Officially an Expat, no longer a Nomad

I've decided to stay in Hanoi, Vietnam for a YEAR. Before you even think, it's not for a guy, okay?! The thought came out of nowhere, I asked my boss from the organization if there was a way for me to stay long-term and bada bing bada boom, year contract. I'm happy and scared at the same time. I love change, but this is more like a commitment. I'm scared of commitments at the moment, but I'm always up for a challenge.

I'm so use to moving around after a few months, living out of my backpack, and now I'm going to live here. I'm already set up with an awesome house and a bicycle, and I just can't wait to be officially admitted to East Meets West organization.

I like Hanoi a lot. If I like a place and I'm able to get a visa without complications, then yeah...I'd love to work there for a year. For example: Nepal or Cambodia, if someone asked me to work for them for a year, to be paid that is livable, and the ability to get a visa whenever I want, why not? That's exactly what I'm doing. It's totally spontaneous and I love it. I like my friend circle, we're all so similar; artsy. They all come from different countries. Lots of them just came to visit and ended up staying for 5 years. Could that happen to me? (Don't be scared dad, it's just a thought). Some of them had told me to not leave them and that I should stay in Hanoi. I hear something like this all the time wherever I volunteer at, however it was never easy to do so. But since it's easy to get a visa by neighboring countries that is a 16 hour drive away and everything I need is right here, then it fits. It makes perfect sense for me to stay.

I'm going to be part-time with EMW but paid more and I'm planning on finding a teaching job part-time as well. I really think I'm going to enjoy this a lot and the funds will be enough for me to survive in the city. I love what I'm designing for EMW and I will be teaching English, 2 of the things I wanted to do during this trip. Yeah yeah, so I'm not teaching for free to unprivileged orphans in a village, but I'm still helping. I'm supporting the disabilities of Vietnam and teaching English to people who need it. Yes I admit that I'm also doing this for the money, I've been surviving on my savings (that I earned on my own) for the past year and 3 months, who has that kind of money to begin with? Plus, I want to stay in Asia still after my year contract is over...I'm going to need the funds then. This is the perfect time to have a paying job. I have enough experience to deserve this.

I'm glad that my parents are happy for me. My dad sent me a secret parcel to my office. He read one of my old blogs that said I was craving Spicy Nacho Doritos, so he sent me a box of junk food, all flamin' hot flavored, also one tank top, 3-pack teriyaki beef jerky, and a letter from my financial aid reminding me how much I owe (this was 'dropped' in the box by my Mom I know it).

I'm leaving next week to Laos to get another 3 month visa. I think I will stay there for a week to travel around, then I would have to go back to Hanoi to finish up a few projects.

That's it guys. I'm going to do this and I'm happy. VISIT ME!