Sandbridge, Virginia Beach, VA ★ November 2008

This is me and my sis at the beach last fall. We had a great time at my mom’s 60th surprise birthday party. In this picture my shoes are soaked. My sister was taking a group picture of my aunts, uncle and brother-in-law and me when this wave came upon shore. She didn’t seem to notice the wave or didn’t think to warn us. They all were wearing sandals. Everyone got a kick out of it. It was okay. My shoes dried the next day.

In this photo you can also see my lucky pants. Can’t wear them when I teach class but whenever I’m free I will. They’re the pair I wore when I travelled from Hong Kong to Beiing two summers ago. They’ve been through 8 provinces in China. I’ve been wearing them for 8 years. They’ve been stitched and patched countless times by the tailor (裁縫) not far from school. I get my clothes done custom for cheap.

okay. i’m home for two weeks. my bday and my mom’s 60th. so, i’m checking out the goods in Greenbrier mall. something i haven’t done in oh, 6-7 years? or was it even longer, like when i was back in high school? i was just seeing what was new and looking for a pair of jeans in the process. i was checking out the kicks, the clothes, the music, the games, the toys, the Chinese massage with masseuse from 天津 ($50 [342RMB]/50min compared to 50RMB/50min in 北京 by blind masseurs), the food…

almost everything we buy is made in China. that doesn’t mean much until you live in China for 3 years and come home. i don’t want to buy anything. everything is so expensive. the Vans on my feet are the same quality as the ones sold in the mall. but mine costed $15, not the $50 here.

well, there is a flipside to everything. along with bootlegged vans, you get tainted eggs and melamine in your dairy products. i guess health concerns should be number one, but i sure like my new $15 hi-tops.

Ben,
We miss talking to you.
Erica called today.
I just came home.
Mom called
Sorry to report your catfish died today. I took some photos before mom buried him.
He grew to be over 9″long!
He really enjoyed being king of the pond!
The other fish are not very active today. I guess they miss the king.
Mom is going to try changing the water.
Mom said olympics is on for prime time.
I am wearing my black beijing 2008 olympic hat i bought in china.

Love,
Dad

科技真好！Technology is great. 6,981 miles away from home (11,235 公里) and I can see everything at home is alright. I’m glad to see the bitter melon and flowers in my mom’s garden. The vegetables and fruit she’s harvested. Some of those blueberries would be good in my yogurt. It’s nice to see my nephew’s smile and the motherly figures in the fam.