You find me sitting at a patio table outside in our garden, MB at my feet. It is a little cooler today, the fierce sun hidden behind gray clouds, patches of blue sky along the horizon in the direction of the ocean. A sudden cool breeze rises up every few minutes, rustling in the hibiscus... Continue Reading →
Travel, transition, and taking stock
This weekend I was filled with a sudden urge to write. For months, whenever I contemplated writing, I felt a big, threatening blank space rise up in my brain. Initially it was because I was in the thick of a lot of international travel, sudden decisions, and a busy workload at work, leaving little time to write. As... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Islamabad!
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 →