Talked to Grandma on the phone yesterday. She asked if I have a boyfriend and teased me for being too picky. Then she proceeded to use some Chinese phrases that effectively articulated the same concept as what we call "chemistry." Apparently she believed (and still believes) in love-at-first-sight, which is really cute and endearing. She doesn't mean it in the melodramatic way it happens in movies, but does think that feeling the initial spark is important (or at least would be nice to have). She told me how she and Grandpa met - something I've asked Dad about many times but sounded much sweeter directly from her.

Sometimes it strikes me how alike Grandma and I are.

My 11-year-old cousin is in Vancouver too now with her dad (my uncle). She was born and raised in France and last time I saw her was in China: I was her age and she was still a baby. She is here for the summer to learn English, but I still wish I remembered more of highschool French to communicate with her. There is something to be said about connections with people in the family, especially for an only child like me.

P.S. Watching "Canadian Idol" was so refreshing! Oh home sweet Canada :)

It waited a while
Still felt too soon
Perhaps I should give it more time
Since there is plenty of time
But my heart is not taken.

It did not take long
I am thankful for the laughters
Flattered by the sweetness and
That charm I see through
I long for the depth beyond
Perhaps I should keep an open mind
But my mind wanders.

It started forever ago
A vaguely familiar tingle
Endearing and delicate
That gave way to smiles and tears before
This time more real and exquisite
It tugs at my heart and opens my mind
It cradles me in dreams that
Makes me stronger and more fragile
Dreams of the milky twilight and the moonlit floor
Dreams enchanting and surprising
That catch me off the guard of my heart
But there is no time.

The sweetness pierced by bittersweetness
Sharpened by an elusive touch and
An intangible sense that
Hugs my vulnerability and uncertainty.

Mom's email: "Amy what would you like for your 22nd birthday?"

I want to go home!

Dad's email: a forward from Grandma, plus pics of him biking with Mom in beeeeautiful Vancouver.

More homesick.

Grandma's email: wishes me an early happy birthday b/c she'll be gone for their annual retreat on that day. At the retreat planning meeting, all her friends asked if her granddaughter was joining her again for the retreat (I did last year as part of my post-grad trip to China).

Oh memories ...

Now, block out the daydreams and emotions - back to LH and FSH regulation.

I'm only one endocrinology exam away from the end of first year medical school! (Yes, that means ~7 more years to go before I'm done here, but who is counting =) The end of MS1 is not nearly as monumental as writing the USMLE, matching into residency programs, or the more important milestones some friends are going through: getting married, changing careers, permanently moving to the other side of the world, etc. Nevertheless, there were many moments worth noting down from this year.

It's been so long since I've gone on xanga that it took me a few minutes to figure out how to navigate through the icons and functions. I know, I need to write a real entry sometime soon. I miss writing.

 Should've posted this a while ago: