On how I want to travel everywhere when I earn money

Having the luxury of living in a place with an extensive rail and air network, I feel like traveling has suddenly become more accessible to my socioeconomic class (that is when I actually start making my own money and have the opportunity to independently join a socioeconomic class). Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe are within a stones throw and it is easy to make plans that can be realized in the near future. I've recently become infatuated with the idea of visiting Mongolia after our hostel dorm mates told us about their time there. Spending time in a place that hasn't embraced Western capitalism and all its baggage and instead retaining the nomadic lifestyle full of unpaved, unmarked roads in the desert traversed by four wheel drives and noble steed. I know how its cliche but I am amazed at how much of this world there is to see.

And I still haven't visited all the places I want to see in China! The list is long and is continually growing and I hope that I have both the time and capital to make the daydreams become a reality. It's just too bad about those student loans...

In other news, Alex and I are still in Shanghai. We discovered an arcade that spans an entire floor in a shopping mall that has games that I have never seen before including card games that virtually come to life when you place these cards (like Magic cards -are those even cool anymore?) on the table, Dance Dance Revolution with a twist (incorporates hand movements!) and games that test your reflexes and balance. Arcades have come a long way from Skee Ball and shooting baskets (which I'm surprisingly skilled at)! We switched hostels to a more central location in Huangpu near all the fancy buildings with all the lights that make Shanghai's skyline famous.

The best thing about this move is that there is a delicious Chinese restaurant downstairs (with an ENGLISH menu!) that serves the best 鱼香茄子 ("Fish flavored egg plant", does not taste like fish) I've ever had. Sorry Liz.

In about two weeks Alex and I are heading to Guam to both save and earn some money working for my parents and various other organizations willing to hire us for a short amount of time. First and foremost, of course, I will be a live in nanny for my sister's kids, where my one goal is to have them perform a coordinated song and dance routine reminiscent of the Von Trapp kids. Two months is a long time.

Until next time.