20141118 冬天到了,我拿到美国信用卡

经过一周的等待,我的信用卡今天终于拿到手了,额度1500美金,有点少,于是马上上网激活,然后同时申请提升额度到5000美金,但是不确定是不是像国内一样对提升额度比较宽容,这边有些事情跟国内完全不同,我们毫不在意的小事,在美国可能会如临大敌。

马上用新信用卡买了一部IPHONE6 PLUS,感觉不错。

按照银行的说法,我拿到美国SSN后可以完善信用卡资料,也就是说我现在用此卡消费就可以累计信用了,想想以前支出的几万美金都白花了,很可惜的事情,以后都用信用卡消费了。

临近回国,各种订单纷至沓来,要求代购,有点担心我唯一的一个包能否容纳了。

底特律天寒地冻,昨天开始降雪,我于是休假两天,暂停跑步了,要适应一下再出去。房间内开了暖气,温暖如春,还是穿着单衣,本地土著居民也是一样,一件外套加上衬衫或者长袖T恤,出门上车,下车进屋,无关乎天气温度,顶多进来夸张的嚎几声:Oh,it’s so cold today。

20141118 冬天到了,我拿到美国信用卡 - 坚韧的驽马 - -

这种天气到让我想起了久违的东北老家的冬天,每每秋衣仍然在身,毫无准备中突然天降大雪,气温骤降,于是手忙脚乱的换上厚实的棉衣棉裤,然后故意走出房门,好像检验棉衣是否够暖和一样在刺骨的寒风中快乐的走来走去,喯儿有精神。

温暖的夏日让人精神萎靡,寒冷的冬天感觉神清气爽。

喜欢冬天,喜欢让人精神一振的冬天,喜欢冬天在外面冻得丝丝哈哈然后回到温暖的房间里的感觉。

 

Credit card terms for Bank of America

Today I applied a credit card of Bank of America in USA successfully,the terms is below,the credit limited is only $1500,I can revise it when I get the card in 5 business days.

Credit card terms for Bank of America - 坚韧的驽马 - -

Terms and Conditions

 †Details of Rate, Fee and Other Cost Information

Account terms are not guaranteed for any period of time. All terms, including fees and APRs for new transactions, may change in accordance with the Credit Card Agreement and applicable law based on information in your credit report, market conditions, business strategies, or for any reason. Please review all the materials in this package so that you are fully informed about the terms of this credit card offer.

Interest Rates and Interest Charges
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Purchases0% Introductory APR for the first 12 Statement Closing Dates following the opening of your account.

After that, your APR will be 14.99% to 22.99%, based on your creditworthiness when you open your account. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
APR for Balance Transfers
14.99% to 
22.99%, based on your creditworthiness when you open your account.

After that, your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
APR for Cash Advances
17.99% to 
24.99%, based on your creditworthiness when you open your account, for Direct Deposit and Check Cash Advances, and

24.99% for Bank Cash Advances. See footnotesFootnote 1 and Footnote 2 for explanation. 

These APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Penalty APR
and When it Applies
Up to 
29.99%, based on your creditworthiness.

This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.

This APR may be applied to new transactions on your account if you:
     Make a late payment.

How Long Will the Penalty APR Apply?: If your APRs are increased, the Penalty APR will apply indefinitely.

How to Avoid Paying Interest on PurchasesYour due date is at least 25 days after the close of each billing cycle. We will not charge you any interest on purchases if you pay your entire balance by the due date each month. 
Minimum Interest ChargeIf you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $1.50. 
For Credit Card Tips from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
To learn more about factors to consider when applying for or using a credit card, visit the website of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore

Fees
Annual Fee
None
Transaction Fees    • Purchases Purchases of wire transfers from a non-financial institution: 

Either 
$10 or 
5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.   • Balance Transfers Either 
$10 or 
3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.   • Cash Advances Direct Deposit and Check Cash Advances: 

Either 
$10 or 
3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.

ATM, Over-the-Counter, Same-Day Online and Cash Equivalent Cash Advances:

Either 
$10 or 
5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater. 

Overdraft Protection Cash Advances (if enrolled): 


$10 for each transaction (not assessed if checking account overdrawn by less than $10). 

  • 

Foreign Transactions

None
Penalty Fees    • Late Payment Up to 
$35  • Returned Payment Up to 
$25

How We Will Calculate Your Balance: We use a method called “average daily balance (including new purchases).”

Payments are allocated to posted balances. If your account has balances with different APRs, we will allocate the amount of your payment equal to the Total Minimum Payment Due to the lowest APR balances first. Payment amounts in excess of your Total Minimum Payment Due will be applied to balances with higher APRs before balances with lower APRs.

1

Any Direct Deposits completed at the time your application is processed will be Balance Transfers.

2

Bank Cash Advances include ATM, Over-the-Counter, Same-Day Online, Overdraft Protection, Returned Payment and Cash Equivalent (money orders, foreign currency, and travelers checks from a non-financial institution, person-to-person money transfers, bets, lottery tickets, casino gaming chips and bail bonds) Cash Advances. 

More Information about Penalty Fees and Penalty APR
Penalty Fees: If your Total Minimum Payment Due is not received by your Payment Due Date, a Late Payment Fee of $25 will be assessed; $35 for subsequent occurrences that are within 6 billing cycles of a previous occurrence. However, the Late Payment Fee will not exceed the total minimum payment that was due. If your balance is $100 or less on the Payment Due Date, we will not assess a Late Payment Fee. The Returned Payment Fee will not exceed the total minimum payment that was due.
Penalty APR: Your Penalty APR will not exceed 29.99% on new transactions. There is no Penalty APR on existing balances.

CONDITIONS 

By submitting this application, you: (1) acknowledge that you have reviewed the credit card Terms and Conditions; (2) agree to submit your application for this credit card subject to those Terms and Conditions; and (3) authorize us to use the information in your application, and any other information we or our affiliates have about you, to determine your ability to pay, as required by Federal law.

The words “you” and “your” apply to each person who submits the application. You have read the accompanying application, and you affirm that everything you have stated is true and complete. You are at least 18 years of age or you are at least 21 years of age if a permanent resident of Puerto Rico. You authorize Bank of America, N.A. (hereinafter “us” or “our”) to obtain your credit report(s), employment history and any other information in order to approve or decline this application, service your account, and manage our relationship with you. You consent to our sharing of information about you and your account with the organization, if any, endorsing this credit card program. You authorize us to share with others, to the extent permitted by law, such information and our credit experience with you. In addition, you may as a customer later indicate a preference to exempt your account from some of the information-sharing with other companies (“opt-out”). If you accept or use an account, you do so subject to the terms of this application, the “Details of Rate, Fee and Other Cost Information” and the Credit Card Agreement, as it may be amended; you also agree to pay and/or to be held jointly and severally liable for all charges incurred under such terms. Any changes you make to the terms of this application will have no effect. You understand that if your application is approved with a credit line that is greater or equal to $5,000, you will receive a Visa Signature® account; if your credit line is less than $5,000, you will receive a Platinum Plus® account. The benefits for Platinum Plus accounts differ from Visa Signature accounts. You also understand that the Annual Percentage Rate you receive will be determined based on your creditworthiness. You understand that only a portion of your Total Credit Line will be available for Bank Cash Advances. You accept that on a periodic basis your account may be considered for automatic upgrade at our discretion. You consent to and authorize us, any of our affiliates, or our marketing associates to monitor and/or record any of your phone conversations with any of our representatives. If additional development is necessary based on the application information provided, we will make every attempt to contact you. 

 

FEATURES 

BankAmericard Travel Rewards® Program Information. Earn 1.5 base points per dollar of new net purchases (qualifying purchases less credits, returns, and adjustments) charged to the card each billing cycle. You will earn 3 points per dollar (consisting of 1.5 base points and 1.5 bonus points) for the first $6,000 in airline purchases (up to 9,000 bonus points) made at the Bank of America Travel Center (“Travel Center”) each calendar year. All other purchases made at the Travel Center, excluding insurance purchases, will receive 3 points per dollar with no limit on bonus points. Effective until December 31, 2014, if either the primary or co-applicant for this card has a checking, savings or individual retirement account with Bank of America, N.A., a Cash Management Account®, Merrill Edge® or any other account with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or U.S. Trust, the card account will receive an annual bonus points award (“Annual Bonus”) of 10% of the amount of net purchases (or 1 bonus point for every $10) made with the card during the year. The qualifying account must be open at the time of review, which will occur on or around December 31st of each year and the bonus will appear on your February or March monthly billing statements. Effective January 1, 2015, the Annual Bonus will end and will be replaced with a 10% Customer Points Bonus. The 10% Customer Points Bonus will be added to the base points you earn on every new net purchase if either the primary or co-applicant for this card has an active consumer (non-business) checking, savings or individual retirement account with Bank of America, N.A. (“qualifying account”), or is a client of Merrill Edge,® Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or U.S. Trust. To earn the Customer Points Bonus, your qualifying account must be open and maintain a balance at all times and/or have had a deposit in the previous 90 days. It may take up to 35 days to begin earning the Customer Points Bonus on new net purchases when you open a qualifying account. Balance Transfers, Cash Advances, including purchases of money orders or other cash equivalents, fees, interest charges, fraudulent transactions and certain other charges do not earn points. Rewards begin at 2,500 points. Points redeemed for a travel credit will be applied as a statement credit to your account to offset qualifying travel purchases. A travel credit will be available to redeem for purchases from the Travel Center or for qualifying travel purchases made as defined by the following merchant category codes (“MCC”): (a) Airlines, Air Carriers (MCC 3000-3299, representing individual major airline carriers, and 4511-Airlines/Air Carriers); (b) Lodging-Hotels, Motels, Resorts (MCC 3501-3999 – representing individual major hotel/motel chains and 7011-Hotels/Motels/Resorts); (c) Car Rental Agencies (MCC 3351-3441 – representing individual major agencies; and 7512-Automobile Rental Agency); (d) Cruise Lines (MCC 4411); Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (MCC 4722); (e) Taxicabs and Limousines (MCC 4121); (f) Passenger Railways (MCC 4112); (g) Transportation-Suburban and Local Commuter Passenger, including Ferries (MCC 4111); (h) Bus Lines (MCC 4131); (i) Transportation Services-not elsewhere classified (MCC 4789); (j) Real Estate Agents and Managers-Rentals (MCC 6513); (k) Timeshares (MCC 7012); (l) Campgrounds and Trailer Parks (MCC 7033); (m) Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Rental (MCC 7519); (n)Tourist Attractions and Exhibits (MCC 7991); (o) Art Dealers and Galleries (MCC 5971); (p) Amusement Parks, Carnivals, Circuses, Fortune Tellers (MCC 7996); (q) Aquariums, Dolphinariums, Zoos, and Seaquariums (MCC 7998); (r) Boat Leases and Boat Rentals (MCC 4457); or (s) Recreation Services-not elsewhere classified (MCC 7999). Eligible purchases will be available for redemption for a travel credit for a period of 12 months. Points can also be redeemed for cash rewards and gift cards. Other significant terms apply. Program subject to change. For more information, visit www.bankofamerica.com/travelrewards. Details accompany new account materials.

Deposit Account Information. The minimum deposit required to open a new Bank of America personal checking or savings account is subject to the opening deposit requirements of the specific account being opened. Eligible checking and savings accounts include, but are not limited to, our interest-bearing personal checking account, which requires a minimum opening deposit of $100, and Regular Savings, which requires a minimum opening deposit of $25. Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) for these and other deposit accounts, accurate as of today’s date, can be found by selecting the account at www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/bank-accounts.go. Rates may change after the account is opened and may vary by state. If the account earns interest, fees could reduce earnings on the account. Some accounts, services, and fees vary from state to state. Please review the Personal Schedule of Fees for your state, available at www.bankofamerica.com/feesataglance and your local Banking Center. Bonus Points Offer. You will qualify for 10,000 bonus points if you use your new credit card account to make any combination of Purchase transactions totaling at least $500 (exclusive of any transaction fees, returns and adjustments) that post to your account within 90 days of the account open date. Limit one (1) bonus points offer per new account. This one-time promotion is limited to new customers opening an account in response to this offer. Other advertised promotional bonus points offers can vary from this promotion and may not be substituted. Allow 8-12 weeks from qualifying for the bonus points to post to your rewards balance. The value of this reward may constitute taxable income to you. You may be issued an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form) that reflects the value of such reward. Please consult your tax advisor, as neither we, nor our affiliates, provide tax advice. Mobile Banking. Mobile banking requires enrollment through the Mobile App, Mobile Web or Online Banking. View the Online Banking Service Agreement for more information. Data connection required. Wireless carrier fees may apply. Enrollment not available through the Mobile App on all devices.

Alerts. Alerts received as text messages on your mobile access device may incur a charge from your mobile access service provider. Mobile App alerts are not available on select devices. $0 Liability Guarantee. The $0 Liability Guarantee covers fraudulent purchases and payments made by others using your account. To be covered, don’t share personal or account information with anyone. Claims may only be filed by accountholder against posted and settled transactions subject to dollar limits and verification, including providing requested information supporting fraudulent use claim. Text Banking. Bank of America does not charge for Text Banking. However, your mobile service provider may charge for sending and receiving text messages on your mobile phone. Check with your service provider for details on specific fees and charges that may apply. Card Benefits. Certain restrictions apply to each benefit. Platinum Plus® card benefits differ from Visa Signature® card benefits (i.e., coverage amounts vary and some benefits are not available). Details accompany new account materials. Overdraft Protection. Overdraft transfers to your eligible Bank of America checking account from your credit card account will be Bank Cash Advances under your Credit Card Agreement. Transfers will be subject to the terms of both your Credit Card Agreement and the account agreement(s) and disclosures governing your Bank of America checking account. If you link your Bank of America checking account to your credit card for Overdraft Protection, we will automatically transfer funds in multiples of $100 from your credit card account to cover any overdraft on your checking account, as long as the portion of credit available for cash on your credit card account is sufficient and you are not in default under your Credit Card Agreement. A fee of $10 will apply for each transaction. The fee will not be assessed if your checking account is overdrawn by a total amount less than $10, after we finish processing for the day. The Bank Cash Advance will accrue interest at the APR stated in your Credit Card Agreement. If the portion of credit available for cash on your credit card account is insufficient to cover the amount required by the overdraft (in the multiple of funds stated above), we may advance the funds even if it causes your credit card account to exceed your Cash Credit Line. Linking Overdraft Protection from your Bank of America checking account to your credit card will end any Overdraft Protection connections to your Bank of America savings account. Please see your Credit Card Agreement for additional details. 

BALANCE TRANSFERS 

 If the total amount you request exceeds your Total Credit Line, we may send full or partial payment to your creditors in the order you provide them to us. Allow at least 2 weeks from account opening for processing. Continue paying each creditor until the transfer appears as a credit. Balance Transfers incur interest charges from the transaction date. If you revolve your balance to take advantage of a promotional or introductory offer, all transactions and balances, including purchases, will be charged interest. The Balance Transfer fee is 3% of the amount of the transaction (min. $10). If you have a dispute with a creditor and pay that balance by transferring it to your new account, you may lose certain dispute rights. Balance Transfers may not be used to pay off or pay down any account issued by Bank of America, N.A., FIA Card Services, and our affiliates. 

The information contained in these disclosures is updated regularly, but may have changed since the last update. 

The Bank of America® Privacy Notice is available at www.bankofamerica.com and accompanies the credit card.

This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Any account opened in response to this application shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina. The rewards program is managed in part by independent third parties, the State Seller of Travel registration numbers for Loyalty Travel Agency LLC in the states that require registration are: California 2097389-50 (registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by California. Loyalty Travel Agency LLC is not a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund); Florida ST38239; Hawaii TAR-6750, Iowa 987; and State of Washington 602 868 200. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Platinum Plus is a registered trademark of FIA Card Services and/or its affiliates. BankAmericard Travel Rewards, Merrill Edge, Merrill Lynch Cash Management Account, Cash Management Account, U.S. Trust, Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. All other company and product names and logos are the property of others and their use does not imply endorsement of, or an association with, the rewards program. 
© 2014 Bank of America Corporation 

20141109下周工作提醒备忘

近期几个工作重点:

1、继续联系国内汽车配件供应商,尝试建立合作关系。

2、L1签证的办理,明天(10号)督促会计师委托新律师,完成公司BYLAW文件的制定报备,敦促国内财务部完成国内公司文件的收集和整理,督促美国会计师完成本地公司的相关文件的整理,完备后扫描留给这边的律师(10号开始,一周内完成;重要紧急)。

3、申请信用卡(10号申请,可以申请旅游信用卡)。

4、确认是否再购买一部手机,BUSTBUY可以买到的SPRINT版本,三网通用(今天晚上完成)。

5、与SAM约在加州参加驾照考试(今天电话确定)。

6、ROBERT的网站(11号完成)。

7、敦促墨西哥准备银行和政府部门的材料(紧急),回国后立即申请墨西哥工作签证(10号敦促,本周完成,重要紧急)。

8、持续跟踪手机邮寄情况,确认海关风险(持续5天)。

9、列出购物计划,开始采购(15号,即下周六开始本地采购,其他留待黑色星期五)。

20141106 博客访问量58888记录

今天查看博客,无意中发现一个超级吉利数字:58888,冲击6万人次,感觉好极。

20141106 博客访问量58888记录 - 坚韧的驽马 - -

这个博客从2006年8月开始记录,一直坚持了8年多的时间,虽然不是日记,但是每月都有几篇文章,内容比较充实,大多图文并茂,成为传统日记的很好的延续和补充,很多重要的工作内容、生活点滴都完整的保存了下来,每每回忆,当时的一幕幕都可以浮现眼前,较之手写笔记更加清晰,系统,记录方便,查询方便,不论时间早晚,不过天南海北,不论国内国外,有网络的地方就可以记日志,天长地久,这些记录累积起来,成为一笔宝贵的精神财富。 

20141106 博客访问量58888记录 - 坚韧的驽马 - -

任何事情做到极致,都可以有所斩获,都可以做出色彩。

做事贵在坚持,而坚持殊多不易,对此我们都深有体会。心血来潮容易,亘年不变很难,每个人都有梦想,不论是理想有多伟大高尚还是多渺小低俗,不论是实现和谐社会还是购买奢侈名牌都是梦想,但是真正圆满实现自己理想的却并不多,只有那些真正坚持下来去追求理想的人们才最终成功了,如马云。

坚持填充博客让我获益匪浅,通过撰写文章,不只是记录了生活,而且锻炼了文笔,很多当年的文章现在看起来仍有新意,很多一闪而过的念头庆幸被记录了下来,可以继续思考探索,博客获益匪浅。

我为能有此坚持而庆幸、骄傲和自豪。
 
 

20141101 寂寥的周末

又到周末了,竟然比平时醒的还早,看看夜光表,还不到六点钟,但是无论如何睡不着了,国内外的冬月都是一样,有点寒冷,这个时间窗外还黑乎乎的,国内正好是星期六的晚上了。

手机被调成了震动,现在早晨上班方便,不用使用手机闹钟,但是习惯使然还是设了一个时间提醒,我打开提醒看到:醒来吧,伯爵,伟大的事业在等着你呢。这好像是法国伟大的空想社会主义哲学家圣西门告诉他的仆人每天唤醒他所用个名言,每每看到就会想起高中时候我们70多岁的历史老师李书素,重眉大眼,四方阔口,古稀之年还在讲台上不厌其烦的把精心准备的历史知识传授给我们,高中的各位老师似乎对我影响都比较大。

昨天下午去Social Security Administer开具了证明信,准备好材料准备参加密歇根的驾照考试,这里考驾照手续真的非常简单,只要符合要求,两个小时就可以拿到驾照,费用为50美金,可惜我们少了一个证明材料没有打印,可能要等到周一才可以考试了。

昨天跟睿睿视频通话,知道这小子这段时间进步很大,而且刚刚收到了语文老师的表扬,原因是作文写的好,考试拿到了高分,这很让人兴奋。睿睿不是那种很聪明的孩子,但是气场和格局、习惯很好,不是那种小家子气的人,尤其喜欢看书,阅读量很大,而且很多东西看过了就可以吸收,很有一点语文方面的天赋,所以我不是很担心他的学习,我想总有一天他会一飞冲天的。目前重点还是品质和道德方面的教育,而不仅仅是学习。

昨天下雨,今天则晴朗的一塌糊涂,吃饱喝足,走出去,走进大自然,走进商业区,逛街加锻炼。

感受到时光如梭,眨眼间竟然来这边已经两个多月,还有不到一个月就要返回国内了,很欣慰,很期待,即使苏州的天气不是那么晴朗,甚至还有雾霾。

20141101 寂寥的周末 - 坚韧的驽马 - -

 

20141024在国外真要小心中国人

在国外遇见中国人,作为老乡通常都感觉很亲切,不过这次遇到的中国人真的让我郁闷不已。

8月下旬到达底特律,一直希望找一个合适的办公室,重新租赁一个住的地方,最好两者距离近一点,这样上班比较方便,如果能在一起就最理想了,但是据说这边的居民住宅是不允许作为办公室使用的,于是也就打消了这个念头,只是希望距离近一点就满足了。

期间认识了一个中国的房屋中介代理,HAIDE,这个老兄在美国21年,一直做这个行业,对底特律极其熟悉,他给我推荐了一个地方,但是因为对房屋所在地不了解,一直没去看,终于有一天闲暇无事,在对方强烈要求下去看了,发现条件非常好,而且周边就是繁华的商业区,生活便利,房价也便宜,关键是这是一栋联排别墅,上面两层用于居住,一层是办公室,完全符合我的要求,于是当场拍板,就租这个地方了。

20141024在国外真要小心中国人 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

房主是个中国人,具体地说,是一个住在深圳的湖北人。

初步确定之后,经过房主认可,我可以先搬进来,其他手续以后再办理,这是房主新买的一套二手房,刚刚装修完毕,但是按照本州的法律,新购房屋第一年不允许出租,只能自住,而房主希望偷偷租出去,条件是不可以签合同,现金支付房租,这一点我也认可,我也无所谓合同与否,对我来说处理起来不难。

但是问题随之出现了。

我搬进来一周后,房主也搬了回来,他也要住在这里,开始是说要住一个月,然后回国内,但是很快又改了主意,要求常驻,再三交涉谈判无法取得一致意见,一周后我终于失去耐心。经过周末的明察暗访,正好旁边一家同样的房子正要出租,我于是悄悄接洽,房主是正宗的美国人,开朗健谈,常年往返于美国和中国上海,对中国人尤其友好,于是当天签合同交押金,两天后再次搬家,同时办公室也搬了过来,根据原来中国房主的意见,我如果搬走,这段时间他不收钱,可能他做梦也没想到我真的会搬走,而且在这里住了12天后能这么快就找的合适的地方,估计会很无奈吧,但是我做到了,这样,整栋房子都留给他自己居住吧。

很多外国人都不愿意跟中国人打交道,因为中国人心眼太多,认为中国人不诚实,不讲规矩和没有契约精神,这一次租房子的经历让我也对中国人有了不同的看法,以后跟中国人打交道还是要多个心眼的,你不算计他,他可不会放弃算计你的机会,这次没有吃亏,下次就不一定那么幸运了。

但是我坚信,这样的中国人,到哪里都没什么发展空间的,美国更是一个注重信用的国度,你的占便宜的思想在这里能站得住脚吗?

继续阅读“20141024在国外真要小心中国人”

20141024 Sam来访

这几天Sam来底特律出差,抽时间陪他转了一下,再加上搬家,忙得不亦乐乎。

SAM的飞机转机的时候因为飞机故障滞留在芝加哥,22号凌晨4点钟才抵达底特律机场,还好有客户接站,当天上午工作,下午我跟JOE去接他,旅游家吃饭。

JOE带着我们在底特律DOWNTOWN大大的转了一圈,作为底特律土著居民,JOE是一个优秀的导游,每一栋建筑,每一条街道,虽然破败,但都有故事,尤其在50年前,JOE小时候的故事,很有味道。

20141024 Sam来访 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

20141024 Sam来访 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

底特律与加拿大接壤,但是从来没有感觉,今天在走过底特律市中心,来到底特律河边才知道,对面就是加拿大,而距离是如此的近,那条河也就是几十米宽,据说很多人可以游泳过境,而政府控制的也不是十分严格,因为美国加拿大是相互免签的,海关检查的也都是非美国加拿大人的签证。

20141024 Sam来访 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

 

20141024 Sam来访 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

据说一河之隔的加拿大建设的非常漂亮,不论是建筑还是公园,都异常精美,但是我们只能隔河相望了,下次过来也许可以申请一个加拿大签证。

穿过底特律市中心,沿着著名的五大湖之一的伊利湖(Lake of Erie)走了一圈,参观了一个美丽的教堂,然后去用完餐,这是一家著名的意大利餐厅,名字叫BRIOS,味道还不错,我这段时间牛排可没少吃。

20141024 Sam来访 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

晚上Sam住在我给他安排的我旁边一栋单独的房子里,喝了一点红酒和威士忌,但是这个小子胆子很小,据说自己提心吊胆的过了一夜,整个房间的等都开着,总担心有人破门而入甚至妖魔鬼怪,让我嘲笑不已。  

20141021美国人的动手能力也不是都很强

这两天不断有房东安排的工人过来做维修和一些简单的安装,有个来自于伊拉克的哥们,在美国部队服役30多年,现在应该是退休了,他来帮着房东安装窗帘架。

这个人在我看来很神奇,像大多数美国人一样非常能侃,云遮雾罩的,自称精通6国语言,正在学习第七种语言–中文。

装个窗帘架本来半小时搞定,可是这个哥们跟我侃了两个小时,基本还没怎么动手呢,让我很郁闷,这如果是按照小时支付费用,他要白拿两小时工资了。终于开这家伙开始动手安装了,却让我十分郁闷,只见他打开专业维修工具箱,各种螺丝刀、钻头、锛凿斧锯那个齐全啊,一排排一溜溜摆在那里,看着就专业的一塌糊涂,然后打开人字形梯子,戴上手套,一副大张旗鼓开始工作的样子。

可是看了一会他的工作我就晕了,他首先拿出一只签字笔,在窗户上面确定位置,用一个米尺量了上面量下面,量了左边量右边,就是拿不准那个点到底应该花在哪里,我实在忍不住告诉他,上面距离9英寸,距离床边10英寸下自攻钉就可以了,这小子想啊想啊,好像始终没有想明白,竟然要贴着窗户边下钉子,显然这样窗帘就永远都要这一块窗户的,我急忙否定,摆事实讲道理告诉他不能在这里下钉子,后来虽然没讲明白,但是他决定听我的,毕竟是我的房间,把位置向两边移动了9英寸,可是开始打孔的时候竟然冲击钻没电,还的用我的冲击钻(我正在组装新买的办公家具,工具齐全),让我实在无语。

从晚上7点多开始工作,等我能用上窗帘的时候已经11点了,这个效率和动手能力令人叹为观止啊。

不过这个哥们语言能力让人同样叹为观止,几门语言说的十分纯熟,甚至可以背诵应该是法语的诗歌,虽然我听不懂,但是能感觉还是很流利优美的,他正在学习的第七门语言–中文,也可以表达一些内容,关键是词汇量很大,连菩萨、宗教、面子以及历史人名都很熟悉,真心很厉害,而他仅仅刚开始学习中文。

但是,一个差不多就要掌握七国语言的大师,为什么沦落到在美国只能打杂工的地步呢?美国又开始让人看不懂了。

送走了房东和神奇的兴致依然高昂喋喋不休还没跟我侃过瘾的维修工,拉上窗帘,睡觉。

A funny little things(Draft for Nemo’s English spe

    Shuaishuai is my good friend living in Shanghai ,he came to suzhou in the National day.

    My mother recommand to enjoy spicy hotpot in a famous restaurant nearby,Shuaishuai’s mother agreed.

    I hate spicy,but my mother insist on,she told me many times that spicy is also a kind of taste,you must try many different things bravely.

    I screwed up my courage to continue the actives when my tongue is fired,my face is a red apple,I kept reminding myself that I am a big kids now,I can do it…

    Meanwhile I had to persuade Shuaishuai who was crying for the hot food:don’t worry,you are brave boy,you will feel better when you tried more times.

    Before the dinner finished,I really got a little sweet feeling of the hotpot,my mother is correct,my bad cold also cured magically.

   Through the little things,I know we need to do sth we have never done,that will be another taste of your life.

20141009 喜迁新居

经过多天的寻觅,终于确定了这个以前一直忽略的CONDO,实地考察之后才发现这里的确不错,全新装修,宽敞明亮,周边就是热闹的商业圈,不论是走路还是骑自行车都可以购物,方便至极,于是迫不及待的搬了过来。

20141009 喜迁新居 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

虽然原来的宿舍看起来没什么东西,不过匆匆搬过来也把我累得够受,床垫就两个,床两个,锅碗瓢盆,自行车,桌椅板凳,JOE租了一个VAN,折腾了三个多小时才完成搬迁。  

20141009 喜迁新居 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

 

20141009 喜迁新居 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

 

20141009 喜迁新居 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

 

20141009 喜迁新居 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

20141009 喜迁新居 - 坚韧的驽马 - 堅韌的駑馬

晚上一直整理到半夜,才把堆积在车库里的东西归到了它们应该在的位置,第二天全天候洗衣服,美国的洗衣机非常科学,洗衣和烘干都是配套的,没有门外晾晒一说,虽然我觉得在阳光下晾晒的衣物穿起来更健康,有阳光的味道,烘干的优势就是速度快,前后洗了4锅,边洗边烘干,然后挂进衣帽间,床单被罩有四套,被子有三套,衣服无数,好像把能洗的不管该不该洗的东西都洗了一遍,用光了一袋子洗衣粉。

昨天晚上,JOE跟连夜组装新买的办公家具,五个小时一套都没组装完成,超级复杂,有点睿睿的乐高积木的感觉,买的东西有点过于高大上了,看起来很漂亮,L型老板桌加上Hutch,笨重的很,JOE老爷子回去的时候已经快12点了,我则直接上楼洗澡睡觉。

这里的夜晚安静极了,似乎好久没有体验这种安静的环境了,非常有利于睡眠。记得在圣地亚哥的房子后面是一个食品加工厂,早晨早早就有超大的箱型车来拉货,不得安眠,在底特律这边的第一个Apartment因为距离路面比较近,也有一些噪音,这边则是真正的居住区,只有蛙鸣鸟叫,另外就是CONDO的优势了,上上下下都是自己家的,随便怎么折腾也不用担心邻居抗议,如果是HOUSE就更好了。