So....because I havent updated my blog in a while, I will at least put this up to say something. Though to be completely honest, the fact that I havent remotely said anything about China, Tokyo, Sapporo, Australia or New Zealand is slightly appalling. That being said, it has been nice taking time to pick up the pieces and get to know the people in the house a bit more. The new kids come in 2 days. I am a bit worried. Stress is high, but I need to eat a banana before the lights go out.....lol yeah idk what to say about that except its molly's fault that addiction was started. In any case this is a little thing I added on my facebook profile. I figured it would at least be something to read later and reflect on.

The best ethnic food that I ever had that I just can't find at home: Oh dear......any japanese food now. Melon bread has become my drug of choice. Onigiri etc. My best meal ever was in Rome: Spinach and ricotta cheese ravioli and tiramisu with chardonnay. Spanish tapas is suprisingly good. Belgian Waffles I mean lets be honest.

My favorite ethnic food that I eat on a normal basis: Anything japanese........obviously ;P I have become a fan of Indian food as well.

If I could travel to any place in any period in history, I would go to: Ancient Greece for sure. Japan during the edo period. America shortly after being landed on by explorers. I guess you could say when it was being Colonized. Roanoke, the lost colony has always interested me. Jerusalem during the times of Christ, to see what it really was about. To name a few.

The strangest food I ever ate while traveling: LOL um.....most things provided on spinning tables in China during our class. It was free....sort of.

My traveling philosophy: Bring music, and spend cheap. Save money to travel another day. See what you can, as much as you can experience until you are only going to simply say you went. People mean more than places, travel to visit friends is a higher priority than simply traveling to me. You can be alone and still have fun, to a certain extent. Still, dont be afraid to go alone. Pack light, buy more lol. Buy for others who cant be with you. Keep in touch with the ones you leave behind, theyre the ones you will be wanting to see by the end of it all. Make friends and cherish each moment.

My most embarrassing travel experience: I am sure there are many....but most escape me now. I fell twice ridiculously in China lol. Two words maybe: GHETTO SHORTS!!!! Beth if you read this, relive the pain lol. Let me explain. I didnt have any shorts and it was 111 degrees fahrenheit in Greece. So in a moment of desperation I cut my pants into shorts but i messed it up, and basically for 2 weeks I had to sleep in shorts with part of my ass hanging out. Also, when i wore it under my skirt in italy it got caught in the ghetto hole and yeah. That was awesome. But I guess it was either that or the penguin walk LOL.

Most interesting culture I've experienced: Japanese if for no reason other than by default. You cant simply visit a country and "experience" the culture. You need to live there for a few months at least. I am still learning about the culture, but the longer im here, the harder it will be to leave and go back....

The saddest moment I ever saw in my travels: It was a new experience to see the level of poverty in some areas of China. Luckily, thats the only really cliche sad thing I have seen. There is poverty everywhere though. As for other sad moments, well, that is relative I think........

My funniest travel experience: Ok seriously.....every time I go somewhere there is too many so.... some highlights Harlaxton: Grantham, England---naked mile, bistro with profs, getting the shaft by hostels Swizerland: Kid our tour guide........MEIER!!!! enough said Rome: Polish room mate and the discussion of loins Europe 07---basically everything on video lol :) yay China--running from sales people, NICE LADY, allison with headbands lol, Rainy our tour guide in Shanghai, the infamous boat ride, nun chucks....yeah that was a crazy trip Australia: Brisbane was hella pimp and extremely fun with doug!!! And take, the emo japanese boy lol New Zealand: 4 wheel drive Japan..... everyday in ihouse has at least one moment lol hiroshima: OMG idk where i am, how did i get here!!!!!!!!! and that whole night tokyo airport night Yuki matsuri was a great time: beer factory, ice, falling, the videos, astronauts etc and many others that have slipped my mind

My most challenging travel experience: It is not a lie when you hear people say money is at the root of most evils. Sometimes it is better to travel alone if you cannot find friends in the same spectrum. Different backgrounds is not an excuse, and compromising does not have to come with arrogance. Basically, it really is the test of a friendship. You learn a lot either way and most of the time it is positive.

The one place every traveler should visit: Somewhere outside of their comfort zone would be my first suggestion. Basically not a Westernized country. For example, Asia or Africa would be especially good. But, if you want a favorite list: Greece, Switzerland, New Zealand and Japan.

The most unusual word I have ever heard: Chinese for "I dont want it"..........people basically saying booyah or whatever.. lol

The dumbest thing I ever did while traveling: Well, I am sure there are a lot under this as well. The one that comes to mind is A) too much money on food B) almost leaving my passport in burger king C) forgetting to re apply sunscreen......... D) cut it to close getting to the airport.....aka IRELAND o god

My travel wish list: learn a language experience a new culture through studying go sightseeing meet new people gain professional experience make some money change the world [somehow] Visit the people I have come to know and love ;P

When I travel, I can't live without: Ipod to get some quality music/singing therapy in. Its my stress reliever of sorts and also I have established some huge ties between songs and certain points in my life. Sometimes I just need to hear a song to re-center myself. Also paper to keep track of my thoughts. You experience so much so fast, sometimes you forget to think about what has happened and why it had such an impact at any given moment.

The most interesting thing I have learned in another culture: Ambiguity is Japanese culture lol. Basically it is all the little things adding up.

In any case, the picture for this blog is molly and I at the Yuki Matsuri in Sapporo. It was my favorite sculpture by far! It was also one of my favorite trips to date, despite all of the needless drama that got involved. Anyway, I should write more soon.