The novelty of the young year has yet to wear off, so even as I shiver under layers of sweater and cup my chapped hands around countless mugs of tea while the bleak midwinter wind challenges my beleaguered heater to another duel, I bask in the warmth of optimism and new opportunity. Just as Mr. Costanza announced his "Summer of George," I hereby proclaim this the "Winter of Choo." First orders of business: wrap myself inside a hot bath and catch up on some reading and some ze

Just when I thought this summer would be one of relaxation, leisurely travel, navel-gazing and way too much Internet-browsing, the ever-mirthful gods decided to throw a wrench into the works and now it's shaping up to be one of the busiest summers ever. Exciting machinations are underway. Now off to wrangle with the arbitrary powers that be of the airline ticket industry, for a trip to China that's less than a month away... #plans