• Fact: My heart's already left Taipei. I definitely need a change.

• Fact: I don't know where I am going, but neither am I unrealistic about funding prospects in today's business environment.

• Fact: I'd love to go to Shanghai, but only with funding, or on an expat package. I finally understand what all these guys were talking about. It's okay to "take on Asia" in your 20s as a single, young professional. It's an entirely different story when you're in your 30s, and a lot of that has to do with simply wanting a bit more stability (personal, social, financial, etc).

  Note that I speak specifically of those who are not originally from Asia, who don't have close family ties in the region (to put it bluntly, don't have parents living in Asia whom they can bum off of, lol), who aren't in serious relationships, and/or who do not intend to make Asia their "home", which would be the majority of non-native single folks in the region.

  A small percentage marry locally and decide to stay permanently, but the bulk of "foreigners" in Asia intend to eventually "go home" = massively transcient lifestyle for those in the circuit. Exciting as hell, I LOVE it, but one can't live like that forever. Or maybe I just need a break and will jump back in later, lol! For sure... I wouldn't want to be too far removed.

• Fact: Given the above, I'm mentally preparing to set ground in the San Francisco bay area before Chinese New Years.

Since WHEN did I become so CONNECTED with Mother Nature?!

I have no idea.

All I do know is that Mother Nature is feeling rather CHILLY in the United States of America. I've been freezing my BUTT off and not particularly liking it. Anyway, as I EMBRACE the idea of "planting thy seeds", etcetera etcetera, I can't help but notice so many little things about how different it is to be "living" in America. Or the idea of it, anyway.

Take for example the concept of DRIVING, in America.

Last Friday, when Cindy and I headed out to run errands, it wasn't long before I started feeling incredibly uncomfortable in the car because of my... umm... seat belt. After a few moments of silence, I just had to say something:

 Me: "Cindy. Do I HAVE to wear this seat belt."

Her: "YES... CHRISTINE..."

 Me: "But, I NEVER wear seatbelts in Taipei."

Her: "Well here... it's the LAW..."

I thought about that for a minute, and then said to her in all seriousness, "Hey Cin? Moving back to the States is going to be a lot harder than I thought..."

I got NO sympathy from her.

OUCH.

Another incident occurred that evening as we were leaving the parking lot of the Korean BBQ place to go to the Tied House. I was in Martin's car, and Jim was in his. Note: in the entire time I've known Jim -- since 1995 -- I don't believe I've ever seen him drive a car. So when he drove by us, I said to Martin,

"Is that Jim? Driving a car?"

In his own sarcastic way, Martin assured me that indeed it was Jim driving his car and that in America --> people DO drive cars. I watched for a minute as Jim rounded the corner and drove onto the main road, and then turned to Martin and concluded,

"Hmm... he's pretty good."

I'm trying not to laugh as I look at these pictures that I took today. But, but, but... they're just so... AMERICAN!

ROFL!

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