During the past 36 days, I …
… spent 33 of them in Hawaii.… fell in love with a little boy named Sam (and there was nothing illegal or inappropriate about it).
… realized that it rains in paradise during the winter.
… drank water out of the tap.
… watched not one word of President Bush’s State of the Union address. Nor the inauguration address. But I did catch the lowlights on the Daily Show.
… received one of the worst haircuts of my life from a barber who spoke perfect English. Soooooooo short. And he hacked off my sideburns without even asking.
… wrote a 47-page book proposal about The Trip.
… signed with a New York-based agent who thinks she can sell the idea.
… rode a boogie board.
… went snorkeling.
… woke up at 8 a.m. and watched live NFL football.
… realized that American groceries cost the same in Honolulu as they do in Shanghai.
… found that the reality television epidemic has spread beyond my worst fears, that there is really a show called “Growing Up Gotti,” and that every flamboyantly gay male in America has his own makeover series.
… always stopped and paused when the remote control landed upon VH1’s reality offerings Surreal Life and Strange Love the same way I stop and pause to glance at the supermarket tabloids in the checkout aisle. Really, reality television was created for B-list celebrities. Or is it vice-versa?
… followed with bated breath and teary eyes the latest development in the saga of Brad and Jen.
… went to the movie theater 10 times.
… somehow managed to get sunburned on the inside of my eye sockets.
… ate lots of pizza, and more than a few bowls of homemade Brunswick stew.
… wondered what the hell the Eagles were doing in the final minutes of the Super Bowl.
… had a wart removed from my elbow.
… sat on four airplanes — three of which showed The Princess Diaries 2. I actually watched it once. … broke my vow never to watch the Grammy’s telecast again. Once the show was over, promptly renewed my vow. Abysmal.
… had anabolic steroids injected into my body by Jose Canseco.
… was left alone with a baby for the first time in my life.
… actually had a great time with the little guy, kept him from screaming — but I am in no hurry to have one of my own.
… solidified my opinion that the leeward coast’s Yokohama Bay is home to the most beautiful beach on the island of Oahu.
… ate Chinese food — once.
… stocked up on cereal, gum and Tabasco sauce at Wal-Mart.
… was awed by the kindness of Hawaii drivers and their respect of pedestrian rights.
… was annoyed by the fact that Hawaii drivers don’t use their turn signals. Never, ever, ever.
… was amazed by Apple’s impeccable customer service. Got a brand new iPod — free of charge — because the metal casing on my old one was warped.
… didn’t hear fire crackers once during Spring Festival.
… realized that for all the things that frustrate foreigners about living in China, there are plenty of annoyances back in our home countries, as well. And some things that we claim are better in our home countries really aren’t — we just think they should be, and remember them as if they are.
… was reminded of the fact that I hate cold weather. Really, really hate it.
… dined at Azul, and enjoyed it as always.
… saw snow stick to Shanghai for the second time in three months.
Click here for photos.
Format of this post inspired by Andrea.
02.18.2005, 10:50 PM · Diary
4 Comments
dan,
are you going to make your book published in china?
More than a month in Hawaii? Me too :-) (well, almost!) And huge congratulations on the agent, Dan! I’ve not caught up yet with all your blog entries, but had been following avidly until our recent absence. I had my very first dish of Brunswick stew just a few months ago, and can well-believe you’d have missed that stuff. Delish! Welcome home, and best of luck with your reacclimation (no, lolling on the beach in Hawaii does not count!)
Enjoyed you stories. Why am I in Kunming watching the SAME programs over and over on CCVT-9 and you are in Hawaii (my home town..HEY! I know the stop sigh at Kahala mall) watching NFL live…..Man, what I would just to see just one clip for the Daily SHow, or just drink water straight frrom the tap.
are you going to make your book published in china?
right now i’m just focused on getting it published … somewhere — not a sure thing. once i have an actual book, i will try to make it available in as many languages and countries as possible. but i need to write the damn thing first.