(DRAFT FORM FOR Over 9 years- actually published 8/21/2019)


January 16th 2010 Update:   
Well, its Saturday morning. The sun is shining and it is slightly foggy on the horizon.

Yesterday there was a solar eclipse here that was quite impressive since there was a pretty blue sky. Unfortunately, it occurred later in the day. I saw the reflection of the sun in my bedroom and it look funny—I thought that maybe a building was blocking out a part but no. This is my second solar eclipse in China in less than a year. When we were in Beijing in July, the longest solar eclipse of the (?? Time) was occurring during our opening activities one morning.



What we hear-

Fireworks in the morning:

As Susan and I began our morning we heard a quick shooting off of fireworks close by. We are told that fireworks in the morning are a signal that someone has died. There is an apt. building about 100 yards away whose front entrance has been adorned with large splays of flowers. It is quite the site to see in this gray environment in the middle of winter to see the beautiful colors and arrangements.



What we drink-

Food Stuff: Today--Liquids



Milk

We are getting it delivered 2 days a week on Monday and Friday—One quart of whole and One Quart of Skim. We haven’t been billed yet—we think that it is monthly. Our neighbors, the Gaines, also get it delivered. They get it 3 days a week—we just haven’t gone through that much yet. We are estimating that a quart is about 8.3 Yuan or about $1.19….maybe a $5 a gallon or so—including delivery.



Diet Coke

Also, diet Coke is a no brainer—funny thing though—cans are much cheaper than the bottles—maybe as little as 2 Yuan (.29) for a can and 2.50 (.43Yuan) for the bottle.



Water



We also get this “tong” of water of delivered. The arrangement is done through a pre-paid coupon booklet. The man comes and delivers two at a time. I believe we prepay 100 Yuan (about $14.70) for ten tongs -the tongs are 5 gallons a piece ($1.45 per tong) or 50 gallons (.29 a gal.). M-F we only consumed 1 tong since we are in school—the weekends, we don’t know quite yet. Maybe a half I predict. Summer will be a different story. The water is safe from the plant, however the infrastructure (ie pipes) makes it difficult for foreigners to be able to consume it without side effects.





Orange Pocket Drink:



Orange drink. What is different is that it is designed for the commuter. You can reseal it and shove it in your pocket. What is different is that it has small pieces of fruit in it—not pulp—but larger pieces of orange. Umm, need less to say Andrew didn’t really like it, so dad ends up with it.



What we will do today:

Later this afternoon Aaron will go visit a high school friend up at another neighborhood and then go to youth group tonight ‘til about 11PM. The rest of us will be eating dinner with some of friends on the 5th floor at a Korean restaurant they really enjoy and we can walk there. In the meantime, I think we will be shopping at the White Market. The White Market requires a separate entry altogether I think!



Blessings,

Brian & the family