

As a side note, the cashier from B'RU has a daughter born 5 days before the Mouse, both with the original due date. We forgot to compare sleeping patterns. Five people at B'RU stopped us to say how cute Mouse is in her new hat. I also bought her a floppy, summer hat, but haven't photographed it yet.

I should change the blog title to "The House of Mouse" or summat.



Mouse sucking on a honey wheat pretzel (salt removed)