tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198886412024-02-18T18:48:38.202-10:00Around the world in 80 seconds- with melina...I have been traveling since I was 4 years old-no joke. Ever since I first boarded that Pan Am flight to Rio and those flight attendants in their cute white caps greeted me with their beautiful smiles and bowls of candy, I was hooked. 43 years later,I am still traveling the globe and continuing this lifelong love affair with our planet. My journey never ends, whether I am here at home or overseas, for life is a never-ending learning process wherever you are. Be Here Now.melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-54762367219291807732014-01-20T19:09:00.003-10:002014-01-21T19:53:30.515-10:00We Shall Overcome.... ( a post written April, 2009)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Martin Luther King would have been 80 years old if he was still alive today.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0o5pPPTFH5TMaIlS6dYEwRcI2my8w0lynx_EPEC_HrdzmJ9EEVoJV_-nfdrHwBn28Ch0KVYxEwLxvn2ap7MbsPC5NF5O5KdBtwqB49DXIslf1IBmZW13kOJbS7XNTaPC_WPH/s1600/martinlutherking_1241812c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0o5pPPTFH5TMaIlS6dYEwRcI2my8w0lynx_EPEC_HrdzmJ9EEVoJV_-nfdrHwBn28Ch0KVYxEwLxvn2ap7MbsPC5NF5O5KdBtwqB49DXIslf1IBmZW13kOJbS7XNTaPC_WPH/s1600/martinlutherking_1241812c.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
He was shot 41 years ago this week...and I was reminded of this day only by accident as I walked into the den where my dad was watching the evening news tonight. King's face was flashed on the screen along with his accused killer, James Earl Ray. And then there continued a series of quick cuts to several horrific shots of his bloodied body on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel..(I have also been on this very same balcony and it still brings a wave of deep sorrow as I recount how I felt standing on this profoundly sad spot.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgzo9wToy8T75fcDvIx5-7F7CwQ9nY_d0TPLR99n7CLPXYeAD2kvBYsP0re1dWYUChkfBWvYjPjx199HnqqlondfUXWdzzzdAiDtM1kWNBM1H40YEFbgeW-mDPuhE4AHIXU6a/s1600-h/mlkjrslaying5qy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgzo9wToy8T75fcDvIx5-7F7CwQ9nY_d0TPLR99n7CLPXYeAD2kvBYsP0re1dWYUChkfBWvYjPjx199HnqqlondfUXWdzzzdAiDtM1kWNBM1H40YEFbgeW-mDPuhE4AHIXU6a/s400/mlkjrslaying5qy.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322596854061554498" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 289px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
instant flashback...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSpNdQ5wQcD741KkouFKoSwwhLMsncut4hI8NhVTdR7K-8-vvmO2wg3vaOn3Kumlv2JpERDauJbQ2NEs9nMAGcdRmfxOe9SSPEJOssdjV1BeXuTLYeOQWhgyyDX3wLAE8sugX/s1600-h/letter20end__z9127412.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSpNdQ5wQcD741KkouFKoSwwhLMsncut4hI8NhVTdR7K-8-vvmO2wg3vaOn3Kumlv2JpERDauJbQ2NEs9nMAGcdRmfxOe9SSPEJOssdjV1BeXuTLYeOQWhgyyDX3wLAE8sugX/s400/letter20end__z9127412.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322601933762681170" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 315px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am so glad I finally had this opportunity to share this memory with my dad:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
For years, I have told people that the first time I saw my father cry was when he found out Martin Luther King was assassinated. We were all gathered around our little black and white TV in our humble little apartment in Stamford, CT . I believe it was Walter Cronkite who broke the tragic news to us that night.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilf6Ugwl1AsHJsEi1bsxtWSKmXq-XtpPKLJidw3AYnFCb3qUegJixLWqZw5-Eijrj1_EiwlsRo3ZafXi5JhgXoFprfoz2FNPLXljRbugGy5z9ta4qLpeUTJ4PzdEPDA8XuXmbe/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilf6Ugwl1AsHJsEi1bsxtWSKmXq-XtpPKLJidw3AYnFCb3qUegJixLWqZw5-Eijrj1_EiwlsRo3ZafXi5JhgXoFprfoz2FNPLXljRbugGy5z9ta4qLpeUTJ4PzdEPDA8XuXmbe/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" height="292" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My mom, sister ,brother and I had just returned from living in Brazil for 6 months ( My father chose to stay behind to keep a good paying job he had in New York City at the time). We probably weren't home in the US for more than a couple of weeks. I remember still relearning my English at this time and was so happy I remembered the word "refrigerator" as it sounded so much like the Portuguese word "refrigerador".</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoD9zdAmdHM1-P_tN1o1H5LdlVZUM-E87aOlCKb5duxZxRt2-cQ5gfVnOBP2PLVPH2_9-neMwFil297xbipK2Y_Cqy6kcqZmuKY-gqk2-rpK9-QVP6nG9xoPEerqJ7abxd10S/s1600-h/SLD02363.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoD9zdAmdHM1-P_tN1o1H5LdlVZUM-E87aOlCKb5duxZxRt2-cQ5gfVnOBP2PLVPH2_9-neMwFil297xbipK2Y_Cqy6kcqZmuKY-gqk2-rpK9-QVP6nG9xoPEerqJ7abxd10S/s400/SLD02363.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322608791398255554" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 273px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So when I told my dad last night my memory of his tears and the assasination Martin Luther King in 1968, he was visibly surprised and moved...Surprised , I sense , by my keen memory at age 5, and moved that I had remembered such a moment and have shared this with literally hundreds of students over the years....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF1mDbE1lsLzZPf9Omv37i7sTXbLEdTkIzqwtX-7gHBAvNI7fVkoor-HHbSQuO4SBLXrGqmBpBKr3En481bm4g91si-6g6X8ONXTLUlhKo9QdAGuMAQXy98_fBvBr6eYDHiK7/s1600-h/image_8178571.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF1mDbE1lsLzZPf9Omv37i7sTXbLEdTkIzqwtX-7gHBAvNI7fVkoor-HHbSQuO4SBLXrGqmBpBKr3En481bm4g91si-6g6X8ONXTLUlhKo9QdAGuMAQXy98_fBvBr6eYDHiK7/s400/image_8178571.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322616240670538322" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 271px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My Dad even confirmed that I was accurate with my memory as we only lived in this apartment for a couple of months . And he also remembers being so angered by the priest at our Stamford church that Sunday for never mentioning a thing about the assasination.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We never returned to that Greek church after that.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeYenKQBVhx-XJ32yNMMtjoewzvrxesldo7yKRDeL_9W1MTRL_F0HVGdMkz0rdd3gOeABroTxXn9yI3U5uoWsFTfqX0dTHxGNw6FggXUVeM1TEsO5ofDgJfym9Xn393yWBGN4/s1600-h/HolyGhost.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeYenKQBVhx-XJ32yNMMtjoewzvrxesldo7yKRDeL_9W1MTRL_F0HVGdMkz0rdd3gOeABroTxXn9yI3U5uoWsFTfqX0dTHxGNw6FggXUVeM1TEsO5ofDgJfym9Xn393yWBGN4/s400/HolyGhost.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322609745901647490" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 275px;" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
amazing how certain experiences in your life just stay with you forever..</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
yet, if you asked me what I learned from my teachers in my 4 years at Syracuse University, I couldnt even count the lessons on one hand.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
funny, that is...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
or not..</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Uy1CfljUV8KW0N_NOF9lK7577aW3Jbl35lJBVHZS0iwD4qs7inIzF2n-wIQSqGgyIWiHHUS9oTFgtAPC1GAuC8pR3zC3LTN-WMU2phvrh0d3SnePONeus3l1592HQZTVefhx/s1600-h/Fallen+leaves.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Uy1CfljUV8KW0N_NOF9lK7577aW3Jbl35lJBVHZS0iwD4qs7inIzF2n-wIQSqGgyIWiHHUS9oTFgtAPC1GAuC8pR3zC3LTN-WMU2phvrh0d3SnePONeus3l1592HQZTVefhx/s400/Fallen+leaves.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322598040521227074" style="cursor: move; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Uy1CfljUV8KW0N_NOF9lK7577aW3Jbl35lJBVHZS0iwD4qs7inIzF2n-wIQSqGgyIWiHHUS9oTFgtAPC1GAuC8pR3zC3LTN-WMU2phvrh0d3SnePONeus3l1592HQZTVefhx/s1600-h/Fallen+leaves.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>
</div>
melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-70631896244989678042011-09-21T21:11:00.009-10:002011-09-21T21:39:24.994-10:00“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” Jimi HendrixSo here we are- September 21, 2011 and it is a day we are supposed to be celebrating "International Peace" . Instead, I am sitting here in a swirl of various emotions, far from any emotion being close to peaceful; I am grateful, of course, for the fact that such a day has even been set up but am still sickened by the notion that we have oh so very far to go to truly live in a world of that we can call "peaceful".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttTACa2g5xxlY-R9R4Oe21bRe6L8tTVrnAriD3jSSEmUYnbuNQiUlIPCLnK8JjFBRT5sBAKMPIkDskfoSppBWjtCXL0zq2th6Y9mrtGqXi1qqWsY8jxNfLE7ULB2FL8vxKgGi/s1600/Peace-world-peace-11304143-500-333.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttTACa2g5xxlY-R9R4Oe21bRe6L8tTVrnAriD3jSSEmUYnbuNQiUlIPCLnK8JjFBRT5sBAKMPIkDskfoSppBWjtCXL0zq2th6Y9mrtGqXi1qqWsY8jxNfLE7ULB2FL8vxKgGi/s400/Peace-world-peace-11304143-500-333.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655078753058693234" /></a><br /><br />Today an innocent man was executed in the State of Georgia and most of the Western world is still caught up the silliness of Facebook changing their news feed. One man dies and another one is frustrated over the way he receives his friends’ news. The absurdity of it all is just too much for me to bear right now so thus I write- to try and make sense of it all, if that even is possible.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZJyoyopcMZbzPQ2uRZvL7jniDsqtpXZlxLlanx0awgp9h3xc3A6HxabTLqa2WCTD91oSzalRUM8X6r63sCWe1tAtUx8MKq5TCc1_DZXu7Lad_OSlNNy2speCAOuG5J0UDywa/s1600/proxy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZJyoyopcMZbzPQ2uRZvL7jniDsqtpXZlxLlanx0awgp9h3xc3A6HxabTLqa2WCTD91oSzalRUM8X6r63sCWe1tAtUx8MKq5TCc1_DZXu7Lad_OSlNNy2speCAOuG5J0UDywa/s400/proxy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655079580204621234" /></a><br /><br /><br />It also just hit me today that I know in my heart of hearts that one of the main reasons I travel so much is that I truly believe that the more we all get out of our own cultural comfort zone and travel away from “home”, the more we can truly understand, love, and be compassionate with all those who are living around us-in every corner of the world. We can be ambassadors of peace everywhere we go, sharing a smile, a story, a meal, a conversation and remaining humble and open to truly get to know people from every walk of life…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1W9v3dSXgpT_nrF2ASvp6j_kz-E650f1QYBUvMT5olxTZeXApOuOaCQF9aZ5OCW7XoLVn-dFoOpilhkswKtl1yNfYwMBHUlhJ5ggWbrQEzWHMC3RoegKsPoemowijE3U1OBFm/s1600/meandcivilengineers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1W9v3dSXgpT_nrF2ASvp6j_kz-E650f1QYBUvMT5olxTZeXApOuOaCQF9aZ5OCW7XoLVn-dFoOpilhkswKtl1yNfYwMBHUlhJ5ggWbrQEzWHMC3RoegKsPoemowijE3U1OBFm/s400/meandcivilengineers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655080711811281682" /></a><br /><br />Of course, there are the luxuries of swimming in the deep blue seas of Greece, marveling at the awe-inspiring temples of Bali, trekking in the jungles of South America and enjoying blissful massages on the beaches of Thailand , but in my heart of hearts, I know that the most profound moments I have had when I am living and traveling overseas are those irreplicable moments of connecting with the local people-there is no souvenir that even comes close. None.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R7PKtJG9x8BKZ3BQ4mPdRTUtenskuTzkPfGioRa6nOX0sRJvTAa3cCwbCIX9nPs1rUQR-NWOARwz74i5DscYs0YX8NPqlvuNOIizstCRd6pVG50egDSUaGeTgBamaHQu26Ed/s1600/melaosboy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R7PKtJG9x8BKZ3BQ4mPdRTUtenskuTzkPfGioRa6nOX0sRJvTAa3cCwbCIX9nPs1rUQR-NWOARwz74i5DscYs0YX8NPqlvuNOIizstCRd6pVG50egDSUaGeTgBamaHQu26Ed/s400/melaosboy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655081866719089906" /></a><br /><br /><br />To be able to share and connect and celebrate in both the differences and similarities of each other’s cultures is truly the way we will slowly have peace become a place in our world. We must put down our guns at last and speak, love,and understand each other first. Egos must be left at the front door as well as hundreds of years of battling for pieces of land that have only become pieces of scarred tissue on Mother Nature’s womb. We must forgive, let go, and move on. Now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYBtOcKQ8gBn6Lo31hijEQz4kULKG5lZQEc90f2Q_lkttb2gepMMi2OPJQBDvRo-ogRVFvqbfMFeIuFuZxzTM8CGd2YUimP1X9hh8g4Hpq7xBOoewAbZwR5ZzGS_24Y-L1wly/s1600/images-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYBtOcKQ8gBn6Lo31hijEQz4kULKG5lZQEc90f2Q_lkttb2gepMMi2OPJQBDvRo-ogRVFvqbfMFeIuFuZxzTM8CGd2YUimP1X9hh8g4Hpq7xBOoewAbZwR5ZzGS_24Y-L1wly/s400/images-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655082347285393154" /></a><br /><br />So on this day of “International Peace”, I would like to say to each and every one of you who has taken the time to read this: “You CAN make a difference. Peace begins with you. Be compassionate- moment to moment. Care about your neighbors, care about your friends, be good to your family and all those around you. Pick up the phone to say “thank you”,” I forgive you”, “I am sorry”. And take time to travel to parts of the world that might scare you or intrigue you. That's right, take the "road less travelled"... I swear you won’t be sorry you did.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEJ_GSDlLpl6E_95xoxHRPiw_A9OqvKwtK6iGZoea25QW6KQjEyYrr7lGtLYFS_Y77vcrHU8Yr57OczfhfeLqLFCfu7_IrsHHZTF5rU_SOc7kqDDYvOs-xgsY_wrF6XqJ3YUa/s1600/images-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEJ_GSDlLpl6E_95xoxHRPiw_A9OqvKwtK6iGZoea25QW6KQjEyYrr7lGtLYFS_Y77vcrHU8Yr57OczfhfeLqLFCfu7_IrsHHZTF5rU_SOc7kqDDYvOs-xgsY_wrF6XqJ3YUa/s400/images-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655083043056469634" /></a><br /><br />Peace.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMcpCvxCpYtnY71ZESyOY00_qVs5xykUEZzd1JJSqCtmHFAMysk8XnDWMEagQbyHVyTShQLY8b-bAtgB4aTj_05nSMuVPg93uUMHqlLrqLfXBHRoDbWNt1_FZIaXKS4GYcbJ3/s1600/boyspeacesigns.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMcpCvxCpYtnY71ZESyOY00_qVs5xykUEZzd1JJSqCtmHFAMysk8XnDWMEagQbyHVyTShQLY8b-bAtgB4aTj_05nSMuVPg93uUMHqlLrqLfXBHRoDbWNt1_FZIaXKS4GYcbJ3/s400/boyspeacesigns.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655083816375738802" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-84119018323518058922011-04-12T11:30:00.017-10:002015-11-07T00:35:46.423-10:0040,000 miles and a little bit wiser...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(Southeast Asia)<br />
<br />
In the past 4 months, I have traveled over 40,000 miles, flown on 26 different airplanes, slept in 18 different hotel/bungalow locations, visited 6 countries, lived on 8 islands (walked around one), taken 16 ferry boat rides, and traveled 100’s of kilometers on a motorbike.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUh08E38g515XMJr8FaL2DrQMiDI__wXQX6QiIhq9nAyH4KHgoVTuk5o92eJX6aCd_XfNUXE1-9KsdqOE7zEZvRA7TBa74WBKYfxu2bCLB38nx5KZLeO5HqxdbvoFFOIsPbcMP/s1600/DSCF9761.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594820427691937234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUh08E38g515XMJr8FaL2DrQMiDI__wXQX6QiIhq9nAyH4KHgoVTuk5o92eJX6aCd_XfNUXE1-9KsdqOE7zEZvRA7TBa74WBKYfxu2bCLB38nx5KZLeO5HqxdbvoFFOIsPbcMP/s400/DSCF9761.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
And yes, to a few people, it might have seemed a bit crazy for me to hop on yet another a plane a week later after returning from Indonesia and travel yet another 8,000 miles to Miami, Florida to do a triathlon just a week after running a 2-week tour hosting 21 people in Thailand and Bali .... <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCaFxhBaq9-sEhAqOPVv6O3FmLJ5QqhUhvI4CULhAkgMTZmx9ggJtWVFEPA2e3DPEndCcTAmQcNbUeeFoTDnQ1qetVtEPM6L3u95lqV_Y9-TD8Pvd79hkiAlrsELOmqdGVhWH/s1600/DSCF9595.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594817908969236178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCaFxhBaq9-sEhAqOPVv6O3FmLJ5QqhUhvI4CULhAkgMTZmx9ggJtWVFEPA2e3DPEndCcTAmQcNbUeeFoTDnQ1qetVtEPM6L3u95lqV_Y9-TD8Pvd79hkiAlrsELOmqdGVhWH/s400/DSCF9595.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
And yes, even in the ridiculous hot and humid 90-degree Florida heat and being completely sleep deprived and jetlagged, I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face, not because I broke any records, but just because-I finished. And that was good enough for me. For now.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlSmm7k7imU6h3OLWGAL-OLL9t9eB1wJQgvSQ1jbH0eIRNllHerXCLGngdt4xJ7yMXVkNrWQFa9i5-utbVQhQ-aTUCTVe5B_OH8SR-hvazFh8hYe0rAMOLs52kCG3b7V1InCI/s1600/end+of+race.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594817911510982402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlSmm7k7imU6h3OLWGAL-OLL9t9eB1wJQgvSQ1jbH0eIRNllHerXCLGngdt4xJ7yMXVkNrWQFa9i5-utbVQhQ-aTUCTVe5B_OH8SR-hvazFh8hYe0rAMOLs52kCG3b7V1InCI/s400/end+of+race.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Nor do I think it is crazy that in 4 weeks time, I get on yet another plane for Greece to host another 2-week tour there before coming home to teaching creative writing to 40 eager middle-schoolers while working on a CD of original piano music...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys78GBJppuZWbpS1t6Gha3fTe_qffZV1Xb15-b944VFi4UCOY0cuUIMFKimz8rLGlqGakdvgMgwrSVUTykMg17CX66KIcvs5uvhjOtSQjNKEKOmE9CAAy9PlSXZAQxkUEDJf1/s1600/sarakiniko+milos+white+rock.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594817902844266850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys78GBJppuZWbpS1t6Gha3fTe_qffZV1Xb15-b944VFi4UCOY0cuUIMFKimz8rLGlqGakdvgMgwrSVUTykMg17CX66KIcvs5uvhjOtSQjNKEKOmE9CAAy9PlSXZAQxkUEDJf1/s400/sarakiniko+milos+white+rock.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
And yup, you guessed it , I am yet on another plane in August when I travel back to Greece to run another 2 week tour of the islands in hopes of continuing on to travel to Africa after that,.,,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5yAx1CXKkx63xsJeYTigfUdMnKBtpi2K4j2xJFKb8IbNuSsBdO0YSe8-7DCLr_mZRpyFtol90elERtAhBWucmZ6UWMsu4cBaq7m2i0xBw-4KpKLJ690znGOm1GpzeFhNwGQp/s1600/home3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5yAx1CXKkx63xsJeYTigfUdMnKBtpi2K4j2xJFKb8IbNuSsBdO0YSe8-7DCLr_mZRpyFtol90elERtAhBWucmZ6UWMsu4cBaq7m2i0xBw-4KpKLJ690znGOm1GpzeFhNwGQp/s400/home3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Am I a bit crazy? perhaps ...<br />
<br />
Does this all sound glamorous ? maybe….<br />
<br />
All the traveling a bit tiresome ? Absolutely….<br />
<br />
Any regrets for any of these experiences ? Absolutely not…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIetfRrlMGTSYq_W2WMlN5hb4juA1UQaYxhve8sGggpffA7LvcAmpNU4pm8crpUQ4Kz15cTt7YSFbcZYQyE0q6-kRTnkma9zK4aRRhhKVL_hUbUMsQqUqnsd0TYtcKVJE1_KAz/s1600/meandcivilengineers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIetfRrlMGTSYq_W2WMlN5hb4juA1UQaYxhve8sGggpffA7LvcAmpNU4pm8crpUQ4Kz15cTt7YSFbcZYQyE0q6-kRTnkma9zK4aRRhhKVL_hUbUMsQqUqnsd0TYtcKVJE1_KAz/s400/meandcivilengineers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is just my life, plain and simple, and I feel a bit silly to even think of any of this info I just shared as any sort of "accomplishment" or that what I am sharing is of any interest to anyone....<br />
<br />
But I do feel compelled to share.<br />
<br />
And this is why...<br />
<br />
All too often, friends either write or tell me in person why they are so inspired by how I am living my life. And while I am truly grateful and humbled by these these kind words and compliments, I am writing this little entry here to remind anyone who is reading this (and who may want "my life") <br />
to please "love <i><b>your</b></i> life" first and foremost....<br />
<br />
All I really have been doing thus far in my life is listening to what dreams I want to accomplish, what places in the world I want to see, and what sort of tests I want to put my mind, spirit and body through .....all the usual “stuff” that many of us often stop and think about, write about, and even sometimes manifest in our life…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrYbGGmzyFyQJg-tWlRZ48c6B91vAB72Di387TfGZd5nhtgpwWeAJvk04UPqXAQQw8rJNSkmpj_Zgoi8728DKRny0n16xPNk13PkoXXoCpFwnBNMtGa_LaWTKnL180r_bQhZ6/s1600/me+with+tiger.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594819479885563730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrYbGGmzyFyQJg-tWlRZ48c6B91vAB72Di387TfGZd5nhtgpwWeAJvk04UPqXAQQw8rJNSkmpj_Zgoi8728DKRny0n16xPNk13PkoXXoCpFwnBNMtGa_LaWTKnL180r_bQhZ6/s400/me+with+tiger.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
You see, I have always wanted to live a life of “no regrets” and this mantra stays with me almost daily as I make choices, often moment-to-moment, of what I want to do, where I want to go, and who I want to be with.<br />
<br />
I say what I need to say , do what I say I am going to do, and try and make sure my “bucket list” continues to get “checked off” as often as I can.<br />
<br />
We really don't have a lot of time to waste sweating the “small stuff”; life is incredibly short and transient and when one loses close friends and family, that phase of realizing mortality knocking at your door truly kicks in....<br />
<br />
So after another 4 months of traveling throughout Southeast Asia and across the US and back, here are a few life lessons I would humbly like to pass on to anyone who is reading this :<br />
<br />
-You will never find the "perfect place" or the "perfect life" until you find peace in yourself. Paradise is a state of mind; you can be living in a state of hell, even in the most beautiful part of the world.<br />
<br />
“You can run, but you can’t hide” so take time to look inside and take care of what needs to be taken care of. Lord knows, I have had some pretty “dark” moments while being in some of the most beautiful idyllic places in the world. Nothing like having a good cry while watching a most beautiful sunset somewhere in the south of Thailand to remind you of how lonely life can feel sometimes when you may be longing for someone or some "thing" that is not there with you.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFk9bGSGWbqAWjdPewyEyQhhgbz6lCHzEkS6VndZAHAoArzxLpPOaWFlbTcMWRX1HaSuLA2BOCHN5YEm2xAvGbr-4V6B98H2AFovIYKypAK1l6zYlBcfY13BQQiWMVOH9v7Md/s1600/DSCF9346.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594819897642189970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFk9bGSGWbqAWjdPewyEyQhhgbz6lCHzEkS6VndZAHAoArzxLpPOaWFlbTcMWRX1HaSuLA2BOCHN5YEm2xAvGbr-4V6B98H2AFovIYKypAK1l6zYlBcfY13BQQiWMVOH9v7Md/s400/DSCF9346.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
-Life is short- make your dreams happen now ; don’t wait till tomorrow, or next month or next year to start making them happen. Get the ball rolling now and do everything you possibly can to write “that list” and start checking it off as soon as possible<br />
<br />
-Follow your bliss, the money will come…Do what you love and become the very best at whatever you do…integrate this passion into your daily life….and if you are loving what you do, I swear the money will come…<br />
<br />
I am forever grateful that I still get to do things I love ( teach, play music, travel) and still get paid for it. I think this is what success is all about: not how much you make with what you do, but how much you enjoy what you do while making it ...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDWXGrwo2DKBQrcQv78tNbfBgE7Jxo3MkWn0AM88RTkzDqfN5Ia3DDzKIzLmtuziPBi-lMRLouqy0RobPOw0KP-yLi-mpHRAvRamWxfWox1TXsVa4HKu9RX9Swbnco9_8Nm-D/s1600/DSCF9082.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594822377726165346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDWXGrwo2DKBQrcQv78tNbfBgE7Jxo3MkWn0AM88RTkzDqfN5Ia3DDzKIzLmtuziPBi-lMRLouqy0RobPOw0KP-yLi-mpHRAvRamWxfWox1TXsVa4HKu9RX9Swbnco9_8Nm-D/s400/DSCF9082.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
-Simplify your life... "Less is more".... truly it is…<br />
<br />
I have found that living out of a simple carry-on bag for months at a time has proven to me that I am happiest when I have the least amount of “stuff” around me. This frees us all to be open to all the wonders of the world around us, including being able to take the time to meet some of the many amazing people that walk this planet with you.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydF-xTL4XdHn8IUwGje3QLD4iL4jYA39sMKHYDSuvXWX1DQIkJjhYLJ9glwp2o36DVti_6X8G4KpAmXSi-scFWZBvVc2T1fLPr70DK3ksj8gKR0mQq-EFxeRVkge7HXUmTBYT/s1600/barakmeroni.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594823333152970098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydF-xTL4XdHn8IUwGje3QLD4iL4jYA39sMKHYDSuvXWX1DQIkJjhYLJ9glwp2o36DVti_6X8G4KpAmXSi-scFWZBvVc2T1fLPr70DK3ksj8gKR0mQq-EFxeRVkge7HXUmTBYT/s400/barakmeroni.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
-Continue to evaluate what is important in your life and make them your priority….<br />
<br />
For me, the “biggies” in my life are: Family, friends, my health, the ocean, surrounding myself with children and animals, exploring new and peaceful environments where I can rest and retreat, and continuing to nurture my creative spirit through music, theater, and the arts.<br />
<br />
These “biggies’ have been pretty consistently around me throughout much of my life but as I travel more and more over the years, the concept of home, peace, close friends/family, and being close to the ocean have become more paramount.This is what fuels my soul, this is what fuels my creative fire.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFtlIj-5nup9H6SXPBB4vlmstR21IvDB6gPrALfGGyycM5jwVUhIPQ7JV0z7fmCIzdgWfAG8Pc9v08zF1s4ijpRhiw7d2q5ag5jMGs1tyZgBXGM-4C_0dArK9zLDuXgT3PhGT/s1600/IMG_0619.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594823330524603026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFtlIj-5nup9H6SXPBB4vlmstR21IvDB6gPrALfGGyycM5jwVUhIPQ7JV0z7fmCIzdgWfAG8Pc9v08zF1s4ijpRhiw7d2q5ag5jMGs1tyZgBXGM-4C_0dArK9zLDuXgT3PhGT/s400/IMG_0619.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
-Life is all a choice. Never underestimate the power you have to create your destiny. It can all change overnight by you saying “yes, I will - and can..” just do it...<br />
<br />
-Last, but certainly not least:<br />
<br />
Live your life with as much daily gratitude and awareness as possible. Life is so much more "full" and fulfilling this way. Your eyes become open to so much more beauty and your heart becomes so much more ‘filled’ when you can appreciate the gifts in every moment in this “thing” we are given called “life”… <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1nESoNoXwiinIzNH2YFuPopYYHwshvVnASMX82o1M5HvtbadyiPSr6slLhuJGNmdv-7VSfK5HKRRcRHHseT8Lm676m3P44BdRqYB72p3SfWKRLQ_QYYVkIB1dak_mTz3qE3b/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594824205229778178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1nESoNoXwiinIzNH2YFuPopYYHwshvVnASMX82o1M5HvtbadyiPSr6slLhuJGNmdv-7VSfK5HKRRcRHHseT8Lm676m3P44BdRqYB72p3SfWKRLQ_QYYVkIB1dak_mTz3qE3b/s400/IMG_0245.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
So, as I end this entry and yet another 4-month journey, I want to say thank you- plain and simple-to every single person who has crossed my path these past few months and put a smile on my face and in my heart. No souvenir can ever replace the gift of experience and friendships and for this reason alone, I feel like the richest person alive…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNZo8KgvLUd5UIWv3C_bwl6clrZYGyLv9WG2NneB6C5kEdeKtugYCUQbgsY3XEQxxJ75f5eTPLd3ElLrE-iNPmCOaTr1RyXZxldZorSLG0Kzl-SizMCBmKKqHxN53AivUWSqj/s1600/me+on+bungalow+ko+tao.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594824199864706962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNZo8KgvLUd5UIWv3C_bwl6clrZYGyLv9WG2NneB6C5kEdeKtugYCUQbgsY3XEQxxJ75f5eTPLd3ElLrE-iNPmCOaTr1RyXZxldZorSLG0Kzl-SizMCBmKKqHxN53AivUWSqj/s400/me+on+bungalow+ko+tao.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Until we all meet again….</div>
melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-997995775238543302011-02-14T02:27:00.011-10:002015-11-06T16:13:54.487-10:00Looking for love in all the right places- Happy Valentine's day...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So today is Valentine’s day..that dreaded day for so many who feel alone and are alone on this day of supposed romance and chocolate…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPKopBUBovF4npOu4Fa8TLCTNH-TFeAfPAVEJT95Ji4qGdYqhqXIJCkN5WiB9RtPpqV8h2tLJaiyeCM2g8RRI2Mr8reanLQ0j2f_HQBbn8CHXb3qHBYSNYy9TY_2sYcLLWDhU/s1600/Precious-love-roses-and-chocolate.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573529984471895298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPKopBUBovF4npOu4Fa8TLCTNH-TFeAfPAVEJT95Ji4qGdYqhqXIJCkN5WiB9RtPpqV8h2tLJaiyeCM2g8RRI2Mr8reanLQ0j2f_HQBbn8CHXb3qHBYSNYy9TY_2sYcLLWDhU/s400/Precious-love-roses-and-chocolate.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
It is almost impossible to ignore all those romantic messages everywhere you look; roses and champagne here, sunset kisses there, scenes of romantic dinners and walks everywhere you turn…I even see scenes like this on my little remote island here in the south of thailand…go figure..<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcMIwEYAEOaaR9YTFW7X91nRR-eLgIc49GA3w2p-a_dXs7DAfqVX8HGPY5JFzvHbPkFyoQZ8ApLMqo7WmYdhkifPg2fbBhJIpvtRWfW2Qz7LtbGhznqi02z8P6i9uKH_AkCv2/s1600/monkeyshug+buddha.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573523416028984450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcMIwEYAEOaaR9YTFW7X91nRR-eLgIc49GA3w2p-a_dXs7DAfqVX8HGPY5JFzvHbPkFyoQZ8ApLMqo7WmYdhkifPg2fbBhJIpvtRWfW2Qz7LtbGhznqi02z8P6i9uKH_AkCv2/s400/monkeyshug+buddha.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 325px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Hallmark Cards has a monopoly on this day and my hats off to every single marketing exec who had a part in this so-called “holiday” that claims to celebrate love and romance…<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfkHaq1gOqcSQmUsS9i0sddvWDwy0gR_7xmp_Ms6S-hxc0ymztdkzusD3D8CVhUUp6pwREHG2yBABcBC-r57ISKSW4mLFWIwQx2yDhG8_uNPBcNrG1U8ffceOcw7GlnSgnB8P/s1600/cupid-valentines-day1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573523577375933746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfkHaq1gOqcSQmUsS9i0sddvWDwy0gR_7xmp_Ms6S-hxc0ymztdkzusD3D8CVhUUp6pwREHG2yBABcBC-r57ISKSW4mLFWIwQx2yDhG8_uNPBcNrG1U8ffceOcw7GlnSgnB8P/s400/cupid-valentines-day1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 277px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
But for the majority of the planet, this is just another day-and another day spent with the same stresses of yesterday and with the hopes of a perhaps better tomorrow…<br />
<br />
And for someone like me , here on a tiny island in the south of Thailand, this was just another day but made more full and alive because I made a choice….<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JRO7eke_fe-42cvApYqSCfE1kT-YFONy6AnizYpPig7S8Uwec64ixR8nkq6bvPn-HInU3NFIQKAhnCDvZvZanJsV_qySxgIHkHEwv37vTkv6jM5Lp7uHINo9bQFvdR-HlQsN/s1600/gan+and+me.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573523827906907538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JRO7eke_fe-42cvApYqSCfE1kT-YFONy6AnizYpPig7S8Uwec64ixR8nkq6bvPn-HInU3NFIQKAhnCDvZvZanJsV_qySxgIHkHEwv37vTkv6jM5Lp7uHINo9bQFvdR-HlQsN/s400/gan+and+me.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
That’s right. I made a choice not to get sucked up in this whole notion that if you are “alone" , there is something wrong with you or something to be sad about. No siree-I woke up this morning refusing to go “down” in any way whatsoever…Hallmark was not going to trap me nor was any kissing couple on the beach or champagne bottle I heard popping in the distance.<br />
<br />
Today was going to be a day about giving love back to me, something I know I forget to do quite often. And I sense I am not alone on this one..<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO5QLaVhOdQpBqRKPnTt6S2VzPS4cLE5jkQkkMMkq1E0IRYFdzeY3nREDSyleticvrhjtZvjF4L01f_wb7J28GCmLBI9qAdFnXBlXcXdV5pd_TdWo_0mVsIlw6VWSLJPc9QFF/s1600/buddha+face.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573527781132838770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO5QLaVhOdQpBqRKPnTt6S2VzPS4cLE5jkQkkMMkq1E0IRYFdzeY3nREDSyleticvrhjtZvjF4L01f_wb7J28GCmLBI9qAdFnXBlXcXdV5pd_TdWo_0mVsIlw6VWSLJPc9QFF/s400/buddha+face.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
So today became a day of remembering a great lesson-and I was inspired by a Buddhist quote that I came across just a few days ago :<br />
<br />
"You can explore the universe looking for somebody who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and you will not find that person anywhere..."<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSXslyDtI0zEFsC4VuIS1jnmje1e3mV8JhOqVI-mmsV4BHq8X3tukfI5dUldiqexjjSs3cQJ5ExfhsRpUA8MOYqY98PKDZnESd6r3HNqezlSKJTbswm7F9rtErCKvsIZI4Pjt/s1600/i+love+you+in+sand.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573524130083842738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSXslyDtI0zEFsC4VuIS1jnmje1e3mV8JhOqVI-mmsV4BHq8X3tukfI5dUldiqexjjSs3cQJ5ExfhsRpUA8MOYqY98PKDZnESd6r3HNqezlSKJTbswm7F9rtErCKvsIZI4Pjt/s400/i+love+you+in+sand.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 350px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
As hard as that is for me (and I suspect a few others)to swallow, this quote is correct in every way…<br />
<br />
I think most of us going through so much of our lives searching for love, truth , and happiness in every way and every place and person possible. We want to believe that “this place” or “that person” or “that thing” is going to complete us, make us whole, make us feel love like we have never experienced before…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVpJM8ahBiCWX5Y7OLKOgKm3Dk2iokLSrbQEOm8tmv5SkuoWQ8p6gpPACroQLjZ6JaCdYLVWkeLY5EhUB8Bgihxl8k1VOEQAHdRSLYpB7fRfMZvPH7tyCUy140u4iwozOw4E1/s1600/runonpraae.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573524963351664306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVpJM8ahBiCWX5Y7OLKOgKm3Dk2iokLSrbQEOm8tmv5SkuoWQ8p6gpPACroQLjZ6JaCdYLVWkeLY5EhUB8Bgihxl8k1VOEQAHdRSLYpB7fRfMZvPH7tyCUy140u4iwozOw4E1/s400/runonpraae.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 334px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
It is all for naught.<br />
<br />
Really, it is . I feel like I could write a book at this point ( and maybe I will) about the dozens of times I felt like I found “it” in my life through a person, place, or experience I had…but it is all transient;<br />
<br />
everything comes and goes in life- even love , even life…<br />
<br />
And the only thing I have found that is constant is the love you can give yourself-that inner “best friend” that can make you laugh, pick you up, cradle you when you need it most and when you feel no one else is around…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kPukRW7a03F5nXlNk3Csfv69PHQ6PNuti9azJkdmPis-R0IkO-0ZCnS2bTYLk2TU6giNjt9KfEXERmUSRxdK3-qwgn2AY4Xs7So836J4FFxscTdcusZftUHx71h57iwZLIt6/s1600/self+hugging.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573529440173560786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kPukRW7a03F5nXlNk3Csfv69PHQ6PNuti9azJkdmPis-R0IkO-0ZCnS2bTYLk2TU6giNjt9KfEXERmUSRxdK3-qwgn2AY4Xs7So836J4FFxscTdcusZftUHx71h57iwZLIt6/s400/self+hugging.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 284px;" /></a><br />
<br />
So to all of you who have taken the time to read this, I say to you 3 words: <br />
“Love yourself first"-it is not selfish, wrong, or hurtful..it sounds clichéd, used too frequently in new age tapes and books, but it is a truth that cannot be overlooked…pain and suffering will just ensue otherwise…<br />
<br />
And as I pop open my bottle of “valentine” champagne tonight, I will make a toast to all of you…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY4a1dCWMr4eiq1yu8D-crWW0kJ2YWYc3P2xt9hqgB_g5Te5bqdSL7mIj75d_XhVKgTS6wdHzSFsH3Jz4hpwknqf8g4MaktP5Jl0RegJSttiNbrTasOTuf6pkCWaRFcr2cRO4/s1600/Champagne_Pop.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573526816004014882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY4a1dCWMr4eiq1yu8D-crWW0kJ2YWYc3P2xt9hqgB_g5Te5bqdSL7mIj75d_XhVKgTS6wdHzSFsH3Jz4hpwknqf8g4MaktP5Jl0RegJSttiNbrTasOTuf6pkCWaRFcr2cRO4/s400/Champagne_Pop.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 385px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
And to me-for just taking the time to try and “get it”…..<br />
<br />
Happy valentines day- may you always feel the love within you shining and smiling upon your soul.<br />
<br />
</div>
melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-68198471985426083942011-02-01T04:17:00.011-10:002014-02-01T21:43:54.857-10:00"all Americans are fat and carry guns" and other ' grand conclusions' I hear on the road...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QPYMqFgiW2Ym8srgdqGYq4Rq596nLiW79EH6FH6jeag4yNj8pmibkPp9ctApEBESuHl_TWrC7vivgqLiCJxd6stLhe8bX49_-3b319Wiya2JZ4JnnIWr5_SFkdBb5A1A7owt/s1600/US-fatso.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QPYMqFgiW2Ym8srgdqGYq4Rq596nLiW79EH6FH6jeag4yNj8pmibkPp9ctApEBESuHl_TWrC7vivgqLiCJxd6stLhe8bX49_-3b319Wiya2JZ4JnnIWr5_SFkdBb5A1A7owt/s400/US-fatso.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568730667000089522" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 313px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
I am always wary of people who make sweeping generalizations of a country, its people, and its culture based on a visit that consisted of only a few days or even a week or two…<br />
<br />
I don’t know why but I think this may be one of my biggest pet peeves of all time. Perhaps I hear “ego” screaming when I come across these people in my travels or when I read travel blogs where the author claims to “know it all” about a country based on his or her stay in a 4-star hotel for the weekend in Delhi or a in a well-run family resort on some nice secluded island in the south of Thailand..<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6jI4eW9EZfNGCmY2ONvurGUc88YYF2ySXMYpdU_R5Vy9zGhbnVQFv0rJjudHKBXuswi-oEoMPjrVkLffF5q9FVM-yJbJDg5B-BDCJ5ZKZ-r1w7PjlVowls4cv60iFP59NXIy/s1600/pool+resort.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6jI4eW9EZfNGCmY2ONvurGUc88YYF2ySXMYpdU_R5Vy9zGhbnVQFv0rJjudHKBXuswi-oEoMPjrVkLffF5q9FVM-yJbJDg5B-BDCJ5ZKZ-r1w7PjlVowls4cv60iFP59NXIy/s400/pool+resort.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568732110444723026" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 254px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Please don’t tell me India is “all this way or that” based on your one- week trip to Delhi or that Thailand is “just like this...” based on your fun weekend getaway to Phuket or that your 3-day visit to Saigon made you think ALL Vientamese people are a certain way and that they all think “this way” about Americans and the war…”<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQywMDfHobp_GcALhKgnIO632DFo6xi-QCqAHnAZOGAAmuy9bzPAIhyphenhyphenpCMcVlxoAECwFxMkLgOM7lvbjLi2zkvTMtxYaLNDqlGX1w3Y3z4bg_LB8THDryyzJm3Qc0oaeL_3wrw/s1600/manwcoconutsmiles.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQywMDfHobp_GcALhKgnIO632DFo6xi-QCqAHnAZOGAAmuy9bzPAIhyphenhyphenpCMcVlxoAECwFxMkLgOM7lvbjLi2zkvTMtxYaLNDqlGX1w3Y3z4bg_LB8THDryyzJm3Qc0oaeL_3wrw/s400/manwcoconutsmiles.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568732764071054498" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <br />
<br />
Say what you feel and feel what you say, of course, but for godsakes, please don’t speak for an entire nation and it people….<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZIquoSwhRXkPMQPeShCzWrxQnBqRrMs1NWo4An9mIJG_8QVdqqWfKI3JO6LKWrFDwHEKiyO0ai98iXciANghLrIaFRz_H74GU9z6UCFwyXMZMD9A2dTGTrvHjZd4KLPCh9if/s1600/racism.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZIquoSwhRXkPMQPeShCzWrxQnBqRrMs1NWo4An9mIJG_8QVdqqWfKI3JO6LKWrFDwHEKiyO0ai98iXciANghLrIaFRz_H74GU9z6UCFwyXMZMD9A2dTGTrvHjZd4KLPCh9if/s400/racism.gif" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568733858685543058" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
What “gets my goat” even more is when I hear that these so-called “seasoned” travelers often never have one conversation with a local person while they were away – not one. And even if they did, how on earth can one darn conversation give anyone insight into an entire country after just a few minutes of a conversation? (If someone can tell me how this is truly possible, please write me asap so I can rid myself of this pet peeve – please, I would be forever indebted…)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7DAgpbhPSzp7IRCYGR1vjye5dsjESxl16MceYABXd3059Gyx6zLUKtRJFgnGuuB8YVyPrI1KzjOsmnuSxJ7wc4Qj6RKRAPnkCbGImx7jIoZXnFA6eXh7D3Dc0TWwuWnQmeWK/s1600/Duct-Tape-Mouth.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7DAgpbhPSzp7IRCYGR1vjye5dsjESxl16MceYABXd3059Gyx6zLUKtRJFgnGuuB8YVyPrI1KzjOsmnuSxJ7wc4Qj6RKRAPnkCbGImx7jIoZXnFA6eXh7D3Dc0TWwuWnQmeWK/s400/Duct-Tape-Mouth.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568735091700062738" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 265px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
For to make sweeping generalizations about any place or people (even your own..) is incredibly ridiculous and absurd to me- it always has been. It is like someone telling me “All Americans are fat and love fast food and carry guns” or “I hate American Airlines and they suck and I will never fly them again because the one flight I took with them was 2 hours late and I missed my connection to LA and my stomach got a bug after I ate their meal and I couldn’t sleep because of the baby sitting next to me, and I didn’t like the color of their seats and my finger nail broke when I turned the bathroom door<br />
( okay, I diverge a bit here but you get my drift..)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe_yPKukp7TrgHsxsrMu-Tx7GVRNtCtQzGWUZMhETdpmWXtFq_hoN776XFQWZrPU4o2wNtqcbJKjZdB9Vq3-yCUJ2DknFYBIwLBXNDSJ2SEo9bEscYVfeXjrHg459lsRqYvFW/s1600/complaining.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe_yPKukp7TrgHsxsrMu-Tx7GVRNtCtQzGWUZMhETdpmWXtFq_hoN776XFQWZrPU4o2wNtqcbJKjZdB9Vq3-yCUJ2DknFYBIwLBXNDSJ2SEo9bEscYVfeXjrHg459lsRqYvFW/s400/complaining.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568736436989694178" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
So what would I love to hear from you travelers instead ? How ‘bout some truth and honesty about what YOUR day or week was like in India, Thailand, Vietnam, or wherever…Just tell me what YOU saw, who you spoke with, what your learned, what insight you may have gained about a cultural practice….I really don’t want to hear about your conclusion of an entire people and their nation based on some made-up bullshit you overheard from the drunken guy in the back seat of the bus you took from the airport to your Westin hotel in Hong Kong. Makes for a fun story, for sure, but don’t go telling me you know the Chinese people based on this 20-minute escapade.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08hwN9ZW5tYZmgHDNE4A_NS8olZhrkeKH3w1DNiFOMu_3yoV5aj_mHi0xmuuFV0UpPaui6IENFtrmGpfLDXfVLNjweELKx1JxhRexn02m6m6Vd-DFw-UKsYeeiDtPZIZNJhfx/s1600/passed-out-on-the-bus.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08hwN9ZW5tYZmgHDNE4A_NS8olZhrkeKH3w1DNiFOMu_3yoV5aj_mHi0xmuuFV0UpPaui6IENFtrmGpfLDXfVLNjweELKx1JxhRexn02m6m6Vd-DFw-UKsYeeiDtPZIZNJhfx/s400/passed-out-on-the-bus.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568737731302268482" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Please- tell me instead about the beautiful wide-eyed child you took the time to play ball with in the schoolyard or the old lady at the street corner in Bangkok who you finally stopped to speak with after passing her and her noodle-shop for over a week.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvo96bCYA4wp-48ys_YQsa_hkerMSsMdpZqoTnbMfXU2xqcDKEl7YxqmsFR1HdCfPT6u1FMZ_7c_qg7rldHEDKK8dFELjVMqbOtaJjGa8thoJfCbDcWK1XP4RmE0I0fv_LVVV/s1600/kohjumoasmile.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvo96bCYA4wp-48ys_YQsa_hkerMSsMdpZqoTnbMfXU2xqcDKEl7YxqmsFR1HdCfPT6u1FMZ_7c_qg7rldHEDKK8dFELjVMqbOtaJjGa8thoJfCbDcWK1XP4RmE0I0fv_LVVV/s400/kohjumoasmile.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568738079002937890" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 373px;" /></a><br />
<br />
or tell me about the dinner you had with the Muslim family who invited you over to their house for dinner and played cards with you till dawn …<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz98mstZg3HAeTivUUv0Gg71DN2UQleNRau7HKkUlVkXj5LlhGj2hWwDPKxAXNJr7oVL4-Y2llcUJOGilcVpIlfoij6txmK8CpEHjEOcg3A_ONJkRNeS5jupOU99rZuZYqQnLe/s1600/DSCF9422.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz98mstZg3HAeTivUUv0Gg71DN2UQleNRau7HKkUlVkXj5LlhGj2hWwDPKxAXNJr7oVL4-Y2llcUJOGilcVpIlfoij6txmK8CpEHjEOcg3A_ONJkRNeS5jupOU99rZuZYqQnLe/s400/DSCF9422.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568738826275710978" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
or the Balinese taxi driver who drove you to his personal family temple where you got to sit and pray to side-by –side as Buddha smiled above you both…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZVQmkgdGYuH2XWDr9kosAMYOA8ZfZW6GPgYWUTAW8t0rJRhj_OYK-bGlc4bbJX9H8GvgMysOub8EUJ9Sl9c3C2pcZCevY5nwWj1gHha8um2hcyAz7WAOzDHu4Hg9sUMLhXwg/s1600/f7731e89ebc9244a15022f3c6060_grande.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZVQmkgdGYuH2XWDr9kosAMYOA8ZfZW6GPgYWUTAW8t0rJRhj_OYK-bGlc4bbJX9H8GvgMysOub8EUJ9Sl9c3C2pcZCevY5nwWj1gHha8um2hcyAz7WAOzDHu4Hg9sUMLhXwg/s400/f7731e89ebc9244a15022f3c6060_grande.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568740010919370162" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 247px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Tell me about the shy Thai man who had the courage to open his heart to you and share his deep joy that his girlfriend finally called and “wants him back”…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuP-TauFE49yCSQ-43HNwSE3FITBI-vhB3l_kuINtnUQNbXSbJaFbo10fIhIKprmpP8Dr9y9VEzQyVRTAx0W4MqhYLrIian1vVxfldjj81cxHl3Q3CMti-_uYDECsEaLaQ82R/s1600/65b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuP-TauFE49yCSQ-43HNwSE3FITBI-vhB3l_kuINtnUQNbXSbJaFbo10fIhIKprmpP8Dr9y9VEzQyVRTAx0W4MqhYLrIian1vVxfldjj81cxHl3Q3CMti-_uYDECsEaLaQ82R/s400/65b.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568740460713870754" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 277px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
… or the story about the humble and hard-working owner of the local Vietnamese supermarket whose wife just gave birth to a baby boy today but he still has to be there to run the shop because he couldn’t afford to pay for extra help..<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-veAqY1T0xNuMDkN3RcmjjHlyIcKwxAm2OaRVOUumnw1JpAp7jszY-7fMk34Sq4EHWkra6MR_vAbhw7UhVyF-uRb51oa0I3_a4pIYiC4wuya7M1GRc4rY00RYugFdT2CVmxys/s1600/cbImage-11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-veAqY1T0xNuMDkN3RcmjjHlyIcKwxAm2OaRVOUumnw1JpAp7jszY-7fMk34Sq4EHWkra6MR_vAbhw7UhVyF-uRb51oa0I3_a4pIYiC4wuya7M1GRc4rY00RYugFdT2CVmxys/s400/cbImage-11.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568748534446275474" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Or how bout this heart-wrenching moment that literally just occurred as I took a break moments ago to pay for my room here in Bali. I was saying good bye to one of my favorite Balinese receptionists, and was giving her a big hug, thanking her for all her help . I then started to ask her about her family..She mentioned she had 2 young boys but said she had a daughter who “left a long time ago” and then I went silent…Seconds later I find out her daughter died during birth and that she only had a few moments to see her alive before she passed…and then she adds “She was very beautiful with big brown eyes.. and she even had your nose”…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMFO6uEu9r2I722fYi_ghAgCRGX6slfjFc7FnoAutcH28AA5Wnr_g2M6ZIb123_tEBheHmOj3aacneM39g6gz7xUkNq9UkuRu-apsDvpPHbFtsSe4nOr7hY8hr2nvIzqEdFWd/s1600/flim.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMFO6uEu9r2I722fYi_ghAgCRGX6slfjFc7FnoAutcH28AA5Wnr_g2M6ZIb123_tEBheHmOj3aacneM39g6gz7xUkNq9UkuRu-apsDvpPHbFtsSe4nOr7hY8hr2nvIzqEdFWd/s400/flim.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568742511037118306" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
These are the sort of moments that just stop me dead in my tracks..for they become moments where all “veils of differences” between cultures and people are dropped- instantly….<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO41zm7RJCUAQz30Guq5zwWRdGxqoAlTJoD7hWmW1CzZXOfoPjrfqYGCXwbnJ5Bibr-Iaha57rQIzk_PNJ6Bxwky9e_cHrN-OU_PGvyo26CwW2OckwS6_lGTBdNP-hYobb9kHF/s1600/DSCF9564.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO41zm7RJCUAQz30Guq5zwWRdGxqoAlTJoD7hWmW1CzZXOfoPjrfqYGCXwbnJ5Bibr-Iaha57rQIzk_PNJ6Bxwky9e_cHrN-OU_PGvyo26CwW2OckwS6_lGTBdNP-hYobb9kHF/s400/DSCF9564.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568743217317487426" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
...for It really doesn’t matter to me what god you pray to, or what side of the street you choose to drive on or how you dress or what you eat…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCTa8rw6eWyLLQwRmYviD9OgT2Lc1-3ooSPnWRSPZU6-J6DWXqNGyZRCtYdA04rYJC_jdl0NhMlEM5XjNMVc0ecPeVUtoqpnbZkFFNPxgPi3r-FKYsYbWGS3mPXUA2fiubKMp/s1600/woman_with_burka_2555768_424x283.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCTa8rw6eWyLLQwRmYviD9OgT2Lc1-3ooSPnWRSPZU6-J6DWXqNGyZRCtYdA04rYJC_jdl0NhMlEM5XjNMVc0ecPeVUtoqpnbZkFFNPxgPi3r-FKYsYbWGS3mPXUA2fiubKMp/s400/woman_with_burka_2555768_424x283.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568743713461484418" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
I want to know what makes you tick, what breaks your heart, what makes you want to get up in the morning, what would you risk your life for, who you would jump in the fire with…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdV-q9p-hy8RU2JM0oJoDE3acuqmQv5T9oyDWI5s6uV5TYTvMD0uSjZ4ldXMPyJWlRGADYl0OxS3w-MX0w0sAB06QiRy4X7L-LeGjyDzMMwxKxVM2RDOPOMgZMRUEvsqTl8dS/s1600/firey-fire-heart-passion1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdV-q9p-hy8RU2JM0oJoDE3acuqmQv5T9oyDWI5s6uV5TYTvMD0uSjZ4ldXMPyJWlRGADYl0OxS3w-MX0w0sAB06QiRy4X7L-LeGjyDzMMwxKxVM2RDOPOMgZMRUEvsqTl8dS/s400/firey-fire-heart-passion1.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568744423938963234" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
And the only conclusion I dare to make from all the many years I have been traveling is that we as humans are all so much more connected in similarities than we are in differences- We are humans first, afterall…and with this amazing commonality brings yet an even more amazing possibility to focus on the spirit that connects us all…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbC333l08xwomInE-fMEDcDe_BaMJT3kiuSKf6kgwimOFEpnNVctiMaXrq-9Cfq3_YDYf7PVKhv5pC8VJisvXrAcR3WC-GLexX4ML-i8Uz52n9EWZCEcmCtXAwuqHtrp8IQbQ/s1600/meandcivilengineers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbC333l08xwomInE-fMEDcDe_BaMJT3kiuSKf6kgwimOFEpnNVctiMaXrq-9Cfq3_YDYf7PVKhv5pC8VJisvXrAcR3WC-GLexX4ML-i8Uz52n9EWZCEcmCtXAwuqHtrp8IQbQ/s400/meandcivilengineers.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568745527473166146" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 277px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
And if I ever come across to others as a “know it all” about travel or anything else for that matter. , I will stop dead in my tracks and just go home. And stay there. <br />
<br />
Happy trails….<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4mh7ZMicLstVDLNIkHL4HRR4WRD4gGOJaxE-DERpaS-BWf0LN9VzPH-W7FZ4W0BpWs6PTp1qWmIExw3bmyIsl_wJf5yYppMq4IoVb4366AM-2zT0_HgmugxZiBxAWNfxFgro/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4mh7ZMicLstVDLNIkHL4HRR4WRD4gGOJaxE-DERpaS-BWf0LN9VzPH-W7FZ4W0BpWs6PTp1qWmIExw3bmyIsl_wJf5yYppMq4IoVb4366AM-2zT0_HgmugxZiBxAWNfxFgro/s400/IMG_0284.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568746457828767778" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-19119533682503353662011-01-08T15:29:00.008-10:002016-01-09T01:54:05.260-10:00Buddha lives in Bangkok...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh yes he does, I see him smiling everywhere…every corner I turn, he is there in some form or fashion, whether it is in the smiles of the young children playing in Lumpini park ...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6Pajqwpl_9h_AdytX7Sm8C1IsUR81mexjo6IY8go7junJvRAvVEBGwRLL2Og0SQK50fW4uiD60YTuxat5jQOlQYc8sWJzyxJRXDe21pQFQAoaijqK6agYb5SGlHFkcPvwdj4/s1600/thai_children.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559992767137535106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6Pajqwpl_9h_AdytX7Sm8C1IsUR81mexjo6IY8go7junJvRAvVEBGwRLL2Og0SQK50fW4uiD60YTuxat5jQOlQYc8sWJzyxJRXDe21pQFQAoaijqK6agYb5SGlHFkcPvwdj4/s400/thai_children.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
or in the blind beggar who is singing “Feelings” for the 10th time that morning in the blazing heat under the noisy train tracks that reeks with the smell of heavy incense and stale urine….<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhhnqj6nDR6NJ8W08FXK6y1BNTKjllrPrXqwtQoDMAiD2-3MmJOtJKK1j6ht8i2YP7d_yMQBmb6N7pV_qJTKIlBzBHdlIcm7NJHiiLkQa_srZrJOx_f6TWzI9iTOqAj-CnnWf/s1600/blind+beggar.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559992768030627874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhhnqj6nDR6NJ8W08FXK6y1BNTKjllrPrXqwtQoDMAiD2-3MmJOtJKK1j6ht8i2YP7d_yMQBmb6N7pV_qJTKIlBzBHdlIcm7NJHiiLkQa_srZrJOx_f6TWzI9iTOqAj-CnnWf/s400/blind+beggar.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 226px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Buddha really is alive and well in Bangkok and after coming to this city for over 12 years, I think I finally have it figured out. Bangkok is sort of like life: If you don’t like it, you can leave, passively watching it from the sidelines, numbing yourself from the reality of what “is”. But if you choose to be a part of it, to truly dive into the beautiful ebb and flow of all the chaos that is here, you can’t help but take delight in all the wondrous surprises that await you with every corner you turn. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UnK1P3gF6WxkgG9L2TvG1iuN19vs5gE31Z9BdFjhQ_jBM7HbCrRSyiZO6Wr5xkdBPR3MzJeePZoMVlmWVEvtDfYFMWMQdg8ypdHK7aENI_Hm6xZvd8tk4xpMrGZhlR7bqD7z/s1600/wat_arun%252C_bangkok%252C_thailand.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559994219741655330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UnK1P3gF6WxkgG9L2TvG1iuN19vs5gE31Z9BdFjhQ_jBM7HbCrRSyiZO6Wr5xkdBPR3MzJeePZoMVlmWVEvtDfYFMWMQdg8ypdHK7aENI_Hm6xZvd8tk4xpMrGZhlR7bqD7z/s400/wat_arun%252C_bangkok%252C_thailand.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Bangkok doesn’t try to be anything else than what it is; there is no pretentiousness about it whatsoever. It is big, it is crowded, it is noisy, and there is traffic on the roads that just never ceases. Street beggars are scattered everywhere though they are all very polite and do not come to you or bug you in any way; they sit or stand quietly on the curbs, singing a song, holding a baby or two, or just calmly rock back and forth crossed- legged waiting for the next jingle of a coin to hit their bucket.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFU26y4tYgE1BT68R5UcH-b_Az4cSNG76IthFDh-lVRkFkj779Ls75J3cbF69Cqa1yO_8QryWn1sVa5wwx2D83jPR9YDpNWbxL0g7Vfn6UGNi51G1cMetsP7BGvgS6GPFJP2E/s1600/bangkok+traffic.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559992775674948434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFU26y4tYgE1BT68R5UcH-b_Az4cSNG76IthFDh-lVRkFkj779Ls75J3cbF69Cqa1yO_8QryWn1sVa5wwx2D83jPR9YDpNWbxL0g7Vfn6UGNi51G1cMetsP7BGvgS6GPFJP2E/s400/bangkok+traffic.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Its people are some of the hardest working people I have ever seen; day and night they are out on the streets selling their foods and wares, always with a smile, and always with the knowledge that there might not be more than a few customers that actually buy something for the day. But they show up. Day after day. They do not give up. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAnHrZ5cL2j2M_XZKZQz_vbf9VoHYoNXCw2gWN_tACgTu5YQIditKcvdpCHr-s-UjA3kLKYC-RuzA663O7rxof5ZX0Rer1M2ZEDGveEAjbBN7Nu5NFlCAFANnn7TRavEDYNrE/s1600/woman+street+vendor.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559994221661045186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAnHrZ5cL2j2M_XZKZQz_vbf9VoHYoNXCw2gWN_tACgTu5YQIditKcvdpCHr-s-UjA3kLKYC-RuzA663O7rxof5ZX0Rer1M2ZEDGveEAjbBN7Nu5NFlCAFANnn7TRavEDYNrE/s400/woman+street+vendor.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 341px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Their physical and spiritual resilience is palpable-for only 6 months ago, this city was under a state of shock and siege as opposing political forces fought each other the good ol’ fashioned way- on the streets, with sling shots, bombs and stones. Government buildings were shut down as were some of the cities largest shopping malls. It was devastating to see a city full of so much love come to this point of emotional and physical eruption. I was moved to tears every time I saw images of the violence blasted on the world wide media. This just wasn’t the Thailand I knew or loved.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvg9arv6YF-fdObztKKBljMmvWsXuo9tLxAcnuBPgvxRZtUtHO9KFY-GCvG1hfe1e5LYoaaWtbOKsNi0C1eOLaCZP8qX3xwPu2Er1JHGz3niYISABor2LDoqaDJzWqf0Ijpxpe/s1600/cenrtral+world.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559992770528873442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvg9arv6YF-fdObztKKBljMmvWsXuo9tLxAcnuBPgvxRZtUtHO9KFY-GCvG1hfe1e5LYoaaWtbOKsNi0C1eOLaCZP8qX3xwPu2Er1JHGz3niYISABor2LDoqaDJzWqf0Ijpxpe/s400/cenrtral+world.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 262px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Yet it is now peaceful again- to a point where it seems more calm than ever. Perhaps the Thai people realize they went a step too far and instead of shooting off the opponents, they all shot themselves in their own foot instead. The violence had gone too far and I believe they now realize this. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k_X4GCf4FyQBHSqWvxNoQY4TblLkqpVmuxEnij5ypjzfFKW8scFzOz3fpUTz__O9NhNQFIiTjtY-gibDCm_sCSpepO7y3yIiGy7v2hyphenhyphenabBBG-LopcX24TCHs4O9OQ5PNYSgM/s1600/0303-humanitarian-war-gun-flower_full_600.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559996983589646402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k_X4GCf4FyQBHSqWvxNoQY4TblLkqpVmuxEnij5ypjzfFKW8scFzOz3fpUTz__O9NhNQFIiTjtY-gibDCm_sCSpepO7y3yIiGy7v2hyphenhyphenabBBG-LopcX24TCHs4O9OQ5PNYSgM/s400/0303-humanitarian-war-gun-flower_full_600.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 251px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
Yesterday, I returned to the very same spot where the center of all the riots took place and upon seeing the sign above my head that said : “Welcome to the World of Happiness”, I broke out in tears, reminded once again that life does go on and things do get better and that the Thai people personify this resilience like no other culture I have seen....<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u5F_HaENUa-R-CzARDwj61WnGR1cgGsGltEXPi7n_uZE024dyoNmH558WY1CJrO1_sF4BRzZpy9yJP04jRK41aXCixFjmFGPjLD9r0yqyBdECiYNKfbSjM3uk-Cb3DhLDDXw/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559994759394696594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u5F_HaENUa-R-CzARDwj61WnGR1cgGsGltEXPi7n_uZE024dyoNmH558WY1CJrO1_sF4BRzZpy9yJP04jRK41aXCixFjmFGPjLD9r0yqyBdECiYNKfbSjM3uk-Cb3DhLDDXw/s400/IMG_0185.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Sawatdee Ka Thailand….it is nice to see your smiling face again…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPyT9atchpROtgKlM-RnBDT8yScfC6uv9K08TyQv6RhuYrA7f5efuHSdSSp5fFqn6tvafRPrO3w187SmmSisQriZZaylTc5n7z0MZXvpXbIo2C7Az1vX-UPhSVXZP2nwGVuJA/s1600/thai+mother.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559992768681278818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPyT9atchpROtgKlM-RnBDT8yScfC6uv9K08TyQv6RhuYrA7f5efuHSdSSp5fFqn6tvafRPrO3w187SmmSisQriZZaylTc5n7z0MZXvpXbIo2C7Az1vX-UPhSVXZP2nwGVuJA/s400/thai+mother.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 355px;" /></a></div>
melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-79819518789080262692010-11-07T21:37:00.017-10:002010-11-07T22:42:51.640-10:00t-minus 60 days....So it just really hit me that in 8 weeks time I will embarking on my 3-month adventure back to Southeast Asia again. It is my 6th year returning there and I feel the excitement already kicking in (and yes, I am already thinking of how little I am going to be bringing on this trip and am excited to live out of one bag again for awhile ! call me strange, or just call me a "gypsy" at heart but I absolutely love this part of my travels !... :-) )<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxjZcDjnjRjFUmBcr9lTddx5zQFDOje0aGHugpsZtY3tiXEscW3Fjqo7weL3kejqCtgNcssXdXbPxGnrxB_hNzAhgJ08Qa8kGN7rMHS2Uq_55awE0T9xhZimxvqpYqqgJsd9J/s1600/DSCF9160.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxjZcDjnjRjFUmBcr9lTddx5zQFDOje0aGHugpsZtY3tiXEscW3Fjqo7weL3kejqCtgNcssXdXbPxGnrxB_hNzAhgJ08Qa8kGN7rMHS2Uq_55awE0T9xhZimxvqpYqqgJsd9J/s400/DSCF9160.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537086045608628194" /></a><br /><br />I always have new places to visit when I go and this time will be no exception. I have a couple of Thai islands that I want to explore (and will keep them "my secret" for now:-) ) and will return to Laos and VIetnam again to visit new areas I did not make on my last visit there. India is also an option now as I recently had an invite from very good friends who live there for 6 months of the year- there is nothing like seeing a new place through the eyes of the locals ! and India has always been one of those places that has hauntingly beckoned me for many years..I think it is time...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYO2BUZIOn76aFvwGNEKKuIjOZUfxWHGCWOgSQw7mPQ6yKWqCBpGVlDVSYD4tBFuDyHrC0CVudIrzZoitDjVP_mJDVviDaargEyNbYBQir8WLi775iE7u2slhq24Q7MFaHW6P/s1600/girlwalkingby+trash.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYO2BUZIOn76aFvwGNEKKuIjOZUfxWHGCWOgSQw7mPQ6yKWqCBpGVlDVSYD4tBFuDyHrC0CVudIrzZoitDjVP_mJDVviDaargEyNbYBQir8WLi775iE7u2slhq24Q7MFaHW6P/s400/girlwalkingby+trash.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537093420184292850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CzSJhHsvAxoLXyQQenNwmp2LiVgLRmYBy0zqYWetp69KQ3TWg-vmROakds2mObsPyfNl9zeOgPf6jOiH2QNGExQSTyM9a3aOHEvjVY_yVYukq28KK18j-wvsM-lZxaBXNPaB/s1600/DSCF9456.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CzSJhHsvAxoLXyQQenNwmp2LiVgLRmYBy0zqYWetp69KQ3TWg-vmROakds2mObsPyfNl9zeOgPf6jOiH2QNGExQSTyM9a3aOHEvjVY_yVYukq28KK18j-wvsM-lZxaBXNPaB/s400/DSCF9456.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537086413274912402" /></a><br /><br />I am also excited to conduct my second annual "Live Laugh Love Tour" that will take me and my group to Bangkok, the Thai island of Ko Lanta , Kuala Lumpur, and Bali. It is a dream come true for me to show friends some of my favorite spots in the world and I can only hope they will return home with wonderful stories and memories to share with their friends and loved ones...check out this link if you want to come join us ! www.livelaughlovetours.blogspot.com<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5p48FeEE9AJU9btl98U5qZePmDVO1axMRotBTOBiQmLfZYjhTb1BEo0MgnIHOR78lzgNy3kP_WMMgxGWK8BGAf01WLhBHN7zoYdWpvWO95a5EvqEEFCHqFO7WTMyPXgWUh_gc/s1600/DSCF9658.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5p48FeEE9AJU9btl98U5qZePmDVO1axMRotBTOBiQmLfZYjhTb1BEo0MgnIHOR78lzgNy3kP_WMMgxGWK8BGAf01WLhBHN7zoYdWpvWO95a5EvqEEFCHqFO7WTMyPXgWUh_gc/s400/DSCF9658.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537087061708636290" /></a><br /><br />But perhaps what I am most looking forward to on my trip is the "detaching" from my usual day-to-day "busy-ness" and taking more time out to take care of "me"...I have realized that these trips have been amazingly useful for me in that I always come home so much more energized and rejuvenated with so much more creativity and energy to give to others. It is like I leave Hawaii with my "vessel" almost "empty" and return 3-4 months later on "full". It feels like such a wonderful reward and gift to myself after working so hard all year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8KBVJ9uWZl-_B4rYzActRrPqh9LtxJPhaNFvB8UJeZ-5tyY6IK76Aj2ZgkUTk9VOZCL-Pr59uMkqinyaOxYvMFSt7fwkfN84r522qkR1w4TZQN3LtNse98TrTuwewBA5G8VN/s1600/DSCF9487.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8KBVJ9uWZl-_B4rYzActRrPqh9LtxJPhaNFvB8UJeZ-5tyY6IK76Aj2ZgkUTk9VOZCL-Pr59uMkqinyaOxYvMFSt7fwkfN84r522qkR1w4TZQN3LtNse98TrTuwewBA5G8VN/s400/DSCF9487.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537087506430255890" /></a><br /><br /><br />and yes, I feel an amazing amount of gratitude as well...<br /><br />for my health holding up so I could work all year to get to this point..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YY-miRKoiNrMR36TFBbFGaYg6g_fjOCv85Eouev19Ieu0YmYMmVe9h03iNJmPaFjlQK1ESZ8AcgsTE81V44cAu7-oVWfLjoHg2R7ACkX5ybxQBstUHFq9G6PMGNRX_rukNha/s1600/runonpraae.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YY-miRKoiNrMR36TFBbFGaYg6g_fjOCv85Eouev19Ieu0YmYMmVe9h03iNJmPaFjlQK1ESZ8AcgsTE81V44cAu7-oVWfLjoHg2R7ACkX5ybxQBstUHFq9G6PMGNRX_rukNha/s400/runonpraae.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537087970710695810" /></a><br /><br />for my friends and family who support me 100% and who understand why I need to do this...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw4BQZv11Wmr2hWFfhXdGaL__DWf5oHayQlFMiWizrykE4yKtsgs46LlLm28Gh8lfjX_ep6TYKfCBo6o6wEvzt0bEXndK4jlfcwnpEpv8E40iFCBioPQqTab1Bf91xD9VhihM/s1600/metony+chris+burlingame.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw4BQZv11Wmr2hWFfhXdGaL__DWf5oHayQlFMiWizrykE4yKtsgs46LlLm28Gh8lfjX_ep6TYKfCBo6o6wEvzt0bEXndK4jlfcwnpEpv8E40iFCBioPQqTab1Bf91xD9VhihM/s400/metony+chris+burlingame.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537088533552953154" /></a><br /><br />for all my friends overseas in Thailand and elsewhere who always welcome me as if I am family when I return...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQmnn4T4hn3y0LLmYDdVh3KAP2-Yet_c7eiGAJdHvJGMkvswgVjFLog-dEb51Ixxhw9ssPMeayG0MV4II2Ymore_0la98T15v8W-gaQlhx5UkYLu-UdK6DRFAeIEVd_ubC9_I/s1600/kateme.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQmnn4T4hn3y0LLmYDdVh3KAP2-Yet_c7eiGAJdHvJGMkvswgVjFLog-dEb51Ixxhw9ssPMeayG0MV4II2Ymore_0la98T15v8W-gaQlhx5UkYLu-UdK6DRFAeIEVd_ubC9_I/s400/kateme.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537094540650869570" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PY21H_zPRDMAjZg5X1t-2vdR7WJ2aEJr2hoQeEYoa1NkUr_bkeaLai3_7tJ58L6gnhsM8_xl4ziICmjuCwh4widyG-XPHokQ98loRtW3ed2huvvyxnMRbdck5VqdyWtUhKdP/s1600/groupshotguysbday.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PY21H_zPRDMAjZg5X1t-2vdR7WJ2aEJr2hoQeEYoa1NkUr_bkeaLai3_7tJ58L6gnhsM8_xl4ziICmjuCwh4widyG-XPHokQ98loRtW3ed2huvvyxnMRbdck5VqdyWtUhKdP/s400/groupshotguysbday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537089025970499506" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40sh3wlccWAz7SamdXReAQxZ8Kks1N2IowHvvuUftdY05qdIz5pvMCSR7EFqbvIcM1jtfyUPebZSA1IaQxA2YVyWQbvw_vkrEfsFWvhDhla6EexG6FJ3NX9FdzM_YC4im8rTB/s1600/DSCF9375.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40sh3wlccWAz7SamdXReAQxZ8Kks1N2IowHvvuUftdY05qdIz5pvMCSR7EFqbvIcM1jtfyUPebZSA1IaQxA2YVyWQbvw_vkrEfsFWvhDhla6EexG6FJ3NX9FdzM_YC4im8rTB/s400/DSCF9375.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537094948939757218" /></a><br /><br /><br />and of course there is always a special feeling of gratitude for my mom and dad who instilled the spirit of fearless exploration in me at such an amazingly young age.<br /><br /> I am forever indebted to them both.. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YIs0A4xO8tBBQrqHVk8rCmx2xDMf5JZGV5Op3Dg9sKWZiSf_-55dQRC_XKfNi6LAZNjslxwzICZoKp8Bh0joAAVORRmDX2UFS1pkOVYwPlcGgS7MiCrnWw01xQJY3ORlJS3w/s1600/MOMDAD.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YIs0A4xO8tBBQrqHVk8rCmx2xDMf5JZGV5Op3Dg9sKWZiSf_-55dQRC_XKfNi6LAZNjslxwzICZoKp8Bh0joAAVORRmDX2UFS1pkOVYwPlcGgS7MiCrnWw01xQJY3ORlJS3w/s400/MOMDAD.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537089614529230354" /></a><br /><br />thanks Mom and Dad....<br /><br />and to all those of you who are reading this- know that the world is always your oyster...<br /><br />just make a plan and make it happen..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoLCqTFTJf9snBtB6Gxe9NnsxypqjGNa4x_5X-mvTOMW3lnkl7lD3b4MX-gsvo4mYOUhvNTF8G_p59Sve07rHeZiGTKQaCXlhyphenhyphenAOlOCeyIcVr-CqzifORf1xmgKSkYgzu_p9R/s1600/DSCF9557.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoLCqTFTJf9snBtB6Gxe9NnsxypqjGNa4x_5X-mvTOMW3lnkl7lD3b4MX-gsvo4mYOUhvNTF8G_p59Sve07rHeZiGTKQaCXlhyphenhyphenAOlOCeyIcVr-CqzifORf1xmgKSkYgzu_p9R/s400/DSCF9557.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537093723315673346" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-69979805978850982102010-10-08T19:01:00.007-10:002010-10-08T19:40:08.225-10:00happy birthday John Lennon...So today would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday...hard to imagine, really, what a 70-year old John Lennon would have looked like today. I suspect he wouldn't have grey'd much and would be still wearing his wonderful thin-rimmed glasses and still be smirking and shocking the cameras and media on a weekly basis with yet another wonderfully creative antic to bring attention to a world issue at hand. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacsWgs3dGayAZI-cFqsnI2vAJUvRfMXxqqQ3QMmOYduolz73hKVCpxh_x0RrAGQin_Lo6ofi4Iv6-V5QYb1VM0DDhAdIGzcDihLAjQ5VzTIMpzx_dOAFS9Hw0LwFXa7GXfL_o/s1600/bed_in_01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacsWgs3dGayAZI-cFqsnI2vAJUvRfMXxqqQ3QMmOYduolz73hKVCpxh_x0RrAGQin_Lo6ofi4Iv6-V5QYb1VM0DDhAdIGzcDihLAjQ5VzTIMpzx_dOAFS9Hw0LwFXa7GXfL_o/s400/bed_in_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525912313519986354" /></a><br /><br />He talked about a world where there were no countries, only peace..."no hell below us-above us only sky"...a world where there were no possessions nor no need for greed or hunger..only a brotherhood of man....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGtt3gwPZ5fwoRlSQ2Pe2dcbHe8Np7fRoSR_J_3l5MjwIf0PpCL-4af_8MHUC_puO3WCAThJVDBur6a2WZUrlnSvC324HumSJU25JJzkdEsUPza4a6N_a0I2GHTC9o5FHxkEd/s1600/Cultural_Diversity.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 370px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGtt3gwPZ5fwoRlSQ2Pe2dcbHe8Np7fRoSR_J_3l5MjwIf0PpCL-4af_8MHUC_puO3WCAThJVDBur6a2WZUrlnSvC324HumSJU25JJzkdEsUPza4a6N_a0I2GHTC9o5FHxkEd/s400/Cultural_Diversity.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525914422343798994" /></a><br /><br />a world where we could all travel the globe , wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted, without a cell in our being experiencing the slightest sense of fear-only love, acceptance, tolerance, understanding and compassion....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqs13c3xLLTkdLliOQYagqSDNoWiIYdaP4reSgzOLYRUZvvmv536MhrPU75jVeoBqPwfhtk6WGnhOL1XZRwMTS_0QsrrqAMVtL-a4APAr7J_IcOhC0leP5R_BJh6ndOq-0B69/s1600/Cultural-Diversity.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqs13c3xLLTkdLliOQYagqSDNoWiIYdaP4reSgzOLYRUZvvmv536MhrPU75jVeoBqPwfhtk6WGnhOL1XZRwMTS_0QsrrqAMVtL-a4APAr7J_IcOhC0leP5R_BJh6ndOq-0B69/s400/Cultural-Diversity.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525915174310339858" /></a><br /><br />now there is a world worth imagining....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingAxC2UDyXDa7xE18w8RXoKNuWSRlZsWyTAowpuJpDvEAAjXHF6dic4peDTgJWKdqkYux3KgQsRTE76e4cxHdIOdTqlMAR0LKWeYTplNnXcVXTM8gr26iaan44C1qiVClqYLU/s1600/john-lennon-peace.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingAxC2UDyXDa7xE18w8RXoKNuWSRlZsWyTAowpuJpDvEAAjXHF6dic4peDTgJWKdqkYux3KgQsRTE76e4cxHdIOdTqlMAR0LKWeYTplNnXcVXTM8gr26iaan44C1qiVClqYLU/s400/john-lennon-peace.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525916832239820898" /></a><br /><br />Happy Birthday John...<br /><br />we miss you...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFvWf4s1FwU5nWXBmPEDAoQlIwARGLK5icTLADG1HzW6G41RsQ1v4Ixtrj-4nfreqm2vgBIUtjQx8zjEhSGRnFE_g7hA0QREd17ZQprg7LMWM_5ridD5mQvhaP9j1p7KHp6aO/s1600/John-Yoko-john-lennon-6585012-410-387.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFvWf4s1FwU5nWXBmPEDAoQlIwARGLK5icTLADG1HzW6G41RsQ1v4Ixtrj-4nfreqm2vgBIUtjQx8zjEhSGRnFE_g7hA0QREd17ZQprg7LMWM_5ridD5mQvhaP9j1p7KHp6aO/s400/John-Yoko-john-lennon-6585012-410-387.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525910154103364802" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-61525792066871203132010-10-08T15:11:00.005-10:002010-10-08T17:54:10.197-10:00never underestimate the power of your smile..for in a matter a moments, you can change someone's life..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao9y-wLBZHQEqQosuLrG-voVVSi9miNIOzzJLHWtJ02IsH4-5Lo0sNGyj1-_4b_h113sSCvz585ilihv2ARBIZRngLB6iAiW5tDZ8JtPdqry9SrPJLc8L6PvSvG7M1L5P2Vyt/s1600/DSCF9877.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao9y-wLBZHQEqQosuLrG-voVVSi9miNIOzzJLHWtJ02IsH4-5Lo0sNGyj1-_4b_h113sSCvz585ilihv2ARBIZRngLB6iAiW5tDZ8JtPdqry9SrPJLc8L6PvSvG7M1L5P2Vyt/s400/DSCF9877.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525849063893960562" /></a><br /><br />or at least make their day....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU-_Yf1LftFwKyjgVB34gN0E5DMlFMWmF0q4wtWXyaJvBT1LYtuLOQIXY1ewXNB_YkBsMlIFSQczsCI_i8nXdYWegGh9-zzDErV9mm5QEBawclkUgWsXOinjjY0q979nXoGnF/s1600/DSCF9878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU-_Yf1LftFwKyjgVB34gN0E5DMlFMWmF0q4wtWXyaJvBT1LYtuLOQIXY1ewXNB_YkBsMlIFSQczsCI_i8nXdYWegGh9-zzDErV9mm5QEBawclkUgWsXOinjjY0q979nXoGnF/s400/DSCF9878.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525849078627425538" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvTOE_msoURNwSKFlt9Qm2QFDur3YT7mNhYETG5WQA_wCYbd9BICZfuHR0LFdQKQH10j7YynHGuFXO1p5kMwrRwO04LOA5f_7fhktQFyHNCVOKz0PMt6fmyEdXYHtOrxVVGCG/s1600/DSCF9880.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvTOE_msoURNwSKFlt9Qm2QFDur3YT7mNhYETG5WQA_wCYbd9BICZfuHR0LFdQKQH10j7YynHGuFXO1p5kMwrRwO04LOA5f_7fhktQFyHNCVOKz0PMt6fmyEdXYHtOrxVVGCG/s400/DSCF9880.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525849082384846946" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J8VO0D187Z79EARjElejZDkwAZIF2_JKcKAGUxMRuvNNqGtHlTYmGs1lX5bfPDZOzHwrTZK42V1YPhr5Fzt5SU3coZFmRO28Zv5fH1Gp7yPa4gPP_SB10OVqYNl944l7NszX/s1600/DSCF9883.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J8VO0D187Z79EARjElejZDkwAZIF2_JKcKAGUxMRuvNNqGtHlTYmGs1lX5bfPDZOzHwrTZK42V1YPhr5Fzt5SU3coZFmRO28Zv5fH1Gp7yPa4gPP_SB10OVqYNl944l7NszX/s400/DSCF9883.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525849985480970482" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSonnFRNeo46P8SvGp7N7Frwg9Sqvb0gM3rO4JUiYce4gbjhnDljx2X615R1fw_SVbzdzqAiY4b8z6HjwaDIzzSaJb-6RRXjSdWF86ASv3Av92FQlXJUkwXG0wNYHQCCGGVrR/s1600/DSCF9879.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSonnFRNeo46P8SvGp7N7Frwg9Sqvb0gM3rO4JUiYce4gbjhnDljx2X615R1fw_SVbzdzqAiY4b8z6HjwaDIzzSaJb-6RRXjSdWF86ASv3Av92FQlXJUkwXG0wNYHQCCGGVrR/s400/DSCF9879.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525849981038819042" /></a><br /><br />(Luang Prabang temple, Laos- Feb, 2010)melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-68941315200153764562010-08-31T09:11:00.000-10:002010-08-31T09:15:27.205-10:00be here now....<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SBSnR4ZP2MI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SBSnR4ZP2MI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Don't let your mind get weary and confused<br />Your will be still, don't try<br />Don't let your heart get heavy child<br />Inside you there's a strength that lies<br /><br />Don't let your soul get lonely child<br />It's only time, it will go by<br />Don't look for love in faces, places<br />It's in you, that's where you'll find kindness<br /><br />Be here now, here now<br />Be here now, here now<br /><br />Don't lose your faith in me<br />And I will try not to lose faith in you<br />Don't put your trust in walls<br />'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall<br /><br />Be here now, here now<br />Be here now, here nowmelinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-50849826786061192802010-08-27T17:28:00.016-10:002010-08-30T06:39:42.091-10:00less is more...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7id10FZq9DqLxZ9cC1BqnEOLzKIpdptwluHyt1v0a0wh721YWerz7VoIsw7PiXk2nrYEhDGjqxc5XSlaOptlQp8-qGZx5qw3mETfcoZOEQjTb9-7CoKQ-IoPUCsOueTRgvgr/s1600/1051_curious_cub.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 366px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7id10FZq9DqLxZ9cC1BqnEOLzKIpdptwluHyt1v0a0wh721YWerz7VoIsw7PiXk2nrYEhDGjqxc5XSlaOptlQp8-qGZx5qw3mETfcoZOEQjTb9-7CoKQ-IoPUCsOueTRgvgr/s400/1051_curious_cub.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511233847237738866" /></a><br /><br />I love animals (and not necessarily zoos) because they rely on their instincts only. They are not rewarded with a paycheck for a job well done at the end of the day nor do they complain if they don't have a new blanket to sleep on when night falls. They don't have mirrors where they tell themselves daily "I look too fat" nor do they have neighbors they envy because "their cage is bigger than mine". Nope, animals are pretty darn simple creatures who seem to take whatever is thrown at them (both literally and metaphorically) with a grain of salt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscd1_4wrMYGdAYrVLn8MOxCX92rlqmbpNTJtvOhta2U1Th5D7J0OPJoTglqgnuMwdEoxjoEtr1OyCqRpJPmosddIqxPmjn_U32aOKSWZyhHHN1X9QoTPK-4ol381VBiyofs66/s1600/self-defense.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscd1_4wrMYGdAYrVLn8MOxCX92rlqmbpNTJtvOhta2U1Th5D7J0OPJoTglqgnuMwdEoxjoEtr1OyCqRpJPmosddIqxPmjn_U32aOKSWZyhHHN1X9QoTPK-4ol381VBiyofs66/s400/self-defense.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511235280533019666" /></a><br /><br />I am always reminded of a most valuable lesson when I am around animals and it is this: "Less is More." Plain and simple. The less physical clutter you have in your life, the more room you have to roam free like a dolphin playing passionately in the ocean ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YRFkL7zVqVfF9qYv9ZBnLkBvaDJiFp6y7dQ49YAFUqqmEkVK8Lp14re1sy5kKCJredr8t5iMDJorrFAr5O8NKnDcuVP9nbtWhhYJLWMgoBVQqkTCKMXPtHv28Zdq4QQDtlrz/s1600/jan-06-surf-500px.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YRFkL7zVqVfF9qYv9ZBnLkBvaDJiFp6y7dQ49YAFUqqmEkVK8Lp14re1sy5kKCJredr8t5iMDJorrFAr5O8NKnDcuVP9nbtWhhYJLWMgoBVQqkTCKMXPtHv28Zdq4QQDtlrz/s400/jan-06-surf-500px.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511235884556406242" /></a><br /><br /><br />I am not sure where I first learned this valuable lesson but it is one that I hold very near and dear to my heart. I do know, however, that I often attribute my sudden shift to a literal "lightness in baggage" in life to a moment when I was about 10 years old.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks3cbVUj5vg9OoFLYvlAESS1qfs-gZg9i_CJsoZshIRdRp9UWDJrOcmralw67jm6HB4Su9S4_wYmlgkPl-QNBQDVCZg8lupW1QykVR4W9qLOwZGJ8Vo5S2BHh9B87YuhQLoNI/s1600/SLD05029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks3cbVUj5vg9OoFLYvlAESS1qfs-gZg9i_CJsoZshIRdRp9UWDJrOcmralw67jm6HB4Su9S4_wYmlgkPl-QNBQDVCZg8lupW1QykVR4W9qLOwZGJ8Vo5S2BHh9B87YuhQLoNI/s400/SLD05029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511237424590706834" /></a><br /><br />My family was on its way to the airport to catch a flight to Greece (I believe this was my first time there) and I was carrying a HUGE yellow vinyl suitcase ( I swear it was bigger than me ) with about 8 pairs of girly-girl shoes and every summer outfit one can possibly imagine a 10 year old Greek/Brazilian girl would be wearing in 1974 . Halfway down to the family station wagon, my dad stopped me dead in my tracks, took one quick look at my oversized Samsonite, picked it up , opened it up with 2 quick "clicks", and dumped out its entire content right there on the ground in front of me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxwmYdJ-HMFFei159WmZpNmnzo1oV9t8HRWKvc6pcwuBQvC_dOfUbMyVJ-qtqxI6NdO3e9mP8i1fGTBVu9k-Y2ov_vineOrhyZ1vx8bj-YQfufC3TNYkqsibIYm03daEE-XU4/s1600/suitcase-checklists-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxwmYdJ-HMFFei159WmZpNmnzo1oV9t8HRWKvc6pcwuBQvC_dOfUbMyVJ-qtqxI6NdO3e9mP8i1fGTBVu9k-Y2ov_vineOrhyZ1vx8bj-YQfufC3TNYkqsibIYm03daEE-XU4/s400/suitcase-checklists-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511238920612571666" /></a><br /><br /> All I could I hear my dad saying at this point (through my tears and heavy dramatic sobs) was this : " one pair of shoes, one pair of shorts, one bathing suit- now go back and pack- hurry up- we leave in 5 minutes !"<br /><br />Well, needless to say, I have never been the same since.That wonderful lesson of "less is more" was truly ingrained in my brain from that day forward. I have never packed more than a couple of pairs of shoes in my luggage since and I have yet to check a bag in on any flight I have taken in about the last 15 years. <br /><br />The liberation of having so little on your back when you travel is now something I crave. Knowing your whole world is in a 2x3 ' bag keeps one mind and heart focused on the more important things in life: the world around you and the inner "stuff" you always carry with you in your heart and mind. Now that is the kind of baggage I don't mind checking in. And you never get charged an extra cent.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxNWdp1L_yAcfLsLEKDrzUmr7tfgUHPizfin7CPaRlG2GlW_uNpxVg7YWdYtJpY8W_4q79AtCeFjW5HYU5601jxQHt7JDzKfvlnUiDjNfU5UAEIBxM2jQ1rbEZujuDd0O3FCb/s1600/freedom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxNWdp1L_yAcfLsLEKDrzUmr7tfgUHPizfin7CPaRlG2GlW_uNpxVg7YWdYtJpY8W_4q79AtCeFjW5HYU5601jxQHt7JDzKfvlnUiDjNfU5UAEIBxM2jQ1rbEZujuDd0O3FCb/s400/freedom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511239978636667106" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-21588148181214556912010-08-26T08:31:00.016-10:002010-08-28T07:20:57.262-10:00what are you waiting for ?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCYv4wHPLvW3IRPtVJJ10UfnMTEf3kS7nYV4wU5seQAMYeqm1ns4rUlbeoexPBO5l0YnjQJN6E_vt6DY9ak-shLZmr5xasFXwoAzeb1qMqJAhRp9dSCYCutDPMa65vTgNV3mL/s1600/state-newspaper-excuses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCYv4wHPLvW3IRPtVJJ10UfnMTEf3kS7nYV4wU5seQAMYeqm1ns4rUlbeoexPBO5l0YnjQJN6E_vt6DY9ak-shLZmr5xasFXwoAzeb1qMqJAhRp9dSCYCutDPMa65vTgNV3mL/s400/state-newspaper-excuses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509801964213059234" /></a><br /><br />there is no time like the present- seriously, this is all you and I got.<br /><br />You can try to tell me every dam excuse in the book of why your life is so miserable, why you haven't been somewhere, why you haven't made this amount of money, bought "that" car, found "that" girl, learned "that" skill, lost that weight, etc...the list goes on and on and on and ON...<br /><br />We have all been "there"- some more than others. A place where we wallow in our self-pity and present to the world a person who has been a victim of some sort of circumstance that has put us" there" in the first place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7DuBB57BUKmGcqhQ06PuUO47FpA-_ArivfqU40hGnRtkr7M_4z-gbUi1dtXNMLqJ9U_nI2l3YJp8XXGnZz9y_CGecB8C6-XDS7NcWnV_IM1gf7dE6v3Nx4HvXVKPHu1v7Ri1/s1600/crying-copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 363px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7DuBB57BUKmGcqhQ06PuUO47FpA-_ArivfqU40hGnRtkr7M_4z-gbUi1dtXNMLqJ9U_nI2l3YJp8XXGnZz9y_CGecB8C6-XDS7NcWnV_IM1gf7dE6v3Nx4HvXVKPHu1v7Ri1/s400/crying-copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509803211694218418" /></a><br /><br />Many of us create incredibly detailed reasons in our mind why we just can't do something- why we are just not "good enough" or "smart enough" to make our dreams come true :"My mother beat me." "My girlfriend left me." " I only got C's in college" . Go ahead- write down your "why I cant do this" list now or think about what excuses you have used in your past or are currently using now- you may be surprised at how negative your mindset really has been for much of your life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U4mdYg4xp-cqvWwEELKwAIqJzQbcXwlqOmmfHrDtBSNTGfW85yl2ZflwWl0UYyBnJGOpu2OOZbgyW2xEu3yqVR9zEzI00Tbki0Smpc9gUKQf8QluwXi6hkpSoEezDsYTd07h/s1600/fear.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U4mdYg4xp-cqvWwEELKwAIqJzQbcXwlqOmmfHrDtBSNTGfW85yl2ZflwWl0UYyBnJGOpu2OOZbgyW2xEu3yqVR9zEzI00Tbki0Smpc9gUKQf8QluwXi6hkpSoEezDsYTd07h/s400/fear.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509803658450315522" /></a><br /><br />So what is it that REALLY stops us from going for our dreams ? Is it fear of failure , of looking like a "loser" in others eyes ? Is it maybe a sort of "depression" comfort zone we get used to after thinking this way for so much of our lives ? Or maybe what really stops us are the massive amounts of fear-based negative messages that bombard us daily from the world around us (i.e. " the world is a big and dangerous place and you are weak and small." )?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNImVw93W7pZGEvIOKCzUmLh4SMDl7wWjrblHvzTFpUe_wPUk5tr2Bli9sMOMcJVv17hQpuplR7fy7UZ2hVqLEUeNdu8CvbhNAVx0l1XoPRHMzju3WElYfwbVcWNYVHpdtMj5d/s1600/A_climate_of_fear_by_Capture_Queen_cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNImVw93W7pZGEvIOKCzUmLh4SMDl7wWjrblHvzTFpUe_wPUk5tr2Bli9sMOMcJVv17hQpuplR7fy7UZ2hVqLEUeNdu8CvbhNAVx0l1XoPRHMzju3WElYfwbVcWNYVHpdtMj5d/s400/A_climate_of_fear_by_Capture_Queen_cropped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509804224020080434" /></a><br /><br />Okay, so here's the scoop.-I am here to let you know first hand that the best thing you can first do to start making your dreams come true is to JUST DO IT. Yes, that is right. I know this may not seem like such earth-shattering news and lord knows Nike made enough off this expression so something's gotta be kind of corrupt here but honestly, this is it. This is all you have to do. Start with one thing you want to have or get accomplished in your life and make this your priority with all else you do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORJ5On-QjovJQ-Vm5V6lE9Ze9iF3nXUfoyn0CLQUpNzMy1cXLjucQ_LCSSMSPho5_YfuR3x7jOjsAlJsC54LRWYGnUL6jUbGvX2UTt5xOTjMPHWhcknWzCp_Rf2o947TgykMU/s1600/silhouette35.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORJ5On-QjovJQ-Vm5V6lE9Ze9iF3nXUfoyn0CLQUpNzMy1cXLjucQ_LCSSMSPho5_YfuR3x7jOjsAlJsC54LRWYGnUL6jUbGvX2UTt5xOTjMPHWhcknWzCp_Rf2o947TgykMU/s400/silhouette35.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509805074233515186" /></a><br />For example- you want to go to Bali. I don't blame you. Bali is a magical, spiritual, beautiful place filled with amazing culture, people, landscape and food. I had always dreamt about going to Bali as well and I didn't just want to go there for a week or so- I wanted to live there for awhile, explore its neighboring countries and be totally immersed in its culture for awhile. <br /><br />So about 15 years ago, I made it a priority. I took on a couple of extra jobs teaching, playing music, and directing shows and drastically reduced how much I shopped for "meaningless stuff". No more going to Costco on Sundays for "bulk" shopping or eating out every night because I was too lazy to cook at home...Nope, I had enough of all the basic physical comforts in my life and just needed to focus on having enough cash to get my butt off the island that i lived on to another island about 5,000 miles away. (seems kind of funny now as I write this as I just realized so much of my life has been filled with traveling from one island to another- hmmm....I see another entry coming on this topic soon:-) )<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07jaQtSN2CrDIHpgAUckNCycIyBG8mOeGmpjeAeBL4PIxmMsCVwf8f5qKfUrojKVkvQhGlqSlj_7AwIeDIsRrK3kTSjlugLMDBMw_IXw_l2CRhVmq94syzqeObPChCX5WY9g3/s1600/Island.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07jaQtSN2CrDIHpgAUckNCycIyBG8mOeGmpjeAeBL4PIxmMsCVwf8f5qKfUrojKVkvQhGlqSlj_7AwIeDIsRrK3kTSjlugLMDBMw_IXw_l2CRhVmq94syzqeObPChCX5WY9g3/s400/Island.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509807891728823890" /></a><br /><br />So I worked my butt of for about 6 months, sacrificing on some of the modern comforts I was used to but knowing full well it was all for one goal: to go to Bali. And yes, I did end up living in Bali for a month and saw just about every corner of this magical place. New friends were made as well as a newfound connection to a spirit world within me that was waiting to be set free- Bali did this for me and I will be forever grateful. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2L9gZgxb8FLYQJotm8yQYvazY0GLoFhCAM6L45UEWICEC1IWRu-TkX2rZiUj-iQqjBtq4Q95talAeHbHNV9cr2ko4H3VHM38dFO6OTJAa0SeHMy2Pf8tj4xAdB2iEwE3hpcQ/s1600/DSCF9292.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2L9gZgxb8FLYQJotm8yQYvazY0GLoFhCAM6L45UEWICEC1IWRu-TkX2rZiUj-iQqjBtq4Q95talAeHbHNV9cr2ko4H3VHM38dFO6OTJAa0SeHMy2Pf8tj4xAdB2iEwE3hpcQ/s400/DSCF9292.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509812263154167298" /></a><br /><br />My suggestion to anyone reading this right now is this: if you have a dream, please go for it. Your mind is the ONLY thing that is stopping you. Please turn off those demons in your head that keep telling you all the reasons you "CAN'T" do something and instead start writing down daily lists of all the things you are doing towards making your goal come true. <br /><br />It is not just a one-day process either- you need to sometimes literally "re-wire" your brain into how it sees "you" in the world and this takes time. Yes, visualizing is always good- Try actually "seeing" and "feeling" yourself in the situation you are dreaming about from every little detail to how your body and breath feel to how you will feel when you wake up in the morning, I have done this countless of times and on a daily basis and I can tell you that when the dream finally does "come", it often feels like a bit of a "deja vuz" as my manifestations are often very similar of what I first dreamt about.<br /><br />So start that list. Start it now. And start with number one. And please do everything you can possibly think of to make that first dream come true. Then start working down your list. You will start seeing these dreams come true quicker than you could have ever imagined.<br /><br />See you in Bali.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XcClIYdCxm5bg-PHgzDKDs4qrtl3b6UZgS6l3NB5LOEPxb4dm8oFFPzod9EQZf1lTmiNv5TMv8wgLwbdtMHAE2Lr_5uBBuoME4MWtytE_1gNGyhHa9HJal8StvF4gzKkpkAC/s1600/DSCF9401.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XcClIYdCxm5bg-PHgzDKDs4qrtl3b6UZgS6l3NB5LOEPxb4dm8oFFPzod9EQZf1lTmiNv5TMv8wgLwbdtMHAE2Lr_5uBBuoME4MWtytE_1gNGyhHa9HJal8StvF4gzKkpkAC/s400/DSCF9401.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509809522881446242" /></a><br /><br /><br />.melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-78588788929560071612010-08-24T11:48:00.019-10:002010-08-24T13:46:42.069-10:00"aren't you afraid of traveling alone ? "<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXXyOntK2_sAwkM7__lXXr_5atB_RWoLB2mWt_S9rVOKDkp5VU897FEGbPTM8EYFOgImIiDniIu9JlNx4N_xQC0PlnOWclIGNvTezXlSMZt8ilikrBb6-wPGLkgejQ2Ha9drW/s1600/-----how-can-I-find-my-real-my-happiness-when-I-am-having-difficulties-to-define-happiness-------by--qpps_630664112610350.LG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXXyOntK2_sAwkM7__lXXr_5atB_RWoLB2mWt_S9rVOKDkp5VU897FEGbPTM8EYFOgImIiDniIu9JlNx4N_xQC0PlnOWclIGNvTezXlSMZt8ilikrBb6-wPGLkgejQ2Ha9drW/s400/-----how-can-I-find-my-real-my-happiness-when-I-am-having-difficulties-to-define-happiness-------by--qpps_630664112610350.LG.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509109193480979874" /></a><br /><br />If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked this question, I could have bought a round the world air ticket by now....Seriously, this is by far the most common question I get asked from almost everyone I meet when I tell them I am about to embark on yet another trip to a faraway land. Usually there is a second question that comes right after this one, something to the effect of "Do you feel safe as a woman traveling on her own?" and before they go on to the next question about whether or not I get homesick, I begin to smile, and gently shake my head "no" and begin to explain to them something I have been sharing for most of my life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW7KXAieDA6yghsvNtnCecY8cgrQ6vdZs2g9x4WUOLTkFT6hAYeJ52CXnmNxczdV4utvoIarIn-dWO4kVa4kMZJMQjDiY8O1-r27zvZ9w0yYlgPw3etN3MCHw0qUHOucEhyzm/s1600/No_Fear.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW7KXAieDA6yghsvNtnCecY8cgrQ6vdZs2g9x4WUOLTkFT6hAYeJ52CXnmNxczdV4utvoIarIn-dWO4kVa4kMZJMQjDiY8O1-r27zvZ9w0yYlgPw3etN3MCHw0qUHOucEhyzm/s400/No_Fear.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509114938338412002" /></a><br /><br />No, I am not afraid of traveling alone. This is an absolutely foreign concept to me. I have been on airplanes since I was 4, traveling alone on buses since I was 10, and living on my own since I was 18. I am not afraid of my own company. In fact, I actually like and often prefer my own company. I am usually pretty fun to be with and seem to have honed some pretty good survival skills over the years to cope with whatever situation is presented to me (and there have been many...more on that in another entry or two..)<br /><br /> Sure I have some fears in life (riding rollercoasters comes to mind right now) but getting on an airplane and landing in a country where I know no one and no one knows me continues continues to be one of the most exhilarating experiences that I have in my life. It is hard for me to describe the adrenaline I feel days (sometimes even weeks) before I am about to go on another trip. My sense of adventure for the unknown is so heightened that I often have to make sure my mind's eye doesn't take over and create a whole scenario for me before I even get to where I am going.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYBBac1jCR8OxUo2IOWD6Yw1dUNn-ZgaMNVW2_nIxOs_BEpTHwOPBSCVdvsTfpyEfvNC0uX_I2KIm0QFPplznKep5pEacaZBff4dWNoJmpP2iMtHc3JsPzx3TwiVK4fKyycll/s1600/images-3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYBBac1jCR8OxUo2IOWD6Yw1dUNn-ZgaMNVW2_nIxOs_BEpTHwOPBSCVdvsTfpyEfvNC0uX_I2KIm0QFPplznKep5pEacaZBff4dWNoJmpP2iMtHc3JsPzx3TwiVK4fKyycll/s400/images-3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509115291068539250" /></a><br /><br />I am a believer in letting things "unfold" as they need to though I do believe in at least booking a hotel room or 2 in advance (tripadvisor.com is really good for this) so I can just land, get to my room, and start exploring with no time wasted. And yes, I still have whims (that I often act on) of getting on a train or plane and just going "somewhere" and not knowing much about what I am about to see. I did that in Vietnam 2 years ago and for a month I traveled up the entire coast from the Mekong Delta to Saigon and then onward to Hanoi with nothing more than a lonely planet guide book in tow and the recommendations of fellow travelers I met along the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b2mExmFne-WlPK1Oo9vjUaa0tPTrWCEw8zP3l_gthIewySQBS497znzgpXujQSDwlX-fniJFtvtgbEnfMjc95UE-E0aViLjRY7_otb7E5-CbyUw1rtkTsNxHYHgIs-FCctwV/s1600/chaudocvanride.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b2mExmFne-WlPK1Oo9vjUaa0tPTrWCEw8zP3l_gthIewySQBS497znzgpXujQSDwlX-fniJFtvtgbEnfMjc95UE-E0aViLjRY7_otb7E5-CbyUw1rtkTsNxHYHgIs-FCctwV/s400/chaudocvanride.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509113449419303170" /></a><br /><br />"There are never any strangers in life- only friends you haven't met". These were the words I saw on a worn wooden plaque over our dining room table in my childhood home in Orange, Connecticut. These words continue to ring true for me and I often recite them to myself as I make my way down cobblestone streets in unknown cities and villages where heads often turn from cafe tables and store windows and I am greeted with warm smiles and gentle nods of "sawatdee ka" and "guten morgen". <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH82quw9M_q-PclI7Gphss0DYimkXzczzCWnTdwIrp51WirHF-eRphPR05xBYmi73jQ8XctI0-xS-zVc8C9XQXcB87bro5iaFMjNgoxuj_0ycTyaSNXOQUll8I82rorJLprMKp/s1600/DSCF9686.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH82quw9M_q-PclI7Gphss0DYimkXzczzCWnTdwIrp51WirHF-eRphPR05xBYmi73jQ8XctI0-xS-zVc8C9XQXcB87bro5iaFMjNgoxuj_0ycTyaSNXOQUll8I82rorJLprMKp/s400/DSCF9686.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509110309659280946" /></a><br /><br />Perhaps what makes me feel most safe in any foreign country is connecting and playing with the children. Truly this has been my playground and the many moments of laughter and joy I have with these kids will continue to inspire me to travel more. Kids just aren't afraid, plain and simple. They still haven't been told that some people are "bad" and some people are "good". Their sixth sense is completely intact and they just "know" when you want to be friends with them and play. There is no second guessing with them. Just the other day, I was playing with a 2-year old adopted Chinese girl who had never met me before and within 5 minutes of me talking and laughing with her, she gently grabbed my hand and asked me to walk her to the pool to play. An hour later, she gave me a kiss on the lips and said "bye bye" in broken english...a trust was built and then shared....if only everyone got along so easily and well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r-Qc4OIpL2DzWLCmLLlnFX5X2iWey-5ypYZfuI11lpB-P1fPVXIChM0WabSjy6GtEqXeWEefgxqWuAocuQAnwyUnE3SXMwO2q3bIiG7fg1Fnqspygu9kJ0TwW7dE8WUCKfUq/s1600/girlsloookingateachother.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r-Qc4OIpL2DzWLCmLLlnFX5X2iWey-5ypYZfuI11lpB-P1fPVXIChM0WabSjy6GtEqXeWEefgxqWuAocuQAnwyUnE3SXMwO2q3bIiG7fg1Fnqspygu9kJ0TwW7dE8WUCKfUq/s400/girlsloookingateachother.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509111069901725778" /></a><br /><br />So the bottom line is this: traveling alone is safe and often a great deal of fun. If you are open-minded, friendly, and willing to start up a conversation with strangers, you will never feel alone. If you are resourceful, have done some homework on where you are, even better. You will get a good sense of the lay of the land pretty quickly and there always seems to be someone just around the corner that can at least point you in the right direction of "somewhere"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbou98Q0wnrn_4vCFKUYagBPfmpZ8pHl0pLJUHzHCTdyhbiQn_zQQX70RG5yVnG9FyzQlln_zDgqO7GzG5-EYO_Ta2a97gxz8FFX5bJj5zQPYko1Qp-3lXK2yB_o_8tz4PkhA/s1600/DSCF1439.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbou98Q0wnrn_4vCFKUYagBPfmpZ8pHl0pLJUHzHCTdyhbiQn_zQQX70RG5yVnG9FyzQlln_zDgqO7GzG5-EYO_Ta2a97gxz8FFX5bJj5zQPYko1Qp-3lXK2yB_o_8tz4PkhA/s400/DSCF1439.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509117849105814770" /></a><br /><br />Knowing the language is always helpful but what I find even more helpful is being really good at pointing to words in a dictionary when asking for help. Being clever with nonverbal gestures can also be a lifesaver as has been the case for me in dozens of foreign places around the world where the locals did not speak a word of English. ( Chau Doc, Vietnam comes to mind right now)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnxmkJdqWXK4WvVXKjX9yia8I5xK3U9GAlXt6-v8bit4aKy3hkRWaet2DdYbX0Q45hM-nLg2XGJ5Z69qppCJ5lfVHWgA2wceoJZNuKHuN6IuE4MhhxRSl7WGrZRFhh_JApBfL/s1600/donkohjum.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnxmkJdqWXK4WvVXKjX9yia8I5xK3U9GAlXt6-v8bit4aKy3hkRWaet2DdYbX0Q45hM-nLg2XGJ5Z69qppCJ5lfVHWgA2wceoJZNuKHuN6IuE4MhhxRSl7WGrZRFhh_JApBfL/s400/donkohjum.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509120534388911010" /></a><br /><br />And yes, being a woman that travels alone also has some challenges but I sense I really don't need to lecture you all on how to "be" ; Just be yourself, walk with confidence, smile a lot, and just know when to walk away from a situation that might seem "dangerous". Most important of all, trust your instinct- it is usually spot on.<br /><br /> But do remember this: once you get the hang of traveling on your own and have rid yourself of those "demons and fears", you will feel the whole world is literally at your fingertips. No one or nothing can stop you. And that is a pretty darn cool place to be.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoJn8RhkT-HR2NqEagJ8d7E5fYSdOlzB3zXVUPpnd2qaBJNGxrsKaFDCdpLeq6_lkLI54n3EoTAKViRhBOLkhnTkdrkSBcARdCVCUfAVNu_U_tqQMxi4Np-oGnjLe7CsRSCFY/s1600/mecoastsand.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoJn8RhkT-HR2NqEagJ8d7E5fYSdOlzB3zXVUPpnd2qaBJNGxrsKaFDCdpLeq6_lkLI54n3EoTAKViRhBOLkhnTkdrkSBcARdCVCUfAVNu_U_tqQMxi4Np-oGnjLe7CsRSCFY/s400/mecoastsand.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509121669662301618" /></a><br /><br />If you have any experiences and helpful advice that you would like to share from traveling alone (either as a woman or man !), please share. I would love to hear from you. <br /><br />until next time....be safe but dont be scared.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQde0YDqNvl5n56J4TZ_VyPTEq2OQCAotuGx9lAveNMA5CVoL_GUhpKXCG_he3scaxtNPxiLuf9FJ_Hjkbh6ktVDlsXx4XiliUltaz_7P0I49nQLA0ykHMJ3xtN3ErzP9df5F/s1600/images-2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQde0YDqNvl5n56J4TZ_VyPTEq2OQCAotuGx9lAveNMA5CVoL_GUhpKXCG_he3scaxtNPxiLuf9FJ_Hjkbh6ktVDlsXx4XiliUltaz_7P0I49nQLA0ykHMJ3xtN3ErzP9df5F/s400/images-2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509112150601139618" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-602762175740657342010-08-23T21:44:00.039-10:002010-08-24T07:27:22.513-10:00in melina we trust....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1o4WU_YGGrHKPHl5_G9gK8MxZ6OAZBXWn_OBVT6KMFa96r0HDJxWYAHulT29Lq2biscPiM1WK_OS5JsgQ5Kq0iph09VEox76VAH61gDS1HgjavNNPJWMHjLoJUMXdvi_Vc-Z/s1600/39498_420044531122_725786122_5384498_381820_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1o4WU_YGGrHKPHl5_G9gK8MxZ6OAZBXWn_OBVT6KMFa96r0HDJxWYAHulT29Lq2biscPiM1WK_OS5JsgQ5Kq0iph09VEox76VAH61gDS1HgjavNNPJWMHjLoJUMXdvi_Vc-Z/s400/39498_420044531122_725786122_5384498_381820_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508911308767577202" /></a><br /><br />So I just received this picture from a friend of mine the other day (thanks Fred !) and thought it would be appropriate to use this "lucky coin" as a sort of "re-entry" shot for me to get back to writing on this blog. I have taken a year off from writing as "melina007" and did this for a couple of reasons:<br /><br />First: I started to get comments from friends and family that I wasn't making comments "often enough" and as touched as I was by their frequent requests, I found I was feeling unnecessary pressure to "report back" as if it was my duty to tell them all that I was doing on a daily basis; I didnt want this, at least not at that time. I knew I needed a break from a tough few months of teaching and other work and personal responsibilities and disappearing for a few months on a deserted beach in southern Thailand with nothing more than a sarong in hand was just what "the doctor" had ordered. So off I went, no blog to report to- only my journal in hand, where I would write for sometimes hours at a time,often contemplating on almost nothing at all...but this just felt right to me and I never questioned it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6-uopCdTeizVbU5uFR-TEQz0LkQ4JO2vOVStJaCw6hJ6LpH3pY6AryyEMeUIhonrByC5zMiKJfPpFEzzZ1Ms9BeRfyEmUFXwQy3t9kg2iYam7B_A934YEI_lK99i1k_fVgO5/s1600/man+in+bali.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6-uopCdTeizVbU5uFR-TEQz0LkQ4JO2vOVStJaCw6hJ6LpH3pY6AryyEMeUIhonrByC5zMiKJfPpFEzzZ1Ms9BeRfyEmUFXwQy3t9kg2iYam7B_A934YEI_lK99i1k_fVgO5/s400/man+in+bali.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508901589658818674" /></a><br /><br />And contrary to popular belief, I really do enjoy just being quiet, not speaking sometimes to anyone for a few days at a time. I actually enjoy working on my "demons", writing in my journals about loves lost and loves found, and taking long walks full of quiet contemplation where I truly feel the answers to life lie in the sounds of the waves beckoning me at my feet....For you see, being alone and quiet with myself and my "inner voice" is just what "my doctor" orders for me after many months of "being there" for friends, family, students, clients, etc..It is the Yin and Yang of my life; the expansion and contraction of how I live, breathe, and function on a daily basis. I work hard but then need to play hard. And playing for me sometimes means doing absolutely nothing at all- just watching a beautiful sunset can be the highlight of my day...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ0Z-KotoFNfFv6ey9PAjTPonB6n8e8gdfruE1qS9vA9AmiSc602kpNxmY1w74WfXpTTgL4n_t50tCzVa8tf9yRZ5W3SpKFpSHsQvodNAjAjh1ZUhQA52525vOtN7Ruq0SPz9/s1600/moon+rise+over+lanta.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ0Z-KotoFNfFv6ey9PAjTPonB6n8e8gdfruE1qS9vA9AmiSc602kpNxmY1w74WfXpTTgL4n_t50tCzVa8tf9yRZ5W3SpKFpSHsQvodNAjAjh1ZUhQA52525vOtN7Ruq0SPz9/s400/moon+rise+over+lanta.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508897274328425666" /></a><br /><br />Okay, second reason for taking a "blogging break": I didn't really feel I had much to share last year while I was in Thailand as I was beginning to feel this was more of my home now (5th year there) and the daily occurrences of my life didnt seem too "earth-shattering" or exciting to me, let alone for anyone else to have to read about . Sure, I live in a 10x 10 bamboo bungalow 30 yards from the Andaman sea amidst Muslims, Christians, Hindus, as well as tourists from all over the world. And yes, I can see sunsets every night from my hammock and eat thai food for about 2 dollars a day and ride an elephant when I want or have a 7 dollar massage on the beach every day if I choose. And yes, I can hop aboard a plane and be in Bali , Malaysia or Laos in 2 hours and spend a week there taking a cooking class if I want or learn a new spiritual practice from a visiting guru at a mountainside temple. This is just what I did; it was my life for 4 months of every year for the past 5...Of course I was grateful, but there didn't seem any real "novelty" to my life, it is just how I lived...why should I write home about things I did that seemed completely "normal" ?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD9p1cwxqy7f2uP8K8R1EGGo2KpzjbujDq2j3hWg0gnC8Cn5P8W-98LFPcKt48tcgqByE9_EuvfXtUJ36jk4KwST1mFdPVOqOWoWCMOAvDJnjt5FWHDkNvEhqMjorSgB75okJ/s1600/buddha+boy+smiling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD9p1cwxqy7f2uP8K8R1EGGo2KpzjbujDq2j3hWg0gnC8Cn5P8W-98LFPcKt48tcgqByE9_EuvfXtUJ36jk4KwST1mFdPVOqOWoWCMOAvDJnjt5FWHDkNvEhqMjorSgB75okJ/s400/buddha+boy+smiling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508916619951181234" /></a><br /><br />(Okay, wait a minute here-yes, I really do need to take a pause here-.because as I write this now, I am suddenly and seriously reawakened to the fact that YES, I do indeed lead a very special ,"different", and sometimes "exotic" life and need to NEVER take this for granted nor should I ever feel what I share might bore or offend and if it does, I shouldn't have to apologize for that either- THERE, I said it. last time. onward and upward. )<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYq7Ge02Q-xz9KcFV4nzJGSCQknpo2f9612Ez0pifdY_G93D8L0esQbmElGDq4PxZSe89vQCQX-wqWvogfJHC2GhF2b-KbVmbbLG9NC3Ho6gc6GgtWkWI92uXbGren-HcMhOo/s1600/monksandcocacola.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYq7Ge02Q-xz9KcFV4nzJGSCQknpo2f9612Ez0pifdY_G93D8L0esQbmElGDq4PxZSe89vQCQX-wqWvogfJHC2GhF2b-KbVmbbLG9NC3Ho6gc6GgtWkWI92uXbGren-HcMhOo/s400/monksandcocacola.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508924847708936306" /></a><br /><br /><br />Okay, in fear of rambling more, I will rap this entry up now.I guess my main point with all this is that my traveling and living in other countries is a lifestyle I have chosen for myself. I don't see this as going on a typical 2-week vacation where you drink every umbrella cocktail in sight, shop in every store till you drop and write "wish you were here" postcards from a poolside laden with dozens of sunburnt tourists. It is instead for me a time and place where I go to rejuvenate, rethink, and rehash things that I need to sort out in my life so I can come back home refreshed, renewed, and resuscitated. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAq05hk9NZdPSihvU24x_AUI05vtldNMr2HJoIrFQzY7uziyXoBC8vfg-ySc9UI2-NtY77yvJIfv_6IVoEbjFgwXEKGIzS8zHEYSIVPLlMjleWeblW4JkHf2FToFgPmGUFnxe/s1600/16951_291278687570_524437570_4686247_6221451_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAq05hk9NZdPSihvU24x_AUI05vtldNMr2HJoIrFQzY7uziyXoBC8vfg-ySc9UI2-NtY77yvJIfv_6IVoEbjFgwXEKGIzS8zHEYSIVPLlMjleWeblW4JkHf2FToFgPmGUFnxe/s400/16951_291278687570_524437570_4686247_6221451_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508893224978224546" /></a><br /><br />It is a time for me to make new friends , and re-appreciate old ones. It is a time to discover new things about myself and discard the old stuff that no longer serves me. And finally, it is a time for me to be grateful, to live every moment as much as I can in the "here and now".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eXGAClO0X-PbV3yiHrjqN0-W4wROkZI4UQq45hqbEoupwMY4DDPUVv79EE_6VXTJMKGztNn-rBP7SJQP6MbtFI3QJhp9clkjtD1hQ42qHB-x5XzxueDxBJBN-Ias0gy7ZM-N/s1600/womanmonk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eXGAClO0X-PbV3yiHrjqN0-W4wROkZI4UQq45hqbEoupwMY4DDPUVv79EE_6VXTJMKGztNn-rBP7SJQP6MbtFI3QJhp9clkjtD1hQ42qHB-x5XzxueDxBJBN-Ias0gy7ZM-N/s400/womanmonk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509027844898005874" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is the life I have chosen, and for now, it is still filling my spirit and allowing it to soar. I sense it always will. And if you find what I share is at all inspiring you to get off your couch, save a few dollars and go follow your dreams of visiting and experiencing at least one new culture in your lifetime, then I will know this blog was definitely not written in vain....I look forward to sharing more with you soon, wherever I may be. Welcome aboard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEines6IttPLXPFAHZdtdOHWRzNqa784mc4AhIlvJXMrpLyzc9fU8b4U_c_galvmjSZc8pnPwm15TooNowts6s4-OAxCOnc7ptPhpaI-_IW39zeuN90Ah9TjhaB0pmBboJgNKKJv/s1600/runonpraae.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEines6IttPLXPFAHZdtdOHWRzNqa784mc4AhIlvJXMrpLyzc9fU8b4U_c_galvmjSZc8pnPwm15TooNowts6s4-OAxCOnc7ptPhpaI-_IW39zeuN90Ah9TjhaB0pmBboJgNKKJv/s400/runonpraae.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509029217272355234" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-34735441021420326752009-03-15T13:35:00.028-10:002009-03-17T05:34:21.037-10:00heading home to a land of hope..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjka2c5Nz24qHS2YjZrCj6IynwMkK3W0fG_8EMNV599uDkdxy7JfZ_qkFrlw6kqGeauwLZEp4_PL62bcwyMETS8o6sfuYWABslupPnJdiL40CIjvNXb-JuybMUkBJdVFvI_EBa9/s1600-h/664045-FB~Temple-Wat-Arun-at-Sunset-Bangkok-Thailand-Posters.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjka2c5Nz24qHS2YjZrCj6IynwMkK3W0fG_8EMNV599uDkdxy7JfZ_qkFrlw6kqGeauwLZEp4_PL62bcwyMETS8o6sfuYWABslupPnJdiL40CIjvNXb-JuybMUkBJdVFvI_EBa9/s400/664045-FB~Temple-Wat-Arun-at-Sunset-Bangkok-Thailand-Posters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313585191876023554" /></a><br /><br />So it is my last day overseas...for now..<br /><br />I am here in Bangkok, looking out at an amazing city filled with skyscrapers, temples, pink and yellow taxis, streetside padthai stands, and every culture, race, and creed walking on its street...it is a friendly 'wake-up call' to me for the transition that lies ahead ....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ikBiOBf4miD-q3Jsg_nKnORCT23-OxwV6komoSxGp4fWrQ0-IEeXh_0vehZKpCegrk2uQOcrSIQP8weVs6bGh0JJo5Db4IpBos-R07LA5SLxa5-40Vyp29zN3qYeCyvjJmmC/s1600-h/bangkok-skyline.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ikBiOBf4miD-q3Jsg_nKnORCT23-OxwV6komoSxGp4fWrQ0-IEeXh_0vehZKpCegrk2uQOcrSIQP8weVs6bGh0JJo5Db4IpBos-R07LA5SLxa5-40Vyp29zN3qYeCyvjJmmC/s400/bangkok-skyline.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313572319680218402" /></a><br /><br />ah, the urban way...I am glad I am not fighting this sudden immersion into city life...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZCIGSlUTR4ux20MsKvM-92yS1AgvKrOVCcOOQ5uVwz1DyETGVPjA0mmpZMeA02mN2MiVQPy6IAtA1JF4b-fVCz6hkxcvPbo6-rqymW6_etxyWCxtbyoCFA4xWPFrR2vzHbya/s1600-h/DSCF9690.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZCIGSlUTR4ux20MsKvM-92yS1AgvKrOVCcOOQ5uVwz1DyETGVPjA0mmpZMeA02mN2MiVQPy6IAtA1JF4b-fVCz6hkxcvPbo6-rqymW6_etxyWCxtbyoCFA4xWPFrR2vzHbya/s400/DSCF9690.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313572332377520066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2dp57ojf_y5HY_uWSUWKVHk-ytXCEBk_bt-tf_6llDEyp3Y96gV8siPftbVbwrvVY6ZLUpMuxriOSjmy0hoElzmsjhste7P7nGs5S5OrLODG4BurM3ESf0N8amK7VMNbgFUt/s1600-h/templebangkok.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2dp57ojf_y5HY_uWSUWKVHk-ytXCEBk_bt-tf_6llDEyp3Y96gV8siPftbVbwrvVY6ZLUpMuxriOSjmy0hoElzmsjhste7P7nGs5S5OrLODG4BurM3ESf0N8amK7VMNbgFUt/s400/templebangkok.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313572319308969618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6qJg5tu9pUxmlrb0dsb2epk1O0g5kmWzBFiy7OskLfm3aqDHuhaxzF11g7H88JUJRiok2pilg8qLZkG3esoDxiSfRk0dsMVs8rBS0248949V5igcnlA55c38W7idUntS2B5J/s1600-h/DSCF9752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6qJg5tu9pUxmlrb0dsb2epk1O0g5kmWzBFiy7OskLfm3aqDHuhaxzF11g7H88JUJRiok2pilg8qLZkG3esoDxiSfRk0dsMVs8rBS0248949V5igcnlA55c38W7idUntS2B5J/s400/DSCF9752.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313584773561431666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9adoN_AX9J3Rrdk6p88miTOUB0Qin59SCkBP5IPkEMEpHAsLXIfK1Cl3Nru0_S3XhxveK3zrzUiW-pyKdGYf74FNnRwVbj0IseklfB46Qh4WrXcOuhEg-ktihvjeB1nm6KIJ/s1600-h/DSCF9761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9adoN_AX9J3Rrdk6p88miTOUB0Qin59SCkBP5IPkEMEpHAsLXIfK1Cl3Nru0_S3XhxveK3zrzUiW-pyKdGYf74FNnRwVbj0IseklfB46Qh4WrXcOuhEg-ktihvjeB1nm6KIJ/s400/DSCF9761.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313585877663273730" /></a><br /><br />For I know what lies ahead of me is the western world, filled with all its many excesses and consumer-filled and fear-based messages ...I smile now thinking about this as I find it almost surreal now when I come home and turn on the TV, watching the news again, filled with so many horrendous shots of violence, sadness, economic woes...it is always such a shock to me to be suddenly bombarded with so many messages...it makes me so keenly aware of how the psyches of so many people are influenced by this constant babble and noise...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmB5IULwxisxB73Ii0RcUo3Yk9Fw-VlhyphenhyphenH9hGtXZyPrR-TEDTVEFNSlJNbvzgWPTuP-xYzSh4jkz0hLZ12ZvNZlJBQepBMmP-v6achH0Sdvqn4aRTpDzpZNzyMyOQwmjhbSjd/s1600-h/only_on_fox.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmB5IULwxisxB73Ii0RcUo3Yk9Fw-VlhyphenhyphenH9hGtXZyPrR-TEDTVEFNSlJNbvzgWPTuP-xYzSh4jkz0hLZ12ZvNZlJBQepBMmP-v6achH0Sdvqn4aRTpDzpZNzyMyOQwmjhbSjd/s400/only_on_fox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313576309361766978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyoBDEhA-W-vqGJJXPtcLCxb2ek9eBpgrgWeiFpeVWwLzzi4aMyZoNV8wlBqQE3ULbe2t3XgmylMJRZPsh7rKlq7Y38EU-rDjLgpGuORBHhNY2V76t9ynlCfZeirlxycAyYT1/s1600-h/DSCF9755.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyoBDEhA-W-vqGJJXPtcLCxb2ek9eBpgrgWeiFpeVWwLzzi4aMyZoNV8wlBqQE3ULbe2t3XgmylMJRZPsh7rKlq7Y38EU-rDjLgpGuORBHhNY2V76t9ynlCfZeirlxycAyYT1/s400/DSCF9755.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313572337755950738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeEskLnDe_or-vAFSBQ7BlZ_3WfvOcO5WUJZ2RKcoNjh9FAYB4oW6DFI3SlvyvC7iXe4VlHyoBbyofbZWjg7KdyOw0gO8sAoZLmms0hGcxxAHRLeVP3o9dA59lucLuAjn5HWf/s1600-h/fear-2-gaming-advert-animal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeEskLnDe_or-vAFSBQ7BlZ_3WfvOcO5WUJZ2RKcoNjh9FAYB4oW6DFI3SlvyvC7iXe4VlHyoBbyofbZWjg7KdyOw0gO8sAoZLmms0hGcxxAHRLeVP3o9dA59lucLuAjn5HWf/s400/fear-2-gaming-advert-animal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313574344889136514" /></a><br /><br />but this is the world we live in...and I am not fighting it anymore...awareness is key...and it certainly inspires me to bring this topic into discussion more often with both my freinds and students...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTInm9S2i79FhxlORIrQuTtCBDY6-u6vJfM8g11-nbKVxNn4s8JAEX17SefLhL7CqdwCrmqRmlINraEKdvPRez2r79heeUjgzpcoRPmEtf36SGidXfs8I9pViQX4hr2LFVVsxd/s1600-h/DSCF9174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTInm9S2i79FhxlORIrQuTtCBDY6-u6vJfM8g11-nbKVxNn4s8JAEX17SefLhL7CqdwCrmqRmlINraEKdvPRez2r79heeUjgzpcoRPmEtf36SGidXfs8I9pViQX4hr2LFVVsxd/s400/DSCF9174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313577697427562626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UM1NhsS4iwDpBiPXKuKXu114t0m0UUrd8P6E7X6XiIfZiDz_VT83kDwl1-C-5BEFv5FQY5mE1ds-qZa-ofOlmcKgRrfbATRd8ADkIGtIiYh9xsvNgaKpFI1eyW6sAWMppmKP/s1600-h/DSCF9600.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UM1NhsS4iwDpBiPXKuKXu114t0m0UUrd8P6E7X6XiIfZiDz_VT83kDwl1-C-5BEFv5FQY5mE1ds-qZa-ofOlmcKgRrfbATRd8ADkIGtIiYh9xsvNgaKpFI1eyW6sAWMppmKP/s400/DSCF9600.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313596506194930530" /></a><br /><br />I am also learning more and more that really the best we can all do on a daily basis is to continue to become the best possible person we can be; to be tolerant, kind and compassionate in our own lives.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdlA_kvg5VKp_E57DiyApigc2zk0MYigRC5Ewwv1EzqVpPoCXV6Hl6M_GopmVC8FjzMwKXXBoNVAtZSk73zy25hFBRDoSLsSvaGtgy1TKDE9Ww2KT8be7gkSfPLBnOb23C0el/s1600-h/muslimbabygrandmother.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdlA_kvg5VKp_E57DiyApigc2zk0MYigRC5Ewwv1EzqVpPoCXV6Hl6M_GopmVC8FjzMwKXXBoNVAtZSk73zy25hFBRDoSLsSvaGtgy1TKDE9Ww2KT8be7gkSfPLBnOb23C0el/s400/muslimbabygrandmother.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313582597788508610" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ntn93lNzfu4-kOI4BN2LTxeC9x64y5gQ5TjM1jxMdl22o2wv3qZj2bL7xPg_G7BJJLqMpYBL-dfBS2FpcJ8Su9_0sr7fR6j-oedEyS_s-9v6GiM-1cHKJ7FEY5bSkVXaE_nd/s1600-h/hatchibut.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ntn93lNzfu4-kOI4BN2LTxeC9x64y5gQ5TjM1jxMdl22o2wv3qZj2bL7xPg_G7BJJLqMpYBL-dfBS2FpcJ8Su9_0sr7fR6j-oedEyS_s-9v6GiM-1cHKJ7FEY5bSkVXaE_nd/s400/hatchibut.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313580029594292690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjpict6SSm6WcjqnN_o6L1gbBxz03fPpepaoA19JRRVWbvSTgrXziCaQBKo-DCmf7KZbg3mTBKsq4KuIdeUBhmDHcqZQpdCjfmrt9iUAEPQ1CBl84Mut0Geq8sIpncHrf0EMI/s1600-h/DSCF9432.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjpict6SSm6WcjqnN_o6L1gbBxz03fPpepaoA19JRRVWbvSTgrXziCaQBKo-DCmf7KZbg3mTBKsq4KuIdeUBhmDHcqZQpdCjfmrt9iUAEPQ1CBl84Mut0Geq8sIpncHrf0EMI/s400/DSCF9432.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313580433001391250" /></a><br /><br />the ripple effect is profound...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zX0FbCWOq1cK4WwP9y5L3k7c3yRYsWsWeKKTveB_7OEBRaB6qhdPLZxOOsPMkZlAWvC7nbac-yRVyj1hnT6-F3jEiu_J7rjLj6EGUdki8UBADLiH36OOqHOUYXfgzd5cjP0o/s1600-h/dalailamaandobama.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zX0FbCWOq1cK4WwP9y5L3k7c3yRYsWsWeKKTveB_7OEBRaB6qhdPLZxOOsPMkZlAWvC7nbac-yRVyj1hnT6-F3jEiu_J7rjLj6EGUdki8UBADLiH36OOqHOUYXfgzd5cjP0o/s400/dalailamaandobama.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313576915147469746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x1X-iX-7L_qM3bObB5ethYajoS3RGXPiOlQzxML43280OcTvNR7LiXpKaI0jRg0EPOlPTyguPp74HPvSSahcEiJ7x1Xz7ZgCMix7RxfaJOdaWZIHObjWIwM_y3zQyhL7nkLl/s1600-h/sunteefamily.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x1X-iX-7L_qM3bObB5ethYajoS3RGXPiOlQzxML43280OcTvNR7LiXpKaI0jRg0EPOlPTyguPp74HPvSSahcEiJ7x1Xz7ZgCMix7RxfaJOdaWZIHObjWIwM_y3zQyhL7nkLl/s400/sunteefamily.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313595522568558210" /></a><br /><br /> I have lived a very peaceful , idyllic life now for 2 1/2 months and I feel quite calm right now- I am not as easily rattled by the randomness of sounds and sights around me..it is a calm I always try to maintain for as long as possible when I get home...I find this is truly one of the greatest gifts I can give myself when I travel...this inner calm is priceless and I will be very protective of it in the next few months..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv9LSoAAuut6jhEAYfPYF4fdqobx2X55qgOpPjlq-NBLOztw53P4Dpu5r4dlUER9x4d5fzfxK_rxm9QUwrxRjn9ei1xbJrOsJBELskkdn9ms-gCnBhhTWjO8hqdtlsPXCoW0Y/s1600-h/sunset3:13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv9LSoAAuut6jhEAYfPYF4fdqobx2X55qgOpPjlq-NBLOztw53P4Dpu5r4dlUER9x4d5fzfxK_rxm9QUwrxRjn9ei1xbJrOsJBELskkdn9ms-gCnBhhTWjO8hqdtlsPXCoW0Y/s400/sunset3:13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313581741001800114" /></a><br /><br /> And yes, my life in a bamboo bungalow by the sea has filled my soul, once again, with peace, quiet, and rejuvenating energy. It allows me to come home now with fresh ideas, new excitement, a few clever insights, and more love and energy to give to all those around me, ...I am ever so grateful for this gift and thank all those around me who have supported me along the way, allowing "me" to be "me", never questioning, always encouraging...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh4Krs3wkCcrJ55jq8jGC18fll_8LsNRf7CQf6aXkJ_ZkORoISBL_DwaYPyzKF0_mLpzYbQwkS_299TfOx7Be1MFeJwrWL7SrLR91waTlka4rMSdM1rPmmZ-w6XYpLDGgXex5/s1600-h/solochaironbeach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh4Krs3wkCcrJ55jq8jGC18fll_8LsNRf7CQf6aXkJ_ZkORoISBL_DwaYPyzKF0_mLpzYbQwkS_299TfOx7Be1MFeJwrWL7SrLR91waTlka4rMSdM1rPmmZ-w6XYpLDGgXex5/s400/solochaironbeach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313582117076221922" /></a><br /><br />thank you , from the bottom of my heart...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizlRPH6IAjWQU9ZoQvenjZ4L66Rxp-f8Q5ZYz3dunrgNT01c_NMJw7uttPlUebyLHrv0Z40MCfZA4hUoJgoaLzfXXMiNoxCRUZ26jJg_DP5saiggvUA7zL3lPSP92e_CLNpff/s1600-h/DSCF9109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizlRPH6IAjWQU9ZoQvenjZ4L66Rxp-f8Q5ZYz3dunrgNT01c_NMJw7uttPlUebyLHrv0Z40MCfZA4hUoJgoaLzfXXMiNoxCRUZ26jJg_DP5saiggvUA7zL3lPSP92e_CLNpff/s400/DSCF9109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313597424897196050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TVmUwZ4-q409IZO_Itp7ct1eksANmMyw6qqZnKkFMeggRu9DTq-Hz2awzGA7jZg6Zl5mbiNW54qwmX4SxlDRyTsyHYGTIin3l3OFP6EQkT0XVPQWEfRrlbXNmOBhhYSIUH8X/s1600-h/mangostand.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TVmUwZ4-q409IZO_Itp7ct1eksANmMyw6qqZnKkFMeggRu9DTq-Hz2awzGA7jZg6Zl5mbiNW54qwmX4SxlDRyTsyHYGTIin3l3OFP6EQkT0XVPQWEfRrlbXNmOBhhYSIUH8X/s400/mangostand.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313591618351176754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJ_TDxjZDFlBSo-CJM4rBTXzsUvIQZEHn2LrOaLb6ddTHfYEUjcq9hUmbYyAKlY-RivoSJjYvI-_nnbSrVxVmti8LCS093jH-5dXbdwg77GTnfiHtZ7Mp6UaBvIf4yK8nYoe_/s1600-h/boyinsunset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJ_TDxjZDFlBSo-CJM4rBTXzsUvIQZEHn2LrOaLb6ddTHfYEUjcq9hUmbYyAKlY-RivoSJjYvI-_nnbSrVxVmti8LCS093jH-5dXbdwg77GTnfiHtZ7Mp6UaBvIf4yK8nYoe_/s400/boyinsunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313599868995034386" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-62987097988299007162009-03-04T15:06:00.008-10:002009-03-04T19:24:23.251-10:00Bali’s beckonings…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI4tYmL7vsVkOMGpGxViZQhiLuRGAaySOhrislUItHpl8PZCrm6_wi5l9KoFeQpFcybKkzKb2npEnRt29QxuSFTDCo431U78Pzfk1aNIV4qIzJSRHDDrgpCAFRUwJ0et0C5IARw/s1600-h/waterlilies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI4tYmL7vsVkOMGpGxViZQhiLuRGAaySOhrislUItHpl8PZCrm6_wi5l9KoFeQpFcybKkzKb2npEnRt29QxuSFTDCo431U78Pzfk1aNIV4qIzJSRHDDrgpCAFRUwJ0et0C5IARw/s400/waterlilies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309518490033728642" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ucRWGyU45RxV6TOX0i_QgPCsiRFKwzrl2YUWwnHbuXMYHlEkosS96ow7oqQPj8mOEUdMPLzYVSajNJ_V95K98Ol359szGajvWfK1qRVJrebtdnOlwnRgdGQNE9KWTW7BQhQkiw/s1600-h/mancarryingbushelsofgrass.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ucRWGyU45RxV6TOX0i_QgPCsiRFKwzrl2YUWwnHbuXMYHlEkosS96ow7oqQPj8mOEUdMPLzYVSajNJ_V95K98Ol359szGajvWfK1qRVJrebtdnOlwnRgdGQNE9KWTW7BQhQkiw/s400/mancarryingbushelsofgrass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309510263290550610" /></a><br /><br />Bali is one of those places where few words really need to be spoken…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WpISAPu-5OuGU14_2pPfMjc2hTRAJ-sIeaidMt-UJoiZZmF7xROa9Gz1LYX4WNhrOGI9AojW-4DY6OWHjBA6Jxq90JJjZ7-GqWkIWHZYhqmUMSxwtkCpi7I3ENpNVm6D5Piv4w/s1600-h/lotuses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WpISAPu-5OuGU14_2pPfMjc2hTRAJ-sIeaidMt-UJoiZZmF7xROa9Gz1LYX4WNhrOGI9AojW-4DY6OWHjBA6Jxq90JJjZ7-GqWkIWHZYhqmUMSxwtkCpi7I3ENpNVm6D5Piv4w/s400/lotuses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309510258672464962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVufvICjxwjyYroTXX_Xgi-SxHMccB59jLo_ZXQg0aoK_SyPR9RS_Fy9JaO5B70H7uExHXAL-68PRGar7eHQpvwWHihyn-P-gJgnDrZxxX_HEvyFz3Dao0aV5Fci89IHe-C6MjmA/s1600-h/housesurroundedbypalms.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVufvICjxwjyYroTXX_Xgi-SxHMccB59jLo_ZXQg0aoK_SyPR9RS_Fy9JaO5B70H7uExHXAL-68PRGar7eHQpvwWHihyn-P-gJgnDrZxxX_HEvyFz3Dao0aV5Fci89IHe-C6MjmA/s400/housesurroundedbypalms.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309507892922347378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2DGPLlB79e1DXh9Ik4lBqr6ogxE_qSBAQ6iKPMx5V1e2cFfYSLZt4793TdzQ-5bWEIEOEhdGybtChRI8WmVdsLQ9lv5Czo-caepn1fNPlSrfz9V-7bcNbGrXZjd3wAQXC8Nsag/s1600-h/manwithladderdistant.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2DGPLlB79e1DXh9Ik4lBqr6ogxE_qSBAQ6iKPMx5V1e2cFfYSLZt4793TdzQ-5bWEIEOEhdGybtChRI8WmVdsLQ9lv5Czo-caepn1fNPlSrfz9V-7bcNbGrXZjd3wAQXC8Nsag/s400/manwithladderdistant.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309512831631649154" /></a><br /><br /> Bali speaks to you…and you are forced to listen…if you fight it, you will feel it…your mind and body will take over and your heart and spirit will shut down, become numb.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2szrMK5G-JWP4SD91nsQwI7HzHQeqZGtrPrROGF4VpD0rrFUB3ym7sIeb02s0WnHVZ2PhGSIQd5vCuOXjxu9NOZ2Ga_XOV6ECSOPMetxHQrXn_eiLRfkyCLIdxb9RjpDy0DeJg/s1600-h/mansleepingundertree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2szrMK5G-JWP4SD91nsQwI7HzHQeqZGtrPrROGF4VpD0rrFUB3ym7sIeb02s0WnHVZ2PhGSIQd5vCuOXjxu9NOZ2Ga_XOV6ECSOPMetxHQrXn_eiLRfkyCLIdxb9RjpDy0DeJg/s400/mansleepingundertree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309512822764124802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsk5rBVardvtzW0M0pDaq6_t2B1ruou4WIeB1IvwmYg5dxcCXZMT_ofC1lXZgLJTvdWl2ZY-17a48IUjlEwrytLgccplgsU9NkYjf7BvMFyMQZWbUMPF2YZfUN3BA6YJ1p0T8-A/s1600-h/housewithricefieldsinfront.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsk5rBVardvtzW0M0pDaq6_t2B1ruou4WIeB1IvwmYg5dxcCXZMT_ofC1lXZgLJTvdWl2ZY-17a48IUjlEwrytLgccplgsU9NkYjf7BvMFyMQZWbUMPF2YZfUN3BA6YJ1p0T8-A/s400/housewithricefieldsinfront.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309510233952767842" /></a><br /><br />Historically, Bali was an island where “refugees” came from India ….they were mostly writers, artists, musicians…settling here to live a new life of freedom..with all the benefits that freedom of will and speech provide…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6po0GkyFSt2lb_U9tkOasmW55QFIUmDPP83yJXWoOkWr-yuBmCZ-pxcfgHiitypHGMj5jgZYLb1L9SyOEO6sIMQrMQ1kESZU582EjCOaVrpC3u1jJpfTPNlJv60_nXFjpwqyeQ/s1600-h/templeinsidecafelotus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6po0GkyFSt2lb_U9tkOasmW55QFIUmDPP83yJXWoOkWr-yuBmCZ-pxcfgHiitypHGMj5jgZYLb1L9SyOEO6sIMQrMQ1kESZU582EjCOaVrpC3u1jJpfTPNlJv60_nXFjpwqyeQ/s400/templeinsidecafelotus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309518483440010786" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVSaZpmvbhBihiQMx39jpEbyZO4WPEwQfHagZtY_dTI89YxQKJamA7Ir1SJOoeILJCFVLHYTLlq_QxtEneiUPHYQArbJDSsXofPPhkZM-M-ulT5gEppevqjMqZBzGlmw8qjBiKw/s1600-h/door+to+my+place.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVSaZpmvbhBihiQMx39jpEbyZO4WPEwQfHagZtY_dTI89YxQKJamA7Ir1SJOoeILJCFVLHYTLlq_QxtEneiUPHYQArbJDSsXofPPhkZM-M-ulT5gEppevqjMqZBzGlmw8qjBiKw/s400/door+to+my+place.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309507873742084146" /></a><br /><br />Art oozes here..in every corner, nook,and cranny..from the poorest homes and shabby street side corners, to the most posh of restaurants and hotels…the Balinese have aesthetics down pat…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6MsFzVQq8pdPVp0MM7ABujq60L1wgO-_Mc5_BX9HtHJtAZFwmBVCwQKRpowGc6ryfp5u5p9bH-BxOW_I9XoPjLjDIerf1R45Hqwd4T-kHLfjZLMhzwvNicDHs3n-wnQulSuI7g/s1600-h/wakadiumepool.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6MsFzVQq8pdPVp0MM7ABujq60L1wgO-_Mc5_BX9HtHJtAZFwmBVCwQKRpowGc6ryfp5u5p9bH-BxOW_I9XoPjLjDIerf1R45Hqwd4T-kHLfjZLMhzwvNicDHs3n-wnQulSuI7g/s400/wakadiumepool.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309518487830282274" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwGl2nD0rKu9SkppMkI0h8EWTzD04nKcdjgOKgfw-r-Tlud-LAsueIC0TS6me1iB8uiwbMku2xVnt74_3AOEUD4IkGPnP5VP3FTYzwJk2sz7p5MuYmP__MXERpugldx3DRfuEmw/s1600-h/coconut+offerings.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwGl2nD0rKu9SkppMkI0h8EWTzD04nKcdjgOKgfw-r-Tlud-LAsueIC0TS6me1iB8uiwbMku2xVnt74_3AOEUD4IkGPnP5VP3FTYzwJk2sz7p5MuYmP__MXERpugldx3DRfuEmw/s400/coconut+offerings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309505721099362882" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9idVYV26bdmSZLipMRshMGWG9MhXxYOnlibFuP4DgnaDIWMcsWxSaYIbVDy7TfRNqBOBFmgqlFkfHRoJBdOSEUZ9mKPaJJovNUzvk4GLc2rX5eTlKTxRvoLc4_lSl5m3dlog3w/s1600-h/coconutheadlady.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9idVYV26bdmSZLipMRshMGWG9MhXxYOnlibFuP4DgnaDIWMcsWxSaYIbVDy7TfRNqBOBFmgqlFkfHRoJBdOSEUZ9mKPaJJovNUzvk4GLc2rX5eTlKTxRvoLc4_lSl5m3dlog3w/s400/coconutheadlady.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309505730814399938" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQVs7BNGF5vS8C-QhhT0xBEGrwlad16q2dTvLE4vCgTWniVr0p5sI2LFmeCvE-c0NmYV9820W41gI4GHz-sqXzoricnW-KUK0S2dxlxYzBpTIBdZSuH8miknNPIXuv2EjL_fOrQ/s1600-h/damapandiartist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQVs7BNGF5vS8C-QhhT0xBEGrwlad16q2dTvLE4vCgTWniVr0p5sI2LFmeCvE-c0NmYV9820W41gI4GHz-sqXzoricnW-KUK0S2dxlxYzBpTIBdZSuH8miknNPIXuv2EjL_fOrQ/s400/damapandiartist.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309505731811433042" /></a><br /><br />I believe Bali is truly a place where people come to be still…listen….create …heal…. it is palpable in the air…if you only just pay attention…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUa8FbkqH5DYcsjmVbDdWSZlV95Ql4WqxLbUMnDx5X__ZU_loWM6wwFlK27CGM9FOP_oOTaI3xPc6SoRl6Dm7hZrI1kt6DVk7FKVmiMYefAjRBOZajba-QWnaMBNOGSp2tF6Ezg/s1600-h/danawithflower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUa8FbkqH5DYcsjmVbDdWSZlV95Ql4WqxLbUMnDx5X__ZU_loWM6wwFlK27CGM9FOP_oOTaI3xPc6SoRl6Dm7hZrI1kt6DVk7FKVmiMYefAjRBOZajba-QWnaMBNOGSp2tF6Ezg/s400/danawithflower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309505740938975490" /></a><br />yoga centers and health food bars are strewned in every street here- classes in meditation, art, music, philosophy, religion abound… …<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKCDNk1g_JG35B6-5zD292bmHz39eyhFMulBxG0WNAiZkhSLVyCsKYNJSv4RP6khoRGLPj5lx_dmYJesOo9qAV5n0HN3f-ePhKFTHOB0kQVMALGjyuHTPnjcifu0wYtLWg5_E5g/s1600-h/healthydrinks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKCDNk1g_JG35B6-5zD292bmHz39eyhFMulBxG0WNAiZkhSLVyCsKYNJSv4RP6khoRGLPj5lx_dmYJesOo9qAV5n0HN3f-ePhKFTHOB0kQVMALGjyuHTPnjcifu0wYtLWg5_E5g/s400/healthydrinks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309507886176138498" /></a><br /><br />one can see this need to grow, expand, actualize in almost every pair of eyes you meet…it is like a secret society of people have come here to graduate with a special diploma to life..they will leave with no documents or grades to show for this experience….only a lightened spirit and an expanded heart….<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJke_IHMfYzg2RreS1wWfYSoQym7SZ3-rDWOKsUzu0TuXPUKHR22P708dbhJiyQtpUA4ePm-EoRTCIHAs7Yeyz_YUCkjVbd_Yqng2soPxeKZVQ9Cjz7xYrXq3PNGuFNSZdBY5/s1600-h/the3+lenas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJke_IHMfYzg2RreS1wWfYSoQym7SZ3-rDWOKsUzu0TuXPUKHR22P708dbhJiyQtpUA4ePm-EoRTCIHAs7Yeyz_YUCkjVbd_Yqng2soPxeKZVQ9Cjz7xYrXq3PNGuFNSZdBY5/s400/the3+lenas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309569291282783330" /></a><br /><br /><br />Right now , I am sitting on my balcony at 8 o’clock on the morning..I am having my daily routine breakfast of pineapple, papaya, and bananas…and a strong cup of Balinese coffee…my ritual in the morning is to come out to this balcony and just look out and listen…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pySz8wxPAgii2J-ajYrlNW-JaMXetnZMLJWKqm1zVHXzWgLFrQo7sOD9b2aeeSYWYbtTD8aV99CXluxLKl8lDTp9oxu2dg8ZVf3PfjfqLSuLztZjsOXOXzHQlLsv5qcl2SOuWQ/s1600-h/flowerpot2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pySz8wxPAgii2J-ajYrlNW-JaMXetnZMLJWKqm1zVHXzWgLFrQo7sOD9b2aeeSYWYbtTD8aV99CXluxLKl8lDTp9oxu2dg8ZVf3PfjfqLSuLztZjsOXOXzHQlLsv5qcl2SOuWQ/s400/flowerpot2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309507884364550226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuBZh4-Hxio3XJZHt3SwIepa8e33Fze7N4D1Axq4H3uzRTo4MLVXxbX12OFnf_zAFjSVYuRoimhZsrbhehvcAuDbh7wuO9mFhlc6lZoX13bwOxTXiJ6ErXILJV6AGhXbJVY6P/s1600-h/woodenmaskblowing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuBZh4-Hxio3XJZHt3SwIepa8e33Fze7N4D1Axq4H3uzRTo4MLVXxbX12OFnf_zAFjSVYuRoimhZsrbhehvcAuDbh7wuO9mFhlc6lZoX13bwOxTXiJ6ErXILJV6AGhXbJVY6P/s400/woodenmaskblowing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309523690440636242" /></a><br /><br />Today it is raining…hard. The sounds of the river below me have been drowned out by the strong hum of raindrops…even the butterflies and dragonflies are taking a break this morning…there is a mist in the air…reminds me of Ireland…so green everywhere…so green….<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXgPtCmXYAonoP5vTde2rkVRUAxqeL3jnbuoX10U2P9kTe9u_55JFCwV_WSh2tCBPVa9PchLRGJ8GTpnjFgnXO_r7s9-b3IV22hJiNCV7XcbAZpr3KZCZZRI_-eWUnzaNi0M-Rw/s1600-h/myhouseindistance.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXgPtCmXYAonoP5vTde2rkVRUAxqeL3jnbuoX10U2P9kTe9u_55JFCwV_WSh2tCBPVa9PchLRGJ8GTpnjFgnXO_r7s9-b3IV22hJiNCV7XcbAZpr3KZCZZRI_-eWUnzaNi0M-Rw/s400/myhouseindistance.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309515562088062130" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviH2lW-FYIl_OFBlpZSpsRR3vbemeYB1Y2h9-ew_Jx8KhGdsFz5d8fc51RZwBx6_wgcDI7lmSM0n4PpaVgrzATPOnz8-aQ1QKGvTWrg9eP3By9uLrHZz1YUZoREXHWI9zr1fbpw/s1600-h/manwalkingdownpaths.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviH2lW-FYIl_OFBlpZSpsRR3vbemeYB1Y2h9-ew_Jx8KhGdsFz5d8fc51RZwBx6_wgcDI7lmSM0n4PpaVgrzATPOnz8-aQ1QKGvTWrg9eP3By9uLrHZz1YUZoREXHWI9zr1fbpw/s400/manwalkingdownpaths.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309512831040468242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegdciOg-RzPaMzma6Yt5OSzbmn36YzOzuiUnnIsMD9Tpmw2Ym_jw1sx2CDlNZe_Y4XyfQpY3JpDf1mWbz_vxaH3CNw2pTymYNuw_JmzZcH3Tl0DFzu4L7Wtk6doxyr4xVzpFmyw/s1600-h/housesurroundedbypalms.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegdciOg-RzPaMzma6Yt5OSzbmn36YzOzuiUnnIsMD9Tpmw2Ym_jw1sx2CDlNZe_Y4XyfQpY3JpDf1mWbz_vxaH3CNw2pTymYNuw_JmzZcH3Tl0DFzu4L7Wtk6doxyr4xVzpFmyw/s400/housesurroundedbypalms.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309510242741656258" /></a><br /><br /><br />Bali feels like a mothering cradle that just rocks you gently throughout the day…you may feel you are going to fall out at times, but she is always there to catch you when you think you are…she knows when to be strong, but never shouts back…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-GS2Yhl3VHxjPZLyCAZtpwOtdH3g5wZ2ZBfHX1gp7tW3btYRUBH6BvruU6y9muJeMv4xHt5uqFyZFlalMZm1LksIjgSSvqf9TYIKs-wLTBSY9WxHagh7F4ZzbWuo7Bug-Rtjyw/s1600-h/ayu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-GS2Yhl3VHxjPZLyCAZtpwOtdH3g5wZ2ZBfHX1gp7tW3btYRUBH6BvruU6y9muJeMv4xHt5uqFyZFlalMZm1LksIjgSSvqf9TYIKs-wLTBSY9WxHagh7F4ZzbWuo7Bug-Rtjyw/s400/ayu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309505716801288882" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKh2Ti9jkFrg6YvlioM5OJaaWiEfG8Im-V6bAvWKjDLO4KASQR9SzxyBCUD7C7MYPeQRFlbc3bXjwFg-9aTZjwtDDKDkRPZhAwLB0elZHYM2i1qVdllsWuTYV0fHFoafqKld5mg/s1600-h/ducks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKh2Ti9jkFrg6YvlioM5OJaaWiEfG8Im-V6bAvWKjDLO4KASQR9SzxyBCUD7C7MYPeQRFlbc3bXjwFg-9aTZjwtDDKDkRPZhAwLB0elZHYM2i1qVdllsWuTYV0fHFoafqKld5mg/s400/ducks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309507875439820434" /></a><br /><br />The feminine energy here is prevalent; not only from what one feels from walking around in nature but also from what one sees on the streets and in the art….<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivmf_Kst_SGANKnBau25tqJN_GDl_jh9mMBZCtWI1l6qJhbxdbV3akTH0vfvr0sxGYYv6CNhyphenhyphenIu-9z0ODuZB08_MwP8lnc25dTwB8HB9eAKAkwhoi_lGPplVPvXRs4n5rVjq8vQ/s1600-h/slivermirrorstatue.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivmf_Kst_SGANKnBau25tqJN_GDl_jh9mMBZCtWI1l6qJhbxdbV3akTH0vfvr0sxGYYv6CNhyphenhyphenIu-9z0ODuZB08_MwP8lnc25dTwB8HB9eAKAkwhoi_lGPplVPvXRs4n5rVjq8vQ/s400/slivermirrorstatue.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309515575889545618" /></a><br /><br />The women are more often than not the ones I always see carrying the heavy loads of weight on their heads, walking for miles it seems throughout the streets and rice fields....it is amazing what I have seen them carry single-handedly on their shoulders…from huge bushels of rice to porcelains bathtubs (yes, I really did see this)….the Balinese women truly carry the weight of the world on their shoulders but do it with such dignity, pride , grace…never complaining…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkx7ThYiTKOOdHLko1N1qYxX6L_gpmWJvQayOgykmoL6zRrvKo3FBXIQFtUeE9_1qxXuUQuUANEILEiJJg_U0xIQ8E7UJ6n3IZnRFq1kcsEE-fhUfz_K2-z1W6x_R7l3rFd34BA/s1600-h/womanwithbasketonhead.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkx7ThYiTKOOdHLko1N1qYxX6L_gpmWJvQayOgykmoL6zRrvKo3FBXIQFtUeE9_1qxXuUQuUANEILEiJJg_U0xIQ8E7UJ6n3IZnRFq1kcsEE-fhUfz_K2-z1W6x_R7l3rFd34BA/s400/womanwithbasketonhead.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309523691719717378" /></a><br /><br /><br />I have so much to learn from these people…they say so much with just their eyes, their unconditionally loving smiles, and with their patience…ah, their patience….I have yet to hear any Balinese raising their voice, having a fight, looking upset…it is uncanny…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cFtgZup_C0dZZLadsDgINqi6YnOzzXWKjpP0TbojdrrjidXJydGUuz4DcnoZA7kiIFsIeVd8ER49Jx4sBch_EwDiRPSoZARzM3cbQtkYbZAMaORrjVxnEPMnuCk6NCzw6shP_w/s1600-h/manwithcigarette.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cFtgZup_C0dZZLadsDgINqi6YnOzzXWKjpP0TbojdrrjidXJydGUuz4DcnoZA7kiIFsIeVd8ER49Jx4sBch_EwDiRPSoZARzM3cbQtkYbZAMaORrjVxnEPMnuCk6NCzw6shP_w/s400/manwithcigarette.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309512831327310258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbAk453I47k5hDXtnNoTHb3_e2z9_lXU1zTvR5fJiBoK5VkYLX33zMtvN8jyYIJIpXBbndTOY2BSVOsTpRRfg-5ZEb3VOQ-bxEKIpAFWXpACefDlPkYv9HL_dnGYgnVQVZklqzQ/s1600-h/littleboysmilingcomingoutofocean.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbAk453I47k5hDXtnNoTHb3_e2z9_lXU1zTvR5fJiBoK5VkYLX33zMtvN8jyYIJIpXBbndTOY2BSVOsTpRRfg-5ZEb3VOQ-bxEKIpAFWXpACefDlPkYv9HL_dnGYgnVQVZklqzQ/s400/littleboysmilingcomingoutofocean.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309510251687782594" /></a><br /><br />Their spirit is strong…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Zywp6lCHaVr9D29G-UZsKpUyxTpS-KnfLBkt3v6oVUpjUjR3Y3a16YkH1oi8R1V4KMmVERD53ajGU61ywuLP9NVPaWCahSZjLJWpdbm-aZsxwJ-51F2CjsyKu5qI3YqD8l2EQ/s1600-h/statuewithballinhand.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Zywp6lCHaVr9D29G-UZsKpUyxTpS-KnfLBkt3v6oVUpjUjR3Y3a16YkH1oi8R1V4KMmVERD53ajGU61ywuLP9NVPaWCahSZjLJWpdbm-aZsxwJ-51F2CjsyKu5qI3YqD8l2EQ/s400/statuewithballinhand.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309518480415324274" /></a><br /><br />It is wonderful, too, how the connection with Obama has surfaced here..I had forgotten the fact that he had gone to school here for a few years when he was a child…that his stepfather was also Indonesian…my first glimpse at a painting of him here literally threw me off guard…in the most wonderful of ways..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEMgQE1vitkGK3Wmew5v6jVp0hASvNtP8ydRAwTnm8Rw7T9OKZHxVfUJ1PFTdRv4qXqK1CFTpIxKodl4FJDajz400nwdBlshtKUhB3CjK7JV9xCHv0b3wSaY56XkuH_WZWYPFYg/s1600-h/obamaismybrother.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEMgQE1vitkGK3Wmew5v6jVp0hASvNtP8ydRAwTnm8Rw7T9OKZHxVfUJ1PFTdRv4qXqK1CFTpIxKodl4FJDajz400nwdBlshtKUhB3CjK7JV9xCHv0b3wSaY56XkuH_WZWYPFYg/s400/obamaismybrother.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309515571084929458" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevvnMPg0JtkgrpaAaEiyTqXvptW0A7APQ051-s7sCjbX62l1dtiyJO8DypFlo88q94SqXdHWxSrTVoyfFi0erDqjOlFWwIu2f-9fXQcpPlqkWRTsGTdP6HRZTp6S8IQOzGflxdQ/s1600-h/obamaeinsteinposyer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevvnMPg0JtkgrpaAaEiyTqXvptW0A7APQ051-s7sCjbX62l1dtiyJO8DypFlo88q94SqXdHWxSrTVoyfFi0erDqjOlFWwIu2f-9fXQcpPlqkWRTsGTdP6HRZTp6S8IQOzGflxdQ/s400/obamaeinsteinposyer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309515563684041250" /></a><br /><br />their joy at his being president now is so very evident…they consider him one of their own…as we all do…<br /><br />Hope…this is what I have now…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4rebvUfCd5h2HuhRvK1O_gLWidIRqTJOZAkzwgIKbE-tz6xjuIXe0oooQIK2uo49mlAqAwYxRp3-D4OQ4u6mMMS0cR_kY03IpGP1UNII4GU4ahB9xLJmYs7z6iV1C0GscLgfeQ/s1600-h/obamahope1st.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4rebvUfCd5h2HuhRvK1O_gLWidIRqTJOZAkzwgIKbE-tz6xjuIXe0oooQIK2uo49mlAqAwYxRp3-D4OQ4u6mMMS0cR_kY03IpGP1UNII4GU4ahB9xLJmYs7z6iV1C0GscLgfeQ/s400/obamahope1st.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309515567566643810" /></a><br /><br />hope that I never stop learning..<br />and that I always remain humble in the lessons being taught..<br />I do not know it all…and never will.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2fOcyIGKTmXHBm8TonHVv9CyTEEdiudd0Hr4c7qjY1jCuFTWrc2yt5Xzgz-e5OxXBIpf6Tro6E4kFArFK2arJRLG2REJAB3HoswsCGxMEPYBFm1kxtcBE5jNH4trxvtEwInT/s1600-h/surfercatchingboatride.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2fOcyIGKTmXHBm8TonHVv9CyTEEdiudd0Hr4c7qjY1jCuFTWrc2yt5Xzgz-e5OxXBIpf6Tro6E4kFArFK2arJRLG2REJAB3HoswsCGxMEPYBFm1kxtcBE5jNH4trxvtEwInT/s400/surfercatchingboatride.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309569303808817474" /></a><br /><br />I have hope that more and more people on this planet are waking up…truly waking up…to all the love and light that has been locked up inside of them for so long…for so very long…it is all there…always has been. Sometimes all it takes is to find that special someone or someplace to help you unlock this mystery that you have kept secret …from yourself and from others…<br /><br />Finally, I have hope that love truly does conquer all..it is all there really is to start with- nothing else…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYMZSVzG-K8QcoLQ3kx2KBi-YE7zLYhLBnxA-9dwmh6VjQFXrFz2cXj2fSenf0mIw9MWv5__bjN3pjktjMEvi8zJciYB5XooCCjzt2au1c5TI28A_DyyqOFRMWutQW1FZMrqu/s1600-h/orangeflowers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYMZSVzG-K8QcoLQ3kx2KBi-YE7zLYhLBnxA-9dwmh6VjQFXrFz2cXj2fSenf0mIw9MWv5__bjN3pjktjMEvi8zJciYB5XooCCjzt2au1c5TI28A_DyyqOFRMWutQW1FZMrqu/s400/orangeflowers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309569307077778562" /></a><br /><br />so many of us just have run so far from home that we have forgotten how to be okay with what we already have…which is a lot…which is huge…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3KTKln51jmWc8HRaqCmhFwUhDvHtkaveOGmkurdp4tgRxrxjIOyKkMlmj6YOhDq7OChr6x3YS5ba4Z90iOLGURD_NjjuPqI-_E54uO_XJ4VW1B1SPc3zGh5mg15mKSdjib-mxQ/s1600-h/mancarryingladder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3KTKln51jmWc8HRaqCmhFwUhDvHtkaveOGmkurdp4tgRxrxjIOyKkMlmj6YOhDq7OChr6x3YS5ba4Z90iOLGURD_NjjuPqI-_E54uO_XJ4VW1B1SPc3zGh5mg15mKSdjib-mxQ/s400/mancarryingladder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309512819400344594" /></a><br /><br />So to Bali , I thank you my great gentle teacher, for patiently holding me, rocking me, watching me unleash yet another unlocked storm…I know there is so much more to go…but I am ever so grateful you have reminded me of the importance of just being still…and to listen..and look…and go inside….<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dOBd3Goo84HmImhYDmp2oVJsRSNnbDdMfU_vHtc3Xu4BMralKABFIWVuNnokpY_4dlpZs-6HozRlBauXNB4ySUaLe-t7aEIe7W55WFlw5n4m2p6gHPTP9_RIwFy82GArp6-tJg/s1600-h/womanwakingwithporcelainonhead.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dOBd3Goo84HmImhYDmp2oVJsRSNnbDdMfU_vHtc3Xu4BMralKABFIWVuNnokpY_4dlpZs-6HozRlBauXNB4ySUaLe-t7aEIe7W55WFlw5n4m2p6gHPTP9_RIwFy82GArp6-tJg/s400/womanwakingwithporcelainonhead.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309523684742096290" /></a><br /><br /><br />for all the answers are already there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6zLcUZLDh4iyiOPjLd0c7vYLyhY0s7j5_lJZgc2GrRJQjEFIuhyphenhyphenHwK2YPnbzj0kkOxEJ8HyOJn7K9F1r7HMR0N4j4iZPpvGWEsOcaqIs1Y-VfVKXbF7xl53ewU2iaY2cccmPYg/s1600-h/ubudviewhills1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6zLcUZLDh4iyiOPjLd0c7vYLyhY0s7j5_lJZgc2GrRJQjEFIuhyphenhyphenHwK2YPnbzj0kkOxEJ8HyOJn7K9F1r7HMR0N4j4iZPpvGWEsOcaqIs1Y-VfVKXbF7xl53ewU2iaY2cccmPYg/s400/ubudviewhills1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309518486208535938" /></a><br /><br />Until next time…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW9JaHWZ00_ngKV8kfOTIopjGyToDq8dOFWNnfhoE1ENJ49ANO5DvjHQWuGkROBi4QSaDQDRSBrTbf3f-9pA5okHptwvPJ-IZ8FyxZEAZ9BRG3SB6cXLO8YJbBu5g2Gyu2Hg9/s1600-h/nusadua.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWW9JaHWZ00_ngKV8kfOTIopjGyToDq8dOFWNnfhoE1ENJ49ANO5DvjHQWuGkROBi4QSaDQDRSBrTbf3f-9pA5okHptwvPJ-IZ8FyxZEAZ9BRG3SB6cXLO8YJbBu5g2Gyu2Hg9/s400/nusadua.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309569295503700018" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-27944203971550226722009-02-27T00:44:00.014-10:002009-02-27T02:39:04.978-10:00Pop gon mai, ka…"see you later " ...goodbye to ko lanta..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp3XXwH3tQe39aply4TPtNhEhaOIaZSwqkjp8uKnbpIpki4eBbbRKKvdGZApSzEMp5-kbvyj9TwiRY6w4oXpraFNkXPcVCodzfKlYViYmwKFn13zzJgVMZD6wIXavXKlWJku0Zg/s1600-h/klongnin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp3XXwH3tQe39aply4TPtNhEhaOIaZSwqkjp8uKnbpIpki4eBbbRKKvdGZApSzEMp5-kbvyj9TwiRY6w4oXpraFNkXPcVCodzfKlYViYmwKFn13zzJgVMZD6wIXavXKlWJku0Zg/s400/klongnin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307427156176688946" /></a><br /><br />So after 7 weeks of living a near perfect lifestyle here, I am packing my bags for Bali and saying good bye to Ko Lanta… for now..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RByq1qGoHYv1_4Vkz9Xf0C2n9Yv5kqgauliHV8roO98PLhQ8X9trT2BmBYjvPl2XmgbIYqQu-MVJPoVNeoSptneIh6yYMFg2sNxA-R3kEwOIYUCZXqAFzq2cIiCXA3Mpc4Y9YA/s1600-h/longtail1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RByq1qGoHYv1_4Vkz9Xf0C2n9Yv5kqgauliHV8roO98PLhQ8X9trT2BmBYjvPl2XmgbIYqQu-MVJPoVNeoSptneIh6yYMFg2sNxA-R3kEwOIYUCZXqAFzq2cIiCXA3Mpc4Y9YA/s400/longtail1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307427591084694274" /></a><br /><br />My last day here was spent riding on my beloved motorbike up and down this most amazing 30 km coastline, dotted with some of the most spectacular beaches and scenery I have ever scene anywhere in my lifelong journey around this planet. I intentionally took my camera for this ride, wanting to try and capture what I have been seeing now for the past few weeks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5a_6JgNvZxTHETQFsNmRuNvjnRNQQtl722J3GkQ_Vp6e7RXu-nfcqdW7ppYTcz4n_tuUOKz-fXAMbCLeXflGnXEk8TDE5ZdrFtphCf2dCF8asVKzM2WYm4__8CML7Du_XpNELWA/s1600-h/coastalroad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5a_6JgNvZxTHETQFsNmRuNvjnRNQQtl722J3GkQ_Vp6e7RXu-nfcqdW7ppYTcz4n_tuUOKz-fXAMbCLeXflGnXEk8TDE5ZdrFtphCf2dCF8asVKzM2WYm4__8CML7Du_XpNELWA/s400/coastalroad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307427151924108994" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yuWjdv4-Q27jwX8pNRkNNUtCEsuWErsKsKtm8x5GnW9zuHo-AKtxKuuWY4sMxomX9h_SsnsJAzjXskDfYGHJciJvKa1rNhNDBq1h5hSHoncok5Fq6NFJKaZKFYIpB3yhGa3tLw/s1600-h/mybike.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yuWjdv4-Q27jwX8pNRkNNUtCEsuWErsKsKtm8x5GnW9zuHo-AKtxKuuWY4sMxomX9h_SsnsJAzjXskDfYGHJciJvKa1rNhNDBq1h5hSHoncok5Fq6NFJKaZKFYIpB3yhGa3tLw/s400/mybike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307428641616750050" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHupyi9DTbepzXRXMvG9Cj7ruP3hQGbqwPNE4YE_L9VV3RvVB5bxEOnuroqHDPKacuUDHsD9TvEobRgD_RY_kviVXL-B0QuVfaAyzu7U-TLwttZWVhXRBXLuSaRXPnePSztWUWA/s1600-h/gasstattion.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHupyi9DTbepzXRXMvG9Cj7ruP3hQGbqwPNE4YE_L9VV3RvVB5bxEOnuroqHDPKacuUDHsD9TvEobRgD_RY_kviVXL-B0QuVfaAyzu7U-TLwttZWVhXRBXLuSaRXPnePSztWUWA/s400/gasstattion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307427151169265458" /></a><br />( the local gas station- a most welcome spot when you are low on gas- one learns to spot these plastic orange bottles from a great distance ! a full tank costs about 2 US $ ! )<br /><br /><br />I was very conscious of every corner I turned today, every beautiful moment I saw from my ride. I have taken this ride probably close to 50-60 times in just the past year alone but I am always amazed how every time I ride this coastline, it feels like it is for the first time. I always have a smile on my face-, my spirit soars,… the sense of beauty and freedom is overwhelming…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-6TybaOVN-Nos3hMUu7G-2euOb0LSRFdOpQnwjRdrKpNBlEHUiqc8AV8Rgxu2GP-_D27n1EogRbHH8al16MLLQdhdCry2XkzglOtRUD1GcnmkeXefF9Ol0oY-eElqcYGLhzt4w/s1600-h/palmtrees.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-6TybaOVN-Nos3hMUu7G-2euOb0LSRFdOpQnwjRdrKpNBlEHUiqc8AV8Rgxu2GP-_D27n1EogRbHH8al16MLLQdhdCry2XkzglOtRUD1GcnmkeXefF9Ol0oY-eElqcYGLhzt4w/s400/palmtrees.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307428643724145170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG4ml4P7MtwjwIVxhyphenhyphenyn72Dy6kP4kWwEXr1j6J0GqGRnnsM4iB52iJdGPZEGvNomFW1clokKFHfe5iLhZrnPGJu7jRp97Xv3ca8wW0NOgHf-ZOxogi8csjW-KP0Ts6pi5qV65uQ/s1600-h/botanicalgardens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG4ml4P7MtwjwIVxhyphenhyphenyn72Dy6kP4kWwEXr1j6J0GqGRnnsM4iB52iJdGPZEGvNomFW1clokKFHfe5iLhZrnPGJu7jRp97Xv3ca8wW0NOgHf-ZOxogi8csjW-KP0Ts6pi5qV65uQ/s400/botanicalgardens.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307426740292836114" /></a><br /><br />From passing the many temples and hearing the hauntingly beautiful calls to worship throughout the day…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkCGksHiY_rMDQaCpz5G7aY-TPkO0Ljwv2JYxYR5zFzjtY2cf0LCV-FtrIkXgK6o8NXAbsSjQdBCF4nFEd1AUdos72luqcY_mbmGxSQ3DBPmyymLdShk0eYkE1UV44nIqHNE79Q/s1600-h/mosque.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkCGksHiY_rMDQaCpz5G7aY-TPkO0Ljwv2JYxYR5zFzjtY2cf0LCV-FtrIkXgK6o8NXAbsSjQdBCF4nFEd1AUdos72luqcY_mbmGxSQ3DBPmyymLdShk0eYkE1UV44nIqHNE79Q/s400/mosque.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307427596990208306" /></a><br /><br />To seeing all the many fanciful beachside bars and bungalows, all decorated with lanterns, “fairy lights”, fire dancers, and the friendly local people….<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinH4vJObntv13A3PkLFryvFbYBFrRnj3juXxikH7H7ho5bskHpQmvn4fLZGF5cdDH3dogS63S1mCLa41lZeQ8dW7rVncUngtvOMDnxqmyBqU81Xmf8lXI3p3QfBferOcAhovuLQw/s1600-h/bungalowsfairylights.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinH4vJObntv13A3PkLFryvFbYBFrRnj3juXxikH7H7ho5bskHpQmvn4fLZGF5cdDH3dogS63S1mCLa41lZeQ8dW7rVncUngtvOMDnxqmyBqU81Xmf8lXI3p3QfBferOcAhovuLQw/s400/bungalowsfairylights.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307426747317702866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKoLzkdplsyX7xzw3I_zoZ12IpO27Jf01LpDXMz-Ft-_2cYn-QV5Z5-F1od3kYlHa2pjEGRdyjZs9KRhTeaBkE_kIdToy7whH2vHXYkFmNi_Ryzh42mcwZIRB2BlNwDLVdGkIjA/s1600-h/DSCF9091.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKoLzkdplsyX7xzw3I_zoZ12IpO27Jf01LpDXMz-Ft-_2cYn-QV5Z5-F1od3kYlHa2pjEGRdyjZs9KRhTeaBkE_kIdToy7whH2vHXYkFmNi_Ryzh42mcwZIRB2BlNwDLVdGkIjA/s400/DSCF9091.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307448654065133202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wJlvHiIYbta8_AuiyiXmAaq0ePMjZHwDxYGAoED-291FqbvoYVjcTTXF5rPdxvJ9KQki1Kb_GiZSEqVUfFXa5rrwNUC2pPkYs6N5yG9Z-8wX498AuVUvU63Olq9Wk4UYdjxZEw/s1600-h/massagesign.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wJlvHiIYbta8_AuiyiXmAaq0ePMjZHwDxYGAoED-291FqbvoYVjcTTXF5rPdxvJ9KQki1Kb_GiZSEqVUfFXa5rrwNUC2pPkYs6N5yG9Z-8wX498AuVUvU63Olq9Wk4UYdjxZEw/s400/massagesign.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307427590347272354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ__qCFxK4C7bqgnMs23iAdA4HFTlj9kAyiVXYP5M7zHjn6CXA6WVrPijXvkCvimSD1GABxZp3SRN7Np1KOeVGdtrSF9N7i4JpJITqd2a3JCjL4PiCU9R3uCpymsKOVq9Kd83KIQ/s1600-h/littlegirltouchingback.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ__qCFxK4C7bqgnMs23iAdA4HFTlj9kAyiVXYP5M7zHjn6CXA6WVrPijXvkCvimSD1GABxZp3SRN7Np1KOeVGdtrSF9N7i4JpJITqd2a3JCjL4PiCU9R3uCpymsKOVq9Kd83KIQ/s400/littlegirltouchingback.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307427587998987362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUshQZXub_23_bakuthlnzudro0jwjC34fGRHFgV_dT7VoMOWWyU57DQZY5p5W4-SjEEuPzW5btI1yeROP12nd_aiVq9RZbvo0Z64RH4MDsMQ-S3YBiktTL4IyrldM7gxrdWCYA/s1600-h/buddhababy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUshQZXub_23_bakuthlnzudro0jwjC34fGRHFgV_dT7VoMOWWyU57DQZY5p5W4-SjEEuPzW5btI1yeROP12nd_aiVq9RZbvo0Z64RH4MDsMQ-S3YBiktTL4IyrldM7gxrdWCYA/s400/buddhababy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307426744501969154" /></a><br />I am always at a loss for words to the beauty that constantly unfolds before me here…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O_qwP8Yk4ldKEmzneDupO7p4592c9tvsVfq2YjJlU9Oo4-61IE4s8uNxS-6N3ourWzi1kb51PvPHwB9rHbcZwrnqBt8jkXCrew6L07GVkYHVCQC8cMIx9OQaRJAipj9TNxMwkQ/s1600-h/last+sunsetwithboat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O_qwP8Yk4ldKEmzneDupO7p4592c9tvsVfq2YjJlU9Oo4-61IE4s8uNxS-6N3ourWzi1kb51PvPHwB9rHbcZwrnqBt8jkXCrew6L07GVkYHVCQC8cMIx9OQaRJAipj9TNxMwkQ/s400/last+sunsetwithboat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307427152999996034" /></a><br /><br />Tonight, I gathered friends for a small farewell party and was once again reminded how wonderful it is to have a history with people when you travel..it is great to feel friendships deepen and strengthen over time..this is the one of the greatest benefits of actually staying in one place for awhile- you are not a tourist, but a more of a transplanted local.- who lives off the beaten path, eats the local foods, laughs and plays with the neighborhood kids, and gets caught up on the all the neighborhood gossip..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEiRXJNhAu3JWNbZ4TeG1SRERwN2PUaEsri-xWY3OxjuBcSQ80RxyqT2ocIjtlhz8EsD5wzYbU5VXJ-Kec2X13U6LwIXX3wSgnLAJWWDreSXgLZv4nelxkJWqgsUYtNS-zkJtCg/s1600-h/DSCF9060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEiRXJNhAu3JWNbZ4TeG1SRERwN2PUaEsri-xWY3OxjuBcSQ80RxyqT2ocIjtlhz8EsD5wzYbU5VXJ-Kec2X13U6LwIXX3wSgnLAJWWDreSXgLZv4nelxkJWqgsUYtNS-zkJtCg/s400/DSCF9060.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307434002572792674" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkFvbjwFbGOfuMxKO7UKixyaRVZGv7P-DMBTU4iaCVISmr47DX6iA16duZ-7-3Vnl92qbJDz6AqUDFYgG8DIfDPo7sg9mRaiUgrpa9tX_M0phxh9iE440VDYTz2TLj29WTIe_Iw/s1600-h/DSCF9064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkFvbjwFbGOfuMxKO7UKixyaRVZGv7P-DMBTU4iaCVISmr47DX6iA16duZ-7-3Vnl92qbJDz6AqUDFYgG8DIfDPo7sg9mRaiUgrpa9tX_M0phxh9iE440VDYTz2TLj29WTIe_Iw/s400/DSCF9064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307434003609380338" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHyleOifq-fCoAk5wZ2MmdyiB3dtV60UUuyirkuPdxAp4OIend_gcS53g_h_jeU_73FsEV4tVxoPWUsvG3auPfw5qMBXWVy9ULhhf2OjFhvhaAUYei6mwuYJ41e-HyYwFRcBlyA/s1600-h/leekevmefrothbeer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHyleOifq-fCoAk5wZ2MmdyiB3dtV60UUuyirkuPdxAp4OIend_gcS53g_h_jeU_73FsEV4tVxoPWUsvG3auPfw5qMBXWVy9ULhhf2OjFhvhaAUYei6mwuYJ41e-HyYwFRcBlyA/s400/leekevmefrothbeer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307433997050677842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZx3r6MEs1HYQKYAzGP3T3Gd5gjU1-uRKNka74Csbsb42tgZqYCC0xBzMmmIsrOcx15otTE8-Fd8duTi_zTB3MddAji3VrRAni51OaKiCbMrgi5ZSHBSWkaJTtlUNMBGq2MNyaw/s1600-h/DSCF9015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZx3r6MEs1HYQKYAzGP3T3Gd5gjU1-uRKNka74Csbsb42tgZqYCC0xBzMmmIsrOcx15otTE8-Fd8duTi_zTB3MddAji3VrRAni51OaKiCbMrgi5ZSHBSWkaJTtlUNMBGq2MNyaw/s400/DSCF9015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307433990218913986" /></a><br /><br /><br /> this need to spend quality time with friends has been a big priority for me this time around…I just didn’t want to be “another smiling face” that just pops in for a few weeks every year ; I wanted people to get to know me as much I as wanted to connect and deepen my connection with them…I feel this mission has been accomplished…I am happy for this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N26iyf9QQcCmeLJ88HF4uqY7WHtqX3P9f9EFqrdUmW3IRQGxIzZAePO2wISlQ8US35rdLFvzGF9OxjaSf7lNYkR8T-mP92GDH3Sfv1RyqIUBkIbQUlEdjeSohj7ivrbVFp7VyA/s1600-h/aldocarmelo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N26iyf9QQcCmeLJ88HF4uqY7WHtqX3P9f9EFqrdUmW3IRQGxIzZAePO2wISlQ8US35rdLFvzGF9OxjaSf7lNYkR8T-mP92GDH3Sfv1RyqIUBkIbQUlEdjeSohj7ivrbVFp7VyA/s400/aldocarmelo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307426741189968210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobOqngR1lwKzN2r6YtwfQSktreI4LEcG_ZIBkOK-D7Iog42_SoNDYV3N1xMPTRMxQSxRqw4gtmara6pUpqILVVC1vgHs7LYTjmJZ5ZytHwWt0qEe2zz5eFcObKkBkDFwoD4jyCQ/s1600-h/candlesontable.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobOqngR1lwKzN2r6YtwfQSktreI4LEcG_ZIBkOK-D7Iog42_SoNDYV3N1xMPTRMxQSxRqw4gtmara6pUpqILVVC1vgHs7LYTjmJZ5ZytHwWt0qEe2zz5eFcObKkBkDFwoD4jyCQ/s400/candlesontable.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307427147209401330" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHysYpms4EXsu1uW68M1GTaotuzKljSq4J3UHK6IBVXkfaf2J2aLoyRa5lBEIYlWNGj3amglxNVKlF2Cmk1N8xBlGrYBKaCfMYjaRfaAfeuTT2dpk226SCwkAdkSmnoc58D82YWA/s1600-h/tewandme.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHysYpms4EXsu1uW68M1GTaotuzKljSq4J3UHK6IBVXkfaf2J2aLoyRa5lBEIYlWNGj3amglxNVKlF2Cmk1N8xBlGrYBKaCfMYjaRfaAfeuTT2dpk226SCwkAdkSmnoc58D82YWA/s400/tewandme.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307428645315711890" /></a><br />(Tew, my bungalow manager, and me right before I left..we have become good freinds over the years now...)<br /><br />There is also the amazing joy of always meeting new friends when you are on the road..the kind of friends you just know will be lifelong connections…it is that instant “aha” feeling you have when you have a first conversation- the bond is instant.- the friendship, a lifelong journey to be shared…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RggYEO2hmp7GJvzG7SOdDoQ7ov_KiWUkOe84tdTDHUiKh8QWWFKGjt34OmRAjGyqUSkpG_8Bh1ZxKWw3r-KLDmCDS6UgLABkoy-QpIFZ5LiwwE6jj8OfETrUDhGvnxhiNyfL2A/s1600-h/chayame.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RggYEO2hmp7GJvzG7SOdDoQ7ov_KiWUkOe84tdTDHUiKh8QWWFKGjt34OmRAjGyqUSkpG_8Bh1ZxKWw3r-KLDmCDS6UgLABkoy-QpIFZ5LiwwE6jj8OfETrUDhGvnxhiNyfL2A/s400/chayame.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307446270254317474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUp7JGuH3YHgHUXrGFGE3-2BmgE3TnL5tgCDCoJO2GMpi1fHmOS0lO4sxmHatA83pnW4E-gGNOtdNCjOJsMd04VR-meCYMPQ1Znr5roqGaJGfaZi4n7x_1gZ9M3CE8Dkme3jzfQ/s1600-h/DSCF9007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUp7JGuH3YHgHUXrGFGE3-2BmgE3TnL5tgCDCoJO2GMpi1fHmOS0lO4sxmHatA83pnW4E-gGNOtdNCjOJsMd04VR-meCYMPQ1Znr5roqGaJGfaZi4n7x_1gZ9M3CE8Dkme3jzfQ/s400/DSCF9007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307443218237341282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYbE7fx3Uzel34EK0SUNgokRMKXWr4bslBwLsMCPngJmHZfJZypuH6y-nVtazsk2ITzyXa1uJtqbnQzgGKoWmY33UbO8ZZxoHZgPTBgJTtrwYhvRUGcFgpyaRacAgLJFjBE6pTQ/s1600-h/DSCF9379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYbE7fx3Uzel34EK0SUNgokRMKXWr4bslBwLsMCPngJmHZfJZypuH6y-nVtazsk2ITzyXa1uJtqbnQzgGKoWmY33UbO8ZZxoHZgPTBgJTtrwYhvRUGcFgpyaRacAgLJFjBE6pTQ/s400/DSCF9379.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307455571958008962" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSaXsUFdmWbZ6E7X1sq4jvo4Tim7dSJ2zTX94iNuFzVJuA5Ak6SnjfgqjX_laQ8JvTAmxrOfgN6aEixvygwgScgdpn2vi6Rpit9OrvqI0ShBlgu4ik1wt6hpUogNuUE297_zJlA/s1600-h/DSCF9253.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSaXsUFdmWbZ6E7X1sq4jvo4Tim7dSJ2zTX94iNuFzVJuA5Ak6SnjfgqjX_laQ8JvTAmxrOfgN6aEixvygwgScgdpn2vi6Rpit9OrvqI0ShBlgu4ik1wt6hpUogNuUE297_zJlA/s400/DSCF9253.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307446276578787106" /></a><br /><br />So I leave Lanta tomorrow, fully satisfied for all the quality time I have given myself and to others here…I am incredibly grateful , as always, for the amount of quiet time I have had to think, reflect, write, walk, swim, work-out, sing, dance, draw, listen and play music, and basically rejuvenate a spirit that often gets a bit tired , stressed and emptied when I am in the throes of working hard back home…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJNJw5mLrEa2kCcJvsoa19gwynZ5SfHFnm0NvI_TBK-3L8p1D3lsrD-Z1-tnNFHIIZLJ24ywMYHF2wUukhNIeEXd9seuxJ_UQrwCakSzw372WLkS3p4eiAbM8wgPTjDP-nD7JWQ/s1600-h/mybungalow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJNJw5mLrEa2kCcJvsoa19gwynZ5SfHFnm0NvI_TBK-3L8p1D3lsrD-Z1-tnNFHIIZLJ24ywMYHF2wUukhNIeEXd9seuxJ_UQrwCakSzw372WLkS3p4eiAbM8wgPTjDP-nD7JWQ/s400/mybungalow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307428641325635394" /></a><br />(my bungalow, my home for 7 weeks- )<br /><br />So to Ko Lanta, I deeply bow to you…my respect and reverence to you is a lifelong affair I will never tire of….you wrap me up gently in your arms as only a most compassionate and caring mother would…letting me weep when I needed to, letting me laugh when the urge surfaced, and most importantly, allowing and encouraging me to always live my life as authentically as I have always dreamt was possible.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR86ka9kyG0OmqDmV-HjcNo9B3C8hT438wCpYgXQtTUHmjOySUZMdSIYss2a_AxaynUt1N7CQJ25-S4H4WPLnVaaPF7RYbqLXhGiWpx98GXC4tuSV8kuXckq3olzj17_QCl5WRsg/s1600-h/candleplasiticbottleonbeach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR86ka9kyG0OmqDmV-HjcNo9B3C8hT438wCpYgXQtTUHmjOySUZMdSIYss2a_AxaynUt1N7CQJ25-S4H4WPLnVaaPF7RYbqLXhGiWpx98GXC4tuSV8kuXckq3olzj17_QCl5WRsg/s400/candleplasiticbottleonbeach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307426748158966386" /></a><br /><br />For this, I will be forever indebted…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQsFBrKGeUlqOC1bNKCRFg4VySp030NinL94C4sKVFtNFIFb1UmNZ3NaP6Wlh1v0PD4S8KADbj30lGSE1uchbyagb7IvQaCPOE7I7c_YEZu249vAfAndxSjTkmtpVCFl3Ed4JOg/s1600-h/verylastsunset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQsFBrKGeUlqOC1bNKCRFg4VySp030NinL94C4sKVFtNFIFb1UmNZ3NaP6Wlh1v0PD4S8KADbj30lGSE1uchbyagb7IvQaCPOE7I7c_YEZu249vAfAndxSjTkmtpVCFl3Ed4JOg/s400/verylastsunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307428642783669650" /></a><br /><br />Khop Khun Mak Ka….<br /><br />Thank you, very much…<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLKPNs5wkbiIIGJ_ANRu7Y98fss_ZzOjfScEo6YevSSu-T5eT7RGunJ6szhVe0fVxfNfHtywDKbd7trSNnmiU29geH1OCSiZnuAZPocVscCzs8RxKcrbk-J1ZlC98i-Y-AIpjzw/s1600-h/meinbungalow2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLKPNs5wkbiIIGJ_ANRu7Y98fss_ZzOjfScEo6YevSSu-T5eT7RGunJ6szhVe0fVxfNfHtywDKbd7trSNnmiU29geH1OCSiZnuAZPocVscCzs8RxKcrbk-J1ZlC98i-Y-AIpjzw/s400/meinbungalow2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307429082779044354" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-92230995827435950542009-02-19T04:26:00.007-10:002009-02-19T04:57:55.425-10:00children..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty4AftVq6Brg-uK0N6n_m7q7qrujcGMW9AucCe6JdnlTiLfF4IrVQcFeYsaQawJph15KKO3KgNsEcZDFpeGTJG5oC-5y9uuipvbERUYOnK2TLlb4iGlBfYiS3fpZ-oZjIxPysuw/s1600-h/chayascarf2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty4AftVq6Brg-uK0N6n_m7q7qrujcGMW9AucCe6JdnlTiLfF4IrVQcFeYsaQawJph15KKO3KgNsEcZDFpeGTJG5oC-5y9uuipvbERUYOnK2TLlb4iGlBfYiS3fpZ-oZjIxPysuw/s400/chayascarf2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304517506214415042" /></a><br /><br />....they dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-0EGEzbaS3OVQQbkuW9eV3tjMOqBDRigeTrsgLAqVimS9z80hrrvdcQcHtYWCt66ru3wVvR454viwJzIITvBhBPTacC488rSlxR1lhUMdwWRPa0CG-Zm4fhyKOeMXs3pqm4KCQ/s1600-h/chayadancing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-0EGEzbaS3OVQQbkuW9eV3tjMOqBDRigeTrsgLAqVimS9z80hrrvdcQcHtYWCt66ru3wVvR454viwJzIITvBhBPTacC488rSlxR1lhUMdwWRPa0CG-Zm4fhyKOeMXs3pqm4KCQ/s400/chayadancing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304519497963141378" /></a><br />..they ask questions that a wise man cannot often answer...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAtWd2r4QdmBB_lWi8uKtFYVCGG9o5ox0p7znjpXzPqHUPqbHGkUzYhFGhUDDWG7oG9RsYCfOfI2rdpmxu5f8cTWbtJMOW_CQj843wfD0TNAf76Q2wjKF-8qDu1pEB6FbQbkWMw/s1600-h/boyintemple.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAtWd2r4QdmBB_lWi8uKtFYVCGG9o5ox0p7znjpXzPqHUPqbHGkUzYhFGhUDDWG7oG9RsYCfOfI2rdpmxu5f8cTWbtJMOW_CQj843wfD0TNAf76Q2wjKF-8qDu1pEB6FbQbkWMw/s400/boyintemple.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304519496087223378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UseHiKGB9DOGs01YKCU3t-9rq01UbI3ISDa-c5EIUHbVBa6_rclkO1Yq7zMpfRZyfTRq4R-IKjRGYbXmjEG4egYdXOAsvKq785xp8pLGC_aQgNv1Tej0TI9NsKG3CX33KEFimQ/s1600-h/sai'sniece.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UseHiKGB9DOGs01YKCU3t-9rq01UbI3ISDa-c5EIUHbVBa6_rclkO1Yq7zMpfRZyfTRq4R-IKjRGYbXmjEG4egYdXOAsvKq785xp8pLGC_aQgNv1Tej0TI9NsKG3CX33KEFimQ/s400/sai'sniece.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304519500709925058" /></a><br />...they make you want to start life over again...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuCPNfvsXQO-OEL2Z7ZNrlbU4UYh113CrVpn5gcig3oCmXLS2UhAhTSkZSC10dq-nE9C6ro85uf1_nwJP2oXM65UP8Z5MWh7HLeHjMEX9weZ2__mr7WeFgukvGB7Kytj9Gs0m6w/s1600-h/freedomdream.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuCPNfvsXQO-OEL2Z7ZNrlbU4UYh113CrVpn5gcig3oCmXLS2UhAhTSkZSC10dq-nE9C6ro85uf1_nwJP2oXM65UP8Z5MWh7HLeHjMEX9weZ2__mr7WeFgukvGB7Kytj9Gs0m6w/s400/freedomdream.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304519500303030466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDqfFL9pVDL0kurdx18fbspeM11ufyBO8uacpaDD-0LrtWKSqngd8SLvCoZQH_7hMzU5rYMpy97IhaUMqrraObfpQ2XusymDZThWaRfL2RGfsrgba0ki1YKc4PXD8-G0MVCEhSg/s1600-h/kitimababy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDqfFL9pVDL0kurdx18fbspeM11ufyBO8uacpaDD-0LrtWKSqngd8SLvCoZQH_7hMzU5rYMpy97IhaUMqrraObfpQ2XusymDZThWaRfL2RGfsrgba0ki1YKc4PXD8-G0MVCEhSg/s400/kitimababy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304522599201945346" /></a><br /><br />I am blessed to be surrounded daily by such beings of lightness...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kZfw-MHb8F47xK0WImpiphMRsxZDqEDnJO49XC2wivLXug38ogMjsNxarnvZu6WEnMHPhrnVvyBdu0UJ7t_Zz6DfRPVo7kBKnqtR1HvhFrYt9eA_Kgd0dsDmIaT6R-EzzbmWpg/s1600-h/mehannaemi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kZfw-MHb8F47xK0WImpiphMRsxZDqEDnJO49XC2wivLXug38ogMjsNxarnvZu6WEnMHPhrnVvyBdu0UJ7t_Zz6DfRPVo7kBKnqtR1HvhFrYt9eA_Kgd0dsDmIaT6R-EzzbmWpg/s400/mehannaemi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304519495232643186" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0DDUBPR0EMQd_6LHeHcnKaMFED6GH3-S53Kj7vMTuM4kLK3YMTneKTXAx-O6xJ7ghv6boW6NkiQV_MZTCuOY95N0-Jb7J-IBfcjTOADKflMmWcecYwwkDVb-s6uBaARwP59Wkg/s1600-h/boyinsandcloseup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0DDUBPR0EMQd_6LHeHcnKaMFED6GH3-S53Kj7vMTuM4kLK3YMTneKTXAx-O6xJ7ghv6boW6NkiQV_MZTCuOY95N0-Jb7J-IBfcjTOADKflMmWcecYwwkDVb-s6uBaARwP59Wkg/s400/boyinsandcloseup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304522602200870962" /></a><br /><br />thank you, I never stop learning from you all..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFoVXcYVvQ4QMWVQmdSSofwpGMOyYdHymyY4dBDmDdmh8Tp4HFl02x-FtULRJujIBK0iO1B6dYT9OnBaBrfBr_ctLu3qJBF3gQOkFN7PdAwIm2BMNFDZGeWBUZ8-c-22YojYnng/s1600-h/boymonks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFoVXcYVvQ4QMWVQmdSSofwpGMOyYdHymyY4dBDmDdmh8Tp4HFl02x-FtULRJujIBK0iO1B6dYT9OnBaBrfBr_ctLu3qJBF3gQOkFN7PdAwIm2BMNFDZGeWBUZ8-c-22YojYnng/s400/boymonks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304521175305260706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCiTHpD4moD2wHMPgu0xl51XOyZ97rOHAkHopVt78VnAhT8IMT5qV4seSRUtbGqDu6-kcuXmE1CU_40CMdBFyvG3G54woHIMg-a6gEJ5fRU2_3CFHrrB3tzxAclGqTG8NICS7uw/s1600-h/localboyrunningbeach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCiTHpD4moD2wHMPgu0xl51XOyZ97rOHAkHopVt78VnAhT8IMT5qV4seSRUtbGqDu6-kcuXmE1CU_40CMdBFyvG3G54woHIMg-a6gEJ5fRU2_3CFHrrB3tzxAclGqTG8NICS7uw/s400/localboyrunningbeach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304521173887523218" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-48188812376020263782009-02-17T14:33:00.004-10:002009-02-18T20:49:29.209-10:00temple of fatal laffs...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxAkzg8d8x_XE2838Qak0eiPOjSqSU4Pc7BTIyBM49lT8LLirfE9Gt2BMkgH4VMiQmQfKJ7LojFrGsohp-X127xlt_wyXFseibTcqAgRLDemrDtpndwp-zLrCjlVz6iEYtlarIA/s1600-h/fatallaffs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxAkzg8d8x_XE2838Qak0eiPOjSqSU4Pc7BTIyBM49lT8LLirfE9Gt2BMkgH4VMiQmQfKJ7LojFrGsohp-X127xlt_wyXFseibTcqAgRLDemrDtpndwp-zLrCjlVz6iEYtlarIA/s400/fatallaffs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303929213655214594" /></a><br /><br />what a way to go..melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-46015360345684336582009-02-17T02:26:00.007-10:002009-02-17T05:57:53.334-10:00wherever you go, there you are...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU3pSPeQeRGuxR5Jk3ct4Kee4_GrjWbPZqeMfm1NLeK2xw84S96INMMHW7Q28QzFhS5vPDzdAqYPeH7TjEb7yLbukO1jOtT_ua7z9J3yTwXYnDG2iMUiBp1XYvdi7cLpeBFt5Lg/s1600-h/peacockandbuddha.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU3pSPeQeRGuxR5Jk3ct4Kee4_GrjWbPZqeMfm1NLeK2xw84S96INMMHW7Q28QzFhS5vPDzdAqYPeH7TjEb7yLbukO1jOtT_ua7z9J3yTwXYnDG2iMUiBp1XYvdi7cLpeBFt5Lg/s400/peacockandbuddha.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303744351757583234" /></a><br /><br />No matter what the backdrop, your mind follows you…you can run and you can hide, but sooner or later you have to meet your mind, make peace with its thoughts, realize it has mostly old chatter that has fueled your ego for years, and then try to do everything in your power to just let it all go...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt0OtW6zMo9qiTebHDwaSO__6UJd4NcJJbWCcSNPxRVYv6zxSctILDguee8hJrx18G9EiWhRxbFefS94yGB2Zhww8ogipeEvHTaSEsz5RHEMbkFcR18UyrJFxwRTwFWbG3dXSMw/s1600-h/manonpole.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt0OtW6zMo9qiTebHDwaSO__6UJd4NcJJbWCcSNPxRVYv6zxSctILDguee8hJrx18G9EiWhRxbFefS94yGB2Zhww8ogipeEvHTaSEsz5RHEMbkFcR18UyrJFxwRTwFWbG3dXSMw/s400/manonpole.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303790662306715970" /></a><br /><br />So never doubt for a moment, that just because I am living this seemingly idyllic life, that, I, too don’t sometimes have a sad day, a blue day, a day with a bit of irritation, confusion, no energy to be strong, to be wise, to give…my mind is still playing games with me, too..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYvlv0uguEubFAtjSh-YujfubMD115fRgHv0cE0ACSQvC86XClpAMau5AxgVnspHJFd5qj3UOe3-bLXHzNt3ZlwbCD2A7n3SbSlMbm8DjdVmxXMB_U4oE5JmJ0bYh_x4uotCZSQ/s1600-h/balilotus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYvlv0uguEubFAtjSh-YujfubMD115fRgHv0cE0ACSQvC86XClpAMau5AxgVnspHJFd5qj3UOe3-bLXHzNt3ZlwbCD2A7n3SbSlMbm8DjdVmxXMB_U4oE5JmJ0bYh_x4uotCZSQ/s400/balilotus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303744357326191634" /></a><br /><br />For we are all human beings afterall, and have all been given life lessons to work on , whether we are living peacefully in Fiji or fighting commuter traffic in Frankfurt… the lessons will always surface…until we finally learn them , let go what we need to , and move on…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7BeY2jZvHz6YXFfaWNaGs005YOTysdO4QqAIsrurQpgD72Hg3yO4OKMxHRJjD5j3lprrCyoKHuucZbX-n0vYdcNmEl77KdLZMIEtr6jtZp9UElK9jf8-0B9i4_uWW0qz4j5tsw/s1600-h/parkinglot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7BeY2jZvHz6YXFfaWNaGs005YOTysdO4QqAIsrurQpgD72Hg3yO4OKMxHRJjD5j3lprrCyoKHuucZbX-n0vYdcNmEl77KdLZMIEtr6jtZp9UElK9jf8-0B9i4_uWW0qz4j5tsw/s400/parkinglot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303743273623040722" /></a><br /><br />“It's not that we're human beings trying to have a spiritual experience, but rather we're spiritual beings having a human experience.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BR0cENAElJ0O-kpEBN1nQf-RpYRsthByFvhp2yWUwql-oYWbXnpx5z7Y9bSCFcaevSZ5_mZaextex8c4fTcC2VvrhwdUboVmd96aFANoS6NKP0c3Bhd02G9HvPa0DhiJewghxg/s1600-h/hudsontaylor.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 345px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BR0cENAElJ0O-kpEBN1nQf-RpYRsthByFvhp2yWUwql-oYWbXnpx5z7Y9bSCFcaevSZ5_mZaextex8c4fTcC2VvrhwdUboVmd96aFANoS6NKP0c3Bhd02G9HvPa0DhiJewghxg/s400/hudsontaylor.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303743276366625394" /></a><br /><br />I remind myself of this every day…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xb4Np3c1etUk10BiPr3qy6xAdIUiVHLW3moKYAURpgG6EAZ8PF1498kqX5O5Ko4emkaikaDxP_P1_iqF0gve9Qr24qqVs-dm9c3hAIK6aZnQPaO0x9tU4-KQqDsN8JsO5TYw4A/s1600-h/purpleboat.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xb4Np3c1etUk10BiPr3qy6xAdIUiVHLW3moKYAURpgG6EAZ8PF1498kqX5O5Ko4emkaikaDxP_P1_iqF0gve9Qr24qqVs-dm9c3hAIK6aZnQPaO0x9tU4-KQqDsN8JsO5TYw4A/s400/purpleboat.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303743268772081170" /></a><br /><br />Here’s to our "humanness" and to being an ever-expanding presence on this most excellent adventure...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bsa8z3y4dxYwTDckJ_E1ju7J1iml-m3CzKHwkP3Ak70v4YSLJQjyqP2qJaVLcp9CRfO3cXyAq3GZ7u1C6-SEqcokHNuNmqIjLX9J6TsIiLBxM8fm53pBUL7OrjNcuxh0dijUrg/s1600-h/chloesunset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bsa8z3y4dxYwTDckJ_E1ju7J1iml-m3CzKHwkP3Ak70v4YSLJQjyqP2qJaVLcp9CRfO3cXyAq3GZ7u1C6-SEqcokHNuNmqIjLX9J6TsIiLBxM8fm53pBUL7OrjNcuxh0dijUrg/s400/chloesunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303743278926511874" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-7844306125390692862009-02-16T02:44:00.004-10:002009-02-16T03:04:18.172-10:00“Is this a time to be cloudy and sad,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_TpKnQKVPOyX_ar-1b-tOJYdKIB-AiVUkIAiBM5dIeTH5YfBQ-1aAQFgeFYvZG5ldYKPES5VIvpv5hcYNCmdYQfYmvJDOl9WYUWQuWjslKgyJVUAq0D1K9vt_IvxgQa-YLg8iQ/s1600-h/sunsetbig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_TpKnQKVPOyX_ar-1b-tOJYdKIB-AiVUkIAiBM5dIeTH5YfBQ-1aAQFgeFYvZG5ldYKPES5VIvpv5hcYNCmdYQfYmvJDOl9WYUWQuWjslKgyJVUAq0D1K9vt_IvxgQa-YLg8iQ/s400/sunsetbig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303377611657525554" /></a><br /><br />When our mother Nature laughs around;<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiop9EayhMkAe3-FtlNXfTNVFSyUxDoqy1d6rP63Jt044kpGVEs7kpNEjlTTnPdVm5oMo81DDukBlpQ24XTcI21pOEE4Lt0leYvPahyphenhyphenov9WybmtOW2jBbdYiTdnR4peDvWW07hvg/s1600-h/sunset3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiop9EayhMkAe3-FtlNXfTNVFSyUxDoqy1d6rP63Jt044kpGVEs7kpNEjlTTnPdVm5oMo81DDukBlpQ24XTcI21pOEE4Lt0leYvPahyphenhyphenov9WybmtOW2jBbdYiTdnR4peDvWW07hvg/s400/sunset3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303377613646217058" /></a><br /><br />When even the deep blue heavens look glad,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKSe60Jmk6v8jUfu2Hm8I_6HLbpVP0NrFCW5tXQ27h4ddYfwTG3dPGDihLMQIn94VAXdDyIfLDbU_gTKj7BVwz5ECfohAz4I6TzKTGSZdGXI3_fMW3jMb50sGLEKgFQFBtwFmqg/s1600-h/blusunset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKSe60Jmk6v8jUfu2Hm8I_6HLbpVP0NrFCW5tXQ27h4ddYfwTG3dPGDihLMQIn94VAXdDyIfLDbU_gTKj7BVwz5ECfohAz4I6TzKTGSZdGXI3_fMW3jMb50sGLEKgFQFBtwFmqg/s400/blusunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303377612424077442" /></a><br /><br />And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground?”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIufL5NQEFMASkYVAtCCrqrjDzlCk1N8RBtMGfCwHwSigS0tOSgfsv0hIt8SRPRWkR1TLtr6VeZyWcWULwpO8b47uYYEtHHmf0_dlKnTMy7xs68bPaIutMxB7sMJDZzg8ShbwEA/s1600-h/motherdaughter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIufL5NQEFMASkYVAtCCrqrjDzlCk1N8RBtMGfCwHwSigS0tOSgfsv0hIt8SRPRWkR1TLtr6VeZyWcWULwpO8b47uYYEtHHmf0_dlKnTMy7xs68bPaIutMxB7sMJDZzg8ShbwEA/s400/motherdaughter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303377612965580610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUE-Z6G6vu284Fofsmr13H_TBqD0MznNmeGoGoW2hu9wg9-f_TaRgBRyyi4JaVHldWvk9ayQh59gAS5YlnRCHUS_gSvUKDwqf-BP3CiRkirsRu6Vqa3VfOq8zno-aS3A5fZsV7w/s1600-h/manbabystroller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUE-Z6G6vu284Fofsmr13H_TBqD0MznNmeGoGoW2hu9wg9-f_TaRgBRyyi4JaVHldWvk9ayQh59gAS5YlnRCHUS_gSvUKDwqf-BP3CiRkirsRu6Vqa3VfOq8zno-aS3A5fZsV7w/s400/manbabystroller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303377615071075234" /></a><br /><br />thank you , mother nature.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIeT0I0wNGEJUleFWENfEKdDCGrF1joyx5xpKJX_doR5dTPTupBfQX-Z0ufg01s1RGme4qN7pU51reO9u9-DWSpQqVnk77nRWLohuxC76bx81XD5S_aujkfGyEi9A4rmLzwk8ag/s1600-h/robbieonbeachbw.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIeT0I0wNGEJUleFWENfEKdDCGrF1joyx5xpKJX_doR5dTPTupBfQX-Z0ufg01s1RGme4qN7pU51reO9u9-DWSpQqVnk77nRWLohuxC76bx81XD5S_aujkfGyEi9A4rmLzwk8ag/s400/robbieonbeachbw.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303380243751632626" /></a><br />you continue to take my breath away...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFKFVAdP-NYFOER4uPsKScDFSulUg01VgBh7xg6785PPmXlviIAOcsFi61PHwsQVOa8FnsICY5Vdn7_57BlfLtx9NMgcShFDvNk2J4_7XEdEZXzYM0G1Zq5U9kbiLm_HS1GVN4A/s1600-h/sunset2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFKFVAdP-NYFOER4uPsKScDFSulUg01VgBh7xg6785PPmXlviIAOcsFi61PHwsQVOa8FnsICY5Vdn7_57BlfLtx9NMgcShFDvNk2J4_7XEdEZXzYM0G1Zq5U9kbiLm_HS1GVN4A/s400/sunset2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303378761424463458" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-44300060940918524832009-02-09T21:00:00.008-10:002009-02-10T14:32:28.299-10:00by the light of the silvery moon...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzMs5popJG6BuSJRbOOxyS5BDCkZzq2zC-NOs2MLek3XYV_dkJriBTYt_FATTlSfvlb2YSuQK_pyhtzu1dDjhosv7tk4q4VFQPjSASUX7FJFTn-z5kN5Whyphenhyphenb0BMBvEV_YZZXKsw/s1600-h/fullmoonsilver.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzMs5popJG6BuSJRbOOxyS5BDCkZzq2zC-NOs2MLek3XYV_dkJriBTYt_FATTlSfvlb2YSuQK_pyhtzu1dDjhosv7tk4q4VFQPjSASUX7FJFTn-z5kN5Whyphenhyphenb0BMBvEV_YZZXKsw/s400/fullmoonsilver.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301061418437503682"></a><br /><br />Celebrating the full moon takes on somewhat epic proportions here in Thailand. The island of Ko Phangan is known throughout the world for its rave parties on the beach with anywhere upwards to 5-6,000 people scrambling for dance space on the beaches of Hat Rin. www.fullmoon.phangan.info<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcwvaqD4hUFnBBE7AISrcsl_1Z7Oa7J4Ak-j83ieZHYDN-VG0cEtmhYCDQlg7rzb5E5WvtHjFyj7bJGdVdI5Y1XF2me6Gjo9hDMt0Da8lbh20gsmhyebq-K3lm_TDU6lfiVieug/s1600-h/DSCF9081.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcwvaqD4hUFnBBE7AISrcsl_1Z7Oa7J4Ak-j83ieZHYDN-VG0cEtmhYCDQlg7rzb5E5WvtHjFyj7bJGdVdI5Y1XF2me6Gjo9hDMt0Da8lbh20gsmhyebq-K3lm_TDU6lfiVieug/s400/DSCF9081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301063707001813298"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe18LWgHBEAgZnLLIq-OIWOH6TX3Bk8P65sjumtV3hXTT5FgYwo_b9Des8IuDD27ePgxEkuzGcRRy8NomeBMgyRDjBeytSO_gT8JDDHaJYyBGvNWemG7U3wRoWZc75jrVWjtuIg/s1600-h/DSCF9074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe18LWgHBEAgZnLLIq-OIWOH6TX3Bk8P65sjumtV3hXTT5FgYwo_b9Des8IuDD27ePgxEkuzGcRRy8NomeBMgyRDjBeytSO_gT8JDDHaJYyBGvNWemG7U3wRoWZc75jrVWjtuIg/s400/DSCF9074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301063702148438594"></a><br /><br />The island of Ko Lanta , however, takes a bit more mellow approach to this celebration but it is a celebration nevertheless...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTobmhCODZYeKwG9_5tw18XVDuGuO_gISgCRSBxixB4o5fZ-BnvVa3o4jbZ_lA-_e6yeC15IbBAe-vLClpYC-6ABs1vKNZaIKVjOEzHjyfgWjakBYjJix1w9Gkhsuz_tGew0mbBA/s1600-h/Photo+238.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTobmhCODZYeKwG9_5tw18XVDuGuO_gISgCRSBxixB4o5fZ-BnvVa3o4jbZ_lA-_e6yeC15IbBAe-vLClpYC-6ABs1vKNZaIKVjOEzHjyfgWjakBYjJix1w9Gkhsuz_tGew0mbBA/s400/Photo+238.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301063694808945618"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt1BwUmhJNS2rjP1vStm4vwigRzISYZ_OoPKYhXrQkQp-Tw0y0ZdR8kM9jHbTFqoMhteIEEbxgxUYNK0ThyqsgxxJkgLJ-GdzAbryvy0AXDO7pI3WtwVN-q7zWEUoQg3hjxrabg/s1600-h/klapaklumlights.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt1BwUmhJNS2rjP1vStm4vwigRzISYZ_OoPKYhXrQkQp-Tw0y0ZdR8kM9jHbTFqoMhteIEEbxgxUYNK0ThyqsgxxJkgLJ-GdzAbryvy0AXDO7pI3WtwVN-q7zWEUoQg3hjxrabg/s400/klapaklumlights.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301330302509234146" /></a><br />there is something to be said for being near the ocean, under a brightly lit sky, listening to music, dancing with freinds, watching fire dancers do their thing in a semi-ecstatic state to the hard primal rhythms of techno and house... .<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg93grI0ieQ3xDs-muhRzZBjBXE8g1-_wOVG9nDD0GMtCy-wmZBnx_eepGJwPcTkVS1twDcLWm9PSLF2GMlVjN-yz0L3xqBV3Q7vqMFI4vG2RylVDo-JadByk1pABT6Ka-uPHJw/s1600-h/firedancer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg93grI0ieQ3xDs-muhRzZBjBXE8g1-_wOVG9nDD0GMtCy-wmZBnx_eepGJwPcTkVS1twDcLWm9PSLF2GMlVjN-yz0L3xqBV3Q7vqMFI4vG2RylVDo-JadByk1pABT6Ka-uPHJw/s400/firedancer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301061421559178898"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqjELKN8bbUJpo4sB4fiU6wxqVnUBreJRWSf8lnfa-7brYj2wV54dpBwBjVXq52Kk_m8NGfe5fLtBZUPYspcWiw3WW3uqXn6iMzF6Wbt1L3nI8eMT-W6NVHBOT3ymJKmoQudPtg/s1600-h/firedancer+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqjELKN8bbUJpo4sB4fiU6wxqVnUBreJRWSf8lnfa-7brYj2wV54dpBwBjVXq52Kk_m8NGfe5fLtBZUPYspcWiw3WW3uqXn6iMzF6Wbt1L3nI8eMT-W6NVHBOT3ymJKmoQudPtg/s400/firedancer+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301186225727933282" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbCgQ5_t3pfx94k_eapIhKEeaI7NntRvrLrwJRa-PGvdzM6usvpXN7ICWfVpI-BTEl4QQlDFKt6OLmE7_3Bt6MhYB9_7gwcFKjh0yTNIbCX3R4bMkTCHxV5cYWpt8Xggg1_QDEg/s1600-h/ozonebar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbCgQ5_t3pfx94k_eapIhKEeaI7NntRvrLrwJRa-PGvdzM6usvpXN7ICWfVpI-BTEl4QQlDFKt6OLmE7_3Bt6MhYB9_7gwcFKjh0yTNIbCX3R4bMkTCHxV5cYWpt8Xggg1_QDEg/s400/ozonebar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301061418330055506"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpMsD1nE0jC88ZIynERvwRLi8ngMpDxamYoT6tYqDVSly9qgBoKNbr3CHz3gghUECHOx0EztiNo1vgyeobevARjF6SGZS4HmdDnmPcNB1V_Thusur6W-2nzPTTuxDySyGi7yoCQ/s1600-h/firedancer2dark.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpMsD1nE0jC88ZIynERvwRLi8ngMpDxamYoT6tYqDVSly9qgBoKNbr3CHz3gghUECHOx0EztiNo1vgyeobevARjF6SGZS4HmdDnmPcNB1V_Thusur6W-2nzPTTuxDySyGi7yoCQ/s400/firedancer2dark.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301061421676511442"></a><br /><br />and to share in these sort of celebrations with freinds whom you have a bit of history with makes the occasion all the more special...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vQPhUAYJzSfvd55WGvxRK2XNvD5tL0ztJOeayN6y7R20X0JpnJJfDXMX3BwDppxwaiB0n9XO3WTW8LVMB4sjxtwuJUOMhiCxR6VZ7fKKNlGW0kYsN6ntFeQkZ9x2gNxmzYPUog/s1600-h/groupshotguysbday.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vQPhUAYJzSfvd55WGvxRK2XNvD5tL0ztJOeayN6y7R20X0JpnJJfDXMX3BwDppxwaiB0n9XO3WTW8LVMB4sjxtwuJUOMhiCxR6VZ7fKKNlGW0kYsN6ntFeQkZ9x2gNxmzYPUog/s400/groupshotguysbday.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301063698801436418"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtg0T_Kl9r3VM8V4mwAaAbS9kIw551lQPJnj82jVa0YCOuADVR-v4KkgiDazTmkB4IpgA-KAdZx36dPvh6JMRx95TFIV7cUlLetECKnZuPZUKcxjyzijSi4xT1Bib8u6v500imQ/s1600-h/mikeberovic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtg0T_Kl9r3VM8V4mwAaAbS9kIw551lQPJnj82jVa0YCOuADVR-v4KkgiDazTmkB4IpgA-KAdZx36dPvh6JMRx95TFIV7cUlLetECKnZuPZUKcxjyzijSi4xT1Bib8u6v500imQ/s400/mikeberovic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301061694015248754"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV6Rs3wm1nAzZiNxHGmP3YM9Bzih_51oNVs0X9P9CKgI4qeB70Z2x3agA7gWzea404GvBU-uvYWM4Cv4jdhwVevidrcdCu3JreimBTRJaFtKi0g9AVLat-2Rpi3gVyjkmoj1lXw/s1600-h/monamenatalie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV6Rs3wm1nAzZiNxHGmP3YM9Bzih_51oNVs0X9P9CKgI4qeB70Z2x3agA7gWzea404GvBU-uvYWM4Cv4jdhwVevidrcdCu3JreimBTRJaFtKi0g9AVLat-2Rpi3gVyjkmoj1lXw/s400/monamenatalie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301063697223966354"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsznra1d6FhID-T7sN3-5bLAm4blqUEd-IlQCT8m7eeFbIHg9thI1wbXIPl7qaGjdcijFG3BndTHwXZCF_vLSIfw28tYZbS9JLaxC95B0UWcUNJmzREFAWU6oP9g-gWKY9EyVErA/s1600-h/tableshotkateparty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsznra1d6FhID-T7sN3-5bLAm4blqUEd-IlQCT8m7eeFbIHg9thI1wbXIPl7qaGjdcijFG3BndTHwXZCF_vLSIfw28tYZbS9JLaxC95B0UWcUNJmzREFAWU6oP9g-gWKY9EyVErA/s400/tableshotkateparty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301330298256687170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff_Sod_LEOEgXDIG6EGtbtYUlhdvmcNCf9IrA84gIwaYkUjXmqw3sZyGUkFs9qNihXAnZttgnOXC4QSxJO3oWqvOrmOogQFQeufjB4bEs-9mWlnpDgPEp8cJ5t0j6Ap6Zt6SRYg/s1600-h/markwalker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff_Sod_LEOEgXDIG6EGtbtYUlhdvmcNCf9IrA84gIwaYkUjXmqw3sZyGUkFs9qNihXAnZttgnOXC4QSxJO3oWqvOrmOogQFQeufjB4bEs-9mWlnpDgPEp8cJ5t0j6Ap6Zt6SRYg/s400/markwalker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301330300055331874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG8YEvfINXagf4r_Pmt0smzFgVawN5MqaDwLqQ85q2SAaI1lrBcOk8uhleYrKoe7pP2pMfdwDwcqdAvDMdbALcoETIw9pxOWizYWi4On-Mnh54B-nNfWZOMNDvZHUlzbTzuSn4A/s1600-h/leekatekev.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG8YEvfINXagf4r_Pmt0smzFgVawN5MqaDwLqQ85q2SAaI1lrBcOk8uhleYrKoe7pP2pMfdwDwcqdAvDMdbALcoETIw9pxOWizYWi4On-Mnh54B-nNfWZOMNDvZHUlzbTzuSn4A/s400/leekatekev.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301330298760672834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gIpmanSxMxaFq3Q_V1oRsJ3l9nlHQZ64fPXHJs1bWxF4XBBgzQJUTgAEhjCrTmUwuD3Y0AKRYeUidjwN-r2pRTo5RuN_jQxZS2oyWAP4a5axqWr85cGLv-TBX9vcbXHHCSCEng/s1600-h/kateblondehair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gIpmanSxMxaFq3Q_V1oRsJ3l9nlHQZ64fPXHJs1bWxF4XBBgzQJUTgAEhjCrTmUwuD3Y0AKRYeUidjwN-r2pRTo5RuN_jQxZS2oyWAP4a5axqWr85cGLv-TBX9vcbXHHCSCEng/s400/kateblondehair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301330282654496018" /></a><br /><br />hope you all had a chance to do a little howling..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AP3FIeak0IylLiyrbHr6Dph0b_buCr8qDSNx8U0iCaG0Bv_qHbXUaW98GhQO0O_4dOeVDldJB3NkCaqU6c-8kfF4z3f91u4mipKaNrL8EnZ0iYvNC_mEA_dviRSkXIHRzF2aug/s1600-h/diveboatinmoon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AP3FIeak0IylLiyrbHr6Dph0b_buCr8qDSNx8U0iCaG0Bv_qHbXUaW98GhQO0O_4dOeVDldJB3NkCaqU6c-8kfF4z3f91u4mipKaNrL8EnZ0iYvNC_mEA_dviRSkXIHRzF2aug/s400/diveboatinmoon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301065409590222978"></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-58120057549273969632009-02-09T00:23:00.006-10:002009-02-09T00:43:29.968-10:00you know you are having a good day when..you get a flat tire right directly in front of a motorbike/tire repair shop !<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA1yil0H06qtxOXNjSH3lfJJtNjwIq2TWhkk3YQvz6pBQNNyDxr_Y6lFJt9xAVaGdpxMHQJvlQNj1k7Rd-TBbGHswL3YCPpLaVXZv0hB2W5qv66raQEd3lKro7U069b1CAxiIhQ/s1600-h/mechanics+fixing+my+wheel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA1yil0H06qtxOXNjSH3lfJJtNjwIq2TWhkk3YQvz6pBQNNyDxr_Y6lFJt9xAVaGdpxMHQJvlQNj1k7Rd-TBbGHswL3YCPpLaVXZv0hB2W5qv66raQEd3lKro7U069b1CAxiIhQ/s400/mechanics+fixing+my+wheel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300743270161854242" /></a><br /><br />and the strange thing is, is that I was sensing something was wrong with my tire for a few days now and had been stopping and checking every few hours but everything seemed just fine (a strong hunch/premonition perhaps ?)<br /><br />I even had the thought in my head that "hmm...so strange that I have never gotten a flat tire with all the riding that I have done here in the past few years..and how frustrating it would be to get one out in the middle of nowhere here.." <br /><br />This thought had been heavily in my mind all week...<br /><br />So when I heard a loud "snap, crackle, and POP" coming out from below my bike today and saw a long strip of rubber dragging out from behind my back wheel, I knew almost immediately what had just happened...and as I looked up to the left of me, lo and behold was a tire repair shop just a few feet away from me...and yes, a handful of mechanics and local shop owners were calmly sitting there, just smiling and laughing at my 'good fortune'...I even joked with them that they purposely put nails on the road in front of their shop just to get business !..(.I think they got my joke...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bKJW_ta5ZXz8eDpO22bgpem7uI6VpsItrCZb985VYg2wiHwVONswgpdvLf5aLqRapEI3T3cyRdnPHAbdZjhHZWGWD1GNqoMlRKKMRc_Wg_Im9Ir_xjeqeRSycmFwqfDkaqileA/s1600-h/womanlaughing+at+me+when+my+tire+blew.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bKJW_ta5ZXz8eDpO22bgpem7uI6VpsItrCZb985VYg2wiHwVONswgpdvLf5aLqRapEI3T3cyRdnPHAbdZjhHZWGWD1GNqoMlRKKMRc_Wg_Im9Ir_xjeqeRSycmFwqfDkaqileA/s400/womanlaughing+at+me+when+my+tire+blew.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300743268264287010" /></a><br /><br />so be careful what you think (as thoughts often come true) but also be so very thankful when synchronicity is working at its finest and you know you are exactly at the right place at the right time.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlUTeilbYE1jr3O9zCC7_cEHm0KBXbKXR8YGZ9CA1Ivc_68EWWbPafG84f6hi8tETu1tWlAgKunDHjDTrpUtT-tiqcDxhTQf11E4cBRtJw_hhLC7Mtlgj0ZA90UTzR0fR8NOsDQ/s1600-h/meonmotorbike.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlUTeilbYE1jr3O9zCC7_cEHm0KBXbKXR8YGZ9CA1Ivc_68EWWbPafG84f6hi8tETu1tWlAgKunDHjDTrpUtT-tiqcDxhTQf11E4cBRtJw_hhLC7Mtlgj0ZA90UTzR0fR8NOsDQ/s400/meonmotorbike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300743271071742786" /></a><br /><br />ah, oh yes, my motorbike's license plate is #7, that's it-..my lucky number...always has been, always will be ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEkRbdUUefXsqOTj0ienyfawqKZgVUM7_crJBiKl2nSTD3bUpoh9VAHEZSa9Wpj95vNK2-VrIZYkgW_sgF25qupUaKDIktXaLRZaPBrjmEvxSGKG7vZXT3UstdJDFRGyy1BSGxA/s1600-h/mymotorbike.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEkRbdUUefXsqOTj0ienyfawqKZgVUM7_crJBiKl2nSTD3bUpoh9VAHEZSa9Wpj95vNK2-VrIZYkgW_sgF25qupUaKDIktXaLRZaPBrjmEvxSGKG7vZXT3UstdJDFRGyy1BSGxA/s400/mymotorbike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300743270725625682" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-42795691750178815032009-02-07T06:30:00.004-10:002009-02-07T06:40:12.774-10:00Butterflies are free..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuTGJryq1G531LT2EmmmASWj8_NokAl6xuXTTnKeNucnDM5AnKgy-E5AibjwaD3md5p4Yx76BkMss0rgRi99tajKKZLaFZQVNZZJmViFiDbVtWcdwflrmgEECHeR6751KSBXIAw/s1600-h/monarch_butterfly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuTGJryq1G531LT2EmmmASWj8_NokAl6xuXTTnKeNucnDM5AnKgy-E5AibjwaD3md5p4Yx76BkMss0rgRi99tajKKZLaFZQVNZZJmViFiDbVtWcdwflrmgEECHeR6751KSBXIAw/s400/monarch_butterfly.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300094730079171170" /></a><br /><br />and so are you, Mom...<br /><br />Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you......<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS16HePu9SMuj4p02ZSnh5pSwu9wPftjeyqDdPsiKTnfLd5WBsVWZO0Qu2HQZ9Yq5R0olS6EjrvyCR8mkI6xU1TZ30L4KuRjSFn3Q2RY_oIk30ol4Mh_g4gdNMatyXtD1QgLVHw/s1600-h/candlelitformom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS16HePu9SMuj4p02ZSnh5pSwu9wPftjeyqDdPsiKTnfLd5WBsVWZO0Qu2HQZ9Yq5R0olS6EjrvyCR8mkI6xU1TZ30L4KuRjSFn3Q2RY_oIk30ol4Mh_g4gdNMatyXtD1QgLVHw/s400/candlelitformom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300094734750048306" /></a><br /><br />You are missed, loved, and will never be forgotten...<br /><br />fly free...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSosbdutvEXO68yqAWV4Xd6bFF1p0U1EARnvEkWCxRESotB4Ec4SrcH_75YDQMPMAwdEeUG1IulJMxsTbcj7vvaImn80A23-egIuW_gwatjTEVLSdt_jVL1dwkFkRdOGa-c7Fzg/s1600-h/momsmilingonboat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSosbdutvEXO68yqAWV4Xd6bFF1p0U1EARnvEkWCxRESotB4Ec4SrcH_75YDQMPMAwdEeUG1IulJMxsTbcj7vvaImn80A23-egIuW_gwatjTEVLSdt_jVL1dwkFkRdOGa-c7Fzg/s400/momsmilingonboat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300094735708793218" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENzls7wDRMOrfqU8T1Xe_A8NObdEROvpuLBiYfxOYUHGxNiT62DXySIvLcmJqZFJxBwdF94RH18ugB3un6UTmMhN2X44iQdCjuhmAQbf2Rxq_jT0JaXXuyh5JeJzntA8Uc2xOXg/s1600-h/buddhatemple.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENzls7wDRMOrfqU8T1Xe_A8NObdEROvpuLBiYfxOYUHGxNiT62DXySIvLcmJqZFJxBwdF94RH18ugB3un6UTmMhN2X44iQdCjuhmAQbf2Rxq_jT0JaXXuyh5JeJzntA8Uc2xOXg/s400/buddhatemple.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300094735636250530" /></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888641.post-41531953828996840752009-01-30T02:44:00.009-10:002009-01-30T04:48:05.104-10:00and let all the people say "Amen"....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW-ZrFLT2gnG_6eVcnNk0Piwn6NT-LmY1if2XyaqmN5zcIfsm5qqraf4H3PD4Yu3AOiWWUrBlHYlC-nPMqtsVYqjdNEVpBXse-F6XUUPhywW3z0_LDW2818HOM_Op6t80wEhf9w/s1600-h/amensmilingat+me.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW-ZrFLT2gnG_6eVcnNk0Piwn6NT-LmY1if2XyaqmN5zcIfsm5qqraf4H3PD4Yu3AOiWWUrBlHYlC-nPMqtsVYqjdNEVpBXse-F6XUUPhywW3z0_LDW2818HOM_Op6t80wEhf9w/s400/amensmilingat+me.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297068998913274530"></a><br /><br />According to the Webster dictionary, the word “amen” is an expression used at the end of prayers, and means:” So be it”.<br /><br /> At the end of a creed, it is a solemn asseveration of belief. When it introduces a declaration, it is equivalent to "truly, verily."<br /><br />Another definition of the word says it is an expression “to approve warmly, to concur in heartily or emphatically; to ratify; as,<br />"I say Amen to all !" "<br /><br />Lastly, I found an “esoteric” definition of Amen which means "who brings forth the hidden forms of things, the eternal workman, embodying the primitive ideas, is Wisdom,the author of being, the source of all life ... Goodness.”<br /><br />Today the word "Amen "came in the form of a 5-year old Muslim boy at the foot of my balcony …A bit shy at first, Amen looked at me for a few moments as I sat and had my usual morning cup of coffee. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJERSi06pLfFsqVnYBpB6WER7a4PuiDrYl8yjcPGa3D_j70ZC3R3FG1G3ljVNg3PDhqa6Jdvjf9TsxxU9gNLMYFyv8z4qbVcXp1X8jBpaD15q-IxhbFfyTC8rZ2EL1i66VAUWvA/s1600-h/amenfirstshotserious.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJERSi06pLfFsqVnYBpB6WER7a4PuiDrYl8yjcPGa3D_j70ZC3R3FG1G3ljVNg3PDhqa6Jdvjf9TsxxU9gNLMYFyv8z4qbVcXp1X8jBpaD15q-IxhbFfyTC8rZ2EL1i66VAUWvA/s400/amenfirstshotserious.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297068979845086802"></a><br /><br />He has walked by my bungalow at this time for weeks now but has never stopped…until this morning..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1E6ls_SeZH1B2yItecq0eJnwznHeIe-gOEpwYa0H_fhP-rHgsUYnXzlVeeLaIpC3z5k54PpkDquu64aHw9d90sz1KAslyfQmHhH4vIDxq94A9LvGRQBT9GALB5S0eNGVzq43Sfg/s1600-h/amenkaratechop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1E6ls_SeZH1B2yItecq0eJnwznHeIe-gOEpwYa0H_fhP-rHgsUYnXzlVeeLaIpC3z5k54PpkDquu64aHw9d90sz1KAslyfQmHhH4vIDxq94A9LvGRQBT9GALB5S0eNGVzq43Sfg/s400/amenkaratechop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297068996689188482"></a><br /><br />Amen just stopped dead in his tracks this time, looked up at me , a bit seriously at first and within seconds he was smiling and making silly poses for me. And then, without a moment's notice, he proceeded to walk right up to my balcony, and made his way calmly into my little plastic white chair. <br /><br />He then proceeded to carry on a conversation with me, all in Thai.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGyRYki380AxzQeDwJoT1AMaZOldi-gk4rKQjcBL_F70YBAwDKPA3oV4We2RRDscuU9vDEuf6JZDlLKVt9B1S5_v1WJiYsk4Dbw8pwuPubLYWjXDBKNxCsbeFQzKfzLh41xcggQ/s1600-h/amenfrombalconysmiling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGyRYki380AxzQeDwJoT1AMaZOldi-gk4rKQjcBL_F70YBAwDKPA3oV4We2RRDscuU9vDEuf6JZDlLKVt9B1S5_v1WJiYsk4Dbw8pwuPubLYWjXDBKNxCsbeFQzKfzLh41xcggQ/s400/amenfrombalconysmiling.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297068987839608498"></a><br /><br />We didn’t know much of each other’s language (at all) but for the next 20 minutes, I laughed and loved from the very bottom of my gut with this most beautiful and playful young child. We hugged, gave each other high-five’s, took pictures of each other and just giggled a heck of a lot…Amen also seemed to have a particular affection for sitting upside down in chairs and talking at the same time..he didnt even blink a second as he just slid with his head over the edge of the plastic white seat and proceeded to talk to me, as if there was nothing wierd or strange about what he was doing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sSTuMg7yM-zabnA3xE7M-zU38EWCs9LB-u1LuhsQ1z7HkLh3e6hG3Rs9Apis_VldNm8uDmbWXQezrEtAUjZzyzn3U0Y2gWx4pnpUm1Ycd7VFRDNuPWzkpDX8EaMxjRZDCMLfuw/s1600-h/amenlyingupsidedownonchair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sSTuMg7yM-zabnA3xE7M-zU38EWCs9LB-u1LuhsQ1z7HkLh3e6hG3Rs9Apis_VldNm8uDmbWXQezrEtAUjZzyzn3U0Y2gWx4pnpUm1Ycd7VFRDNuPWzkpDX8EaMxjRZDCMLfuw/s400/amenlyingupsidedownonchair.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297069000848027554"></a><br /><br />I even showed Amen the pictures and video clip I took of him. He was absolutely fascinated . I think this may have been the very first time he has seen himself on film. What a wonderful moment to be a witness of.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwxBYAJVa3ncQrVQMYmEYFW8zreHleO9tz72OggZFTGQfA1MsFfvpQ_0Jb-kCog1GeRDcqgZeJ8vfk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br />Amen continued to walk right into my bungalow, had a look around, picked up some things off my floor and even was courteous enough to gently close my closet door with a special wooden latch I had never taken notice of before.<br /><br />And then, without a word, he quietly walked out my door, waved good-bye , and strolled away, back to his little wooden home down the little dirt path to his wonderful little world of being a five-year old kid.<br /><br />You, my dear open-hearted child, is what goodness to me is all about..<br /><br />Amen…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjSwtpUeE96lfP1JsD3cPDGjeFpJYImH-mnhJ_5l1ngc-nuR-y3IEUCkCGHV9oYdL5FG7McGEjLjgCNc7qb_lOKmZEnFkeJZUVuFYZuUHjYWOAQkJhRwFDN3Shh5SaEmg94f6ww/s1600-h/amensmilingupsidedown.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjSwtpUeE96lfP1JsD3cPDGjeFpJYImH-mnhJ_5l1ngc-nuR-y3IEUCkCGHV9oYdL5FG7McGEjLjgCNc7qb_lOKmZEnFkeJZUVuFYZuUHjYWOAQkJhRwFDN3Shh5SaEmg94f6ww/s400/amensmilingupsidedown.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297070119130145074"></a>melinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355220806045550424noreply@blogger.com0