Nihao Neighbors - What a Great New Service!
My good friends from One for the Road pub in Dongguan, always send me newsletters to keep me connected with goings on back in my former home. Jason, the manager, had a little contest to see who could catch an error in his last monthly edition. Within minutes, he had over 150 entries. I wish I had that much interest in my blog!
They recently started offering a monthly classified newsletter for interested local businesses and individuals to reach the ex-pat community through the OftR mailing list. This month the Classified featured a most interesting new group. They call themselves Nihao Neighbors, for being the Welcome Wagon for expats to Dongguan. Nihao means hello in Mandarin. And this group of ladies states that they:
"have come together to offer guidance and information as you take your first steps toward the adventure of living in Dongguan, China. Yes, you CAN have a great time and meet some terrific friends while on this journey. We've been where you are and we're ready to help you get started."
What a great concept, and should be of great service to newcomers to the area.
Wish they had been there when I got to Dongguan.
But what really got my attention at their website is a monthly feature: To Pee Or Not To Pee (toilet report)! Yes, it’s a toilet report! Where: “Each month we will feature a clean western toilet complete with paper and hand washing facilities.”
Remember how I showed on Facebook recently where Asian toilets are “squatty style.” Well, here they are helping new residents – particularly the ladies – know where to find “Western Style” toilets when out and about in Dongguan! Great new service!
Labels: China News, Dongguan
GB Update: Four Months!!
Another month past! Yep, yesterday marked my fourth month with my new kidney! Really nice to keep counting down the months.
And I’m really getting down to a normal life finally. Wound vac is gone. I can roll over in my sleep without getting tangled in dialysis or vacuum pump tubes! What a comfort! This is great.
I did have a few scares, but all turned out to be nothing major. First, I’ve mentioned that my foot had severe aches for a long time. Doctors felt it was a flair up of gout. I’ve had it before, so that was only reasonable. But medications just weren’t reliving the pain. And x-rays had shown no visible concerns. So finally I had a bone scan last week. And surprise: I have a broken metatarsal bone! Nothing I can do for it now. It’s healing already. Just gotta be careful and let it heal more. Big positive: not gout, nor infection (which really scared me!)
Second, I had some swelling in area of my new kidney. Doctors thought this might be another hernia. Can’t imagine that, since I had played golf so easy (yeah – right!). Well, luck again prevailed. After CT scan, it just seems to be a little swelling or fat. Don’t laugh! I have a right to be concerned about such things when I’m depending on this new kidney now!
I’ve even been working some. I spent a week in Toronto recently for an office furniture manufacturer (connected by an old friend). And I’m working in Thomasville with an upholstery plant for a month. I even have some good leads on a permanent job. Afraid it may take me back to Asia. I want to work there, but prefer to base in US now. Just not sure I can find anything that good. We’ll see.
In meantime, I can get back to golf!
Labels: kidney transplant
