You and I Collide

I have said many, many times that I feel completely disconnected to my former life back in good ol' Michigan and no matter how many pictures I post, or how many blogs I write, no one will really understand what my life is like out here... well I feel like that is changing because suddenly my two worlds are colliding!

First Jessica comes out here for business. To be honest, Jessica and I were not best friends in high school, nor have we made much of an effort to keep in contact with her since graduation, but I never had a problem with her. I had many classes with her and we have several mutual friends. However, none of that mattered when she got out here because instantly, we now have a connection - being abroad has that effect on people. We hang out all the time with her being here. In fact, she has even been sort of dating one of my very good friends from work! I never would have thought that I would have a little piece of Hartland here in Shanghai, but here it is! It is wonderful!

Next, my momma is going to be out here THIS WEEK! I can't believe how fast the time has flown, but I sure am glad that it has! I am getting pretty stir crazy not seeing my family for a year, so I couldn't be happier that she is coming out here! I have so much planned for us - lots in Shanghai, and we are making a side trip to Beijing as well to see the Great Wall and whatnot! I cannot even express how ecstatic I am about her arrival!

Then in June, I have a vacation planned with another Hartlander - Jason. Again, Jason is another random person. We were not the best of friends in high school, but our passion for traveling has reconnected us recently. He is currently in Afghanastan, and has planned to come visit me for his first R&R in June. We have a really great trip planned! He is coming to Shanghai first so that I can show him around, then we are going to Malaysia - a couple nights in Kuala Lumpur then heading to Kota Kinabalu for beaches, diving and a two day hike on Mt. Kinabalu with a Via Ferrata. I am so excited for this trip!

Moral of this story is that I am happy that my two worlds are finally beginning to converge a bit because I feel like it will bring home a little bit closer to me, and I can share my experience with other people as well! I sure hope that there will be others that will be able to come visit, but we will see!