Jet Lag

So, it's 4:26 in the morning and I am awake. I've been up for almost two hours and I can't get to sleep. I thought I might make good use of the time and update my blog. For those of you who were wondering, I have been in East Asia for the past two months and I loved it. That's why I haven't been updating my blog.

I have some fun pics from my time in Asia, so I guess I will share some pictures some things I love about East Asia in this my first blog.

Top 10 East Asia loves
1. The people- I appreciate the cultural diversity, especially in one of the cities I visited. It makes the city unique and the people very interesting. Selfishly I also enjoy how curious they are about me and my life.



2. The language- It is so fun to speak another language. Even though I still speak it like a child.


3. Night Markets....need I say more.
4. Lack of spiritual pretense- There is a clear line between believers and non believers. At least this is true in Christianity. I'll bet that where Buddhism is concerned there is some pretense.
5. I get to practice the discipline of slowing- It takes more time to do everything. There is much more walking, riding buses or bicycles so the time to and from makes it take longer to complete simple tasks. It is great to be able to use that time in pr and/or getting to connect with people.



6. Karoke- Don't laugh-it's really fun. It is going on all the time; at dinner, in special karoke places, at bars...all that singing just makes me smile (most of the time:0 )
7. The City Square- this is the night time city hot spot. There are people playing games, walking their dogs, buying and selling things, it is organized chaos. There is so much energy and fun at the square...it's almost like an amusement park, but cooler.
8. Restaurants with rooms. I love that most restaurants have small private rooms. You can use this if you ask for it or if you have a larger party. I think I like it so much because of the privacy and the connectedness you feel as you share a meal together.
9. Taking pictures-My friends in East Asia love to take pictures. Someone always has their camera and wants to document our time together. Typically I am not a person who enjoys being in pictures, but I love returning home having tons of physical reminders of the time spent in a different culture.



And last, but not least

10. The food...it is so good! I think it is because they have had thousands of years to perfect cuisine and there are so many different varieties. Some meals are like artistry. Definitely good stuff!

Ok, Ive gone on long enough. It is time to try and get some sleep. Or get ready for the day.