Mr. Wanderlust

Like most of the world, China is very cognizant of who Lady Gaga is. The kids sing her songs, the stores blast her tunes, and I can hear her name in conversation. It is also worth noting that Gaga is not allowed entry into China. I suppose the “express yourself” and “be who you are” messages do not jive with the high-uppers here. She is by far one of the most popular Western artists in China (behind tween heartthrob #2 Justin Bieber and the king of pop, #1 Michael Jackson). 

And this always makes me laugh, when do I hear Gaga’s name uttered the most? When kids and young teenagers say, “Oh my Lady Gaga” as opposed to “Oh my God”. I laugh every time, especially because I hear it constantly. Hilarious no?

I have quite possibly met the most open-minded person in existence last night. How refreshing it was to hear his perspective and his (truly) inclusive nature. I already feel like I am an open book. You know, “come as you are” or “whatever floats your boat” or at least “whatever rubs your Buddha” since I am in China…

So I already feel like an open book, but this guy is the most open of open, yet his open-mindedness does not cross into either apathy or complacency. It is pretty difficult to translate it into words. He, in one night, inspired me to be a better person. D’aww. He’s from Colorado. Too bad he returned there yesterday.

I’ve said this before but I will say it again, I meet the best people when I travel. 

You. Thank you for being you. I have cherished every moment, every conversation, every smile, every awkward moment, and even every difficulty. I have grown leaps and bounds - maybe you know this, maybe you don’t. I only recently told you how much you mean to me. But do you truly realize how important you are to me?

You. Remember how you and I met? That is what is called serendipity. Remember when I revealed the skeletons in my closet? You were still there. In fact, you picked me up during the darkest time in my life. Who are you and how did you walk into my life? Please remind me.

You. I cannot speak for you. I am left with conjectures. What are you thinking of right now? What do you dream about at night? I don’t know and yet I know you feel similarly. But what happens? We stifled what was once there. Restraint in this case was not the best case. Look at what is happening now. Look who is here to stay.

Hey you, you with me?

Lots going on. Sorry for my (unintentional) hiatus. Good and bad updates soon. Stay tuned.

What a stroke of fortune. I met a young-professional Filipino, and more importantly, he can cook! So I have been told that Chengdu (pre-earthquake), used to be home to plenty of Filipinos in and around this area. The numbers now look more pitiful than the world’s panda population. Luckily for me, I received an invite to his place and to chow down on Filipino food before he relocates back to the Philippines. He cooked Sinigang, Adobo, and Ampalaya with eggs. All were scrumptious reminders of my mom’s cooking and it was a great gastronomical night of eating. 

He told me, “You really have an American appetite”.
In response, I laughed uncomfortably.
“What do you expect? I come from the US. Everything is bigger there, especially waist size”, I retorted.

Just like clockwork I keep eating. Nom nom nom. After eating we talked for hours well into the early morning. I felt like I had known him for years. Tis a shame he’s left Chengdu for the Motherland. 

 

^Top is Adobo, Right is the Ampalaya (bitter melon), bottom is the Sinigang