-^-for posterity-^-

it has been too long since i have written.

the last couple of weeks in pennsylvania were some of the most wonderful and stressful weeks of my entire life. i took tests, traveled around and, most importantly, spent time with rachel. i left on thursday morning a little before noon, boarded a partially empty plane and sat in seat 31c for almost 14 hours. there:s nothing like sitting in a seat for seven hours only to wake up to the realization that you still have another seven to go before you land in japan.

and here i am, narita airport. it:s really quite an efficient airport with its monorail trains, tiny roads that wind about and free internet cafe. it is about four in the afternoon here and i have another five hour flight before i reach ho chi minh city.

life in america was brilliant. i was surprised how comfortable i became with the lifestyle in such a short amount of time. in those short two months i traveled from new york to virginia, indiana to new jersey. i:ll write all about it another time.

this is another moment of transition for me; it is one of those points in life we all run across that feels like a little hump, or hill. we all eventually work our way over it towards normalcy. i am now in limbo, somewhere half way up the hill. it:s hard to imagine that i:ll soon be riding on motorcycle taxi:s again and thumping along narrow roads in a muggy, wet delta.

i haven:t really told many people that i:m going to be coming back to long xuyen. i:ve left that a seceret.

well, i:m tired and sore. the small, white airport cars are all slowly and carefully driving between the lines. the airport workers all have nice, white hats on and different colored uniforms. there is a giant plane being towed around by one of those box-like trucks with giant tires. cargo moves too and fro. i sit in the internet cafe surrounded by people wearing only the most stylish glasses, shirts and pants. i have a bluffton college soccer shirt and a grey, hooded sweatshirt on.

thanks to everyone i talked to this summer who continues to support me over here. you are all wonderful.