This post is in memory of Willie Riddick. Thank you for leaving your mark of love, perserverance, and laughter on this world.
Virtual Experience
Eat & Exercise
Thai food is one of my top 5 favorite cuisines. Needless to say, my eleven-day stay allowed me to have all of the pad thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice I desired. Before I go any further, the initial part of this trip was for work, I promise! Another favorite I discovered this summer in Bethesda was “fried” ice cream. If you are ever in that area, be sure to visit 520 Ice Cream & Tea which boasts to be the best in the DMV. While walking the streets of Ao Nang, I found a steal of a deal at least in cost (calories on vacation don’t count right?) and visited the fried ice cream stall on a regular. Although one does not drink from the tap in Thailand, street food is fair game and there is plenty of scrumptious selections that have spectacular prices. And while we are on the subject of prices, it is also a must that you get massages on a regular. Who can beat sixty-minute foot massage for $8 USD?!
As for exercise, I had good intentions to exercise in that I even purchased a few new digs to break in. I compromised with myself and said that walking around in Bangkok and Krabi with temperatures north of 90 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity to match was equivalent to some form of cardio. I mean glistening (my word for sweat) was involved every time I stepped outside. And what is the verdict on calories burned while walking on portable ports that require extensive use of one’s core and snorkeling as exercise? Hopefully, you agree that these activities count too. But if you are still a little suspect of my calorie counting measures, I did lug around 40 kilos of luggage to include four flights of stairs!
Pray
Christianity is the third practiced religion in Thailand following Buddhism and Islam. Being that I was there during Easter, it was important that I find an English speaking Christian church, which I did. As seasoned saints used to say, “It made my heart glad” to join fellow believers from a variety of nationalities celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The service I attended at 9 a.m. (upon my 15-minute late arrival due to my lack of direction) was already into its second overflow location! I paused to think perhaps CME is a worldwide event. As I’ve digressed, back to the matter at hand – Easter.
As I’ve grown in both age and my faith, it has become my favorite holiday because of the promise it brings – life after death. One of my favorite hymns penned by Bill Gaither in 1974 is, “Because He Lives.”
“Because he lives
I can face tomorrow
Because he lives
All fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because he lives”
“Because He lives” is the beginning of any sentence you can ever complete. I even challenge you to have this phrase become your affirmation in the morning and your confirmation at night. Even
as these words are penned, there is a realization that the phrase, “Because He lives,” can stand alone as a declaration. As we have just completed the season of Christ’s death at Calvary and resurrection three days later, look at the situations in your life that appear to be or are dead and say, “Because He lives.”
Because He lives, your seemingly dead situations, circumstances, and relationships can live too. With Christ, you will live through it and come out with an unimaginable glorious outcome, Because He lives…
Love
Recently I was talking with a few colleagues about future financial goals. I am far away from retirement but do have a goal in mind. In the coming weeks, I plan to read a highly recommended book in the international educator’s world, ‘Millionaire Expat: How To Build Wealth Living Overseas’, by Andrew Hallam. I am hopeful it will provide further insight into how one can live their retirement travel dreams while yet working. In no way am I trying to fool myself into thinking that it is all totally possible, because as my Grandma Ida used to say to me, “You have champagne taste with a beer budget.” However, I know my season of living abroad will change and I am trying to figure out the best way to maximize the opportunity life has presented in the meantime.
While in Bangkok I was also able to visit with frolleagues from both AES (New Delhi, India) and Moco (Montgomery County, Maryland). It was wonderful to see them and meet the newest addition to the AES cohort of 2011, which will forever hold a special place in my heart.
I am humbled and have a heart of gratitude that God has been indescribably good. Never could I have imagined that a Silver Spring suburbanite would swim in the sparkling waters of the Andaman Sea. And the swimming part is a recent accomplishment! It was this time last year that I learned how to swim in deep waters, although my winning combination stroke is a mixture of freestyle and the breath stroke (I have yet to figure out the breathing for freestyle less any resemblance to the Neti-Pot). That accomplishment and the fearless solo traveling experiences I take are reminders to live a life that grows you, your faith, and the love for all that God has created.
Teach
This is not my first trip to Thailand but it is my first-time to Krabi which is on the west coast of southern Thailand. It borders the opening to Krabi River which empties in Phang Nga Bay. This part of Thailand to include nearby Koh Rok and Koh Haa has some of the most pristine corals in Thailand with coral reefs that are close to the surface as seen through crystal clear water. To experience these beautiful treasures I did have to endure three and a half hours on a speedboat and truth be told I am still experiencing sea legs :-).
While landing in Bangkok I heard the captain say, “Welcome to the kingdom of Thailand.” The Kingdom of Thailand is a unitary state at the center of the Southeast Asian Indochinese peninsula composed of 76 provinces. At 513,120 km2 and over 68 million people, Thailand is the world’s 50th largest country by total area and the 21st-most-populous country. The capital and largest city is Bangkok, a special administrative area. Thailand is bordered to the north by Myanmar and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Myanmar. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia and India on the Andaman Sea to the southwest. Thailand is classified as a newly industrialized economy which was heavily dependent on exports. Manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism are leading sectors of the economy. – Wikipedia
It is no surprise to which countries border Thailand because you can see and taste the influences of some of its neighboring countries. If you are ever in the market to travel east and experience luxury, a cultural experience, and ease, I highly recommend a trip to Thailand!