I’m sitting at the airport with my mom and sister; my flight leaves in an hour. I’m really bad at goodbyes— just said goodbye to the boyfriend, and I seem to have inherited the family trait of sobbing when I say goodbye. It’s awesome. But I’m about to head out, and I’m excited. Once I’m traveling it all seems to fall into place. (Which will be good, because my stress levels build when I wait and wait…) I’ll be in Taiwan by morning.

Chocolate ice cream is the way I bond with my grandpa. I definitely inherited my sweet tooth from him, and it has been a running joke as I scoop football-player sized bowls of ice cream that “you must be related to your grandpa or something.” (more…)

My visa has officially arrived for my trip to Taiwan. (more…)

My grandparent’s home in small-town, no-where midwest is my favorite place in the world. It always has been. I’m coming back here for a few weeks before I head off to China, and I know it will be a good few weeks. It always is.

This weekend I came up here for the holiday; my time involved an old friend’s bridal shower (congrats Sam!), which  I arrived to a bit late but still got to spend time with her, there was also a big traditional mud fight (also with a few old friends), and some dam building, and a lot of pickleball playing. There was also a lot of good food and time with cousins involved, which led to putting up fences for sheep (a good skill to have in anyone’s repertoire), a rope swing challenge, and frozen custard.

I get to be rather worry-free when I’m here. I play. I have fun. I eat. And I’m surrounded by my family.

Moving is the worst invention ever.  (more…)