Hi everyone,

It’s been a yucky week but I am now having a good day! Here are a few reasons why:

• The weather is BEAUTIFUL – clear blue skies, a light breeze, and warm sun.
• I actually like the outfit I’m wearing (I don’t think I look huge in it).
• I just drove my colleague’s car!!

My first time to drive a left hand drive and it went fine! (Other than turning on the windscreen wipers every time I wanted to use the indicator!) Also my first driving experience in China. It was literally just around the corner (maybe one km, round trip), but still, it was fun! I know they’re silly little things, but the combination of those three dot points has me smiling involuntarily and after the week I’ve had, that’s a really, REALLY good thing!

In celebration on what is now a good day, I will send you the list of random things I have been accumulating for my next update:

Best New Purchase:
Pretty shoes! Expensive leather shoes that are better for my feet than the cheap ones I’ve been buying the last few years. Hopefully they’ll help my legs deal with all the stairs I climb every day.

Best Rediscovery:
Homemade heatpack (thanks Manda!!) – to help with the tension in my shoulders/neck as of late (thanks Ting!!)

Biggest Surprise:
Realising that the leaves on some trees are ALREADY going yellow!

Biggest Disappointment:
Hot water is still off… and no news as to when it will be back on. I wanted to cry when I found out (that was part of the bad week).

Biggest Excitement:
Can’t wait to see the Beijing Urban Tribe (a lot of us, anyway) in Vancouver, in less than three weeks!

National Geographic Beijing Quiz
I got 6 out of 8 (75%). See how much you’ve picked up about Beijing!

What I’ve been watching:
Scrubs (season 7)
Stargate SG1 (as always)

What I’ve been reading:
The Screwtape Letters (C. S. Lewis)

What I’ve been listening to:
Lifehouse (Lifehouse, No Name Face)
Linkin Park (Minutes to Midnight)

Here’s to happy days and lovely weather (and hot water) for EVERYONE!!

love Tanya