A short one for Monday

I don't remember where I left off, but here's the short update.

It was a good weekend. I got to make a new friend - Hi, Joy! - when I made a special delivery from Philadelphia to Suzhou. I'll get a tour of the Suzhou New District when I can get a spare Saturday to visit. It will be nice to see a new area with someone who knows it well. Thanks again for the tea, Joy.

I forgot to post some fun English from a meeting we had last week. Talking about changes in head count, specifically four women who were transferred "due to pregnancy, maternity, or lactation." Hopefully in that order.

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Tuesday add-on: Doesn't look like the post went up on Monday.

Happy Halloween! Nothing special done her in China, but my friend, GP, did send me an ecard which said "Happy Hallowmas!" I'm looking now for a "Merry Christoween" card for her :)

Happy Birthday to Steve! I'm researching all the best massage in Suzhou for your visit.

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I don't know if others have trouble, but I consistently can't get to www.vfmatt.com. If you have problems, please link to vfmatt.vantilburgcapital.com. I blame Name Secure (my domain name provider). If anyone has a suggestion for new server, please let me know.

Last train to Clarkesville

If by train I mean plane and by Clarkesville I mean China. And "last" is actually first one this morning. Then it fits.

I did it all, people. Sold the little bike, sold the furniture, sold the car. Emptied the house - so much stuff! I can believe how much I gave away and I can believe how much I stored, but I can NOT believe how much I threw away. Somewhere around six, 40-gallon trashcans five times. That's over 1000 gallons of stuff!

Now I'm shutting down the computer, grabbing my 3 big pieces of luggage (I wouldn't have so much but I can't find my size of clothes easily in China) and heading for the airport. Stay tuned for My Life in China.

Thanks to Maura, John and Denise, Horst, The Michael family, and Erin & Trevor for all of their help with the moving. Also thanks to everyone who came to my Go Away Already party. Visit me in China ;)

Last words for the day:
I always thought there was nothing cuter
than a baby poodle, but that was
before I saw a baby poodle *casket*.

Things are starting to flow

It's looking pretty good here in Hatboro. The car is sold - just need to deliver it to CarSense next Thursday and get my check :) I delivered the CBR today to a new rider, very nice kid at U Penn. The storage garage is filling up and the garage is looking good for the sale tomorrow. For post-sale, I will be filling the garbage cans and the local Good Will.

Happy early birthday for my jie jie, Natalie. Tomorrow is the big day :)

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Yet another fall birthday. Let's all wish Elizabeth a happy day :)

It's been typical "back in the US office" busy with working nights and working days. On top of it, I've got all the moving stuff going on. So far:
* CBR sold - need to do the title transfer and money exchange
* Car - listed CL and AutoTrader, no interest, CarSense will give me a quote soon; turns out I have a bad wheel bearing :(
* Storage garage - got today, need to start hauling stuff
* garage sale - planned for Saturday before the party
* dentist - tomorrow
* eye doctor - tomorrow
* Z visa - applied for; I'm actual doing immigration to China. Scary, eh?
* cleaning the garage - sheesh! I don't know what I'll do
* furniture - hopefully the new tenant wants it

So much to do and try not to worry about. C'est la vie.

Happy Birthday Ann!

The birthday's keep on comin'!

Special wishes to Ann, who I've only met 2 or 3 times, but who I care about very much. If you were in Suzhou, I'd get you a birthday margarita and massage. Since you aren't, I'll think of you while I treat myself :^D

A special shout out

I'm making a special post for my new friend, Jane, an original Suzhou resident. These are a few photos from my birthday trip to the Lion Forest Garden. Each photo pops into a new screen with larger view.

And, yes, my birthday present to myself was to get fat :p I'm starting to work on it, but my will power is weak.

Happy Birthday to me!

Hello all and thanks for the birthday wishes. I had a pretty good birthday considering how far I am from the homeland.

Last night there was a very nice cake for after dinner complete with a wacky, opening-flower candle that played the birthday song.

Today was a trip to the Lion Forest Garden (many rock formations - post some later) followed by a 2 hour body massage. Two people, two hours each normally is $50. I bought a VIP card which gives me 35% off :) Oh, it was nice.

Then to a bar for a drink and table tennis championships on TV, then to my favorite bar (Life's Bar) near my building. A couple of drinks there, watched 15 year olds from the west drink, smoke and shoot pool, flirted with the waitress and had the cuter one request "Happy Birthday" from the Philliphino band. All in all, a very nice birthday.

Tomorrow, house cleaning, ad writing (for when I get back), maybe another massage :^)

photos of Suzhou

I finally sorted some of the lastest photos of life in Suzhou. You can see them here at this embedded link. It should take you to Yahoo Photos. Look for 0608-09 Suzhou.

Examples are like this!

Happy Birthday Kathleen!

'Tis the season for birthdays. Many wonderful girls in my circle and today is Kathleen's. Best wishes!

Today was a rainy day in Suzhou. Rained yesterday, too, but no matter. good to stay inside with TV, laptop on the couch, and an occasional nap :)

And, guess what? 3 more days of that!