Two Bags, One Me

A new wave of nostalgia hit me today as I observed Pepperdine's first day of school. Was it remembering trying to fit my ungodly mass of luggage into my three person dorm or canvasing hundreds of faces in the caf only to find I recognized no one? Whichever it was, I have been experiencing a million and one emotions upon being back at school and even though it isn't the first time it is certainly another kind of first. Last year I reveled at six suitcases being the mere extent of my life being shipped 1,200 miles from home. This year two bags and 6,500 miles are my future and whether the significant downsizing was from maturity or airline limitations I hope to learn even more about myself this year.

So until I am the strange face no one recognizes from being abroad, I will enjoy being on this amazing campus once again and brace myself for the diaspora of my closest friends across the globe. We are all packed. And whether one, two, or eight suitcases - it is less important to focus on what we are taking, but instead, focus on what we're going to bring back.

Love,
kpk

Mulan Status

I am still 18 days away from being in China and I am already feeling overly adventurous. Yes, just like Disney's Mulan, I have chopped off my hair. Before anyone who knows me completely freaks out I want to reasssure everyone that I do, in fact, still look like a girl. In effort to be low-maintenance and to avoid poor translations during overseas haircuts I decided to eliminate the problem all together. Though my hair is still by definition "long," I have enjoyed feeling like a new person these last few days. To some, that idea may seem ridiculous - or maybe it's just the idea of me trying to be  low-maintenance. Either way, this new me is officially packed and ready to go. I fly to California in two days and from there two flights until Shanghai on September 3rd. Who knew that a haircut would make me confident, prepared enough to venture 7,500 miles without fear. Maybe Mulan really did have something there.

Love,
kpk

Hello Blog World

Well, here it goes!

Hello friends and family who have stumbled upon my amateur blog. I hope that this can serve as a great way to keep up with my adventures half a world away! My countdown to china is officially 23 days! To be continued on September 3rd with many pictures and stories to come :)

Love,
kpk