The Prodigal Son Returns

My, oh my, it's been a long time. I suppose not all that long in the grand scheme of things, but over the span of five—almost six—years, a lot has changed; so much so, in fact, that when I reread my old posts, they seem to have been written in another life.

Since these posts, I'd decided not to pursue medicine and instead got certified to teach English as a foreign language. In that class is where I met Mandy, with whom I subsequently trotted across the globe to teach in South Korea for a year. I went back to school and got my Master's degree in Russian, East European, and Central Asian studies. I spent six months living and studying in Moscow. I've started working as a translator and am currently translating a full-on Russian novel. And finally—and most importantly—Mandy and I got married.

So much has changed: my life, my outlook, my aspirations, my geographical location...but here I am. I've discovered the need to re-explore my daily life and reopen the wonder of things around me. I've discovered the need to actively practice gratitude and to stop taking the things I have for granted. It's easy to get lost in the abstract, the theoretical, and career pursuits and to stop being thankful for what you already have. So that's why I'm here again: to express my gratitude for everything I have in hopes that, bit by bit, my outlook may become more positive again; that I cease being indignant at the things I don't have and reignite the power of simply being happy with what I do.

So here's to a continued journey.

I am so very grateful to begin it once more.