Snow had begun to fall when LiLi and I were waiting for her early morning bus. The flakes were big and fluffy, wafting slowly down and sticking. There is a nonprofit way up in the suburbs of Shunyi called Roundabout and a mom in my parents group organized a van to take folks up there for a specific fundraiser for a poor kid who needs a bone marrow transplant. All proceeds were to go to this kid's care. Normally I'd not schlep that far into the 'burbs but since this mom made it so easy, it was for a good cause and I needed to get some Christmas gifts, I went. I met a friend at the subway stop and we eventually hooked up with the van that slowly, slipping and sliding, made its way out of the city. By the time we got up to Roundabout the place looked like a fairy tale:
We're noticing now all the things we will miss. Tonight, snuggling in the dark in her bed, LiLi wanted to list out the things she'll miss. On her list: her friends here; her room here; Ayi; the apartment. On my list: my friends; my work; my view of Chaoyang Park; Ayi; our urban proximity to everything we need and want (restaurants; markets; cafes); the feeling that anything is possible here in the center of the universe.
18 days.
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