2012: A Year in Review

2012 is almost to an end.  Normally around this time I will sit and review new albums released in 2012.  As my pay at school is dismal, I've had to sacrifice my love of new music for my love of travel.  So instead of writing my yearly music top 50, I've decided to reflect on what I've done this past year.

The result of my 2012 actually began in 2011.  In September of 2011, I made the decision and committed myself to following a dream I've had for many years: to teach English as a foreign language in Southeast Asia.

January:
I decided to start my journey off by visiting a friend from Leicester, England who moved to the Western Australia suburbs about 3 years prior.  Within 36 hours, I went from freezing cold snow to hot and sunny 100 degree heat in Oz.  Many things took me to Oz.  My friend Rach being one of them.  A yearn for a dip and a surf in the ocean another.  My trip to Oz coincided with Australia Day (sort of Oz's 4th of July).  A tradition across Oz is the Haviana Thong Challenge (not "thong" as in underpants but flip flops rather!).  One chooses a beach, is given a giant inflatable thong and set out into the ocean to hold hands with friends and strangers alike to try to break the World Record of People Holding Hands on Giant Inflatable Thongs in the Ocean.  We ended up at Cottesloe Beach and helped demolish the world record (see the video here).  I am now a record holder in the Guinness Book of World Records.  How's that tip my awesomeness scale?  I spent my 31st birthday surfing all morning on Safety Beach and Golden Bay.  Afterwards we feasted on lamb pizza (I don't even like lamb, but that shit was amazing!) then headed to the bush for some fresh water swimming, cliff jumping and playing with wild kangaroos at Serpentine Falls.  Later on, we hit up the outdoor cinema to watch The Descendants.  All in all, I'd say #31 was an Ozzy-filled success!  The next day, we took a ferry to Rottenest Island for some cycling and snorkeling.  The snorkeling came as a big refreshing relief from cycling (I was told the island was flat...uh, NOT) as I was seriously out of shape and it was about 100 degrees.  The rest of my Ozzy adventure was filled with drinking lots, swimming in the ocean, wandering around Fremantle and tasting the local delicacies including octopus, kangaroo and crocodile (the 'roo and croc were delicious!)

 

February:
After my Ozzy adventure, it was time to get down to business.  I set off for Chiang Mai, Thailand to learn how to be a teacher in merely 4 weeks.  I made new friends, learned real grammar and how to teach anyone in the range from kindergarten kids to adults, from one-on-one to groups to classroom settings.  It was intensive, but it gave me the basic skills to teach and gave me a certificate to let me work pretty much anywhere in the world!  During my course, I was able to discover Chiang Mai.  I quickly fell in love wandering my way through the markets with locals selling their homemade fare, chowing down on delicious street food, and learning about this beautiful Buddhist culture.  When graduation day came, I decided as much as I liked Chiang Mai, the rate of pay here is pretty low compared to the rest of Thailand...and I came here to live in a tiki hut on the beach.

Clockwise from top left: Browsing through the Night Bazaar; Monks crossing the street;
A dog - wearing sunglasses - on the back of a motorbike; Entrance to China Town;
Prayer bells at Wat Pan Tao; A Buddha statue

March:
A Dutch girl on my course has a Thai boyfriend that lives in Trang in the south of Thailand.  During the high season, he runs a dive shop on the small, not-so-touristy island of Koh Ngai.  They invited me to come for a visit.  Of course I took them up on it!  They lived literally 15 feet from the ocean and set up a tent for me and my friend's friend (who was visiting from Holland) in the back.  Talk about island living.  Swimming in the Andaman, snorkeling, relaxing in a hammock, enjoying beer and freshly caught fish, acoustic beach concerts every night...the only thing missing was some waves and a surf board.  I had applied at a few schools in Krabi and was patiently waiting to hear back from them.  After two weeks, I still hadn't heard a word and getting worried, I decided to head back to Chiang Mai.  With the exception of a few, most of the people on my course were staying to work in CM, so I figured that although I wouldn't have the beach, I would have friends.

Clockwise from top left: Koh Ngai paradise - view from the dive shop; Snorkeling at Koh Rok; Me with Pi Tu and Pi Ton;
A tuk tuk taxi in Trang; Hibiscus in Krabi town.

April:
Within 24 hours of arriving back in Chiang Mai, I had a job...what a relief!!  April pretty much came and went with nothing interesting to note.  Except perhaps, Songkran.  Songkran is the Thai New Year and Chiang Mai is the place to be.  This festival begins as a procession to sprinkle water on the Buddha statues and what ensues is a five-day, city-wide all-out WATER FIGHT!!  It is THE craziest party I have ever enjoyed!!  Everyone participates, no one is safe.  If you step out of your home, prepare to be drenched.  I even got into a water fight with a police man.  It was awesome :)

May - June:
I began my new job in May.  It was definitely an adjustment.  I pretty much spent the next few months getting a feel for my new job and wondering if I made the right decision (I was leaning towards "no").

Clockwise from top left: A few of my year 3 students - Film, Focus, Keam-ii, and Siri; Me at 4th of July party;
4th of July fireworks; A typical sight - street food; Students studying hard - or not!; Lights at a market

July:
The second week of July is when shit changed.  I was hit crossing the street by a motorbike carrying 3 girls who looked all of 15 years old.  Torn ligament in my left ankle, covered in bruises, a few abrasions.  I'm told my ankle will never be the same.  I was casted up for 6 weeks and thrown on a pair of crutches.  The crazy thing about this, I had seen it happening.  For months before this accident, I had visions of me in a cast and on crutches...


Frogger: Game Over for me! My fucked ankle in a cast - complete with cast graffiti!

August - September:I didn't do shit.  I couldn't.  Besides my 3-month visa run to Myanmar (I may be one of the few people that has walked across the border to Myanmar and back to Thailand on crutches) I literally stayed in my room if I wasn't teaching.  The boredom and depression was only enhancing my "I think I made the wrong decision in coming here" feeling.  In September after my cast came off, I started massage therapy.  I was seeing a masseur called Sin Chai.  He was about 70, blind, and worked for the hospital for over 40 years and he specializes in chronic pain treatment.  My friend was coming in October and I wasn't going to let my ankle hinder me.  Sin Chai helped me more than I could possibly imagine.

October:
I was still crutched up when my friend came.  We headed to Pai (read about our adventure here), then set off for Siem Reap, Cambodia.  The moment I set foot in Cambodia, I fell in love.  I will write a full blog on my trip there soon, I could not do it justice in a Year-in-Review blog.  Just know that Cambodia reinforced why I came here.  I'm more likely now never to move back to the US.  I need (not want, need) to spend more time in Cambodia, learning about those beautiful people and their culture.  After we left Cambodia, we headed to Phuket (the most overrated island in the world) and Krabi.  This is where I discovered the beach isn't nearly as enjoyable when your on a crutch.

Clockwise from top left: Ta Phrom, Angkor, Cambodia; Fields of Pai, Thailand; Longtail boats on Koh Phi Phi, Thailand;
The majestic Angkor Wat!; Enjoying a coconut shake on Kata Beach, Phuket

November:
Back to school for the second semester....And for the reason that brought me to Chiang Mai in the first place: the festival of Loi Krathong.  Read my blog about Loi Krathong here.

December:
I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by.  It's just flown.  It hasn't felt like December...it's not the cold December that I'm used to.  With temperatures in the 80's, it feels more like May/June than winter.  I've become to enjoy teaching much more than in the beginning.  Maybe because I know the students now and know their personalities.  I've relaxed a lot in the classroom and try to have fun teaching them.  My trip in October helped me realize that there is nothing for me back home except misery and the workings of planning my next escape.  So instead of wasting a year back home, planning and figuring out what I'm going to do, I've made the decision to head to Korea next year.  My school contract ends in February, my apartment contract ends in April.  I will teach summer school here in Chiang Mai, then set off for a new adventure!  I can't wait to see what the New Year brings and what is in store for me in my future travels!  The World is my front door, and I plan on seeing all that I can while I have the time.

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2013!!

Countries I've step foot in this year:
China, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia

The Evolution of Christmas

My internet Christmas card to you all :)

Today is Christmas day and as I sit here at work, I am reflecting on how Christmas has immensely evolved for me over the past years.

When I was a child, I loved Christmas!  What kid doesn’t?  On Christmas Eve, my sister and I would make sure we had fresh batteries in our flashlights and get up at least 3 times in the middle of the night to see how good we were in Santa’s eyes…quietly poking and shaking our presents trying to guess what was inside.  In the morning, we would gather around as a family and open our gifts, then head to my Grandparent’s farm for Christmas dinner.  There were more White Christmases than not in those days and the spirit of Christmas could be found everywhere…Children were content with getting a hula hoop, or a cartoon on VHS, a cassette tape, or a drawing set.  Those were the days!

 

Over time, I feel like the spirit of Christmas has become completely lost.  Maybe that just comes with age, but when a 12 year old asks Santa for an iPhone or iPad or new computer for him/herself, it makes me sad as it seems more superficial.  It’s a real treat now days when it snows on Christmas.  Extended families seem not to gather as much for Christmas dinner (maybe this is just my family?)  It seems now that my cousins are married with children they spend time with the other half of their family.  This year, no one in my immediate family is spending Christmas together – I’m in Thailand and alone, my sister has gone to California to spend the holidays with her friend, my brother-in-law is on a tour in Afghanistan, and my mom has gone to Arkansas with her beau. 

 

I can honestly say this is the strangest Christmas I’ve ever had (and I’ve had some strange Christmases).  First of all, I’m at work.  (I don’t mind working on Christmas…if you can’t already tell, I haven’t really been in the holiday spirit for a while now).  Second of all, it’s 81 degrees – obviously not a White Christmas.  Third, I’m surrounded by inner-city palm trees.  Fourth, I have no family or many friends so to speak of to celebrate with.  Fifth…no NFL games to watch after overstuffing myself on turkey and pie!!  Yesterday at my school, we celebrated Christmas activities…the children were dressed in red or green, a few of us foreign teachers were dressed as Santa, we had a Christmas production, even the English phrase board in the corridor said “Today is the Christmas day” (I wanted to correct that SO badly…first of all it’s not THE Christmas day, secondly it’s Christmas EVE!).  Today – the REAL Christmas day – was just another day at Wachirawit Primary School.  Yesterday actually felt a bit like Christmas and today nothing, which has made me pretty sad.

 

Chiang Mai Red Cross

Anyways, since I’m not celebrating this year, my landlord suggested we give blood.  I haven’t given blood in a while – because I keep getting tattoos – so I was all for it.  What better gift to give on Christmas than the Gift of Life!  This morning, I ditched out on school and headed over to the Red Cross, queued up and let the red stuff flow!  It’s a nice thought knowing I was able to do something out of the ordinary and hope my blood can help save a life.

 

Let the red stuff flow!

 

I hope one day the spirit of Christmas will creep its way back into my life.  It’s a lovely feeling, almost magical, but as for now it’s lost to me such as these things are.  I hope you and yours are enjoying a wonderful holiday season and all the Best Wishes for a Healthy and Happy 2013!

 

Happy Trails!

 

Soundtrack for this blog – Colorado Christmas by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  This was always my favourite Christmas song as a child and now it fits my life to a T.

 

Technology obsessions...a boring title for a thrilling topic

Technology. 

When did we become a society SO freaking obsessed with technology?!  iPhones, Androids, iPads, iWhatevers, Facebook, Twitter, email.  Every other person on the street is on their phone.  Connections with people overseas can now be instantaneous.  The majority of people are (usually) updating their Facebook statuses once a day and letting people on Twitter know their every move (I just bought a Coke at 7-11 #ForRealz). 

I'm not saying I don't fall victim of this.  Let me tell you my routine for turning on my computer: Login to Facebook.  Nothing interesting there.  Login to Twitter.  Read all the tweets that have posted since my last login.  Make a RT or two if I find something funny.  #TweetSomething.  Login into my Yahoo email.  Most likely I don't have an email as I tend to only get emails now (because of Facebook) maybe every 2 or 3 days - and that's usually from my mom or Grams.  Get off the Internet.  Let 5-10 minutes pass.  Turn the Internet back on.  Repeat.  It's pathetic, and something I'm recently trying to slow down.  Facebook and Twitter are obsessions for many people, me included.  I can't count how many times I login a day to find that NOTHING has changed, and about 75% of the time, nothing is interesting.  When did we become a society obsessed with announcing to the world our every move?

Not only do we follow this technology obsession while we're at home, we also do it while "relaxing" on vacation.  The moment we step off a plane, train or bus, we update our status.  When we have a nice or interesting meal, we update our status.  When we go swimming...climb a mountain...find a waterfall...ride to the top of a ski lift...when we whatever...we update our status.  Again, I'm not saying I don't do this.  You all know full well that I do.  And I'm pretty disappointed in myself for it.  Whatever happened to actually relaxing on vacation and getting away from it all?! 

On my recent trip around Thailand and Cambodia (both that are still - if only slightly - considered third world countries), I was able to update everyone and post a few photos via my Android at the very least when I got back to my hotel in the evenings.  That's just crazy!  Ten years ago, you couldn't do this (mainly because the likes of Facebook and Twitter didn't exist).  It really seems that a person just cannot get away anymore and just disappear for a while.

Don't you just not want to exist for a bit?  I know I do.

I was having this conversation earlier today with my co-worker.  He's a German pushing 60 and has spent the better part of his life travelling through Asia.  He said the experience of travelling without technology 10, 20, 30 years ago made the experiences completely different.  I can only imagine.  It was more authentic to him.  It doesn't really seem like anything anymore.  Yeah, I live in Thailand, but I don't really feel like I'm as far away as I would like to be because everything is so instant. 

What's the rush, I ask?  I remember a time when it took a good minute to dial a phone number on a rotary phone - especially if there were a lot of 9's in the phone number...am I right? :-)  Now, you don't even have to dial, what with voice activation and the likes.  Writing actual letters has become much more personal than sending emails because you have to make more of an effort and take more time.  Why don't we help out the Post Service and send more letters and postcards?  Send 'em to me!!  I love getting mail ;-) 

I'm not insisting that technology is a horrible thing, it's not.  I can Skype my friends and family and see their beautiful faces.  I was able to "meet" my friend's new gorgeous baby a few weeks ago.  It's really amazing.

However, all I ask is that next time you're on vacation, BE on vacation.  Put your phone away after you let someone know you have arrived safely.  Just let it go.  Chill the hell out.  This is my challenge to you!  Next time I'm off somewhere, don't be surprised if you don't hear from me.  Girl needs a social networking break! 

Now, get off the Internet and go HUG someone.

Happy Technology-Free Trails :-)

Slightly non-related soundtrack for this blog...the lovely Ben Gibbard: Teardrop Windows.  It's kind of related.  Listen to it!

Risk-taking travellers beware!

Risks.  All travellers take them.  They can range from something small like eating crispy fried crickets at local markets to something big like jumping off waterfalls.  My imagination is literally running wild with all the risks people take while travelling.  Just kidding.  I would be listing them here if it was.  My imagination is a little preoccupied at the moment with music blaring from my iTunes library.

Let me tell you about the risk I took today that I've been putting off for a good six months: I got a haircut.  In my opinion, getting a haircut in a non-English speaking country is a big risk.  When I'm not living in a humid country, have access to decent hair supplies - blow dryer, straightners - and don't have to wear a helmet whilst driving a motorbike, I'm obsessive about my hair - it's the ONE luxury I afford myself at home.

It's been near a year since I've had a haircut.  I've been avoiding getting one out of nerves.  And for good reason: I just got a hackjob haircut I could have done myself. 

My landlord's sister-in-law has a hair shop in my building.  She doesn't speak a word of English, but my landlord said she could translate what I wanted...which was a relatively basic haircut - four inches off the bottom with about two inch layers.  I even showed her a picture.  Easy peazy, lemon squeezy.  Unfortunately, my landlord had to leave right after telling her sis-in-law what I wanted.  So what ensued for my haircut was eight inches off the bottom (when did four become eight?!) and a blunt, one-swipe of the scissors across the bottom for a flat, uneven end to the back of my head.  It took a whole 10 minutes.  When girlfriend showed me the back and asked if it was ok, I'm sure she could tell by the look on my face that it was NOT ok, but I said 'yes' none-the-less.  Trying to explain I wanted layers and having her hack more of my already too-short hair would probably result in a mullet.  (I've already experienced the mullet whilst living in England...and they spoke the language!)  I suppose you can't expect much from a $4 foreign haircut.


Ok, you can't really tell how uneven it is in the back, but it's pretty shit, right?
Don't get my started on my roots...I'm not letting the Thai's or anyone for that matter fix 'em.

So, the way I see it, I have three options:

1. Try to have another Thai fix it.  Problem: They will probably speak broken English and it will end up even shorter and maybe worse than it already is.
2. Have my British colleague at work who used to cut hair fix it.  Problem: He's always drunk and has admitted to me that he has to have a beer before cutting hair.  I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.
3. Let it grow out and get it fixed when I (hopefully) go to the UK in April from my once regular hair dresser that fixed the mullet from the previous bad hair dresser.

Anyways, I'm trying to find the positives here.  My hair grows fast (fortunate for dire times like these!), the three inches of horrible, dry dead hair at the bottom is loooong gone, and I wear my shit in a pony tail everyday anyways...at least it's still (barely) long enough for that.

My tip to avoid getting a hackjob haircut: just don't get your haircut while travelling!  (That's easy for people who are merely on a 1-6 month journey...not so for individuals like me).  Otherwise, I got nuthin'.

My soundtrack for this blog:

Cold December - Pic of the Week

I've been struggling with Pic of the Week this week.  I'm not reminiscing.  I'm not nostalgic.  There's nothing happening in Chiang Mai or any kind of event that urges me to pull out the camera, besides everyday nothingness.  So I turned to December. 

Being from Colorado, where there are 4 distinguishable seasons, it's difficult to believe it is actually December here in Thailand.  By now, Colorado should be covered in a blanket of snow (I use the term "should" lightly...chalk that one up to global warming) with freezing temperatures.  I'd be walking around in jeans, hoodies, coats, boots, gloves, scarves and sporting my favourite beanie hat.  Instead I've got on shorts, t-shirts and I would be wearing flip flops if they didn't fuck with my already fucked up ankle (I curse the girl that hit me with her motorbike every time I put shoes on).  I've got a nice pair of palm trees outside my window with some coconuts that I wonder how much longer it will be till they're ripe enough to steal.  All week it's reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

December?  Does it even exist anymore?

Photo of the Week is to remind me that winter isn't something made up in my mind.  My friends' facebook statuses from back home are not fake.  It really is snowing there.  Hahaha...suckers!! :)

Photo of the Week
Snow melt blankets Bear Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park
May 2011

This photograph wasn't taken in December.  It was actually taken in May.  I'm sure there would be a shit ton more snow if it was taken in December...It comes to you from Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.  When I look at it, it makes me cold.  And it makes me appreciate my new found love of tropical living :)  (It drops to 70 degrees here and I need a hoodie...sheesh, what will happen when I move somewhere where winter does truly exist?!)

If you're somewhere and it's snowing, I hope you're sitting next to a crackling fire and sipping on a nice cup of hot chocolate.  As for me, I'm off to hunt down a coconut shake!

Happy Trails!

Check out Matt Costa's Cold December...it's a lovely tune :)