Take it or leave it...

  Living in a country so unlike America (note picture at left), I pretty much stick out. And I have experienced some crazy things. 

Now, I am about 4 months from packing up and heading home to Wisconsin. But, I want to use these last few months to really enjoy East Asia- and soak up everything that I can. It's like I have a new set of eyes on the culture: I will really miss this city, even those things I previously thought were incredibly annoying. This is my list of things that I wish I could take with me when going back to the US of A. And these are the reasons... and why I will not. This is my "Take it or leave it"

1. Things are cheap here.

Take it: Clothes, food, manicure... cheap cheap. I will miss getting my nails done. This is a luxury, I will not be able to afford in America.

Leave it: You get what you pay for. If you know what I mean. 

2. Traffic laws not enforced. 

Take it: I get to swerve in and out of lanes of traffic on my bike and the cars don't even mind- they expect crazy bikers. In America, I would have a million tickets by now. 

Leave it: Pure madness. MADNESS. Every time I go anywhere, I get cut off by other people a few times. 

3. Living in a non-English speaking country

Take it: Living here, my friends and I have something like a "secret language" and no one else around us can understand us. I won't be able to talk about crazy things without worry of other people eavesdropping. 

Leave it: Do I have to explain? I can't wait for the time that I get to ask a question and then get an answer. 

4. I stick out. (blonde hair, blue eyes)

Take it: I can smile all nice and get close to whatever I want. Not exactly, but close. They love blonde Americans.

Leave it: I am excited for the day that I can eat in a restaurant and not get stared at.