Throw my clothes in a washer and dryer (I almost packed my entire wardrobe--such that it is--so every article could experience snuggle freshness) Turn on the radio . . . and understand every word! Mexican food, good sandwiches Meat without bones . . . bite into a stir fry with no fear of being stabbed in the mouth Turn on the t.v. . . just for a minute. Cinnamon, Pumpkin, spice... the smells of the holiday season Friendly dogs Driving Independence Hugs! not to mention friends...

I was at a dressmaker's shop the other day and the lady's daughter was watching a "LifeSTYLES of the Rich and Famous" style documentary on the best beaches in the world. Thailand's beaches held a few of the top ten spots. When the camera panned the white sands of Phuket and Pattaya, all I saw was bikini clad foreign girls and guys in Speedos. Thai culture is traditionally modest. The Thai people I've seen swim in shorts and T-shirts. Then, the tourists come and walk around naked on the b...

For any strangers reading this, I've been looking forward to a Christmas trip home for a few months now. I'm nervous about how things will be. I've adjusted so much to this culture that on one hand, I feel like I've let go of some of the things that made me "American." On the other hand, maybe I'm more "American" than ever because I've seen the culture from another perspective. What do they say? You can't ask a fish to describe water. Hmmm... So, I leave in less than a week and I'm a l...