Bel Canto

Ann Patchett's third book.  I read a more subsequent book of hers as 'required reading' for one of the workshops I took last summer at U of Iowa.   I purchased this one as an ebook a while back but only recently got around to reading it.

Picture this:  a South American country.......a diplomatic reception with dignitaries from arond the world in attendance.  A terrorist group attacks and holds hostage the attendees.....for 4+ months......all men but for an opera singer who was paid to perform at the reception.

That's the theme and that's the story that turned into a page turner..........I liked it.

And now........I'm reading two books:  Jingwei Bird, written by a friend, Rick Zalon and the Doris Kearns Goodwin memoirs of growing up in the 50s, with baseball and the Brooklyn Dodgers an important element of that growth and the bond between the author and her father.

That latter book is in preparation of the daddy-daughter, baseball-related trip to Japan, next week!

Of course I've got a sunburn!

Well, what the hell do you expect?  The glare of the sun off the water, even in the shade, will give you a sun tan, or worse.  Seven hours out on the Gulf of Thailand, glare, humidity, sweat, work.......a new experience for me, one who has Shekou or Macau or Staten Island boating experience but not a whole hell of a lot more.

Sailing is work.  For those addicted to the hobby, it is a labour of love.  It is a day of leavers and pulleys and ropes controlling the slack, the position of the sails to let the wind power a boat that, in windlless weather, also has  a damned powerful engine!!

These 3 days in Pattaya have been a laid back, relaxing change of pace.....and now onwards to the airport and the return to my real world......Guangzhou, here I come!!

Found in Bangkok.....

There's a change of scenery, a change of climate,  a change of pace,  a change in the cast of characters.....over all, a change, an infusion of enough things different to make working here in Bangkok on a five day trip a refreshing trip, albeit, not a restful one, yet......

That rest comes sometime tomorrow afternoon, when I leave for Pattaya and a couple of days away from the internet and communications, in general, aboard a boat!   No shit, I am going boating!!!  That'll be a first for me and the opportunity to take advantage of being with people I expect to see more and more in the future makes it doubly exciting.

Hong Kong/Guangzhou and Pearl River Delta life for over half a year, each year, makes China a permanent part of my life.   But for a few months during the winter cold, we hope to make Bangkok our winter home.  In October, we look for a furnished apartment....In December, we'll start living here.  'Here' just might be our future - especially as Katherine develops work capabilities and 'interfaces' more with clients here.

Today?   Streamlined Procedure meetings..........yes, the IRS system stinks.  But at least I can be a beneficiary from it all!!

Movies x 3

And in the after hours (which are early ones for me in Hong ong), what do I do?   I read, I rest, I the watch movies.

Last night I saw Dawn of Planet of the Apes.     A play on words will sum up my feelings:  it should have been re-named Yawn of Planet of the Apes.  It was a contrived, poorly conceived movie that tried to be more sophisticated than it had a right to be.......but the make up was good.  Still.....yawn.......

Two nights ago I saw Chef.  I loved it!!

And over the past couple of nights at home, I watched Mel Brooks' Silent Movie, a gem ahead of its 1976 issuance.   I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT AND WILL SEE IT AGAIN!!

Another summer day in Hong Kong

Happiness is being busy after tax season.....but not so busy that I am under pressure.

Happiness is planning for the trips I will be taking this summer.....because I love to travel and none of the trips will result in jet lag.

Happiness is liking my life, who I am, where I am and the direction in which I head into the future.

Happiness is being happy;  being healthy.

Something that has taken me 24 years to do.....

In 2007, Chinese-American author Ha Jin’s “A Free Life”  was published.  This was a book about the immigration experience.

A poem of his, ‘Homeland’  was included within this wonderful book. 

You packed a pouch of earth into your baggage

As a bit of our homeland.  You told your friend:

“In a few years I’ll be back like a lion.

There’s no other place I can call home

And wherever I go I’ll carry our country with me.

I’ll make sure my children speak our language,

Remember our history, and follow our customs.

Rest assured, you will see this same man,

Made of loyalty, bringing back gifts

And knowledge from other lands.”

You won’t be able to go back.

Look, the door has closed behind you.

Like others, you too are expendable to

A country never short of citizens.

You will toss in sleepless nights,

Confused, homesick, and weeping in silence.

Indeed, loyalty is a ruse

If only one side intends to be loyal.

You will have no choice but to join the refugees

And change your passport.

Eventually you will learn:

Your country is where you raise your children,

Your homeland is where you build your home.

This poem works both ways – it describes my 24 year experience as an immigrant on this side of the Pacific, too. 

This afternoon, I had my initial meeting at the Hong Kong Immigration Department.  I am applying for naturalization to become a Hong Kong citizen.

Larry

14 July 2014