Over the past couple of weeks I have officially gone around the world. No literally I have acquired over 18,000 frequent flyer miles (not counting all of my flying because I am an idiot and just signed up for miles), set foot in Hong Kong, Macau, Tokyo, Garner, Kaohsiung and Taipei. Now I know what you are thinking, it must be really terrible to HAVE to travel to all these places, I REALLY have it hard. Don't feel too much sympathy for me, I will let you in on a little secret, I kinda enjoyed it. Here is a brief recap of all the adventures (I know I am going to leave something big out but there was just too much to remember).
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| Hiking Monkey Mountain |
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| Leaving our mark on Kaohsiung |
It all started with my dear, sweet, amazing friend Ana coming to visit. We started out exploring Kaohsiung. We had a great time walking around Lotus Lake, hiking up Monkey Mountain, getting a relaxing massage, going to a traditional fish market, getting lost on scooters and finding a ping pong/dance competition, and of course a true Kaohsiung Night Market experience. After accomplishing more than any two people should ever be able to, we journeyed off to Hong Kong with John and Bruce as our protectors.
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| Hong Kong |
Hong Kong is my most favorite, ever in the world, city. This place was truly incredible. The people there were so international yet friendly. There was great tourist activities, spectacular shopping and great night life. Not to mention it is home to the worlds longest escalator (800m to be exact). For the 4 days and 3 nights we were there we were on the go non stop, from visiting Victoria Peak, to stopping at H&M, to watching the light show across the harbor. John and I even went to an Asian Game Convention (on Christmas Day). It was an unforgettable trip.
While staying in Hong Kong we took a boat to Macau. This is another country (you have to pass through immigration, thank goodness I am the genius of the group and made everyone take their passports) which is considered to be the Asian Vegas. After getting off the boat, we hopped on a bus which took us to the Venetian. There we gambled, caught a Cirque De Soleil show, ate a LOT, saw the Hard Rock Casino, all in one day.
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| View of the light show |
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| Outside the Venetian |
By the time we made it back to Kaohsiung we were all pooped! Ana had 1 more day left on her journey so we took in a movie VIP style (think lay-z-boy, blanket, and wine at a regular movie theater). Then sadly I had to bid Ana farewell. I know I had one of the best times of my life with her here, I am sure she felt the same. We were really living this great amazing life that a person could only dream of. The experiences we had were once in a life time activities.
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| Macau |
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| Love these girls |
I then had 1 day to pack and I was back on the plane heading to home sweet home. I could hardly contain my excitement. I was about to be able to cuddle up with my dear sweet Charlie, hug the rest of the family and just be able to relax in a place where I feel at home. The 25+ hours of travel time were so worth in once I stepped off the last plane, saw mom jumping up and down, and was able to finally hug Mom, Dad, and Syd's necks. The week I was at home flew by. It seemed like I blinked and I was getting back on the plane to come to Kaohsiung. I was so lucky to see so many wonderful friends, family, old students, and just realize how lucky I am to have so many people who I love and who love me in my life. It was really hard to go back. Seeing everything that I have back at home made me miss it even more. This past couple of days here has been harder than any other time, but summer will be here before I know it and I will be back to the swing of things in N.C. I mean where else can you set of fireworks right beside the house to a D.J. while sabering champaign bottles at midnight? Or get a last meal of a chicken biscuit with green tomato and mac and cheese?
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| Who wouldn't miss him?!?! |
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| Or fireworks like this?!?! |
So after the time of my life, I am back, trying to get myself into the routine. I am sleep deprived (or maybe just my sleep schedule is so far off from jet lag that I don't know what normal sleep is like). I have flown around the world, had experiences of a lifetime, seen some amazing friends, family and loved ones (that would of course include Charlie) so getting back to the grind is going to be hard. Good thing I have great people here to help me out with that. It is the motivation for cleaning, laundry, exercise, planning for school and grad work that will have to come from somewhere deep inside, but isn't that always how it is when you travel around the world in less than 3 weeks?
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| Here is my first attempt at being normal. I have to do something to loose the 10lbs I put on eating during this break! |
Over the past couple of weeks I have officially gone around the world. No literally I have acquired over 18,000 frequent flyer miles (not counting all of my flying because I am an idiot and just signed up for miles), set foot in Hong Kong, Macau, Tokyo, Garner, Kaohsiung and Taipei. Now I know what you are thinking, it must be really terrible to HAVE to travel to all these places, I REALLY have it hard. Don't feel too much sympathy for me, I will let you in on a little secret, I kinda enjoyed it. Here is a brief recap of all the adventures (I know I am going to leave something big out but there was just too much to remember). 
Hong Kong is my most favorite, ever in the world, city. This place was truly incredible. The people there were so international yet friendly. There was great tourist activities, spectacular shopping and great night life. Not to mention it is home to the worlds longest escalator (800m to be exact). For the 4 days and 3 nights we were there we were on the go non stop, from visiting Victoria Peak, to stopping at H&M, to watching the light show across the harbor. John and I even went to an Asian Game Convention (on Christmas Day). It was an unforgettable trip. 
While staying in Hong Kong we took a boat to Macau. This is another country (you have to pass through immigration, thank goodness I am the genius of the group and made everyone take their passports) which is considered to be the Asian Vegas. After getting off the boat, we hopped on a bus which took us to the Venetian. There we gambled, caught a Cirque De Soleil show, ate a LOT, saw the Hard Rock Casino, all in one day. 
sounds amazing... I can't wait to come visit so we can have our own adventure!! :)
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