Love in many Languages.

Well, It's now the end of April. So much has happened relationally, but musically I've been dead.

Three weeks.. or more ago I met an intriguing Japanese guy. He came in for a haircut and we flirted up the wazoo. It wasn't until after he left that I realized, "Holy fucking shit, That guy was awesome!" So, for the next week, I dreamed about him, fantasized about out next random meeting, etc.

Then I remembered that crazy website: Craigslist.org. Oh yeah, the missed connections, why not post something there? So I did. It went something like:

The Japanese MBA student at OSU
We met last week at City Cut (Kenny center location), you came in for a haircut and I really enjoyed the conversation we had. If there's any way I could see you again before I leave in July, It would make me very happy. Thanks, Ashley

Yeah, something along those lines....

After a day or two, I realized, he probably doesn't even know Craigslist exists. So I bagged that idea and came up with an even crazier one. I decided to go down to the Business school at OSU and find him for myself. Bill found it to be hilarious, and encouraged me out of entertainment for himself.

"Well, I'm writing my own story, why not?"

I got in my car and headed down. The school is ridiculously huge (the business school it self could be a college, no doubt .) I walked into the biggest one and looked for signs that said Enrollment, or Minority Services, etc. I walked into Minority Services and found a charming man at the front desk. He was tickled to death when I began asking about the Japanese student...

"Hello, Can I help you?"
"Yes, I'm trying to locate a student, but I don't know their name. I do know he is Japanese, In his 30's, from the southern part of Japan...oh, and recently took a trip to South Africa for an exchange program!"
"Ok, well...uhh interesting. There's actually a woman in the other building who may be able to help you. She knows everyone in the upper class. Let me walk with you."
"Ok, great."

We chatted and flirted up a storm. I listen to him bitch about his current job situation...I could tell he wasn't from Ohio...a New Yorker....who dug my east coast style. peeeace.

Then I met the lady, Alisha. She was chatting with a student asking about his newborn babe, his wifey, and his mom. (Cha-Ching!) I knew I came to the right place when I heard that conversation.

I spilled her the same story and she smiled and said... Ive got three names, may I write them down for you?

Perfect.

Although one of the names rang a bell....Seiji.

I thanked her and walk off a happy camper. When I got home I jumped on the computer and googled the crap out of the three names. Turns out, Seiji was the one. He had a LinkedIn account that spilled everything I already knew.

I composed and email and sent it off to Alisha to forward to Seiji. Bill chuckled and beamed... he loves this HS drama shit. It makes HIS life more interesting.

Then I check my email and noticed I had a response from the Craigslist Ad. it read:

Hey,

I went to city cut for hair cut also.. But I'm not the MBA student you met, because last time I went to City Cut on High St. was 2 weeks ago..

I'm a Master student in OSU business school... So after thinking these similarities, I am interested in you a little or more..

I hope I did not offend you, because the reason why I write to you is just the ad you post was so interesting and similar.

BTW, I'm leaving Columbus this year too.. If you want some further talking, I am glad to. Maybe we can exchange some pics to see how it works? Hopefully I won't let you down...: )



Mark

MARK?! WTF is Mark? Weird... but intriguing... So I wrote him back and we managed to exchange a few emails... After a few days, I hadn't received any repsonse from Seiji. Mark and I arranged a date in the meantime...

To make a long story short.. we hit it off.

Like... really hit it off. Within a few days we were inseparable...that's when I received my email from Seiji.

It was too late by then. Mark and I were nearly exclusive.

That was almost a month ago...and now we're in love.

Tonight we're driving to Philly to try and see my Grandpop one last time before he dies. I hadn't even planned to go in fear of losing days of work....until Mark turned to me this morning and said:

"Ashley, you have the rest of your life to work and make money. You have only a few days to say goodbye to your grandfather."

Road Trip!