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So, we’ve arrived in Seoul.  No pictures yet.  The plane ride from L.A. to Tokyo on Japan Air Lines was the best plane ride I’ve had in my life.  If U.S. planes still had good food, and real comfort, I may travel more often. 

Things were certainly different on that flight than most I take, however.  First, the airplane is equipped with cameras and the pilot show you take off, and landing.  And for your viewing pleausre, you can watch those cameras anytime during your flight.

The food and service by our ‘cabin attendants’ was great.  I was lucky enough to have sashimi and eel (two of my favorites) during our snack.  Dinner and noodles may have been excellent too, but I was a little to bleary eyed to enjoy those.

Driving into Seoul last night was interesting.  The Han river is much bigger than I thought and separates the city.  Also, it was interesting to see that Kia, Daewoo, and Hyundai are selling tons of cars — certainly without our US support.

I’m still waiting to explore this city, but the more I travel, the more I realize that people in the world and how they live seems the same — while food and culture seem the most different.  Everyone seems to have a cell phone, most of the billboards are in English.  Except for the ground crew bowing to the air crew at Narita, and perhaps the fact that everyone is Asian, I could be anywhere — eating at Outback Steakhouse and getting a big gulp at 7/11.

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Oddly, I don’t think of myself as one of those pathetic women who says yes to every request asked.  Yet, I’ve realized lately, that people only call or e-mail me when they want something.

Not a day goes by without some request.  Can you?  Shouldn’t you?  Will you?  Of course, you’ll . . . .

Despite what people may think, I try to be a nice and accommodating person — especially to make up for the fact that on most days, I don’t feel too nice or accommodating.

Now, I’m annoyed by the constant requests.  Did I put myself in this situation?  I’m not quite sure.  For several years, I have felt the need to reach out, to volunteer.  Given my lack of ‘career‘ success, I figured it was something ‘worthwhile’ I could do to fill my time.  But like rabbits or guppies, it’s multiplied faster than I imagined.  I’m getting e-mail from the ‘thousand points of light foundation,’ for goodness sakes — and I know I didn’t sign up for that one.

Like I’ve done many times in my life, I’m looking to redefine my relationships with people.  If you’re asking me for something, I’m saying no.  I’ve even officially resigned from my two main volunteer organizations.  You should have heard the cries . . . ‘what? I can’t rely on you do be at our beck and call?

I’ll sit back.  I’ll think.  I’ll reevaluate.  And who know?  I may be calling and asking you for something.

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