Ahhh... found something to do....

... when I find myself with not much to do in our Backyard, I just make myself some work. Which is the case this weekend or two.

Hence I had to cut one of our trees in the back, because it was in the way of the Solar Panels (as mentioned earlier)... I had a thought. Why not make a "Sculpture" out of this cut down poor little tree and have something to google over later.

So, what will it be?

In our Livingroom (by the bay window) I have my own little "Pudong", Pearl Tower- Jin Mao Building- Financial Tower in miniature size's.
Of the three, only the Financial Tower is the shape I can duplicate from a tree stump four feet high.

Here is a Photo of the early progress from this morning. I am pleased with it so far, now it's mostly details and doing the final shape/color to finalize it.

sorry, but if I turn them over.. they seem to be smaller/shorted then they really are. I wanted to show true hight, four feet.

Our Guest has left...

Yesterday started real early for me and Edwin (english name), like 04:00 am. Because the Airport is some 70 miles away and you know how long the check-in/security can sometimes take. We arrived at the Terminal 4 (American Airline) a quarter to six and his Flight to Dallas/Tulsa was to leave at 07:30 am. So plenty of time for sure.

Walking into the Building to check-in, I was surprised by the fact... there were no more Counter People. everything was "Self Check-in". What are they trying to do, automate everything.. so People can lose more Job's. I see this happening everywhere lately. Whats up with that, thought we needed to create more Job and not get rid of them?

Anyhow, we managed to get his Boarding Pass' for both Flights after much hassle with the PC, that would not take his Credit Card to pay ($60) for the extra Suitcase. Ahhh.. for that they have a Counter Person.. to take your Money! One more reason, I would never fly American Airline. Didn't like them before, now even less!

Edwin's stay and talking to him, made me further realize... how the "Chinese" really think about their Education/Future at a very young age. This young Man (18), knew already at 12 years old, that he was to be coming to America and get a Master Degree in Business/Finance. Age 12? It does make me compare "Our" kid's here and what I have seen now many times in China's "Youth" on my Trip's to the Far East.

Doing the "Learn-Learn-Learn" & "Work-Work_Work" to make as much Money as possible.. they forget to "Live" Life the way we like to enjoy it before getting old and you can't do it anymore. This is somewhat hard to understand in our Society, but easy to see... why they are so much better at saving Money... then most in the modern world.

Anyway, he's here for most likely for 6 years and head back to China with his Master's to follow in not only his Family's way, but the Chinese way.
We wish him good luck, that he may forefill his dream by choosing this path to success.

Next week (actually from Saturday on) it will be an interesting time...

... first on Saturday, it's off to my Uncle's 70th Birthday Party. Then, on Sunday morning going to LAX to pick up somebody from Shanghai. Qing's brother's old Class-mate's Son (18) is coming to the US for four years of College in Tulsa OK. So we have the honor of him staying with us for two days, til' Tuesday morning... when he needs to catch his next flight out. To LAX ones more, but early enough for me going to work and get there on time too.

After our Guest left, we will get ready on Wednesday to receive our Solar Panels. All of them will be to the backside (facing east) of the house. For this, I had to take down one of our Tree's. In a way, it was good for more than one reason. First, it was in the way of the Sunlight.. as it was as big as the house itself. Second, it was a very "Messy" (no not the soccer player) tree. Our Patio had to be sweept every other day and that all year around. The only nice thing, was that it blumed for one or two weeks.. before the wind blew the flowers all off and you know where they landed. Yes, by the back door!

So we're looking forward to be powered up by the Sun and not be effected by the Power Company's 22% price raise over the next three years. Yeah.. and might have enough to sell "Them" some back!

5th Anniversary has come and gone...

08-08-13




It is hard to believe, that Qing and I have been married (Ceremony-wise) for five (5) years already. It also makes my Mom/Uncle/Aunt/Friend that joined us in Shanghai back in August '08 wonder for themselves... has it really been that long ago? They say, when you're having "Fun" time flies. Well, it also must fly when your obsolutely "Happy" as well.. it certainly seems that way.

So here is a little something Chinese Women receive never or very seldom from their Chinese Male counterpart... which are "Flowers"!



First thought, I was thinking 5 Roses... then I tell myself.. not enough! So, it happens to come out to 15 instead, as 12 (Doz) didn't seem to fit into the picture of a 5 year Anniversary.

Five Red's= 5 years for Qing's sweet "Love"!

Five Orange= 5 years of warm "Sunshine"!

Five Pink= 5 years of a colorful "Marriage" with my LaoPo!

Our Home resemble's a Classroom.. in a way!

I can't believe it's August already. Which means, Tianchi's School will start soon. Actually, his school never ended and come to think of it.. neither has my LaoPo's.
For Tianchi to learn more/faster English, he is besides having regular School (6th grade), he has a private Tutor for three (3) hours a week. Plus we now added special reading Classes/Lessons for his benefit at Antelope Valley College once a week.
That'll keep him busy and less time playing games on his Phone/Computer. It's of course for "his" own good, he just doesn't know it yet.

This is not all of course, as Qing is studying for her GED as well for most of the year now. She did take her Mathematic Test a couple of weeks ago and passed it easy, even not answering all questions.. due to not having enough time. I'm so proud of her, then again.. I never had any doubt she wouldn't pass it.

So, I find myself many times having extra time for myself and just do what I please to relax. This I have no problem with, just need to outside our Home to do that. I also spend some time, to think about getting (buying) Solar Panels for our Roof. This investment will finalize in a week or two. This is after all, one think that we discussed for months already. We will then run on Solar power and as promised by the Company doing the job, we could have that "Energy" for at least 3-4 more billion years (the live of our Sun). Not sure we need it that long, but if we do.. we're ready. haha