Delta 19, Atlanta to Shanghai

Boeing 777 - yup, it's big. We were able to change our seats around so we could sit together, and they even gave us a space in between for more room. Very cool. The back of each seat had a gps, among other things, so you could, at any time, see where you were in relation to the globe. I snapped some shots along the way. Notice the temperature mid-flight... -60F. Yikes!

Hello Shanghai!! 16 hour flight. 3 meals. Not too bad. Too excited to think about much of anything.

Atlanta Airport Muppets

After taking separate flights from Raleigh to Atlanta ... (slept the entire flight!) Denisa and I met at the Atlanta terminal in our gate - everything on schedule. We were tired but very excited to have made it happen.

My last Starbucks: Tea is the thing in China. They have some coffee shops, and even Starbucks, but nowhere near as accessible as in the States.

My last sip of tap water for a very long time... and the home brew of air-born hypervitamin potion... so far , I must say it's worked pretty well... we'll see!

I really got a laugh out of this guy. I imagined that he looked like he was using a computer mouse with his one hand to browse the screen in front of him... which revealed to him the life story of whomever walked in front of his nice glass enclosure there in the airport. As I stood in front of him, I felt somehow responsible for his expression! totally cracked me up! :D

12 years into 2 bags

OK, so the SUV sale took up a few hours of much needed packing time. While I was elated that the sale went through in record time, the reality of the pending flight schedule was looming ... the next 12 hours would be intense.

2 check-ons, 1 carry-on, and a laptop. When I reached this point, it was a huge relief.

The carry-on bags by far took the most time. In those bags, all the appropriate documents, gadgets, and things needed for survival in the first few days. Lots of planning goes into those bags. Once they were done, then the bigger check on bags. Still, filtering 12 years of US style living into 2 bags of clothing is a challenge. I was hoping to go with Denisa to their place at midnight, but that deadline came and went. It looked like it would be an all-nighter!

Sure enough, 4am rolled around, and I was ready to go, a slight drizzle outside, the condo completely cleaned out and prepared for the renter, and me, ready to get on the plane for some shut-eye!

The last glimpse of my home, farewell Quaker Landing!

Goodbye Rodeo - Thanks for the memories!

Well, I hadn't expected to sell the Isuzu Rodeo that has been good to me for some 8 years, but the last minute idea was presented, and I figured I'd give it a shot, with only about 30 hours until I was to board the plane to Shanghai!














So, at about midnight on Tuesday night, 8/26, I posted the ad, not really knowing what to expect. Well, by 9am the following morning, after finishing a paint job for a friend, I logged on to check my email, and noticed there were 25 + responses to my ad! So, the first one I called ended up being the buyer, and we did the deal at around noon after I had a chance to run a few final errands, and get the title from the bank. I have to say, craiglist is pretty incredible.

Not having the SUV in the parking lot for the year will eliminate a number pesky worries and provide some cash for me, and provide a good set of wheels for someone else! Thanks for the good idea Amy!

Raleigh Friends Potluck

A rare "third hour" on Sunday August 10th at Raleigh Friend's Meetinghouse to celebrate the upcoming trip. Here are some great pictures sent to me by Marsha Presnell-Jenette. Thanks to all who helped put this together, and all who helped us celebrate.

Anywhere with Friends

Sometimes words aren't enough (or photos, or videos, for that matter)... so I threw together a quick video to share some images and photos from the past couple years of my time with Raleigh Friends. There's already so much to say... I'll start with "thanks."

2010 Quaker Landing

12 years in this place! I can't quite believe it. 2 miles from downtown Raleigh, right on I-40. What a great place. I've been spoiled with it's conveniences and terrific proximity.

So the decision had to be made to sell, or rent. It turns out that I will rent it out as a single apartment for a year, and some of my stuff will be stored in the back room.

Sounds pretty simple, right? ha ha

Tia McCoun came down to help move some stuff to PA. Thanks T!

Then stuff got moved around just to clean the rugs.










Then stuff got put back into the corner bedroom...

and more, and more and more!!!

Then, we celebrated a little bit.

Now, I learn how to fix stuff that hasn't worked in a long time.

The carpenter bee holes...

The toilet intake hose

The bathtub faucet

The new door nob.

Anything else?