I Could Tell You in Five Seconds

Parked Trike, Tarlac Philippines. I have been preparing to move overseas my entire life. My father moved us for work, though I think he was also chasing his own father's approval, a man who'd abandoned him at 12. By the time I turned 18, I had moved 13 times within 8 cities and four states. I attended three elementary schools and two high schools. I was always the new kid, the one who wasn't from there, and while it made me feel lonely, it also made me feel self-sufficient, a world unto myself. I could enjoy the local stuff that I enjoyed, and see the dumb shit as dumb shit, because I wasn't attached to the place. Loyal locals have a hard time with that. Ask them what's wrong with their community, and they'd have to think about it. I could tell you in five seconds. I'll be going back to the Philippines after Christmas, and stay for two or three weeks, which is my usual thing. I always feel comfortable there. Everyone is friendly and most people are in t-shirts and flip-flops. There…