End of the road

[Pineau]

Guess who passed the Citizen's exam and interview today?

[LP]

I'm happy for the both of you....

[Robertt S]

Congrats!!!

[Pineau]

Another milestone. actually two !
Yesterday Fiona went for her citizenship interview.......PASSED ! She know more about US history and civics than most Americans.

Katie just finished her drivers exam......PASSED ! Another teenage driver to worry about.

 

[Pineau]

I am  going to Guangzhou for a reunion with friends and family.  Taking Katie along. Her relatives are thrilled.  I am not looking forward to being a sitter for a teenage girl.  But I am looking forward to connecting with old friends and some of Fiona's aunt's and her uncle.

[kenny]

Have a good trip Gerrry. When are you leaving?

We were just talking yesterday about going to china town in Chicago for a weekend trip. My two older daughters would love to go up there with Linda a Ziwei. I am not much on Chicago but I guess I could stand a weekend.

[Pineau]

I am sending Katie to her aunts on the 17th but I wont arrive until the 28th and leave on Aug 10th. That gives me 2 weeks. Katie will be my translator and guide so I can go shopping in the garment districts. I need a whole new wardrobe. I have lost  62 pounds since my surgery and nothing fits me any more. I am going to take a few days to stock up on all my clothing. And then look for some bargains in the high tech stores in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

I've been to the China town in Chicago. Its not that impressive. it is only a few blocks long and it is missing that authentic Chinese look.

Take a weekend and go to Flushing New York.  That place looks, sounds and smells like Guangdong.  Great restaurants and the population is about 99% Chinese. 

[kenny]

We have talked of going to New York as well. My daughter even said something about that yesterday. Maybe we will do that now or at least later this fall. Just wanting to do a few things before Ziwei goes off to college next year might not get the chance to take her after that.

I look forward to going back to China but linda says she does not want to go back. Maybe later?

thanks

[Pineau]

I am guangzhou for a couple of weeks. No schedule yet. I am her to get katie and get her back before school.

I got this very charming message in my inbasket this morning.

My dear husband: Hello! Let you fly thousands of miles back to my hometown to visit my family, my daughter back to the United States, I do not know what to use language to express my thanks to you. In this world, you and my daughter is my world, as long as you happy is my happiness.

[arnold]

Warms ones Heart, to have such a loving Spouse! It doesn't come without being equally as caring on the other side though and in that case there is nothing that can surpass it!

[Willy The Londoner]

I am sending Katie to her aunts on the 17th but I wont arrive until the 28th and leave on Aug 10th. That gives me 2 weeks. Katie will be my translator and guide so I can go shopping in the garment districts.

We have some nice stores in Zhongshan, without the crowds and if you get this way I could always treat you to a cup of coffee.

Willy

P.S. Good to hear the recovery is still going well.

[Pineau]

Thanks for the invitation. I dont have any kind of schedule after next week. Today I got some new clothes sever sizes smaller than before.  I was finished in about an hour but I followed Katie for another seven miles . She bought a few things but looked at EVERYTHING! I swear she can look all day..

[Pineau]

Were not going to be able to make it this trip. We will be going to Shenzhen to meet my son's soon to be in-laws.

[Pineau]

Made it home alive but only after 30+ hours on the road. Shenzhen to Tokyo to Vancouver, to Denver with 5 hours layover in Vancouver.  I don't think the trip was worth it and I would not have made it if not for having to retrieve katie.  Wish I had more time to do the things I want instead of following a teenager through the malls. Did get to meet my wife's family for a big dinner and didn't have to pay!!

Also got to meet up Ella,  my sons fiance'  in Shenzhen and follow her and katie through the malls again.
So glad to be home in Colorado. first day we had breakfast up in the mountains. Sure missed my wife.

I will be going back with Fiona next time.

[Willy The Londoner]

Gerry, the new slim line version is certainly looking good.    I am planning to lose a bit more weight myself.

I had 11 days in hospital here followed up by 15 days of physio, which is still ongoing.

For those who have visited me in recent years would have seen me go from a walking stick to two sticks, then a walking frame and into a wheelchair.

After treatment here I am now back to one walking stick and hope eventually look to give that up as well. 

Willy