all good

Wow- I'm getting really blog obsessed. I think I subscribe to a new blog every day! There's so many corner of the world hiding out in the netherworlds of the internet- and I'm just fascinated! My laptop overheated (and doesn't have the VPN) so I'm restricted to blogging from Timon's TV/computer, so no photos or links for now. Just typing from the sofa and squinting at the TV screen- which stretches the text a bit so I can't tell commas and periods apart... anyways.

I have a 30-45 minute commute to work via metro. I used to listen to podasts or read the newspaper on my iTouch- until I missed my stop and then I re-discovered books. Books! I do read at home, but suddenly I found I could read 30-50 pages at day reading during my commute and during my lunch break. At the end of the day, it was much more fulfilling than reading the paper. It is important and interesting to know what is going on in the world around us, but I ended up with a handful of random facts instead real meaty food for thought- concepts and ideas that I would chew on and spark intriguing conversations with people. (And I hope it also helps upkeep my English)

These are the books I've finished, and have wanted to jot some notes down.

THE SHACK
BLINK by Malcolm Gladwell
WHAT THE DOG SAW
and currently reading MERE CHRISTIANITY by CS LEWIS

The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity , by William P. Young is a novel about a father going through hard times and meets the characters assumed to be God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. This was a fascinating interpretation and illustration of what God, Jesus, Spirit's personalities, interactions, not to mention their answers to the main character's many troubled questions and disbelief. Generally people pray desiring a verbal response (whether likely or not) and this book proposes a graceful possibility of what it is/or could be like. The main focus the Main character, Mack is wrestling with is his humungous pain he's endured and questioning the highest power, "Why?" -a question we have pondered at least once in our life, if not more. And more importantly Mack asks, "How can I possibly go on with my life after all this pain?"

I enjoyed this book- it was funny, serious, not to heavy, and also heart warming. It challenged me in the way I see my own relationship with God and the trinity and silly expectations I held/hold. I wont get into the details too much. Timon hasn't read it yet.

east coastin

After my Friday meeting in NY I took the Vamoose bus down to Arlington, Virginia to visit some really good friends- Denise and her sister and husband.

We ate persian kabobs, then went to Georgetown to go Kayaking in the Potomac- super fun and SO tiring!!! We went as pairs, me with Denise and then her sister with her husband. We were trying to go around this island but it was really hard and we were getting pushed side to side, zig zagging on the river. My arms are so sore!

Charming architecture in Georgetown:

There were tons of brick buildings, with painted shutters and doors in bold colors, some classic and traditional, some more modern and bold (Magenta!)

Vintage Airplane themed wall:

Lunch at Clyde's

Pinball museum:

Tired

I get really excited whenever I get to trip back to the US. But I always forget how exhausting it is. The checklists. The jet lag. Lifting luggage.

Its just the end of my second day here, after all the driving google-mapping I'm starting to get a feel for long island. I mean beginning to understand life in America again. Fast, demanding focus and concentration, and so diverse. I went by the mall to buy a sim card, and was in a constant state of tug-of-war visually, with all the different stores and their window displays, attention demanding signage, and never ending maze. 6 signs later I can finally find the bathroom! The atmosphere in the mall shops is so much more tailored and defined compared to china. Each store here has its extremely branded look, for the most part. Whereas Chinese malls (like Cloud 9 ZSP) all resemble a similar layout. Neon lights, and stuff.

Even going into Target I was so overwhelmed. I'm also overwhelmed at Yu Garden's market too... but this was all new stimuli of stuff I didn't know - 100% I had never seen before. Trends change quickly and frequently. I had no idea that Snapple came in 2 liter bottles! I think suddenly being bombarded with English text and sounds- much more to process than just going to Carre four and ignoring all Chinese signs and announcements.

Best of all, shopping here is GOOD. $10 for jeans and $7 for a silk blouse! Score! I could have never swung that in China. even on taobao.

I had lunch at Thomas' egg and hamery diner across the street. It was aDORable! Counter seating, and a whole bunch of booths, with the coat hanger post inbetween each booth. It was like stepping into a previous past. Everyone had Long island accents. It was so cute I wanted to laugh but didn't want people to think I was laughing AT them. The wait staff chatted with all their 'regulars' with their Long Island accents, calling everyone "sweetheart"and repeatedly asking customers if everything was okay. She did all her calculations on a calculator, tapping furiously at the buttons. I had a bowl of chili with cheese and onions. It was so so rich.

Got a meeting tomorrow where I'm presenting 20 some odd product ideas. Then off to Virginia!

summertime

Dinner at xibo. I love their hat collection! Each one is unique with its embroidered details and different shapes.

Timon's 31st! we had a rooftop pool party for an entire afternoon and evening. It was just fantastic- a beautiful view of Zhongshan park, and a refreshing escape from the heat.

Yes, I know this is totally random, but this a purple potato- a beautiful color that I would have only imagined in Dr. Seuss book. Our friend BBQ'd them. Sweet and yummy.

New york here I come.

New york here I come.

From one huge city to another, then 4 days in the suburbs. Things I
look forward to:
-Fresh air
-Quiet
-Grocery shopping
-Seeing friends
-Journal time

Things I am dreading:
-Long restless plane ride with questionable food. A 15 hr flight is
the last place I want to get food-poisoning
-Forgetting something vital, like my laptop charger.
-Getting lost. because of
-Jet lag.