But we're not in Kansas

Woo hoo!!!

Update

This is on its way to me from the Urban Outfitters warehouse in South Carolina. I knew I had to buy it when I couldn't stop thinking about it for two weeks straight.

So it's July. This month marks the beginning of our third year here in Boston. ! Lots of things have changed since we left L.A. (warning; lots of I, we, me's coming your way.) We got a dog. Who we successfully potty trained. I found a job that has led me down a career path I can finally be excited and proud of. We've made new friends. Who aren't all asian. I am a car-less urbanite. (sort of). I can clean hard wood floors and install a portable A/C unit. When all else fails, we use kitty litter to dig tires out of the snow. I now watch baseball. And Tom Brady. In our spare time we take walks and sit outside. Come to think of it, what did I fill my days with before we moved here?

Back home, I lived less than a mile from the hospital where I was born. Friendships were made and collected over a lifetime. I really missed the history and familiarity when we first came out here. I felt, and still feel sad about not being there during those historic moments - reunions, weddings, late nights, mission send-offs, impromptu everythings. But at the same time, I am building a new history here.

I'm learning that marriage is harder than I thought, and being married to a surgical resident is harder than that. More importantly, I'm learning to let go and let God take the reigns, in marriage, in friendships, and even in the act of living. I am beginning to accept that I am a simple person. And I am learning to be okay with that.

This fall, our Boston story takes a new turn as I go back to school. Stay tuned...

I went to the Boston Library yesterday to get started on my new reading goal, which is to read the Modern Library's 100 best novels. (Thanks to my little sis for the idea).

And so I have a new crop of books for my west coast trip - The Thirteenth Tale; Traveling Mercies: Some thoughts on Faith; and Lolita.

I can't believe that in less than 5 hours, I'll be on my way home. I can't wait to bike across the Golden Gate and drive down PCH with my sis, see my dear friend Maria close the next chapter (no pun intended) of her journey as a Victorian scholar, and see my parents and old friends back home.

If you can keep my puppy Boston in your prayers, pray that he would remain emotionally healthy while I'm gone and not be terrorized too much by his daddy. Thank you.

On Saturday Boston and I did some community service on the Esplanade and then took a walk in the Public Garden. There were families taking pictures of their kids in front of tulips and then there was me and Boston.

Spring in Boston

A "Model" Fenway Day

Photo by B Tal.

A photo of the real Fenway Park. This photo perfectly summarizes Boston during this time of year - spring time, nostalgia, anticipation in a small, intimate city.

Having grown up in the concrete jungle, everything here is a novelty. I don't think I will ever stop marveling at how beautiful Boston can be. The trees are red green and yellow! And the air is colorless instead of a murky gray/brown! And the snow is so white!

November 4, 2006

March 16, 2007
If you look closely, you can see children and their parents preparing sled down the hill.

Winter is over! Yeah!

Esplanade March 07

Last month, my parents came for a long-awaited visit. It's funny how as a teenager I couldn't wait to get away from them and now as an adult, they're never close enough. Having them see where I live and work somehow makes this place feel more like home.

Every single one of my parents' visit is centered around two activities: taking their illiterate chinese daughter to the chinese market and cooking enough food to last through the winter. Because evidently grocery shopping and operating a stove are skills that aren't fully developed in people my age.

We also managed to get them out into the sunny 20-degree weather for some winter sightseeing:

Parents' Weekend Feb 07