Ta Shi Wo de Mei Mei

Chinese new year is oficially over, sort of, actually it doesnt really have a set end date but it seems to have culminated in last nights firework finale that was so loudly and proudly displayed at about 10 pm. Wowee, there were a TON of fireworks going off last night, more than the normal amount that have permeated the sound waves of the last three weeks. Jack has a friend who is a fireman that confiscated a bunch of fireworks from people this month and naturally jack got to keep them. Im starting to really like that guy, hes much more mischievous than i originally thought. Im also using chinese pod like mad, and learning a good amount of mandarin actually.

My salad, what else? Ive been seriously trying to trim the fat lately. This whole rice with every meal thing has not been kind to my figure. I am going to try to spend mornings and nights for this month in the gym and on the street, quite literally, running my ass off. Also the chocolate thing has got to stop, at least for this month, i have to be seen in public! in a bikini! in april! in Hawaii! o yeah thats another thing, change of plans, im not going to hong kong instead im visiting morgan in honolulu for my birthday/i love her/i need to renew my visa. serendipity!

Mei Mei, which me means little sister, this is what both portia and I call natlie, she felt the need to take this photo on the elephant in oldtown at night. As much of a handful as she can be, i actually have become much more comfortable around her, and everyone in the house i think. Knock on wood. She has made me laugh alot in the last 48 hours. Another thing...Today, the Feng Shui master visited portia while Mei Mei and I were at Emily's house playing. I dont know about you guys but all i have ever known of Feng Shui is moving around furniture..um, there is alot more too it than that, and people take is seriously, very seriously. The feng shui master visits every year and tells the owner of the house what to do. Today, I helped Portia move a desk out of the way of the door to a bathroom that i was not aware that we had because it had been sealed off for an entire year, because last year, that is what the feng shui master told them to do. We moved around every picture hanging on the wall all over the house. Portia is getting rid of her bed because this type of bed " isnt good for her" but last year it was. Every year portia buys and gets rid of a ton of stuff depending on what the master tells her. Keep in mind, this is a totally rational, totally successful, incredibly smart international lawyer who graduated top in her class from Yale law school. I was partially amused, partially astounded, partially amazed at the feng shui happenings today. I have to say, i really think it was one of the coolest things ive ever seen. The seriousness and nonchalant manner in which all of this was happening should be noted as well.

Also portia and I had a very long talk about life and what it means. God and Dao and Buddha. Phsychology and reincarnation. And fortunetelling, She knows an english speaking fortune teller, and Im putting that on my list of things to do in China.

In the meantime, just missing you, and working on attaining funds for whatever i do in the fall/summer, and various other ta-do's.

consider yourselves updated,

jie jie (big sister)