The author, Carl James, was born and raised in a rural area in northern Michigan. Before taking this journey, he had only left the country twice; on day trips in Toronto. After high school, he enrolled in Central Michigan University and earned a Bachelors' Degree in Education. He majored in English, and always enjoyed writing. As a lifelong learner, years later he earned his Masters' Degree in Education, and his certification in Gifted Education. While he was teaching during his senior year of high school, he met a substitute teacher who had just returned to the country after spending two years in the Peace Corps overseas. An idea set off sparks, and he applied to join the Peace Corps. After he was accepted, he chose South East Asia as a first choice for his service. He was asked to go to Malaysia to teach high school math. That was more than forty years ago. During that time he taught school in both Singapore and Hong Kong before finally returning to the US. He also married a beautiful young woman from Malaysia. He is a proud father to a son and daughter. His return was like returning to a different country. Only after he returned did James start thinking about writing his story. After many years of thinking while ideas percolated, and with his wife's encouragement, he decided to share this experience with readers. Carl James is still teaching in California. He loves to write along with his students so that they can share their stories.