Goin Back 4 Real

T-12 hours and I'm outta here.
Leaving Asia behind for the time being, but hell yea I'll be back.
Always am. So many thoughts going through my head.

I'm kinda anticipating Reverse culture shock, nah thats not really
my worry. I'm thinking more about the cumulative affect of this study
abroad experience on my life overall. I'm definitely glad I had the
opportunity to go abroad.

More Americans need to get their minds stretched, everyone should have the
opportunity to go abroad, or make it a major priority. Life BEGINS when
you step into another culture and your perspective WILL get broader, because
you see, "O, people in other countries live, think, and act TOTALLY differently!"

Yea its that big of a difference.

Some expecations I had were unrealistic for this trip, and other things
I had no idea what was possible. I met people went places, lost money, gained
friends, burned bridges, and perhaps started to see more clearly myself and
what I can do about self-improvement.

Just going abroad in and of itself isn't an escape, though I and many others
who go abroad wishfully view it as that. Sure environment change is great,
but all the baggage, mental patterns and constructs that that were built in your
brain since day one come right along.

I realize the need for bigger goals in life. Definitive goals, that no matter
how slow you progress towards them, are meaningful, timely, and valuable.
Everyone needs something that gives meaning to their lives and I feel the same
especially as I get older. I need more meat in my life, something that I can
really dig into in a positive way, not a relationship, not job necessarily but
something bigger perhaps.

What will I do when back?: Be ACTIVE in
- Couchsurfing: Events, try to host
- Friends
- Tennis, exercise
- SCHOOL
- $$$ To survive
- Work towards JPLT & going abroad to TW, need refinement here.

Next post from the otherside!