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!

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.

On The Road Again...

That's right. As luck may have it, I am travelling once again -- back in Dallas. I like my job. I don't mind travelling some. I am guessing that I spent 60+ nights away from home. More than half that out of the country. That's a lot of time away from home. Anyway, I am very blessed to have a wife who is supportive and independent. She allows me to travel with less anxiety than it might be otherwise. Thanks Babe, I'll be home soon!

2008 - A year in review

Well, 2008 is almost over, and being as cliche as I can be, I will reflect over the year that was.

January: I made my first trip to South Korea; spending a week or so with some coworkers and hobnobbing with some green-suiters. This was just a tast of what was to come.

February: Pretty normal February celebrating a 4 yr-wedding anniversary and a 29th birthday (yikes, 45 days until I'm 30!).

March/April/May: Made my second 14 hour flight to South Korea in 3 months. I was in-country for 30 days before I was able to come home. Needless to say, this was a stressful time being away from Ashleigh for so long.

June-September: Pretty laid back Summer, with two trips to Destin and some much desevered R&R.

October-December: Much of this time was spent naseous from all the political ads and vomitous from the resulting election. On top of that, Auburn was horrible this year which put me over the edge. A remarkably busy Christmas time has been tempered with a lot of time off from work. The Walker family Christmas tree of 2008 has set a new standard for the perfect Christmas tree.

Notables:
1) Found an amazing small group who have been so loving and supportive. Ashleigh and I are blessed to be a part of our Lifegroup. The friends we have made at Mayfair are truly special to us and we love you all dearly.
2) The conversion from Myspace to Facebook: I used to update myspace with great regularity, now it's facebook 5 times a day.
3) New blog: Taking my geekdom to a new level with this little blog you're reading.

Thank you to all my friends and family who have made this past year great. I love you all!