ASIA

so i've been dying to write this blog for some time now. i am going to ASIA! i've been wanting to visit thailand for ages. in fact, when i applied to the peace corps, i told them that i didn't have a preference.... i just wanted to help wherever i was needed. but in reality, i was secretly hoping for southeast asia.

my australia chapter is quickly coming to a close (*alligator tear drops*). it's a bit embarrassing, because when people ask me what i did in australia... i have to be honest and reply, "chilled in sydney for nine months." did i make it to melbourne...? no. cairns? no. what about perth, darwin, adelaide, or canberra? no, no, no, and no. i've been in australia for nine months and the furthest point i've reached is byron bay. (which was freaking awesome). there are a million places i want to go in oz, but unfortunately i don't have the resources. i'm totally fine with this though, because i know i'll be back! (4 month tourist visa anyone?)

in the meantime... thailand.... laos... maybe even cambodia and vietnam? basically, the plan is to fly to bangkok on march 7, where i will meet up with my friend, jess and roommate, sabrina. i'm pretty much planning on staying in asia until i'm penniless (which includes a full moon party and thai new year -- what, what!), upon which i will return home to the states. i'll get into my stateside plans later....

i don't think i've ever been more excited for a trip in my whole life. i think i'm even more excited than when i was planning my london trip! (although that's a tough call considering 1. i adore/am slightly obsessed with all things british and 2. escape from bulgaria with an amazing friend was pretty much heaven on earth). the best part about asia though, is that nothing is planned. aside from the actual flight, i have no clue what's going to happen! i haven't even booked a hostel for the night that i arrive. i'm just going to show up and let the chips fall where they may. i've never been on trip where everything has been completely spontaeous, so i'm anxious to see how it goes. i'm not worried though. pretty much everyone i know has been to asia, traveled in the same manner, and they all LOVED it.

can. not. wait!

however, asia marks more goodbyes. i was just discussing today how the one kind of crappy thing about traveling is that you meet all these amazing people... only to say goodbye, never knowing if and when you'll see them again. *sigh,* the romantic side of me thinks maybe that's how it's supposed to be. all these people were put in my life for some purpose, and when it's fulfilled we move on. there is one person in particular who i am rather fond of though, and who i will be especially sad to leave. more on that later as well.

lastly, happy late valentine's day! i know everyone thinks it's just another commercialized holiday, spurred on by hallmark and the evil corporations. but i think all the cynics and pessimists should take a pill and smell the roses :) i watched "valentine's day" with my friend monica (btw, the movie was ok. wait till it's on dvd), went out for a drinks with the crew, and called it a night. nothing special happened... but i did get a little present from my roommate! haha. i really do have the cutest, sweetest friends.

love ya'll!