Reading the landscape

I got back from Portland (and the post-STP celebration) late last night and have been catching up on work since, with the exception of taking some time to stroll through Kabota Gardens this morning with B. I love that place—and really enjoyed seeing the Japanese landscaping and all of the flowers in full bloom.

After visiting the Classical Chinese Garden in Chinatown yesterday, I have a renewed fascination with all things Asian.

While there, we stopped at a small tea house overlooking the lake (aptly named the Tower of Cosmic Reflections) and had a lunch of daikon salad, steamed buns, turnip cakes, and lychee. The tea house had the best Jasmine tea I’ve had outside of China. I wanted to buy some to bring home, but it was sold out. Fortunately, I found out that you can order it through the Tao of Tea online.

I also picked up my expedited passport this afternoon and am now free to flee the country.