Yesterday I received my very first CouchSurfing request since I moved to Detroit. It occurred to me that only 57 days ago I was surfing on someone else’s couch in New Center.

(The Fisher building is the iconic architecture in New Center. No, I did not surf there, but pretty close. (Picture from Historic Detroit))

Very much like my couchsurfing guest, I was looking for an apartment to settle down to, new friends to share passions with, and opportunities to make a change. How time flies! 57 sunrises and sunsets have taken place right in front of the historic picture window of my apartment like a show that never ends.

(View of sunrise from my window)

(Almost sunset)

I remember on my first day of high school, someone who later became a close friend of mine recited a poem after his self-introduction. Now most of the lines are vague in my memory but the last two sentences stuck in my mind:

The first time we met each other, I saw our parting.

This is not about being pessimistic, rather, I personally found that my most powerful hope grows out of the understanding that everything will change. It has motivated me to cherish every moment and to never take anything for granted. Human history has had its highs and lows, sunshine and darkness, like the four seasons come and go, so has Detroit. I am blessed to be able to come to this city at this point, when the half-a-century-long winter is slowly yet inevitably waving goodbye and the spring arriving from a long way away.

(A mural near Lincoln St. and Holden St., I found it to be emotionally liberating)

Percy B. Shelly once said: If winter comes, can spring be far behind? So if winter is leaving, can spring be far behind?

(Toast to Detroit with green tea brought from my hometown in China)