And I'm Off to Bangkok

*Posted on Facebook, January 12, 2007*


My journey has officially begun. I left my life in the United States behind 11 hours ago. I am now speaking to you from an internet kiosk in Tokyo as I wait for my connecting flight to Bangkok. I said goodbye to my brother, my sister, and Jenny at the airport and honestly it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Hugging Jenny and knowing it would be months before I could again or perhaps the last time was gut wrenching. I'll be gone for at least a year. At least I get 5 weeks paid vacation - maybe I'll be back to visit sooner than I think.

The flight over gave me a chance to do a lot of thinking about what is going to happen to me in the coming weeks. My whole life is going to change. No more college. No more old friends. No more sleeping in! A huge chapter of my life that I enjoyed so much is over and there is nothing I can do to stop my propulsion into the real world now. At the same time, wow, I have never been so excited about my future. I no longer have to worry about what I'm going to do with my life in the short run - I finally have a job and I couldn't have asked for a cooler opportunity for what feeds my interests. If international business truly is my calling, well, I have this chance to find out early in life. I can't wait to start my job, to meet new people, to explore Bangkok, to discover things about myself and grow as a person. Undoubtedly I will get homesick, run into trouble, and life will not be perfect. I guess therein lies the fun of this whole experience.

Who knows, maybe I'll be back early for one reason or another, or maybe I'll stay much longer than my contract stipulates. One thing is for sure: I'm coming to Bangkok with the support of all my friends and family and an open-mind. I want to learn, I want to do a great job, and I want to have an awesome time.

I'll try to update this blog once a week at least. The best thing you guys can do for me is check in every once in a while through email or phone. I'll let you know my contact details as soon as I get them myself. As of right now I think I'll have a temporary serviced apartment provided by the company for a month, and before the end of that term I'll find something more permanent. Should be getting a cell phone soon. I might be half a world away but it'll still take 3 rings to hear my voice. I want to hear yours.

I hope to speak to you all soon!