I've been finding myself in situations much like this one lately.

Anyone else able to sympathize with this little guy?

One time, I found a wild manatee.

At first I thought I would try and catch it with my net but it was too big. So, instead I climbed up on its back and proceeded to ride it around the ocean for a while. Good times being a kid.

Now that classes are winding down I'll actually have time to work on side projects. I think I might continue to put fading memories down on paper like this. However I did find it challenging, especially when translating a memory from childhood. When you think back to magical moments from your past, it is really hard to capture exactly what made it so special. I think maybe the magic in this event had something to do with getting a tour of the sea by an endangered species, he was even considerate enough to stay close to the surface!

Home for the holidays and going through a bunch of old stuff.

uncovered this gem:

(my first business card circa 1997)

Funny timing considering I just received my first pack of legitimate business cards a few weeks back.

What a funny transition the past four months have been. At some points I can't say that I was laughing by any means. Now that things seem to be coming together, I am back to my stubborn, eager self once again. Feels good.

Helsinki, Finland Summer 2010

home town hide out

Currently, the day to day is far too boring to blog about. I will spare you for the time being. A little summer recap and more stuff from traveling to be posted soon. Until then I wouldn't bother.

wildlife

I have never been surrounded by nature as I was in the rain-forests of Taiwan. We traveled up the mountains for a good hour before arriving at a lichee farm, which consisted of a shack and cluster of lichee trees. I had found my paradise. Lichee is my favorite and each tree was hanging heavy with perfectly ripe fruit. We bought three bags from the farmers who failed to warn us that there were wild monkeys hiding everywhere, that were A. not afraid of people the slightest and B. pretty much existed to steal lichees from unassuming "sharp noses". Luckily in Taiwan, monkeys can be herded by farm dogs just as sheep in the west. All it took was one bark and our lichees were safe. AND we got to hang out with WILD MONKEYS!

normallife

The pace changed in Taiwan. My uncle Josh met us at the airport and I felt a lot more at home than I have for the past month and a half. My uncle is a Deetz. Basically, he is a more exaggerated version of my dad. The main differences between the two brothers is that my uncle doesn't know how to play the banjo and my dad can't speak fluent Chinese - a native language in Taiwan.

It was so great to meet my two year old cousin Juliet for the first time. Little kids normally don't like me too much but Juliet really really liked me and called me her big sister the entire time since there is no Chinese translation for "cousin." I like to think this was because she thought I was cool and not because she was the first little kid I have ever met that had absolutely no idea what I was saying to them.

We spent a lot of time doing normal day to day things that actually by now seem a little more foreign to me than traveling after almost two months away from home.

By the time we arrived in Taiwan my brother was tired of getting the eye from airport security and agreed to finally shave off his beard. Luckily the local barbershop was right down the street.

Zen

"I learn only to be contented"

Ancient City

The transition from Tokyo to Kyoto was quick and easy as far as getting there goes. For someone who considers riding on trains a hobby, I found the bullet train a real experience. After spending four days in Tokyo, by far the most futuristic city I've been to, it wouldn't have been too hard to convince me that the bullet train was actually a sneaky little time machine. Had there been no cars in Kyoto it may as well have been ancient Japan. The traditional charm shown in these photos are not modern day people pretending to live in the past. The Japanese seem to embrace their oldest traditions and cary them out with pride in their every day lives. Japan has me completely mesmerized.

Future City

Wait, what the hell am I doing in Tokyo?

After a serious time and mind warping adventure just getting here, I have finally arrived in Tokyo, Japan. I have to say, I really expected complete culture shock to hit me instantaneously. I guess I was expecting Asia to make me feel like an alien roaming around a strange planet. Besides the fact that far fewer locals speak English than I had expected there is a surprising calm and sense of familiarity in these streets. Tokyo reminds me very much of New York with a softer more mysterious after taste. Yes, there is still a high saturation of color and lights on certain street corners but overall I did not expect this city to feel so gentle. And of course the food is incredible.

Jet Lagging

Barely able to figure out what day it is and I'm definitely unsure about what time it is 90% of the time.

Just got back from Europe last night and in a few hours I'm headed to Asia.

Life has been a whirlwind lately, not complaining just a little bit dazed.

Here are a few more photos from my Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

swedish photo-tease

Day #7 in Stockholm.

Every day here has been unreal. I will go into detail about all of the crazy things related to the work side of this adventure at a later time, hopefully after I have a chance to let it sink in a bit.

For now, here are some photos I've taken along the way!