Historical Reference

I was in Atlanta, GA this week for business meetings and thought I would capture a few events for historical reference later.  Before I go on, I should mention how much it struck me that the people I work with are truly awesome.  I spent some great time catching up and sharing a few of our experiences.  I am so grateful for the support system that I have through work; some of our expat friends do not seem to have this and I think it really makes a difference for the spouse that's working in China.

• Bin Laden was of course captured last week.  There wasn't as much press about the actual capture as there was on the negative fallout (Pakistan / U.S. relationship, etc.), well covered by the Chinese media.  Sounds just like the U.S. media; and China is criticized for controlling their media, things that make you go "hmmm".  Also, I noted that there was a "Seal Team Six" book at B&N already out.  How is that possible?!?!?
• I achieved "Gold" status this week on Delta.  Wooohooo!  I think it means I can board with the Business class people and I get a special priority sticker put on my checked bags.  So this is how the other half lives.
• Trader Joes expanded their cereal line since we left.  I got at least two of each!  We adopted the habit of having cereal for breakfast on Mondays in order to conserve it.  Another expat family calls the practice "Měiguó Monday" (America Monday), which we thought was a great idea so we stole it shamelessly.  I didn't count specifically, but I have 12 to 15 boxes of cereal I'm checking.
• Total checked bag weight tops 120 lbs.  I get a 70 lb. per bag limit and two free checked bags, so I bring 3 nested bags when I come to the states, fill them up, then check two for the way back.  Common items I bring back are:
• The aforementioned cereal
• Granola bars
• Legos - not just to feed our familial obsession, but I also picked them up for future gifts.  They easily cost twice as much in China (I already think they cost three times more then they're worth).
• Salad dressings - they just aren't the same here.
• Spices - a friend brought me some garlic salt on one of their previous trips, but it has mysteriously disappeared from our house...
• Books - typically kids books (we're now into GI Joe, so I found the old comic books rebound at B&N, also anything by Rick Riordan).
• Hickory - refer to earlier blogs for the lack of BBQ supplies here.  Yes, I actually check wood.
• Stain remover / prewash that aren't available here - mainly due to using chopsticks so much, hopefully after a few years this won't be an issue.
• Diet Mountain Dew for friends - also not available.  Mainstream sodas (Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi, etc.) are, but the tier two ones are not, especially the diet varieties.  Fun fact - a 12 pack of soda weighs over 10 lbs.; I have checked 5 of them this trip.
• Wii games - we can get a lot there, cheaply.  But, they aren't the mainstream games we typically like at our house.  This trip I picked up Lego Pirates of the Caribbean for a future birthday.