I woke up to the pleasant sound of rain today in Northern California. It’s amazing how context affects the perception of weather, because I remember just several months ago how dreadful rain would be in China. Since much of China is still undergoing infrastructure growth, a slight drizzle can totally throw your day off. Rain means the probability of your chance to find a taxi diminishes to 10%..basically if you’re lucky you’ll step into a taxi as someone steps out of one. Rain also means getting your socks wet; you can’t even imagine how many streams and mini-lakes get created out of poorly planned pavement. Come to think of it, the Teva close toe sandles my mom got me really came in handy since I hate getting my socks wet!

Looking outside my house windows I witness the beauty of good infrastructure, rain streaming gracefully into two bigger streams on either side of the street. I’m in the land of milk and honey when it comes to conveniences, which is why rain in dry California is a treat and not a threat to a good day. Rain means clean air, a free car wash, and snowboarding. Rain doesn’t mean buying another umbrella at the nearest convenience store since I travel by car anyways and the most I’ll be exposed is from building to car to building.

Might as well enjoy it while I’m here…