Back in the US

We returned to the US early in January and have settled back into life on the Eastern Shore. Here is a brief summary of the past few months.

Greg and Fat Choy returned to the US together and Shelly followed a week later. While Fat Choy adjusted well to the motel, our friend Laura's house (where we lived for two weeks) and ultimately our house, she was not a good in-flight companion. Just moments after the wheels left the ground in Hong Kong, Fat Choy found her carrier's fatal flaw and popped out of a velcro opening and headed up the aisle. Fortunately, Greg had his eye on the bag and quickly followed, grabbing her and, with some effort, folding her up and stuffing her back into the bag. Thankfully, she quieted down as the plane reached cruise altitude, only to resume yowling as it began its descent. Fortunately, there was only a change of planes in San Francisco and a non-stop from there to Washington, or it might have been an even longer flight for Greg and Fat Choy than it was. She has adjusted well to the colder Maryland weather. She still sleeps under the blankets with us, but is happy to spend her days on the two porches watching the neighborhood birds, squirrels and cats pass by. We (hopefully correctly) have been thinking that Fat Choy would happier if she were to have a feline companion, so we went to the Humane Society on Saturday and picked out Meatball, a 10-week old kitten that we brought home last week.


So far, they seem to be getting along, after a couple of days of lots of hissing and posturing by Fat Choy. Most of the hissing has subsided and while they're not best friends yet, they are currently enjoying a mostly peaceful coexistence.

Shortly after returning to the US, Shelly transferred from the international department to the purchasing department. Other than regularly working 11 hour days she really enjoys her new position.

Greg is working for his previous Hong Kong employer as a more-or-less permanent freelancer. He is also happy to be back at H&R Block doing taxes. Since there is now a district office in Salisbury, Greg will be able to continue working for them in the off season dealing with the messy tax issues – IRS audits and all that.

In February, Shelly took one last trip for the international department to Mersin, Turkey. Even though it was only a 3-day trip, she was able to spend one day sightseeing. This part of Turkey (Mediterranean Coast near Cyprus) has over 5,000 ancient ruins. She saw several castles and a church located at the bottom of a large crater that was built by the followers of Paul in the 5th century. The food was wonderful – yogurt, goat cheese, eggplant salads, bread (one loaf was 5ft long – like a giant naan – break off your section and pass it down the table), grilled meats and squid. The hospitality was also wonderful.


Two weekends ago, we flew to Iowa to attend Greg’s grandmother’s 90th birthday celebration. There was a tiara, limo ride, dinner for 100 friends and (sadly) false rumors that a stripper had been hired. In addition to attending the party and a breakfast with the extended family, we toured Herbert Hoover's birthplace and presidential museum-library (and his outhouse), wandered around the University of Iowa, visited the first capital (and capitol) of Iowa, saw where Greg was born (and lived for the first few years of his life) and toured Grant Wood’s art studio (where American Gothic was painted). [Secretly, I think Shelly is starting to like Iowa -- G]

The birthday girl

Greg calls on the Hoovers

Shelly pays a visit to the Hoover's outhouse

Iowa's first capitol, in its first capital

This spring we are looking forward to planting the vegetable garden, a visit from Shelly’s sister, going camping, visiting Greg’s brother and seeing their new house and vacationing overseas (Greg’s choice for the destination this year). We will also need to get to the beach – we are only 45 minutes away and our only trip so far was on a cold, blustery Friday evening.