A lot has happened since I last blogged. We said goodbye to our community in Thailand and jet set for the beautiful country of Indonesia. It is a predominantly Muslim country, so recent events did create unwarranted anxiety.
Today is mostly a recap and reflection of the goodbyes, but as our travel slows I hope to share more of my infamous reflections/perspectives in coming days.
As our time here quickly winds down, maybe you have been wondering about the future of this blog. Do I have a plan for it, or will it just end? I started to really think about this as I listened to OnBeing this morning during my run. Her guest, Anil Dash, said it takes about 7 or 8 years to become good at blogging: that makes me feel a little bit better.
A short update on how things are going - generally good! We also went to a Thai wedding last weekend, so you can see Susan in a fancy dress and a few pictures of the formal event we are honored to have been invited to.
This week I bring you up to speed on the events since before Christmas: a touching moment at another Christmas Party, Vacation!!!, the New Year, and return to volunteer work life. Happy New Year or as they say in Thailand, Sawatdee Bee Mai!
Another year removed from America leaves me with a critical eye on how I experience Christmas. This week I share a look into our volunteer life in Thailand during this holiday season, and a touch of the complexity surrounding those seemingly innocuous conversations.
A short check-in. It was a busy, but nice birthday week. This weekend we had Christmas Camp, so hopefully more to come as we enjoy the Christmas celebrations in the coming weeks!
This week we get back to normal John kind of stuff: simplicity, running, emergency rooms (sorry mom), and trying to make sense of it all!
As promised, I have been trying hard to brighten my spirits by focusing on the positive and appreciating everything I have to be thankful for. Seems to be working.
Today, I thought I would just share a summary of my thanksgiving day. I feel like it is one of the better looks into volunteer life here in Thailand.
I wrote this about 10 days ago. I am not really happy with it, but I think it is time to release it. I continue to write almost daily, but nothing intelligible seems to come out.
I am hoping by turning my thoughts to thankfulness, I will have something 'happier' to share in a few days. Susan and I are well, the weather is beautiful, and the mood around the Garden of Friendship is upbeat. I have been successful in not spoiling it, but I am hoping to catch it!
Last weekend was a nice change of pace. The staff hosted a weekend seminar (with overnight) for children ages about 8-17. They taught sex education, HIV education, emotional health, and much more. A well crafted weekend with lots of fun games, activities, laughter, and smiles. A welcome distraction from my mind, but I am a little sore from doing too much Hula-Hoop!
I usually like to sit on these for a day, but this is how I am feeling right now. An attempt to make sense of what this means, what has happened, what way is up. I knew about news bias, I knew people were angry, I knew that this was a real possibility, but that does help it make sense. And I do not know that anyone knows what this means for our future - other than uncertainty.
Reminiscing a little bit about the past, trying to continue to learn from the wisdom of my elders, and weaving this together to create a picture of my possible future.
Another short post to update the state of life here in Thailand, and then you can come with Susan and me on an even more eventful bicycle ride.
Well, it seems like everyone is still talking about the debates, but strangely I don't feel the need to. Here is a little piece about traffic, a driver names Santi, a bike ride Susan and I took, and some photos from a day at the races.
A short post about the many different challenges that have come our way in the last weeks. Thankfully, the balance appears to be leveling as October rapidly approaches.
A very brief post about three ideas that continue to capture my thoughts since our visit home. Hope you enjoy my return to making photographs of rainy season sunsets!
I am feeling very far behind, but maybe I can be okay with that! In any event, here is a general status update after heading back to the U.S.A and returning to Thailand. I am sure to have more as my mind and thoughts continue to organize and overcome the jet lag.
We recently had a full-team meeting, ALL HANDS ON DECK! It really went well, but I thought I would share some insight into what a Thai meeting looks like in my mind's eye! Hope you enjoy.
Today's post starts with a small photo album. Jumping on my bicycle or going for a walk are how I find myself adding activity to my life, and finding peace and renewal. I have always liked photography, but now it is an inexpensive way for me to be reminded of the beauty, joy, and wonder the world has hidden around every corner.
I want you all to know that as far as I can tell, I am doing fine right now. There has certainly been a lot of change, and the normal stress that goes with change is compounded a bit in a foreign country.
I have some posts that I want to share because they are relevant to volunteering. The tone may not be upbeat, or positive, but know that these problems are resolved or resolving as we speak.
This post speaks to issues of boundaries, cultural differences, and how good intentions sometimes lead to unintended consequences.
Today, I am sharing something a lot different. It is a poem that came to me back in December. I have been working on it ever since. It's not real long, so maybe you can muster the energy for it.
Today, I am going to share a look back at my own history as it relates to diversity. I present this mea culpa for both your benefit and mine. I have had this prepared for some time, but have hesitated to share it on multiple occasions.
I believe that honestly putting this out there will help free myself from the fear of my reality becoming public knowledge. A history that I can justifiably be embarrassed about. So I put this out there to say I am very flawed, but I am going to try.
I am going to be honest and open to criticism. I am trying to learn and I am going to make mistakes. I can only learn from those mistakes if people point them out to me.
I can only learn from people pointing out my mistakes if I am willing to admit wrong: admitting wrong instead of the natural inclination to defensiveness, denial, justification, or excuse. And then, I can continue to imperfectly move forward.
Feel free to take this walk with me.
