Our newest creature

A few weeks ago, my sister KDL was adjusting to the arrival of a beautiful new baby. Since she is already the mother of two adorable "angels," Jaden and Jordyn, and the stepmom to three other children, the addition of the newborn and maintaining a two-cat household was too much. The cats had to go. 

Imagine her surprise when a two-week old malnourished kitten walked into her garage and stayed there! After she had given the other cats away!

I asked Zheng if we could take the new cat. "It would be a good friend for Lucia." And not any more trouble than one. (This is true). He agreed! So we picked up the cat after our mini-moon in Chicago. 

The introduction to Lucia was surprising. This little guy doesn't know how little he is, so he refused to be intimidated. After a few days of swatting and hissing, and a few days without a name, the new little cat is part of the family. 

We welcome Panda Yuan to our home. 

Exchange of Vowels

Something happened this morning that reminded me about the importance of correct pronunciation. (If you have any doubts, ask my fiancé about my Chinese. I've mixed up and said more incorrect things than correct ones). 

This morning, at the opening meeting for the voice department, the movement and dance teacher told the students, "No shoes and no sex." (He meant socks).

That takes the cake of the funniest "mixed vowel" I've heard in a while. Of recent note are also:

"Your Dad made stick on the grill tonight." (steak) 

"Do you know how to fly a cat?" (kite)

The above two entries are from my beloved Zheng. Someday, when my Chinese gets good enough, I will write about my own "mixed vowels" in Mandarin and English.

PHOTO: From Comenius utca in Sárospatak, a path which all of us walk from the Cafeteria to our accommodations in the dormitory.

Lenten Daily "Office"

Monks celebrate their daily office using a regimen of frequent gatherings and "check-ins". Today I was required to meet and do things regularly, but I had a good amount of time on my own, for practicing, study, and silence.

I've been thinking a lot about Lent (because it is Lent now). Growing up, and attending CCD, we had to talk about "what we were going to give up." Candy and video games were the trendiest Lenten sacrifices amongst my elementary school classmates. On this, and many other things, I think we entirely missed the point.

Lent can also be about "taking on something." And so, my Lenten challenge is summed up in one word.

Core.

Attend to the core, and everything else will work itself out. I mean this physically (gym and yoga today), emotionally, spiritually, and musically. Part of each day will be devoted only developing core (technique, prayer, writing, cleaning. etc.). It's so easy to get lost in sensational periphery. My Lenten journey will be taking this on, as much as getting rid of unnecessary extras.

As author Kathleen Norris asks, "What is worth dedicating ourselves to?"

Photo: The core of the Rochesterian snow is melting. That doesn't mean that more won't come. We are still in the core of winter.

Monkey Business

Greetings ...

I write to you from Shanghai, with a rich trove already of stories, jokes, and travelogues.

I have been thinking as I have been here - how important it is to get the "flavor" of a place simply by walking around and-or taking public transportation. You can smell the street-food smoldering at midnight, you can see groups of Chinese nationals at all ages doing line-dancing in the public squares, or take karaoke lessons from a leader.

Or, you can happen upon a beggar who has this adorable accomplice. I will warn everyone that once you start photographing street monkeys, the monkey starts dancing, AND, other beggars with THEIR street monkeys also want a piece of the "American Pie."

Yes, friends. I'm up to "Monkey Business" in China.