Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004 - 1:18 p.m.

Overwhelmed is the theme of the day, if not the week. I know I keep going on and on about this, but I just wanna make sure I dont forget how intense this all is. It is!

I walk a few blocks and the differences come tumbling down on me like bricks. I walked through Chinatown today and I swear I smelled stinky tofu! Then I saw star fruit and durian. But these are the things that helped me breathe in, breathe out.

The ability to read signs, listen in on conversations, and ability to buy ANYTHING I could ever want and desire...these are the things that are overwhelming me.

I am trying to take it easy. I do have a financial cush this time, but I dont wanna spend it on a city in the US!

I did spend time in the hostels sauna today (yes, they have one in the hostel!) and bought myself a canoli as in North Beach (yum!). And now I am in the North Beach library about to load up on books. ALL luxuries. Trying like mad to relax, but am quite an emotional wreck deep down, and not so deep down.

I did apply to a hostel job in Santiago, Chile yest, it starts in late Oct, perfect! After a bit of research I decided I would take it if offered to me. But thats just one of many plans in my head and my notebook.

5 min left online so I better check my email.