Chinese New Year & New Friends

Yesterday we went to Chinatown to see the Chinese New Year Celebrations! We strolled through the streets littered in colorful confetti and peaked in the windows at funny Buddhas and pots of green tea. Blair and I ate at an authentic Dim Sum restaurant that my Chinese co-worker recommended. We sat at a table with a retired army general and his gay friend. What started as smalltalk about Chinese noodles and chicken feet ended three hours later after lots of laughs, interesting discussions, and exchanging of numbers. It was an odd combination of people I tell you - two Mormons from Utah, one atheist general, and a homosexual New Yorker. We absolutely loved them and had such a fun time chatting and laughing with them.

John, the army general, was out to eat with his friend to try and get his mind off of his wife who's sick with cancer. When he saw that we were paying with our USAA card, he excitedly inquired about who in our family was in the military. When we told him Blair's dad is a retired air force pilot, he insisted that we give Blair's dad a call and invite him to the annual St. Patrick's Day parade where the Vietnam veterans march together. John talked to Rick on the phone and wouldn't take no for an answer when he asked him to join him as his guest on March 17th. Rick conceded and said he'd come.

After the checks were paid and bellies were full, they asked us if we wanted to get some ice cream on Mulberry Street. We had to decline due to our plans to watch a basketball game with some friends in Brooklyn. But we exchanged numbers and planned to see each other on St. Patrick's Day.

What an odd, delightful evening.

I love this city's diversity and color. I'm grateful to be able to learn about people's stories, backgrounds, beliefs, and lifestyles. It opens my eyes, makes me more grateful, and most of all understanding.