Whew!!! Here at last.

Hello all,

It is hard to know what to write about first.

To start, everyone is safe and healthy. Dog and cat made it. Freaked out but alive. The cat has adopted me. She will come to me all of the time. Beth and Ethan most of the time. She runs like her butt is on fire when Brennan and Carleigh try and pick her up.

Our driver's name is Mr. Tao. He has been with GM for 15 years and is a good, patient driver. Just what a man with three young kids needs, a calm steady guy who won't risk his wife and kids life. So far so good. Come to Shanghai and you will understand. To qoute Stu Spiers, 'They use horns instead of brakes.'

Last week we moved into our apartment. Three bedrooms. Carleigh and Brennan are in one room. Our 12 year old - going on 16 - is in another bedroom. He locks the door to keep his brother and sister out. The former ensuring that they will knock...... alot.

The weather has been great. Lots of sunshine. People have been out flying 'phong zen'. (kites for we the english speaking, phonetically challenged.) Brennan was playing tag with some neighborhood boys. The guy lacks speed but has heart and courage to spare. Carleigh made some buds in the big sandbox. She needs to practice sharing. Ethan Reads.

Beth is in her element. Can anyone say Starbucks? The driver can speak fluent Starbucks. If we left home without telling Mr. Tao where we wanted to go, he would assume Starbucks.

Me.... well I am alright. Can't get the @#*! SlingBox to work. Anyone with a lap top, please help!!

On a happier note, we went to the Shanghai zoo. Huge zoo. Lots of unique exhibits. Evidently feeding the animals is OK in Shanghai. Signs are a suggestion. Some things you don't see in Detroit zoo: Cats, Dogs and Seagulls... in an exhibit of thier own.

Excitement abound last night. I was cooking dumplings on the stove when the glass top blew apart. Molten glass went everywhere. Very shocking. Evidently GE glass top gas ranges, of certain model types, will have this issue. Lucky me. A few scratches. Nothing serious. The manager and I will have a discussion about it today.

Need to start working.

Gotta go.

best wishes - Bill