Qing's Son arrival and his adjusting to all that's new to him.. so far.

As of last Saturday, after a long Flight across the Pacific and another 70 miles by Car.. Qing's Son (Tianchi)- my Sister In-law all arrived at our Home. One can imagine, being 10 years old and coming to the USA.. seeing no more Chinese Characters everywhere.. no more (or very few) super high Buildings like in Shanghai and not really speaking English much. That this can be either exciting or somewhat over-whelming for a Child.

Anyway, first was to show "His" bedroom and the rest of the House. That alone was enough to place a big smile on his face. He, of course is/wasn't use to seeing or living in this kind of style, as Shanghai is mostly all Apartments and high ones of course.. that you spend most of your time "Inside" during your free time. To top it off, it was time to go even further and show him the "Outside".. the Yard. As his eyes opened wide, he started to let go a laugh.. not because it was funny (nobody ever laughed at my backyard yet).. but because it was something so open. Almost, like.. that is a lot of wasted space! In other words, he's being spoiled and maybe doesn't even know it.

I was pleased that he also loved the blue paint I've used in his Bedroom, along with everything else. Little does he know yet, Qing will make him "Earn" it all.. soooooon. Paying back by studying hard in School and with his English.

So Sunday, it was .. Shopping again! Outlet's near Palm Springs, with 200 and counting Stores to choose from.
Monday, I took a day off.. looked in the Mirror and ask the "Boss" if I could have the day off. Why not.. was the answer!

As my Neighbor mentioned Santa Barbara a few days earlier, Qing thought that this was a good idea. Well, load up the Bikes.. as this was to be a Fun and exercise Trip to the Beach front. Myself and Tianchi on a rented Tandem Bike and the Girl's trying to keep up with us both. Overall, wonderful time/weekend all together.

Tomorrow, it's back to Shanghai for our Sister In-law.. as this was only a one week Vacation for her this time around.

Here as always some Photo's .....

Not bad for first night Dinner

In Santa Barbara during Bike-ride

Ahhh.. if we only had one of those....

 A little rest, after a long up-hill Bike ride through Old Town

The "Pier"

..on the "Pier"

On a hill-top Restaurant over-looking the San Fernando Valley for Dinner. As one can see, I'm more "Red" then the Wild Salmon on our plates.

Next Saturday a new begin....

As most of your readers know, Qing's now been here with me for 2 1/2 years and counting. All I can truly say, it's been a fabulous time and not just for myself.. as I can imagine for my LaoPo as well. We still to this day, make fun about still being in our "Honeymoon" phase and we both can back this up quite well too. haha.. just ask us!

Anyhow, next Saturday (as the Title suggests) Qing's Son (TianChi) will arrive here in the US. He's ten (10) yrs. old and we could see.. he's more interested doing what a 10 year old does.. than wondering coming to a new Country. So for us, a new Chapter will open up and I'm sure with many challenges for all three of us.
I assume, my patience will ones more be tested to it's limits.. but something I do have experience in.. and that is Kid's of all ages/sizes and of course tempers. Not a Spring Chicken anymore at 59, I should survive just fine. Too bad, for this I don't have a chance to win a Million Bucks.. like on Survivor TV show.

 Here I'll post a few Photo's of Qing's trip back to China, some of my favourites anyway.

Mmmmhh.. Skype to Skype, a first.

Oh yes, to think.. Skype has been around for how long? Here it was my first time using it with a Webcam to see my LaoPo yesterday. Mainly been using it for Phone calls only, never to actually show somebody my beautiful Face.

Anyway, it was great to hear and actually see my Sweethearts lips move on only two seconds delay.. haha. Reminds me of those Chinese Kung Fu flicks from the 70's. Either way, it was nice and enjoyable talk we had.. with TianChi fooling around with the Cam.. just like a Child would. As of now, "He" and brother's wife.. will be coming to California on the 9th of June. Wow.. this is only three more weeks, before all the "Me and my Honey" will become.. us "Three".

Sweetheart back in Shanghai...

Talking to my LaoPo, which of course is always the highlight of the day/night. I was eager to find out, if the Interview went successful.
It was about 12:00pm in Guangzhou (9:00pm PST) when I called, which should have been enough time for the Interview to be completed.

Indeed it was, as hopped.. it was successful and only took about ten(10) minutes. All that was asked of my LaoPo, was.. where do "I" work and live? As it turned out (by what my Sweetheart said) she was so much more nervous, then her Son was.. which to him it was more like "Fun". Yeah... the Consulate is a "Fun" place, for some reason.. I can not see this??? Guess, he's not old enough to know.. the trouble they can inflict on somebody/someone.

So all is good and he should have his Visa/Passport back in five days and will be ready to come to America next month. Let's hope he will adjust as well as Qing did to the new surroundings and lifestyle.

Arrived in Guangzhou (southern China)

After a couple days of rest for my Sweetheart, it was off to the Airport again. This time it was Guangzhou as the destination. Qing is going with her Brother and her Son, who's Interview at the US Consulate is coming up on Thursday morning. They all left on Tuesday afternoon, to meet up with a good friend (school-mate) of Qing's brother.. the same one that picked us up.. when I was there for Qing's Interview in 2009.

So today (tonight actually) I will call and see if all went well and according by plan. I shouldn't be nervous, as we have all the papers needed.. but does that really guaranty anything.. not really.
Waiting we will do and find out later, have fingers crossed.

This is a Photo all of them at the Hotel in Guangzhou eating Breakfast.

Lonely Me....

This is now a strange feeling,coming home last night after dropping Qing off at LAX. Seeing her off wasn't too bad, so.. the drive home. When I arrived home, all changed though. It started to remind me of the times I left my LaoPo back in Shanghai on my way home.

I know it sounds like my feelings are running amock, but.. either way.. it's not a nice feeling. Maybe I'm too sensitive or even selfish? I do feel on the other hand, real happy for my Sweetheart. It's been two and half years and I think she needs to see her Son and her Family again. This Trip might be mostly like a Business Trip (to get the Son's Visa), but I'm sure it means so much more to Qing. She, would never show and never did show.. that she really misses back home. Anyway, her having her Permanent GC makes me feel at ease what the Traveling part concerns. For some strange reason, I don't trust our Gov./Immigration a whole lot.

So for now, it's back to E-Mail/Phone calls to keep in touch. Well, it is what it is.. I've read somewhere on our Forum and I have to live with "IT".

PS: I sound like I'm only speaking about me, but I actually speak for both of us. Qing is feeling the same.. I do. Love is wonderful when it arrives, but hard when it leaves.. if it's only for a short time. I guess, ones I hear her Voice again.. all will be okay.

Been to China? You'll know about this....

I am sure, anybody that is going to China.. may it be visiting Girlfriend/Fiance' or Wife.. knows what I'm about to write about.
Whenever going back for whatever reason, one must take care of the Gift/Present part for the Family/Friends whomever you'll be seeing/meeting. This starts as soon as you have a chance to "Open" that one or two Suitcase's. It actually is expected especially coming from the west, as they all are looking forward to items not found in and around China.. or are not at all available anywhere. If they do have it, it is usually of lower/less quality. You know.. like in "Copies"!


Having a total weight limit of 46kg (50 US lbs.each suitcase), this has turned into quite a challenge. With a question asked of my Sweetheart.. " Do you.. are you taking any "Clothes"? This might seem funny, but it is what I had to deal with packing my LaoPo's two Suitcases. Item's in.. no not here and out again, this I must have done...well? Over and over and over, til it was filled and ready to carry over to the Scale. First the large one: Let's see.. three bottles of Wine/ six large Fish Oil containers/ Candy, enough to open a Store/ Gum ( well finally something light)/ dried Fruit/ Vitamine Bottles for Adult&Children/ did I mention Candy already? Of course, of all things, we can not forget "Nut's"! No... I don't mean myself by that! If this needs to be re-arranged or it's too heavy, I just might just have a "Nut" case on my hand. Over to the waiting Scale it goes, slowly lowering (while praying) we await the numbers to finally hit my Eyes with the speed of light... 50.6 lbs.(a little over 23kg). Looking at Qing, it was like.. ohhh? There is still room for a "Little" more, after all she thinks that.. that is okay with the Airline.


Haha.. I of course was celebrating a little too soon here. While Qing was now talking to her brother, the news came.. we need to buy some Baby Formula's for Cousin's new born Baby Girl. Great.. Wonderbar.. Ausgezeichnet! This has to go into the smaller one though.. I did not want to move anything out of the large. Unless, my Life will be in any kind of danger by NOT doing it.


On to the second stuffing and it's not even Thanksgiving yet.


Now this one actually get's some Clothes, believe it or not. There were still large Jars of mixed Nuts ( from Costco mind you ) more Chocolate/ dried Milk which is much better than the Chinese Brands and now to the heavy part for this poor Suitcase. Seven large Hand/Body Lotion's and all kinds of Make-up items that must of taken over two hours at Walmart's to buy. I'm such a patient Person.. really! Oh my... just lifting those Items which I put into a nice fitting Box for safety reasons. What will this weigh... I ask myself again?


Oh oh.. this one ( the small one haha ) was 56.8 lbs.! Incredible, I sure do excellent packing! So, now what? Open it up again and I remove the two large Containers of mixed Nut's and bags of Candy.. that equals a nice 6 lbs. even. Those will have to go on the Carry-on Bag (not the candy). But, those need now to be replaced with the Baby Formular of the same size.. a little lighter though.
I hope!!!!


See, I almost don't even have time to think about my Sweetheart leaving on Saturday. I don't know, if this is good or bad... just yet?