A new year and a new Walmart!

Yesterday, Cynthia, Julie, Connie and I took our lives in our hands and went to Walmart. What I mean is that Julie's driver is a crazy driver - our Westinghouse drivers are not nearly as wild and crazzeeyyy and I'm glad for that. I'm also glad I had my book to read so I didn't have to watch the road. He was weaving in and out of traffic. Pretty terrifying for me, an old lady. . . It was a real treat though. Saw lots of interesting things - Connie was looking for a bicycle and I think she found one - a folding one - that costs about $28.50. It's so cute - If we move to a decent area in June, I might think about getting one.

Walmart was great. Clean and not as crowded as Carrefour and we found Keebler crackers, Heinz ketchup and some beautiful produce. I bought carrots, chives, leeks for chicken soup (it's going to get cold again) and some great strawberries and bananas.

Mike went to see Avatar last night with John Kennedy. He really enjoyed the movie - I'm so glad because I would NEVER go see that kind of film. I'm glad he's found a buddy to do things like that with.

Today I attended the Chinese Symbols and Patterns lecture by Mr. Joe Zhou at the Shanghai Museum. It was lovely, we received a book detailing all the symbols particular to Chinese history and proceeded through the Museum checking out all those symbols we had learned.

Mr. Zhou treated us to tea and a pastry in the Tea Room. Cynthia and I enjoyed that and then we went over to the Museum Shop where we found many beautiful items - note cards, umbrellas, Chinese jackets and beautiful table runners. I wish I had lots of money to spend but I know I will not be able to keep all the beautiful things I've seen here. My apartment is only 3 bedrooms and my house in Plum won't contain all Chinese furniture and other items.

Was supposed to meet John to go to the Fabric Market - he and Jane are going to a work dinner tomorrow and they need to wear traditional Chinese clothing. I couldn't get a hold of him -his Chinese phone is being wonky and Jane's has lost it's charge. Go figure! He will meet me tomorrow morning and we'll check out the scene then.

Need to check on Myszka - she had a cough yesterday - it is going around. And my friend, Sue hasn't been well since she got back. The dirt and grime of coal-fired power plants really takes a toll on us living here.