Most importantly, in 2009 I learned the grand lesson of sharing my life with another human being. It is the year my anniversary turned One. It is the year I willingly moved for my husband to another country. It is the year I started to maintain a working kitchen with utensils, spices and all. It is the year I worry about kitchen taps and proper guest towels. It is the year I put so much time choosing big macs vs fish fillets just in case my husband wants to have a bite. It is the year I fuss about holiday cards and other family affairs.

It is the year I started to recognize my mother’s face staring back from the mirror.

Shit. Now I’m really old.

This is a popular saying in Boston. It’s also a complete lie, because no matter how much I wait, the weather these past week has been unbelievably cold. It’s so cold, in fact, then when I was on the subway crossing the Charles River from Cambridge to downtown Boston, I saw that most of the river’s surface was covered in ice.

So about a week ago, I said hi to God and prayed that the weather be a little warmer.

The next day our heater broke. I was not amused.

God and I, we were not on speaking terms a few days after that. Instead, I made new friends with the oven, turning it on all day long as a fireplace. But I remember my mom said that I should never be angry at God, so I said to God that I was sorry and that I forgave him. Then I asked nicely if He could please convince the lady at the management office that there really is something wrong with our heater.

On Monday (because God is having a lazy weekend), our heater was fixed.

“I love you God!” I said with joy, “I will be the BEST person ever! You’ll see!”

On Wednesday, the building lights went out, the heater broke down again, and the temperature dips to -10 centigrate (WITHOUT wind chill).

In Boston, God has a sick sense of humor.

There is a perception out there that Americans are a bunch of self centered individualistic people who say “like” a LOT.

Now hold on there, don’t shoot the messenger. It’s not like I agree with it. Not really, not for everything! Because in my three months or so living in Boston, I found Americans to be … like, VERY friendly.

When I was living in Singapore, the standard greeting of a store clerk or a waitress was “Yes, what do you want?” And from the bus driver it was, “Quick ah!”

But here, in Boston, in New York, in New Jersey, in California everyone (and I mean literally almost everyone) will say “Hi!” or “Good Morning!” to a complete stranger.

It’s freaking AMAZING!

But equally impossible to comprehend is that more often than I wish, they take it too far with the next question, “How are YOU?”

The first time someone I barely knew asked me that, I looked around past my shoulders. Had he really asked about my present state? Or was there someone behind me?

The second time it was a complete stranger over the phone, I did a double take on the number. Who was this again?

Really, America, do you really want to know how I am? Do you want to know what’s NEW? — MY STATE OF BEING even though we’ve only met like 2 minutes ago?

Well since you asked….

“I am lonely. Because I just moved here, leaving friends, family and a great career.” - Um, no, try again.

“I feel worthless. Because I am now a freaking housewife!” – I know, nothing wrong with being a housewife, it’s all in my head

“Why should I tell you? I don’t even know you to decide if I like you enough for this question.” – Too rude

“I’m giddy with childish excitement! Twilight New Moon is almost here and Robert Pattinson’s hotness is everywhere right now” – Completely embarrassing, I know.

“I’m sleepy. Generally, mostly, always.” – Yes I’m a hundred year old grandma

“Why? What is it to you?” – Too paranoid

A few times I tried to compromise. But “Meh… I’m OK…” leads to an uncomfortable silence or stare.

So I lie with a smile, “I’m good, and you?”.

Because, really, what else am I supposed to do?

Many people have been asking me about the fall in New England and if it is nice with all the leaves.

It’s not nice, it’s breathtakingly BEAUTIFUL!

(Click for the full slideshow)