Hello from Beijing, finally.
Friday, October 29, 2004
this is rodeo beach. it was awesome except for one thing: no actual rodeo!
So, here I am, on an airplane back to China. It's a year and a day since we first came to China, which is crazy because it doesn't even seem that long ago. As the kids say: One year down, one to go.
Of course if you're reading this, I'm not actually on an airplane anymore because there's no internet in the sky. (Note to airlines: There ought to be! Get crackin', whydontcha.) So, that means my 120 pounds of luggage (no joke) and I are back, safe and sound. But here's an update for now: I'm on hour five of the 12-hour flight; I have two seats to myself (thank you, airplane gods); there is a crazy woman across the aisle who requested four packets of butter for her small dinner roll; you should all watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which is a great movie, unless you don't like weird movies. Then you should avoid it.
The last leg of Trip: America was awesome (as if there was any doubt it would be): John took the day off work and we exhausted ourselves driving around the city on a beautiful day; Leanne, best book recommender I know, suggested I read Wicked on the way home, which I am and which is pretty great; their new cat is so cute I almost kidnapped it back to China with me (it did not like hiding in the bag, and so I had to leave it). In summary: Very, very good times. Here's the proof:
the big bridge: not really golden, but international orange
thoroughly enjoying my in and out burger, served up double double animal-style. ridiculously yum.
prettiest park in town, despite a lack of magazine stands nearby
is this not the cutest cat ever? if you pat her, she extends her paw and pats you.
the cat, the new couch: both fun, in their own way
john hearts his camera
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
So, my month is almost up. Let me tell you: Being on vacation for a month might sound exciting, but it is really quite tiring. What I need is a nice, two-day nap. But first: Today's trip to San Francisco, a land of great burritos and incredible In 'n Out Burgers. As long as I don't kill myself lugging my 100-pound bag (plus the other three) around the airports, then it should be great. (Really, who knew thrift store clothes could be so darn heavy? Must be all that extra dirt.)
And so: It was great to see you all. And now: Watch this space! Exciting (and possibly terrifying) announcements pertaining to future destinations should be afoot in about a month. Whooo?
Finally: Special thanks to all the various public transportation systems that ferried me around the country -- United, US Air, Southwest Air, Greyhound, Amtrak, Thrifty car rental, Metro North trains, the New York subway system, various family members cars. Mwah.
dee and bobby get hitched: aren't they pretty?
at Dee and Bobby's afterparty, I befriended another bride (on her third wedding) who tried to get me to go into Wilmington's finest fountain
note: this picture has been cropped in the name of public decency
hi grandma! hi grandpa!
fun things about new york: sometimes you walk down the street and a hydrant explodes
wedding #2 had an amazing ceiling
new england leaves are purty
back to China
More special thanks to Kevin and Greenle for supplying fun wigs (see right!), and to Cat for supplying the oversized inflatable microphone, which provided endless hours of hilarity and which is now returning with me to China. The kids there are going to love it.
Friday, October 1, 2004
rice paddy central
I have been finally made to feel guilty enough to start updating again. Seriously, these past few weeks have been rough, what with trips to Bali and the U.S. and all. (Er, perhaps "rough" is an exaggeration. Would you buy "exhausting" instead?) The reward: Bali pictures today (the best ones have been saved for publication, sorry); endless America pictures shortly. And now, I believe there is a delicious burrito calling my name.
shortly after this picture was taken there was small earthquake-y tremor-y thingy, which was kind of weird.
this monkey may LOOK cute and cuddly (and blurry, sorry) but it is pure evil. these monkeys attack. never turn your back on the monkeys.
further proof of evilness of the monkeys. look at those teeth! they are scary!
a real, live volcano
beachy goodness
Scenes from an airplane:
half the fun of going to Bali is flying over tropical islands. okay, maybe not half, but some.
only redeeming part of 12 hour beijing-chicago flight: flying over alaska
back in the motherland. what can i say? long flights make me melodramatic.
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