Answering reader mail

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOM!
December 29th

Everyone help to wish my mom a happy birthday. I hope you figure out how to read your e-card :)

Love,
Matt

******

I've decided to post today to answer some reader mail. I'm sure some of the questions asked here are on all of your minds.


"Why so slow to update? You used to do it almost daily."

Well, there are a few reasons. One is that internet connection at my house is very slow, so I usually update from work. Another is that I'm very busy with work, so I don't have as much time as I used to. A third reason is that going out for massage is more fun than posting to my blog :)

"Where are the Hong Kong and Macau photos?"

Again, I blame business. Also, I can't upload photos from work - only from home. Also I spent the last two days sick on my couch, so not much happened. But, I now have a 3-day weekend coming and I hope to catch up.

"What's new?"

Besides being sick, it's gotten cold in Suzhou. Not Iowa cold, or Nebraska cold, maybe not even Philadelphia cold. But, Suzhou cold is different. There is little heat in this part of China. If you go to a store, all the staff are wearing coats because the stores aren't well heated. I have room heaters in 1 bedroom, the office and the living room, so the two bathrooms and kitchen don't get direct heat. I should buy a small space heater just for the bathroom :p

Also, I changed my VW Passat for a Buick something. I don't think the same Buick is sold in the US, at least I don't know the US name. The Passat had more head room in the back (where I usually sit), but the Buick is better in every other way. Better steering, brakes, engine, power, etc. And it's silver instead of black, so it's a little easier to find. I think 50% of the cars in SZ are black. Maybe 2% are something other than black, silver, grey, or white.

Not too much else is new.

"Do you miss the US?"

Hmm, a little sometimes. I miss my friends and family, of course. I miss some of the restaurants and foods available in the US. I miss good, East Coast pizza and heated bathrooms. I miss being in a country with courtesy and people not spitting everywhere :p But, not too often and not too much. I'm not homesick, though I'm looking forward to visiting.

"When will you visit the US?"

Mm, don't know. I have a ticket for end of January, but it will more likely be some time in March. There are too many big meetings in January and February that I have to attend and plan for. Then there's a prospective Israel trip and a tentative vacation to Thailand. So, we'll see.

If I wait until late enough, I can make it a motorcycle visit :)

Finally question:

"Matt, where these questions real?"

Sure, they are real. They just aren't really from readers. But I think everyone wanted to know.