Boy with Flowers = Girl with Smile

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I’ll have a Whopper Jr. w/ Fries and a Coke Please

The skies cleared momentarily and were blue. The sun was shining. There were no conference calls to be made or reports that needed to be sent. We had a bit of free time, and a craving - a big craving, for something juicy and flame broiled. Rumor had it there was a new burger joint in town. It was said to be located on the other side of the lake in the new Times Square Shopping Center. Within minutes we flagged down a taxi and were on our way; windows down, hair blowing in the breeze, and a Chinese tune on the radio. I didn’t know the words but the melody was catchy and I hummed along. Now the details of the actual meal are sketchy at best. I remember opening the door and what happened after that is really anybody’s guess. This I know for sure: when we exited the restaurant and stepped out into a wave of humidity, our stomachs were full and we were content. With dinner over in five minutes flat, Klynt suggested we survey The Square, and so we did.

This photo’s a little blurry, but I’m standing near the Expo Center, designed to look like the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

I have an announcement. Uncle and Aunt (that would be us), now have 26 nieces and nephews, thanks to the recent arrival of Jack and Kami’s (Klynt’s sister) little Elijah. Of course in January, thanks to Kaleb (Klynt’s brother) and Whitney’s extracurricular activities, the count will be at 27. My guess is half of them (the nieces and nephews) don’t even know who we are, and the other half that do, are trying to forget. Anyway, I thought it was pretty exciting, and worth a mention.

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This Expat Wishes You a Happy 4th!

As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me.

-Woody Guthrie-

Ho-Hum

I’ve been lazy and neglectful. My little blog has fallen by the wayside. I would like to tell you I’ve been busy getting ready for the big move, doing something creative, or at the very least, being somewhat productive. But sadly, that is not the case. The truth is I’ve been holed up in my air-conditioned apartment, watching movies and sipping icy, caramel-topped coffee drinks from Starbucks conveniently hand-delivered by Klynt. The few times I’ve left this semi-slothful state was to get an internet fix or grab dinner. Okay, okay, I’ll admit, this may be a slight exaggeration, but really, it isn’t too far from the truth. C’mon, what’d you expect; so many illegal DVDs, so little time.


Here: I’m posting this photo in case there are any doubters out there needing proof that I actually did leave the apartment this week.* Somewhere South of Suzhou there was a big storm kicking up some pretty cool clouds. We even witnessed clear blue skies for a minute or two, but now it’s back to the typical grey haze. Apparently somebody took the “lazy, hazy days of summer” to heart. :) Have a happy 4th!

*Klynt actually took the photo; I just pointed and said “hey, look at the sky.”

Perspective

You say, “Mmm fresh fruit.” I say, “Mmm natural laxative.”

Photo Booth

The streets near our apartment are lined with red roses. A few weeks ago they were all in full bloom and smelled so good.

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