Home

Home. 

What a funny word. 

Something I never truly thought about much. I mean all I knew was San Francisco. It's where my family and friends are; it is where I was born and raised; where I have the most memories. But then again, when I left for college, Santa Cruz became my home. And then there was Thailand. U-Thong became my home. But when does that adjustment to that new place start to become home and not just a place I happened to move to. Was it when I was able to navigate the town? Was it when I could wave and smile to someone I knew on the street? What about when I was able to dodge people I didn't want to see down an alley I otherwise wouldn't have known? (Would I do that? haha) 

I never would have thought that after returning from living in a world so far away from home that it would make me feel as though I wasn't home. Don't get me wrong. Reuniting with family, with new and old friends, talking about what's new and what's changed or hasn't changed at all - for some particular cases - was great. However that return has gotten me to want to reach out, travel more, and find my own home.  That feeling of a world full of possibilities and the cheesy concept of the "world as your oyster" further pulls at me.

Life's funny that way.

But thinking back... that life I made for myself seems oh so very far away. There are absolutely almost zero motorscooters zooming and zipping by. I can hardly get food for less than a buck. I don't need to constantly carry toilet paper or hand sanitizer around...although it's actually quite handy despite how "mommy" I feel about it. I'm upset that there are hardly any "accessible" fresh produce markets around. There really is no such thing as food stalls either...what's up with that! And while I won't miss the squat toilets, the mosquitos, or being stared at constantly despite the fact I am Asian, I know I'll miss the weather (yes I did enjoy the heat though not so much the humidity), the friendly people all around, the relaxed attitude and simple life style, the fooood, my town, the easy transportation (i.e. the fancy van), and the beautiful countryside and beaches. 

Reverse culture shock...yikes!

All I can say was that this journey is all I hoped it'd be and more. I don't think I'd change a thing.