In the entry I sent out just a few days ago, I shared my feelings of having one foot kind of enjoying my life here, while the other already had its running shoe on and was headed home. Same thing happened to me I think it was around month three of living in Thailand. Well, my indecision seems to have passed and I have fallen in love with my life here!
Amongst the colorful Balinese culture of super smiley people, devoted to their families, their Hindu rituals, and to a beautifully, simple way of life, there also exists this well represented sub-culture of westerners who have left the grind of the ‘normal’ way of life back home…a 9-5 job, a house, kids, errands, traffic, bills, being inundated with advertising that tends to make one always feel that we are not enough or okay as is, etc…and have arrived here in Bali to ask ourselves the question, “What kind of life do I truly want? What will truly make me happy?”
Enter the Yoga Barn. The Yoga Barn is a stunning beautiful, open air yoga studio where all of us seem to congregate throughout the day…perhaps for a 7am breath class, or a 11am get-your-sweat-on core strengthening class, or a 6pm unwind-from-the-day gentle yoga class…and then throughout the rest of the day, it is inevitable that we bump into each other either at the super healthy ‘Kafe’ Café, or the all-organic ‘Bali Buddha’ restaurant.
I’ve met tons of great people…Brian and Alexandra are an extraordinarily energetic and upbeat couple from LA. Brian sold his very successful health conscious social networking internet business a few years back, and now spends his time reading the works of the greatest philosophers of all time and leads group discussions on them 3 times a week….and Alexandra teaches “Goddess Training.” Mia and Kathy are two cool chics from London who are starting their own yoga clothing line. Michael is a great guy from a little island in Scotland who sold his soul to BP oil for 23 years and now is just enjoying his relaxing life here in Bali. And I’m Jody, the cool woman who worked in Thailand for a year at some ritzy resort and is now here writing a book about it.
So I’m loving it! People ask me everyday, “So how long are you going to stay?” And I answer, “Don’t know…just seeing what shows up each day and how long the money will last!” So what has shown up in the last few days? Well, let me tell you… Three days ago, I got an email from my ex-boss who is now starting a health magazine, asking me if I wanted to contribute an article on health. Yesterday, the man that runs the place where I’m living asked me if I wanted to help him with how to make his business more profitable. Today, a local guy sitting next to me at the internet shop when I was talking on the phone, commented on how clear my English was and asked me if I wanted to become an English teacher on the island...So, how long will the money last? Maybe longer than I think. Only time will tell.
So in the meantime, I have fallen in love with my life here. Everywhere I turn, I get more inspired with new ideas, new energy, new people... You may ask,” JODY! But what is your PLAN? Well my answer is, I’m not going to worry about it. I am going to keep loving my life and watching my story unfold, literally and figuratively, and just trust that whatever is meant to show up, will show up! Now, back to my book….bye for now!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Life in Bali
Thailand is behind me...already seems like a distant memory actually. I arrived here in Bali almost a month ago, and I truly don't know where the time has gone. I am in my own little house...great bedroom, nice bathroom with a comfy tub, little kitchen...and a fantastic veranda with a view over bright green rice fields and swaying palm trees....and its $10/night. I wake up every morning, open my doors, and the sun comes bursting in. I sleep in, meditate, then jump on my bicycle and head to yoga, or to a little cafe to eat something yummy for usually around $3, or I just stay 'home' and sit on the veranda and read. But the two things that take up most of my time are actually, checking in with the world on email or composing my year in Thailand into a fantastic book, which I plan on publishing. Writing this book has become my new passion.
But as I sit here, at one of the many hip, open air cafes here in this town of Ubud, on the island of Bali, in the country of Indonesia, in my t-shirt and shorts, (and in the shade of course, because the direct sun would be too hot...) I feel a bit torn. I have been away from home for over a year now, and although life here is warm, slow, relaxed, amazingly affordable, culturally rich, tropically beautiful...I am missing home. I have met some very nice people here, so its not as if I wander around by myself with no one to talk to all the day long...but there really isn't a comparison to hanging out with people that have known me for a few days, versus friends and family that have known me for a lifetime.
My visa allows me to stay here until February 20th, but I have recently learned that money can buy an extension. (Imagine that, what a shocker, right?) But I'll run out of blood testing strips if I stay until then (which they may have in the main city an hour away from here...but I have not confirmed that yet). What I do know is that before I go, I want to travel around this island and check out all the sights, which I hear are fantastic. Since I've arrived, except for one day visiting the surf punk beach town of Kuta with my cousins the day before they headed home, I haven't left this cute town, nestled here in this jungle landscape, interspersed with glowing, bright green rice fields. So I think I'll take off for my around the island journey in the next day or two. But after that, is it ready to head back home? I seem to change my mind daily...well actually, more like hourly.
My return ticket will take me back to Bangkok and has flexible dates for the next 6 months. Once I do leave here, I might stay there for a few days just to say some final good-byes. Then I figured I'd make a trip out of heading home (you know me...are you surprised?)...so I'm thinking about visiting friends in London for a week....and then since I'm flying over the east coast anyway, visit Emily, one of my dearest friends from Bastyr and who lives outside of Boston, for a week....AND THEN, drum roll please, fly HOME!
Now, having said that, I still haven't started my journey around this island...I may fall in love with some amazing little beach side town and not want to leave for weeks.....or perhaps I'll have seen it all and be done with the traveling thing in a mere 2 or 3 days. Who knows, really?
But I must say, the tug at my heart to be around the loving faces and arms of my family and friends seems to be growing stronger everyday. I find myself talking with travelers and having them tell me, "Oh, you MUST go see this! And that! And you'll love this other thing too!" And I think to myself, 'Thanks, but I'd rather just be at home relaxing and laughing with my friends and family...maybe even wearing a big sweater... instead.' But really, I'm sorry for those that may want a firm decision (I don't seem to operate that way naturally) I'm just watching my mind right now and am taking each day as it comes. One thing that I am aware of is that I have felt lonely while being IN Seattle in the past. Everyone has such busy lives today. Although I envision coming home and being surrounded by everyone I know, is that really a reality in today's world? Perhaps I should work with that part of me that can feel lonely even when I'm at home...and see what it is that I'm truly hungry for...Hmm.
A cool side note...for those of you who have read, Eat, Pray, Love...I live on the same street as Ketut Liyer (I ride my bike past his porch everyday) and I met Wayan at her Traditional Balinese Healing shop last week (but Tutti was outside somewhere, playing with friends). Funny thing is that both of them were extremely tired so I didn't really chat much with either one. I felt like I was imposing if had stayed any longer than a few minutes. To them, I was just another foreigner wanting to meet them. They have hoards of travelers coming to meet them everyday now, since the success of the book. When they kept mentioning to Elizabeth Gilbert how in need of money they were, I guess they should've been careful for what they asked for!
So that is my update. Its 5pm on Saturday, January 17th....which means all of you in Seattle are likely sleeping (only 1 am Saturday for you). I will probably continue to sit here at this little open air cafe for a while longer; continue to watch the Balinese woman walk down the street with baskets on their heads and all the other locals cruise by on their motor bikes; continue to watch foreigners turn right, then left, then turn their map up, and then down, and then perhaps figure out where they are going...or not; and then maybe in an hour or so after I write a bit more of my fabulous book, jump on my bike and pedal home.
Then I'll wake up tomorrow, open my front door to let the sun burst in... maybe go to yoga, or not...maybe work on my book, or not...or maybe head out for my around the island tour and spend the day contemplating about what amazing beauty surrounds me and yet at the same time, how I long to be surrounded by the familiar, albeit gray and cold, sights and sounds of home.
I love you all,
Jody
But as I sit here, at one of the many hip, open air cafes here in this town of Ubud, on the island of Bali, in the country of Indonesia, in my t-shirt and shorts, (and in the shade of course, because the direct sun would be too hot...) I feel a bit torn. I have been away from home for over a year now, and although life here is warm, slow, relaxed, amazingly affordable, culturally rich, tropically beautiful...I am missing home. I have met some very nice people here, so its not as if I wander around by myself with no one to talk to all the day long...but there really isn't a comparison to hanging out with people that have known me for a few days, versus friends and family that have known me for a lifetime.
My visa allows me to stay here until February 20th, but I have recently learned that money can buy an extension. (Imagine that, what a shocker, right?) But I'll run out of blood testing strips if I stay until then (which they may have in the main city an hour away from here...but I have not confirmed that yet). What I do know is that before I go, I want to travel around this island and check out all the sights, which I hear are fantastic. Since I've arrived, except for one day visiting the surf punk beach town of Kuta with my cousins the day before they headed home, I haven't left this cute town, nestled here in this jungle landscape, interspersed with glowing, bright green rice fields. So I think I'll take off for my around the island journey in the next day or two. But after that, is it ready to head back home? I seem to change my mind daily...well actually, more like hourly.
My return ticket will take me back to Bangkok and has flexible dates for the next 6 months. Once I do leave here, I might stay there for a few days just to say some final good-byes. Then I figured I'd make a trip out of heading home (you know me...are you surprised?)...so I'm thinking about visiting friends in London for a week....and then since I'm flying over the east coast anyway, visit Emily, one of my dearest friends from Bastyr and who lives outside of Boston, for a week....AND THEN, drum roll please, fly HOME!
Now, having said that, I still haven't started my journey around this island...I may fall in love with some amazing little beach side town and not want to leave for weeks.....or perhaps I'll have seen it all and be done with the traveling thing in a mere 2 or 3 days. Who knows, really?
But I must say, the tug at my heart to be around the loving faces and arms of my family and friends seems to be growing stronger everyday. I find myself talking with travelers and having them tell me, "Oh, you MUST go see this! And that! And you'll love this other thing too!" And I think to myself, 'Thanks, but I'd rather just be at home relaxing and laughing with my friends and family...maybe even wearing a big sweater... instead.' But really, I'm sorry for those that may want a firm decision (I don't seem to operate that way naturally) I'm just watching my mind right now and am taking each day as it comes. One thing that I am aware of is that I have felt lonely while being IN Seattle in the past. Everyone has such busy lives today. Although I envision coming home and being surrounded by everyone I know, is that really a reality in today's world? Perhaps I should work with that part of me that can feel lonely even when I'm at home...and see what it is that I'm truly hungry for...Hmm.
A cool side note...for those of you who have read, Eat, Pray, Love...I live on the same street as Ketut Liyer (I ride my bike past his porch everyday) and I met Wayan at her Traditional Balinese Healing shop last week (but Tutti was outside somewhere, playing with friends). Funny thing is that both of them were extremely tired so I didn't really chat much with either one. I felt like I was imposing if had stayed any longer than a few minutes. To them, I was just another foreigner wanting to meet them. They have hoards of travelers coming to meet them everyday now, since the success of the book. When they kept mentioning to Elizabeth Gilbert how in need of money they were, I guess they should've been careful for what they asked for!
So that is my update. Its 5pm on Saturday, January 17th....which means all of you in Seattle are likely sleeping (only 1 am Saturday for you). I will probably continue to sit here at this little open air cafe for a while longer; continue to watch the Balinese woman walk down the street with baskets on their heads and all the other locals cruise by on their motor bikes; continue to watch foreigners turn right, then left, then turn their map up, and then down, and then perhaps figure out where they are going...or not; and then maybe in an hour or so after I write a bit more of my fabulous book, jump on my bike and pedal home.
Then I'll wake up tomorrow, open my front door to let the sun burst in... maybe go to yoga, or not...maybe work on my book, or not...or maybe head out for my around the island tour and spend the day contemplating about what amazing beauty surrounds me and yet at the same time, how I long to be surrounded by the familiar, albeit gray and cold, sights and sounds of home.
I love you all,
Jody
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
31 December 2008
… “I hope everyone’s holiday festivities have been decorated with love and time with friends and family. I have felt blessed to still be here in Seattle because my original departure date was supposed to be back in November….but now its scheduled for Jan 3rd. So as I sit here today, December 31st, 2007, at my mom’s kitchen table, I am admiring the gorgeous blue sky shining in Seattle, taking in these last few glimpses of the city I have called home for over 30 years. Some of you might be asking, you’re doing what?! You’re moving to Thailand?! How did that happen?! Well, here is the story…”
Can you believe it?! Yep, that was the first day I started to sit down and write about my adventures. My year of writing started EXACTLY a year ago with that entry. Today is December 31st, two thousand and EIGHT.
Since that entry, I have flown across the globe to Thailand, moved from my home on Queen Anne into a room with a bed in a staff apartment building, worked as a holistic physician at a health resort on the beach, have met amazing people from literally all around the world, learned to speak a bit of Thai, eaten more Thai food in a week than I ever had before in my entire life, ate dinner on the roof of a 65-story building in Bangkok, rode an elephant around ancient temple ruins, explored deep into caves in the north of Thailand, snorkeled in clear blue waters off islands in the south of Thailand…and have said good-bye to everyone I met in Thailand…
…Have flown to Indonesia, arrived exhausted from having flown all night, asking myself, “Why the heck did I think adjusting to yet again another new culture would be a good idea?!”…Yet, I found an amazingly cute little place for $10/night where my hot breakfast is delivered to my patio every morning, spent Christmas dinner with my aunt and uncle and cousins who were vacationing here for the holidays, spent today exploring town and met more friendly people that speak English than I did during my entire year living in Hua Hin….and right now, am writing to you from a funky little café, here in this town called Ubud, on this tropical island of Bali.
It has just become dark…must be a bit after 7pm. Living near the equator, it pretty much gets light at 7am and dark at 7pm, everyday, all year round. It’s new year’s eve, so I guess I’ll stay up late and walk around town. But to me right now, its just another day, as have all the other holidays been to me this season. I’ve enjoyed it, really. No pressure to go shopping and buy a bunch of stuff that I’m not sure if anyone will like. No parties where I leave with a belly over-stuffed with holiday cuisine and of course, chocolate of all sorts. No worries like, “Oh gosh, what dress should I wear to the party?” Its just been simple. No stress…no holiday stress that is.
Adjusting to yet again a new culture isn’t exactly easy. Then, on top of that, who knows what hit me… but on about my 5th day here, I was horribly sick. My throat was so raw it hurt to swallow. My ears hurt. Sneezing. More sneezing. Nose running like a faucet. My chest ached. I went out and got a massage and then slept for 14 hours… I woke up the next morning amazingly okay! Thank goodness.
Anyway, back to my cute little café where I am sitting right now. So what am I doing here in Bali? Well, resting, relaxing, healing….and turning all of my writings into a book. My visa allows me to be here for 60 days. And that is all the plans I have…for now anyway.
I only have 8% left on my laptop battery and I really need to go pee. So I just wanted to take this moment to capture the fact that I started writing exactly a year ago to the day…and to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. May the wonderful journeys of life, mine and yours, continue into this next year to come…and may 2009 be a beautiful year for all of us! Jody ☺
… “I hope everyone’s holiday festivities have been decorated with love and time with friends and family. I have felt blessed to still be here in Seattle because my original departure date was supposed to be back in November….but now its scheduled for Jan 3rd. So as I sit here today, December 31st, 2007, at my mom’s kitchen table, I am admiring the gorgeous blue sky shining in Seattle, taking in these last few glimpses of the city I have called home for over 30 years. Some of you might be asking, you’re doing what?! You’re moving to Thailand?! How did that happen?! Well, here is the story…”
Can you believe it?! Yep, that was the first day I started to sit down and write about my adventures. My year of writing started EXACTLY a year ago with that entry. Today is December 31st, two thousand and EIGHT.
Since that entry, I have flown across the globe to Thailand, moved from my home on Queen Anne into a room with a bed in a staff apartment building, worked as a holistic physician at a health resort on the beach, have met amazing people from literally all around the world, learned to speak a bit of Thai, eaten more Thai food in a week than I ever had before in my entire life, ate dinner on the roof of a 65-story building in Bangkok, rode an elephant around ancient temple ruins, explored deep into caves in the north of Thailand, snorkeled in clear blue waters off islands in the south of Thailand…and have said good-bye to everyone I met in Thailand…
…Have flown to Indonesia, arrived exhausted from having flown all night, asking myself, “Why the heck did I think adjusting to yet again another new culture would be a good idea?!”…Yet, I found an amazingly cute little place for $10/night where my hot breakfast is delivered to my patio every morning, spent Christmas dinner with my aunt and uncle and cousins who were vacationing here for the holidays, spent today exploring town and met more friendly people that speak English than I did during my entire year living in Hua Hin….and right now, am writing to you from a funky little café, here in this town called Ubud, on this tropical island of Bali.
It has just become dark…must be a bit after 7pm. Living near the equator, it pretty much gets light at 7am and dark at 7pm, everyday, all year round. It’s new year’s eve, so I guess I’ll stay up late and walk around town. But to me right now, its just another day, as have all the other holidays been to me this season. I’ve enjoyed it, really. No pressure to go shopping and buy a bunch of stuff that I’m not sure if anyone will like. No parties where I leave with a belly over-stuffed with holiday cuisine and of course, chocolate of all sorts. No worries like, “Oh gosh, what dress should I wear to the party?” Its just been simple. No stress…no holiday stress that is.
Adjusting to yet again a new culture isn’t exactly easy. Then, on top of that, who knows what hit me… but on about my 5th day here, I was horribly sick. My throat was so raw it hurt to swallow. My ears hurt. Sneezing. More sneezing. Nose running like a faucet. My chest ached. I went out and got a massage and then slept for 14 hours… I woke up the next morning amazingly okay! Thank goodness.
Anyway, back to my cute little café where I am sitting right now. So what am I doing here in Bali? Well, resting, relaxing, healing….and turning all of my writings into a book. My visa allows me to be here for 60 days. And that is all the plans I have…for now anyway.
I only have 8% left on my laptop battery and I really need to go pee. So I just wanted to take this moment to capture the fact that I started writing exactly a year ago to the day…and to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. May the wonderful journeys of life, mine and yours, continue into this next year to come…and may 2009 be a beautiful year for all of us! Jody ☺
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