I adore New York’s Central Park. Like so many Manhattanites, I used to jog around its Reservoir after work, listen to opera and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra while picnicking on the Sheep Meadow with friends, and get my cute animal fix at the Central Park Zoo. On dates with my now-husband, we’d go for […]
North America
The Best Meals We Ate in NYC: Northern and Eastern Europe Edition
In a recent post, I mentioned that we will be moving overseas again but haven’t publicly shared where we’re going. Today I’m going to give you a big hint: it’s somewhere in Europe that’s east of Germany and north of Greece. Any guesses? (No giving it way if you already know!) To give us a […]
Christmas in DC: The National Christmas Tree
While perhaps not as famous as the evergreen that draws millions to Rockefeller Center in New York City every year, the National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC, has been an American tradition since 1923. Calvin Coolidge was the first U.S. president to illuminate a tree on the Ellipse behind the White House. Thus the National […]
Christmas in DC: Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Having recently returned to the States, I am eager to immerse myself in Christmas spirit. While Shanghai did its best to decorate for the holidays, the effect was often more comical than festive. America, on the other hand, revels in seasonal cheer. When I heard Christmas tunes blaring from stores at the mall the day after […]
Apple Picking in Northern Virginia
Growing up in the countryside, I never appreciated the graceful curves of mountains outside my backdoor, the endless trees that nature set ablaze each fall, or the remarkable freshness of the air. But after two years breathing the pollution that emanates from Shanghai’s prolific factories and cars, I was eager to immerse myself in the great outdoors. […]