Buds of May

I looked out the window this morning and the smog was so thick I couldn't see the building across the road. I think that set the tone for the day because I'm just bummed this morning.

D and I are planning a trip to Thailand for the end of April, which means getting back into a bathing suit which of course means I have to lose 20 pounds and start going to a tanning salon to get rid of this pasty whiteness because even though there are sunny days in Beijing, you never actually tan because the layer of pollution above the city blocks UV rays.

Have you ever been to Thailand? It's full of skinny bronzed people and I'll be damned if I'll be the one who sticks out like a sore thumb.

(There's also the practical reason for building up a good base before going to Thailand: to avoid burning to a crisp.)

The lists are still helping, as is the occasional work I'm getting through D's office (supervising contractors). This morning I obsessively looked at apartment listings for back home, though. It's just one of those days where I don't want to shower or get dressed and just stay in bed all day wondering, "What on earth am I doing here?"

That said, Spring is on its way...