hometown blues

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!)

the boys

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.

these weary dancing shoes

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!

roomie reunion

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.

city swap

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?

ah, tranquility

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....

I remember you when you were yay big...

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.