Summer Break, USA

(The ever-growing O'Donnell Clan at Claire & PJ Labauve's Wedding)

(July 14-August 25, 2006) Matt and I returned to the states and were quickly engulfed by a wave of responsibilities. We were pulled like taffy in so many directions that we lost shape of ourselves. My muse, travel, did not sing the same tune to me in the familiar States. Who wants to hear about me ordering a cappucino from Starbucks and getting frustrated that it tastes like a latte no matter how many times I tell the barista to make it dry, a cappucino simply does not exist at that establishment. To my loyal readers, all three of you, sorry for keeping you in the dark. Everyone needs a break from what they do, even a jobless traveler like myself.

To sum up our summer break: surprised the Zibilich's and Ruess' at a family wedding in Seattle (#7 of the year); scouted out neighborhoods in Portland; caught some killer shows at Roseland and the Fillmore; couch surfed in San Francisco, San Leandro, Oakland, Rohnert Park and Windsor; dealt with some unfortunate business in Los Angeles; lost 3-0 on dominoes games to the Reeds with a questionable play by an unmentionable player; flew to Ann Arbor for a PC wedding (#8 of the year); worked (Matt, 2 days); kissed new babies (4); spa-ed it up in Napa; survived my sister Claire's wedding in San Diego (9th and final wedding!); rubbed elbows with an American Idol in Orange County; and last but not least landed in Bangkok, Thailand after 18 1/2 hours of traveling and a 14 hour time change.

Bear with me and the blog as we reconnect with one another. I have to unlearn the hustle and bustle of the states and become zen with slower ticking of time. Luckily for me there are plenty of Buddas to aid me in finding that sort of enlightenment that I seek. Thailand is living up to my expectations. Stay tuned as I let you know why.