Back in action

Well, hello everyone, this is James back at the keyboard after a week of feeling pretty awful. I have really only started feeling better this afternoon so I don't want to make too many claims for a full recovery but I do think I'm on the mend. I finally took an antibiotic for bacterial intestinal problems even though some of the side effects are down right scary. This seems to be helping almost immediately and dramatically. The label said if there was no improvement in 24 hours to stop taking it so I guess I'll finish the three days of treatment even though I believe I'll feel fine tomorrow - always finish your antibiotics ladies and gentlemen.

Now that I'm back, I don't have a lot to say because all I've done for a week is sleep, eat a little, feel lousy, go to class, feel lousier, sit on the couch and oh yeah, go to the bathroom a lot. I now have great empathy for people who get travellers diarrhea. It's a good thing Linda wasn't full of energy or this week would have been really hard on her. She has been incredibly nice to me though even though I still have to do the cooking and dishwashing. Wait a minute, I did some cooking this week, too!

Today one of our Chinese friends came over for a visit. He was very glad to see us and we spent a delightful time reacquainting ourselves and talking about what is important to each of us in life.

Tomorrow is Baha'i Feast. It is sad for us that we are not able to celebrate with our friends in Springfield but we will be there in spirit. It was a spiritual challenge for me to come back to Tianjin this time. I was reacquainted with all the things I love about home, I got to meet my new grandson and we got to spend a lot of time with friends and family. I guess the fact that we didn't have to work played a part in our enjoyment. But, really, as soon as we returned my heart was warmed by the Chinese people. It may be because I am from the west but I feel so welcomed here, unlike anyplace else I have ever lived.

So I have included a picture of my grandson. I probably have enough to put a different one on the blog every day until we return but they will get too out of date. I'll probably only do that for a month or two.