What A Year!

It took me courage to ratify my own existing theme this year–journey with angels–an ambitious concept without a clue where my direction leads me. But one step of boldness a way has changed every single thing–I have been in constant travel the past twelve months meeting good-hearted people along the way.

My prayer was right, I just had to make a second the motion even without a hint of assurance waiting for me. Where I am from it is called faith and grace. And from that simple step of trust became a thousand miles–where endless journey went on and on and on.

Let me remind you my first post about a driver in disguise and then of a king which gave my friends and I a surprise of a lifetime. None of these opposite scenarios was expected. Although each story was told differently and yet both played a significant part making this journey truly amazing.

Few days left till this year ends, but my excitement from the first minute of this year isn’t over yet, I am still expecting for a wonderful story to unveil–soon.  

Journey with angels this time didn’t mean a fantasy–it was never a fairy tale. If you have been following me the whole year round, my confessions and stories attested that–there were bittersweet ones, there were ups and downs, there were isolation and celebration, there were rejoicing and mourning, there were drought and abundance–all these in the name of journey.

Of course each path I took was no accident–it was for a reason–it taught me courage in times of fears, it admonished me to persevere, it exhorted me satisfaction from discontentment, and above all it instilled joy in my heart despite nothingness–through the lives of angels whom I had encountered with.   

When I thought had nothing to write this year–it was out-and-out the contrary–my travels were boundless. I had to renew my passport because I ran out of pages. Look at me now!

Meeting with angels were all unpredictable in a fun and blissful way. There I found myself in constant awe. I am so glad was able to travel with individuals who are kind and not kind that I might see the differences and learn from them.

With this, I am so thankful to my Creator for all the blessings including those in disguise. I’d say it is another great year with unceasing wonders to count.  

I hope you had a great year too. Happy Holidays!

Episodes

 

 

As someone who works one’s fingers to the bone–I, blogging was never an issue at all. Many times I had to run by myself again and again because just couldn’t stop writing. These past four months was a real struggle to get back to the norms. I owe my readers an apology like big time.

I am so sorry for being silent which left my corner a skeleton–not any single thought or feeling have put into words except for titles every now and then. Of course you guys do understand that we have lazy and busy moments of our lives.

Heap of thanks!

This year’s theme is actually very challenging (I’ve said it few times before), but my endless wandering makes it a bit easier. I am myself is surprised about the many travels I have been to so that I have something to write in return. Now let each picture tells a story what my limited imagination cannot describe.   

Thought I would not be able to experience these amazing rides and roam because of my financial inabilities, but grace always found me–now they are episodes to behold. And for every incident there was have now become series of events my heart will treasure.

Funny though, but I felt like my absence from blogging was a total of four-hundred silent years. It doesn’t matter now–they are but amazing episodes to name one by one. I hope these wonderful portraits will inspire you too–not so much photos though.  

From what I perceived nothingness at the start and then sprang up a beautiful opportunity after another…

…There I found myself in endless awe looking at the creations great and small, natural and man-made ones.

…There my mind was in constant peace–not the absence of trouble and noise–but that kind I needed for sure.

…There but a feeling of ceaseless rejoicing. The joy my heart felt was just overflowing.   

…There I realized I have traveled a lot in different countries more than I expected. I am so thankful, thankful, and thankful. 

 

 

 

A Dozen Languages

I’m a logophile–but it doesn’t make me a linguist. And so I had to embrace challenges that every learner has to go through–tried to speak other tongues along with hard work and perseverance–now it is the twelfth one to enjoy.

This time I am leaning Lao. And if not for this interesting effort, I don’t think would be able to enjoy my travel and adventure. More than this, I am beginning to appreciate the kindness of the locals–my angels for this specific journey–through a spoken language.

A friend I met along the trip and I had an adventure. We both don’t speak the insider’s language and so it took us a little bit longer to figure out our destination including the right fare. My little know-how in Thai helped it work out. From there we were able to experience another epic moment.   

One can take a journey for a million times, but it is not always fulfilling having no other languages known or spoken. It is empty still–unsatisfying. For how come one has the courage to travel or migrate and yet isn’t bothered as a monolingual?   

By learning a dozen languages I was able to grasp the hearts and minds of sojourners like me–bridged by each respective lingo–only then the hidden meaning of a seemingly obvious implication and intention is perceived–whether or not from genuine angels. 

“Do they speak English in that country?” My selfishness inquires usually. This is when I realized I had to rephrase the question and ask myself, “Are you willing to learn and speak their language?”

Having a gift in learning languages doesn’t always count, but it’s the willingness of the heart to try knowing that every language requires diligence. It’s like singing a song, one has to learn it first–for even a gifted singer does the same ritual or habit.       

Few days ago I posted a message on my timeline about my experience learning a new language–the interestingly bright side–only willing individuals can relate. Lo and behold, only a few interested friends left some comments–the rest were silent.

My journey with angels in many cases starts with expressing a genuine fascination for someone’s existing dialect or lingo, and this makes a company more welcoming and enthralling. And for every language I had learned came magic–a life-changing experience I am forever grateful for.  

It is a lifetime scenario I think–it is never a mug up attempt. That is why I’m still into it wherever I go. And when collecting phrases wasn’t just enough, I went beyond. I speak them. That’s when I fully fathom that love indeed is expressed in any language.

P.S. You don’t have to learn as many as languages unnecessarily unless it is your hobby.

    

PRIVILEGE

There were times in my life that I was really aggressive as a traveler. I fought for my rights even I knew it would bring bad consequences. I didn’t want to make enemies–not my intention for such a defiance–it was more of defining my position and others.

I had regrets for showing such behaviors. I acquired wisdom on the other hand. Not to lift my own chair, but happy to say I’m no longer the same–not anymore. After three decades of endless journey including short voyages, I have come to perceive the differences between rights and privileges.   

Doing the visa run was always my great stressor for many years. It caused a lot of troubles, endless dilemma to resolve, physically and mentally draining, and so financially challenging. It is a protocol that every non-national has to embrace. It’s a must which took me years to comprehend. Now I know it is a privilege.

It is a privilege that I don’t have the right to contest any instituted policies–neither defy them. And for as long as doing the visa run will not put me in shambles, I will remain an obedient and peaceful outsider then.   

Soon I will pick up my new passport from the embassy. From there I will start counting stamp after stamp after stamp–again a privilege that I will have to enjoy or if not endure. Let us see what lies ahead.

And for every stamp tells a different story, but I am certain that it will not only stop circumscribing a privilege itself–like each situation I had to face in the past–good or not had turned in a blessing–when and where angels were at work to lend me a hand.

Just last month, I expressed my thoughts on Facebook about my proposition on visa runs. My intention was to remind foreign friends including myself to slowdown about being aggressive and demanding in getting visa stamps. At the end of the day, we’re no citizens–it is a privilege.

To travel and go out of our domicile are obvious rights given by our respective countries, but for every entrance or door opening is up to the insider’s prerogative. That is why it is called privilege. We should value that opportunity with joy and not arrogance.      

Whether it was a two-week stamp or a twenty-one-day visa, I learned not to care anymore. I just had to make sure that I don’t stay beyond what was permitted of me. This time I was so surprise to get a one month visa for free. The joy I felt was a jackpot because I could stay longer than planned. It was out-and-out a privilege to enjoy.

My perspective in cross-cultural immersion or excursion is different now–everything is defined by privilege–not something to bicker. Trust me it will never be the same again.