2025 – 11 – 24 oh, waiter, my steak is too juicy! my lobster is too buttery!

               It’s crazy that in just a week’s time, I won’t be in Japan. I hate the term “time flew by” because it’s played out. You hear it all the time. Level 1 wording. But for me lately, it really is true. Especially considering how long the time felt just a few months ago when I was still in the Army, just trying to hold on while doing utter bullshit all day, my soul desperately yearning to leave - these past 3ish months really have just zoomed right past. I’ve fit in so much life in just this little bit of time since ridding myself of the Army’s shackles than I’ve had in years before. Maybe that’s why I can see crow’s feet next to my eyes nowadays. I’m getting older, and my body is starting to show it.

              Now, I’ll just be gone for a little bit longer than the holidays, but still. I’ve got a few weeks planned in Vietnam, and then a couple days in Taiwan before I head back to USA until mid-January. And I should be excited, right? I’ve always wanted to visit Vietnam. Then I can forever say “back in ‘Nam” when talking about it. You’re never too young for a Vietnam flashback, after all.

              But I’ve had such a great time in Tokyo that, tbh, I wish I could just stay here. My friend group is pretty good, they do all sorts of outlandish things and I’m always excited to see them. My buddy from home who lives here has been a star asset and is incredible to have here. Tokyo itself is a jam – it’s got everything you’d need, and it’s so relieving to finally be in a city with so many people around. The food has been second to none, and everything is cheap – especially after I got some finances in order, so money won't be a problem. And, of course, there’s the hottest girl I’ve ever met, who I’ve got a budding relationship with. She’s so goofy and I love every minute with her. Honestly? Things couldn’t be better.

              So I’m left in this incredibly silly mindset where, for some ungodly reason, I’m almost… Dreading going to Vietnam?? I was trapped in Kansas for the past few years, and Vietnam was a place I couldn’t even dream of. So how the fuck could this happen? And that’s not to mention Taiwan, which I booked as a flyer because it was only 5000 extra points on the way back. I don’t know anything about Taiwan, so I’m stoked to learn more about there, too.

              It’s a constant struggle when the introvert part of you wants to stay in, but the extravert wants to go out. It’s that first movement is the hardest. Actually getting my ass out of bed, or the couch, or my desk – that can be a hassle. But when I go out, I usually get more out of life hour-per-hour than when I stay in. That’s the mindset I’m in now. Leaving might be a pain, but once I’m in Ho Chi Minh city, eating local foods, exploring old Vietcong tunnels, and doing Taiwan things in Taiwan, I’m sure I’m going to have a great time. I really want to shoot an automatic weapon while I’m there, or fire a rocket. That’d be fuckin sick lol. (I just went down a rabbit hole on that and it turns out I might have to go to Cambodia to do that, which is entirely viable)

              What a funny mindset to be in before that trip begins though. Why would I have any right to complain about that? It’s like complaining at a restaurant, “Oh, waiter, my steak is too juicy! My lobster is too buttery!”