A taste of China

Exploring the Bund

Even long after a trip to China has past, the flavor stays with you, setting your taste buds ablaze with spice and building a lasting impression. I'm talking not only about the Chinese cuisine from our recent trip, but about the experience as a whole traveling with our close friends who now call Shanghai home.

I'll admit it...China wasn't high on my bucket list. I knew I'd eventually make it there but figured it'd be part of a larger Asian exploration. But when you're best friends moves 7000 miles away, you bump China to the top of your list.

Slurp!

Maybe it was my lower than normal expectations about China (my expectation level before our trip to Japan almost reached Mt. Fuji!), but from start to finish, I found China to be strange and fun and far exceeding my hopes when I boarded the plane. Being greeted at the airport by a familiar face helped the transition immensely but once we arrived at Annie & Jay's apartment nestled on a tree lined street in the heart of the French Concession neighborhood I was ready to do it all! And did we ever! We packed as much as we could into the few days we had in Shanghai, tasting street food (yes please, egg pancakes with hoisin sauce) and dim sum (Din Tai Fung -- twice!), sight seeing (the Bund by day) and night clubs (La Baron by night), shopping the latest Chinese designers (Missy Skins among others) and even visiting a few of China's famous counterfeit markets -- twice!

The Great Wall of China! Yay!

Before we knew it we were off to Beijing to see the history and chaos. A day exploring the 798 Arts District followed by a day strolling the awe-inspiring Forbidden City and renowned Tiananmen Square followed by one of my favorite days of all - hiking The Great Wall of China. We entered the landmark at the Mutianyu Gate and were immediately able to enjoy the splendor and grandeur that is this engineering feat, nestled within some of the most beautiful and treacherous terrain I've seen. We walked all day, and then took toboggans down the mountainside to meet our guide before heading back to Beijing for some of the world-famed Peking Duck (Sijiminfu)! All and all, our day spent on The Great Wall of China felt like a (hopefully not) once in a lifetime experience.

Next, we were off to Bali...what needs to be said besides, it was BALI!

When in Beijing...

And then we were back in Shanghai. With tearful goodbyes and long embraces we said goodbye to our friends and hosts and as quickly (12 hours) as we had arrived...we were gone. Back to the embrace of our lovable two year old, who's first words when we arrived home were, 'are there presents!?!,' which of course there were in the form of trinkets and toys, clothes and instruments...but mostly the present I brought home was the knowledge that China is now a place I loved visiting and plan to return to again...hopefully to see our friends and hopefully with Everest in tow. Because once you get a taste for China, you'll definitely want another.

Yea, Thank you and I love you.

Highlight of the Week:  Yea, Thank you and I love you.

This past week was full of highlights.  I was finally feeling back to myself after a nasty flu bug which meant I could resume working out, getting out and being out.  The weather has been spectacular and I had plans to see a good friend every day this past week.  On top of that we went to see the truly epic Kamasi Washington and were able to soak in some transcendent jazz.   

By any measure, any of the past days could be considered a highlight but the real highlight came in the form of a realization.  Everest is growing in leaps and bounds and is now 2 weeks shy of his 2nd birthday.  He continues to be a happy, funny, silly and sweet kid.  Don't get me wrong, there are moments of exasperating frustration but I feel that's par for the course when raising a toddler.  The highlight of my last week came the day I realized that the 3 most commonly used phrases that come out of Everest's mouth are "Yea," "Thank you," and "I love you."  Taken on their own those phrases are filled with positivity, gratitude and joy but the fact that they seem to be the most prevalent things my 23 month old says, I feel blessed and lucky that I get to be his mom.  

Every morning begins with a rundown of all the fun things Everest has on his busy schedule and in response to "are you excited to do *blank*?" his response is inevitably a joyous "Yea!"

Later we found ourselves at the park with a friend and she was handing out bites of granola bar to Everest and her son.  With each mouthful Everest grabbed he naturally chirped "Thank you!" without being prompted or directed by me.  It made me so proud and happy that gratitude has started early for him.  

And finally, Adam and I say "I love you" a lot.  To each other, to our dog, to our friends and family, and especially to Everest...and recently he's started saying it back.  It began as a slurred blur of the whole phrase "ioveou" and it's slowly evolved into the crystal clear phrase that he warmly gives back to us throughout the day.  Hearing him say "I love you" in such an intentional, natural, and generous tone moves my heart in a way that's hard to put in words.

I guess it's been a highlight kind of week.

Highlight of the week

I am officially unofficially introducing a new series on AmortotheWorld - bom pa bom - "Highlight of the Week". It's a self-imposed-project I'm self imposing to  jump start blogging again. I'm a busy person considering I don't officially do anything and I love my life so figured blogging weekly should be something I can fit into my schedule. So without further ado...stay tuned for AmortotheWorld's Highlight of the Week (HOTW)!