skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Apologies to all Chicagoans and Chicago fans out there, but those of you who know me well also know that Chicago, despite it being my place of birth, is just not my kind of town. Now, I do appreciate my parents' swank apartment with the top floor decked out like a health spa and resort, the lake, the bike path that runs along the lake, the architecture, and the increasing abundance and variety of good food to be had in this city, but, somehow home just doesn't feel like home anymore.However, there is something that I do greatly enjoy about Chicago and that will keep me coming back for the rest of my life - friends. I loved being back and reuniting with old friends from high school and beyond.First there was the night with Dan and Melissa, when I got to meet yet another adorable baby - Melissa's son, Max.
And then there was a trip up to Evanston for a dinner with Susie, Crissy, Brandon & Elizabeth, and Colleen (whose husband, Chris, was missed!)
New York is nothing to me without a proper night out at Johnny's with the boys - Nichol and Matt. 
There is simply nothing else like the cheap drinks, the jukebox music, the little Christmas lights strung up year round, Vonya, and of course, the always titillatingly scintillating conversation to be had in the company of these two.
Okay, so you'd think that with all the swing groups I've been working with over here in Taipei, one of the first things I'd do while back in NY is head out for a good, satisfying night of heart-thumping, slinky swing dancing. Right?
Well, that would've been the case if I hadn't stupidly gone out and gotten my feet all full of blisters from salsa dancing, only to be followed up by some mystery bruising from a night of debaucherous bar dancing.
So, my poor swing partner, Spencer, had to settle for a visit from me to his office and some yummy eats at a Cuban/Chinese joint. Next time I will be more careful with my feet - I promise!
One of the highlights of my time back in NY was meeting up with my roommate from Kenyon, Jane, and meeting her little man, Sotiri. Yet another adorable baby! This little tyke sticks his tongue out for his happy face, thereby quickly capturing the admiration and hearts of all around him. I was also pleased to see that Jane is as full of vitality, beauty and good food as ever - the homemade jam she gave me was scrumptious! This kid is going to grow up being very well fed.
This is my friend, Connie. We worked together at ASA. She's Taiwanese, working and living in NY. She also gave me my Chinese name, Jiang Ming Jie. Seems we had to swap countries to find opportunities - go figure.
Shortly after taking this picture on E. 19th St., we saw Ric Ocasik coming out of his abode on the same street. What's NY without a celebrity sighting?
All right. So most folks might consider California as a tranquil haven of American life. As much as I enjoyed my time both in NoCal and SoCal, I must say that my return to NY was refreshing and reinvigorating. For me, when it comes to the States, NY just fits - provided that I don't have to pay rent....
I am a bit ashamed to say that my time in NY, while it consisted of my longest leg in the US, also yielded the fewest pictures. Perhaps this is because I consider NY my true US home and so therefore treated it more mundanely? Anyway, it was extremely refreshing to be back again in the energy and vitality of good old New York City. I have yet to find another locale on this earth that can consistently compare with the intellectual and creative impulse of this city.
I was more than pleased to stay in "Hotel Maria" set up by my old and dear friends, Nichol and Sarah. Their home is one of comfort and welcome, of course aided by the cutest of little dogs, Stella. In addition, I was blessed with the company of several lunches and nights out (though not in any particular order) by Nichol, Sarah, Matt, Phoebe, Matt (yes, that's a second one), Connie, Chris, Spencer, Sean, Jeremy, Seth, Alex, Arwen, and others.
My departure from NY was more than bittersweet. This return to the city for me was a reminder of not only what I love about the city itself, but more importantly of all the people I've come to appreciate and love for all the good times, support, and inspiration they've provided throughout the years....
Another happy coincidence threw me together with my former employers in Geneva, Switzerland, the Rabens, together in San Diego. They now live there after many years in the US foreign service.
Now, it's important to know that I worked for the Rabens as a nanny right out of college back in '94-'95. At the time, my charge, Michael, was an adorable toddler of 3-4 years old. So, the majority of my memories of him consist of his uncanny ability to recognize both the make and airlines of planes flying over head, as well as more typical toddler activities of going to the pool and the park, picnics in the yard with Siri and Paul, play dates with friends Catherine and Sophie, and making up songs about ghosts. 
Needless to say, it was quite a reality check to meet him again as a grown young man of 16 years - first in Taipei in April and then more recently in San Diego in early September. 
Talk about feeling old! But on a more serious level, I have to say how impressed I was with what a polite, considerate and patient young man he's turned out to be. So, kudos to Ron and Joyce for raising a most respectable, worldly individual.
I also want to hand it to Ron and Joyce for their consistent efforts in staying connected and to always being there for me, not only as employers, but more lastingly as mentors and friends. I cannot deny that my experience with their family has had a lasting and positive impact on my life.
From San Francisco it was time to head south to San Diego to stop in on brother, Matt, his fiancee, Fatima, and my (not-so-) little niece, Corinna.
Corinna is not quite a year and a half yet, but she's a rather healthy baby girl, full of vitality, curiosity and affection. Some of her favorite things seem to be traipsing about the living room, pointing out any 1 of 4 of their cats by announcing, "Gato," as she passes by. Another favorite thing is going from Grandpa to Grandma to Aunt Maria to Mom to Dad, giving everyone a "bacietto," which is Italian for "kiss."
We also delighted in a stroll about the courtyard where Corinna took turns holding hands with everyone and showing us all the way. Finally, it was time for a rest, so I took off my shoes and showed her the joy of going barefoot in the grass, while also laying back and gazing up into the sky.
For dinner, Corinna was introduced to the indulgence of cheeeeese - mmmmm. This little girl is a true Italian!
So much for fun city life with friends - it was now time to retreat up in the suburbs with family. My cousin, Colin, was getting married on September 2nd, so my parents and I headed up to Mill Valley for the festivities. This was the first time in years that I had seen all of the California Kelley's together - and am rather ashamed to say that I almost didn't recognize my middle cousin, Tucker! The rehearsal dinner gave us all a chance to marvel over how much we've all grown and developed and prospered... and then it was a night of toasts like I've never experienced before - all kicked off by my aunt Liz who made a wonderful introduction of all the guests, and later included an original ballad by Liz's brother Tucker and a pseudo CIA bust of the groom by my father.
The wedding itself took place in the evening on Labor Day, so my parents and I took advantage of our free day in the area to drive up to Sonoma and Napa Valley, take in the fresh air and hills, and of course, partake in the delights of wine tasting. One of our stops was an out-of-the-way place in Sonoma which boasted a colorful yard outside and quite a unique interior replete with an old-fashioned organ. 
While I enjoyed cruising around both areas, I have to say that in the end I preferred Sonoma over Napa for its more rustic, gentrified country feel.
That evening was the nuptials of my cousin, Colin, and his new wife, Meeghan (whose mother is a real hoot), giving the Chicago Kelley's (minus my brother and his family) and the California Kelley's yet another chance to indulge in how wonderful we all are.
A lucky happenstance had both Liz and I in San Francisco at the same time. We worked at Dekker together back in my publishing days. Funny how we've both opted for the expat life since - with her in Montreal and me in Taipei. It was great chatting over lunch - it felt like we were simply on a lunch break together and as if no time had passed at all since our last meeting.
P.S. Liz, this lavender color type is for you!
There is simply nothing else like the cheap drinks, the jukebox music, the little Christmas lights strung up year round, Vonya, and of course, the always titillatingly scintillating conversation to be had in the company of these two.
Needless to say, it was quite a reality check to meet him again as a grown young man of 16 years - first in Taipei in April and then more recently in San Diego in early September. 
Talk about feeling old! But on a more serious level, I have to say how impressed I was with what a polite, considerate and patient young man he's turned out to be. So, kudos to Ron and Joyce for raising a most respectable, worldly individual.
From San Francisco it was time to head south to San Diego to stop in on brother, Matt, his fiancee, Fatima, and my (not-so-) little niece, Corinna.
For dinner, Corinna was introduced to the indulgence of cheeeeese - mmmmm. This little girl is a true Italian!
The wedding itself took place in the evening on Labor Day, so my parents and I took advantage of our free day in the area to drive up to Sonoma and Napa Valley, take in the fresh air and hills, and of course, partake in the delights of wine tasting. One of our stops was an out-of-the-way place in Sonoma which boasted a colorful yard outside and quite a unique interior replete with an old-fashioned organ. 
While I enjoyed cruising around both areas, I have to say that in the end I preferred Sonoma over Napa for its more rustic, gentrified country feel.
That evening was the nuptials of my cousin, Colin, and his new wife, Meeghan (whose mother is a real hoot), giving the Chicago Kelley's (minus my brother and his family) and the California Kelley's yet another chance to indulge in how wonderful we all are.
