When we exit the Islamabad airport, the sun is already starting to rise turning the deep blue of twilight into gradient pinks along the far horizon. Our friend and a driver are diligently waiting for us outside arrivals, graciously picking us up at 4am. Despite the early hour and our long journey, we spend most... Continue Reading →
Memories of Chengdu
"Wow, guess where we were a year ago today?" A says, looking at his phone while getting ready for work. From my vantage point across the room, it looks like he is buried by a mountain of belongings. Stuff (clothes, kitchen things, pots, pans, appliances in their somewhat beat up boxes, shelving units, books, papers, and... Continue Reading →
Enjoying a slower pace
We are in the heart of transfer season in ex-pat world when large numbers of foreigners leave Guangzhou for new pursuits back home or elsewhere. While so many of our friends and colleagues are busy packing up or moving in, it's been a quiet time for us. Since I don't have a whole lot to... Continue Reading →
Reflections on peanut butter preparedness, Beijing bikinis, and urban development
Last week marked two months we've been in China; how the weeks are flying by! The great highlight of last week was the arrival of our shipment. It was like Christmas come early. Amaury was over the moon to be reunited with his road bike (named Ella); I was happy to set up my electronic piano... Continue Reading →
Writing from the Breakfast Buffet
What a whirlwind week it has been! I write to you from The Westin near San Francisco Airport, the remnants of a hotel breakfast buffet being cleaned up a few feet from my table and my cup of freshly refilled coffee cooling beside me. Whenever I'm presented with a breakfast buffet, my eyes get 10x... Continue Reading →
A Sea of Boxes
Today is the day! The movers are currently loading our belonging into the large truck downstairs and I've decided to write another post to keep me from micro-managing. Last night, Amaury and I divided up all our belongings and threw all the things we're taking on the plane into the closet... which now has a large... Continue Reading →