Back to where I began.

To get away from one's working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change.  

                                                        ~Charles Horton Cooley

So I am back from an eventful winter break trip, and my mind is still wandering around the bay area and Southern California trying to decide what I should write about in this new blog entry so that this past two weeks will be included in here somehow.

SoCal, especially the OC, like always, reminded me so much of Vietnam... where, despite the rain, I still felt like I am in the middle of Sai Gon, going from restaurant to restaurant, market to market, seeing one Vietnamese to another. I'm not sure if I am all crazy about it since I would totally prefer going home and seeing the "real" thing, but it sure helped eased my homesick from time to time. I also enjoyed the opportunities to have great varieties of food from all over Asia. Another good thing about that one week was also the time I got to spend with my (practical) family... It really warmed my heart, at a "home away from home." That place never seize to make me happy.

Then there was SF... After all the good things I got to hear from friends about the place, my expectations were, of course, high up in the sky. Surprisingly, the city not only met all of them, but it also gave me a totally different point of view about this country. From living in a small town where you can barely see anyone or anything, to seeing many crowded places where all you can see are people and things, I can say that this place is exactly the middle of it all... If you want to see people, you got it, but if you're tired of everything and want to find a corner for yourself, don't worry, the bay city also got that covered for you. How ideal is that?

Someone told me before I left, "SF, to me, is the most beautiful city in the US, I think you will love it..." and after this trip, I'd have to agree. Its architectures, hills, crooked roads, wonderful sights, diverse population, cultural districts, tasty food, positive atmosphere, etc... all come together to create a vibe you have only read in books... All the walking up and down its streets, its hills, breathing the fresh air, feeling the cool breeze... everything about it made me smile every time I stepped our of the door and brought peace to my mind, some things I have desperately needed... Many thanks to a wonderful friend, I was able to actually see the city through his eyes, to feel the love he has for it, and to fall in love with it. I had the opportunities to grow closer to one person, meet many other wonderful ones, and truly understand this beautiful place. I am simply happy.

Two weeks... Not at all long for a life time, but I am well aware that just some short moments can change our lives in such amazing ways, and I would have to say this trip has given me a lot to think about. I am sitting on my couch at home trying to make certain decisions regarding my future, and I think I might know exactly what I want to do to make the best out of it all... Will let you know about them in my next blog entry.

For now, Happy New Year to you all! Hope it will bring you wonderful memories that can last forever, all the happiness and joy you need to live your lives to the fullest, and all the love you can give/get to keep that happiness going!