It's so easy to fall in love with Michigan. A drive 10 miles out of my apartment I am in the open field of corns and crops and fruit farms. I went to apple picking near Milan. The blue sky, the white clouds, the golden crops, the green fields, the red apples, the fresh air, are so lovely. And I have found, again, that if I smile at people, they will almost always smile back.

Finished Paul Theroux's Riding the Iron Rooster: By Train Through China. I don't know if I will like him in person, but I enjoy learning about his experience, especially about China. He is quite throughout in his observation of China during his travel. In him I always hear the voice of G.

I have always considered California as my adopted home. But lately I have grown out of it. Yet I am not calling Michigan home and I complain about it all the time like a superior Californian. Today I suddenly realized how little I know about Michigan and how I live here like a ghost. I should try to see Michigan as one of my destinations and learn about its culture, people, and nature. There's no reason to be so attached to California and look down on other US states. I will make it a project to learn to be part of Michigan while I am here.