ooooh - I'm sorry Heidu! I had missed it!

As I said in another post, I think when you meet people that you can trust, then the trust will come naturally. I think it's probably like that for "feeling" something for someone as well. I don't know that it's worth it to worry about whether you will or won't in advance -- I think it really depends upon the friendships you find.

Have you seen any of the OTHER people in the grocery store??? PLEASE do not worry about what YOU look like! Yeesh! ;-) If you really feel ugly in your grocery store, I think it's time to shop elsewhere! (I'm kidding about that, by the way).

Do you exercise? I know it's a pain in the neck, but it's hard not to feel good about yourself after you've exercised.

Heidu, I've never lived abroad but I have worked or studied in other countries for up to 2 months at a time. It's exhausting to always feel like an outsider, to always be noticed because you're different. My dad, who is 82 and came to the US when he was 35, now has the problem where he feels like an outsider when he's in the US, and feels like an outsider when he's in his native country (in eastern europe). Honestly, I really don't blame you for having it feel like a big chore to be social. It takes a strong person to leave their country - I really respect the people who immigrated to the US. I know that it's a lot harder than Americans give them credit for.

I care enough to keep in touch - I'll PM you my email address, okay?

Where are you from originally, anyway? What state?

Your friend who will never bug you to meet me at a dance club if you don't feel like it,
LMO

We are ALL going to be a-ok!