Remember that part in Forrest Gump where Forrest took off on a run and just ran and ran and ran? And then after inspiring thousands and growing a very bad beard, one day he just… stopped?
Of course you do.
Okay, so let’s just imagine way back in 2005 I sat down at my desk in my house on Bathurst Street in Toronto and started writing. And I decided to keep on writing at a pretty reasonable pace, with occasional gaps here and there, through my various moves around China and travels around Asia, until March 2011. When I decided to just… stop.
You see where I’m going here, right?
Just as Forrest’s followers were dumbfounded and confused, so were you. And by “you” I refer to the two or three readers who still randomly stop in to see if I’ve actually followed through on threats to “update soon. I swear.” And you’re probably also family.
This is the point where my argument gets hazy, as Forrest didn’t actually start running across America again. But here I am, writing again! cue big band, clowns, unfurled banners, frolicking puppy dogs, etc.
Happy 2012!
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, it’s about damn time! Welcome back.
Thanks, Donna! You’re definitely one of my inspirations for getting back to writing.
Glad to see you again! We have missed you!
Thank you! Your comment is much appreciated.
I was JUST thinking about you. And there you were … right there in my feed! Welcome back! Anxious to catch up on your fringe and expat life!
Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Jen
PS- You’ll have to use “life is like a box of chocolates” too!
I’ve been following your adventures back in America – I’m glad I’m still in your feed!
Xin Nian Kuai Le!
I’m not family, I just like your writings about everyday life abroad! And I am glad you did not pull a Forrest Gump. At first I was pretty sure the direction of your post was going toward, “And like Forrest Gump, I’m just stopping without telling you why.”
Thank you so much, Lisa! Didn’t mean to scare you there. I love blogging and the blogging world far too much to stop writing. I might also love Forrest Gump a bit too much, as well.
I actually did subscribe to your blog and so I never stopped by but I never got any updates either. BUT now that I see your running again, congrats and keep on keeping on.
Mark Griffith´s last [type] ..Logistical Renewal
Thanks, Mark. I have to admit that reading all the Beijing expat blogs, including yours, has been a big part of my motivation to get back to this space. I’ll leave blogging about crack of dawn visits to the Great Wall to you, though!
Well… I’m not family but I’m one of those readers who’s been randomly stopping by. I enjoy reading your blog. Welcome back!
Thank you! I made the family comment because I assumed they were my only readers left.
Thanks for your comment!
Well, I’m glad you’re back on track, but I’ve just discovered Global Gal so I have a lot of catching up to do!
-Nicole
Nicole´s last [type] ..Traveling through Galicia’s ‘Rias Baixas’
Hey! Thanks for coming over to my blog!
Welcome back, GG. We have missed you.
Forrest Gump is, of course, a great favourite with young Chinese – largely because he speaks SO SLOO-OOWLY. I have on occasion taken a mischievous delight in confounding and traumatising my students here by pointing out the credibility of the story is deliberately undermined by an ‘unreliable narrator’ device: a crazy guy on a park bench tells a succession of rambling, implausible, and not even terribly self-consistent anecdotes about his life’s adventures to several different – uncomfortable, freaked-out – strangers; we’re not expected to believe that it’s all true. If the weirdo next to you on the subway starts telling you he once played ping-pong with Chairman Mao, you’re not going to believe him, are you?
I think some of them needed counselling after that class. Sorry. I hope your love for the character does not render you similarly sensitive to upset.
Froog´s last [type] ..One year ago today…
Well I am family…and I guess I had to post just to show you that we are reading too!
I probably should have mentioned that I am easing into this return to the blog – I might not blog much more than once a week until I get the rust out.
Yeeeaaaaayyy!!! Ur back!!!! That makes me soooo happy! I missed you
“Run Forrest, Run!”
Write Heather, Write!
So what’s the next target? heh
I know it’s lame that I said I was going to blog again and then didn’t for a long time. But I’ve just posted again.
I might have to stop growing my beard! Very much looking forward to reading your posts again!
Love the blog, kind regards, Si
Si @thedepartureboard.com´s last [type] ..Travel Icon No.13 The River Nile
Thanks for stopping by!