It's Friday and I don't have a clever title because my brain is fried.

Happy Friday, ya'll. Anyone else have a massive hangover? No? Just me? Oh, good.
You know you're getting old when you still feel crappy at 2pm the day after.
It's okay though.
The fun that ensued last night was worth it all.
Serena and her lovely hubs oh-so graciously invited us out for a few drinks.
And when I say a few, I mean six.

Sometimes I remember just how awesome this whole "blogging" thing is.
Because sometimes you get to meet some really awesome people.
But then sometimes you get to meet some really mean people, too.
And then I wonder if I should just retire the whole blogging thing altogether.
But then you meet another really awesome person, and it convinces you to keep on keepin' on.
Am I even making sense anymore?
Why do I still feel drunk? I don't think that's even possible.

Anyway, speaking of awesome people.
TODAY, I had my very first food truck experience with the beautiful, Stephanie!
We met up in the Financial District and had some monstrous burritos from Senor Sisig.
Speaking of food trucks, I'd be lying if I said The Dizzle and I hadn't thought about opening our own someday...

So, here's to you two ladies for being so welcoming to me.
I'm so happy to now say I have 2 new REAL life friends here in the city.
And now you have to hang out with me.
Every. Day.
Forever.
And ever.
See what I mean about the still being drunk thing?
I think I should probably go lay down and chug a gallon of water or something.

But before you go, can I tell you something first?
Once upon a time, I went to college in Los Angeles at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
While there, I had 3 roomies.
One roomie was named Jessica.
Jessica and I clicked instantly.
This was 8 years ago, and we're still friends today.
And I love her.
And she loves me.
She also loves traveling.
Probably even more than I do.
And that's saying a lot.
And Jessica taught English in Thailand.
And China.
And she traveled a lot more.
Solo.
And she's here today to say hi to you.
And I'm going to stop talking so you can hurry up and meet her.
She's truly awesome and I know you'll love her.
But not as much as I love her.
Because that would be impossible.

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Five Things I Learned in Asia: 

Hello guys and gals! I’m Jessica, the travel writer and photographer behind MissAdventure: Teach. Travel. Live. Learn. My blog is all about teaching abroad, traveling around Asia, living as much like a local as I can handle and, because all of this has taught me more than I ever expected it could, it’s a place for me to share with my readers what I've learned about the cultures, people, places and adventures I’ve come into contact with.

Since Mish asked me to introduce myself to all of you, I thought I’d kick things off with a few of the things I’ve learned after 18 months in Southeast Asia, China and India. I hope to entice some of you to take your own adventure, whether it’s to a new country, a new destination in your homeland, or just a click over to my little corner of the virtual world. I’d love to meet you there!

1. I am a squat toilet master. How do I know? If a girl can use a squat toilet in heels and while wearing a backpack (don’t ask why), I don’t think anyone will argue that it screams success. In fact, I’m so good that I actually prefer to use the squatters over the grimy western ones which are often marked with footprints on the toilet seat (yep, the locals stand on them) and sit in a pool of what I hope is water.

The first squat toilet I ever saw in Bangkok. In hindsight, it's a really clean one!

2. Asians remove their shoes before entering a home or a temple, and for good reason. After you’ve walked through random puddles in Bangkok (despite a lack of rain), tromped through the filth-lined streets of India and watched children and women pee on the sidewalks of China, you too will want your shoes far away from your bed.

A typical Indian street (actually, this one is quite clean!), in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

3. Chopsticks are my friends, not my nemesis. After four months in China, where they eat everything…and they do it with chopsticks, I can now proudly eat a chicken foot, a frog head and a bowl of rice, all without using a spoon or my hands. Now that's an accomplishment!

Eating dinner with my students in China. An entire frog was involved.

4. Asians are blunt. In Southeast Asia, I’m fat (even though I’m an average 130 pounds, 5’3”). In China, I’m an acne-laden freak (thanks to its unimaginable pollution), and in India, where I stupidly went to heal my allergy to China, I was asked multiple times each day, “What’s wrong with your face?” They say what’s on their mind as soon as it comes to them, and it’s often refreshing to know exactly what they’re thinking, rather than trying to guess what our westerner counterparts are really thinking.

That's me! Making chapati at the Kumbh Mela Festival in Allahabad, India. My face, believe it or not, was in the healing process.

5. Asians are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. It might sound like a contradiction to number four, but even their honest remarks are said with love and curiosity. On countless occasions, I’ve been invited into their homes, treated to meals, coffee and tea, spoiled with smiles, compliments and gifts. I’ve been a perpetual student, asking them about their lifestyle, their culture and their country, and they’re always eager to answer, to pose for pictures and to offer help when needed.

Even though they spoke no English, this kind family invited me into their home with smiles!

The people of this splendid, diverse, magical continent have made my travels into incredible memories that I won’t soon forget. And I’m documenting it all over here, to ensure I never will. Come teach me a thing or two, will ya?

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xoxo