I won't lie. I'm nervous as hell about moving my wife and baby to Poland. I'm worried about the availability of apartments, high rent, transportation, and money. I have plenty of worries in Vietnam, but money isn't one of them. I worry about my family's quality of life in Poland. I want my wife and daughter to be happy and enjoy the surroundings. Joanna adores her cousins,Vin and Hai, but they'll be far away. She likes her big bedroom, but I can guarantee that she won't have a room like this in Kety, Poland. We'll have to see how things work out, and act accordingly. Accordingly could mean anything, so there's no point in speculating. I know Phuong is excited to see another part of the world. I'm also looking forward to seeing Europe, and meeting new students.
I'm getting done what needs to get done in the United States, but sub-freezing temperatures are making life difficult. I like cold, but this is nasty cold with nasty wind and nasty snow and nasty freezing rain. I'm surviving, but I did lose two pairs of gloves already. I'm not used to carrying clothing like scarves and gloves and hats, in addition to my backpack and suitcase. I left my backpack in Starbucks yesterday, and of course my passport was inside. Went to my hotel, realized my backpack and passport were left behind, and jetted back to Starbucks. The backpack was right where I left it, between two chairs, with passport inside. In California, I left a suitcase containing $20,000 in cash at an outdoor table at a Starbucks. Came back and it was still sitting there. Lucky man, twice. Good people, twice.
I've gotten sick in the U.S. -- coughing, sneezing, runny nose and headache. Too much travel in too short a time. I drove 18 hours in four days -- Maryland to Ohio and back. I'll drive to Washington, D.C., today to see my brother and his family. Hopefully, my cold won't be a problem when I go to Poland in two days. I'll take off from Dulles and arrive in Katowice, Poland, on Thursday. The forecast is for a blizzard on Tuesday, and snow the rest of the week. Should help my cold.
I really miss my wife and daughter. We use Skype and talk on our laptops, and Joanna is saying more words -- happy, taxi, panda. It's so difficult being away from Phuong and Joanna.
I had a nice visit with my two daughters in the U.S., who are wonderful women. Both gave me sage parenting advice, really, and I appreciate any time I can spend with them now. I saw my friends Ron and Tommy, and had a wonderful brunch and chat with good friends Andy and Jane.
I wish I could have given out more of my blog "books" on this visit because the two I brought sold out immediately. Well, I gave them out immediately. It might make an OK bathroom book.
Hey, John, don't be nervous about going to Poland: it's eastern Europe so it's cheaper than most European countries; the food will settle you down — plenty of meat, potatoes and real beer; the fact that Phuong is Vietnamese and not from the Middle East will help; trains and buses are plentiful, and again, cheap. Enjoy; it will all be okay. Max
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