Corporate America Runaway

Reality – what is the definition? I read once that “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.” That will give you a headache if you think about it too hard. However what really hurts, is when someone says to me “You must go back to reality sometime.” I hear this phrase about once a week. They say it as if reality is a terrible place or as if what I was doing for the last 15 months wasn’t real. I don’t think people really think about what they are saying – they say it as a trite phrase such as “What do you think about this weather?” It’s just a much used phrase that seems appropriate for my situation. Plus, I think that the majority of people out there consider reality as a negative thing – work, bills, responsibilities – things we don’t like but we feel like we have to do. Yet why does reality have to get such a bad rap? Isn’t reality what you make it…after all, it’s YOUR reality. When I left on my trip in Sep. 06, I wasn’t really trying to escape reality – it is more like I was trying to change my reality. I can only hope that I succeeded at that.

This is about the time when everyone starts to ask “Do you know what you are going to do when you return?”…so to avoid all of those questions that are awaiting my return – the answer is “No, I have no plan.” Sure, I have ideas – but when I verbalize them – they seem completely unrealistic and absurd. When I fall asleep at night, I chastise myself about them falling asleep in a swirl of doubt.

[read on]

Photo: Sunset on Ocean Beach, San Francisco

I suppose many of you who are following this journey (are you really still with me after 15 months?) are under the assumption that once I get back to the US, I will end this blog monstrosity. Ahhhh – but if you’ve really been paying attention – then you would know that I hate to be predictable…I’d rather be stuck in a Moroccan airport for days.

When I started this site, it was simply a way for me to show some friends photography of my journey, for people to keep tabs on me, and to show people sitting at their desk what the rest of the world looks like. I had no idea that I would actually like to blog. Yup, I can admit it, I have turned into one of these annoying people that actually likes to share my life, thoughts, and disappointments with the world. I personally think this is the product of being single and 37 with no kids. Just think, if I was the normal 37 year old woman, I’d be taking all of this time and throwing it into my kids. Driving them to soccer practice, helping them with homework, going to PTA meetings, and yes…even going to church. However – since I don’t do those things (at least when I’m not in Singapore), I have redirected all of this energy and free time into writing and photography – and sharing it with whomever will listen. The surprising thing is that there are actually LOTS of people listening. So – this blog won’t go down without a fight.

[read on]

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