sigh…

a really big one..

so i’m back stateside. and a bit depressed. i feel… lost to say the least – ironic, innit, as i barely felt lost at all while abroad. the last few months feel like one massive dream. a super sweet one though.

to pick up where i left off, bali ended up being a sweet ol’ place after all! i just had to find the right places and the right people. ubud was a real treat – it’s the town elizabeth gilbert, author of eat, pray, love, lived for three months to find her inner balance. i tried vainly, but half-heartedly in truth, looking for the people she mentions in her memoir. it’s a very relaxing, artsy town. the last two days though were simply filled with shopping, as the clock was ticking unwittingly before my eyes. (i ended my trip a week sooner than intended, which i would give anything to have in my grips again now. but i’m glad that my trip ended on a pretty good note.)

AND i did get to have a whirlwind day tour of kyoto, which i’ll recount in a later post (my encounters with geisha-models, locals, etc). and of course, loads of more stories about southeast asia to come.

i am currently in maui, just arrived today after two nights in honolulu. i’ve got some stories i’ll have to recount about my days there as well. don’t worry though, i’ll keep good on my word, as i’ll have nothing much to do other than some logistical stuff i have to take care of and endless use of the internet! ay, back to the old habits already!…

just a quick tidbit. i judge airlines by their deck of cards. it’s a little know secret, but did you know that you can request a complimentary set of playing cards from most international airlines? so far, asiana airlines has been the best, then northwest airlines (surprisingly), and japan airlines comes last, of the three airlines i’ve flown this time around (not including the budget airlines air asia and hawaiian air).

i just got to my parents’ home a few hours ago, so i still have much organization to do and picture-sorting. i promise to upload most of my pictures in the coming week if not for my friends’ viewing, then for my own nostalgic review.

i think so far, it’s hard to pick one part of my trip that i liked the most. but the highlights of my travels were laos, vietnam, and southern thailand.

will write again soon. for now, i’m gonna stuff myself silly with good home-cooked food. mm hmm!