Jan. 10, 2020. I hope this year brings something special, publishing, some acclaim, and some new adventures. I crave the break from this painful monotony, even as much as I try to bask in the day-to-day to ground me. We've just decorated our small new home, a rental property that Xiaolin encouraged me to buy as a form of retirement pension, and it looks charming. Her decoration style is superb, and it reminds me of the Santorini we left behind, the sun and ocean, and iconic white and blue cathedrals of the village of Oia.

Our new little home reminds me of our summer in Europe and the iconic Greek island Santorini.

Growing up a struggling artist and musician, both having the same steady day job for all these years (since 2014 when I arrived for the first time in China) and buying a house, being married, and working on a stable life, all feel like huge, monumental accomplishments. For me, I think they really are. The house in the school, as gorgeous as we made it, isn't forever mine, and when I decide to quit teaching there, or, a lowered international student intake or a change in leadership might decide to go another way, I want to have a place to go rather than running back to my family home in Canada. So here it is, my own home in China, a place to hang my hat.  It's a lovely start in a gorgeous neighborhood with clean air and mountains and a stunning view of the city. And that's just great. We'll keep saving and going from here and hope one day to get a summer home, either here in China or back in Canada, to call my own. 

Kai and baby Ethan at his baby photoshoot

Ethan is such a cute baby and is learning to speak, but the results are often hilarious. We spend a lot of time together, teaching him basic English and getting him used to speaking a foreign language. He's going to have a fascinating life, full of challenges and full of rewards. I am honored to be the youngest ex-pat grandfather in China and hope for many great adventures to share with him to come.

Kai and baby Ethan at his baby photoshoot