Jet Lag + Small Children = Brutal Adjustment
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Friday fragments...
Sorry for not blogging much lately. After getting back from China, I headed to Canada to spend time with family. Given that I am trying to balanced family, work and my screwed up internal clock - I have an interesting go of it.
China was a very interesting place. For every wonderment there was a corresponding bewilderment. The culture has such wonderful and genuine qualities that works on a series of obligations and duties. The collectivist mindset present but with definite power structures in place. A place where it is very good to be at the top. The country a constant series of paradoxes attempting to be somehow blended. The Ying and Yang ever present.
P.s. I have a ton of great pictures to share over the coming weeks.
One question, why can I get through. The Hong Kong airport in less that 30 min yet it takes over two hours to process through in Chicago?
It is nice to be home in Canada. It is too bad my internal clock is so screwed up at the moment. I definitely still have my days and nights partially screwed up still. Usually I am pretty good with jet lag but this on is kicking my behind.
I had a real nice breakfast with an old friend on Wednesday. It was very enjoyable. It is nice to catch up at times.
I have enjoyed my time with my parents. I really do like spending time with them even though the kids monopolize them. Liam in particular is a papa's boy. He barely noticed I was missing while I was in China. It is a lot of fun to see them together. They are so close.
Heather and I have barely talked this week. We have just been on different schedules. I hope we do get a chance to have a date night before we leave but it is looking doubtful.
Well, it is officially midnight and I have to try to sleep even though I am wide awake...
Thanks to Mrs. 4444s for hosting.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Monday Quiz
Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic.
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:
Our Questions:
1. June 26th is Forgiveness Day - will you be participating? Forgiving someone else or asking for forgiveness?
If I am wrong, I will admit so. I am also very forgiving but not always forgetting. I am very good in seeing patterns in behavior.
2. Do you play card games? Which ones are your favorite?
I was always fond of euchre though I ave not played in a long time,
3. What is your favorite flavor of Birthday Cake?
You can always tell when Heather writes the questions. I will go with one of the few southern dishes I have been afflicted with and say red velvet cake.
4. Do you like amusement park rides? What is your favorite? If not, why not?
If you come back tomorrow I will have pictures from am amusement park call Window of the World from Shenzhen, China.
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:
Our Questions:
1. June 26th is Forgiveness Day - will you be participating? Forgiving someone else or asking for forgiveness?
If I am wrong, I will admit so. I am also very forgiving but not always forgetting. I am very good in seeing patterns in behavior.
2. Do you play card games? Which ones are your favorite?
I was always fond of euchre though I ave not played in a long time,
3. What is your favorite flavor of Birthday Cake?
You can always tell when Heather writes the questions. I will go with one of the few southern dishes I have been afflicted with and say red velvet cake.
4. Do you like amusement park rides? What is your favorite? If not, why not?
If you come back tomorrow I will have pictures from am amusement park call Window of the World from Shenzhen, China.
5th question
Do you travel for work?
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Monday Quiz
Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic. Wayne is still in China and Blogger is not permitted there... so he won't be able to answer this week's questions...
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:
Our Questions:
1. June 17th is Eat Your Vegetables Day... do you need a special day to celebrate veggies? Your favorite veg?
2. How did you spend your Father's Day? Or for those who don't have Father's Day on June 16th, what did you do this weekend?
3. June 18th is National Splurge Day... if you were (are) going to participate what would/will you splurge on?
4. What is the farthest you've ever traveled from home?
My Answers:
Between the time change and not being able to get on blogger in China, Wayne won't be answering questions this week...
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:
Our Questions:
1. June 17th is Eat Your Vegetables Day... do you need a special day to celebrate veggies? Your favorite veg?
2. How did you spend your Father's Day? Or for those who don't have Father's Day on June 16th, what did you do this weekend?
3. June 18th is National Splurge Day... if you were (are) going to participate what would/will you splurge on?
4. What is the farthest you've ever traveled from home?
My Answers:
Between the time change and not being able to get on blogger in China, Wayne won't be answering questions this week...
but here is my 5th question
What remedies do you have for jet lag?
What remedies do you have for jet lag?
Now please link up your posts here:
Friday, June 14, 2013
Friday Fun fragments and Fill-ins from China
Hi all,
I am writing from Shenzhen China. China is such a fascinating place. Much of it looks the same (I am writing this sitting in a Starbucks after I went to a McDonalds for breakfast - yes, I am being an adventurous Canadian/American).
The trip has been very eye opening. Much of the thinking here is the exact opposite of my mind-frame on most topics.
It is an interesting world here. For every similarity there is a complete opposite. Then again, the country seems to be one of utter juxtapositions. For every freedom there is a shackle. For every modernization there is a antiquity in thought. It is a constant enigma wrapped in an oxymoron. I am learning a lot as a result.
The trip can also be described in these terms. For every wonderment, there is a disappointment. As Spock would say...'fascinating'
Let me just say that I want to apologize for not going visiting this week. Between the travel schedule, the jet lag and the ban on a lot of your blogs (for instance I can not access any blogspot blogs) - it has been very difficult to visit you all.
Though I encourage you all to read my Mondays Listicle piece. I think it is my humor at its strangest.
I will also be posting more pictures soon. I have some great ones.
Hope all is well wherever you all are.
and now my fill-ins:
1. Sometimes I wonder if I should move to Tahiti but I know I won’t…
2. Chocolate is my favorite flavor of everything
3. The thing I will remember most vividly about China is the incredible number of people here in Shenzhen
4. When I am honest about it, I really appreciate Western Culture.
I am writing from Shenzhen China. China is such a fascinating place. Much of it looks the same (I am writing this sitting in a Starbucks after I went to a McDonalds for breakfast - yes, I am being an adventurous Canadian/American).
The trip has been very eye opening. Much of the thinking here is the exact opposite of my mind-frame on most topics.
It is an interesting world here. For every similarity there is a complete opposite. Then again, the country seems to be one of utter juxtapositions. For every freedom there is a shackle. For every modernization there is a antiquity in thought. It is a constant enigma wrapped in an oxymoron. I am learning a lot as a result.
The trip can also be described in these terms. For every wonderment, there is a disappointment. As Spock would say...'fascinating'
Let me just say that I want to apologize for not going visiting this week. Between the travel schedule, the jet lag and the ban on a lot of your blogs (for instance I can not access any blogspot blogs) - it has been very difficult to visit you all.
Though I encourage you all to read my Mondays Listicle piece. I think it is my humor at its strangest.
I will also be posting more pictures soon. I have some great ones.
Hope all is well wherever you all are.
and now my fill-ins:
1. Sometimes I wonder if I should move to Tahiti but I know I won’t…
2. Chocolate is my favorite flavor of everything
3. The thing I will remember most vividly about China is the incredible number of people here in Shenzhen
4. When I am honest about it, I really appreciate Western Culture.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Monday Listicles
Okay, the trip to China is going so far, so good. While there are some things similar, 7-11, Walmart, McDonalds, when you enter each one a different world appears.
Apparently, blogger does not work in China. So I am emailing my posts to Heather who is then cutting and pasting the text into a blog so. So I apologize in advance for formatting errors. We are also 12 hours in time difference. That means I will mess something up along the way.
This week's Listicle is 10 beauty products that I can not live without.
In advance, this post is not 'G' rated. Come on. You give me a topic like this and you expect me not to go off. Seriously now. I have attempted to leave as much to your imaginations as possible but this does contain TMI.
10. Rogaine...my balding head certainly needs every advantage it can get.
9 Under arm deodorant. I spent 15.5 hours on a plane yesterday, this should be number one. Seriously people.
8. Speaking of seriously, I do not even know 10 beauty products. How am I supposed to do this list?
7. Razors but sorry, but I do not shave my nether regions. If I seeing it on a mate, I am just happy enough to be there to care how it is maintained. Though I hear shaving it for guys creates the illusion that it is bigger but I have already had two big cuttings (once as a baby and another to prevent having more of them) down there in my life and that is enough for me.
7a. Side note: if you must dye your hair - should the carpet not match the curtains so to speak? Just sayin' is all...
6. Speaking of which, I would have said hair dye but that would require having hair (though if the Rogaine works). Plus, if I had to, I would finish dying it grey. You know because grey hair on men makes them look sophisticated and all unlike women right?
5. This may not be a beauty product per se but man are tubs useful. Not having one to soak in after such a long flight...oy.
4. What have some of you done to have your blogs banned in China. What kind of dissents are you people?
3. Surgical masks. All the cool kids are wearing one over here. Every third person or so seems to be wearing one. Hummm.... You may be thinking, how is that a beauty product? Alas, anything that hides my face is bound to improve my beauty.
2. Fragrance skin whitering - I don't know what it is but it is in my hotel room. It does say for women, so I guess guys don't need to have their skin whitering-ed? The cream inside looks a lot like ummm...well you decide.
. Honestly, how can I possible beat that last one? Well perhaps if I beat something I can get stuff that looks like the last one.
Apparently, blogger does not work in China. So I am emailing my posts to Heather who is then cutting and pasting the text into a blog so. So I apologize in advance for formatting errors. We are also 12 hours in time difference. That means I will mess something up along the way.
This week's Listicle is 10 beauty products that I can not live without.
In advance, this post is not 'G' rated. Come on. You give me a topic like this and you expect me not to go off. Seriously now. I have attempted to leave as much to your imaginations as possible but this does contain TMI.
10. Rogaine...my balding head certainly needs every advantage it can get.
9 Under arm deodorant. I spent 15.5 hours on a plane yesterday, this should be number one. Seriously people.
8. Speaking of seriously, I do not even know 10 beauty products. How am I supposed to do this list?
7. Razors but sorry, but I do not shave my nether regions. If I seeing it on a mate, I am just happy enough to be there to care how it is maintained. Though I hear shaving it for guys creates the illusion that it is bigger but I have already had two big cuttings (once as a baby and another to prevent having more of them) down there in my life and that is enough for me.
7a. Side note: if you must dye your hair - should the carpet not match the curtains so to speak? Just sayin' is all...
6. Speaking of which, I would have said hair dye but that would require having hair (though if the Rogaine works). Plus, if I had to, I would finish dying it grey. You know because grey hair on men makes them look sophisticated and all unlike women right?
5. This may not be a beauty product per se but man are tubs useful. Not having one to soak in after such a long flight...oy.
4. What have some of you done to have your blogs banned in China. What kind of dissents are you people?
3. Surgical masks. All the cool kids are wearing one over here. Every third person or so seems to be wearing one. Hummm.... You may be thinking, how is that a beauty product? Alas, anything that hides my face is bound to improve my beauty.
2. Fragrance skin whitering - I don't know what it is but it is in my hotel room. It does say for women, so I guess guys don't need to have their skin whitering-ed? The cream inside looks a lot like ummm...well you decide.
. Honestly, how can I possible beat that last one? Well perhaps if I beat something I can get stuff that looks like the last one.
Monday Quiz
Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic. Wayne is in China for the next two weeks and Blogger is not permitted there... so he won't be able to answer this week's questions... but he did provide some of them!
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:
Our Questions:
1. June 10th is Iced Tea Day - do you drink iced tea? Sweet or unsweet? Flavoured?
2. What would be an essential for you to survive a long airplane flight?
3. How do you explain wanting an iron to someone who does not speak English?
4. Should smoking be allowed in restaurants?
My Answers:
Between the time change and not being able to get on blogger in China, Wayne won't be answering questions this week...
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:
Our Questions:
1. June 10th is Iced Tea Day - do you drink iced tea? Sweet or unsweet? Flavoured?
2. What would be an essential for you to survive a long airplane flight?
3. How do you explain wanting an iron to someone who does not speak English?
4. Should smoking be allowed in restaurants?
My Answers:
Between the time change and not being able to get on blogger in China, Wayne won't be answering questions this week...
but here is my 5th question
What is this?
What is this?
Now please link up your posts here:
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Sundays In My City
This is Hope Park, just north of Charlotte North Carolina in the heat of NASCAR country.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Friday Fragments
Hi all... Thanks to Mrs. 4444's for hosting.
- This is day two staying at two difference Marriott Fairfields (one in Beckley, West Virginia & Thursday night in Buffalo).
- Problems with property one:
- I walked in and out of the hotel at least ten times with Erik. I swear one of the front desk agents did not move from the same spot sitting down for an hour. Also, he was disheveled and seriously looking like he was just trying to survive the shift.
- The room comes with a pull out bed couch, yet no sheets, covers or pillows provided. The main promotion for the hotel seems to be the hot breakfast.
- On every picture (and there are several throughout the property) there are these great pictures of bacon, eggs, sausage etc. So we go down to breakfast to find no bacon but plenty of the greasiest sausage one has ever had.
- Then I made the mistake of asking for ketchup. Perhaps I should have asked for something more attainable such as world peace.
- As a bonus, we went to dinner at the IHop and had some of the most terrible service that I have ever had in a long time. We had three different servers tell us that they were going to take care of us. Apparently, it is the International House of Liar Liar Pants on Fire. They did have a lovely conversation with each other while they messed up the order, forgot food and generally provided for a terrible experience all around.
- Property two Buffalo.
- Check in was great. The staff was friendly and attentive. Perfect. I thought this is looking up.
- I go up to my room and realize ut oh, time to make a dash for the potty. Well, as I am sitting on the potty, one of the staff walks into the room. I know they have friendly and attentive staff but somethings require privacy.
- Now, to be fair, the staff person called 15 minutes later and apologized profusely but she was apparently a supervisor training staff and was coming to check their work. Ummmm, in training don't they teach you in training to knock on every door wait for a minute, then put the key in and as you are entering the room to call room service and wait 30 seconds before entering. Apparently, the trainer didn't get the basic training memo.
- Plus, I am sure they taught you to pick up hair in the bathroom. Just gross.
- Further, I went downstairs to ask a easy question, is there a CVS. Apparently not. Then I asked where I should go to eat. She pointed to the hotel across the lot. It is pouring rain but I have little choice. The funny part was that while I was getting food at the Marriott Courtyard across the parking lot after getting soaked, the staff person mentions that the Marriott shuttle can take guests anywhere within three miles of the property and that there was a Wegmens (grocery store plus) they could have taken me to.
- Didn't that make that $18.00 sandwich and coffee taste that much better.
- While you are reading this, I am probably on a plane to China. Please think nice thoughts for me. My luck says I get a screaming infant beside me for a 15.5 hour flight.
- On a related note: I have plenty of time to sit in a cramped space, eat terrible food and pretend to sleep.
- Heather and the kids arrived in Canada after dropping me off at the hotel in Buffalo. I hope they have a great stay.
- On a related note: Drop by often to check out my China experience. I hope you will have fun reading about and seeing the pictures of my journey. Sunday will start with pictures from park we stopped off at just north of Charlotte N.C. We were definitely in NASCAR country.
This is why I love Charleston.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Pictures of the Week...
Next week, I will post photos from China...but for today, pictures from my last trip to Switzerland in October:
Please link up your WW post here:
Please link up your WW post here:
Monday, June 3, 2013
Listicles - What I Notice
Really? Next week is about beauty products? I can't wait to write that listicles... Sorry but beauty and I are not well acquainted and no amount of product will help that... That is however, next week's girlie topic - so let's deal with this week's first shall we? Presently, Stasha has challenged us to write about:
10 THINGS I FIRST NOTICE ABOUT SOMEONE
10. Are the eloquent? Or do they sound like a troglodyte? Bonus points for using proper grammar.
9. Eh?
8. Do they demonstrate positive body language? I am looking for an open stance, active listening, perception checking, and trustworthy facial tendencies - Are they genuinely interested in talking to me?
7. Confidence - Everyone likes someone who exudes confidence.
6. Does she have a nice butt? Come on, I am a guy. Plus anytime, I get to use this video is a bonus.
5. Even better is she a natural redhead (my weakness). Heather has really no worries about me cheating but if hates froze over, she would know where to start looking for my temptress.
4. One's laugh. To get in my good graces, a sense of humor is a must.
3. Staying on the guy theme... ummmm let's just say occasionally I will notice a woman's frontal thorax region.
2. This...
1. If the lights are on. I have learned over the years that eyes are windows to the level of thought occurring in the brain.
Nothing is sexier than smart!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
MQAM
Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:
Our Questions:
1. June 3rd is National Repeat Day - what word or phrase do you find yourself repeating? I repeat...
2. Who do you feel is a real hero?
3. Are you interested in traveling to countries where most people don't speak the same language as you?
4. It's also dairy month - what is your favorite dairy or dairy-like (for you vegans and allergy sufferers) food or recipe?
My Answers:
1. June 3rd is National Repeat Day - what word or phrase do you find yourself repeating? I repeat...
I must be patient, I must be patient...
2. Who do you feel is a real hero?
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:
Our Questions:
1. June 3rd is National Repeat Day - what word or phrase do you find yourself repeating? I repeat...
2. Who do you feel is a real hero?
3. Are you interested in traveling to countries where most people don't speak the same language as you?
4. It's also dairy month - what is your favorite dairy or dairy-like (for you vegans and allergy sufferers) food or recipe?
My Answers:
1. June 3rd is National Repeat Day - what word or phrase do you find yourself repeating? I repeat...
I must be patient, I must be patient...
I really can not think of an answer for this at the moment, so I will go with the obvious...
3. Are you interested in traveling to countries where most people don't speak the same language as you?
Since I am headed to China on Friday, so I guess I am.
4. It's also dairy month - what is your favorite dairy or dairy-like (for you vegans and allergy sufferers) food or recipe?
Now please link up your posts here:
3. Are you interested in traveling to countries where most people don't speak the same language as you?
Since I am headed to China on Friday, so I guess I am.
4. It's also dairy month - what is your favorite dairy or dairy-like (for you vegans and allergy sufferers) food or recipe?
but here is my 5th question
Why?
Now please link up your posts here:
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Six Word Saturday
Next Saturday, I am heading EastFirst Hong Kong, then to Shenzchen
Looking forward to sharing fun experiences
Teaching Chinese students should be interesting
Looking forward to seeing spectacular sights
Engaging a fascinating and deep culture.
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