Now, FOUR Years in China

Santa seemed to work his way down through Siberia, past Harbin and into Beijing to bring a nice load of gifts to Maddy. We had a very nice morning followed by dinner at a friends apartment last night. When we returned, we did a video iChat with Lisa’s brother’s family in Texas. Watching his kids rip through presents was almost like being there. It’s amazing and I recommend that everyone buys a MacBook (or Pro) to take advantage of crystal clear video chatting.

Hopefully Santa was wearing a gas mask because the past 3 days have been filled with thick smoky pollution that is burning our throats. We seem to get a high amount of smoke coming from the northwest corner of Beijing where many steel foundries are located. Due to the “blue sky” quotas imposed by the Olympic committee, they pump it out at night and causes a nasty smelling fog to roll into the neighborhood. It’s been so bad, that our 3 air cleaners don’t seem to be effective against the noxious smell. Your home is usually the one place you can usually retreat to when you don’t feel like dealing with China and this particular (or should I say particulate) encroachment makes you want to pack it up and head home.

I’m convinced that their version of the EPA measures the air at the least offensive time and place in the city. They are claiming 160 (slightly polluted)…yah right. I’ve experienced a couple of 500+(max) days last year and this feels worse. So much for a sun-shiney Christmas message. I’d rather be anywhere in the world but here….right now it sucks.