Sai Gon, September 2, 2001.
Two nights ago, Kiki called me to tell me that my beloved Grampa (Arthur Grey) Bone passed away in the morning EST. Though I did not get a chance to say goodbye to him, I was lucky enough to spend time with him when I was in Atlanta for several months last winter. I will undoubtedly always think of Grampa when I see a Waffle House, or when I'm having bacon, eggs, and grits for breakfast! I'm grateful to have heard from Ki in person, and not via mail, and though I have no one to share in with my sadness in Vietnam, I am happy to hear from those of you at home who knew A.G.

Our lives with Grampa and his family really go full circle with my nuclear family. Dad met A.G. and Edna (gramma) in 1957 while at Fort Bening and none of us would have ever guessed the impact our two families would have upon each other. Perhaps Souris would not have met Silvio during her stay with Mike & Lori in Santa Monica. Lobo would not work for Fred Durst and Kaly might not be in New York. I would not have had the joy of working with and loving Mica, which has since led me to my “retirement” (as I like to call my current living situation).

So, I have come to some deep thoughts about the impact people have on my life. And the point is, if you are reading this, know that you have impacted my life and that I know that you have contributed to it in a way that has made me as happy as I am right now.

Since my return to Vietnam, I have had extreme emotional reactions to nearly everything. I have a brand new attitude at work (which is to not work as much as I previously had) because my reason for being here is not to work, but to travel. And I spent most of the last six months working. I shall now spend most of the next few months traveling. I have a new attitude at home (which is to go in and out as I please, whether I’ve got the driver or not) because I cannot stand the lack of privacy or restrictions on my freedom while living with a relative.

I am searching, searching, searching, for what is new here. For the things that made me happy on my first trip here. The new discoveries about the old life. I need to explore and to venture into new territory. So, I am. I am going to go to lots of places, I am going to spend lots of time in the mountains, at the beach, in the forest, and among the Vietnamese.

I am fighting my desire to be back in New York City, which can be difficult, until I remember that I’m living the good life here. I haven’t washed a dish since I’ve been here, my laundry is laundered and pressed for me, my room is cleaned, my food is cooked, I have a chauffeur, I have unlimited access to ice cream, and I have more trips planned to more countries than I ever did when I lived in the City. No matter where I place myself, the grass is always greener where I stand.