playing catch up
It's been awhile and I have a lot to write about. But not enough time.
The trip from China to the US was good. I sat next to Americans returning home after teaching in China for a month. Also ran into a China coworker going to the US for the first time. Good thing, too, as she lost her cell phone in Pudong and needed to borrow mine in Chicago. No problem!
In Chicago, I called my Mom, as I always do in Chicago, travelling to or from the US. "I'm thinking of visiting sometime." "Really? When?" "Mmmm, about 11pm tonight." "!!!!"
Got to see the family for 4 days and had a good time. Emptied my suitcase of China souvenirs (I'm sure everyone has enough by now). Then back to PA for 4 days of mowing, relaxing, chatting with Maura, hugging Lily.
Also got to see John, Denise and the girls and filled up on traditional Philly food - cheese steak, pizza, hoagie, and wings. Should have had a Yuengling and a water ice to round it out :)
Flew back to China with some annoying moments (in my life, there's always something annoying - like not getting the damned car title from my ex before I left!). In Chicago, they started a visa check. Ended up getting on the plane later than I like, but, luckily, still lots of overhead space. In Shanghai, I had to search for an entry card as United didn't have them on my flight. Lost out to a plane from Hong Kong, so immigration took 1/2 hour longer than it should have. blech! And then I was in a lane which moved, quite literally, 2.5-3 times slower than the two on either side.
The car ride (sometimes <2 hrs on a good day) took 2.5 hours due to a traffic accident. But, when all was done, I was safely and happily in Suzhou. Happy because I made it alive :p And got to go shopping at Carrefour (French chain in Asia) which had some good stuff - like pinot noir, gin, and tonic ;)
Now, it's Tuesday. GP celebrated her birthday yesterday (Happy Birthday!) and today is good friend Cheryl's birthday (Hi, Cheryl! - did you get your birthday card from China?).
And then it was time to work. Enjoy some photos below. I'll try to upload most of them to Yahoo when I get more time.
Susie by the flowers
Mom puts up the flag
Josh being cute
Kids bouncing
Jordan and Kelli
Matt, Mom, and Kelli
Joshua and Kayden
Joshua and Airelle
The trip from China to the US was good. I sat next to Americans returning home after teaching in China for a month. Also ran into a China coworker going to the US for the first time. Good thing, too, as she lost her cell phone in Pudong and needed to borrow mine in Chicago. No problem!
In Chicago, I called my Mom, as I always do in Chicago, travelling to or from the US. "I'm thinking of visiting sometime." "Really? When?" "Mmmm, about 11pm tonight." "!!!!"
Got to see the family for 4 days and had a good time. Emptied my suitcase of China souvenirs (I'm sure everyone has enough by now). Then back to PA for 4 days of mowing, relaxing, chatting with Maura, hugging Lily.
Also got to see John, Denise and the girls and filled up on traditional Philly food - cheese steak, pizza, hoagie, and wings. Should have had a Yuengling and a water ice to round it out :)
Flew back to China with some annoying moments (in my life, there's always something annoying - like not getting the damned car title from my ex before I left!). In Chicago, they started a visa check. Ended up getting on the plane later than I like, but, luckily, still lots of overhead space. In Shanghai, I had to search for an entry card as United didn't have them on my flight. Lost out to a plane from Hong Kong, so immigration took 1/2 hour longer than it should have. blech! And then I was in a lane which moved, quite literally, 2.5-3 times slower than the two on either side.
The car ride (sometimes <2 hrs on a good day) took 2.5 hours due to a traffic accident. But, when all was done, I was safely and happily in Suzhou. Happy because I made it alive :p And got to go shopping at Carrefour (French chain in Asia) which had some good stuff - like pinot noir, gin, and tonic ;)
Now, it's Tuesday. GP celebrated her birthday yesterday (Happy Birthday!) and today is good friend Cheryl's birthday (Hi, Cheryl! - did you get your birthday card from China?).
And then it was time to work. Enjoy some photos below. I'll try to upload most of them to Yahoo when I get more time.
Susie by the flowers
Mom puts up the flag
Josh being cute
Kids bouncing
Jordan and Kelli
Matt, Mom, and Kelli
Joshua and Kayden
Joshua and Airelle
posted by Matt aka Maxiu at
8:12 AM
4 Comments:
glad you made it safe and sound. Happy birthday to GP :)
I'll have to send some pictures your way soon - Jordan started school today!
KBF
GREAT photos...especially love the ones in the flowers. :-)
hi matt great picture of your mom
Dude - who's checking out our mom?
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