Almost four months ago, Pei Lin registered both of us for phase 1 of the ticketing process for the Beijing Olympics next summer. As a legal resident in China I was afforded the opportunity to register for tickets just like a Chinese citizen. Of course not everyone is created equal as the type of ID held had to be chosen. They ranged from a foreign passport to active military and all sorts in between. I didn’t hold out much hope of getting anything since the tickets were so oversubscribed and it didn’t matter how early you registered before the June 30 deadline.
Well, today I received an email saying I have confirmed my place at the Olympics! Three tickets to Badminton on Saturday morning, August 9, the second day of the games. Not exactly my sport of choice but nonetheless we have guaranteed tickets to at least one Olympic game. Pei Lin hasn’t received an email yet, but I am sure his Chinese passport will grant him tickets to an event or two.
Who wants our third ticket??
Saturday night as I was preparing to head into Hong Kong to stay the evening before my flight I had a scare. Earlier that morning I packed my suitcase and had all my clothes ready but waited until later to get my rolling briefcase straightened away. As I started to get ready to head out I couldn’t find my laptop. Panic ensued as I frantically started throwing things around trying to find it under a pillow, some dirty clothes or all the odds and ends we hadn’t yet put away. Pei Lin ran down to the parking garage to check in the car, wasn’t there. I was sure it was stolen, but where. I called our office admin manager to see if the maint. guy could meet me at the office if my chance I forgot to take my computer home. Thankfully, it was there… I had turned it off but just didn’t take it home. I think that is the first time in almost 5 years I have left my computer at work and on the one occasion where I absolutely had to have it. The panic subsided and I headed into HK for the evening before my Sunday morning flight.
Flight was uneventful, which was nice. Sat next to a guy who said “hello” and not much else until we landed and just before deplaning. Was fine by me. Although I prefer somewhere between the non-stop yakker and no-words at all.
Didn’t sleep very well last night. I thought with not getting much sleep on the flight over I just might be able to sleep decently but didn’t happen. One nice solid three hour stretch then up every hour or so and finally up for good about 4:30.
It is early Monday morning in the US and just got back from working out. Yep, you read that correctly. I worked out this morning. 20 minutes on the treadmill, 10 minutes on the elyptical machine and 5 minutes with some hand weights. First morning in the US and the plan is to do that everyday for the trip. Time to get serious about getting some weight off.
Off to see the wizard…Well, actually to see the boss.
Well we are all moved out of our old place and into our new space. Has been an interesting and stressful few days but at least the major stuff is done.
While arranging somethings Wednesday Pei Lin sneezed and immediately started having some muscle spasms which started in his side and went all the way to his toes. He was feeling better but still having a little pain but never complained at all. Then he just sneezed and bam! Was eerie and scary seeing his muscles contract and release and contract and the pain on his face as he squirmed. We got him into the chair and tried massaging his muscles to get them to relax.
I left to met our old landlord to have dinner together and give him the keys that evening, while Pei Lin and his sister went to dinner on their own. Her stay was extended by a day which was making for cramped quarters in our new cozy home. When we all got arrived back home later I wanted to hang a few pictures up and took a fly off the stool while attempting to drill a screw into the wall. Luckily didn’t break anything or hurt myself too badly but did manage to swell up my knee to the size of softball and dent my pride a tad.
It gets even better…This is the hottest time of the year in Shenzhen with humidity up around 80-90%. After limping to bed and getting settled I feel water drops literally pouring out of the air conditioner on to my forward. Off the a/c went until we could have repaired. One of the few things we overlooked. A hot, restless painful sleep ensued.
Last night the a/c was fixed and worked awesome. Both of us are alive and walking and while our place still has lots of things that need to be put away it is getting there. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Pei Lin will have to finish most of it up on his own as I am headed to the US Sunday morning for two weeks and he promised to have it all finished by the time I get home. Or, maybe I dreamed he promised that!
