Ciao!

Cheers to meeting any Scarlett Johansson, even if she's not yours!

Learn whatever you can bear to from the experience(s).

As a friend told me a few short months ago, when things were down and I was leading a non-existent life, "Ride out this phase for the meantime. Everyone and everything unfold at their pace...". I pretty much say this to myself when things do not work out.

Oops. = )
"I pretty much say this to myself when things do not work out, yet."

I didn't mean to make light with my S.J comment above.

Seriously, relationships are hit or miss propositions, and if you miss, then simply say thanks, move on, and be richer for the experience.

The "Lost in Translation" comment had little to do w/ dating. I just think the movie really reminds me of me. While I do speak Spanish, the cultural differences are so wide, that I feel like I'm "lost in translation" and I haven't found a "best" friend to spend every day w/. That just makes me very homesick.

I'm sure we have experienced many of the same feelings in Bolivia. Some of my best and most fun times in Bolivia were with "gringos", who I met while they were volunteering, working, studying, etc. It was frustrating because they usually stayed for 2-3 months at most, and then they left. I probably went through four different periods of meeting new people and seeing them leave.

But I also have that deep-rooted family connection and concern about Bolivia that affects me personally. My Bolivian friends just think I have an unconventional way of looking at things and that I do not fit into the stereotypical view of how most Bolivians act.

All of my friends back in the U.S. have no idea what Bolivia is really like and can't relate to me in that sense. They just know I'm Bolivian and I love being down there.

It's definitely a struggle finding one's identity, but I wouldn't trade being bicultural for anything in the world. If you ever need to discuss issues relating to this, don't hesitate to email me.

Sorry to hear that, Miguel. I had assumed all along that since you have stronger connection and knowledge abt Bolivia and the languages and all... that u would fit in well (there aren't lots of "culture clash" stories in your weblog.. so I had presumed you fit in without a glitch).

Finding likeminded people who understand where u're coming from, share the same interests and with whom u don't have to explain yourself all over again... can be difficult to find, but not impossible (and it seems from your weblog, that you have friends with wide interests and background)). You know that friends in academia, fellow fullbrighters from the US, for instance, are going through similar experiences. They can make great companions (even if they can't hang out everyday).

To tell u frankly, it took me around 1.5 years to 'acclimatise' myself to Singapore, and probably longer cos I'm not that adventurous about seeking friends and don't go out much. And as much as I try, I am aware that I might not ever become fully comfortble living in Singapore or living in Indonesia. So I'm not really sure what to do. But, I know of several places I can hang out to ease the frustrations of feeling lonely. Going to the university, attending seminars and getting to know people who share the same political interests. Or a theater social club where expatriates hang out (not in clubs), for eg. Or befriending those who just come back from overseas studies.

Eduardo, what u described sounds a lot like the frustrations of people who lead nomadic lifestyle. Connecting deeply for a brief period... and then saying goodbye. Not because the friendships have dissipated or broke up, but because it's time to leave. Sometimes I think that's one of the worst things in life. Can be easy to say hello, and so damning to say goodbye.

Interesting comment, but I feel the same way. I've been to Korea three times and the entire time I was there I kept telling everyone I was American. But once I am here I am always telling everyone I am Korean (as opposed to Chinese or Japanese, you know, the only two possible Asian ethnicities). Anyway, I wrote in my LJ about how I feel out of place a lot if you want to read more.

When I was living in Germany away from family and friends I tried to see it as an adventure. Pretty much everything I did I filed it away as a story to tell when I got back home. It was kind of weird like living a past of a future that may or may not happen, but my point is you’ll be back in k-zoo soon enough and lucky for you I’m too lazy to read anything regularly enough to spoil all your stories. I’m not saying I’m any Scarlet Johansen, but you have a city full of friends waiting to hang out with you.

Thanks, all. I know I've many great friends. And not just in Kalamazoo. I'm just really homesick lately. No one here's ever heard of The Pixies, or my music in general. Stuff like that. The little things that mean so much to you, that make up a big part of your identity, just aren't important to most people here. I get excited about things and I'm the only one.