Tag: SE Asia
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The Great Leap
Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, 1989. “Hey mister! You wanna Scuba?” Almost asleep on the beach, I look up to see our friend Mitch, negotiating a Scuba adventure. “What’s your name, mister?” asks the deeply tanned dive guy. “Mitch”, replies Mitch. “Feeeesh?”, the diver repeats with a half smile. We all burst out laughing and sign on…
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Hail Plastic!
Before I came to Thailand, I had tremendous disdain for plastic. Anything made of plastic was “cheap”, shoddy and downright tacky. And, the tackiest of all plastic items? The plastic shoe. Are you kidding? From up on my high horse, I could clearly see the faults of these synthetic fakes: they don’t shape to your…
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A Beer & Oreo kind of day
Five am feels dang early, especially after three days on an epic boat adventure visiting Komodo Dragons and swimming with giant Manta Rays. I’m exhausted but excited for our next adventure – the Gili Islands. VWish mini-mini van arrives right at 6:45am to take us to the airport in Labuanbajo on Flores Island. Getting around…
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Happy Birthday, Son
My younger son turned 23 yesterday and I am 7000 miles away. In many ways, I have Phillip to thank for this. He has taught me so much about living life courageously. I suspect he has no idea of his influence. So, this blog is a gift to my son, Phillip. Happy Birthday, man! When…
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The Dogs
My day starts at 5:00am and I’m riding my bike to work by 6:15am. This time of year, it’s still pretty dark at that hour. But, it has been getting lighter each day and I decided to forgo turning on my hi-tech lights that my safety-conscious husband installed for me. Not this morning. Lovely dusky…
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Alone
About 30 years ago, I was on the city bus in Seattle. Coming or going to work, I don’t remember. I do remember the woman who sat next to me that day. I remember when she got on the bus and she was looking for a seat – our eyes met, and I must have…
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Thai Massage: It’s Complicated
Rick makes an audible sigh from the cushion next to me. I barely open my eyes and glance over at him. The woman is standing on my husband. Feet nimbly embedded on his thighs, slowly shifting weight from side to side, she works her toes into his tired muscles. I smile. Thai Massage. Typically weighing…
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Sour Spicy Yummy
“What are ya eating, John?” I called down the hall at school. John, 11, turns around and smiles. He’s holding a snack package with a kid friendly design and Thai writing. “It’s my favorite Miss Melissa! Do you want some?” I walk closer. It looks interesting. Long brownish strips on sticks. They look a little…
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It was everything.
2016. So many have said it was a lamentable year. No matter what side of the coin you are on, it seems that we have all grown tired of negative rhetoric and pessimism. However, I can truthfully say that I have learned so much from this “less than perfect; very UnHallmark, don’t post that on Facebook”…
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Weirder Than Bangkok
“This is weirder than Bangkok,” Rick mumbled and looked at me in disbelief as we stood in the middle of Fred Meyer wondering where our full-to-the-brim shopping cart had gone. We had just finished a grueling, grocery marathon of Christmas dinner stuff – two days before Christmas. Rib Roast, fancy IPA beer and local wines.…
Gonzo Girl 