Valerie and me have successfully finished a fruitful cooperation (“hezuo ganbei” we would say here) to re-arrange her room and my office. I needed to accommodate the new scanner and she was so seduced by my old IKEA chair she wanted one for her upcoming Rat’s birthday.
She brought me new trays to make my cluttered desks better organized. Admire my MACs and the rest. So, now you know where the blog is generated and Valerie meditates. Thanks VVK.
Family
New Year’s Eve in Beijing
Just back in time in good old Beijing for my birthday and New Year. We decided this year not to have a major party at home but to celebrate it all very quietly in our favorite restaurant – Morel’s (Gongti) (it was so full we had to wait for the second shift). Yeah, stuffed again.
cheers! Sun remained incognito
Sun managed to drink 10% of a Belgian beer, tasted at least 4 fork loads of food but Valerie and me went successfully through the whole course.
princess? was that your cookie?
Christmas and grandsons in Chantilly VA
I had a great time with my daughter Marianne over Christmas, the problem was I got so many cute pics it was really hard to check them all and make a selection. Thus the delay.
The trip was short – about a week – but it was exciting with Danny (19 months) and Mikey (2 months). It was the first time for me to see the latest arrival, oh boy, he was soooooo cute.
OK, he was producing lots of greenhouse gases but that he was excused. Danny was fun, exploring everything he could (and shouldn’t) and showed truck driving skills.
Marianne’s husband Mike is doing a great job in the balancing act of taking care of his two sons plus a laptop. His parents came over and we stuffed ourselves to maximum levels with turkey, all the goodies, Belgian beer, Bourbon and the rest. Still trying to get my weight back to normal.
Now that United has got the direct flight Beijing – Dulles, the next trip will be even better – just 14 hours and no (horrible) stopovers in San Francisco.
There were lots of presents – never seen that many in my life. Marianne really “got” me with surprises… a calendar with pics of the kids and the PowerBall, my new toy and exercise for the arms. Pity the Bourbon was just one bottle, didn’t take long but helped to overcome jetlag.
Christmas and New Year are coming close.
I will be away for Christmas, looking forward to be with Marianne, my two grandsons and the American family in Chantilly, Virginia (USA). Back in time in Beijing for New Year’s eve and my birthday. So, the blog will take some days off.
The end of another year… 2006 brought a second grandson, one of the bright spots. The blog is now running well and intends to keep all of you informed about the latest news on “Surviving Beijing”. Time for looking back and the usual “New Year Plans” (see earlier posts). And thinking about our friends all over the world. We wish you all a Happy Holiday Season and a bright New Year – the Year of the Pig for us here in Beijing.
(you can open the attachment for the full flash version, courtesy of I.T.United: https://blog.strategy4china.com/wp-content/uploads/ecard2006pig.swf)
Cheers!
Gilbert, Sun & Valerie
(Gilbert is in Chantilly VA (USA) for Christmas)
Thanksgiving: celebrating Chinese style
After all our troubles during the day and a series of other exhausting meetings we decided to at least go out and celebrate our way: Chinese hotpot with lamb, pork blood and pork brain. Poor Sun could hardly open her eyes, we left stuffed, tired but at least relaxed. The restaurant is in one of the larger Julong Garden buildings.
Getting started for the hotpot, Gilbert with a cold Chinese beer.