Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday with your family and friends. Coming home this month was really good timing, I think. Most folks are in holiday mode, not a lot of work is getting done, and it seems more than appropriate to just chill out this month than to worry too much about getting settled in and what not.
It’s been awhile since I’ve been home for Christmas. During the five years in Japan, I was home just once. It was a lesson learned, as the airports were ridiculous (especially LAX) and most people were too busy with holiday plans to squeeze in a visit. After that year, I either traveled or simply stayed in Japan and prepared for the New Year.
After I returned from Japan, I spent Christmas of 2007 here in San Diego. But by the next year, I was off in Vietnam and spent the last two in Hanoi.
My parents love the holiday and they decorate the front yard with lots of lights and winter scenes. We have penguins sledding down the 2nd story balcony, an ensemble of critters riding a holiday ferris wheel, little snowmen lining the grass and a big polar bear wishing you a happy holiday.
The inside of the house is also decked out with fake snow in the living room and lots of Christmas critters, which NiNi finds fun to play with. One day, she determined that the Christmas bear was hungry. And so my parents helped her put some cookies in front of the bear. When she wasn’t looking, my dad took a bite out of the cookies. Imagine her surprise when she discovered that the bear could eat!
One of my other favorite things about Christmas is the cooking and baking. I’ve baked dozens and dozens of cookies this year and tonight we enjoyed the lasagna I usually make for the occasion. I love being in the kitchen, but have eaten far too many cookies already! They are too yummy!
But by far, the favorite part of the evening was watching my niece open her presents. She’s 2 1/2 and very expressive. Her first present was an zebra print track suit of sorts. She opened it up and exclaimed, “OOooooh! An outift! I LOVE it!” And then she held it up and showed us all and did that little wiggle that little kids do when they are happy, excited and can hardly contain themselves.
I’m glad I made it back in time for the festivities. I hope I started a new tradition of being here instead of missing it all!
Put on a happy face!
This is what San Diego is famous for! And it’s a color of sky I have missed terribly for the past two years! THAT is blue sky!
Quite often in Vietnam I complained about the grey skies and awful weather. There are really only two seasons in Hanoi. For six months, the sky is grey and the temperatures are cool and cold and there is a wet winter humidity which actually makes the walls drip with moisture. In the summer time, it’s hotter than hot and the humidity will melt you. The sun does shine and the sky is sort-of blue, but there always seems to be a haze which lingers.
I often teased Kurt when he would say, “See, the sky is blue today.” I would jokingly reply, “That’s not San Diego blue.” He was well aware of San Diego’s reputation for fine weather, blue skies and warm sunshine.
When I first returned home, I was eager for all that sunshiny goodness. However, we had unusually cold weather and lots of rains which flooded parts of San Diego, like the Mission Valley area (I have not a lot of sympathy for those who develop communities in a river bed). I was disappointed in the miserable cold and longed to crank my head upward to soak up some rays.
Just before Christmas, the skies turned blue, the clouds went away and I could sit outside and enjoy what this city is famous for! I hope it lasts! It feels wonderful!
Welcome to America
It was a long plane ride back. There was a very strange man two rows ahead of me who was super fat, unable to breathe and possibly on some sleep medication. Thank goodness no one was seated around him. He flopped violently in his chair leaning to the right and to the left, forward and back, waking himself up because he was snoring so loud and was kind of snorting to breathe. He was out cold before the plane took off and was awake only to eat and use the restroom. I’ve never seen anything like it. According to the other passengers around me, they never have either. For probably the first time ever, I was happy to arrive at LAX!
The final leg of my journey was the short flight to San Diego. When the plane took off from LAX, I got really excited. With only a 20 minute flight, it’s hard to maintain any emotion, but I looked out the window the whole time and as the plane was landing and San Diego neighborhoods were passing below, I felt a wave of calm and happiness take over.
The buzz kill was that one of my suitcases didn’t get on the plane with me and the United employee couldn’t account for my bag and couldn’t tell me where in LAX it was…it wasn’t even popping up on the system. They assured me that my case would be delivered. (See, this is why I carry-on those journals!) My parents and I left the airport doubtful and with hope, all mixed into one. I was too tired to be angry.
I woke up this morning, brewed some coffee, chatted with the family and delighted in the fact that my suitcase did actually arrive. Whew! I’ve never been so happy to see my red suitcase! ;p
As I usually do when I visit the US, the first outing was a visit to Target. Nothing says “Welcome to America” more than a store where you can buy shampoo, candy, a bathing suit, greeting cards, a BBQ, underwear and a bicycle all in the same place. I stuck with toiletries and candy.
And so the adjustment begins…I’m back. I’m here. I’m home.
About the photo: There is a glimpse of San Diego from the plane. It was near sunset and the marine layer was starting to roll back in. Still a welcome sight for sore eyes!
Goodbye Asia, Hello America
With this move back to the US, I really feel the weight of my decision to leave Asia. While I am happy to return and eager for a different kind of adventure, I know that I am really going to miss this extraordinary region of the world.
I fell in love with Asia when I moved to Japan in 2002. I traveled extensively through that beautiful country and learned to love the green of the rice fields, the change of seasons, amazing food, kind-hearted people, a healthy life, the beautiful culture which seeped into my heart and soul…so much.
During my days in Japan, I discovered SE Asia through Thailand and the amazing Nepal and Tibet trip. Thailand is an especially easy place to travel and makes for a great introduction to the region. Nepal and Tibet were just teasers for ridiculously unique and inspiring journeys.
And then in 2008, you’ll remember I traveled for four months through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia before heading to Europe. One only needs to browse through my Travel Blog to learn what an impression those experiences made on my life. I’ve recently enjoyed one last trip to Laos before my time in Vietnam ends. Laos may be my favorite.
It’s been a very difficult yet very comforting decision to leave Asia and return to the US. It took a lot of soul searching and I’ve written lots of pros and cons lists and used my own crazy system of practicality, motivation, logic and reason to come to the conclusion that my life will be better for spending some time in what I should call home. I have every desire to stay in the US for a bit, but I cannot imagine a life without travel, and one where I don’t ever come back to Asia. And I cannot promise that after a few weeks back in America that I don’t freak out and just hop on a plane to Argentina or something!
I leave Vietnam today, and while it is always difficult to close a chapter of your life, I have a sense that a very bright and wonderful future is waiting for me and I need to go and grab it with total enthusiasm. I’m ready.
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
About the photo: I chose the window seat for this journey for some reason. I think I needed to visually depart Vietnam and welcome San Diego, as well as emotionally adjust! ;p
GLEE!
Fortunately for me, the Star World channel replays the shows of the week on Saturday and Sunday. I just caught the first episode of GLEE, which will now be shown every Wednesday night after American Idol. My friends Mette and Sarah both watch this show on Wednesday night when it first aired and said that they thought it had potential but that it wasn’t what they expected. It sure has been played up a lot this month, so I thought it must have fallen short of the hype. But for me – OMG – I loved loved LOVED the first episode and cant WAIT to see the rest of the season!
What some of you may or may not know about me is that I was a theater kid when I was young. I’ve posted a couple photos below from my performances. I loved taking the drama or voice classes and remember all too well the auditions for the plays. I never got a lead role, but Mr. Russell, the theater company director was always so kind to call me and congratulate me on my role as the townsperson or bunny rabbit or whatever other general role I was chosen for. I practiced so very hard for auditions, but when the moment of truth came, I was so nervous, I failed to sing the song how I practiced, and would undoubtedly fall out of my singing voice.
Fast forward to high school. I was an all-American girl. I played sports but was also a cheerleader. I was part of the popular group of kids. I went to school dances and proms with the greatest enthusiasm. And I also watched every performance of Ensemble.
Mixed Ensemble was a group of 32 students, half girls and half boys. The concerts would being on a classical note and grow progressively toward pop tunes and big song and dance numbers. At our school, this vocal group drew not only musicians, singers and dancers, but football players and basketball stars, cheerleaders and tennis champions. It wasn’t dorky to be in Ensemble, it was beyond cool.
I never found the courage to audition for Ensemble in the first three years at school. The group was so talented. I never thought I would be good enough. But my senior year approached, and I realized it was my last chance. I nervously made my way to the audition to sing for Joretta Wright, our teacher and director.
The audition was tough…you couldn’t bring a song to sing, she just asked you to sing well know tunes, patriotic songs and even some children’s music. I sang America the Beautiful and Mary Had a Little Lamb. I sang confidently and sincerely, hoping to secure a spot in the group. The next day, I went to the Ensemble room to look at the paper on the door. And my name was on it. I made it.
Ensemble was by far one of the highlights of high school. I loved the music and the choreography. I met one of my best friends in my life, Holly, and one of the greatest loves of my life, Hap. I loved being on stage and performing and when we went to Boston and New York on tour, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Ensemble was cool.
GLEE may be off to a slow start for my friends here, but as I watched it today, I was overcome with emotions and memories of a very fond time in my life. I can’t wait to follow the storyline and see what other memories come to light. For today, I’m content to go through my day humming some of the songs we sang back then. I still remember them all.
Pointed Toes! – That’s me my senior year at Valhalla High School with my then-boyfriend and Ensemble partner, Hap.
He’s a prince! – This was the play “Cinderella” and that was the prince, Pat Merrill. I was in 8th grade and he was a senior in high school. And I had the hugest crush on him! Leave it to me to fall in love with the prince!
The Trouble with Angles – Forget the costume I’m wearing! How about that gold color palette in our house! Yikes!
Plugging Away!
Work Station – The dining room table has been serving as my office, since I’ve returned to San Diego. At least I have a view of the pool!
Hellloooo! How’s the month of August treating you? Have you been enjoying summer? Have you gone on vacation? I hope you are surviving the heat and have had a chance to enjoy some leisure time with your loved ones.
It’s been just one week since I’ve returned from my travels. Still a bit weird to be back. In this short time, I think I may have created an unhealthy relationship with my Mac. Oh my Mac.
He went with me on my world travels, survived the humidity, saved all my photos, helped me book all my hotels and flights and allowed me stay in touch with you. He’s a good travel buddy. A Powerbook G4, he’s a little heavy, but nonetheless, he travels well. We survived five months together with nay a squabble.
Now I’m with him morning through night, pounding away on his keyboard, creating newsletters, videos, resumes, cover letters, endlessly researching employment opportunities online. I’ve even reorganized my photos from my travels. My poor Mac barely gets a wink of sleep!
You can see my work station here in this photo. You’ve got the ever-present cup of coffee on the left, with my calendar, notes, dictionary (for all those resume action words!) and pencil cup. Then that red book on the right is my travel journal. I’ve been using it as a reference for stories in my newsletters. Next to that is a travel guide for Spain. Still considering it. Finding some possibilities. The guidebook serves more as a geography reference. On the lower right is my binder with all my notes. My big TO DO list is on top, constantly reminding me that I have A LOT to do!!!
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
All Good Things Come To An End
After a terrific twenty-eight days, the European tour has come to and end. The tour ended in Greece, after just a few short hours in Athens. My flight schedule took me back to London, where I pondered the idea of traveling to Spain to find work. I mentioned in my previous post that I wouldn’t mind staying in Europe, particularly Greece or Spain.
Well, after greater contemplation, I realized I was unable to camp out in Spain, or anywhere in Europe. Hotels and transportation cost a pretty Euro or Pound and I simply could not afford to stay and look for work.
What that means, my dear friends, is that – SURPRISE! – I’m writing to you from San Diego! I’m back in the good old US of A. I just got back on Monday, and have spent the last couple of days recuperating from a long and delayed flight. I’m also adjusting to being back in the U.S. Reverse culture shock always seems to hit me harder than culture shock. How weird is that? I do love being immersed in foreign cultures!
I find it oddly coincidental, that I returned from my travels the same exact day I returned from Japan last year. Interesting how things fall into place that way. Even though a year has passed, I still miss Japan and often thought of my friends, students and life in Japan while I was traveling throughout the world.
My goal, while here in comfort of casa de papa y mama, is to polish up my resume, do some research, and figure out what the next step is in my life adventure. After five months living out of a backpack, I need a break, a job and routine in my life. I love, love, love traveling and exploring the world, but even “Shanna the Adventurer” has her limits! It was time to come home.
What I feel so grateful for is that I am in the unique position in my life that I can do anything and go anywhere I choose. Yes, I will look for jobs in Spain and Greece, as I said before. And I will still keep bugging Kurt in Vietnam to find a way to put me in that Sales and Marketing position in Hanoi. But I will also research opportunities a little closer to home and see what pops up. It just may be time for me to settle in the US again and plant some roots here. We’ll just have to see. Point being, I’m open and flexible.
I have posted my resume online here. And you know me well, so if you would like to forward my resume to someone you know, please feel welcome to do so. If you know someone who’s looking for a person like me, please put us in touch. Any efforts you make on my behalf are GREATLY appreciated.
Soon enough, I’ll be writing my OTBS newsletter, both an Asian version and European version, to highlight some of the experiences I’ve had during my journey. I know many of you have kept up with my travels here, but I’m hoping to tickle some of my friends and acquaintances who haven’t visited the website as frequently as you! Look for that news very soon.
If you want to reach me, you can find me on my cell. It’s the same number I had previously. I’d be delighted to hear from you and catch up in person. Thanks so much for being so supportive and I look forward to speaking with you soon!
Cheers,
Shanna
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