January 2004

Wednesday 28 January, 2004
Hi Em,
I hope you are well :-). Last Monday (26/1/04) was Australia day so we had a long weekend. On Sunday (26/1/04) I rode my bike along the cycle track beside the Eastern Freeway all the way into the city. It was a nice ride, much easier than going by foot which was what I did last year. I chained up by bike in front of the Catholic Cathedral in the city (where I hoped it would be safe!) and went to China town in Little Bourke Street to see the Chinese New Year celebrations. The celebrations were really amazing to watch. There were a lot more dragon dancers and people than the celebrations I saw in Box Hill. The firecrackers were really loud and a bit scary if you were too close. Here are some photos I took. I hope you like them!!






After watching the celebrations I cycled back home. I was a bit tired after that but it was good exercise. The rest of the weekend I didn't do much exciting. I finished by CV for the job in New Zealand. I don't know how that will go. I'll wait and see I guess. I also finised reading the book "The Amber Chronicles" by Roger Zelanzy. He is a good American writer (now dead sadly) who writes fantasy and science fiction. I really liked his book "The Lord of Light". You might like it too when you are a couple of years older.
Thinking of you always Miss Em. I hope you can feel my good thoughts for you some times :-)
Lots and lots of love,
Aaron

Wednesday 21 January, 2004
Hello Emma,
Happy Chinese New Year!!! xin1 nian2 kuai4 le4! I hope you have a really great year of the Monkey! I brought some New Year presents for you and posted them today, so they'll be a bit late sorry! I posted them to NaiNai's old work address in Beijing, so I hope they do get to you. Just in case, here is a photo of what I sent :-)

Last Saturday 17/1/2004 I got up early to pick up my friend Victor and his friend from the airport. I was driving Victor's car as he has a big Ford Falcon that can carry all the luggage easily (my little yellow Golf wouldn't be big enough!). I left the house nice and early, but half way to the airport (on Bell Street) Victor's car just stopped. I ran to a garage and phoned the number of Victor's brother-in-law to let them know what was happening. Then I phoned the RACV. After a long wait I got towed to a nearby garage and they managed to get Victor's car going again by replacing the coil. By that time Victor had already caught a taxi back to his house, so I just drove his car back there. So my efforts to pick up Victor were a total disaster! But it was quite funny looking back once it had all ended happily :-)
On Sunday 18/1/2004 I went to Box Hill after church to do some shopping. They were having Chinese New Year celebrations in Box Hill Central. The lion dancing was fascinating to watch. The lion (with two people underneath it) danced in front of the shops along with two characters dressed in yellow. The two people in yellow were holding a fan and wearing big round head masks with a pink face and blue hair. I wonder what they signify? The dancers were accompanied by a drummer and cymbal player. I loved the music.
I hope you well and enjoying the New Year celebrations. I am always thinking of you and sending you my love.
Lots and lots of love,
Aaron xxx ooo

Friday 16 January, 2004
Hi Em,
Hope you are well. It was back to work after my holiday this week. What a shock that was! But I think I'm back into the routine now. I haven't done anything very interesting this week. After work I have been reading or doing things on the computer. One of the things I have been doing on the computer is writing my CV. I'm actually going to apply for another job, which is a bit scary. It is a computer job in Dunedin,New Zealand at Otago University. It looks like an interesting job, but I'm worried that if I shift it would make it harder for me to find you or for you to find me. I'll have to work that out before I do anything (assuming of course that I even get an interview for this job!). Anyway, wish me a lot of luck and wisdom Emma. I'll be wishing the same for you and will be hoping that I can see you again before too long.
Lots and lot of love,
Aaron xxx ooo

Saturday 10 January, 2004
Hi Em,
Hope you are well. I got back to Melbourne today from my visit to New Zealand. The flight (QF38) left at 7.05 am so we had to be at the airport pretty early. Aotherwise the flight was fine. It was nice to be on a direct flight to Melbourne this time :-). I had a really nice time staying with Grandma and Grandpa in Wellington. Unfortunately my holiday is almost over now so it's back to work for me. Never mind, life can't be holidays all the time!
On Tuesday 6/1/04 Ken and Robyn Ash went to Grandma and Grandpa house for dinner. It was nice to see them. They also had a young Chinese student, Ren Fei, with them who is studying English in New Zealand. He was a nice fellow and very keen to learn. He asked me for some help with his English homework.
On Wednesday 7/1/04 it was Grandma's birthday. My brother and his family came down and we all had lunch at "The Bach" cafe in Owhiro Bay, Wellington. It was a nice lunch and the cafe had a beautiful view of the sea.
On Thursday 8/1/04 we had dinner with Grandpa's brother Colin and Nina. Meredith (Colin's daughter) was also there so it was really nice to see her. She had been away in the UK for three years and was just back for Christmas.
On Friday 9/1/04 I took Garndma and Grandpa to lunch for say thank you for having me. The cafe was called "The Chocolate Fish" and is in Scorching Bay. It was another nice lunch with a nice view of Wellington's beautiful harbour. That night we had a dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's place with Monwar, Julia and their daughter Ronia. It was really great to play with Ronia. She reminds me for you when you were that age (almost 3 years old). Also at the dinner were Michelle (a Chinese lady that Grandma and Grandpa know) and Jodette, a friend of Grandma's from her work. It was a nice dinner with nice people.
I'm missing you very much now Emma. I really hope we can make contact some time soon. There is someone in China helping me to look for you so I'm hopeful that I might get some information. In any case, I'm wishing you are happy and well whereever you are.
Love you heaps and heaps and heaps,
Aaron xxx ooo

Saturday 3 January, 2004
Hi Emma,
Happy New Year!!!!! I hope you are well and looking forward to a great 2004!
I'm in Wellington at Grandpa and Grandmas' place still. Things are fine here. On Monday 29/12/03 we saw the third film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy "The Return of the King" at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington. It was really good. The next day I saw the Chinese film "Together" / "he1 ni3 zai4 yi1 qi3" at the Penthouse Theatre in Brooklyn. This film was also good but quite sad.
On Wednesday Grandma, Grandpa and I meet my Aunt Liz (that's Grandma's sister) and herfriend who were visiting from Tauranga. We went for a nice long walk from Owhiro Bay over the ridge by the coats out to the Red Rocks. It was a hot dayand I got a bit sunburnt but I got to see a seal which was really nice. I don't think you would have liked the long walk but you would have liked seeing the seal for sure!
Yesterday (2/1/2004) I went for a long walk around Wellington city to see how it had changed. It was good to walk in the city again. I also went to see the first flat I stayed in when I left home (in 1989 I think). It is 47B Aurora Terrace. It looked the same from the outside as before. It was a nice little place to stay in back then, very close to the city centre and the Botanic gardens as well. What could be better :-)
Today Grandma, Grandpa and I drove up the meet you cousins at Mount Bruce Bird Sanctuary. After having a look around the sanctuary, we came back with Jessica and Nikita who are staying in Wellington for a bit. It is nice to see them. I'm sure they would have liked to see you. Hopefully later!
Have a great 2004 Emma. I really hope I can hear some news from you some time this year. I'll definitely keep on trying to make contact with you anyway.
Love and best wishes for a great 2004 and beyond,
Aaron xxx ooo