Alright, real quick entry


My host family is pretty awesome. I have a mom and dad that are 36, and a little brother that's 10. Right now, our interactions consist of smiling and nodding, and a bit of them pointing at things and saying what they are with me repeating. Still, it's been a crazy experience.

The other night, I was sitting in my new bed, and it hit me. This whole part of the world is incredibly different from everything I've known. As one of my sitemates and I were walking through our seoum (town), we heard the wind blowing through the telephone wires. And, of course, being the complete nerds that we are, we both thought how that sound reminded us of the desert wasteland on your way to Desert Colossus in the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. What the hell is wrong with us? I mean, we were associating a 'real' sound with a sound that was designed to simulate that actual sound. I guess, in some ways, that's America in a nutshell.
Don't get me wrong, I miss home to death sometimes, but I already feel Mongolia growing on me. I don't know if it's because the "culture shock" hasn't quite set in, or what. But going home doesn't feel like an option at this point. Real talk: this is the hardest thing I have ever done, and I often wonder where I am. But then a feeling follows that I can't explain, other than to say that "I'm where I should be". It's really a mixture. Sometimes (when I'm watching True Blood, or reading GOT), I miss the shit outta American culture. I just want to go to a country bar, drink whiskey and maybe a few too many good beers, then swingdance with girls that are wearing too little clothing...literally the title segment of True Blood. Then I remember how cleansing just the first week has been. The tears I've cried for all the people at home, and for the people I can never see again...they make me appreciate who I am and why I am.

For those who this means something to, Popop's picture sits by my bed every night, reading Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to me. And I imagine that he is there next to me, laughing, and asking me if a mosquito bit him after I tap his shoulder to get his attention...what a joker.

Ben