dear china

Dear China,

你好! Hao jiu bu jian, eh? Did you think that I forgot about you? Quite
the contrary, actually: I miss you! I looked at a globe yesterday and
realized just how far you are from me. Remember, you have some of my
favorite people in your ample boundaries.







And about a billion more. Take good care of them for me. I love them
all very much.

In the meantime, I promise to look after some of your crazy new friends
in MY neighborhood, or at least hemisphere. Hopefully they won't get
in TOO much trouble, even if they do drink cold water or refuse rice
from now on.

Anyways. Just wanted to say thanks again for your hospitality. I'm
especially grateful for the pineapple bread, cheap DVDs, and endless
excitement you provided. Six months is a long time to put up with
someone, especially an American, and you were for the most part very
kind.

Good luck! You've got a lot ahead of you, so all the best. Maybe I'll see
you around, yeah? As they say, this world ain't big enough for the two
of us.

Much love,

Kate (not from Cleveland. The other Kate.)


P.S. 那里也是我的家。

P.P.S. I hope you never took any of our "China Blues" songs too
seriously.

P.P.P.S. You may want to consider restrooms. That's all I'm saying.