Tags
full moon, fun, glow in the dark, Inspired traveler, islands, koh phangan, Live, neon, party, quotes, Quotes on life, silly, Thailand
Whenever I’m caught between two evils, I take the one I’ve never tried.
~Mae West
Cheers!
05 Sunday Jun 2016
Posted Inspirations, June 2016
inTags
full moon, fun, glow in the dark, Inspired traveler, islands, koh phangan, Live, neon, party, quotes, Quotes on life, silly, Thailand
Whenever I’m caught between two evils, I take the one I’ve never tried.
~Mae West
29 Sunday May 2016
Posted Inspirations, May 2016
inTags
adventures, daily quotes, expereince, explore, friends, friendshipss, fun, Inspired traveler, journey, love, people, quotes, Thailand, travel, travel buddies, wanderlust
Traveling is not just physically moving from one place to another but, actually, embracing the unknown people who are invading your journey with their own. It’s about the connection -without expectations- with a complete stranger and about the unique place you are about to travel to with them. Here, during this event, every minute is traveling.
~Chininha
03 Sunday Apr 2016
Posted April 2016, Inspirations
inTags
explore, farewell, Green Day, inspirations, inspire, Inspired traveler, quote, quote of the day, solo travel, Thailand, time of your life, travel, wanderlust
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don’t ask why
It’s not a question, but a lesson learned in time
It’s something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life.
-Green Day
25 Thursday Feb 2016
Posted Bangsaen, February 2016, Thailand
inTags
32, Babe Ruth, Ball Game, Bangsaen, baseball, baseball theme, birthday, fear, friends, full count, inspire, Inspired traveler, Keep swinging, life, Take me out to the Ballgame, Thailand, Thailand adventures, travel
(The One With the 3-2 Pitch)
The atmosphere of a baseball game is one like no other: cheering on your favorite team along with thousands of others, an ice cold beer in one hand while high-fiving a fellow fan with the other when your team scores a run. There’s time in between each at bat and pitch that you are able to imagine possible outcomes given the sequence of events that led to this moment. Everything rides on the next pitch thrown because there are so many different scenarios of how it could play out. Was it a fast pitch straight down the middle? A curveball? Change-up?
In baseball they have what is called a pitch on a full count or the 3-2 pitch. With 3 balls and 2 strikes, the batter can either strike out or get a walk to first base. Usually in baseball movies this is the pinnacle, tense moment, the last chance to score the game winning run as the announcer calls out that it’s the bottom of the ninth, bases are loaded, as the pitcher winds up for the 3-2 pitch…
Turning 32 makes me think of all the sequence of events in my life that brought me to where I am today. The calculated swings, lucky hits, and undeniable misses that I have gone through so far have all led me right here.
For me, my birthday is a time to reflect back on the past year; did I accomplish what I had imagined in one year? Have I lived my 31st year with passion while seizing those days? I also use this time to think about the future, to focus on what I want and my expectations I have for myself for the coming year. I know in a few short months I will be heading back home after a year and a half of living abroad. I have been thinking a lot about my return and honestly, I’m frightened by it. I can’t just pick up to where I left off, because things are different; I’m different. It’s a bittersweet feeling because I have such a simple life here and returning means I need to start over, to figure out what I really want to do, and the fact that I can easily strike out and fail, at this stage of the game, is what terrifies me.
I was just as scared when I first started this journey, like with all new challenges, it’s the not knowing what to expect and thinking I might fail. But I am here, I am living the life I want, doing the things I’ve always wanted to do and I keep getting inspired everyday by it. I have to remember that I’ve been taking risks and big leaps of faith and so far I’ve been alright. As long as I just keep trying, as long as I just keep swinging it beats the hell out of just standing still in fear.
My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.
~Hank Aaron
Having to keep explaining the reason behind it, since Thailand isn’t too big on the game, didn’t stop me from having my baseball themed party for my 32nd Birthday! Another year older is by no means the end of my journey; it’s just another chapter and a fun celebration! I still have a lot more innings, games and seasons ahead of me. And who knows how it will play out: I can get a hit, foul ball, get the walk or strike out. Whatever happens I know I will be okay…
I guess when the pitch is thrown, I’ll just close my eyes and swing!
Cheers!
22 Tuesday Dec 2015
Posted December 2015, Teaching, Thailand
inTags
act like a kid, Baby it's cold outside, Inspired teacher, Inspired traveler, kids, silly, smile, Snow, snowball fight, spin away, Teaching English Abroad, Thailand, Thailand adventures
“The One with the crazy snow”
Cold isn’t a word that comes to mind when you think about Southern Thailand! I haven’t needed to wear a proper jacket in over a year! But the day finally came when we packed our bags full of warm clothes and snow gear and set out to… Bangkok!
Ahh one of the perks of being a teacher is when you take your kids on a field trip to “Snow Town.” Granted the “town” was located on the 4th floor of a big shopping center, and slushy ice didn’t really have that soft powdered feel that real fresh snow has. Although, I wasn’t sure who was more excited for this day, me or the kids.
I think as adults there are so many serious things that life has in store for us that we sometimes forget how fun it is to act like a kid. Of course, it’s more socially acceptable to act like a kid when you are in a position to do so.
We’re adults. When did that happen and how do we make it stop.
For example at an office workplace you might get this reaction:
But all you really want to do as an adult is act like this:
Luckily as a primary level teacher I can be a little bit of both and it’s okay. These kids have really reminded me that I can still be silly and fun. When you have so much pressure and no fun at your job you might be quick to have a temper, get angry, and over-react. These kids have helped me, in a way, to not be so serious all the time. There are daily surprises with these kids and it’s a constant challenge to not get angry or over-react because you will definitely go crazy if you don’t just laugh some of the stuff off.
Like when you walk down the hall, half of the kids are running up to you yelling that Chompoo is on the floor (We have a student in our class named Chompoo) So of course I automatically think someone is hurt, kids are screaming, and we have a student on the ground. What I walked into was something I just couldn’t see coming… there was actual liquid shampoo all over the floor, the windows, the doors, 2 boys walking out with their shirts completely soaking wet, a look of guilt smeared across their faces, and about 5 girls with their socks in their hands upset because now they couldn’t go to P.E. class because god forbid you wear shoes without socks. I mean, how? why? what the heck is a bottle of shampoo doing in the classroom to begin with? After I made them clean it all up and socks were drying in the sun I couldn’t help but bust up laughing, thinking a girl named Champoo was injured on the ground only to find actual shampoo spewed all across the floor. It’s something so unexpected, I mean, how could you not laugh?
05 Monday Oct 2015
Posted October 2015, Thailand
inTags
1 year, Anniversary, Chamber Brothers, Classic Rock, Inspired teacher, Inspired traveler, laugh, love, Thailand, Thailand adventures, Thailand travels, time, Time has come today, travel, wanderlust, Wasted time
Time is a funny thing. We wish for it to hurry and get to 5 o’clock (prime happy hour) or we want it to slow down on those lazy Sunday afternoons. We constantly check it throughout the day to see if the time has come or if we are simply running out of time. We’ve all heard the various sayings before: “it’s only a matter of time;” “time heals all wounds;” “a stitch in time saves nine;” “time flies when you’re having fun;” “take it one step at a time;” “don’t waste your time.” Generations before all warned us about wasted time and spending it wisely because what we can never get back is a moment after it’s missed, and time after it’s gone.
One year ago today, I set off for an adventure of a lifetime. I honestly cannot believe that 1 year has passed. I’ve done and seen so many things, met so many wonderful people and I can’t express how grateful I am to have had this opportunity. I was not expecting my time to go by so fast, there are still so many things I need to do and places I need to see, which brought me to my decision to extend my time here. Hitting my one-year mark has brought back some memories of when I first arrived in Thailand; how completely scared and overwhelmed I was. Reading back my own written words in my journal reminded me of all of the emotions I was going through exactly one year ago.
First Journal entry written in Taipei Airport, Layover to Thailand: Dated October 6th 2014
…Not only do I have no idea what im getting myself into, it’s going to be a year-long journey. So much can happen, so much will happen, and its that kind of experience I’ve been craving for a long time. I want so much for myself in this coming year; but the most is to use this time and take it all in, try not to be afraid, and to come what may.
I’ve got to say, quite the attitude to have. I feel like I’ve been working on what I was first set out to do. I’m not too afraid anymore of taking risks, or of being alone, and I think my positive attitude captures positive vibes that have helped get me to where I am now. I’m definitely lucky to have people in my life that have continuously supported me and my decisions and those that have helped make this year completely unforgettable.
Just a quick recap of some of the gems from this past year:
With every passing year time goes by faster and faster. It made me realize that I should do more, love more, laugh more, and try to limit uttering the phrase, “I don’t have any time.” I want to make sure I don’t take what I have here for granted. Back at home, or where ever I am in the future I need to remember to use my time doing the things most important to me and to never waste any precious moments.
The biggest regret that you’ll have at the end of your life is wasted time.
(tick, tock)… Time!
Cheers
04 Sunday Oct 2015
Posted Inspirations, October 2015
in20 Sunday Sep 2015
Posted Inspirations, September 2015
inTags
Bangsaen, Dancing, flood, Inspiration, inspire, Inspired traveler, life, quotes, Storm, Thailand, Thailand adventures
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
~V. Greene
17 Thursday Sep 2015
Posted September 2015, Thailand
inTags
Classic Rock, comfort zone, Inspired teacher, Inspired traveler, Thailand, Thailand adventures, Tower of Power, What is Hip?
Clubbing has never really been my style. Give me live classic rock music at a chill dive bar any day, over all-night raves, jam-packed venues, and techno music (do they even call it that anymore?)
When you do something outrageous as to move across the world and step outside your comfort zone, you’re more inclined to do things you wouldn’t think otherwise. Comfort zones are good sometimes, that’s why it has the word comfort. It’s doing something you are used to, something familiar and easy. No matter what stage you are in life, or what part of the world you are in, you will always find yourself in a comfortable routine, and not in a bad way; this is just what you do. Some people work better when they have daily routines, and there are others always trying to push themselves out of them. Finding the perfect balance is a nice goal, but how do you know what works right for you? It’s so easy to fall into a routine that you don’t even realize the little box you are creating for yourself. Sometimes you need to keep reminding yourself to step outside of your comfort zone once in a while. It helps break up the negative parts of a routine; the part that will drive you crazy, the part that brought me here in the first place. I like that I’m trying new things I’d never thought. I’m doing things that I’ve only ever read about in travel magazines or have seen in movies.
When the opportunity came to go to a music event in Bangkok I was all for it! Why not right? It was actually a very fun experience. We were dancing all night long, making friends, and it was in a fun and interesting atmosphere. I say interesting because it felt like I was in the TV show “Alias” where there’s some undercover double agent spy trying to track down the bad guy at one of these posh night clubs and the music creates the adrenaline rush that something’s about to go down.
Even the types of people that you meet in a place like this, there is no way to get in any type of conversation over the music volume, so instead you save the really deep conversations while you are waiting in line to the girl’s restroom. You share a moment while in line that when you see them again on the crowded dance floor it feels like a mini reunion.
There are always new things that come up that can give you the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone. Because, let’s face it, comfort is staying in pajamas and binge watching on Netflix some days. But, let’s say you arrive home from a trip up north and find your friend has to go there the next day; why not book a last minute flight to go with them even though you haven’t even unpacked?
Or maybe you decide to go all out on a themed party even though you’re not sure anyone else is dressing up.
01 Tuesday Sep 2015
Posted September 2015, Thailand
inTags
choices, Decisions, Grey's Anatomy, inspire, Inspired teacher, Inspired traveler, learn, Live, Should I Stay or Should I go, Stay, Thailand, Thailand adventures, The Clash, travel, wanderlust
Decisions… they plague me every day. I have a constant battle just to decide what I want to eat for dinner. Some call it indecisiveness; I just see it as having a very eclectic pallet and live in a country that has a variety of delicious food. Sometimes my indecisiveness gets me into trouble though; I am on the constant verge of second guessing myself to where I’m just plain annoyed by it. The questions and uncertainties play around in my head until I get to the point of surrender: throw my hands up, say, “fuck it”, and just go with it. This is what people normally see in me, the confident and courageous part of me that comes off.
I had no idea what I was doing when I decided to quit my job and move to another country, I was second guessing and going back and forth the whole time until I couldn’t take it anymore. I just said I’m done thinking about this and went with my original instinct and that was that. I’ve learned that everything works out in the end, everything turns out okay, I just need to follow what I am feeling and remember that there is no way of ever knowing what is best unless I try.
A couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think more people would listen to what he had to say. I don’t know why we put things off, but if I had to guess, I’d have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision, because what if you’re wrong? What if you’re making a mistake you can’t undo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He who hesitates is lost. We can’t pretend we hadn’t been told. We’ve all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day. Still sometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today’s possibility under tomorrow’s rug until we can’t anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. That knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the hell out of never trying.
~M.Grey
The most exciting part of planning a trip is not knowing for sure what’s going to happen. Rule of thumb is: most things will not go according to plan so learn to be flexible, have a loose itinerary and let the moment guide your decisions. I am most definitely a go-with-the-flow type gal, and as a traveler, I love being so carefree, but I am also human and my inner thoughts like to play devil’s advocate on me. I’ve learned that it’s hard for me to make decisions, but I think my indecisiveness comes from the thrill of not knowing what’s next, letting life take its course, and see where it leads me.
One big decision that I made recently was one of the quickest I’ve done. I decided to extend my contract and stay another semester here in Thailand. It took me less than 12 hours to decide that this was something I wanted to do (I’m getting better at this!) No second guessing, no elaborate pros and cons list, I just had a feeling that my time here wasn’t done. Of course there was a pretty great rendition of “Should I Stay or Should I go” by The Clash that was sung and danced to, as well as some sad moments of telling my family and friends, but I know this was the right decision, it just feels right.
Making decisions is a hard part of life. You never know if you’ve picked the right choice or how it will all work out in the end. But it’s just something that you have to do; let go, make a decision, and hope for the best.
Cheers!