My sister just had twin girls, and I’ve visited them so many times (maybe too many?? nah…).  I love the girls and my parents are staying with her so I get to see everyone more often. 

Thanks to my friends for putting up with me and thanks to my classmates for getting me through this past year!

I look forward to this summer where I will be working (for free) with the NY State Division of Human Rights.  If I can help even just one person, these last two semesters will have been so worth it.

I’m going to Spain at the end of May to celebrate finishing my first year – If I survive this next month of course.  And I plan to make many trips to see my sis and nieces, toronto, boston, florida and portland/seattle – looks as though I will be taking out another loan.  Hey, it’s either now or never!

Great-grandma

Grandma

Granpa

Momma

Layla <3

Alexis <3

I'd better get back to it.

I put on the camo jumpsuit and was immediately transformed.  I was ready – Our referee counted down “We are starting on my world in less than 5 seconds…5…4…3…2…GO!”  And I was off running!  Bullets were flying in all directions, and I was dodging them way better than Keanu Reeves ever could.

I was ducking and covering, shooting warning shots and kneeling in ant farms, but I was doing it to save our country… OK, just so I wouldn’t end up with welts all over.  I got shot a few times but only ended up with one welt… I’ll let you guess where!

The Mets started off strong, scoring 3 runs in the first 2 innings… but they couldn’t contain Cantu – whose 2 homeruns led Marlins to a 7-4 victory.  I guess we weren’t good luck charms.

Highlights of the game:

• Amazing seats, beautiful weather, but better company

• food delivery and Robert, our waiter with intense tattoos covering his arms and hands
• the wave

• no lines at the women’s bathroom
• being greeted ‘welcome to Citi Field, how are you doing?” – Amanda responding with “thanks”
• and of course, Mr. Wright

• I spent some time in NY, Boston and mostly Canada catching up with friends and family,

• I studied and wrote the LSAT,
• I dealt with snowstorms (of course),

New York and Canada

• I met some new babies in the family,

• I applied to and got into many law schools, and I accepted a full ride into one,
• I helped my parents move into their new place,
• I moved back to NY and did some exploring,

• I read a bunch of books and watched some movies and played lots of wii,

• I visited my cousin’s beautiful baby boy,

• I cooked out of boredom,

• But I ate a lot more,

And now… I’m doing volunteer work with Wokai and Rebel Theater. I am also working part-time at Club Monaco, still reading, watching 5 seasons of The Wire, trying to find the right car and vacation before law school starts in August.

I am also making a conscious effort to post more on this blog.

I’m looking through all of my pictures from China and remembering all of the moments.  Here is a compilation of some of the things that stand out as “China moments.” Every expatriate knows this feeling and can only be fully understand once you have experienced China as a foreigner.  I hope this at least gives you some insight into how I felt during my time there.

My bike was my car while in Beijing.  It was a big investment on my volunteer’s budget.  It got me everywhere I needed to go and kept me in shape.  I rode it…  through the alley behind my place, to work, to the markets, into and out of trouble, to and around Forbidden City, through the Beijing hutongs, everywhere!  I maneuvered through cars, buses, bikes, mopeds, and crowds and crowds of people.  I even took a few wipeouts on it, but I did love it.

It was stolen the week before I left Beijing, and I feel I need to post a tribute to my “shao didi.”

I tried living in Songjiang for a bit.  It’s in the suburbs of Shanghai.  Although it was like living in the “real China,” my circumstances there weren’t the greatest for many reasons, and I knew I was ready to go home.

Songjiang – not much to see – not much to do – not much to say.  Have a look for yourself.

This was a once in a lifetime trip into the unknown. This trip reminded me of the China that I visited as a child 16 years ago. It is the simple life where everyone is content with what they have and have no concerns for material things and luxuries of our world. They are happy with the life and role they are born into and make the most of it. I was forced to use whatever Mandarin I had learned and it assured me that I had made some progress. There was no running water or plumbing, and I didn’t shower for three days. Yet, I felt better than I had in a while. The locals were friendly and very hospitable, and I left with a humbling that will always stay with me.

After a rough ride in a “Minibus” over bumps and along mountainsides holding onto our lives, we made it! We made a 6 hour drive in just four and a half with our driver, Mr. Ye blasting his techno disco music the entire way. Mr. Ye was great. As soon as we crossed into Inner Mongolia, he cracked a beer and said “no police here.” He saw nothing wrong with drinking and driving except that in Beijing he had that chance to get caught! His favorite phrase was “Minibus, good!” He was a great driver and had an infectious laugh. Here’s to you Mr. Ye and your Minibus.