A Summer of Feet

From roller rinks to sandy beaches, SD to LA, I have to say that this was a fun summer. I got to spend time with my family and although I wish I had my boyfriend by my side, it was memorable.

Highlights:

1. meeting my new brother and sister…half from my dad’s side.
2. meeting my boyfriend’s mother…who is ADORABLE!!
3. going to the rollerskating rink
4. learning how to take photos
5. learning 4 chords on the guitar
6. babysitting twins

I am ready to travel, ready to be with my boyfriend again and take on new adventures. And ready to be spooned to sleep every night.

26 June 2009 – A Note About Wedding Registries

I remember attending a wedding several years ago where the wedding registry included such items such as board games, UNO cards and dice. And as so many of my friends are getting married, I realised that you can tell a lot about a couple from their wedding registry. Not just what they’re missing or what they want…but actually what they’re missing.

I was always of the opinion that the goal of having a wedding registry is threefold:

1. to let your guests know what an appropriate gift would be
2. to stock up on items you wouldn’t be able to afford as newlyweds
3. to reduce  the amount of returns and exchanges

This said, why do so many couples go so wrong with regsitries?

For example, requesting the same items on two different registries. Or requesting items such as a measuring cup or spatula that cost under $5. Or requesting 3 sets of Tupperware. Or bedsheets in 3 different sizes.

Huh?

Or things like:
1. a lotion pump. does anyone actually use these?
2. a cheap vacuum. this just tells everyone that neither person owns a respectable vacuum. which is kind of gross.
3. 3 different measuring cups. why?
4. kitchen utensils that don’t match anything else on the registry. an inauspicious beginning.

Sigh. This post could go on forever. Just remind me not to do the same when my time comes.

17 June 2009 – Start of Another Summer

So summer has arrived.  My little sister is out of school and mid-June is here. I am in San Diego (an appropriate place to be spending summer) and I have a gig babysitting 4 kids (a 5 year old, a 3 year old, and 1.5 year old boy-girl twins).

So hanging out with kids, hanging out with my sisters, hanging out with little cousins–everything but what I really would like which is to be hanging out with my boyfriend somewhere in China.

I miss Hangzhou, I miss being in China and I miss most being around my Woodcutter–going out for food, hanging out with our friends and taking photos around town.

And most of all, I miss sharing sleep with someone who is the perfect big spoon for my little spoon.

15 May 2009 – Proper Stalking/Socializing Etiquette

I had a Twitter account very briefly after which I stopped using it because I realised that I really don’t do anything worth stalking and if someone has the need to stalk me, then they really ought to save up some money, and start following me around properly. (Note that I tend to travel internationally several times a year so initially it might seem costly, but the amount of miles rack up fast).

In the past, and by past I mean previous 5 years, I have had and cancelled a MySpace account, livejournal, friendster, xanga, and who knows what else my name has been signed up to.

Now, I am a loyal facebook addict and happy with the mutual relationship I have built.

But. There is one thing I refuse to venture into when it comes to “social networking” and that is: online dating.

From e-harmony, Match.com, PlentyOfFish, or whatever else might be out there, I am appalled at this trend in socializing.  I am more appalled that people who DO use such dating sites and eventually DO get married have absolutely NO shame about spilling what ought to be their well-kept-”how-we-met”-secret.

Who in their right mind admits to meeting their significant other via an online dating site whose sole purpose is to hook people up together? This, IMO stands in the same pool as admitting to googling your ex online on a friday night and then telling them what it is your doing.

Funnily enough, my ex has done both.

14 May 2009 – Afternoon in Sola

My sister, her boyfriend, their dog, and my littlest sister spent an afternoon at the Solana Beach Design District, namely a handful of shops specializing in anything artsy, design-related, and/or dogs. 

my bag on the road.

it was an overcast day. june gloom except it isn’t june. and i wasn’t feeling gloomy at all.

11 May 2009 – Not Feet but Sisters & Cousins

I have been home here in San Diego for 5 days. In these 5 days, I have taken over 100 photos of my sisters and cousins mostly in the backyard. If the photos look mildly OK, it’s because I have an amazing camera which refuses to take bad, tabloid-looking photos.

 Nica.

Danielle.

Jojo.

Popi.

Nicki.

Sam.

There are still as many cousins that I have not taken photos of. I’m number 5 out of 25 cousins on my mom’s side only. Yeah, big family, no concept of birth control. Most of us came out cute-ish though. So I feel like at least we’re not making the world worse.

9 May 2009 – Sand and Sisters

Del Mar Dog Beach, after sunset.

little feets.

8 May 2009 – In transit

Waiting for my jet plane…

4 May 2009 – Busy Little Bees

1. as I had previously mentioned, my site was (and continues to be) blocked in China so I had to find a way around this madness.
2. my friend Mary from Hong Kong came to visit for a few days.
3. my BF left
4. i’m trying to get settled into my life here in China
5. i am simultaneously leaving to go to America this week

Those are my reasons for why I have not posted in a while.

I also bought you some red silk handmade ballet flats.

I don’t know if I’m excited to go home, back to San Diego. A long-ass flight, a month of dealing with the parents and back to shitty transportation, having nothing to do and too much to do simultaneously.

I like my life here, as chaotic as it is. I’m learning Mandarin now and trying to find a stable and regular job. I’m discovering a new city which is really fun. I like finding my new favorite places to go to and discovering new ways to love a city. I like meeting new people.

and I love the new friends I have made here. They make it feel like home.

2 May 2009 – Around the WestLake