Wander & enjoy the diversity...it feeds your soul “What is more miraculous than the moment?” Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh

Feb 14th - Last days in Thailand – for this Valentine “couple-on-the-loose!”
Kels is in the US, visiting Ptld friends & relatives & now this weekend, my father’s family in Fargo, ND.  Chuck & I are in Bangkok – just a few days away from that long plane ride.   And we’ll see Kels again at home before she heads back for her 4th year in Korea.  These last few days, we are trying to get our heads around how to handle the “counter-culture” shock period that is so often experienced - may just need a day or 2 to adjust.  Today in Thailand, it is in the 90’s – it is in the 30-40 degree range in Portland – that is just one of the smaller adjustments we will be making!  

I have experienced a roller coaster ride of emotions here!  Relaxation – pleasure – fun – joy – sadness...  I came here with expectations – thought I needed a purpose & felt lost without a ‘job.’  What I surprisingly found was a cocoon for growth.  Thailand gave me & us a space for ‘being in the moment.”  BE-ING - - my mantra for years & unattainable until now.  

We have experienced a mix of delightful, fun, gracious, generous, loving people – both Thai & foreigners; beautiful beaches; delicious food; interesting customs!  Although it is certainly a beautiful, tropical paradise in many areas, there are also (as in every culture) the difficult parts of society to understand – individual & cultural pain.  You know those pesky “f______ growth opportunities?”  Well, we have had a few on this trip!  It is all about personal & relationship growth!  WOW!!  What a whirlwind adventure!  It hasn’t all been easy or just ‘fun in the sun,’ but is has been good – being in the moment and speaking our truth to each other!  

While we try to remember what the tasks are of running a home, looking & applying for jobs, planting an early-spring vegetable garden, waiting for our order of Mason bees, re-connecting with friends & family, carrying on the Peace Corps process that has ‘nominated’ us for a placement in Central/South America for early 2010, --- we’ll continue the on-going challenge of paying attention to what IS – the NOW.   When we are asked, “How was Thailand?” I can truthfully answer, “It was magical, just as this moment is  - - - NOW!