life

Let’s Talk About Thailand a bit…

/ Sloan / 4 Comments

I guess it’s time to talk about Thailand a little bit more. Currently, I am scrambling to find my immunization records to prove to some doctor in a walk in clinic that, yes, I did have all my shots as a kid, so that he can sign off on a bill of good health and let me on my way. So if you know if a secret stash of records somewhere in the state of Michigan, let me know. I guess moving every couple years of your life is glamorous, but when it comes to being organized about the important documents it can get tough.

On another note, Thailand is approaching SOON! Oh dear, really really soon! I have my placement of where I will be living, what school I will be teaching at too. It’s a private school in the Kamphaen Phet Province. Your homework for me is to google it, research it and report back to me of the coolest locations, funnest (I know that’s not a word) places to go, and the most delicious food to eat!

So far what I’ve learned is that it’s on the Ping River which is pretty rad, I love water. And it’s at the foot hills of some HUGE mountains that I hope to explore via foot. I want to run all over this place, but hopefully not get Malaria in the process.

Getting all of this ‘stuff’ gathered is making me feel really adult. I’m having to take financial responsibility for it all, gathering records, filling out paper work for the visa and work permits, I’m selling pretty much everything I own and just donating the rest, (keep an eye out for a free box in front of my house soon.) This whole process is making me appreciate all the help from my parents in my past travel excursions and appreciate the help they are giving me now, not just with gathering the information, but emotional help too. This process is exhausting!

 

In the mean time I’m pushing forward, working a ton, trying to enjoy Oregon as much as possible and getting really excited for a trip back to Michigan in just over a week!

 

Stressing a bit about Thailand

Early morning stress about Thailand

Watch Out For Dinosaurs!

/ Sloan / 2 Comments

As I gear up to move my life to Thailand I’m trying to fit in all the things that I never used to do into the next few weeks. I more or less have a ‘bucket list’ in Oregon, ‘things’ I must go do and see. Last week a friend and I went to the Jedadiah State Park (this is actually in N. California, but close enough). The trees were massive, the air was cool and the trails were perfect, conversation about love, life, adventuring, our futures flowed…

We decided to run Little Bald Trail, a 5-mile up and down trail that starts in the Redwoods and as you climb 1,800 feet the terrain changes drastically—trees thin out, the trail is more exposed and it gets HOT. Throughout the run we were either chasing or being chased by two women on horses. At one point we stopped and chatted, learned that we all have some sort of connection through a location, a mutual friend, a love for horses…it was a moment that made us stop and think about these woman and their lives, how one day it would be cool to ride up the trail instead of run.

The run ended, 10 sweaty miles later I was stoked from the run. I don’t know if it was a runner’s high, the big trees, hope for lunch or what, but I felt amazing being where I was, doing what I was doing. We drove to the coast, drank a beer and had lunch starring at the ocean and smelling the salt in the breeze. The cement post in front of us said “Live Free” that was our motto for the rest of the trip. I was learning to let loose and go with the flow a bit easier.

Hiking through the redwoods forces you to feel small. These trees are enormous, at any moment we were ready to see a dinosaur pop out and chase us down the path. This forest is only minutes from the coast, minutes from the Smith River and a couple hours from where I live. I love it. The world is so incredible; I want to see it all.

We plopped our tents down by the river and jumped in the pristine water, sat on rocks that seemed like they were made for out butts, we drank another beer and starred at the clouds passing by. Reflecting on the day, talking about the future, relating on the fact that we’re lost and confused. Remembering the horse-back riders, thinking that they are probably sharing with their husbands about ‘those crazy runners’ they saw on the trail, the small connections we make are the most important. This was the kind of bliss I needed; a night out of town, a friend to talk about life with, and a river to clean the salt off my body, I need this more often.

 

It’s funny how when I decide to change my life drastically I start truly enjoying what I have. I begin to really take advantage of my surroundings and love it. I think I just need to enjoy my surroundings, look forward to the future and see what happens with this upcoming adventure. I need to learn to stop worrying. Any tips?

 

Just a Few More Minutes…

/ Sloan / 2 Comments

Today was one of those mornings. One of those mornings that I planned on getting up and getting to the gym early. I planned on doing walking lunges, squats, kicks…I basically planned on kicking my lower body’s ass. But today was one of those days that I woke up 10 minutes before my alarm and reset for an hour from then. Then woke up 10 minutes before that alarm and did the same thing. I struggled to get out of bed, I didn’t even make coffee right away. It was one of those mornings I could have easily stayed in bed until work beckoned and I dragged my un-showered self to go sell shoes.

 

Instead, I forced my shoes on and laced up unwillingly. I walked out my front door with sleep still in the corners of my eyes, restarted my watch and started running. If I can go for 10 minutes, I can go for 30, that was this morning’s mantra, and it worked!

 

I’ve known for awhile that I generally can force myself to get out and exercise even in the most horrible conditions: weather, sickness, injury… rarely keeps me from getting out there. Now it’s time to take this mantra and use it in other aspects of my life, other goals I have for myself. It only takes a few minutes to start something and a few more moments to keep going at it. Starting is always more than half the battle for me—finishing is easy and is just a matter of pushing through.