photos

Back in New York and have finally opened a flickr account and uploaded pics from the trip. I tried very hard to weed this time around. I think I did a pretty good job considering I have around 700 pics total. Ok I got a bit camera-happy. But the pics on the flickr account are all labelled and sorted so I think it's pretty manageable. Hope you enjoy.

For now I'm crashing at Theresa's (and aparently still recovering from jet lag). Listening to Billie Holliday, reading reading reading, and picking up my violin now and then (contemplating a recital in O-land in August...). Lots of things to do before Beijing but for the moment I just want to catch up on sleep and visit with friends. I plan to keep up with the blog in China but until then I'll try to post a few more times. Meanwhile, keep in touch and let me know if you're in NYC before the end of the month or OH after that.

unexpected delays

Things just don't always work out like you expect them to. Learned that one the hard way this time around.

I was supposed to leave from JFK Monday afternoon on a flight to Tokyo. When I was waiting in line at the airport to check in I discovered that I did not have my passport. "Any way I can do this without a passport?" I ask. Response was something along the lines of, not a chance.

I don't know what happened to my passport. It seems to be one of those mysteries that will either never be solved or will turn up years down the road under the backseat of my parent's van or something and everyone will laugh. Not too much laughing for the moment.

So I've spent the week with Theresa, my cousin here in the city. Which has been good. Lots of time to read, talk, play with kittens (see pics), and set this up. Kittens have a way of distracting and engaging you that lifts the spirit.

After several days of stressing, staring at the computer, running up my cell minutes and spending more money than I actually have, I'm scheduled to fly out Saturday morning. You wouldn't believe the trouble and expense involved with getting a new passport super fast. I'm having a hard time understanding how this is going to work out in the end but for now I'm trying to listen to the voices of assurance in my life right now that say, I know it may be hard or impossible to see right now but good things will come of it and you just have to make the best of it.

Crossing fingers till Saturday and enjoying my extra time in the city. Lots of walking, sore calves, time to stretch, time to think and write.