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I know you guys have all been DYING to read a new blog post from me, because I haven't updated this thing in about a week, and that's just way too long for anyone to bear. Just kidding.
I wish now, more than ever, that I had my camera cord with me, so I could show everyone all the good times I had and great people I met this past week. I do have this picture though, and it's one that I'm sure I can write more than a thousand words about.



Take note of the huge glass wall that's pretty much taller than Amy. Yeah... She jumped over that thing into my arms. We're basically the epitome of romantic airport reunions.

When my mom told me that she had racked up enough Asia miles to get a free roundtrip ticket to anywhere in Asia, I was ridiculously excited. I could've gone anywhere (in Asia that is). I really wanted to visit Korea again, because the first time around, the trip was way too short and way too touristy for us to actually enjoy it. And I definitely considered Japan for a while so I could bring back home a real, live Pokemone. Or some place exotic like the Phillipines or Thailand so I could have a chance to be adventerous. But I always knew that my heart lies in Taiwan. Everyone always goes back. It has nothing to do with the place itself, the things you can buy or food you can eat, but because there's just so many good memories there. It's the jackpot for nostalgics like me.
Before arriving in Taipei, I was actually a little worried. It's been 2 years since I've seen my best friend, and it was a little scary thinking about how much a person can change in that period of time. But the sole reason I was in Taipei was to see Amy*, so I knew I had to make the best of it. And honestly, it was exactly as if we picked up where we just left off'. All the Facebook messages, mail packages, letters, minutes spent on the phone, money spent on calling cards, infinite playlists, Tokboxing, Skyping, and AIMing had paid off. And I almost feel confident enough to say that it would still be the same without all that stuff. I actually felt like we had just drop-kicked long distance in the face.
I know that I shouldn't be proud, but I am. Our friendship is like a testimony that thousands of miles can mean nothing at all. As Sean would say, "True love conquers all! If it doesn't, it's because you don't believe in the love!" (I'm trying not to burst his idealistic notions.) I felt especially happy when we told Jeanne that this was the first time that we've seen each other in 2 years, and she looked like she was going to burst with hope. I think her eyes were actually sparkling, but I'm not sure if it was because she was wearing coloured contacts.
Apart from being able to spend a full week with one of the greatest girls you'll ever meet and reliving the summer of '08, I also got to make new memories with new people. There were a lot of firsts, (like hearing somebody** use the term "integrity" to describe the structure of an ice cream waffle cone) laughs and friends that I would love to see again one day. It made me wish that I could've stayed longer and gotten to see real personalities come out. There just wasn't enough time.
In the end though, when I had to leave, I didn't really feel sad. It wasn't like two years ago***, but it was more like a "See you later." No, scratch that, it was a "See you later" - a very definite one for the matter. It's been less than 12 hours since I left, and I'm really missing everything - the late nights spent yelling at Amy to sleep, lame puns, holding hands, eating street food, telling John how NOT funny he is, buying ridiculous amounts of clothes, Amy's strange sleeping habits, the long bus rides, the junk food, Amy's hair, the nightmarkets, the group dinners, and even the terrible mornings and my appalling mandarin. It was really worth the wait. But like when every summer comes to an end, it's time for me to hop on a plane tomorrow morning and face the reality that things aren't going to be so easy when I get home. This happy-go-lucky mood isn't going to stay for long, and I'm already starting to mentally prepare myself for it.

*And Kevin too.
**John
***I was dubbed the OCAC crybaby, so you can just imagine.