Thanks to all of you who took a moment to send my girl Steph some positive vibes. Unfortunately, the Universe had other plans this time, and while it is frustrating and confusing that the prayers and wishes of so many went unanswered, it is a small comfort to know that the prayers and wishes of those in desperate need of new organs in order to survive had their dreams come true.

The world has suffered a truly great loss today. My best girlfriend has said goodbye to her mother, and my heart aches from it just as hers would for me if the situation were reversed. The timing was sudden and the reasons remain unclear. I guess we are not always meant to understand the meaning behind the Universe's actions ~ sometimes we just need to have faith that it knows what it is doing whether we agree or not.

You can expect me to be a bit moody, distracted, and homesick for the next few days (PA home, not CA or ROK home), as all of my thoughts and good energy are being directed towards Pennsylvania and my dearest friend Stephanie and her family. She has been an amazing friend to me, and I am incredibly sorry and horribly sad that at a time when I should be returning the favor I am located halfway around the globe and unable to do anything but incessantly dial her cell phone number and mope around my apartment wishing Korea and the ghetto of Allentown were in the same time zone. If you're the praying type, please send one in her direction. Or, you know, say a mantra or squeeze some crystals or dance naked around a fire pit or something. Whatever you're into, just pass some of it along her way.