Goodbye!

Well, my life is opening to adventure again. After 17 months in Corvallis, I've decided to take a break. On Thursday I'm heading to Taiwan to visit brother Joe for two months. Then back to Corvallis for a few months to straighten up business, and then off to the east coast with Muley in tow.

In the past I've enjoyed writing sensational missives about the scrapes I've barely avoided (or completely fallen into). I think my previous adventures were probably a bit more prone to accident than this one may be. Without 72-hour train rides, Indian monsoons, interjecting cowboys, and wilderness escapades, this time round may seem rather tame. I have a room leased ahead of time (thanks to Joe and Fiona); I have money in my bank account (thanks employment); I'll know somebody where I'll be going (my brother); I have a return ticket home already paid for (I won't get stranded). With such fail-proof arrangements, what could possibly go wrong?

So -- despite my wisdom this time round -- I hope my dispatches will be as entertaining as in the past. As long as Joe doesn't keep too close an eye on me, I'm sure I will find my way into some new and exciting (or, at the very least, bewildering) situations. Furthermore, I'll be attempting to practice my basic Mandarin, so at least we can look forward to my endless self-embarrassment.

Until next week...
~April