World Series

So if you are a true American, you have been indulging in and completely consumed by the great American past time that is the World Series! If you are not a true American (David Azam) you probably had to be reminded of this phenomenon and have probably been annoyed with the amount of attention it has been getting this month. Especially since the RANGERS have made it to the World Series.

For me, this series has been a bit different. Not only have I had to resort to watching the gameplay mode on the MLB website, but the games have been starting at 7am. So this past week, I woke up, got ready, grabbed my breakfast, sat down with my word and journal, and read while I occasionally glanced at the screen to see who was batting and what big plays had happened. My language lessons start at 9, so I didn't get to finish the games. After language I would get back on the internet and watch all of the highlights to the games and post game interviews. haha. It was a surprisingly difficult adjustment not getting to watch my RANGERS play in the World Series.

BUT during Game 6 and 7, I skyped with my sister and she (lovingly) set her computer up on a stool in front of the TV.  I missed out on most of Game 6 because of my language lesson, so apparently I missed the most intense innings of the whole series. But Game 7 was Saturday morning for me. I had no responsibilities for that morning, so I was able to watch the vast majority of the game. It was a devastating lose and I definitely had to remind myself that its just baseball and I'm in SE Asia where there isn't even a word in this language that describes baseball!


So even though my team lost (which I'm still trying to get over), I'm thankful I at least was able to watch a few innings of a couple games.

Kassidy's living room.

My computer screen.

Routine

I'm a spontaneous woman at heart, but it has been way to long since I have had a routine of my own. One that I have made for myself, and NOT someone else telling me what to do or just NOT having any responsibilities at all to be able to make a routine.

 My summer was just that. I had no responsibilities, so i was able to pretty much go wherever I wanted, do whatever I wanted, and be with whoever I wanted at any time of day or any day for that matter. I road tripped a few times across Texas, was a lake bum the majority of the time, climbed as much as my heart and body could physically climb, and was able to have lots of great memories with people that I love with no responsibilities to worry about.

While in VA, my life turned into a rigid schedule that someone else had made for me. It was very hard for me to mentally get into that schedule and learn to schedule out time for myself within that set schedule, but it ended up being very good. Father taught me a bit of discipline since the only time for me to spend time with Him was early in the morning.

After VA, I went home to 2 weeks of a mixture of slow pace days and then a million things to do in a day. It was a wonderful 2 weeks preparing to move to Asia and I spent wonderful time with my awesome family. My days were filled with packing, making lists, crossing off the lists, planning, lunches, laughter, and then closer to the end it was good bye after good bye after good bye. It was a draining 2 weeks and somehow getting on the plane was some sort of a relief, not because I left the people I love, but the simple fact that I didn't have to say good bye to anyone else.

Then I landed in SE Asia....
My first week or so here was anything but routine, to say the least. A couple days of orientation/initiation to culture and getting over jet lag days, then a sudden road trip to Thailand for a week, and finally coming back home to start learning language and getting into a daily ROUTINE. Asia didn't really start feeling like home until I got to sit down look at my day and decide when I wanted to do my language lessons, study language, workout, have meals, and practice language. As you can tell learning language is what my schedule is filled with. Learning language is my job right now and it keeps me busy for a very large portion of my day.

Now, I can finally say that Asia is feeling like home. Moving overseas is obviously a new thing for me, so I am learning so much about myself as I go. Especially moving to a non-English speaking country. Your independence is stripped immediately because you are not able to do almost anything on your own. Grocery shopping, cooking in a new and different kitchen with new ingredients, ordering at a restaurant, drive around town, etc. So being able to plan my routine really helped, I didn't realize how much stability a routine brought me.

One other thing that has really helped me to feel at home is having my own motorbike and knowing how to get around to the few spots that I know how to get to. ha. Being able to leave the house on my own is incredibly freeing and is a huge step in gaining independence. Granted I really only know the hot spots around town, like the market, a friends house, the 2 coffee shops, and a few restaurants. haha. I learn about or find a new place everyday, so I'm building my knowledge of the town slowly but surely. Also, I should say that I am NOT a pro at the motorbike, so my skill in that is also being built up everyday. Slowly but surely everything is making me feel at home here in SE Asia.

Oh the Mekong view...

Ginger Bullet #2...

Intimidating helmet... To bad, I'm not an intimidating driver. haha.