Japan, here I come!

Japan, here I come!

I finally found out my address in Japan! I will be living in an area called Minokamo Shi. Don't know where it is? I didn't either...but there's a map below. =) Minokamo Shi: picture the night life of Las Vegas combined with the culture of New York City. Okay...so probably not. But as long as there is a Jimmy Johns Sandwich Shop and a gay bar, I'll be fine haha. j/k

I'm finally all packed, and I leave for my training in Canada on Sunday afternoon. This week has been really hard as I continue to say goodbye to those I am close to, and I'm sure that these last few days will be the worst. But, by this point, my excitement is building and I have largely made my peace with it.

I have the best friends in the world, and I know that no matter where I am, y'all will always remain my friends and be there for me. =)

I'll be adding stories and photos to my blog frequently while I am in Japan, so check back often. Who knows...there may even be a few stories about a gaysian or two (wink wink) haha.

Top Model

Okay...so maybe this is just me, but I find it really innappropriate that the season finale of America's Next Top Model is taking place inside of a Thai temple. I'm not even Buddhist, but I know that these temples are considered extermely sacred to the Thai people, and I find this super offensive and disrespectful. These temples were built to pay homage to Buddha, not Tyra Banks and the next cover girl model.

All good things...

Well, it's official: I am now done with grad school and my assistantship. Today was really anticlimatic since I didn't walk at graduation. In fact, I kept forgetting that I was even graduating all day.

I think that this next week or so is going to be really difficult as reality sets in that I am leaving.

It's going to be hard to be without my job and to not be a student: two things that have in many ways defined who I am these past two years.

My friends are all leaving one by one to go home to their families for the summer, while others are moving into their first apartments or celebrating graduation with their families and friends.
I'm super excited for them, but at the same time, I think I'm feeling really left out of the excitement.

Oh well. Shouldn't I be more excited about my new job and moving to Japan?

Sigh...

I'm done!

Yay!!!! I'm done with my masters degree!

(okay, well not officially until May 13, but I'm finally done with all of my course work)

Almost over!

Yay!!!! The Rebel Achievement Awards and the Campus Housing Banquet are finally over! I totally love event planning, but it feels really good to have that weight lifted off my shoulders. (and not to toot my own horn, but tonight's event rocked!) I'm also especially proud that I managed to only cry a little, even during the really sentimental parts.

All I have left to do is to turn in a paper, do a short presentation on it, and close down my building.

I can't believe it's almost over!!! Who knew that I would not want to leave this place so much!? Can't I just stay here in my cute little apartment with my job and my students and friends forever?

I'm sad =(

Back in Vegas!

After accidentally taking off my shirt while going through security and possibly getting hit on by the female security worker this morning and then patted down by a not-so-friendly male security worker, I have made it home safe and sound.

Time for a much needed nap.

San Diego Made Me Fat! Can I sue?

I got back last night from a super fun weekend trip to San Diego (and after getting lost, Tijuana, Mexico).

Number of meals consumed: at least 15 in 2.5 days...I stopped counting. I'm such a fat ass.

Realization of the weekend: The San Diego Ikea showroom is my dream home.

Another important realization: Mexico ROCKS!!!!! So do Cuban cigars!

Funniest part of the weekend: Accidentally ending up at a Mexican drag show with Michael Jackson.

Animal attack of the weekend: The big blue bird that tried to take Andy out at the San Diego Zoo.

Most over-used phrase of the weekend: "oh, me gusta!"

Other random highlights: beef jerky, mating flamingos, 20 bucks in Mexico, rooftop hot tubs, our names in lights at the Mexican border, and most importantly, seeing the world's largest upright thermometer in Baker. Good times. =)

Downsides of the weekend:
1) Waking up in my apartment in Tonopah this morning was just not as exciting as waking up in the luxurious Omni Hotel. Where's the pool? And my complimentary orange juice outside the door?

2) After eating pretty much non-stop all weekend, none of my pants fit any more =(