One Year and Counting

As of the 19th of February, it is one year that we are in Suzhou.  Over one year and one month as of today, the 26th of March.  Over a year without driving a car or fast internet or decent TV.  Over a year without seeing people who are very important to me.

Not much of note has happened since the last posting on February 26.  Sure, there were some trips to local tourist spots.  And there were some really good parties for Mardi Gras and Saint Pattrick's Day.  But these were not too much different than many of the other blog postings.  I have to face the truth....life in Suzhou during the first few months of 2012 has fallen into a rut.

The weather hasn't helped.  If 2012 has been the year without a winter in the U.S., it has been the year without a sun in China.  Cooler than normal.  More rain than normal.  When there are no clouds overhead, it is only because the clouds have descended to ground level and shrouded the world in fog.  Occasionally, the wind picks up and drives away the fog, but it also drives the rain like a sandblaster.  In the absence of the sun the world has no colors.  At least no bright colors.  The view from the window has looked like an old color TV with a failing picture tube.   

Also, things at work have been getting much more time-consuming.  We are in the busy phase of the project now - just weeks before we go-live.  Days are spent chasing problems and evenings are spent explaining the problems to folks in the U.S. over the phone.  Such is life.

But two days ago, the sun came out.  The temperatures got up into the sixties and the world regained it's colors.  So maybe...just maybe...there will be some more frequent updates now.