Tour de Asia continued - Okinawa

grrrrr...I just typed this long blog and lost my internet connection and thusly, the long blog.

Take 2:

I left Seoul this morning for the land of the rising sun. Oddly enough, I left my hotel about two hours before the sun peeked over the horizon. The day started with an uneasy taxi ride from a driver who didn't speak a lick of English. I asked him to turn the heat down and stopped the car - on the interstate. Needless to say, I just roasted in the backseat in a car that smelled like a kimchi-powered fart.

Upon my arrival in Okinawa, I quickly forgot Korea. As I got off the plane, I was greated with the ocean breeze and 70 degree weather. Okinawa really is a beatiful place; an island adourned with banyan trees, palms, and green green grass. The beauty of the island, however, is not viewable from my hotel room -- a WWII prison turned hotel room. The room is made somewhat bearable by the Strawberries and Cream air freshener I bought from the BX.

Tonight, my travel companion and I went to a local Japanese favorite. We had Kobe beef and shrimp prepared in front of us by Cassandra's father (from Wayne's World). Guess I'll go now. Syannarra!

Sightings

Anyanhasio. That (or something close to that) is a Korean greeting like "Hello" or "Nice to See you." At least I'm hoping that's what it means because I am saying it to everyone. Today is day 6 of my Tour de Asia, and I am soooo ready to be home. Even though I spent a lot of time here last year, I have seen even more that I didn't see last time. One of the coolest things I have seen are the Korean painters who will take a picture and turn it into a painting. I mean, these people are amazing. Here is one example of a local guy with a store in the shopping district. You can watch him from the street and he is phenomenal. All of the paintings are even better than the original pictures. Some, he has taken multiple pictures and combined them into one painting. My favorite example is of a young lady hugging the late Tupac Shakur. It's classing really. In the window are two pictures; one of this young lady hugging a friend, and the other of another young lady hugging Tupac. Through extreme talent, this fan has a lasting reminder of someone else's experience. What a treasure!

Asia on my mind

Well, the clock has almost struck midnight for Cinderella. I can't believe this trip, though greatly anticipated, came so fast. I leave tomorrow for a 12 day romp through Korea and Okinawa. This will be my 3rd trip to Korea and 2nd to Okinawa and you know, they don't get any easier. It's not the 15 hour plane ride, or the smells, traffic, or horrible food that gets me down. Being away from home just totally bums me out. I will miss Ashleigh, the dogs and cat, my friends and family.
I have been so comforted by my friends with who(m) I trust my life. I love you all and can't wait to get back.

Growing Old

Good morning and Happy Valentines Day to all. Well, today I turn 30, one of those monumental turning points that tells you that you are no longer a kid. Up to this point, I really dreaded this day. I mean, when you turn 30, your life is basically over right? As Lee Corso would say, "No so fast my friend." Today, I feel more complete than I have at any other time in my life. I have an amazing wife who(m) I don't deserve. I have a supportive family, a good job, and quite possibly the best group of friends that anyone has ever had (that's you if you're reading this!). I love you all so much!

Ok, enough with the sappyness (word?), on to the fun. Last week, Ashleigh threw an unbelievable surprise birthday party for me. I had the best time and felt so honored that so many of my friends would come. Against my better judgement, here are a few pics from that night.