180 Degrees Away From All I've Ever Known

Unfortunately, I had to leave the Big Island and fly to Honolulu (on Oahu) where hooked up with a couchsurfer named Bob, dropped my 150 pounds of luggage off at his work after hauling them around on the bus and about 3/4 mile through town. Ended up buying some surfwear that was surprisingly cheap at the huge, 4-level Ala Moana Shopping Center, headed across the street to Waikiki Beach, walked down the coral, white sand beach and into the salty crystal clear water. It'd been several months since I'd seen a white sand beach, so I was very appreciative. The sun beat down on my ripened skin as I lay there on my sari taking it all in. That night Bob took me to get fish tacos and then to the local scene at the Harbor Pub where Hawaiians serenaded the crowd with voice box-stimulating tunes and the bartender surprised us with all sorts of drinks and snacks and pizza. I found myself on my own 23-foot sailboat for the night under the stars and in front of a city-scape backdrop of lights reflecting gently on the harbor waters as I was rocked to sleep by the sounds of the tide lapping against the hull of the boat, fish jumping and chasing each other in a night feeding frenzy, and wind winding its way through the masts of 400 sailboats around me. Later that day after more miles of bussing and walking with my heavy bags (that need to be downsized), I found myself in the Tokyo airport. Then in Taipei, Taiwan, and a day and a half after departing Honolulu, I wounded up in Bangkok, Thailand in my new apartment above the FTC English Teaching Center. I've never had such a long flight, or sets them, never lost an entire day and a half to travel, nor have I ever had such an amazing experience flying. My first international flight opened my eyes to the Asian culture, which I now adore and completely respect (I might have had issues before). The service was impeccable, the food was incredible (I recommend requesting vegetarian because you get your food first, it's really good, and you get extra beverages :) ), and the Chinese are beautiful people. I couldn't stop watching them! I mean, I'm related to Chinese Americans, and I've interacted with all kinds of Asians, but there's something about seeing them in their element with other Asians, that's simply fascinating. I now have a new respect, for sure. Forgive me for somewhat judging in the past (gross). Tapei, Taoyuan looks so colorful and bursting with character and culture. I definitely want to visit and explore the land. Tokyo was very orderly and sophisticated-looking, also quite intriguing. Thailand, my new home for a year is very interesting. Granted, I am in the middle of the biggest and dirtiest city in the country, not to mention it's ranking in the world. I look forward to exploring the other, less populated and polluted parts of the country as soon as I get the chance. I will be teaching 5 classes of 11th graders Reading Comprehension (my worst subject in school, go figure), and they will be helping me improve my own skills, not only in comprehension, but also in the Thai language, Thai culture, and simply in how the teenage mind functions and perceives the world around it. To these things I look forward. I also have to bite the bullet and learn to love wearing Catholic School girl attire at St. Francis Xavier School. So, the flip side of the world is going to help me work on the things I haven't been the best at, so that I can better be the well-rounded individual I was set on this planet to be. I meet the students and Sisters tomorrow and the lessons begin the following day (October 27th). Can't wait!