excited return

with the departure date approaching, i have been thinking what i am excited to return to and what i am sad to leave. today's post will list in no particular order, with occasional discussion, the things that excite me about my return to the states.

i need a steady diet of food that is much less spicy for a couple weeks. my stomach has not been feeling the best as of late, and folks in the orchestra say that it can take a couple months to fully adjust to the different spices.

easy communication with friends and family is something that i took for granted while in the states. i didn't realize how blessed we are to have cell phones and computers, and, really, a three hour time difference is not that inconvenient.

baseball! while at chili's the other day, i was able to watch a game of the world baseball classic, but that is all i have seen. you may think that the season hasn't started yet, but i beg to differ. spring training is in full swing and the world baseball classic is bound exhibit great baseball. there is no doubt that i have daily explored the espn, mlb.com, yahoo, and si.com websites.

auditions!! .....just kidding.

being tan while everybody else is just now breaking free from winter will be a sweet feeling. i won't have to say anything to rub it in!

i can't begin to explain the shock and immediacy of the gag reflex that took place the first time i tried the yogurt at the hotel. thank you, nate tighe, for saying that yogurt is the best thing for you stomach while failing to mention the 'no sugar' bit. yogurt with sugar definitely makes the list of things i am excited to return to.

i just want a properly cooked egg. generally, i am a guy that doesn't mind runnier eggs, but when the whites of the egg aren't cooked i get a little grossed out. also, fried and over-easy are easily confused.

pork pepperoni. well, for that matter, new haven pizza.

watching 24 and the office.

the cherry blossoms in dc.

i can't wait to share all of my experiences with everyone. what i have experienced during my time here has not only shaped me musically through my time with the orchestra but has also shaped me as a person through daily encounters of all types. everything from being given a fried banana by a group of boys in cambodia to thaipusam to joining in worship at church has been something that i wouldn't trade for anything.

calling matt and mom and seeing them in may.

seeing emily the same day i leave kuala lumpur, though 24 hours later.