Well the acceptance documents from the Chinese government finally showed up today. That allowed me to file for the final visa that I need in order to leave. Hopefully that will still go through and my passport, complete with approved working permit, will arrive back to me by Friday. If that happens I'm still on track for my twice delayed departure!
I haven't checked yet to see what the latest Las Vegas line is on my current scheduled departure, but I'm not putting any money on it yet! ;-)
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Waiting and Weather
I thought I'd start out with the weather!
Today we had temperatures averaging around 27F with flurries on and off all day long. I tried to get a decent shot of the total accumulation, not even quite an inch, but that's because most of it melted during the high temp today. That's fine because it really wasn't a problem just sort of bothersome!
However tomorrow and Friday are looking a bit more interesting. We're supposed to start with snow, move to freezing rain, then to rain, and back to snow! We'll see how it plays out.
Now the waiting game: I've been delayed a few days yet again! My paperwork has been approved by the PROC officials and the documents will soon be back in my hands (Whoo Hoo!), just not soon enough to leave on my second delayed date(Aww man, come on!).
I try to be patient, but once I get my mind set to go and do something it's just not in my nature to accept stopping before I even get started. ;-)
The other issue that comes out of this is that I'm now mingling with the pre Olympic travel rush. In case you haven't heard the summer Olympics are being held in Beijing, China, yep right where I'm heading. Well this latest change in flight plans has landed me in the pre-game's rush. I had a reserved spot on a plane at my initial (twice delayed) date, but now I'm on the "Wait List" no not stand-by, but "Wait List" (What the hey?). Oh well, I have no control over this so "Breath in, Breath out, Move on" as one of my idles relates in his music (JnF you'll probably recognize that in the CD I just gave you).
And so it is with the weather! As I sit here enjoying a nice warm fire, sipping a glass of wine (yes I said wine not beer); "Breath in, Breath out, Move on".
Today we had temperatures averaging around 27F with flurries on and off all day long. I tried to get a decent shot of the total accumulation, not even quite an inch, but that's because most of it melted during the high temp today. That's fine because it really wasn't a problem just sort of bothersome!
However tomorrow and Friday are looking a bit more interesting. We're supposed to start with snow, move to freezing rain, then to rain, and back to snow! We'll see how it plays out.
Now the waiting game: I've been delayed a few days yet again! My paperwork has been approved by the PROC officials and the documents will soon be back in my hands (Whoo Hoo!), just not soon enough to leave on my second delayed date(Aww man, come on!).
I try to be patient, but once I get my mind set to go and do something it's just not in my nature to accept stopping before I even get started. ;-)
The other issue that comes out of this is that I'm now mingling with the pre Olympic travel rush. In case you haven't heard the summer Olympics are being held in Beijing, China, yep right where I'm heading. Well this latest change in flight plans has landed me in the pre-game's rush. I had a reserved spot on a plane at my initial (twice delayed) date, but now I'm on the "Wait List" no not stand-by, but "Wait List" (What the hey?). Oh well, I have no control over this so "Breath in, Breath out, Move on" as one of my idles relates in his music (JnF you'll probably recognize that in the CD I just gave you).
And so it is with the weather! As I sit here enjoying a nice warm fire, sipping a glass of wine (yes I said wine not beer); "Breath in, Breath out, Move on".
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Budding Young Chef!
While we were visiting our Grandson, oh our Son and Daughter-in-law too, "G-Ma" Lightnin and "Little Monkey Butt" decided to back a cake. Santa had given him a cookbook for Christmas and he was dying to try it out! So while we were out shopping we found the little chef outfit that our new chef just "had to have"!
He really did get right in there and helped to make the cake, and decorate it too!
Pouring the cake mix
Oops! Got a little on the face there buddy!
Adding the water
Adding the eggs
Mixing the batter
He really did get right in there and helped to make the cake, and decorate it too!
Pouring the cake mix
Oops! Got a little on the face there buddy!
Adding the water
Adding the eggs
Mixing the batter
Cleaning the beaters
Hey not too bad for a first time!
Afterward he informed his Grandma Lightnin that he doesn't like chocolate cake, or M-n-M's! What a little stinker. I thought it tasted pretty good!
Playing a Little Catch-up
We had an Ice Storm here last night and early this morning so I chose to work from home today. That really wasn't too much of a problem because I had plenty of work that I could catch up on. It also helped me to not have to spend the hour to hour and a half that it would have taken to get home with the roads the way they are, which allowed time for me to get on-line to blog a bit this evening. So I thought I'd take the opportunity to catch up on a few things.
SPC Dude came home to visit in the middle of
January and we took that opportunity to have a small feast. We decided to go with Ribs, Steak, and Italian sausage all cooked to perfection ont he grill. We served this with two types of asparagus (green and white). The green we wrapped in a slice of Prosciuto (Italian ham) and roasted, and the white we served steamed with Hollandaise sauce. It all turned out good.
SPC Dude came home to visit in the middle of
January and we took that opportunity to have a small feast. We decided to go with Ribs, Steak, and Italian sausage all cooked to perfection ont he grill. We served this with two types of asparagus (green and white). The green we wrapped in a slice of Prosciuto (Italian ham) and roasted, and the white we served steamed with Hollandaise sauce. It all turned out good.
Like Father like Son
We also took the opportunity to go to lunch with a bunch of the folks that Lightnin works with so they could say hi to SPC Dude and Bon Voyage to your's truly. We had a good time and it was good to see SPC Dude again.
This past week we had to go back to Missouri for Lightnin's Grandmother's funeral, and the auction of her Father's estate. While there we were stayed with our Son, Daughter-in-law, and Grandson. It was good to be able to spend the time with them because when we go back to KC we're usually running from here to there to see everyone and we never get the chance to actually relax and visit with them. This time we were able to get cuaght up with each other. It was really enjoyable!
I was also able to stop by to visit with my folks and my older brother, sorry no photos this time!
I'm glad I was there for Lightnin at the funeral and the auction, and to be able to see everyone one last time before I leave the country. I guess that the delay in my departure was good for a few reasons afterall!
Only 15 days to go! I guess I'd better start making a list of everything I need to pack!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Countdown to China!
Well the countdown starts today (of course I've been counting down since Friday the 1st), because the official announcement of my relocation came out in the company mail today! Only 15 more working days until I hop on a plane and head for the PROC.
The main question is: What can I pack into 4 pieces of luggage? (oh, and 1 carry-on!)
I'm so psyched about this adventure that I can hardly contain myself (ok, I can hardly contain myself on a good day, but this is even worse). I will say though that it was very weird purchasing a one-way ticket to a foreign country!
Both Lightnin and I will be attending a one day Asian Culture course to try to minimize the Culture Shock, both on our part and theirs! ;-)
As preparation for this class we had to fill out one of those personality profile questionaires. They plan to use the information to more personalize the training to our needs, but because the two of us test out at both ends of the spectrum I have a feeling that they'll also want to know how in the world we've managed to stay together for this long! ;-) It should be interesting!
I will also start my language lessons next week too, so I expect my head to explode sometime around mid March!
More updates coming soon (tick-tock)!
The main question is: What can I pack into 4 pieces of luggage? (oh, and 1 carry-on!)
I'm so psyched about this adventure that I can hardly contain myself (ok, I can hardly contain myself on a good day, but this is even worse). I will say though that it was very weird purchasing a one-way ticket to a foreign country!
Both Lightnin and I will be attending a one day Asian Culture course to try to minimize the Culture Shock, both on our part and theirs! ;-)
As preparation for this class we had to fill out one of those personality profile questionaires. They plan to use the information to more personalize the training to our needs, but because the two of us test out at both ends of the spectrum I have a feeling that they'll also want to know how in the world we've managed to stay together for this long! ;-) It should be interesting!
I will also start my language lessons next week too, so I expect my head to explode sometime around mid March!
More updates coming soon (tick-tock)!
Another Great Loss!
This past Saturday morning we received word that Lightnin's Grandmother (Ida Schelp) passed away. This coming June she would have been 100 years old! This was a severe loss for Lightnin and our children because Ida had been so much a part of their lives. She lost her husband many years ago, and yet survived to see her Great Grandchildren and Great, Great Grandchildren.
Humorous Note (Hey you know I can only stay serious for short periods of time): I say Lightnin and our children, and not me because you see they are all Lutheran and I am Catholic which was always the source of a bit of tension between us! Understand that this was mainly in fun, but I always felt like she was keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn't corrupt the others! I also used to joke that she knew Matin Luther personally and had been the one to suggest to him to break away from the Catholic Church. ;-)
Ida was a strong German/American woman who commanded and deserved respect. When you were at her house, you knew who was in charge. This was a good thing because man could she cook! She definitely made the best fried chicken I had ever tasted, but I think the "Old Brick Tavern" gave her some good competition. She also baked some of the best rolls, bread, and cinnamon buns!
I was just thinking about all of the things she had witnessed during her life, so I thought that I'd Google 1908 just to see what happened during the year she was born. It pretty fascinating to see the events, and the famous people that she out lived!
Here's a bit of history that took place in 1908:
She out lived the following people, who were all born that same year:
Amy Vanderbilt
Bette Davis
Edward R. Murrow
Jimmy Stewart
Lawrence Welk
Louis L'Amour
L.B.J.
Milton Berle
Rex Harrison
Robert Morley
Thurgood Marshall
Paul Brown (for you Bengals and Browns fans)
Ethel Merman
Greer Garson
Carole Lombard
Grover Cleveland (He died in 1908, but I thought it was worth noting)
This afternoon we'll be flying back to Missouri to attend the service.
Although we morn her passing, given all that she was a witness to I think we should also celebrate her life!
God speed Ida, I know they've been holding a place in Heaven for you!
Humorous Note (Hey you know I can only stay serious for short periods of time): I say Lightnin and our children, and not me because you see they are all Lutheran and I am Catholic which was always the source of a bit of tension between us! Understand that this was mainly in fun, but I always felt like she was keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn't corrupt the others! I also used to joke that she knew Matin Luther personally and had been the one to suggest to him to break away from the Catholic Church. ;-)
Ida was a strong German/American woman who commanded and deserved respect. When you were at her house, you knew who was in charge. This was a good thing because man could she cook! She definitely made the best fried chicken I had ever tasted, but I think the "Old Brick Tavern" gave her some good competition. She also baked some of the best rolls, bread, and cinnamon buns!
I was just thinking about all of the things she had witnessed during her life, so I thought that I'd Google 1908 just to see what happened during the year she was born. It pretty fascinating to see the events, and the famous people that she out lived!
Here's a bit of history that took place in 1908:
- It was the first year that the ball was dropped at Times Square on New Years Eve
- New York city passes a regulation making it illegal for women to smoke in public
- The 1st railway tunnel under the Hudson River opened
- The 46th star was added to the US flag for Oklahoma
- Cincinnati Mayor (Mark Breith) announces to city council that "women are not physically fit to operate automobiles" (At the risk of reprise from my friends, I contest that most Cincinnatians don't know how to drive!) ;-)
- Natural Bridges Monument forms near Lake Powell, Utah
- The 4th modern day Olympic Games were held in London
- A giant fireball impacts in Siberia (Tunguska Event)
- Bulgaria declaired independence from the Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
- Henry Ford introduced the Model T
She out lived the following people, who were all born that same year:
Amy Vanderbilt
Bette Davis
Edward R. Murrow
Jimmy Stewart
Lawrence Welk
Louis L'Amour
L.B.J.
Milton Berle
Rex Harrison
Robert Morley
Thurgood Marshall
Paul Brown (for you Bengals and Browns fans)
Ethel Merman
Greer Garson
Carole Lombard
Grover Cleveland (He died in 1908, but I thought it was worth noting)
This afternoon we'll be flying back to Missouri to attend the service.
Although we morn her passing, given all that she was a witness to I think we should also celebrate her life!
God speed Ida, I know they've been holding a place in Heaven for you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)