Scent of spring: Songbirds, cherry blossoms, and warmer days

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    Spring, perhaps the most awaited season of the year, is about to grace this region of the world with its presence. I know spring is about to arrive in Delaware because after a series of unusually frigid mornings, which lasted from December through February, cheerful chirping of red-breasted robins, blue jays, and chickadees has now filled the morning air. In contrast to spring mornings, winter mornings are so hushed and uneventful that one may even question if birds exist in this land at all. To me, birdsongs are the harbinger of spring.  With the first sight of a bluejay perched on the backyard fence or a cardinal dancing on a leafless cherry branch, I know that my wait for spring is almost over, for I’ve learned from past experiences that an increase in bird activity signifies the approach of spring!  In this part of the world, during spring, nature comes alive with an abundance of activity. Everywhere I look, I witness signs of life. I witness new life in the ...

Changing Cities


We changed four cities in the last five years. Exciting, it may sometimes sound, but "changing city" is a stressful affair. We hired movers the last two times - the movers are a blessing but it does not mean that you can relax in a couch while they work. You have to be with them in case they have a question, or need help with something.

Once you are in the new house, you need to clean every nook and corner of it to make it livable(!). The property managements' definitions of cleanliness almost never match mine. What a sad thing! So, I usually have to start with the bathrooms, followed by the kitchen, bedrooms and then the living room.

Then my husband and I fret over where we should place our bed, the dresser, the couches, the floor lamps, the rugs, etc., etc after they arrive. Should we place the TV in the right or left corner of the living room? Or should we just mount it on the living room wall?

Then the size of your new house also matters. Our new apartment in Delaware is smaller than our last apartment in Minnesota - we had to say good-bye to my favorite couch and ottoman before moving here 'cause they would not fit into the smaller living room of the new apartment. Not only that, we had to leave behind an accent table, a dresser, and so many other small decorative items of the house. I was sad.

The first few days after moving to a new place, I will wake up in the morning and feel that I am in someone else's house. I will get out of my bed and walk to my right to find the bathroom door only to realize a few seconds later that this is a new house, and the bathroom door is on the LEFT!

Updating my current address is anything but fun. I have to visit the website of every single bank or retailer I have a credit card with. Then for those retailers/financial institutions that do not allow this bit of comfort, I need to make individual phone calls to inform them about my change of address. After my last move I had to change my financial institution too because my previous accounts were with a federal credit union, and credit unions are usually local.

Phone calls do not just end there. I have to call up my cell phone carrier to update my current address. I also have to call utility companies to have them stop service at my old address, and start service at my new address.

Getting accustomed to a new city and environment takes some time too. It takes some time to learn the street numbers, to find out where the grocery stores, shopping malls and the favorite department chains and restaurants are.

So, the thought of changing a city does not always give me an adrenaline rush. But the thought of meeting new people and visiting new places always makes me want to move to a new city when an opportunity comes.














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