And we're back!

Well, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably fallen into the trap of my family’s morbidly terrifying Facebook statuses, which are typed while my relatives are consumed with worry over my well-being. Fear not, folks, I AM SAFE! For the most part…..my flights here have been securely uneventful, and fairly comfortable. My feet have swollen to a great size….some people have stared, probably wondering if I was that girl on the “Mystery Diagnosis” show who found out she had an acute form of elephantitis in both feet. Oh yes, it’s bad. I didn’t experience this at all the last time I flew to Chiang Mai, but perhaps it had something to do with the new seat-mate I had, an older Vietnamese man who enjoyed cuddling every time he dozed off into a world that I really didn’t want to be a part of. I spent most of the 14-hour flight in the fetal position, which would definitely be a good cause for deformity in both limbs. Haha!

In case I haven’t mentioned this before, Asia is beautiful. Everything about Asia is breathtaking and interesting. From the wealthiest parts of Hong Kong to the third-world poverty of Thailand, I love it here. I can hardly close my mouth, even in the airports! I’m surrounded by colors, art, strange fashion senses, and my new favorite thing in this wonderful place, their coffee. I had the best coffee that I have ever tasted IN MY LIFE on an airplane today. I used one cream and one sugar, and watching it mix together in the delectable syrup they call “Chinee Cawfee” made my mouth water a little bit. Oh my….I took one sip and new that I was in love. Forever….it left a taste in my mouth that stayed with me like a perfect holiday memory. Yes, I’m getting poetic about one sip of coffee. I don’t know how they did, but Cracker Barrel has a lot to learn. I can’t wait to feed into my newfound addiction once I actually hit the ground!

I’m very tired….I’ve tried to keep myself awake so I wouldn’t fall into an awful jetlag, and I’m just plain TIRED. I keep thinking about the little twin bed with the red comforter that’s waiting for me at the apartment, and I just can’t wait….and neither can my fat feet! I’m definitely going to need a shower though. I love watching the expert world traveler’s walk by, who have figured out, which I have not yet UNFORTUNATELY, how to put up their hair to where it doesn’t look like they’ve gone without a shower for two or three days, and they look refreshed. I look like I just came out of a UFC fight….the one with five five-minute rounds, against someone who is twice my size and hates my guts. Sweet Moses….I need some shampoo, and maybe mascara. C’mon people, I am a girl….and there are good-looking foreigners here.

Well, I have arrived! Besides my left foot being the size of a soccer ball, all is well! I went right to sleep when night-time came, and slept until 5:30. That’s not too shabby, if I do say so myself! I hope it stays this way!

I’ll probably take a day or two to get adjusted. I’ve unpacked and now all I have is the dilemma of car, or motorcycle. I still have yet to even come close to a decision. While a bike would seem the smarter idea, since it’s half the price, and I would actually OWN it instead of rent it, which would be to the financial benefit of the missionaries, I am very scared. I need to get over those fears, not to mention I would probably be hurting the young man who’s offered to let me rent his car….it would be a nice financial benefit for him as well, so I’m dealing with a little dilemma of guilt vs. frugality as well. Haha! The good times are rolling already.

Thank you for staying in touch, feel free to say hello!