Next Year

I've decided for MN...

Despite the frigid winters and the flatness, I really like what I've seen of the Twin Cities, and I feel that living in an urban environment will be better for me (I would go stir crazy in Germany if not for the ten-minute train to Düsseldorf). I need the immediate big city access. I've also met many people from the Twin Cities who have been in my home town, and there are apparently similarities in the general living style, the liberal attitudes, etc.

Plus, I'll have the Banh-Mi of all Banh-Mi available at a moment's notice. It seems almost too good to be true. What other wonders of cheap Asian dining in Minneapolis/St. Paul have I yet to discover? (Oh yeah, I almost forgot the Nepalese...mmm, Nepalese food!)

Still, I feel a small twinge of sadness at leaving my lifelong dream of someday living on the East Coast behind. I love it there; it's like another world when compared to the West Coast, and I badly want to go back. Maybe I'll live there yet, in a few more years.

In other news, I have an impending trip to London coming up, and I can't wait. I've always had this absurd fantasy of going to London, suddenly meeting a surviving Beatle, and spending the day being whisked around by him to all of the culturally important and highfalutin London hotspots. London to me is rock music, mod fashion, high society and scholarly pursuits all rolled into one; a historically significant, yet unbelievably hip Utopia that's been built up by years of Hollywood flicks and entertaining reading material. I'm just a little afraid it won't live up to my expectations (but even more excited that it will exceed them).

I made a pasta salad with pesto last weekend, and it was really, really good. I've been craving pasta salads lately.

ouch

In my family, there is a running joke revolving around my unfortunate penchant for cutting myself by accident, and more specifically, on objects not considered harmful by normal standards. Not only do I manage to break the skin, but usually I end up drawing blood with such simple everyday items as cereal boxes, bread tabs, and pencils. How I do it is a mystery, even to me, but this week it's been happening a lot. So far, I have accidentally cut myself (with blood) on (in order from least to most embarrassing):

1. Kitchen knives. Ok, so this isn't unusual, but I wanted to buffer the upcoming clumsiness.

2. My plastic gym membership card.

3. The strap on my messenger bag.

4. My leather wallet.

5. Dadadada...my coat pocket.

That's right. I cut myself today on a piece of cloth.

The world is my knife.

island

Sometimes, I feel as if I am sitting on an island. I am surrounded for miles by water, and have only my thoughts for company. 

Sometimes, it is the loneliest feeling in the world, but sometimes, all I want is to be alone and it is the most comforting feeling in the world.

I love this new tea that I discovered. The best part is, they sell it in America, too! The flavor is so rich and delicious, with hints of chocolate, cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla. Mmmm.

I'm also in the process of making a big decision about my living situation next year. I'm going to be moving once again, and I've been attempting pro-con lists. Unfortunately, they're not helping me choose. The Twin Cities, or rural Massachusetts?