Slightly Jealous

I constantly remind myself that I'm "living the dream" as most ppl see it. Everyone says "Man, it's gotta be magical spending time overseas fresh outta college at this age. It's the opportunity of a lifetime."And I don't doubt that at all, but I'm not afforded as much an opportunity to treat it like a vacation as others I know. When I was in Singapore staying in a hostel, I met ppl from all over; Vietnam, Russia, UK, Bangladesh, Canada, Norway, even other Americans. Many were just traveling to be traveling. Like they just decided to take some time and see Asia for a few months. In one case, a Canadian couple sold EVERYTHING they owned and just decided to "go with the flow" traveling the world. No set plans, no set limits, just go until the money runs out and figure it out after that. They have such elaborate stories about going off the beaten path, doing things that truly open their eyes culturally and spiritually. Furthermore, I have several peers who are in Asia or abroad also, most of them are teaching English. And the programs they have come over using have a focus more tailored to making sure they have a great global experience. Most have favorable schedules and their job encourage such traveling. And they aren't limited to 12 annual leave days a year like me. I visited a friend of mine yesterday who is in Malaysia teaching English. His company has put him in a plush hotel in downtown KL for a couple weeks of orientation. When he gets where he will be staying, he will be living and working right along the beach. He will only be working 3-4 days a week and about 4 hours a day. As compared to my 10 hour workweeks. They got him a temporary driving permit and he will have a car; be reminded, since I've been here I've been continually been hearing about all these road blocks to why it's so hard for Americans to transfer their licenses over since we drive on the other side of the street. I've heard that I would have to pay crazy amounts of money, I've heard that I would have to take a driving test, I've heard I will have to take a written test in Malay. But somehow my homeboy's company worked it out so he has a temporary driving permit before he even stepped foot off the plane. I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm the only one who's getting a true worker experience rather than being a hydrid worker-tourist. But in the end, I think the experience will be invaluable. I can say that my Malaysian tenure builds my resume more than my companions. Not to mention, once I've stepped so far out of my comfort zone for such a long period of time, what else is there to be scared of if u get a job in a different region of the country or something? I gotta focus on all the positives and benefits and stop thinkin about those things that make me feel differently (although working six days a week is still absolutely terrible).