It made me laugh

Despite some room for improvement, my athletic club is one of my favorite hang outs away from home. There are a few things I like about the club, some good classes and the massage. On top of all that, I love their steam room. After sitting in the steam room, my skin feels so smooth and refreshed.

Last Tuesday night I took the Pilates-mat class, then went to the steam room. There were already 6 ladies sitting in the small steam room when I got there. One lady left, so I quickly took her seat. Ms T. - one of a handful of ladies I talked to in the gym - was having a lively exchange in Chinese with others about food and local restaurants. I listened politely. Another lady came into the steamy room. She said hi to her friends in the group and started talking in mandarin.

"My brother taught me to make this drink: blend a bitter melon, a bell pepper, a cucumber, an apple, a celery stick together. When I drank it, I could feel it going down my throat, working through my intestines, " she was animating with her finger pointing from her throat down to the chest and around the stomach area, "and slowly my system started to gurgle, and I had the runs 3 times this afternoon." then she held out 3 fingers. "Oh my god, it was so tough." She said with a sad face, "and he said it was a good drink for the summer called 'The Five Element Drink.'"

Imaging the green liquid slowly making its way down this lady's system, I tried very hard to hold back my laughter. So I immediately joined the others to show my sympathy.

Ms. T., the wise one in the group smile and said: "There must be too much cool element in the drink, so your system couldn't stand it."

"Yes, and it didn't come out all at once, oh, punishing me." Said the unfortunate lady, while rubbing her belly, "tonight I have to go out and eat a real good meal."

The France impression

Since my two-week trip to France in June, I start to understand why people make such a fuss after a trip to Europe. Well, I have to admit, I am one of those people now. It has little to do with the long duration of the flight from San Francisco (or other places of the world, for that matter) to Paris, or how expensive the trip is. It is all about the French experience.

In this trip, I had an excellent guide, Anne, who retired back to the mountains in Glenoble, France. She kept us away from doing silly touristy things, and let us enjoy the country as it was to a Frenchwoman.

Sure, Paris is an impressive metropolitan city with history, arts and architectures that you can't miss every time you turn around the corner of the city streets. The romantic Seine and its many bridges; the amazing number of museums; the famous monuments; fashionable shops and delicious eateries all added personalities to this unique place. Walking on the streets of Paris, I can't help but wonder how can all these amazing features even fit in one small city at the same time?!

Outside of Paris is just as impressive if not more so. The drive from Paris to Glenoble was very enjoyable. We passed by countless castles and historic buildings, some of them were just off the highway! The fields were so green and the forests were so lush. I saw a field full of fiery red poppies off the side of the highway, it was bloody and bold, just being there to put passersby in awe.

Glide into summer

For those of us who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, mother nature stole two months of summer from us. Leaving us shivering in May and June, and the weather only started to warm up at the beginning of July. Well, it's better late than never!

I have forgotten, yet reminded today, how it feels on the Monday after 2 good kiteboarding days. It is full of laziness and content. Triumph over the battles with the swells and the winds, I'm tired and satisfied, and my mind is relaxed. Nothing can bring me such joy and fulfillment. Only if I can repeat it over and over again, I shall be so happy. My muscles are so stiff, but nobody is complaining. My physical and mental strength were tested against Mother Nature. It was a good fight and it was fun when I survived.