Today we did Tai Chi outside next to a stagnant pond. Inexplicably, the mosquitoes got worse once we moved further away, into the brick paved parking lot. Little bastards went after the backs of my knees like it was the last buffet before the apocalypse. I spent more time desperately flailing at my legs than focusing on the actual moves. Final ( Read more... )

Yesterday my alarm went off at 6am, and instead of hitting snooze, I got up and took my first run since arriving in Tianjin. The campus was quiet as I skipped across the tilted cobblestones, past the dormant fountain, and left toward the gated track. The streets were empty except for a few older men in tiny nylon shorts, stretching and yawping at ( Read more... )

Another year, another 10-day job for a non-profit. Understaffed and overworked, this year's orientation was more eventful than usual. Going on my third year, I expected 10-hour days, bad cafeteria food, amusing Japan stories, bratty kids, nerdy kids, new teachers and inside jokes. 2010, however, was a year of unusual drama ( Read more... )

In February we celebrated Amanda's birthday by packing fun into 4 days.

We took in the lovely views at Antelope Island:


( Read more... )

Snow fell in 49 states yesterday, and somehow our ski resort is still a mix of ice sheets and stray foliage. Hopefully we'll get a huge snowstorm by the end of the month. Amanda, Dad, and Tom are coming out on the last weekend to ski and attend a Bookarts workshop, and it would be a shame if there was no powder ( Read more... )

Today I sat in the TA office, my nose pressed to Jacques Derrida, trying to figure out what the hell he was saying about translation im/possibility, when I overheard an irate student confronting his TA about a C+ essay. She explained that his thesis statement was too vague, and that his supporting arguments were weak. He kept repeating "I've ( Read more... )

Day 1: Fly into Southern California, pick up rental car, arrive in Palm Springs just before midnight ( Read more... )

Saturday ( Read more... )

I'm sitting in a vacation home trying to write. Yesterday I started drafting the first piece of writing I've done for myself in MONTHS, and it felt wonderful. I turned the music up, had a couple bloody marys, and wrote and wrote and wrote! But today, Tom's occupying the house with me, pacing on the porch while he talks on the phone, and I can't

やっぱり、久しぶりに仲良しの友達と一緒にいると色んなことを考えるんだ。昨日洋子と散歩したら留学の生活、米子の生活、そして将来のことを一杯話した。でも話よりも、おしゃれな店でコーヒーを飲んだり、笑いながら家で鍋を食べたり、日常の事を一緒にする方が心に伝わるかな。。。言葉にならない事はその空気に現れる ( Read more... )