toadqueen wrote: »

I thought Texas had an expedited online process for birth certificates with overnight delivery. I had to do it a few years ago for my nephews. Maybe it wasn't certified. Good luck!

Well, if they have it, it ain't online. I will try to call them tomorrow, but don't have any high hopes when dealing with a governmental agency. It will probably take 30 minutes to find the right person to talk to...

Fvaisey wrote: »

DittoDan wrote: »

I can't have them push it too far back, because I just bought airline tickets to go to Dallas on the weekend of Sept. 12th. I have lost enough weight, to where I am now not ashamed of the way I look, so that (Lord willing) I will be attending my 40th high school reunion. I have always wanted to go to one of these events, but always banished the thought because of my fatness ~ morbidly obesity.

What a great NSV... I hope you have a great time and that the China trip works out! Quite a compliment to be selected as the resource for that project!

Thank you for the kind words...!

KeithF6250 wrote: »

@DittoDan I had a phone call from my #1Son today and mentioned your situation to him. Some background: He has a PhD from Cornell in Animal Science and has worked for the past 6-7 years at Michigan State as a researcher in the biochemistry of cattle reproduction. Two or three years ago he went to China on a project the Chinese government had contracted with MSU. His comments: "Bring your meds." "You will sometimes find it difficult to know what you are eating." "There is no equivalent of the FDA protecting food safety." He had no problems. His boss was hospitalized with gastroenteritis. This wasn't the first overseas trip for either of them and his boss has been to China and India before.

Thanks for the tip Keith! Yeah, definitely want to look out. I'll go to doc and see if he can give me some preemptive meds.

PasPlus wrote: »

I usually take the option of an apartment or hotel room with a kitchenette and go to the local markets for great fresh meat and leafy greens when in Asia for any length of time. Also, remember the Chinese food in China is not the same as Chinese food in the US or other western countries. They generally add less sugar for themselves - but they will look at you very strange if you decline the noodles or rice - a bit like saying - no really I don't want oxygen thank you. :-)

Have an amazing time.

Thank you... I am so worried about the "hanging-meat-in-the-market-with-flies-all-over-it-then-cooked-and-made-into-a-dish" type of food. I'd probably be better off in a fast food restaurant like Micky D'd or BK....

Gnulie wrote: »

A 100 gram serving of crickets has 5.1 carbs. Just a bit of useless trivia. Have a wonderful time and enjoy all the interesting protein choices China has to offer!

Yecth! I'm not intentionally eating any bugs!! LOL! Not gonna even try. Heck, if I watch one of those "survivalist" shows on TV and they eat a worm or bug, I almost gag and immediately change the channel... LOL!

I hope this helps,
Dan the Man from Michigan
Keto / IF / Sedentary
95 pounds down, 29 to go.

Update:

Have Visa now. Nice visit with daughter in Chicago. Lord willing, take off tomorrow (Thursday) about 10:00 am. 14 hour non-stop to Shanghai.



I'll keep everyone posted...

Dan the Man from Michigan

Thanks everyone. Quick update, (I have to go to bed in a few).

plane was horrible, worse than domestic planes

Everything went well in China, paperwork-wise.

hard to communicate, not good data/phone

scooter people have death wishes in multiple ways

I pretty much drove 3/4 (in a taxi) way through Shanghai, it is HUGE!!!

taxi cab drivers = one hand on steering wheel, one ready to honk

Train stations are gy-normous

I must of been the only foreigner in the train station.

All people in train station were under 30 years old

trains are fast and super quiet

Taxi cab drive through Hangzhou was way cool. A lot of stuff that needs to be investigated.

Fruits/veggies for sale in tiny shops, one on every block, everywhere

the same for little shoe stores

most shops are open faced, they're like normal American strip stores, but no hardly any fronts. As if they are open all the time??? (IOW, it doesn't look like they can be locked up.. I'm gonna check it out)

Hotel is better than Internet pics. Best hotel I have ever stayed in. But I will say, that I had to jiggle the fancy push button on top of the toilet ~ it was running... (LOL!)

And I water fasted the whole day. Probably lost some weight. My next weigh-in won't be for 3 weeks. And I got dehydrated. But I'm ok now.

Gotta run, I'll post pics later.

Dan the Mandarin Man from China Land