This is my ongoing journal of the life of a mostly ordinary American "expat" citizen (yours truly), born and raised in Missouri in the heartland of my beloved country, the United States. Since early December 2008, I've lived and worked in South Korea, but I also previously taught English for five and a half years in Taiwan, the Republic of China and later, in Shanghai, Mainland China, for only about six months (because, unfortunately, my experience there was so unpleasant).
Not surprisingly perhaps, way back in undergrad school, I was strongly determined to one day live and teach English in Japan. Though I've been decidedly distracted in fulfilling that goal over the years since then, I've greatly enjoyed the few chances I have had to visit Japan, and likewise, I've also been fortunate enough to have experienced many wonderful trips to other destinations in the region, such as Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia, and Singapore (thus far).
Although I intend to publish occasional written blogs here, more often than not, I will most likely be sharing news, information, videos and my own photographic impressions of everyday life in South Korea.
In addition, since I still have wonderful friends and fond memories from extended periods of time in three different major cities of Taiwan (Chiayi, Kaohsiung and Taipei) and quite a few of the smaller cities and towns of the Republic of China (aka Taiwan), I will also be sharing my interest, fascination and love for the culture, language and people of the always dynamic little island Portuguese sailors once so aptly named "Ila Formosa," or, "the beautiful isle."
Not surprisingly perhaps, way back in undergrad school, I was strongly determined to one day live and teach English in Japan. Though I've been decidedly distracted in fulfilling that goal over the years since then, I've greatly enjoyed the few chances I have had to visit Japan, and likewise, I've also been fortunate enough to have experienced many wonderful trips to other destinations in the region, such as Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia, and Singapore (thus far).
Although I intend to publish occasional written blogs here, more often than not, I will most likely be sharing news, information, videos and my own photographic impressions of everyday life in South Korea.
In addition, since I still have wonderful friends and fond memories from extended periods of time in three different major cities of Taiwan (Chiayi, Kaohsiung and Taipei) and quite a few of the smaller cities and towns of the Republic of China (aka Taiwan), I will also be sharing my interest, fascination and love for the culture, language and people of the always dynamic little island Portuguese sailors once so aptly named "Ila Formosa," or, "the beautiful isle."
Why Asia? Well, over the years, I've found a lot of beauty and wonder in this region, though I would be less than truthful if I said I haven't had my share of negative experiences, trials and tribulations as well. All in all, I've found that if you keep an open mind and have a willing heart, you may also find, as I have, that Asia (historical, modern, and even sometimes trendy and amazingly futuristic) is often a remarkably fascinating, endlessly exciting, and richly rewarding place to call home.
Because as young Dorothy Gale of L. Frank Baum's seminal classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz so aptly put it, "There's no place like home."
Yet it is perhaps also true that home is where you find it. No home or place is perfect to be sure, but I personally find Asia to be an exciting and quite rewarding place in which to live and work. So, welcome to my own personal journey to the East. And no, Toto, we definitely aren't in Kansas anymore... or neighboring Missouri for that matter either.
