We already had a couple of good-bye parties and dinners for Maria Jose, but tonight will be the last time we see her as a New Yorker, at least for now. I guess I’ll never get used to seeing friends leave the city; that’s just the way it is here. I’ve been nostalgic; Fall get’s me in the mood. Last weekend Laura and I went to the coffee shop in Astoria where I met Hara before she moved back to Cyprus, and where we (old friends, most of whom already left) used to spend the nights drinking Shiraz. We were poor freelancers, but somehow it all just felt right. We felt closer to art and creativity than we feel today, even when we had no secure income to pay the rent. Now Pepa is leaving and I guess I will be nostalgic in the years to come about what we did these past few months.

We drove along the Hudson shore and ate pulled pork sandwiches with sweet potato fries.

And we stopped by the river and smell the coldness of the water until the sun sank and we started shivering.

It’s been a while since the last time I wrote. I’ve visited Victor in Mexico, the trees are already red, orange and yellow, and we’ve hosted several dinner parties at our house. Economy is as unpredictable as it was a month ago and Obama seems to be ahead in the presidential race, at least as of this morning. I started wearing my coat, putting salt on my lips after feeling threatened by cold sores and wondering how New York women manage their time. I need to take a time-management course and learn how they look beautiful (having perfectly polished nails, straightened shinny hair, treaded eyebrows and ironed clothes), exercise every morning, work full-time jobs, raise kids, spend time with their husbands, enjoy regular sex, go to therapy, be creative, and above all, don’t get stressed.

I hope that after there is nothing left to greed upon the essence of ourselves remains.  I'm sure beauty will come in new and unexpected ways.

I’ve been having trouble falling asleep. Even last night after a few sakes, and a warm feeling on my stomach it was hard to stop the thinking and start dreaming. I want to be at a big family gathering, have an engaging conversation after sharing dessert and later go home to cuddle while watching a movie.