snapshots

Here are a few snapshots from my travels and adventures.

Thailands country side and rice fields.


A monk walking at a train station on our way to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.


On a hike through the Thai jungle we ran into this woman, who sold us some bananas.


Yup, that's me on the head of an elephant!


Sunday market in Chiang Mai.


Two Thai girls walking to school in the morning rain.


My friend Amanda at a Thai food market.


I loved this Thai pharmacy because this woman was so helpful!


Jana, Amanda and me at our all day (10 different dishes) Thai cooking class!


The island of Phi Phi in southern Thailand, isn't it gorgeous?!


Sun-bathing, the closest I've ever been to the equator!


Long-tail boats very typical to Thailand.


Phi Phi Island sunset.


Saying good-bye to Thailand.

come home

Staying up all night with Jana, Amanda, Bryan and Chanda to catch my taxi at 3:30 am.

We finally met up with Bryan and Chanda (friends from MN traveling around the world).

My flight leaves at 6 am from Bangkok.

I am tired.

I am ready to come home.

I had a great trip. Beaches, elephants, jungles, and tuk tuk's!

Will have to post more photos when I get home.

Cannot wait to see my parents and Jake!

the beach

Probably saw one of the most beautiful beaches in the world today.

It was actually the beach that The Beach was filmed.

I also went snorkeling today, just swimming with the fishes in Thailand!

few layers

I think today is Saturday but I don't really know. I have lost sight of the days and the time.

Yesterday we layed on the beach all day and I applied a few layers of sunscreen.

Apparently a few layers wasn't enough.

Got a little burnt, but not too terrible.

Last night we had the best pizza we could find in Thailand and laughed until the early hours of the morning.

Having a really great time...things are starting to make a little more sense.

reality of

There are moments in my day that I have never seen anything more beautiful.

Whether it is the people I am meeting or watching; or the ocean and cliffs surrounding me; or the endless white sand beaches; or the different foods I am discovering; or and the friends I am with.

I have been brought to tears.

Not always because of the photographic beauty of the land but more from the humbling reality of life as I know it.

Life here is different...is so many ways that just walking down the street is a contradiction.

Amanda turned to me today and said, "The smells are so extreme. One moment I am smelling fresh fruit, flowers, or the ocean and the next I am smelling raw sewage."

Trying to make sense of it all...

If you haven't read Amanda's post, you should.

too hot

For today check out Amanda's blog to read about our travles...for some reason I cannot write anymore. Too hot I guess.

bit of home

Last night I ordered a cheese burger and french fries.

I have never tasted anything more delicious.

I just wanted to taste a little bit of home...

So, last night in Thailand I ate my cheese burger but with a little Thailand twist.

...with two Mai Thai's of course!

All my troubles were gone after a few sips!

one night in bangkok

I am currently sweating.

It is hot in Bangkok!

Tonight is our only night here because tomorrow we head to northern Thailand, Chiang Mai for about five days. Then we fly south to Phuket to the beach for the rest of the trip! So one night in Bangkok is all I've got!



Jake and I said good-bye Wednesday morning, I miss him already!



Amanda and I are all packed into Matt's truck to head up to Minneapolis! Thanks for the ride Matt! We met Paige at Punch Pizza for a quick lunch, it was delicious and great send off!



For about nine of the twelve hours from Minneapolis to Tokyo this little man kicked the back of our chairs....grrrr.



In Bangkok Jana greeted us with jasmine lei's! They smell amazing!

I am feeling really good and am very excited to see Thailand in the daylight!

thailand

I leave for Thailand tomorrow at 3 pm...I am so ready for a vacation!

my family

1. My parents are leaving for Germany next Tuesday! There two week stay will include a USA vs. Guana World Cup game!

2. I leave for Thailand next Wednesday! My two week stay will include beaches, sun, and elephants!

3. I saved the best for last...My brother Peter just got engaged last Sunday!!! I am so happy for him and Cassie!

late last

Late last night I made a decision that will drastically change my life.


Constantly feeling the weight of expectations and the pressure of perfection I realized that I don't try. Because if I don't try then failing is not an option. Quite a depressing realization but I know it is true.

Trying to change my habits, behaviors, and rituals has been my theme these past months. But my efforts have been ridiculously the same as they always have been. My intention is there and quite possibly things start to change....but, within days I fall back into my routine.

I want to wake up early, I want to cook more, I want to write more letters, I want to play tennis, I want to blog, I want to start making cards, I want to bike, I want to do yoga, I want t keep my apartment clean....all valid aspirations. But in my head I think, "I don't have enough time to do all that stuff."

Why not?

Because I am addicted to television.

When I stay up until 1 am watching TV, how am I going to get up early? If I have to watch TV during my lunch break how can I make a meal? If I have to watch TV on the weekend how can I go on a bike ride, write letters, do yoga, clean my apartment or make cards?

It is the black hole in my life. It is the root of my depression, inactivity, and lack of productivity. It is the reason I do not try.

So late last night I put the damn thing in storage.