I was biking around the park the other day. It's been rainy and chilly for the past few days and there were fallen leaves scattered around on the ground. There's a unique smell to damp leaves on a cold, wet day. There are certain smells like that one that instantly transports you to some specific time and place. One whiff of those leaves and I was back in the woods of New England on a rainy fall day.

I have often been reminded of certain places and times during my months here. The feel of the hot sun and the smell of flowers brings me instantly to hot summer days in the backyard in Weatogue. The sound of the waves at Cijin Island always reminds me of the Rhode Island shore. The backdrop of palm trees calls to mind our trips to Mexico and Tobago.

I wonder, when I'm back living in the States, when I'll have those visceral moments and I'll suddenly be back in Taiwan.