Fall colors are in full display in Arlington and DC. Reds, yellows, oranges, and browns along with some greens, here and there, still holding on. As we enter the holiday season, I find myself traveling inward, reflecting on loved ones and past experiences, planning for the future, but trying, as much as possible, to stay present. The... Continue Reading →
Camping in Glorious Shenandoah
Made golden through the patchy fog, the dwindling light of sunset greets us as we head into Shenandoah National Park. The multi-lane highway gradually drops off to a one lane, tree-lined road whose meandering, curving rise into the mountains is offset by sudden switchback turns. Mist, indecisive between opaque and translucent, rolls up around the car,... Continue Reading →
Taking it Slow – Home Leave and the California Coast
I pull the short, sharp fruit knife out of the drawer and set it to work slicing up an array of beautiful, fresh California fruits. It slides through the soft apricot that falls apart from its small, hard center but needs some added pressure from my hands to get through the just ripe apple. How... Continue Reading →
New Orleans: Bourbon Street, Boat Rides, and Beignets
There are two things on our mind as we land in New Orleans: food and jazz. It is just a quick taxi ride to our Airbnb in Tremé, a residential neighborhood of narrow, colorful wooden houses with tall shutters facing the streets. We fly into New Orleans on day 19 of our post-China leave and... Continue Reading →
Rebalancing
It’s been a few weeks since we got back to China, and I admit I’ve be avoiding sitting down to write about our time in the U.S. for a few reasons. One, I’ve had lot to process and take in; two, writing about it seems like saying it’s over, and I’ve wanted to hold on... Continue Reading →
Wow there are so many American ex-pats… in-pats… here
I'm writing from the U.S.! We arrived safe and sound in Long Island a couple days after a long journey involving four trains and a plane. It's lovely to be back and to spend time with Amaury's family, most of which involves eating home-cooking and running around after our nephews. I also spent an amazing... Continue Reading →