M.I.A.

It's been two months since my last post, so I think it goes without saying that this is well overdue. Anyway, since then, I've packed up my life at Huang Gang, spent a total of 40 hours on airplanes, and had some incredible adventures. 


The last month of school was filled with anticipation. I think I was even more excited than the students for summer holiday to begin. My last day of teaching was June 21st, which allowed plenty of time for me to realize how many things I had acquired while living in Guangzhou. All of things that I bought on my mission to make my apartment feel 'homey' meant that I had a lot more to pack than what I came with. Even after giving things away to neighbours and throwing things out that we felt we could part with, Emily and I still ended up with an embarrassing amount of luggage. 

Thankfully, our employer helped us find a place where we could safely store our excess baggage while we bop around all summer. 

My first bit of bopping brought me to an amazing family reunion in Italy. It all started out on Canada day. Being from such a diverse and multi-cultural country, I thought it would be appropriate to spend the day in airports in four different cities. Guangzhou to Beijing to Rome to Bologna. It only took about   22 hours from start to finish. Barely a zzz was caught thanks to this little nugget of joy seated in front of me, then beside me, then nearly on my lap. His cuteness paired with my overwhelming leaving-China-gonna -see-my-family emotions kept me distracted from my sleeplessness.  

Upon my arrival in Bologna, my face nearly split in half due to the size of my smile. My mom and step dad were waiting at the arrivals gate and after our hugs and kisses and hellos, by brother Kyle seemingly appeared out of nowhere. I had been suspicious that some information was being withheld leading up to the trip. An unintentional hint was dropped in an email of his joining our reunion, but it was quickly denied, though the thought stayed in the back of my mind. Regardless, I was thrilled to see him. This would be the first vacation with all four of us together in nearly ten years.That night at the hotel, we caught up with each other over my first glass of red wine in over five months.  I passed out gifts I had brought with me, including this typical Asian beauty mask. What a good sport my bro is :) 

The next day, we walked around Bologna, did a little shopping, and had a bit to eat before heading to the villa where my mom and Doug had been staying. After about a three hour drive, we reached Bagni di Lucca. 

My stylish step dad. 

Around one of the 56 hairpin turns up the mountain to get to the villa. 

Ciao, mamma!

Five litre jug of wine, no problem.

TOO excited for food that isn't Chinese. 

This bruschetta did something to me on a spiritual level. 

View from one of the balconies. 

The "war room" where all of our day tripping was planned. 

I wasn't in Tuscany very long, but I feel like a had the good fortune to see a lot while I was there. Plenty more to come! (I won't take two months this time)