So I passed my half way mark a couple days ago, and I've been thinking about how I've felt during the past month and a half. Before leaving Canada, Larissa and Natasha (hey guys!) told us that we'd have a honeymoon phase in the beginning, a peak, then a dive, then a smoothing out. That's in terms of emotions, if it's not clear. Well I was totally waiting for this to happen, and looking back on it, I never experienced a honeymoon phase. When I got here I was TERRIFIED. For some reason I was not expecting Kuala Lumpur to be so....asian. So when I got here, and realized I was in Asia, somewhere I really didn't know anything about and completely different from the US, I freaked out big time. I'm talking near panic attack, inability to eat, etc etc. I only allowed myself to freak out to one person (thank you for listening to me and not getting worried). I faintly remembered a friend of mine that studied in Hong Kong mentioning that when he got to Hong Kong he also freaked the fuck (excuse me, but its necesary) out. That made me feel a bit normal, otherwise I might have just gotten back on a plane the next day to come home. I feel comfortable sharing this information now that it is long behind me. Since then, it has very steadily improved. Every week I have just felt happier and happier to be here. This weekend I was just overwhelmed with loving Malaysia and loving KL (even though shopping for clothes and shoes here makes me want to shoot myself). So maybe this is my honeymoon phase/peak?

The next few weeks are jam-packed with things to make the time go by though, so if I do start to get the "loners," I'll have plenty to take my mind off it. This weekend is actually my last full weekend in KL. Tomorrow I leave for a week-long conference in Singapore, then I will return for a couple days only to leave again to meet up with Chris in Chiang Mai (Thailand). The next weekend I have a beach date with the LOVELY Joy. Next weekend, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with Erin, another intern. Then Taman Negara (the jungle!) with Bipu, then my last saturday in KL and sunday I fly home.  That is, if everything goes as planned. 

So, the next month will be crazy. Not sure how much time I will have to call home and such, so emails are probably your best bet.

Wish me luck on my workshop with the youth in singapore!

<3