today was my first day of rain in beijing. coupled with the temperature dropping about 20 degrees in one day. apparently this is so severe that management decided to post a weather advisory in the elevator. i started worrying about the coming days and whether i’d survive the wet cold.

but as soon as i stepped out into the rain, i realized how much i had missed it.  i took a bizarre satisfaction from forgetting my umbrella, california style, and enjoyed every minute of being in it. of splashing in it on the way to dinner with steffen, of hiding out from it at scrabble night at a cozy bookstore cafe, of watching neon lights shimmer behind it from inside a taxi. it was serene. (i am sure my mom, who is reading this, is going to yell at me, but i promise i’m not sick!)

so that’s it. i will quit worrying about the impending freezing cold and enjoy the current chilly late fall weather. so far loving it.

and on a completely unrelated note, but because every post is better with a photo, here is one from last weekend’s expedition to the summer palace. perfect tranquility. minus the thousands of visitors.