Simple Pleasures

So I need to come clean about something.
I've been in a relatively committed relationship for the past while (seems like years at this point).

I feel so comfortable when we're around each other and I can't help but dream every so often when I'm with him. After a long stressful day, there's no one I'd rather cuddle up with.

His name is Matt Ress (I call him, Bed, for short).

(Had you going for a second didn't I? Admit it...)

Napping is probably one of my favorite past times.
Granted this didn't come to be until about college...but it's something I've really come to enjoy.

Such a commonly indulged pleasure of mine has granted me recent nicknames such as Cat and Princess Feline. An extremely minor downside when comparing that to the joys that an afternoon snooze can bring.

My favorite part is the initial laying on the bed.

When your tired body reaches the mattress and every inch of your fatigued muscles just melts into each pillowy (Is that a word? Meh it is now.) pore. Then your eyes begin to gain poundage as you lay peacefully on your rectangle of comfort.

Probably one of the best feelings ever.

In the book of Matthew is a verse that brings me back to this moment every time:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Even reading it now just gives me a huge sense of calm. As if any sort of weight of anything was just taken from me.

To know that even though our God is so great he still wants us to come to him for any little thing.
To know that he will help us find peace not matter how big or small the problem is.
To know that we're not in anything alone, because he will be the hands that help support us.
To know that we can breath (both figuratively and literally).

The ultimate nap, if you will.

Buds

Outside of my back door lives a flame tree.

Before I left for Thailand its branches were mere leaves and not a single flower (that I can remember) had poked its way through. Now upon my arrival to my island home it is engulfed with the radiant oranges and reds that said timber shows off so willingly once in full bloom. Yet scattered amongst the blossoms are buds still holding themselves tightly closed. Almost to be a clenched fist of petals. Refusing to show themselves until the opportune moment, these future florets hide themselves inside of a green shell.

Not unlike people.

I've been a bit out of sorts for the past couple of days, perhaps I've succumbed to a bit of reverse-culture shock (or "re-entry" if you will). The state in which a person returns to his or her place of origin (in this case Saipan) and has to readjust and reacquaint to his or her surroundings. Tiredness and a sense of detachment have been my most recent downfall. Surprisingly though, when I left Thailand my heart didn't ache for the country and it's beauty. It ached for the people I was leaving.

As stated in a former blog I'm not a stranger to goodbyes. I've switched schools, moved away, and even had loved ones pass on.

It's part of life.

What I've come to realize is that a portion of people I meet, I may not ever come in contact with again.

Yet that isn't an excuse to not care.

Throughout my travels, school experiences, and different locations of residence I've come to find that some of the people who have left a mark on my heart, are those I've only had a short relationship with.

I spent the last month with 7 other volunteers and 23 young girls who now live a world away from me. But the time spent with them was not wasted. I've been told many times that God puts people into our lives for a reason. No matter the amount of hours, days, months, or even years...that person will have an affect on you. Whether it be positive or negative said relationship was meant to happen.

Therefore...

We must be open to the people that come into our lives. I'm not saying that you need to completely spill your life story to them right away...but don't close them off. We're all human, we need relationships...even if it's for a short time.

My current location of residence is what most call a transit community. Citizens are made and lost in a blink of an eye, thus making attachment to people sometimes difficult. It's natural...who wants to put effort into a friendship that will just end after a year or so? But think about what you could miss out on by not getting to know that person. Think of the influence you could be to him or her or visa versa.

It can only take a matter of minutes to touch someone's life. Let your relationships with others bloom, don't stay "budded" up.

What My Dad Taught Me

In honor of Father's Day I thought I would share 10 things that my dad has taught me.

Here we go...

What my dad taught me:

1. God has a plan for each of us. It's is the right plan. The only plan. Follow it obediently and do not stray.
2. Love is not only shown through affection. Not just hugs. Not just kisses. Some of the greatest affection can be show through action.
3. Don't be afraid to surprise the ones you love. Whether it's with gifts or acts of service, it's ok to show people you care.
4. Always tell the people you love that you love them. Always.
5. Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself. We all do stupid things. Just laugh.
6. Be respectful. No questions asked.
7. Be confident.
8. Be encouraging. A few encouraging words can go a long way.
9. Sometimes a good nap is all you need.
10. Don't try to control people. Let them be free to live their own lives and be a shoulder to lean on when times get tough.

I love you dad, Happy Father's Day!

Orientation and a Crucial Lesson

As stated in my last blog post I'm not sure how often I will be blogging, so don't be too heartbroken if I don't write on a daily basis.

Yet today was too blog-worthy to not post.

We had orientation in "The Big House" (it's basically the main office area of COSA) and A told us all about different projects we'll be working on and the like. I will be helping organize as well as teach English classes in the community on Saturdays and Sundays. I will also be working to organize and implement an English tutoring program for some of the Thai staff in the organization. There are a few more options I'm hoping to do (one of which includes writing on the COSA blog), but nothing official in that area yet. I'll keep you posted. We have another orientation tomorrow, A will be telling us about sex trafficking in and around Northern Thailand. I'm looking forward to gaining more knowledge and having a better idea of that types of issues might arise from past experiences some of these girls might have had.

We also went to the grocery store today, quite a story goes along with it. Warning it might be a bit unsettling for those with weak stomachs (maybe that's a bit dramatic).

The spice factor of Thai food is much higher than what my original pallet is used to. It's not unbearable, but one can definitely tell that it's there! With such dining differences come internal disturbances...if you catch my drift. So after having an eventful bathroom experience on my part, our group heads out to the grocery store. Things are going all fine and well until they start mixing themselves up again. Good thing another bathroom wasn't far away.

Once all was said and done, I'm looking around for toilet tissue. To my left...nothing. To my right...nothing. Above me, beneath me, diagonal...nothing.

Dang it. Worst time to not have toilet paper...EVER

I carefully inch my way (with pants on) over to another stall...nothing

Then another...nothing.

Nothing
NOthing
NoTHING
NOTHING

So I head to the sink area. Low and behold, a roll of toilet paper...by the sink. The sink.

Note to self, when going to a public bathroom you need to grab a chunk of tissue before you head into a stall.

Well at least now I'll never forget again...ever.

Oh culture...you get me every time!

Welcome to COSA

And so, my adventure in Thailand begins...

I'm sitting on my bed in the volunteer shelter and part of me feels like I should be up and doing something (like being social), while the rest of me knows that I should probably just take a nap.

I arrived at approximately 9:40 this morning and was picked up by one of the directors (we'll call her A) and the main driver.

Riding through downtown it didn't seem much different than Saipan, just bigger and busier. A told me all about what I'll be doing and what is ahead. I'm pretty excited, everything just seems a little overwhelming right now. Traveling 24 hours and only getting a minimal amount of sleep may have something to do with that. Once we arrived at the shelter A gave me a quick tour, introduced me to some of the staff, and showed me the house that I'll be living in. There are about 7 other people I'll be living with and only one bathroom. Going to this from living by myself will be an adjustment, but I'm sure it'll seem like nothing once things get going. At the moment they're all downtown though. Some of the younger girls are off from school right now so I got to spend some time with them. We ate lunch together and made bracelets out of beads and string.

I have orientation with A and a couple other new volunteers tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting things started, but today is just going to be a day of downtime and adjustment.

I will keep you posted throughout the month. Could be weekly, daily...whenever :D.

But right now, I must nap.

Layover #2: Bangkok

As so my journey continues...

Travel from Osaka to Bangkok was no problem. I flew with Thai Airways and, good grief, they probably have the most beautiful plane I've ever traveled in!

I walked on the plane, all the flight attendants were wearing traditional Thai clothing (which they soon changed out of once they had to start working) made of silk. All the seats were vivid colors of gold, purple, and fuchsia (a very dark fuchsia, believe me, my eyes didn't burn when I saw it). Everything seemed so regal, even the food plates were beautiful! They also had fleece blankets instead of the cheap, thin kind. Quite the posh experience if I say so myself (did I mention I was in economy class?). I sat next to an old, quiet lady who had an ashy cigarette smell about her. Though, I probably didn't smell too great either after hours of travel. As the plane began its accent my eyelids made their decent. I slept solid for a majority of the flight and woke up to a meal of French toast, fruits, yogurt, and other such breakfast foods. Though, as the plane began to lower into its destination the realization that immigration was coming hit me and about half way through my meal I wasn't so hungry anymore.

What would they ask me?
Did I fill out my paper work alright?
Will they give me the right visa?
Is there a wrong visa?
Stop thinking Michelle, you're being ridiculous.

The plane landed and a shuttle soon came to pick up the passengers. After a quick currency exchange I retrieved my boarding pass and took a few small steps next door to immigration. Oddly enough seeing all the counters there actually made me feel relieved (thanks God), maybe because it showed me how the process was going to go. The joys of being a visual learner. I walked up to the counter and the immigration man didn't even talk to me (YES!). He stuck his hand out for my passport, stamped a few things, made a couple of staples, and sent me on my way.

Feeling rather foolish for, once again, getting myself all in a tizzy for no reason, I continued on my way to find internet. That was a whole different process. I first tried to see if there was a source I could just connect to without any sort of code. No luck. I went to an internet kiosk. It had awkward keys, and a strange sort of mouse ("Ain't nobody got time for dat!"). So I packed myself up and began my journey for the interwebs. At last I found a service desk and they gave me the necessary login information.

Now I sit, on a light blue chair this time, patiently waiting for the final flight of my venture.
So close, yet so far!

See you in Chiang Mai...preferably after I shower and brush my teeth.

Layover #1: Japan

After hours of travel I’ve made it to Japan. Though, that’s not to say funny things haven’t popped up along the way. I will warn you, I’m tired so I apologize in advance if parts of this blog are a) uncomprehendable (I don’t think that’s a word…oh well, it is now!) b) incorrect both spelling and grammar wise (see letter a) or c) too attractive for you to handle.

Let’s begin shall we?

 

It all started a little before 1:00pm. My stomach was tight with knots about what was to come. (Before I continue, let me assure you that I do not have a fear of flying. It’s the whole rush of trying to get where you’re going/the over looming fear of going through immigration that gets me.) AW, Little E, and AVH dropped me off at the airport. The whole way there they were reassuring me that things would be fine (and well surprise, surprise they were!) Hugs were exchanged; words of encouragement were given, then they were off and I made my way inside. I waited in line to check-

in and stared blankly at a dark, vacant kiosk. Though stressful at the time, I suppose even airport people need to eat lunch too…Soon WB came and joined me in my game of patience. He waited with me in line and during check in. We said our goodbyes and he watched me as I made my way through security.

I was off and running (or…sitting). Stress levels were down and my stomach didn’t feel like removing its contents anymore (thanks stomach, you rock). I was ready to start my journey.

Before I knew it I was in Guam. Not much notable about that airport except for the bathroom. As any good traveler knows, it’s best to use any bathroom you can before you get on the plane. So I walk in and it looks like there are plenty of stalls open, or so I thought. Half of the stalls are locked without anyone in them, three others are clogged, and two won’t flush…so this other lady and I are waiting for the only stall left. Oh well, it makes for a good story :D.

My flight from Guam went smoothly; I sat next to a really precious old Japanese couple. I kind of wanted to shrink them down and take them home in my pocket…but that’s kind of like kidnapping (old-peoplenapping? Wait old people take naps…ok this is getting out of hand) and that’s frowned on in most societies.  

It wasn’t until I reached my current location, the Osaka airport (dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun), that the fun really began. I get off the plane and head off to the transfers’ security area. I really had no idea if it was where I was supposed to be or not, but the people working there were very considerate. Japanese people are just fabulous people in general. If you don’t know a Japanese person, you should…because they’re fabulous. But I digress. So I head up the stairs looking for a place the find my gate. Scanning the screens my gate is nowhere to be found, so I figured I’d be logical and go to a random gate and ask someone there.

That’s actually a really terrible idea, especially if you decide to go to the other side of the airport where there isn’t any living thing present. Then you decide to be logical again and ask a security guy for help, only to find that he speaks little to no English and you tell yourself that you should probably learn more languages so you don’t have to deal with this again…not that that would happen to me of course >_>.

But alas I did find my gate (about an hour later) and now I’m sitting in a blindingly yellow chair typitty-typing away at this blog…which is longer than it should be. But that’s ok because I’ve got two whole hours to kill.

*le sigh*

I’m not sure when I’ll be back to blog, hopefully in Bangkok. If not, I’ll see you in Chiang Mai!