I started a post yesterday that was going to chronicle my troubled life consisting of breezy days on the patio drinking iced caramel macchiatos, blogging away on my new laptop…but I got sidetracked thinking about backpacks and selling all of my shit. Certain conversation invariably comes up with friends about why we’re dissatisfied with our lives when we are so incredibly fortunate. I live with my parents and work about 30 or so hours a…
minimization
by • • 1 comment
Right now I’m sitting outside a Starbucks like I often do. The reason I come here is because 1) I work at this particular store so I don’t usually pay for drinks, and 2) it is within walking distance of home. I was at home cleaning out my room and the garage, looking for things to sell or donate. The idea of minimizing what I own is very appealing; it’s always been somewhat a romantic fascination of…
a peaceful reminder
by • • No comments
This morning I woke up feeling incredibly rested. I went to the bathroom and then walked back in my room with a calm presence over me, somewhat hyper-aware, admiring the way the carpet felt on my feet. Kind of in a surreal state where random thoughts just pop in your head, like “I’m so thankful my feet and legs work.” I laughed to myself and looked at the clock to see what time it was. It…
au revoir
by • • No comments
It seems to be I am in the state where getting out of this country, or maybe just being somewhere totally new, has become a top priority in my life. So exigent is this desire that at times I can’t sit still and I feel a burn in my skin at the thought of being here, of feeling like I am doing nothing “beyond existing”. It sounds pretty dramatic. I frequently miss China, though I try…
new apartment
by • • No comments
Things have settled down a bit as we have been able to rent a room from an American couple and quit living out of hotels. The internet everywhere we have been has been sketchy and I’ve been unable to log on…
Houston, Chinese Consulate
by • • No comments
Sitting at a Starbucks in what must be the gayest district in Houston. I love it. We just finished up at the Chinese Consulate, dropping off our passports and paperwork to get visas. There was a line to the street before the consulate…
126 yuan and getting closer
by • • 3 comments
The other morning I went downstairs to scan a map and print it out. Only problem was my dad was at computer looking at tennis matches or finances or something. He started talking…and in general I don’t just interrupt and change…