Took a four-day vacation to the Binghampton area to visit my wife's former professor, classmate, first boss, first preceptor, etc. after she emigrated to the US. We also visited her old schools - Broome CC and SUNY-Binghampton, where she got her degrees in nursing,
The main focus of the trip was to meet Lan's first professor, who became a bit of a counselor for her as she adjusted to a new country. An extremely nice man. Now at 80-years-old, Lan didn't want to go any longer without seeing him. We almost missed out, as his brother passed away earlier in the week. We met him for breakfast, and then he left to attend to family matters in Watertown, several hours away.
We also met one of Lan's old friends, who emigrated a few years earlier than Lan. Lots of tearful conversations about family and friends who were imprisoned and/or executed by the communist regime. Counterbalanced by happy conversations about how they have achieved the American dream.
We also met up with two sisters - one was Lan's classmate, and the other was her first boss. Lan, Vickie, and Betty: non-stop chatterboxes, those three!
Finally, we met with Lan's first preceptor (mentor) at her first nursing job. Linda and her husband, Bill, invited us over for breakfast and great conversation. Like the rest, these are genuinely great people.
Situated in a valley between rolling hills and the Susquehanna River, with the colors of Fall, this string of small cities and towns is in a beautiful part of the country. But economically, the area has been depressed for decades. Sad so see.
With our flight back to Florida not until the evening, we took a side trip to Corning and visited the Museum of Glass. Unlike the rest of the area, Corning is a much cleaner, updated, and lively town.
Some incredible art ...
And while the glass art was cool, I must admit, I was more enamored with the weekend's Lego exhibit. Because, apparently, according to Lan, I'm a heathen with an IQ of 71. Or something. I'm not really sure; I wasn't paying attention. Because ... Legos!
Who is the clown who put Homer Simpson in the middle of a Medieval castle siege? I'm ok with it.
A very fun trip that Lan needed to take. We are awaiting the promised return trips from those we visited.
The main focus of the trip was to meet Lan's first professor, who became a bit of a counselor for her as she adjusted to a new country. An extremely nice man. Now at 80-years-old, Lan didn't want to go any longer without seeing him. We almost missed out, as his brother passed away earlier in the week. We met him for breakfast, and then he left to attend to family matters in Watertown, several hours away.
We also met one of Lan's old friends, who emigrated a few years earlier than Lan. Lots of tearful conversations about family and friends who were imprisoned and/or executed by the communist regime. Counterbalanced by happy conversations about how they have achieved the American dream.
We also met up with two sisters - one was Lan's classmate, and the other was her first boss. Lan, Vickie, and Betty: non-stop chatterboxes, those three!
Finally, we met with Lan's first preceptor (mentor) at her first nursing job. Linda and her husband, Bill, invited us over for breakfast and great conversation. Like the rest, these are genuinely great people.
Situated in a valley between rolling hills and the Susquehanna River, with the colors of Fall, this string of small cities and towns is in a beautiful part of the country. But economically, the area has been depressed for decades. Sad so see.
With our flight back to Florida not until the evening, we took a side trip to Corning and visited the Museum of Glass. Unlike the rest of the area, Corning is a much cleaner, updated, and lively town.
Some incredible art ...
And while the glass art was cool, I must admit, I was more enamored with the weekend's Lego exhibit. Because, apparently, according to Lan, I'm a heathen with an IQ of 71. Or something. I'm not really sure; I wasn't paying attention. Because ... Legos!
Who is the clown who put Homer Simpson in the middle of a Medieval castle siege? I'm ok with it.
A very fun trip that Lan needed to take. We are awaiting the promised return trips from those we visited.
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