Campus Target

I live in an icebox! It’s actually warmer outdoors than it is here in my sixth-floor apartment. I’m certain that scientists all over the world would rethink their Ideal Gas Laws about hot air rising if they could only spend a chilly afternoon on my couch. But it’s just me and Mel on the couch [...]

Hey Gang, I’m back from traveling! Almost two weeks ago my fourteen American friends boarded a plane with me. We clamored up the steps of the plane in the pouring rain. An hour later we touched down to brilliant blue skies, sunshine, and T-shirt weather. It was the beginning of a refreshing trip. Thanksgiving couldn’t [...]

I can’t quite put the significance of this day’s events into words. It is too big. Shawn and I step out of our taxi and into the morning sunlight. It’s 9:18am. We stretch our legs and look across the street to the gas station. We’re early. The voice on the phone said to arrive at [...]

I did not want to leave the couch. I’m typically low-maintenance, but after three non-stop weeks in the States, and thirty hours in transit, my body was threatening to go on strike. Jet lag was in full force. But Alex was standing in the doorway, backpack already slung over his shoulder, wriggling his shoes onto [...]

Should we eat the cake, I wondered? It was Yuki’s birthday party but Yuki didn’t show up. The dinner table had been cleared and we were lounging in the living room. I was leaning back in my chair, rubbing my belly, and making kind comments about the homemade meal. Conversation was picking up. People were [...]

I like things to be simple. Not good with details – never have been. Just give me a knapsack and a source of running water and I’ll call it home. No bed? No problem. That’s my motto. Let’s just get stuff done. And then eat. And then get more stuff done. And then eat more. [...]

Climb eight steps, turn left 180 degrees, and climb eight more. Repeat six times and you’ve reached the apartment. You’ll probably feel the burning in your calf muscles as you wheeze your way to the top, but you’ll be glad you made it. Inside you’ll find a plush couch, an oversized television, and inlaid glass [...]

Shawn was the first friend that I made when I came to Asia in 2004. He was a freshman in college and had never talked to an American before. Our friendship really got going when he called me on Thanksgiving Day, 2004, and wished me a happy holiday. He was so nervous that he was [...]

My body is a little achy – a cold or something I guess – but I feel satisfied this morning. As I look at the wet laundry that hangs in my living room window, I feel somehow that we’ve arrived. Or at least we’ve all survived long enough to need to clean our clothes. It [...]

This is crazy. I’m getting wireless internet in my sixth floor apartment in the middle of Asia! It’s ridiculous. I love it. The signal is pretty weak, but I’ve set up a table by the window and it seems to be working ok… even if it’s a bit slow. I’ll write more later I hope. [...]