Mom's 1st phone was good, dad only needed one unit of blood, good b/c he is O- and that's a tough order to fill. The docs only removed the lower half of his kidney and the surgery room was the theater type room normally used by students and mom, being mom, watched. If she would have been ten years younger I think she would have been a surgeon. Dad is of course in critical care now, she said his BP was on the low side and they were keeping him there until it was back up.
Hongyun has tried to keep me distracted, she was telling me all day long dad would be fine. We spent the past two nights dining with her JieJie, wine at an upscale place the first night out with them, last night KTV at Happy Hour KTV. They brought a translator and I wanted to wring her neck, Hongyun knows that I know some Chinese songs, Wang Leehom being one of my actual favorite artists, I've sang one song for her a couple times. In the KTV room, I got nervous with the audience-yeah all five other people beside me and Hongyun- choked on the song that I sing to her. Then the translator starts plugging in songs, some more songs by Leehom and Jay Chou-I'm familiar with the songs, but have not tried to learn them- of course Chinese songs are in Zhongwen and uh... I can't read it very well. The songs she plugs in that are in English, I have no idea who the #*!! the performers are and never heard the songs. I apologized to Hongyun, pulled the translator to the side and tried to explain that an English lyric song can be huge in Australia, Canada and Europe and we have no idea who or what it is in the U.S.
JieJie had me just sing love songs to Hongyun that are the classics. Did "Unchained Melody" and "Everything I do" which both appeared to be huge hits with all the girls. Especially when I faced Hongyun and sang "everything I do" without looking at the screen, just sang right to her. Also sang some beatles and Everly brothers just so I did sing a couple fun songs. JieJie's husband seemed upset that I did not know any of the patriotic Chinese songs... How do you explain that?? I personally would never force Hongyun to endure my father's friends doing their big round of patriotic American songs, at least not until we've been married for at least ten years, then most of them won't be able to sing anymore.
Today, is gonna suck, she's working. Doesn't know when we'll get time today. I officially hate the new job, I think her daughter agrees with me. Mama is working way too hard, but she is liking the idea of a summer visit to Michigan now. I told her I would buy the plane tickets for her and daughter. She seemed shocked by the idea. I know what the US gov't says, she's supposed to visit on her own dime, but they know I'm not gonna let that happen. Besides, she will get to laugh at me and dad fighting over the bill there. Dad is going to laugh that game when the wedding comes. He's played it for years.
Well, I need to pack away some of my clothes and chi zaofan, or she'll find out I missed a meal and chew me out.
John, the hotel isn't bad, could use paint and carpet but she wants me to stay somewhere else next time. I'm agreeing, the walls are a bit on the thin side here. Nothing like having an afternoon nap, about to turn cuddle, when the neighbors start to have a go in the sack. It does earn lots of giggles from her though...
Oh, I also have been given two box sets of some type of candy?.?.?. hints, suggestions, clues anyone... I know when a lady is getting married in China she hands out candy to her friends, one of my friends back home did so back at Christmas, but when does a Chinese lady hand two boxes of candy to her beau?
Thanks and I'll get another update posted soon,
Lloyd
