Finally Arrived.

Well, here I am. In Dalian. It is August 31st and just finished a long flight. I will get into my experiences getting here in a moment. First I want to mention a couple things that went on the past week prior to my leaving.

The week was filled with needing to get a lot of stuff done and prepared or fixed. It was busy but a lot was accomplished. The movers came to get my stuff I had packed to ship. This would include items like winter clothes, some kitchen utensils, some books and shoes. Of course, a George Foreman too so I can actually try and cook something. Well the trick with all that was that it had to weigh a total of at least 220lbs in order for the movers to ship it for me. I was trying everything to get the weight up there. I thought I had gotten pretty close. All of it to me seemed to be pretty heavy. Well, after they came and got it and packed it all up for me, I was sent a letter later in the week telling me that my shipment was 197lbs. Missed it by that much! Luckily, they let it go and they will be shipping it. I was worried they wouldn't.

Next came the last two games of racquetball with my LA fitness RB buddies. They were good games that week but they didn't let up on me. I actually only won one game out of the eight we played on Thursday. I thought they were going to let me win just to be nice. Well, they didn't do that but what they did do after the games was take me out to breakfast. I thought I was only going to have breakfast with John but 4 other guys showed up to send me off. These guys are wonderful. I want to thank John, Dave, Mike, Frank and Jim. These guys have really become fantastic friends and worthy opponents over the past few years. I am going to miss these guys, not only for the games, but the friendships. I am truly blessed with friends like them. They also gave me a new ping pong paddle with its own case and a paddle ball set for beach play. I guess I have to take up Ping Pong or Badminton while here in China.

There were many lunches, dinners and breakfasts I attended this past week. Don't really know why wanted to spend time with me? I guess I am lucky to have a wife who has so many friends. I get to tag along and be her date. That seemed to take up a lot of time in between the running around I had to do.

Now, 3 days before I was to leave, our desktop computer decided to stop working and not boot up. The hard drive crashed on it. Well, what was I to do? I tried everything I could to revive it but it was really DOA. I decided to buy a new tower. I then had to spend the next few days setting it up with programs and stuff so Kevin could use it for school. Many hours in front of that things. I then got a call from the renters of my Mother in laws house on Thursday and he informed me there was a reverse osmosis leak which cased damage to the counter top in the kitchen. I drove over there and sure enough, it was bad enough that it was going to have to get replaced. Well, I decided to go ahead and do the work myself so I actually spent the whole day on Friday (the day before I was to leave) replacing the kitchen counter top. Luckily I had my Dad to help me out. He is always there to help and come to the rescue. I have learned many things from him in my lifetime and I am always grateful to have him by helping when I need it.

We then went to dinner and some friends house Friday night and enjoyed a relaxing time. I then had to get up in the morning and Kathy and I met my parents for breakfast. I figured I needed to eat as much this past week as possible because eating in china is not the most fulfilling or filling thing around.

Then came the moment of truth. Leaving for the airport. This actually went smoothly. Got all of the luggage together and loaded it into the truck. Brian called me and wanted to know if he should drive up from Tucson to say goodbye. Nice and appreciated thought but I said he didn't have to. Kevin said goodbye and Kathy and I were off.

My next entry to the blog will be what I went through to get the luggage on the flight and the flight over. Stay tuned.