I wanna be a real boy!

Well, it's been a while since I wrote anything. I had intended to write some proverbial Final Thoughts or some shit regarding my extranational experiences much sooner than this, but the world turns as the world turns and sometimes it just don't turn for you!

So here goes.

Japan is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me...

Let me start again.

Japan is undoubtedly the best thing that has ever happened to me. I remember when I first signed up for this ICP nonsense, it was kind of half-heartedly. I always knew I'd eventually be going to Japan, and I knew I had to keep above a 3.0 GPA to be eligible. I did it, and I made it. But even with all the problems I had getting a job prior to leaving the country, and getting my passport, and packing, and and and and... AND-- It bit me in the ass. I don't know how, but I just really didn't feel it coming until I was already landing.

And then I was in Japan. I've talked enough about my experiences. No doubt as I catch up with everyone they'll ask me questions and I'll mumble and attempt to traverse my terrible memory until they walk away disappointed...

Alas! That's not why I'm writing NOW at THIS MOMENT IN TIME.

Japan changed me. Not in an immediately obvious way, and especially not in an outward way. I no doubt still appear to be the same shy guy who lacks any significant amount of confidence, but inside I am different! I promise. I'm more confident - this isn't something I had a problem with before, but people often equate shyness with lack of confidence. Nonetheless, I am more confident now.

More importantly, I've gotten over one of my greatest character flaws: lack of motivation. For the longest time I had no real desire to do anything, and I spent a lot of time moping about wondering why oh why I couldn't find the desire to do things. Oops. The solution? Just fucking do it, idiot.

I'm not sure when or how it happened or what the catalyst was in Japan, but at some point while I was over there, I just realized that I did not think about it anymore. How excellent! I started doing pixel art for fun (this was in Korea, when I had a lot more time for it and didn't feel exhausted after work). I started really planning out a game with My Good Buddy. We've made it a lot further than we ever have before and soon I'll continue with my part of the project -once I get a fucking desk. (Motivation or not, a few piles of boxes does not make for a comfortable working desk. Ironically, I still suffer through it for vidya gaems. Clearly I've still got priority issues!) Photography, traveling, outdoorsy things - I discovered/rediscovered loves for all these and more.

I am excited about life.

So. Yeah. Thanks, Japan!

A kick in the face!

There is nothing quite like a breakfast trip with my small town Indianaianiananin (from Indiana) grandparents to the local Mom's Restaurant, wherein the ceiling is lined with dollar bills signed by patrons past, all of whom were likely the same type of customers you see now - predominantly overweight, all white.

The restaurant lies on the corner of an intersection and is neighbor to a gas station, which sells live bait, and a church. All around this uncharacteristically large intersection (five roads!) are farms. Fields and fields of crops. On the opposite side of one swiftly yellowing field lies a thin barrier of likewise yellowing trees - the only thing separating my house and its respective community from this intersection.

I eat biscuits and gravy, a scrambled egg, hash browns. My grandparents order grits with their meal. It is familiar territory.

My father has started his own miniature farm in our backyard. Some might call it a garden. Corn, cucumbers, green onions. These are all harvested already. There are a few tomatoes left. He even planted some watermelon. They are still small.

Welcome home, Jonny Boy. Welcome home.

Here I am

IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME.

A strange thing to say for one not born in Japan, but I certainly felt that way last night. Seoul wasn't an entirely terrible place to live in, but I wasn't a fan of the food and didn't have anyone there to enjoy the sights with. The two palaces I went to were pretty neat. Insadong, especially the Old Tea Shop I wrote about before, was nice. But I guess in the end, I just enjoy Japan more. The music, the culture, the food. Especially the food! I'm so looking forward to enjoying that good ol' Japanese cuisine once again!

Ironically, the first meal I ate after getting back was at Mos Burger for dinner. Go me! Close and convenient and I was tired. What can I say?

But you know what I missed the most? The entire aisle of bread products at the convenience store. OM NOM. Loves me summa that melon bread.

Shame the only internet I've got is dial-up.