Un-posted update from Hong Kong 6/20/2012

It has certainly been a fast paced and interesting week.  I have the immense pleasure to report that I am writing this on the plane from Hong Kong to Jakarta. Hong Kong was simply amazing. I have never been so thrust into a city that was so busy with life moving at such a fast pace as Hong Kong. It has instantly become one of the most interesting cities I have been fortunate set foot in and will definitely be added to the highly prestigious CL favourite cities list.  I cannot help but assume I will be travelling back there soon to explore it in proper fashion.  

 I find myself constantly being caught in moments of intense excitement and childhood wonder as I move about this new place. Everything is new, and everything holds a new opportunity to reflect on what a fantastic opportunity that I am embarking on.  I am blessed to have such an experience.  I am also blessed to have just had an unannounced glass of apple juice brought to me by the flight attendant mid sentence, it is perhaps the best I have ever had.  I guess that is a good reminder to stop and smell the roses occasionally.  There will be without a doubt a full senses overload upon arriving to my new pseudo-permanent home.  New sights, sounds, friends, as well as different, weather, food and surely uncomfortable bowel movements. But in all this newness and uncertainty I will need to remind myself to take time to reflect and give thanks; for plane tickets, new friends, and apple juice.

Perhaps it is the whirlwind of the last week, but I feel completely unprepared for any of what I am experiencing.  Driving across the country with my dad and brother was amazing, seeing my mom and extended family was even more wonderful.  I arrived back home at 3:00am the day of my departure for Hong Kong and it has yet to ‘hit me’ that I have left.  With a constant list of things to do and time passing by faster than I could check items off, I barely have time to process it all.  So in this moment of relative reflectiveness I want to thank everyone who helped make this adventure possible, and those who always support me. From California to Chicago, Lawrence to Lubjavik, everyone inbetween and beyond - thanks. Especially Mom, Dad, and Erik for allowing me to be strange and completely impractical, yet always giving me the nod to follow my heart.

So with only 3 hours left until Indonesia, I’ll Breathe deep, take a snooze, and make a mental note to stop and enjoy the apple juice once in a while.