more energy than sunshine

clearly the only strategy for coping with i-abhor-china-itis is to warrior through it. this involves assuming responsibility for being here, in this marvelous world, in this marvelous time. actually, that is true for any time and place, red china blues or none. in any case, i am now cured and again happy being here. or, more precisely, happy to just be. or, even more precisely, just happy. i had such an outrageously fun weekend that there was barely time to sleep. sometimes my reserves of energy and spirit surprise even me. marveling at not being completely and utterly exhausted and still smiling on the bus to work this morning, i wondered why and how i sometimes have more energy than sunshine. i smiled a little less broadly as i realized i am off on another whirlwinded trip to america tomorrow. at least i've been upgraded to business class for the journey there. and it will be nice to see family, friends, lei feng (my immigrant cat who is leading a decadent lifestyle and getting fat in the beautiful country). i'm less excited about the work aspects of the trip (although that is the purpose for this travel).

a dear old friend was in town this weekend and i think we laughed continuously for two days. we also danced*, watched football, drank too many martinis, wandered around beijing, attended an opening party for a politically provocative modern art exhibit, over-caffeinated, shopped, threw peanuts recklessly about, reminisced, smiled at life, saw the sun rise, contemplated, made new friends, and laughed, laughed, laughed. it's wonderful to be with someone you have been close to and known for so long. we had last seen each other five years ago over a great meal in london, but connections of the enduring kind are so precious because you can simply and swiftly pick up without missing a beat whenever you cross paths. after two full but glorious long days and nights, he was off.

you would have thought that friday and saturday would have been enough, but last night i hosted a dinner party for 16 with some fantastic foodie friends. my talented friend taught us how to make pasta and pizza dough from scratch and we had an amazing feast of homemade pasta, goat cheese ravioli, pizza, onion tart, and then some. so sunday night was spent sitting outside in the evening quiet in the courtyard, drinking delicious wine, and enjoying some of the best carbs i've ever consumed.... it was dual-themed weekend: no cocktail left behind; no carb left behind. (and fear not, a lot of cheese was involved as well.) by the time everyone was leaving last night at midnight, and i was ready to collapse, i couldn't help but marvel at how fortunate i am to be in this very marvelous world at this very marvelous time. which confirms i am a warrior.

*noodle-danced even