The End Is Near....?

I'm feeling particularly paradoxical (tongue twister!) at the moment. I feel the need to write something thoughtful--profound, even--and yet I have nothing thoughtful--or profound--to say. And I can almost hear your sighs of relief as I type. But don't exhale just yet; I'm going to try to organize my thoughts here, in a half-hearted attempt at giving a real, honest-to-goodness update.

The big news: I'm finishing my teaching assignment in Korea on February 14th (happy Valentine's Day to me!) and heading to Southeast Asia on the 15th. The tentative plan, as of right now (always subject to change), is to start in Vietnam and make my way up along the Mekong River through Cambodia, Laos and Thailand (I like finishing on a high note, and Thailand is always a high note). Aside from seeing the all-important cities and sights (Saigon, Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat, Laos in general, Chiang Mai, etc.), I have zero agendas for this trip. I'm not going for the sake of missions or humanitarian purposes (a common misconception among inquirers); I'm going as a straight-up tourist, hoping for an eye-opening experience and--let's be honest here--a good time (which I realize is selfish... but I suppose that's the way a typical American rolls, right?). The reality of leaving Korea and traveling for nearly two months hasn't sunk in just yet, so the excitement for this adventure hasn't entirely caught up with me. But I'll probably be out of my mind by the time February rolls around.

The (not so) small news: After Southeast Asia. That's the part I don't like to talk about. Why? Because I have no idea whatsoever what I'll be doing next. March 26th is the all-important date, as I'll be returning to the States on that day, and then________ (that's me, having no idea what 's next). I'm planning a trip to Europe in the summer, but Europe (being Europe) is absurdly expensive and will therefore force me to remain within it's small corner of the world for only a short amount of time. Then I'll be scrapped for money once again and looking for employment. The inevitable question that comes with the "E" word, however, involves a word I believe to be far worse: Where. Where am I going to settle this bum of mine for the next year* or so? (*I only plan for one year at a time, otherwise I get insanely restless. And, yes, I realize I probably need to be in therapy.) Nashville? (Sigh...) Michigan? (The winters there are almost reason enough not to return to the Great Lakes State.) Korea? (Last resort, please!) Somewhere in Europe? (If I win the lottery, perhaps?) I don't know. And since this is the longest amount of time I've allowed myself to think about my mid-twenties-life-crisis, I'm beginning to feel antsy. And so I'll stop thinking about it.

I'm getting typer's cramp, which is my cue to ever so ungracefully wrap up this post.

Good night, morning, or whatever time it is on your side of the globe.