My Things Have Arrived

Having your shipment arrive is one of the most amazing days.

I shipped off my goods in the middle of July, and two men arrived at my mother's house to pack all of my clothing and knick knacks and cooking gear into boxes, then carted them away.

A few days ago, it finally arrived, and two men arrived at my new house to bring all of my clothing and knick knacks and cooking gear out of the boxes, taking them away.

This was a quick process, just less than an hour.  The men made just one comment about my things as they unpacked.  They pulled out the boxing gloves, asked if they were mine, laughed, then put them down.  The rest was as practical and easy as can be.

They even took away the boxes, which honestly would have been the most inconvenient thing to have in my house.

Later update: It took me quite a few hours (and days, if I'm honest), to put away all of these things.  But, I am proud to say that all of my things are where I want them to be and I am fully settled in.

My New Home

Moscow is fantastic.  Simply wonderful.

I got into the SVO airport last week, on Wednesday, and was met at the airport by a new colleague, who was shocked at how fast I got through and that I had my luggage.  In fact, when I went down from Passport Control (in the diplomatic line), my bags were already there on the carousel, and I chased them with my cart.  Even going through customs, I likely should have been stopped with the cat, but I forgot, and we sailed through without incident.

It's a massive airport, overwhelming.  All of the Russian was washing over me, with a family in front of me in line and behind me in line speaking to one another.  As I exited, the taxi drivers were speaking to me fully in Russian, and I had no clue what anyone was talking about.

We found the school car that was to take us back to the apartment, and I somehow managed to make small talk despite the long travel time and the weariness in my bones.  My colleague had brought her son, a tenth (or eleventh) grader as a helper as well.

I was brought to my complex, and we sorted out the keys to find out which door and apartment I was in, and squeezed as much of my 50 pound luggage, two carry-ons, cat, and humans that we could manage before the beeps indicated that that was enough.  Up we went, to the place.  I walked in not knowing what to expect, not knowing what would be in front of me.  There is an outdated video online about the apartments, but with the multitude of complexes and the variety of setups, there is no way to know what you will come into.

According to the others (and me), this place is pretty incredible.  I spent more than a few minutes just blown away, thinking I had won the life lottery.  In fact, with every passing day, I believe more and more that I have completely won.  Disclaimer for family and friends: This place requires a personalized key card to get into the gate, a code/fob for the door to the building, and a key for the apartment.  I feel utterly secure in every way.

The first thing you see as you walk in, an entry way. 

Other side of the entryway. Note the freestanding heater.

Living Room (the most empty)

Living Room 2 (with the balcony)

Kitchen!

Fruit purchased from a street vendor. So, so good.

View out the window (to the school bus stop)

More view out the window.

Bathroom, obviously.

Laundry room off bathroom with storage.
Fun fact: The washer is in French, the dryer in Swedish.

Office, with cat model included.

Bedroom, with east facing window.

View from the office and bedroom, as they are on the same wall.

20 Reasons to be Grateful, or, My Trip to Moscow

The time has arrived; this morning (honestly, I've lost all track of time.), I left for Moscow.  I was originally booked on flights that flew Des Moines to Atlanta to JFK NYC to Moscow's airport SVO.  Of course, I woke up early on Monday morning, ready to begin my trip with all the bits and pieces organized and found that Delta had had a huge systems outage that grounded the majority of their flights for that day. What luck, right?  Mom, Mike, and I set out to the airport with little hope that I would be able to get to Moscow, especially given the delays for my flight to Atlanta.  ATL is the Delta hub, and I'm sure was a complete and utter mess.  We checked in, checked my luggage, and decided to chance it to see what would happen.  I got to play some luggage weight Price is Right, and my first guesses of small but heavy things to put in my carry on were spot on.  I also had to check in my pet (and pay that darned pet fee for her travel), so we did that as well.  And, since we had a few moments extra with the delays, we went to Perkins and had a lovely, healthy breakfast that kept me full.


Let me take a moment to express some gratitude.


1. My mom has a vehicle (a brand new Jeep, in fact) that fit all my things, and the time available to help me out throughout the day, to make sure that I'm not stranded at the airport.
2. Both Mom and Mike helped me with my luggage, so I wasn't carrying an insane amount of things on my own (plus cat).
3. Mike kept my cat carrier on his lap to comfort her on the trip down to the airport (which is about an hour) despite "not liking cats." 
4. The Des Moines airport is small enough that there was no Delta line when I went to check in, and had joyously Midwestern humans helping at the service desk.
5. Perkins was just down the road, and we had a car to get us there.


So, we got back to the airport after breakfast, and I watched the flight I was meant to take get delayed a few times while mom and I did a Monday crossword that only took 20 minutes to complete.  I decided to ask them to see if there was any rerouting possible, because I had noticed that flights to Detroit and a few other locations were on time.  Also, just imagine the Delta hub with all the stranded passengers and possibly no outgoing flights.  Eek.


Gigi, the Delta lady at the desk, had been at the airport since 3 in the morning.  It was about noon when I went to go see her.  She found me a flight that went from Minneapolis in the afternoon, to Heathrow, then on to Russia.  Then, she waited on hold on the phone for no less than 40 minutes in order to get my documents confirmed (again) and my baggage moved and pulled (with no one in the bag room) and my pet cabin rebooked (with documents confirmed again).  Tim also helped me when he wasn't occupied with getting pizza for passengers.  He had been at the airport since before 5. In fact, I think I was assisted in some way by every Delta staff member in the Des Moines airport.


By the end of this, I had my boarding passes and a few extra minutes to chat with my mom on my way.  We said our goodbyes after a little bit of conversation, and I was on my way up the escalator to security.  I still love this airport for its drama with the escalators.  I've gone up and down the DSM drama stairs more times than I can count, and always it is a thrill.  I was through security (with cat) in less than 15 minutes, mainly because I accidentally left a knife in my carry on.  It had flowers on it.


A few more items of appreciation:


6. The Delta people worked for no less than 1 hour on getting me rebooked on a flight that was on time. They could easily have just said wait.
7. I had people to wait with all of my things and my cat while I dealt with the tickets.
8. The desk was mostly empty, and with few passengers that were angry about the Delta problem.
9. The security people loved my cat.
10. The flower knife did not cause me any issues.


The flight to Minnesota was uneventful.  The plane was tiny, and the flight attendant noted that we had "40 minutes of flight bliss," and it was.  The layover in MSP was long, about 6 hours, but I found Chinese food (the last for a long time!) and an outlet near my gate to watch some films while I waited.  In fact, this layover brings many things to be thankful for.


11. I am strong enough to carry the very heavy pieces of luggage that I had: a backpack with two computers and important documents inside, a carry on suitcase with the heavy things I couldn’t keep in my checked luggage, and a cat fat from summer in America.
12. The airport has places to sit near the outlet, and I watched films to pass the time.
13. My cat is well behaved, and I even let her out in the airport to let her stretch a bit. She cuddled next to me, didn't make a sound, and remarkably… fell asleep.
14. I can afford this Chinese food and other things in the airport that I need and want.
15. The technology that I have, from phone to computer to headphones, has really improved the travel experience.


And the next flight: Heathrow. This long flight was mostly patches of me sleeping with my fancy memory foam neck pillow, with inspirational sports flicks playing in the background.  When we landed, I put my kitten up on the seat and my seat mates asked where she came from.  She didn't make a peep, and they didn’t even know that she was there.  That's really something to celebrate.  She's an amazing traveler, probably even better than I am.  I had some nice pasta.


I had a quick turnaround in Heathrow, including a jaunt through security where the cat was, again, quite popular.  The agent at the re-check in counter (with no line, thank you Moscow) got me my boarding pass with a minimum of fuss.  And I ran up to the gate filled with typical chaos.  I was one of the first to board and now have a window seat at the very back of the plane with no other seat person, on a very Russian flight.  In fact, I will arrive in Moscow in just a few hours, and be taken to my new apartment.  I have doubts that my bags will make it with me, serious doubts.  They've been routed and rerouted so many times that it will be a miracle if they are there upon my arrival.  Luckily, I've packed some essentials in this heavy bag I'm carrying around.


Which leaves me with my last five things to be grateful for:


16. People are going to meet me at the airport and help me get home…
17. … To my new apartment, which has been provided for me…
18. … that has a welcome kit and all the trimmings inside…
19. … after I get through customs with a Diplomatic passport…
20. … and safely exit this flight into the wild world of Moscow.


I'm in Russia.  It's official.


Also, magically, my bags made it.

My Rizza.

This cat.

At the vet. Terror face.

Every time I move, this cat always costs me a ton of money.  It is lucky that I love this little kitten, because it has become quite a hassle to get her from place to place.

I'd like to give you a taste of the types of things that she requires as she moves about.

To leave Cambodia:
She got spayed in Phnom Penh on a special weekend down in the city.
She got one set of her shots in Siem Reap with a local expat vet, then had to get a second round of shots in Phnom Penh with the French doctor.
She had to have a shot booster before we left, which led to me sending her down by herself in a taxi.  It was lucky I understood the taxi systems.
She had to get an export certificate from Cambodia, which barely got me through the airport in Siem Reap, with her new case, which came from PP.
Call the air company, pay the moneys, book in advance.
On the flight back home, her hard case was right at my feet, and my feet sat atop it most of the flight.
When we made it to Chicago, I had to take her to the bowel of the airport in international customs, press a strange button by a door, and wait for a human to come out and sign a paper.
Then, her case wouldn't fit on the flight home, so we got kicked off the airplane until I found a case to purchase down at the check in counter and got rebooked.

To leave America (for Thailand):
Microchip.
Another round of shots (maybe 2?).
Call the air company, pay the moneys, book in advance.
International Health 10 days before flight, which consists of a doctor visit, any bonus shots she needs, fees at doctor and for the paper, then a visit to the Des Moines office to certify/notarize the document.
Get a Thai Import License at the airport, with another fee and another mess of paperwork.

To leave Thailand (for America):
Another round of shots (for current Rabies vaccine, which was close to the flight but not too close).
Call the air company, pay the moneys, book in advance.
Thai Export License: This consists of visiting a strange office near the airport, in a place that even my taxi driver got lost in, seeing a vet and presenting paperwork and money, then waiting a couple of hours for the papers to be completed.  Also, it could only be done on a business day 3 days before flight.  All in all, a fairly simple process, but also long.  With lots of times where you wonder just what is happening.
She was in a soft case in this one, because I learned my lesson, and stayed under the seat the whole time.
I for some reason didn't need to visit the dark room in Detroit when I arrived... but ended up missing the flight home because of the customs line.  Not pleasant, the customs line and the second security check for no reason, but that's a different post.

And now to leave America (for Russia):
She had her rabies shot in Thailand, which turned out to be fine.  Otherwise, a rabies shot no earlier than a month before we leave, and no later than 10 months.
A call to the airline, and this one required me upgrading to switch seats for ample space beneath the seat in front of me.
Another International Health Certificate, which we went for yesterday.  So, a visit to the vet (Rizza was shaking and terrified), for a check up, some paperwork that she did, lots of cash money.
Then, since the Des Moines office that I visited before had since stopped accepting the paperwork, I have sent this paperwork into a Madison, WI, office by FedEx (because it is time sensitive), with a SASE (which is surprisingly difficult with FedEx).  Of course, this involves more money.

She's worth it, though, a constant part of my inconsistent life.  A totem that keeps me sane while I am traveling the world.  Plus, the vet said it was nice to see how much she trusted me. That was so good.

One Week and Counting

In exactly a week, to the minute, I'll be getting ready to board a plane on the way to Moscow, Russia.  Most of the details are in order at this point.  I've sent off my shipment, all the goods that have been taking up space in my mother's house, including my quilt, some cooking implements, and more stationary than any person needs to own.  I have an appointment tomorrow to see the vet with Rizza, to get her final paperwork in order.  My visa (in my fancy new passport) is reported to be in the mail. I even have a new computer, a fancy new Surface, to make myself more mobile around the massive school.

This final week in America (again), I'm spending time with family and picking up a few last minute items, although my suitcases have been packed for some time already.  I'd also like to catch a movie or two.  It's become something of a ritual to see a film before I leave the country.  I remember before I left for Cambodia, it was Dark Knight. Hopefully, I can eat a few more burritos from Chipotle, since there is something outstanding about that flavor.  Most of the rest is just ensuring that I'm organized enough to manage life in a new place by having my life in order.

Given the short time before I go, I thought I should get the blog back up and running and set some goals for my time there.  I'll be in Russia for at least two years, and possibly more if everything goes to plan.  Some of my family members reminded me that they both read the blog and note the goals that I have, so there is some accountability at stake here for me. :)

But first, let's review the Bangkok goals.

1. Add positive habits.
There were a few positive habits that I added in Bangkok, the most notable being a gratitude letter.  Every day, I wrote something that I was grateful for on a large piece of paper.  That will certainly be coming to Russia with me, because it was a beautiful way to reflect on the day and enjoy again a small interaction that I had with another person or with myself.

I created a Happy List, and try to do something from that list every day.  They are as simple as a crossword puzzle and cup of tea, but that idea that I'm actively making myself more happy is a blessed one.

I also utilize a nice task management system... Habitica.  That I would consider a positive habit, as I'm motivated to accomplish things through a somewhat external system, providing me added benefits to getting stuff done besides just, well, getting stuff done.

2. Learn Thoughtfully and Consistently.
I think at the beginning, this was happening more.  Towards the end, I think I was becoming lazy in Bangkok, but I've been working on my Russian and will have many new things to learn about a new city and a new culture.

3. Be Mindful.
It is hard to judge this, but I was meditating on a relatively frequent basis and reflecting about life often. I continue to search for this.

4. Save Every Extra Baht.
I was certainly saving some money in Bangkok, and quite a lot.  I have some new money goals for Russia, though, that I'm hoping will work out.

5. Organize a Life of Photos.
Indeed this organization has taken place... and is set up conveniently in a Dropbox folder that holds everything I own on three devices and the internet.

6. Find the Joy of Cooking.
Gosh, I must say that I've been unable to find the joy of cooking as of yet.  In fact, it is quite a challenge to find the joy of cooking when fresh, healthy, home cooked food is available 20 feet from your door for a dollar or two.  Perhaps it is unsurprising that my second home in Bangkok, in the city center, didn't even have a stove.

This year, I'll be 30. My aunt Carol calls me a "larva."  I have much improving of myself to do on my quest to be whatever comes after a larva, I think. Here are those goals:

1. Save Those Rubles.
It is my goal to pay off my students loans, all $18K, while I'm in Russia. I want to be free of the bounds of debt, and plan to take every step to pay those down.

2. Seriously, Learn to Cook.
I've gathered that Russia will not have the access to fresh food on the street that I've been recently accustomed to, so it really is time to learn to prepare a meal or two.  This will also help with the next goal, because I need to....

3. Eat the Healthiest.
I've been diagnosed with a condition that increases the likelihood of me getting diabetes by an insane amount, so I've restricted my sugar to almost none.  I eat mostly plants, with some protein thrown in, and I'm feeling (and looking) better than I have in some time.  I plan to keep that going in Moscow, and maintain my health as I start this new chapter.

4. Write.
I've been eager to write a book of short stories since I read a recent book. I would like to write a book that commemorates the people who have made my life as amazing as it has been, the men and women who have shaped my life into what it is.  I also want to write on this blog and write in my journal far more frequently than I have been doing.

5. Expand the Resume.
A librarian needs to be a little bit of everything, so this year is a year for growth.  The school that I'll be working at is considerably different than the ones that I've been to, so it is my goal to expand my resume by building in pieces of other disciplines and learning from the wealth of knowledge that will be in my colleagues.

6. See Europe.
I was getting lazy in Thailand, not wanting to travel.  I will make the effort to get out and see Russia, Europe, and Central Asia, and be sure to take some vacations that recharge me and my mind as I see the world.

I want to ring in my 30th year with happiness and joy through the thrill of improving myself and seeing all that I can.

Rough Seas

Preface:  This is not a blog entry meant to make you feel sorry for me, or to incite some sort of feelings for me and my situation.  I just wanted to explore the feelings that I was having and "be real" as Aaron would say.  I feel the need to be honest about switching my country and changing my work and the types of struggles that it comes with.

Moving is hard.  Moving across continents is hard.  Moving with a dependent is hard (in this, I'm making my cat count).  I've been putting on a face and trying to find my place here in Bangkok, but I'm stressed.

I'm stressed about money.  I've purchased my ticket and moved myself and paid the deposit on a new house.  I'm now in Singapore, on the same pay upfront and get reimbursed system.  And, honestly, I'm just plain broke right now.  These different expenses of getting set up in a house have added up and I won't get paid until the end of the month, for everything.  Even though I know that the first of September, I will be completely free and financially sound, I can't prevent myself from worrying and being stressed about the money that will get me through the next few weeks.  I've very few expenses, but I'm worried about the present and worried about the future.  I've taxes to pay every month for Thailand, taxes to pay for America, and I'm worried about that as well.  Will it be fine?  Yes.  It will.  Does that prevent me from worrying and wondering if I'll be able to save enough to pay off my loans?  Not in the least.

I'm hoping that this blog entry helps me feel more calm about it all.

I'm stressed about transport.  I moved into a house near Kim, which is beautiful and quiet.  He's asked me, rightfully so, to help pay for the commute costs, and they are going to take a small chunk of change.  Transport and money both.  I need to buy a bicycle to get around the village, which I've little money for at the moment, maybe eventually a moto as well.  I worry about making it to school on time given I'm riding to school with a European.  I worry about getting my things to and from the village.  It's a year, and I can live anywhere for a year.  I've lived in a dorm with odd ladies, in a huge theatre house, and with some pretty miserable humans last year.  I can do it.  But, I'm worried.

It's just rough for the moment.

I'm stressed about school.  The first days of school are always stressful, particularly in a new school.  There are new relationships, new children, new vocabulary, a new everything.  It is remarkably fresh and new, and it's very fun, but there's already this stress in other parts of my life, and sometimes I have a hard time focusing on what I'm doing at school.  It really helps that I'm in this conference in Singapore; I feel amazingly more confident about IB and the things that I'm doing in the library, the things I'm meant to do.  There's things that I can find more confidence on and work with.  It's always a bit rough to get beginning.

I miss Aaron.  Really, really, really miss him.  That may be remedied in short order, though.

Without these rough seas, I wouldn't understand how incredible life is, so while they stress me out, I'm incredibly grateful for them.  They remind me to be humble, that sometimes struggle is for the best.  I'll be sorted out in short order.

A New Home

Borrowed bicycle and yard bereft of green... needs some
fixing.  I need some plants.

I have a wonderful new house.  I've just moved in yesterday, and spent the entire day trying to get myself unpacked and acquire the things I needed.  This is easier said than done.  My house is a bit.... out of the way.... which will eventually be very good.  But for now?  Well.  My legs were a bit tired from pedaling the bike and walking out in the sun.

On the plus side, I'm a 5 minute bike ride from Kims house, and a 10 minute bike ride from town.  This will eventually be a moto area, though.  I need to buy one to get things from place to place.  But later.  Everyone has been clamoring to see my new home, and I am finally settled enough to post some pictures.

Entryway into the kitchen.  3M hooks on the
wall there.

I went all over Sammakorn yesterday, looking around and finding out what is what.  I eventually became just exhausted looking for all the things I required, and even managed to break the ATM and get my card lost.  Now, I don't think this is an atypical problem, since the lady I called didn't sound very surprised.  I was trying to change my PIN number from the one they assigned, and the thing ended up freezing on me.  International life has its drawbacks it would seem.

I got everything I really needed despite the setback.  A fan, for sure.  Somehow, the man who lived here before didn't have one.  He also didn't cook much given the lack of cookery in the kitchen.  He did, however, leave some boss pillows and some nice backpacks.  I also have more furniture than myself and Rizza will ever be able to utilize, and no plants in the courtyard.  I'll work on that with the first paycheck.

Fast Facts:
My first meal was Mama noodles.
I drank every bit of water in the house.
I hooked up my coffee maker, which was the best decision.
I remember I really like the decorative windows.
I woke up to bright sunlight from my east facing window.

Modest kitchen.  Not sure how they forgot all the
cabinets, but that's all good.

Bedroom, with the giant bed and giant window.  Giant
armoire is behind me. 

Desk area in the living room, right by the other door.
There's lots of air there that makes it really cool.

Living room.  They made me keep the TV.  And all this
extra furniture... 

Bathroom.  Hot water shower.  There is another bathroom
with just the hose, but this one seems more legit.

This room has the washing machine and ironing board,
plus a door to the drying.  Not sure exactly the
point of the sink.

Backyard.  For drying the clothes and ... um...

Also for the Christmas tree.  *shrug*

General Update

It has been a week since I've posted.  I do believe that many things have happened, and more things are going to be happening shortly.

On Monday, the 4th, I began orientation with the other new teachers for two days.  I was still living at the hotel/apartment at the time, because my friend had not yet returned from Italy.  We were working on basic introductions to the new curriculum that we are accessing, the culture of the school, general updates about taxes and insurance.

On Wednesday, the 6th, returning teachers began orientation as well.  It was focused more on the school wide plan and goals for the year.  We met in subjects, in grade levels, talking and collaborating with thoughts of the students in mind.  We also had a huge party with champagne and sushi to celebrate the beginning of the year.

Following the party, I was able to move in with Kim, which was very nice.  Rizza is getting along well and I feel so comfortable in the house.  It is gorgeous, full of hardwood and beautifully simple.  The whole house is windows and screens.  I strive to live this simply as well.  There's not even a couch, just some cushions that we can lay on and then put away to look like decoration.  There is art everywhere, pictures, and a small Buddha on a table.  It is a place that I will look at as I decorate my own small home.

Thursday and Friday were more meetings, more food, more happiness.  More learning.  And, of course, in true teacher culture, on Friday afternoon a few of us went out for a glass of wine at a restaurant in Mega Bangna.  It was a delightful time.

This weekend, I'm relaxing, perhaps shopping a bit, and preparing for my big move on Monday.  Well, the leasing agent thinks Tuesday, but I'm really hoping Monday.  I'm very excited to unpack and find my own space.  It will be lovely to find some habits, to settle, to put things on hangers.  I will be able to find some serenity and some calm in my own location and space.  It's been nice to hop around, but I've been travelling and in limbo for so many weeks now that I'm finding it a challenge to buckle down and focus.  I very much want to focus, and I think that having something in my life well settled will be the way.

Onward.

Oh My God, Shoes.

Something magical happened today.

The school offered a trip to the Ikea and Mega-Bangna complex for the new teachers, as a way for them to get the things that they need as they begin to set up their house.  I decided to go along, mostly out of curiosity and a desire to survey the things available at Ikea.  I'd only ever been to the Ikea in Pittsburgh, which I'm certain is a fraction of the size of this one.  It could be one of the biggest malls I've ever been in... second to the mall complexes at Siam Center in the middle of town.

The store I didn't expect to see.

So, I took the taxi to the school, got the bus, and found my way into the mall with a few of the other teachers.  We stopped for a bit of chow in the international food house.  I had some Chicken Korma, from a nice little stall with some very nice Indian men.  And then, I went off in search of the wonders of the mall.  I walked around, briefly glancing at the store names and just looking around.  I got distracted by lego sets for a moment, glanced at the price of a Jansport backpack, browsed through the pharmacy for a certain hair product, and then.... there it was...

A Payless Shoe Source.

Boat Sized Shoes Sold Here.

You may need some background to fully understand the weight of this blog.  I lived in Cambodia for four solid years, and the only shoes I bought were flimsy flip flop pieces of plastic that cost mere pennies.  It was useful, considering I lived in flip flops almost, no all the time.  And the flats that I acquired, or other fancier sandals, were all from home, usually from this store.  I have what my mother calls "canoe feet."  They are size 11. Massive.  Which, actually, is why I couldn't ever find shoes in Cambodia.

Petite Asian women don't typically have feet the size of watercraft.  

This, it turns out, is going to be an advantage for me here though.  I was looking about in this store, trying on some shoes, for the better part of twenty minutes.  The mall was packed, the store had plenty of traffic.  But this aisle?  This aisle.... was empty.  Well, there was one other girl there, but given her outfit and the things she was doing, I'm guessing she worked there.  She shot me a sideways glance when I first walked over to the far side of the store looking for that magical 11 and exclaimed in joy when I found it.

I tried on some pairs but didn't end up buying anything.  I don't need any shoes and none were too good to pass up.  I was drifting through the stores feeling much too overwhelmed at the size of the complex that I was in.  I'm also constantly reminding myself of the goals that I have in place; saving money and not accumulating unnecessary things are both key factors for my life here.

It was an interesting experience, though, to go through the Ikea and look at the various goods and how they were being perceived by the Thai folk.  I personally considered everything there to be a bit pricey, but that's coming from a few years of thrift and Craigslist shopping.

But, still, there I was... walking through the Ikea maze finding awesome house thing after awesome house thing, the solutions for problems I didn't know I had (and no solution for the one problem I'm still considering).  I acquired a few things that I enjoyed immensely back home.  A cool dish rack.  An Ikea box, bright blue.  Two magazine files, hot pink.  Two pencil cups, also hot pink.  Tupperware set.  Lint roller.  All pretty reasonable purchases, in my opinion.  Plus I found some lady products and a Thai phrase book in others stores.

I'm exhausted, though.  Shopping really does take it out of you.  It's such an overstimulating environment.

On the plus side, I Skyped with Aaron mostly successfully this morning and just finished getting a massage since my neck has been all achy.

House Hunting

Well, I think I have a new home.

I have two, for sure, two excellent choices.

One is a house near Punnawithi BTS station.  That makes it close to everything in town. A quick walk, or bike ride, or moto ride, and I will be at the station that will take me to anywhere.  The house was nice, too.  It was pretty, there was a small bit of furniture involved, and it was generally a decent place.  Needs cleaned in the worst way, but that's a pretty easy fix.  I liked it, and it was so near to the city.  My commute would be a quick jaunt on the moto to the shuttle bus and there I would be.  The little neighborhood was nice as well.  There were a few restaurants, a couple of shops, very pleasant.

The other house is near to my friend in a very different village.  It's about half an hour outside of the center of town, but in a really nice little village.  I say little village, but it's still in the city.  Very much in the city.  It's a few kilometers from a shopping mall with a Starbucks and an Au Bon Pain.... a few more kilometers from the McDonalds and the cinema.  It looked insanely comfortable and I was greatly impressed with the amount of light shining through the windows.  The space was big, but not too big.  The kitchen was lovely and looks to be a great place to cook in.  I really fell in love with this place.  And, the benefit of living near a friend is sharing the commute, which takes a big burden off of me.

So, how to choose?

They are both the same price, which actually was more than I was hoping to pay, but I'm seeing the realities of the situation.  It is still extremely reasonable.
The water and electricity would also be similar, and the second house has a little extra charge because of the community life.
The commute trade off would more than make up for the previous charge.

Really, the only consideration that I'm making is what I would prefer to be close to.  Living near to the city has perks, like being able to grab the train to the Siam Supercenter Mall... and all the malls that surround it.  Though, that doesn't really agree with my plan to live a simple and frugal life.  Maybe I want to live near to the bars and the expat scene, though again... not quite my plan here.  I can get into town with about $5 and a taxi, and apparently there are some busses that run as well... and I keep wondering what I'll actually have time for.  This job is going to keep me mighty busy, and I may as well save some time with the commute as opposed to planning for the evening events that I don't even know exist.

That second house was so beautiful, and I imagine myself in there quite easily.  So, I've called and asked to take it.  I still need to confirm with my friend on some details, but that is the idea.

Pretty neat, huh?  In other news, Rizza slips around on these marble-esque floors while I point the laser pointer and it is hilarious.

In Transit

The past couple days have been rough.  It is veritably impossible to think that moving across the world would not have some stresses involved, and I’m feeling some stresses indeed.

The biggest struggle I’ve been encountering is the thought of “what if?”  I’m in this limbo right now, not fully in Bangkok and not in Pittsburgh and not in Iowa and not anywhere.  I have some things planned, some ideas, but I also am considering and worrying over what I’m leaving in Pittsburgh.  I have a sneaking suspicion that there was a job lined up for me, a good job, a job that would have been fun.  I even got an email today reminding me of this job that still hasn’t been filled for whatever reason.  I’m leaving Aaron, leaving a few great friends, leaving things that I was really enjoying, for a possibility.  I’ll miss a wedding in November that I was so thrilled about.  I’ll miss Christmas, possibly more.  All these thoughts are hard right now considering my lack of housing, lack of space, lack of a solid foundation. 

And yet, I’m reminding myself of a few key points.

This school in Bangkok will be a challenge.  It will be hard, challenging work, and it will make me a better librarian, a better teacher, and hopefully a better human.  I may have encountered some challenges in Pittsburgh, at this school I’m thinking about, but they wouldn’t have been anything like this.  After my work the last semester of school in Pittsburgh, my subbing work, I am more than ready for a challenge. 

While I’m tired of moving, I’m not tired of travel.  Living in Bangkok with the resources and the access will grant me more opportunities to see the world.  I’m thinking of visiting India, Egypt, maybe New Zealand.  Grandpa recommended that I see Japan, so I may go there as well.  I have a nice selection of short holidays throughout the year that should be conducive to travelling, and a wide variety of friends in various locations to go visit.  The guy who helped me get this job, Kim, is Belgian, and his wife is Italian, and perhaps those would be on the agenda as well. 

I am reminding myself that this job falls in line with the majority of the other jobs that I’ve had; it’s fallen into my lap as if by magic.  From college this has happened, and I’m learning to listen to the way that life is directing me.  The job I had in college…. fell in my lap after a chance meeting.  Peace Corps…. one professor’s story became my goal, and I was fortunate enough to be the second group of volunteers in Cambodia.  This, incidentally, gave me the work at JPA, which helped me discover the work that I loved so much.  I met my Pittsburgh friend, and that connection gave me the springboard to work from as I attended graduate school.  Falk, then USC, all of these were a combination of my hard work and connections and blessed chance. 

This job fell into my lap in a similar way.  I have to wonder at the timing, at the fact that my friend from JPA was working in Bangkok, in a school he loved, and that they were looking for a librarian at the exact same time that I was looking for a job.  I believe they had already hired someone, but that plans and life changed in a certain way and the job became available.  What are the chances?  It could have happened for a very specific reason that has yet to avail itself to me.  Perhaps it is the money that I will save, the experiences that I’ll accrue.  Perhaps it is the impact on Aaron, which I already have seen.  Perhaps it is the change to our relationship and the improvement that we will both feel as a result. 

So here I am, contemplating in the airport, waiting for the long flight to begin, hoping for the best.  I’m struggling, but I know that things will work out.  They have before.  They will again.

Pac Pac Pac Pac Woman

I have narrowed down everything to two suitcases, a duffel bag, a backpack, and a cat.

My mom was interested in going to my grandmother's this morning, so I was gently encouraged to have all my things packed in order to prepare.  It was very positive, because I was able to sort through some things from the past and make sure I had everything in order.

I was about to say that my whole life was in those two suitcases.  Though, it isn't.  I'm trying to live a simple life, a life without distraction, and this is the first start to that.  In my suitcases, I have some clothes, some shoes (size 11 shoes in BKK are not going to be located), and a few other essentials from home.  Not very many things, honestly.  I have a hula hoop.  I have a bread cutter, some deodorant, my cross stitch.  Rizza's scratching post, some earrings, lip balm.  Not much.  There were some things I intentionally didn't bring: DVDs, my Wii, general technology things.  I'm aching for a simple life, and I have this opportunity to go back to this life where simple, effective living is the norm.

I'm wary of all the things I need to buy: furniture, kitchenware, bedding... even though I know it won't be a struggle.  It will be such a cost that I don't want to front, especially since I just sold up all my other possessions: furniture, bed, mattress, etc etc etc.  I wouldn't say that I have an attachment to the stuff, but I felt lucky with the things that I had been able to put in my home.  I'm getting to a certain point in my life where I'm feeling an exhaustion with moving.  Honestly, it makes sense.  I just brought my possessions over to Iowa in my car, from a house I'd only been in for 6 months.  Before that, I'd lived in a house for 6 months, and before that, another house for a year.  And this is all just in Pittsburgh... before that I brought my life back from Cambodia and started fresh in the very difficult US of A.  Here I am, going back and starting fresh again, and I'm somewhat ready to settle for a moment.

It will be a fresh new adventure when I arrive on Tuesday.  It will be a brisk transition, from start to finish.  And I'm trying to think of the things that I want to focus on for my home once I arrive.

1. A bed.  And pillows.  And sheets.

2.  A table. A tall one that I can use for a desk, a dining table, a little bit of everything.

3.  A hammock.

4.  Kitchen wares.  I need to cook the foods.

That's simple, that's good.  That's a quiet home and a simple life.