I had a enjoyable and productive visit to Illinois. I spent a weekend in Peoria (first picture), a week in Decatur, then another weekend in Peoria. The week in Decatur was interesting if you are a Cat motor grader enthusiast - but since most of you readers are not, I will write about my weekends in Peoria.
Our housesitter, Jace, warmly welcomed me to stay with him at the Parkside manor. Though recently broken up with his girlfriend, he seemed to be happy and heathly and enjoying the Uplands digs. He was very busy, working multiple remodeling projects, tending bar, and putting his tax return together.
I enjoyed several dinners with our neighbors, Greg and Margaret (above), and their children. I almost didn't recognize Ellen when I first saw her - she looked so different with thick hair and a short haircut. I appreciated the vegetarian chili and warm hospitality. It was great to see all of them.
On the second Friday in Peoria, I attended the St. Mark's Smoker which is a Las Vegas Night hosted by the Men's Club. It was a great time and I was pleased and surprised to see three of my Mossville co-workers, Ron, Bob, and Jim, seated and playing poker. I joined their table and had a good time catching up with them. Meanwhile, Greg was cleaning up at the other table. Greg ended up on top in the first Hold 'Em tournament and winning a tidy sum. I won the second Hold 'Em tournament and broke even for my earlier losses. It was a good night for Greg and Tony.
On Saturday night, our friends and neighbors, Brad and Mary, hosted a St. Patrick's day party. The gathering was great fun and a nice opportunity for me to visit with many friends from the neighborhood.
I also had the chance to run a few times with my old jogging partners Jason and Mary. We ran on three different mornings during the week I was home. They have moved on to running marathons and were charitable enough to slow it down for a run with this old dog. Runs with these two are always enjoyable, particularly with Jason's stories of teaching school, remodeling houses, playing poker, monitoring the neighborhood, and discussing current events.
On Monday I had a meeting at my old office in Mossville and visited with colleagues in the Cat Engine Division. I saw many friends and had lunch with two of my favorite Cat guys - Dave and Josh. They both have baby girls that were born in the past year and the guys remain busy designing engine components for the next generation of low emissions construction equipment.
I had a bit of stress on Tuesday morning when I overslept and missed my predawn flight from Peoria to Chicago. Luckily, I was scheduled for a very long layover in Chicago and upon waking, left immediately to drive to O'Hare. I made it with enough time to spare and was ultimately grateful I skipped the PIA flight because Peoria probably would have troubled me for the large amount of excess baggage I was checking.
After seven months in China, I really enjoyed seeing all of these great people. I loved my meals at Panera and having the freedom to get in a car and go places without planning ahead. People wanted to quiz me about what was going on in Tibet, which of course I know almost nothing about because you don't get much news of Tibet when living in China. Pollution in Beijing was another popular conversation item. I was surprised by the high cost of gas ($3.50/gal) and perhaps not so surprised that a number of new title loan and cash stores had opened up in Peoria. All in all, it was great to be back in the U.S., but after 10 days away, it was also nice to return home to China. (Really, Kathleen, it's true).
Our housesitter, Jace, warmly welcomed me to stay with him at the Parkside manor. Though recently broken up with his girlfriend, he seemed to be happy and heathly and enjoying the Uplands digs. He was very busy, working multiple remodeling projects, tending bar, and putting his tax return together.
I enjoyed several dinners with our neighbors, Greg and Margaret (above), and their children. I almost didn't recognize Ellen when I first saw her - she looked so different with thick hair and a short haircut. I appreciated the vegetarian chili and warm hospitality. It was great to see all of them.
On the second Friday in Peoria, I attended the St. Mark's Smoker which is a Las Vegas Night hosted by the Men's Club. It was a great time and I was pleased and surprised to see three of my Mossville co-workers, Ron, Bob, and Jim, seated and playing poker. I joined their table and had a good time catching up with them. Meanwhile, Greg was cleaning up at the other table. Greg ended up on top in the first Hold 'Em tournament and winning a tidy sum. I won the second Hold 'Em tournament and broke even for my earlier losses. It was a good night for Greg and Tony.
On Saturday night, our friends and neighbors, Brad and Mary, hosted a St. Patrick's day party. The gathering was great fun and a nice opportunity for me to visit with many friends from the neighborhood.
I also had the chance to run a few times with my old jogging partners Jason and Mary. We ran on three different mornings during the week I was home. They have moved on to running marathons and were charitable enough to slow it down for a run with this old dog. Runs with these two are always enjoyable, particularly with Jason's stories of teaching school, remodeling houses, playing poker, monitoring the neighborhood, and discussing current events.
On Monday I had a meeting at my old office in Mossville and visited with colleagues in the Cat Engine Division. I saw many friends and had lunch with two of my favorite Cat guys - Dave and Josh. They both have baby girls that were born in the past year and the guys remain busy designing engine components for the next generation of low emissions construction equipment.
I had a bit of stress on Tuesday morning when I overslept and missed my predawn flight from Peoria to Chicago. Luckily, I was scheduled for a very long layover in Chicago and upon waking, left immediately to drive to O'Hare. I made it with enough time to spare and was ultimately grateful I skipped the PIA flight because Peoria probably would have troubled me for the large amount of excess baggage I was checking.
After seven months in China, I really enjoyed seeing all of these great people. I loved my meals at Panera and having the freedom to get in a car and go places without planning ahead. People wanted to quiz me about what was going on in Tibet, which of course I know almost nothing about because you don't get much news of Tibet when living in China. Pollution in Beijing was another popular conversation item. I was surprised by the high cost of gas ($3.50/gal) and perhaps not so surprised that a number of new title loan and cash stores had opened up in Peoria. All in all, it was great to be back in the U.S., but after 10 days away, it was also nice to return home to China. (Really, Kathleen, it's true).
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