With the quick spark of ignition, a whiff of Jet-A, and the thunderous hum of 4 Pratt and Whitney's, our sky chariot spun up on the tarmac at San Fran. Johnnie P. and I were Asia-bound. Asia-bound on a trip like no other. Mission: maximize countries visited, friends seen, cities explored, and passport stamps garnered. I couldn't believe it when I received a call from John about 1.5 months ago asking if I would like to travel to Asia with him in Business Class for $165 round trip. Don't ask ;) After picking my jaw up off of the floor, praying about how this would fit into my thesis-writing schedule, and receiving the counsel of family members and my lovely girlfriend alike (that's a shout-out to you, Becca, if you're reading this :), I decided to embark on this adventure.

That decision has materialized into this present state at 34,000 feet in our monstrous dateline-crossing coach. I have been treated like a king, and the service has been impeccable. I better not get too used to flying in this manner, because my graduate student budget in no way can afford this habit! We are excited to touch down in Hong Kong for a brief 1.5 hours, just enough time to hit one of the Star Alliance's lounges before re-boarding our 747-400 and continuing onward to Singapore tonight. Thanks to the gracious logistical support of Yee Kan from school, we will be picked up at the ripe hour of 11:55 PM by his friends and transported to Jahor Baru. I'll be sure to keep you posted as this trip materializes.