JADEishome.

Oh hey look, I found my blog! It was buried under the pile of shit I own and have been refusing to unpack since my return to the US. The weather is getting colder tho so I decided it was time to give up and take out the warm stuff, looks like I might be here a while. Eh.

It's been almost three months since I've left Asia, I think I was in a bit of a culture shock when I got back on American Soil; especially when I made my first trip to the grocery store. Bigger is not always better people! Holy shit! For real tho, everything is just, HUGE here. I guess I never really realized it. I also never realized that midday Tuesday is the old folks home weekly shortbus trip to Shoprite, note to self. Another thing I didn't see for the first 25 years of my life is just how clean and manicured the streets and lawns are here. Good job, people.

Anyways... the American awareness phase didn't last too long, before I knew it everything was back to normal and it was like I had never left. Normal being the state of the economy is in a forever downfall and the realization of possibly never getting a job in the field I would like smacking me in the face even harder this time around and kicking me back to reality REAL quick. Bummer.

So, naturally, I found a cute little Asian family to let me nanny their child ^^ I call it my: "Don't Ever Get Student Loans" job. Keep your fingers crossed that the trusty old Jeep will hold up through the colder months because He is the lively hood of this gig- being Asian and all it wouldn't be right if the girl didn't have a bunch of classes and lessons to go to after her school day, and the Jeep needs to get her there.

So now it almost feels like the year in Korea, and the fews months traveling through SEA were just a dream. Almost like it never happened. Although I know that's not true, I mean, I have a tattoo and photos to prove it! Right? Anyways, I could not be more grateful for the experience I had in Asia, the amazing things I got to see, the people, the food, the kids, the friends I've made... Hopefully I will be able to make it back in this lifetime. But for now, I'll just wait for it to come to me... in 2 months! My bestsest Korean is coming to the states! I cannot wait! Ms Dori Uhm will be arriving in New York right before Chirstmas, obviously the best place to be for the holidays! The plan then is to shoot down the East Coast (in a rental vehicle of course, the Jeep would most certainly not make it) with another semi-Korean love, Diane, who will be back from her adventure in Korea and then carry on cross the Southern route of the country so that she (and I) can learn more about this mass of land I call my own.

Until next time, and by next time I mean 5 months from now, adios amigos!

No, really, maybe I'll pick up the blogging again, maybe I'll fill you in on SEA, or maybe not. We shall see ;)

Blue Lips, Blue Veins, the Color of Our Planet From Far, Far Away...

It will be nine months in just a few days that I have been living on the other side of this planet... all I keep thinking is DAMN that seems like a long time to bear a child! I mean, although the nine months have gone by fairly quickly- still, all that time with so many restrictions? Don't get me wrong, hopefully I will have one or two before my clock stops but christ! Those crazies that have like 6, or even 4 for that matter, that's like what... 3-5 years of your life being pregnant?! yeah, I just had to whip out my widget calculator for that one. Math isn't my strong point. Whatever.

Anywayyyyy....

So... looks like I started that a MONTH ago... because I am now into my tenth month of living and working in South Korea. TENTH! Seems like I wrote that last week. A very dear friend who I am going to miss terribly told me that the last six months would go by very quickly, I didn't realize how right he was until now. I am excited to embark on my next adventure but it's starting to become bittersweet when I think about leaving. I try not to worry about it since I do still have a few months but it's hard to forget when you are out and your friends get drunk and get the long face and tell you not to go.

Such is life. Must remain in a forward motion. at.all.times. If not then you are apt to go crazy.

My sister, Eva, is in the midst of her own Asian Adventure right now... traversing Indian grounds, and will arrive in Korea for the last leg of her trip in just a few short weeks. Very much looking forward to that and have been sitting up till no earlier that 3am every night obsessively and compulsively planning the few weekends I will be able to spend with her. Between planning my last weekends here in Korea and (obsessively and compulsively) planning my upcoming Southeast Asian Adventure I am starting to get the computer eye...

Spring is trying to arrive but winter keeps getting jealous, which means I think Eva will be getting here just in time to see the cherry blossoms blossom. There will be many a festival to attend, because Korea LOVES their festivals!

So, there's to planning the near future, but..

In this great future, you can't forget your past...

So let's RECAP

I was fortunate to be able to spend the holidays with my family and friends from home in New York and although it was WAY to short of a trip, I was grateful and happy to see everyone.

Something about Christmas, no matter where in the world I may be during this time of year I WILL make my way home. mark.my.word.

A few weeks after returning from my trip home, a piece of home came to me ^^ when my childhood friend Ms. Victoria West came to visit! Not ONLY did she come visit me in Korea, where I was

sure to show her a few things such as how to drink soju and makju and soju in makju, somak, stay up all night singing at noreabang followed by Korean bbq at 6am for the second time in 24 hours- BUT we were lucky enough to be able to plan her trip around the Lunar New Year, one of the only small holiday breaks I get from my job.

SO.. ..we took off the to the Philippines for a few days. Bantayan Island. Beautiful, cheap, paradise. I have been trying to convince Rusty and Bob to move out there ever since. Open up a small hotel or bar and you are set. All foreigners own the establishments and the native people are friendly and happy. The country survives off of tourism so it's win win. So.feckin.GORGEOUS. It was a sad day upon our departure, and my insides were sure to let me know when I got the violent sickness traveling back. terrible. But I'm alive. Sorta.

Anyway, it was also a sad day when Tori had to leave- and as much as I succeeded in not bawling at the bus terminal, my tear ducts failed me when I returned home to find a note written in Tor's signature all caps xoxo, Tuv under my pillow.

Very romantic.

So from when Tori left until now it has been a long stretch of weekends that are too quick and weekdays that are too long, on and off sickness because of a filipino parasite, the yellow dust, being dermatologically overmedicated, or, all of the above.

Until next time....