Moments of Zen

Living At Home: Cultural Perceptions

May 7, 2013
By
Living At Home: Cultural Perceptions

I feel ashamed. Like a failure. Broke, though I have some money in the bank. Inept, though I’m qualified to do many jobs. Lazy, though my routine isn’t really too different than that when I’m living in my own apartment. Unattractive to women, a source of mockery. Shorter, smaller. Sheltered. Mollycoddled. It’s only been...
Read more »

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Japan, Living in America, Moments of Zen | No Comments »

The Travel Experience, Seven Years In

March 7, 2013
By
The Travel Experience, Seven Years In

While I’m a little late on the ball with this entry, I’m just trying to get myself out of this slump and write something personal. North Korea is in the news making more idle threats; nothing will happen, as Kim Jong Un is a spoiled, immature brat. I’m dealing with some personal issues as...
Read more »

Posted in Moments of Zen | 1 Comment »

Surrounded by Success

January 20, 2013
By
Surrounded by Success

It’s difficult to write. I’m only going through these words just to get my fingers moving and the thoughts slowly put down on paper. I don’t know how this will end. The truth is, I don’t think I’m ever going to find a career I consider satisfying. Even some of the jobs considered the...
Read more »

Posted in Living in America, Moments of Zen, Travel Jobs | 1 Comment »

On Wanting to Accomplish Something

November 3, 2012
By
On Wanting to Accomplish Something

Despite my best efforts, I gage the value of my life more by others’ perceptions than my own. In this sense, I’m a walking, talking contradiction. For you see, many people believe I’m living the dream, as a free spirit, traveling the world. But just as many, myself included, find this lifestyle wanting. I...
Read more »

Posted in Moments of Zen, Random Thoughts | Comments Off

Too Much Time Abroad

September 15, 2012
By

These past few weeks in Thailand have given me some much needed perspective. Although I lived in South Korea last year, my travel mantra was in such a funk, I think it’s safe to assume I hadn’t really traveled like vagabonds travel for almost two years. With the opportunities available to one who has...
Read more »

Posted in Moments of Zen | 2 Comments »

You May Say I’m a Dreamer

May 19, 2012
By
You May Say I’m a Dreamer

I’ve come to realize something about myself: two years in Japan shaped my personality far more than high school, university, perhaps any other major transitional period in my life. Not to equate myself as a caterpillar turning into a butterfly by a cocoon of Japanese culture – obviously I held on to certain beliefs...
Read more »

Posted in Japan, Living in America, Moments of Zen | Comments Off

Keeping Your Head Down

April 19, 2011
By
Keeping Your Head Down

One of my biggest pet peeves about living in Asia is the attention one receives as a foreign resident. Not even necessarily kids yelling “HELLO!” in a crowded area. It comes from adults as well. I’ve had cashiers struggle with the English to explain the cost of something when I’ve asked them in their...
Read more »

Posted in Japan, Moments of Zen, South Korea | 2 Comments »

Japan Hits Home for Me

March 24, 2011
By

Nothing could be simpler than a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread for a comforting lunch, yet finding all the pieces to this American staple food is one of the first challenges I undertake when living abroad. My dinners can be anything from Japanese blowfish to Ethiopian sponge bread, but when it comes to...
Read more »

Posted in Japan, Moments of Zen | Comments Off

Which Way Now?

March 13, 2011
By

I feel like such a spoiled brat writing this, wondering which of life’s opportunities, those many don’t have, I should accept and which I should pass over. I guess I’m just a little nervous about finishing up in August and returning to a country with a very poor job market, and me with few...
Read more »

Posted in Moments of Zen | 3 Comments »

How I Screwed Myself Over in Terms of Relationships

January 29, 2011
By

What can I say? I’ve really been going for classy blog titles. My thinking this evening is probably the result of watching too many episodes of The Big Bang Theory and other shows I used to watch that really made me pity myself. Let me clarify that. I wanted to show how even though...
Read more »

Posted in Moments of Zen, Random Thoughts | 10 Comments »

Subscribe to OAT


Need Advice on Living Abroad?

Thinking of teaching English in Japan? Volunteering in Thailand? Backpacking around New Zealand? If you're looking for some insider tips on the places to go and the people to meet, check out my consulting services. If you just have a few questions, no worries: email me.