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Spending 23 of my 25 years in the United States should make me American, right? Wait. I was born in Thailand so I suppose that would make me Thai. But I speak English just as native-ly as any native English speaker. So then I'm American. Then again, I also speak Thai, look Thai, have Thai parents AND live in Thailand. I'm sure about it now, I must be Thai. Correct? But I'm also a US citizen, carry a US passport, dislike President Bush AND speak unnecessarily loud. I am defi?nitely American. Sigh. It looks like I'm back at square one.

I've spent a significant amount of time trying to figure this question out and the one answer I always come to is: "I don't know." It seems like there are a lot of us out there trying to answer questions about our?selves. More and more often young adults find themselves more confused on their way out of university than on their way in. I always thought my years in higher education were sup?posed to give me direction and help me make decisions. But on the day I had my diploma in hand and my last final behind me, I found myself wondering "What now?"

The logical choice was to do a bit of soul-searching, figure out all those wh- questions about myself; who, what, where, when, why? I sure wasn't going to get any soul-searching done in my room in Shawnee, Oklahoma (yes that's in the US, and no it's not a Japanese name) so I booked a flight to Bangkok Thailand and went searching, for myself.

One year later and things are becoming much clearer. I've found success in both the busi?ness environment and in the educational field. All it took was time, dedication and laying aside reservations. However, I still think about that one ques?tion. But is it truly that impor?tant to define oneself in such a clear-cut manner? It makes much more sense to be flexible and just go where life takes you. We young adults are fortunate in that we still have the luxury of time, as crazy as it may seem.

I've discovered a lot of things about myself during my time here and I feel I can adequate?ly answer that question now. So who or what am I? I'm me.

By Kenny Somvongsiri