It's all go!

After so long, everything has come in and Zhe has been given a visa.

I am feeling so elated. Now I have to wait until she gets a flight here. Everything is fantastic and I just want to go out to the airport and wait for her to come through the customs doors.

Have to be busy over the next couple of weeks cleaning the house up. But I am so rapt.

Thanks God, for making this possible.

I'm feeling really tired of things

Today I feel really tired and sore around my shoulders. Work has slowed right down with everybody waiting for Christmas and I am just waiting for the days to go by until the Christmas break. Everything with Zhe is in and we're just waiting for the decision. I hope it comes soon, after 2 years and 10 months of a long distance relationship i just want her here. I think this waiting is really getting to me.

I can't be bothered doing anything.

Good Garden Day

Today was a good gardening day.

I have this area at the side of my house which I haven't weeded for years. This morning I got up early went for a walk and then when I came home got to work. It was so over grown with weeds, every time I would walk passed this area and think one day I'm going to fix this area and today was the day that I decided to do it. Started work around 10.00 and finished at 4.00. Now it looks like it did about 4 years ago. So much has happened to me since then. I am so glad that I cleaned this area up.

Zhe I hope will be here soon. Everything that I am doing at the moment is aimed at her being here. Come on consulate. Give her the visa.

It's been a while.

This morning I am sitting at work, thinking about filling the day and wanting to write something. It has been a while, but as there is no one out there, who cares I'm only writing for myself- that's a challenge to anyone reading to contact me. I have been reading Amy Tan's The opposite of fate. I have enjoyed it immensely. It is one of those books where you read something and think "the same thing happened to me!" There's a skill in writing like that, that convinces the reader of shared experiences. I wish I could write.

Zhe and I are currently waiting for the visa. We have done everything and can now only wait for an answer. I've been waiting for nearly 3 years and now we are almost there. Can I still do it? Can I still open up and share my life with someone else? What about the things that you find out about another only after living with them. Can I cope with that, finding out about Zhe and she finding out about me. All that kind of stuff.

Getting back in after a while off

It is a long time since I last wrote. Things have been moving pretty quickly on the get Zhe here front. It should all happen in the next month or so. I think she will be here before Christmas. I have been trying to clean up the house and get things ready for when she arrives.

Today was a hot day, did a bit of gardening though and went shopping not much to write about really.

Might go and watch a DVD I think

Nothing of Particular Importance --yeah right

It's Saturday night and I'm sitting here at the computer. I have just finished reading my round of other people's blogs and I wish I could write like some of them.

Blogs are such wonderful things. Reading people's thoughts, sharing their experiences no matter what part of the world there in. It's just amazing.

I haven't got much to write about tonight so I'll end it here.
Keep on blogging.

Wo xihuan

I like going to meet you around 9.00, early before you finish work.
I like standing in the noisy, busy street (Ma Chang dao) and watching you through the window, the big boss. Later, later than the stated knock off time you come out and see me waiting for you. Sometimes you criticised me for what I was wearing, or the fact that I was sitting on a step. Didn't I see the people spit whereever they felt like?

And then we would walk back to the hotel, get into the lift and go up to my room. There we would drink tea and talk, using dictionaries when we didn't understand. And I would look at you and think "top of the world".

Then later you would get up to go and I would go down in the lift with you and walk you to your bike and you would ride off into the noisy night.

And I would think. One night we will be together. We will be home.


Qinaide, I know how hard you work. I remember one night I met you at JuYou's place and when you came in, wearing your uniform straight from work I watched you rip your tie off with such disdain. Your staff and customers see the boss, the laoban. But darling, I can see your heart

Sitting here on Friday

Hi All,

Come on is there anyone out there who reads this. What was that movie where an alien listens to the radio waves coming form Earth and decides to come and say hello. Was one of Lloyd Bridges sons in it? I remember he brings a deer back to life after it had been shot by some hunter. It's going to be like that. Someone will one day read this and get back to me.

I've been playing on the internet for the last two hours reading other people's blogs. Mine pales into insignificance with some of them. Some have photos, music and everything! One day I might find out how you do that. Outside it is pouring rain. Very heavy on the roof. Good, we need the rain.

It's Friday night and I haven't got a clue what I am going to do over the weekend. I might go to the library tomorrow and read something. I've also got to go shopping. Sometime next week I have to take the cat to the vet to get her annual vaccination.
Must remember to do that and yes get the termite person back here to get rid of them.

It looks like it is going to rain for awhile, so it's probably to wet to do some gardening tomorrow.

What's happening in the news A US bombing raid has killed women and children in a village near the city of Baquba. Terrible.

Our minister for the environment has given his go ahead for a huge timber mill in Tasmania. Money definately does count. What chance has the environment got. What else is there - Don't get me started on the immigration minister and his views on Africans. Come on election! But what will we get when we throw the conservatives out- Hopefully we will vote them out! Just some more clones.

Anyway I might go and do something else. See you next time.

Sick Tuesday

It's Tuesday morning and I should be at work. But i've got a cold and I'm going to take the day off and rest. Yesterday I went to work and every one was asking me why I had come in. Telling me go home and don't come in tomorrow. So I'll oblige them. There is something tapping me from behind, reminding me that I have had a few too many days off work recently.

It's the week after the grand final. Geelong won - good luck to them, I don't mind. Melbourne Storm won the rugby. It's funny how many people like rugby when a Melbourne team wins the grand final. I find watching a game of rugby to be as painful as some of the hits that you see inflicted in the game itself.

Outside it is sunny and it could be a nice day. I'm not going to do much, I've got to write to Zhe and get that posted. Might watch a dvd or something, go to the library and do some study (if the headache allows).

My Father's cardigan

My wife was cleaning out the garage, throwing out stuff that she determined we no longer needed. My wife is like that, she determines and is determined. Anyway, she threw out an old hand broom that I had brought to the house years ago from my parent's house after they had died. It was the broom my mother used to hit me with when I was a kid. I watched her throwing it into the rubbish bin, thinking do I retrieve this or not?

This post was redited on 19/09/2013

.

I haven't done much all day. I wanted to do some gardening but I just haven't got around to it yet.

Both my parents have died. My mother in 1995 and my father in November, 2005. I struggle to forgive my mother. She hurt me and although I try to see life through her eyes, I just can't quite accept what she did to me. I was born with hypothyroidism which makes me a cretin. My mother could never look beyond this and never thought I had much potential. Two days before she passed away, I had my last conversation with her. She told me I was a failure. That's my mother's legacy to me. She died before I had begun to look at her differently, before I could reflect on her own life and how she had been raised. My father on the other hand, lived longer and in that time I healed

. When I was a kid he was one of those fathers that always played with you. Football, cricket in the back yard. We used to watch the football every weekend. He would tell us stories about films like Frankenstein and Robin Hood and tell us his World war II stories - always sanitised. Those sorts of things. But he was always a very simple, gentle man. In the teenage years when separation starts, I admit I didn't see him as being much at all. We never talked much, ringing him up to say hello, but never having a conversation with him. A few words at most. Then, you would only see him at Christmas or on his birthday, those days that you had to be there.

He was in hospital for a few months and it was miles away from where I live and anyway, my brother and my sisters visited him, so why should I go every weekend.


And now he's gone and every weekend I wear his cardigan. It's my favourite piece of clothing.

Spring Saturday Morning 7.45

Saturday has come again and it looks like it is going to be a nice day outside. I've got my gardening pants on. So I might get into it later on. This morning I've got to do the shopping and then afterwards see what happens. I'm feeling good today, Collingwood were beaten in football last night and aren't going to play in the Grand final next week.

I'll tell you a story.

Once upon a time, a neighbour returned a large pot to its owner and when the owner looked inside the pot he saw a little pot.

"What's this doing here?"The owner asked the neighbour.
"Öh" said the neighbour. "The pot must have been pregnant and had a baby."

The owner thought this to be one complete rubbish, but he'd got himself a new pot, so he merely replied to the neighbour. "Yes, it must have had a baby."

Several weeks later, the neighbour again knocked on the pot owner's door and asked to borrow the large pot. The owner, thinking that he may again get a small pot wnet to the kitchen and gave it to the neighbour.

Time passes and the owner of the pot began to wonder when his neighbour was going to return it. One day he could wait no longer and went over to his neighbour's house.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news," The neighbour answered when he was asked about the pot. Ït got sick one day and although I tried my best to care for it, it passed away. I buried it in the garden."

"What are you talking about." The pot's owner replied. "How can a pot die, it's something made it doesn't have life."

Öh, but you said it can have a child. If it is alive enough to have a child, then surely it can die."

The pot's former owner coudn't think of anything to say and went back to his house potless.


That story came from a website www.submission.org I like it, like I do all folk stories.

I had better go, the animals are wanting to be fed.

Cheers until next time.

It's Sunday again

My computer is doing funny things. I wish I knew about computers so I can figure out what is going on.

It's Sunday afternoon, I have just finished making a cake and am waiting for it to finish baking.

I was out in the backyard this afternoon and I uncovered what I think are termites near the side of my house. Great. I am feeling over the moon about that let me tell you. I haven't had much of a weekend to speak off and now I came across termites.

I am trying to look on the bright side it was a little bit away from the house. Maybe it's OK. I've looked and can't see any other wood that looks damaged.

Last night my football team got beaten and so they're finished to next year. Something will have to go right for the remaining hours of this weekend.

Can't really be bothered writing much

Come on Zhe call me.

Hump Day Love and the whole damn thing

On Monday morning I woke up thinking about Zhe and our future together. We have a child, a daughter Elizabeth. I have often dreamed about the three of us over the last few months. I've seen Elizabeth eating a boiled egg for breakfast and then chasing the duck around the backyard. I have seen her and her mother cuddling and talking together and I have seen me playing with her. Anyway I woke with an ache on Monday. I needed family.

So I went to the library (great places libraries) and I borrowed The Blue Jay's dance by Louise Erdrich. It was pretty much the first book that came up on the catalogue when I typed in whatever keywords I put in. Anyway, i'm just about finished it. I suppose it's the new age man coming out in me but I really like this book. I love the way that writers can write about love. How Erdrich talking about love moves from the baby she carries around, out into other rooms of her house, or under her house with spiders webs and into the garden and then out into the woods beyond. The whole book is about love for her family, but it is also a great gardening book and a cookbook. The whole alchemy of family life. This evening on the train home from work. I wanted to tell the woman and complete stranger opposite me all about the book. I had it on my knee hoping that she would go "Oh you are reading The blue jays dance, isn't it a great read? Don't you like the bit when..."

Oh I am wanting Zhe. I want to lie in bed with her and cuddle into her. I want to reach out with my arm and draw her near to me. To make love to her and for her to make love to me. To kiss her, to be tender. I am so wishing that she could be here.

I have been in this funny mood all day. Where I want to sing and dance. It's wanting to be Mick Jagger and sing and dance on stage. When I was younger I loved Mick Jagger. But now I recognise that it wasn't love so much as yearning to be like him. The little boy, bullied at school wanting to be Jumping Jack Flash. A few years ago I saw the Rolling Stones on stage in Melbourne. They played Midnight Rambler and I was wishing that Jagger would bring out the belt and get down on the floor and do the belt thumping thing that he used to do. I wanted to feel young again with them. I was sitting there begging him to do it. To take me back, but he didn't.

A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning out some old boxes in the garage and I came across a cassette. On one side I had taped some of Exile on Main Street and on the other side I had taped Pete Townshend's White City Fighting. I must have down it years ago. Anyway I have been constantly playing it in the car. Old songs that you never tire off. Like old friends.

I suppose I had better be off now. I've got to ring Zhe tonight and it's a little cold sitting here.

See you later.

Sunday Night Extra.

Oh, there was something exciting happen.

Yaaba my muscovy duck started laying eggs again... Good on you Yaabs!

Sunday Night

Damm it, Sunday rolls around and tomorrow's Monday. Back to work.

I had one of those weekends where it seems promising enough, but then you don't end up doing anything. I can't remember doing anything mildy interesting yesterday. Perhaps getting my haircut. Today I got up and went to church - the first time for about a month and half way through the service, I was thinking about how good it was to be back there. What has happened to me in the last couple of years, that I've come to like going to church? This afternoon I went over to Shu Shu's and it was like what happens when old friends meet. It seemed like I hadn't seen her for five minutes rather than almost 2 years. We just started talking and picked up where we left off.

I've got some washing and ironing to do but I am going to leave that for someother time. I'm feeling tired tonight and will go to bed after writing this.

Monday tomorrow I can't get excited.

See you later.

Saturday Morning Rolls Around Again

Well here it is, Saturday morning has rolled around again and through the window it looks like the first day of Spring will be a fine one. Which, on the one hand is great I can go outside in the garden, but not so good without rain as far as the drought goes. I have been collecting rain running off the roof of my garage and the barrells that store the water are not much more that half full. Melbourne looks like it is going to have a bad summer, with little rain again this year.

I have just finished feeding my four legged and feathered friends and am just passing the time waiting to go grocery shopping.

What's happening in the news - The opposition leader Kevin Rudd has criticised George Bush for interfering in domestic politics for not agreeing with the ALP wishing to withdraw troops from Iraq. With all the Asia Pacific leaders including George in Sydney next week, the demonstraters and political activists have arrived in force and have already hit the streets. Meanwhile, our little leader John Howard has stated that he might expand the intervention into the indigenous community in the Northern Territory. According to the ABC website - ...during the week Mr Howard promised an extra 66 Australian Federal Police will be sent to the Territory.

Mr Howard has told NT Stateline, the Commonwealth is in the Territory for the long term, not just until the election.

"We will be making further statements about ongoing financial commitments, but it's a bit rich for the Northern Territory Government to be suggesting that this is just an election stunt," he said.

"That really is trivialising it and at any event I thought the Labor Party federally was in favour of it."

While the Prime Minister maintains his health check teams as part of the intervention will significantly improve the lives of Indigenous children, the list of NT doctors opposing them is growing.

The health checks for Indigenous children under the age of 16 are a key component of the Commonwealth's response to the Little Children are Sacred report.

The Federal Government says the checks identify significant health issues and plan follow-up treatments.

But the director of Northern Territory Renal Services, Paul Lawton, disagrees.

"We don't see any ongoing care coming out of that package," he said.

Maningrida doctor Paul Burgess is another who has spoken publicly against the checks this week.

Both men say the territory's doctors would rather see more money being spent on providing sustainable resources for doctors who are experienced in Indigenous health.

Meanwhile, Mr Howard has defended a plan to punish school truants in the central Australian community of Yuendumu community by making them pick up rubbish...


Somebody should tell Howard about giving Aboriginals axe heads, blankets and mirrors why not it's worked before and Howard just loves the old ways of doing things.

Anyway enough of this, I better go shopping.

Bye until next time.

A Friend Indeed and Blogs

Have you ever had one of those moments when a friend just does something so special for you that it really wakes you up to what friendship is all about. When my ex partner suddenly left me, I lost a lot of people that I thought were my friends. The ones that stayed unwittingly become reminders of my life with my ex and all the pain that I went through after she went. So I stopped contacting them.

On Saturday one of them rang me - I haven't seen her for almost two years - and asked me what I thought I was doing. Over the last couple of years I've met Zhe and I love her so much, but she is in China and i'm here and the loneliness hurts. When my friend rang me I just felt so comforted by her. I didn't have to hide anymore and I could tell her how much I value her friendship. Shu Shu, you have a loving husband and two great kids- you are successful at what you do, I just want to tell you that you are also a great friend and I am so thankful that you are around.

I am not a great blogger. Sometimes I have this script in my head and it seems really good and interesting then when I come to write it, its like I have writer's block and I just write drivel. I also like to read other people's blogs, mostly gardening or food blogs - there are some good recipes out there. However today I was reading an article on the BBC's world news page about Iraqi bloggers. Of course I knew there was people in Iraq writing blogs it's just that I have never read them. However today I did. I just want to say how moving some of them are. Ordinary people writing about being bombed and shot at while trying to do things that are so taken for granted by most of us. Here in Melbourne, Australia the only major problem we have at the moment is a bout of horse flu which could disrupt the Melbourne Cup. I just hope those Iraqi bloggers keep safe and I hope that there is peace soon. Thank you for reaching out to us who have it so easy and sharing your stories.
And now, good night everyone.

It's been a while

Yes, It has been sometime since I wrote. I have'nt really had the urge to write about anything. Moreover, the computer is in the coldest room of the house and some nights I just don't want to come out here.

I've finished Harry Potter. Fantastic. loved the ending. Now for fun I am reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms (english) and I am watching the dvds (Chinese) of it to boot. I love the story but there are so many characters! Yes, I know Cao Cao and Liu Bei, Lu Bu, Kuan Yu and Zhang Fei, but when they're not in it, you start thinking who's that guy again. I was trying to read one chapter, then watch it on dvd, but it doesn't work out. Anyway, I've already seen the dvd of it before and I really like it.

Today is Saturday and I am trying to work out what I will do this afternoon. Maybe get out and do some gardening.


Better go. I want to get one DVD in over lunch and then get to work.

See you

Thursday, one day to go and counting

Hi, I know I haven't written for a few days, but I have been busy reading Harry Potter and doing other things. I am quickly going to write this blog and then get back to it. I'm half way through it and I'm wishing it doesn't end. Because I have to say, I like all the hype that surrounds Harry Potter.

Have you noticed how quickly time passes when you are on a computer?

Last night I had the Pastor from my church come around to see me. They (church Elders) are not happy about me and Zhe. I keep trying to tell them that I know she will become a Christian but they don't seem to believe me. I don't like people - even Pastors telling me what I should believe. A my God is bigger than your God thing. Listening to a sermon is one thing. But having someone lecture you in your own living room is another. When I meet my God on judgement day, He or she can tell me what s/he thinks then. I don't need someone else to tell me what God thinks about me. I can enter into my own relationship with God thank you very much.

Anyway must go, Harry and then my prayers await before I go to sleep tonight.

Best wishes and love to all

Monday again

The first blog for a few days. I've just forgotten to get in and write. Perhaps the enthusiasm is wearing thin. I'm here listening to Radio Swiss Classic. Didn't do much over the weekend, the weather was fine though, so I did a bit of gardening, mowed the lawn did some weeding. On Sunday morning I went to Church. We have a new Pastor'who seems alright.

I tried to ring Zhe, but she must have been working. On Saturday morning I bought the new Harry Potter book. I'm currently up to page 134. Wonder how it is all going to end? I don't think he'll die.

What's happening in the news - Zahir Shah, the former King of Afghanistan has died, Our Prime Minister has declared that voting for the Labor Party in the upcoming election would be madness - what else would he say! Dr Haneef is still in Jail - a political prisoner if you ask me, there's been a number of deaths due to mudslides and floods in Indonesia. That'll do.

Tomorrow I'll write more.

Good day Thursday

Tonight I am happy. This afternoon I went to the lawyer to see about Zhe coming here. Everything is just about ready to go in. It has taken 7 months to get everything to this stage. Zhe could be here within a couple of months. Oh I hope the Government lets her come.

I am listening to Radio Swiss Classic again tonight, the music is still glorious -Felix Mendelssohn I love listening to radio on the internet. I will go to bed happy tonight. I have done the washing up, it's cold but the bed is warm I'll cuddle up and my cat will keep me company. Zhe, I know you are working, tommorrow I will give you a ring.

I think I'll end it here tonight and just listen to the music for a while.

Cheers.

Wednesday is Hump Day

Well it's Wednesday, or as one of my colleagues at work calls it Hump Day. Monday and Tuesday, you climb the hill, but when you get over the hump on Wednesday, it's all down hill for Thursday and Friday to the weekend.



Bring on the weekend. The Bureau of Meteorology says that the weather will be fine. I know there's a drought and all, but after it's been cold amd wet most days over the last few weeks since I've been back from China, I am so glad it will be fine.



What's making news today. 600 workers at the Ford factory in Geelong will lose their jobs - and a few more when the automative parts companies that supply Ford also go under. North Korea have closed down more facilities at its nuclear plant, there's plenty of problems in Pakistan and a plane crash kills 200 in Brazil.



Tomorrow I have to see the immigration lawyer about getting Zhe out here. I wish they would hurry up. I received a card and a letter from her yesterday. Love you Zhe.



I am listening to a Swiss radio station - Radio Swiss Classic and they are playing glorious music. I think I will get off this and listen to it awhile. It's 7 degrees in Melbourne and it's cold.



I'll talk to you tomorrow.

All Ways Look on the Bright Side

I wasn't at my best last night. I ended up getting drunk and feeling sorry for myself. I have gone into this malaise lately and cannot seem to climb out of it.

The weather hasn't helped either today it was really cold again. The temperature didn't get above 9 degrees. I am going to finish this blog, write an email to Zhe, do some housework- the dishes and a bit of ironing and then go to bed. It's the only place that is warm. I'll watch some TV then read a book for a bit before I turn the light out. There are some times when I like going to bed early. This, I think will be one of them.

So what is going on in the world. Here, we've got politicians interfering in the justice system. In Japan we've had a earthquake that's killed 9 people, injured hundreds and driven thousands from their homes, more bombs have gone off in Iraq and a Turkish politician has been shot dead. Wonderful!

My Bible verse of the day is from Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God .

I wonder what God thinks of his children.

I remember listening to Encounter on Radio National and they had a lecture by the Anglican Bishop Tom Wright of Durham, England. He was speaking about doubt and I think it was one of the best talks on religion that I have ever heard. There are sometimes when I strongly believe in God but there are other times when I have my doubts.

My God is a He and a She whose power is so far above ours that it can't be calculated. Can you imagine how powerful the creator of the universe must be? I'm not a creationist who thinks that Genesis is the absolute truth. I think that Genesis is the same as other religion's creation myths. However,mostly I do believe in God.

And my Jesus is the son of God, he's a great teacher, but I also imagine him as someone you can go down the pub with, or watch the footy with.

Anyway, enough of this. I'll end it here tonight.

Monday Evening

Today is my birthday and I am sitting here at the computer drinking Budweiser. You might wonder why I'm drinking American beer. Well it happens to be Zhe's favourite beer. So I drink it and think about her. Last night I rang her. She is so beautiful and I love her so much. I just wish she would get here. We have to prove we love one another. Very hard to do with the Australian Government vilifying all and sundry at the moment. It's election year after all.

But I love her and I will not stop loving her.


How do I finish this blog, I've been reading food blogs- but I haven't any good recipes. Today is my birthday and I feel miserable.

Blow it, I am allowed to feel miserable.

Sunday Evening Blog

Well it's Sunday night and it's cold. I didn't do all that much on the weekend - last night I went out to the airport again and picked up some more friends who this time were coming in from Perth. I dropped them off where they were staying and got home around 1.00 this morning.

This morning I went to church - something I actually enjoy - wouldn't have imagined that 3 years ago. My life has changed quite a bit in the last couple of years. Now, I'm going to finish this and then go and ring my fiancee in China.

I'll tell you a story. I don't know where it came from except it's African and I heard it somewhere and really liked it. Because I like stories.

In the beginning God made the Earth from the rocks, there were no creatures on Earth other than tortises and humans. There was also no death nor births - the people and the tortises lived forever.

One day the tortises got fed up with being bored and seeing the same tortises day in day out and some approached God and asked Him if they could have children. God told them that if there was to be birth, then there must also be death. The tortises didn't know what death was, but being bored, they told God that it would be OK.

The next morning, the female tortises gave birth to young, which was greeted by much excitement.

The humans heard all the celebrating coming from the tortises and thought that they would like to have children too. So some of them went to see God and asked Him if they too could have young. Yes, God said, but like the tortises, if you have birth then you must also have death. Well, the humans didn't know what death was either. However, they didn't want to miss out so they agreed.

That evening, the humans heard a great wail of anguish coming from the tortises as some of their number died. They began to have second thoughts about agreeing to have birth and death.

However, they had committed themselves to God and so we have birth and death.

A few days later, God thought it would only be fair to ask the rocks, if they wanted to have birth and death as well. But the rocks had seen what had happened to the tortises and humans and kept silent.

So this is why there is birth and death among the creatures of the Earth, but the rocks live on forever.


Well that's what I remember of it anyway.

OK, so I will finish here and go and ring China. See you.

A Cold Saturday Morning

This morning I had to get up early and go to Melbourne Airport to pick up some friends who were coming in from China. The weather is fine, but it is a little cold. I like going to the airport and meeting people. Of course there is one person I really want to meet at Melbourne Airport - hopefully she will be here soon.


I think I am going to go and do some housework after this. I think I'll go to the nursery this afternoon and buy something. A few years ago, I decided to collect succulents and cactai. I'm now thinking about moving on to bonsai. I have a courtyard at the back of my house that needs doing up and I'm thinking about getting a few bonsai and setting them around the place. I'll see..





Anyway, I'd better get on and do something

The Art of Long Distance Love

Three years ago, I left home and went to work, when I came home my partner of eight years had gone with most of the furniture. It was quite a kick. If you want to hurt someone, let me tell you just leaving without an explanation causes exquisite pain.

Then two and a half years ago a friend showed me a photograph and asked me if I was interested in this woman. I looked and thought she was alright so I said yes. The only problem being she is in China. Well, we started to ring each other up and write letters and then things were going OK so I went to China to see her. She was beautiful.

I came home and the letters and phone calls continued. Then I needed to go and see her again. I took time off work and flew to China and there she was - still beautiful. Half way through the trip I told her I loved her. It was something that I said on the spur of the moment, just a gut response. But seconds later it hit me. I meant it. Later that night when she had left the hotel and gone home, I went for a walk and just walked and walked thinking about everything that had happened to me and led me to this.

That was last year. Now I don't think of her as a separate person. There is just us. Not a day goes by without me thinking of her a hundred odd times. I am trying to get her a visa to come here. Sometimes it's like she is already here. I picture her walking in the street, going grocery shopping with me on Saturday mornings. I imagine all the places I want to take her to, when she finally gets here. I just love her and want her here.

The First Blog

It is a cold Friday night in Melbourne and I am sitting here listening to German radio - playing Bach over the internet. This is one of the few things that I use my home computer for. I like listening to internet radio from across the miles. Perhaps it goes back to my childhood when I used to play around with shortwave on the radio and see what I could pick up.



This is my first blog. I'm wondering what to write, I've got nothing to say. I recently started to use Picasa and then I thought well why not use other tools on Google and here I am. Should I tell you a little bit about me.



I am here in Melbourne, Australia. I'm 51 on the 16th of July, that's next Monday. I have a house, car, budgerigar, cat and a duck. My job is interesting sometimes. I have to read everyday otherwise I go crazy. I don't really have a favourite television program. I like to listen to the radio. Radio National.



Outside it is raining,