Hey all...
So Malaysia was great. Kuala Lampur is not a very beautiful city, but it certainly had flavor. It is roughly 100 miles north of the Equator, so it was VERY hot and humid. I think I lost a good amount of weight just sweating!! I went to the KL Tower, one of the highest communication towers in the world. I also went on a jungle walk nearby. I visited Chinatown and ate some great Chinese Food (as well as Malay food and Indian food). I spent 6 hours at the largest covered Bird Park in the world. I fed Lorikeets (one bit me!), and I also fed Emus, Ostriches, and a Casawary (which looks like a dinosaur!). I went to the Batu Caves. If you remember Amazing Race All Stars...it was the episode in Malaysia when Charla and Mirna were really far ahead and they climed the 272 steps to the base of the caves (yes Charla...the little person!)...unbeliveable sight. Anyway, the caves are amazing, as is the scenery from the top, and I almost got attacked by a monkey because it wanted my half drunk soda. I finished the soda running away from the attacking money...threw the can in the trash...and immediately saw the monkey jump into the trash, take the can out...slam in onto the ground, and sip the remaining drops of soda from the ground...determination if i've ever seen it! I also went to the "dark caves" and had a tour of the stalagtites and stalagmites as well as fruit bats, insect bats...and I saw a really cool spider looking insect! Overall, Malaysia was fun, and I'd definitely go back there again.
Work is going well. Homesickness has sunk in a bit, but I'm really excited to book my flight ticket back to the US probably next week...so at least I'll have a date to get really excited about. Although, knowing my birthday is less than a week away, and I can't be near my closest friends and family does make me a little depressed. I like the people here...a lot...they're incredibly supportive and friendly. But, they're not the people who knew me prior to 4 weeks ago. These people don't really know who I am...they didn't see me have to deal with my heart breaking 11 months ago and going through a depression I HOPE I never deal with again...they didn't see me get better, and turn into the person I am today...hopeful, aware of self, and REALLY happy with who I am today. They also don't know how singing is my life, and besides singing along with CDs, I have no way of expressing myself through music (like I was able to at Clark with choir and Clark Bars). They also don't know how amazing my life is...and how much of an INCREDIBLE support system I have that I left behind. I KNOW I made the right decision to come to Korea...but sometimes it's hard to legitimize the feeling of going 7,000 miles AWAY from the people you love and care about the most for 365 days and $22,000. I know the experience and rewarding(ness) of it all makes it priceless...but other times I just have to think...Did I really do the right thing? Don't get me wrong...I really do enjoy my job...and by all accounts, this very well may be my calling...TEACHING...but honestly, the longer I stay here, and get into this structured routine of sleep, teach, sleep (and all there is in between), the more I feel like I'm falling deeper into a lake of quicksand and doubt.
I can only hope that my over-analyzing is just that...over-analyzing. I miss everyone so much...and I will be starting a countdown to USA soon. Oh yea...and I found a flight on NorthWest Airlines that would get me into Boston late afternoon on Christmas Day...so there's a CHANCE that I may in fact be able to see my extended family for Christmas afterall...that is if they're ok with doing Christmas for dinner instead of lunch. We'll see. Once I have flight details, I will let you know.
I miss everyone SOOO much. Please post replies to show me you're reading and to give comments/criticism!!
Till next time,
~Greg
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3 comments:
It sounds like you are really seeing a lot over there. I know you will feel homesick from time to time, but I think you made the right choice to go there. I bet you will look back on it as a very rewarding experience. When you feel homesick, keep reminding yourself that it isn't permanent- and blog about everything! Your support system is still here for you, we are all just not so readily available because of the time difference & distance. But we are here. Keep an eye out for a belated birthday gift. (i'm going to wdw Friday) Is there anything you need that you can't get over there? Just let me know & I can send it. Keep blogging!
Hey Greg, I've been reading your blog. I'm from I'Cot Discussion boards.
I can't imagine how living so far away from your family and friends but I give you so much credit for doing so.
You're seeing so much of what this World has to offer and a lot of us won't ever get to do any of this. I'm sure it's a big learning experience and hard I'm sure. Again I give you so much credit for doing this.
As someone said to me as I'm going through some major job problems at the moment. Chin Up. And that is from the heart too.
Good luck, looking forward to reading more or your blog.
Mary
It sounds like you've had some serious animal encounters. You know if you were a nice guy you would've just handed the monkey the soda , instead of forcing it to dig through the trash....YEESH!
Just kidding, I love you and you're going to come home with the most amazing experiences after this year, I'm totally jealous!
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