Pumping Pumping Heart

Today is the day to check my baby's heart beat. I am in China now so my mother-in-law accompanied Allie to the hospital. One of Allie's ex-colleague told her their baby did not had heart beat so their doctor asked them to have an abortion or else the mother could be endangered. This of course made us worried, although none of us speak out.

Luckily, a blinking tiny spot on the ultrasonic screen, and strong sound wave patterns appeared. Good job! Now it's 6.88 weeks and 0.918 cm. Keep the good work!

Take Another Look at Suzhou

Today I have a chance to visit Suzhou for sight-seeing. Although I spent five days in Suzhou last week, I saw nothing but the exhibition center. My colleagues and I made use of the public transportation system, which is the main method for the locals. It took about $5 RMB and half hour drive from Wujiang to Suzhou South Bus Terminal, and another $1 or $2 to downtown. City bus system connects every attractions for 1 or 2 RMB each ride, so it's easy to get around in the city. However, the tickets for the attractions are not cheap, especially at hot season (Apr. 16 - Oct. 30). Due to limited time, we only visited the Han Shan Temple and the famous Maple Bridge.

Suzhou eMEX

Today is the last day od Suzhou eMEX, the electronics manufacturer's exposition. My company Microtek spent a lot of money and devoted over 20 people for its first exposition in China. People from Taiwan, Beijing, Shanghai and nearby Wujiang factory gathered at Suzhou International Exposition Center, hoping to have a good start at China for our own TV brand. Speaking of publicity and advertizing, the result is good since we got on the front page of local newspapers and also on Suzhou TV news. But when it comes to real business, it's another thing. Not much buyers or agents came to the show. Instead, the visitors are mostly local folks or other exhibitors checking what's new.

This photo shows our CEO Benny Hsu introducing our products to some high-ranked officials (I was too low-ranked to know and was not interested enough to ask).

First obstetrics exam at hospital

Okay, I blew up this photo by inserting it into a hot illuminator. It's the first ultrasonic graph of our baby. We went to the hospital where we plan to have all following exams and give birth to our baby for the next nine months. The doctor was nice, old and handsome. The space in the hospital was crowded. But, it's a hospital with all branches of physiology and medicine, and it's within ten minutes drive from home.

I'm feeling more worried for my wife than excited for the baby. Two weeks later she will have the next examination to check if the baby's heart begins to function. I will be in China at that time.

Baby is Coming

Allie told me she got positive test result last night. A baby is coming. She wanted to have a baby since we married, so she cried when she saw the two pink lines on the tester. I was also very emotional when I heard the news. We will go to the hospital for a formal examination next Monday to confirm the pregnancy. To be happy or to be worried about becoming parents, I can't tell how I feel now. I hope it will be a healthy baby and Allie will not have to suffer too much for this baby.

An Extraordinary Day

This is a strange day. For many people on this island, it is the day to demonstrate their anger for their president and ruling party. This event not only occupies every local news channel, it is also covered by many international media. One hundred thousand people dressed in red gathered in front of the presidential office in Taipei to start the first day of the rally. I basicaly support the event, but usually I'd stay away from such crowded places as far as possible.

However it's not my choice today, because I have to go to the National Theater for a play I've booked 6 months ago. So, despite the crowd and terrible trafic in that area, plus heavy shower in the afternoon, my wife and I arrived at the theater -right on the edge of the demonstration site. People shouted protest words in subway station, and the area was drowned by people in red. The play was as good as I expected, but something funny happened on my way home.

I was called by a middle-aged man (of course in red) on a subway platform. He drove from Taichung for 2.5 hours to join the protest. Because of the traffic control in the area for this event, he parked his car outside the city and was trying to find his way back in the maze of subway system. Since where he wanted to go was two stop after mine, I asked him to follow me and guided him through all the transition stations whilte trying to teach him how to find his way around. I've never thought of meeting with someone so enthusiatic like this guy. That really made my day.

About Life

I haven't post a thing for quite a while. Two weeks ago, the youngest brother of the VP in my wife's department was found dead on his way home after work. There was no obvious reason of his death and he was only 44. This could happen to anybody, but we all hope it does not include us.

Last weekend I went to Kaohsiung to my parents and grandparents. My mother has been a professional nanny for over ten years. In the photo on the left is the eleventh baby (I guess) in her career. And, of course, she prepared a lot of food for us. The traditional market nearby is very famous in the biggest city of southern Taiwan. Fresh, cheap vegetables, fish and meat are fundamental for its reputation, accompanied by lots of delicious ready-to-serve food and appliances.