Wow, time seems to be flying by!  I can't believe today is FRIDAY!  What a difference 30 days makes. I was talking to my co-worker last night on the way home.  When I arrived here 4 weeks ago, customs took Kody, I stayed at my filthy apartment which had almost NO furnishings except for beds and couches, had no shower curtain, no toilet paper, and no AC.  I remember that Saturday morning, waking up and walking to a bakery, buying bread, and then to a local convenience store to get some juice, going back to my apartment and eating on the couch, thinking to myself, "this is the biggest mistake I've ever made."    Fortunately, I don't feel that way so much anymore.

Well, since my last update, a lots gone on but mostly in the positive direction. 

My house has been dried, damaged carpet/sheetrock etc has been removed.  The contractor and the adjuster were within a few hundred dollars of eachother, so that was good, and my Mom and Stepdad and my friend Dayna, and next door neighbors have been checking it all out and keeping things on track. Again, thanks to everyone for continually offering to help.  I'm very blessed to have so many people willing to step up!  The plumbing has been repaired, and we're waiting on the insurance to work the system for now.

Last weekend, Bob decided to hang out at the hotel, and another co-worker who was just in for a few days attended church with me on Sunday, and we had some street food (steamed meat buns and dumplings)  The photo of the food you see attached was 14RMB, less than 3 dollars.  And we had food we couldn't finish!

This week at work was hectic, with Management meetings and presentations and deadlines.  I have been driving back and forth between the conference center, R&D office and the factory all week, and running on a little more than 3-5 hours of sleep per night.  Needless to say, I am ready for an 8pm bed time tonght!  The cool part about the conference center, is that its right on the water, and the sea breeze felt GREAT!

Kody is doing good, this weekend he'll get a bath.  He loves going for our walks 3 times a day, because he can check out the stray cats that hang around our compound.  This is his usual sleeping position, which allows him to be in the same room as me, and hear whats going on in the rest of the house.  Since I've been here 30 days, Customs called and asked me to bring Kody to the airport for an inspection, which involved me borrowing a minivan from work, going home, taking kody in his crate to the airport, waiting 45 minutes for the guy, having him take 3 photos and petting Kody, and sending us on our way. 

Last night, I had dinner and drinks with co-workers in for the Management Meetings.  We hung out at the pub in front of my complex, and I ordered fettuccine alfredo with pancetta.  It was wonderfully good. 

Last weekend, I broke down and bought some cheese from my grocery store.  It was 9 US dollars for a small 5 inch round of brie, so I've been carefully savoring a little at a time.  I am moving forward with equipping the apartment and I've started to make a list.  I still need to bite the bullet and buy a microwave and a coffee maker.  I keep hearing about a used furniture store in Chengyang but nobody knows where it is.  I may go into town and try to locate one.  Rugs are also on the list so Kody has some traction when he walks around.

Bob, my co-worker is leaving tomorrow.  Its both good and bad, I think because I'll miss having a western colleague, but on the other hand, it will allow me to build my personal 'infrastructure' and get me to meet more people.  Sunday evening, I will take out my neighbors upstairs for rescuing me after my lockout incident. 

The weather has been warm here, upper 80s, low 90s, but only falls to 80 at night. We have rain every day, which makes the car look nasty.  The difference between here and Houston, is that the humidity burns off in the day time in Houston, and the heat is 'dry' .  Here, it ls like a sauna.

This weekend, I'll try to find a used furniture place, come up here to work and wash my car, and Saturday night is an Expat Pub Crawl.  Sunday will be church and meeting people at church.

Thats all I have to report.

Miss everyone!

Peace and love!