She's Back...

That's right... I'm back. No more complaining. No more whining. No more pouting. Things are lookin' good and lookin' up!

First, I am visiting home next week. Wow! At this time next week I'll be driving, or eating Mexican food with my little brother, or seeing my Mom's new store, or walking through the new town my Dad built, or calling Cynthia without a 16 hour time difference, or sitting on my parent's back porch drinking wine soaking in the California view while I read the entire last four months of the Economist and Time.

Of course, I am going to have to travel for about 16 hours to get from Seoul to Pleasanton and Copperopolis, but I don't care if it is 160 hours! And I am spending less than a week in California, but I am going to make the most of every minute. Not to mention... I gain 16 hours because of the time difference! I actually arrive in California two hours before I leave Korea.

Onto other news...

1. Have you heard? According to John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, "Marijuana is a more consequential substance of abuse than our culture has treated it in the last 20 years. This is not just youthful experimentation that they'll get over as we used to think in the past." He goes on to explain that marijuana leads to mental illness, depression, dependency and a wide range of other afflictions.

Now, I'm all for responsible drug policy. But, I thought the days of Reefer Madness were behind us. Seriously.

2. I am getting sick of the subway. This is really bad news because it isn't even summer yet. The subways have tons of stairs, are crowded and I have to transfer two or three times to get where I want to go. But, they are also getting warmer. During winter this was a welcome relief from the cold, but now I am sweating up a storm. But, that isn't the real problem. The real problem is that OTHER people are sweating up a storm. For the avid readers of my blog (all three of you) you know that deodorant isn't all that popular in Korea. No deodorant. Hot crowded subways. You do the math.

3. But, with the heat comes cute clothes. I am going to get ALL of my summer clothes that are packed away, just waiting for me back home! I CAN'T wait. I am going to wear skirts and t-shirts and shorts. But the most important piece of clothing... My Reef Flip Flops. Oh, how I miss those! Now, for those of you who are rolling your eyes right now at my exaggerated statements about clothes... I don't have an excuse. It's silly that I am so excited, but I just can't wait to stop wearing sweaters and jeans!

4. Here is my prediction... I just don't think Pam and Jim are going to get engaged. I'm a bit hesitant to say it because it seems so obvious, but that is why I have to say it. I hope it happens. And most every season finale has had an awesome Jim and Pam escalation (Season 2: The Kiss. Season 3: The Date. Season 4: ?) But, what I really want is an Angela and Dwight escalation. I am missing the Dwangela action.

And finally... It is good to have my optimism back. For a few days there I was feeling low. Being sick in a strange place will do that to you. But, my co-workers said something really funny the other day and I just couldn't stop laughing. It was like the laughter had been accumulating, waiting for me to relax and let it out. The ice cracked and once I started, I just couldn't stop.

I'm back.