Weird Energy

Is it just me, or has there been a lot of weird stuff going on lately? It just seems like everyone I talk to these days has had some type of saga in recent months. It's uncanny. Does anyone have some good news to share? This cycle needs to be broken!

Butterfly season

The end of May saw Sharon and I on the bus back to up Yangming Shan for a day of hiking. This is now the second year in row we've done this - could it be becoming an annual event? Anyway, it proved to be a day of great luck for many reasons. First, despite researching our prospective route in depth the night before, Sharon was still unclear as to just how to get there. Luckily, a couple on the bus was going to the same place and helped us transfer to the bus we needed to get there and then to point us in the right direction on the path. The path was butterfly way, which is particularly popular at this time of year, considering that's it's apparently butterfly season up on the mountain. So, along we went, but no butterflies did we see. Seemed like our luck was quickly running out. But, we were greeted by some wonderfully mysterious and foggy ways, which offered Sharon the opportunity to teach me how to say "fog" in Chinese - wuuuuuuuuuuuu.

Next, once we were on the way to the top of a peak she wanted to take me too, we could hear thunder rumbling incessantly over the mountains. It kept threatening rain, but from where we were, the sky remained blue and clear. The path we were on was also surprisingly free of other hikers. When we did finally meet someone on the path, we were worried that they were actually aliens disguised as humans. We also hypothesized that the constant rumbling was not from thunder but from an elusive mountain monster that duly gobbled up unwitting hikers as they came around the bend. Well, we made our way around the bend only to be greeted, not by the monster, but by butterflies! Wonderfully colorful butterflies that flitted playfully between us and the trees.

Our feet refreshed from having stopped to admire the butterflies for a while, we renewed our climb up the seemingly endless stairs up the mountain that stared mercilessly back at us. But, each step higher afforded a wider view of the surrounding mountains and the bike path we had taken just a month before up to Danshui.

After catching our breath at the peak - which we were surprised to learn is supposedly the highest peak at Yangming Shan, we headed to the road to make our way back down. We were greeted with the grand finale of luck as the road was lined with a curious white flower and butterflies galore! And this time the butterflies rested long enough to let us get some decent shots of them.

After enjoying so much luck in one day, I'm a tad worried I've maxed out my luck account for the year, but even so, I'm looking forward to a hopefully 3rd annual Yangming Shan hike with Sharon next butterfly season!

My birthday :-)

Despite all my best efforts at stopping the clocks (note to self - wine may help me forget time, even erase time, but it does NOT actually stop time), this day has come around again. While leading up to today I anticipated it with disdain, denial and at times even despair, I find now that only a few precious hours remain of my actual birthday, I have turned to embrace it.


One reason for this is that since I have hit my thirties, this one (which shall remain numberless for those of you who don't already know for yourselves) has been one of the better ones. My student-turned-friend Sharon organized a lovely dinner party to celebrate in advance over the weekend, gathering old friends, other students-turned-friends, and new friends alike at one of my favorite eateries in town, Sababa. She even went so far as to provide a yummy cake (which I barely managed to keep off my nose) and a party game involving post-it notes (how did she know I love post-it notes??)

That night of uproarious laughter has been followed up by a calmer, though just as meaningful birthday eve day yesterday when I was surprised the attentiveness of more students through cards, gifts and even a decadent chocolate birthday cake.

The pleasantries have continued into today with more emails, cards and phone calls from family, old friends and new friends. In short, it's been many birthdays since I felt the warmth of everyone around me as I have on this one.

Of course birthdays are always a natural time for reflection, though even if it had slipped my mind to pause and reflect on this particular birthday, those around me have provided ample prompts and reminders to jump start me into that reflective mode. And, the upshot of all these reflections is simply this - I am in a good place right now. Of course it's natural to begrudge the passing years, especially as I see the lines get deeper and sags sag lower. But I also find that feeling content with life and feeling that I'm in the right place and doing the right thing goes a long way to counteract anything a little wrinkle or droop or 20-30 gray hairs might do. So, with that said, tonight I enthusiastically celebrate life with some wine and Swiss Cheese flavored potato chips and look forward to seeing how everything (and perhaps everyone?) will play out over the course of the year.

However, despite my instantaneous newfound wisdom that came in the mail with all those birthday greetings, I do find that there is one question I still am as of yet unable to answer.


Would someone please just tell me - WHY??????????

bff!

Considering that we've been good friends for about 5 years now, you'd think Andrew and I would have a slew of good pictures together. But, we don't. It wasn't until recently they we FINALLY got a decent shot of us together.


Hee-hee.

Seriously, though, it has been just recently that we got a normal shot of us...




Naw, that one is TOO normal.


That's more like it!

fur frenzy!

You know I've got to be really busy if it's taken me so long to give a single mention of my furry friends - Guinness and Eyebrow. They made the long trek from New York to Taipei back in mid-September - and luckily arrived scared as heck but all in one piece. They spent 3 weeks in a quarantine facility, which also rather fortuitously, is located right across the street from where I work, so it was easy to visit them 2-3 times a week. Also luckily, all the staff members at the quarantine facility were very friendly and competent, so I had full confidence that my girls were in good hands.

I brought them home in early October, where they quickly took to their new surroundings. They've also been enjoying the company of some occasional visitors - mainly Andrew.













Guinness even learned how to play mahjong from my student, Becca! (Though I'm afraid she didn't bring her any luck - in fact, both Becca and I ended up being big losers that night!)
And she proved instrumental in teaching Sharon how not to strangle Santa while hanging Christmas decorations,

as well as providing artistic inspiration to Jose in making snowflakes.

Brow-brow, meanwhile, has been cozying up with her new toy and has taken up a new habit of barking.

What I do appreciate about this town

Okay, so my last post kind of ragged on Taipei for being excessively humid and having uninteresting - or at least, uninspiring - architecture. However, as many of you well know, I can be a moody gal. One day I love something, the next I'm indifferent about it, the next I'm griping about it with characteristic over-vehemence.



But, one thing I keep coming back to about Taipei is the life in the lanes - it seems to be where Taipei really lives, breathes, sleeps, and eats (and poops). So, here are a few glimpses of what Taipei lanes have to offer...

i missed my frizzy hair...

Ah, life back in Taipei - replete with 90% humidity levels causing my hair to expand just like those funky little sponge toys you drop into a bowl of water to watch them grow. Instant fun!

But seriously, it was a little tough coming back this time. Not sure quite what that was about - perhaps it was because I didn't have quite enough break time (how spoiled am I? Would any normal human being complain about 6 weeks of vacation not being enough break time?) and so wasn't ready to come back and jump right back into work. I do think that's part of it, but I think a stronger part of it was my time back in the States made me realize how much I miss being around good people who just so happen to also be good friends. It further made me appreciate the unique character that each city in the States has to offer. I really enjoyed being in San Francisco, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Chicago where walking around the streets provides its own simple joy - just by looking around and admiring the houses and buildings around you. Here in Taipei, there's not much to look at other than grimy tiled or concrete crap. I found myself strolling around the streets, unable to stop myself from imagining all the ways that the city could be improved. It kind of brought me down, and so, I found myself trudging off to school to start the new fall semester in a bit of a slump.

Luckily, on my way to school, I cut through the Tai Da campus (Taiwan's version of Harvard or Yale) where every day, twice a day, I have the pleasure of passing my favorite tree. Granted, this may qualify me as being a crazy tree lady, but I do have to say, there is something about this tree that lifts my spirits every time I pass by. So, secretly, I like to wave and say hi. After all, it's a nice tree.

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.

The SoCal Kelley's

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!

labor day in the 'burbs

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.

pink ladies

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!

The baby tour begins...

While in SF, I of course made a date to meet up with my old friends, Sam and Alex. Not only did I get to visit their beautiful home, but I also got to meet their adorable son, Nathan. This little tyke has the most amazing blue-gray eyes and makes the most engaging and amusing facial expressions I've ever seen. I was impressed to the point of being nearly speechless as I watched Nathan get absolutely spoiled as his father gave him a full body massage (we should all be so lucky!) and then his mother gave him a bath.

After bath time, it was time to kiss little Nathan goodnight and to let the adults share in some wine and conversation. Alex's mother was staying with them, so I also had the chance to chat with her and get to see what an endearing and interesting woman she is. With a mother like her, no wonder Alex is so cool! And, I must say that I was very, very impressed with Sam's ability to speak French. He chatted away almost like it was his mother tongue. I kept my French practice mainly to listening, since just about every time I tried to open my mouth to speak French with Alex's mother, the only thing that wanted to come out was Chinese. Luckily, Alex's mother is multilingual, so we were able to enjoy our conversation by bouncing around between languages. Oh, and by the way, le poulet etait delicieux!

SF - a city of vistas

My friend, Adam, went all out on my visit to SF - even dropping off a little welcome goody bag complete with candy and maps highlighting severals spots of interest around the city. Now, most of those spots were his favorite bars, along with several parks offering expansive views of the city. As we talked about his life in SF, he dubbed it as a "city of views," and after visiting his recommended spots on the map, I'd have to agree.

Oh, and he also organized a day of bike riding across the Golden Gate and up to Sausalito and Tiberon. We duly ignored the directions of the cute Spanish girl at the bike rental place, whose enchanting accent sent us both into space, and got lost. But all in all it was a grand day of biking, sightseeing, and of course enjoying a few beers at the end - all topped off with a ferry ride back to the city.

Ah, America

I recently had the pleasure(?) of returning Stateside for a few weeks at the end of August/early September. My trip was a bit of a whirlwind tour, including San Francisco, San Diego, New York and Chicago, so it will likely take a few posts to really get through it all.

But first things, first. I arrived in San Francisco on August 28 and duly headed straight for Mountain View, where, rather than looking for a job at Google, I desperately searched the streets for a pay phone while carrying all my stuff and wondered if I had really left Asia, since most of the storefront signs were in Chinese.

A lack of working pay phones led me to the offices where my old and good friend, Nandita, works. I know Nandita from a TESOL certificate program we both took in Zhuhai, China, in January 2003 (in fact, she and I took a little side trip to Hong Kong at the time of the SARS breakout - we both survived).

Nandita has traded in an exciting life as an ESL teacher to stay in Mountain View with her beau, Boris. But luckily they do still get out and travel the world together - in fact, he just took her home with him to Bulgaria to meet his family. I look forward to seeing you again next year, Nandita!