Thursday, September 11, 2008
Adam's Final Thoughts:
People do change no matter what anyone says. They grow, learn, and behave differently as time goes on. But not all change is good, and not all change is bad. Its how you handle the change that not only makes you the person you are, but what makes other people the person they are.
Lynn Sue
"Beauty bestows it's bewilderment upon me and in my confusion I find the answer: Love"
This was adapted from a chick flick/play but i think it can be attributed to all types of love and beauty not just physical.
p.s. dad, good post the other day!
This was adapted from a chick flick/play but i think it can be attributed to all types of love and beauty not just physical.
p.s. dad, good post the other day!
Railay Beach, Thailand
I have spent the past week on the most beautiful piece of land in the world. I'm talking about the kind of beautiful that makes you not want to go underwater because you are afraid when you surface you'll find yourself in the Platte. The type of beautiful beach and environment that finds you straining your eyes not to blink. I went there with Allison our friend who just got over here about a month ago we were planning on going to a few islands but could not leave this little piece of Heaven. So naturally I thought a lot about God, life, future, past, love, hate, and football on this trip!
There are a lot of metaphors and analogies for the beach and spirituality...I like them all. But more then that the one quote that kept coming to my mind had nothing to do with a beach it was this: "If you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans". For some of you that may strike a cord or maybe you can even relate, to others I'm another babbling idiot...so this next message is for "the others": YOU ARE RIGHT! :)
Being in Thailand it's hard not to get sucked into the meditation, body cleansing, yogic, spiritual hustle and bustle, and i'm not saying that's a bad thing. Unfortunately it's a little hippie for me but I must say I did do a little Michauditation while I was at the beach...but better then that I got a response. Michauditation has a little in common with meditation but basically it is just listening to the waves...and that's it. Just listen to the waves. But while I was doing this listening a great contradiction came about:
"There is such a contrast in the places where I've seen God on my travels. In school aged children playing in the streets of Cambodia and begging on their spare time, to this incredible scenery that only God Himself, ever the Artist, could have created." (from my journal) And of course looking at this contrast seeing God in two different ways also got my curiosity going: "I've never experienced beauty such as this. But am I truly closer to God now because I have experienced this? I don't feel any closer. Is it because there are people back home that have shown me their love in so many ways. Or could it possibly be all of the European women with impossibly small swimsuits hugging them very tightly?" But what is the real point? I see God, I see him in every song, smile, frown, word, syllable, embrace. But I don't feel any closer...is the sunrise in Nebraska that much worse than in Railay...can a sunset get you closer to God? Does a child have to suffer for you to find God?
"I know when I go back they will ask me what I did, what I saw, what did I find? But in truth it's the experience. It is the willingness to go and the courage to come back [from paradise]. It is the realization that big dreams are small and fleeting thoughts can change a persons life. I can tell them about the people I saw, the disappointingly few people I helped, I can attempt to describe to you the blue green waters in contrast to the luscious jungle and mountains that shoot out of it. I'm sure I'll have a funny story or two to tell but NONE of it justifies the experience. And that's what I have realized...it's the experience that matters. The old Nike slogan comes to mind "Just Do It" so that's my advice to any of you young and old that are on the fringe of the unknown; Just Do It and have faith in yourself that even in the dark we can land on our feet!
I know you want to hear more about my trip what I did and what I found...but in reality I spent a lot of the time in self reflection and making new friends. In true Michaud fashion after a few hours of internal deep thoughts and writing and a few seconds after attempting to befriend a beautiful Italian woman (who coincidentally was there with her new husband) I ran down to the water slipped, stubbed my toe and had to chuckle at how unfortunate it is that I'm so much like my dad. Who by the way slipped running down to a lake and dove into the sand completely missing the water...there are many witnesses but for the majority of you that either know me or my family I don't think it's that much of a stretch.
I keep waiting for this defining moment in my life...some great sign that gives me freedom or noticeable change from "everybody else". Some mood that creates harmony around me. Nursing my sore toe I realize I've been waiting for that sign for a long time. It's as if I expect God to prove Himself to me (yes I know the story in the Bible that says it's not right to ask God to do that). It's as if I renounced my Lincoln life and due to this I deserve some sort of enlightenment...I mean come on God look what I had going for me and I left it all to come help You (because He obviously needed it here) and look at all the good I'm doing...i'm not asking for payment but how about a little enlightenment...basically I had the brass to say to God "Throw me a frickin bone here will ya?"
So as I said; on the beach talking with the waves asking myself why we see God in sunsets? Is it the reflection in the water the symbolism of a ray of light in a vast omniscient field. Is it because sunsets produce colors that are impossible to duplicate? Colors that can only be seen in nature. Maybe it's the clouds that sneak in, in an otherwise clear sky. Adding the finishing touches to a landscape that can only be created by the universes greatest Artist. The old adage comes about "If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans". We see God, we feel God, and in all of the New Age books I read and the horrific yoga translations I've tried to comprehend I've decided that contorting myself in an uncomfortable position, traveling to Heaven on earth, or watching kids less fortunate find joy in themselves we feel and see Him in accordance to how hard we look for Him. And here's a tip: You don't have to look that hard!!
Okay enough of this I know a lot of you that read this cringed when I even mentioned God so let's get to the all Powerful the all Knowing the Universal Connector: Football! That's right I was able to watch the University of South Carolina Vs. Vandy game! And it was a great game!! As Allison and I were getting ready to go out I flipped through the channels and saw that we got ESPN in this remote place of the world, not only that but a football game was on. We promptly got up bought some beers and spent a night in Heaven on earth, in our hotel room watching football. I think I was a little more joyous then her.
However besides that our nights were filled with making friends, talking music, smoking hookahs, and trying to decipher which Thai was a guy and which was a girl. We had a blast but unfortunately Allison got really sick and we barely made it home. Not only due to her health but our bus broke down in the process.
During one of our late night conversations I had a reflection that filled me with oddity: I have talked politics with Israelis, I've talked about hunger and poverty with Thais, honor killings with a Pakistani, complete suppression with a Burmese, the "untouchables" and the caste system with an ex-monk, drug legalization with a girl from the Netherlands, I've debated basic Human Rights with international graduate and doctoral students, empathised with New York teachers about special needs education, I learned about underground movements against oppressive governments from those that are leading the movements. Not only this but I've played ate and petted a squirrel, ate with a chicken and rooster as I was probably consuming their cousin, fed a baby elephant, and had lunch with a monkey trying to figure out the wonders of a salt shaker.
I guess what this comes down to i have realized that it's not about articulation, the moments you can share with others so they might have lived it...it's the experience. It's looking for God and smiling as you see Him right in front of you. It's about not having excuses, not having consuming worries, and always having an alibi! It's about boat drinks not what "they" think.
Most of all it is the realization that any question you have ever asked always has one momentous answer: Love.
I hear the Huskers are looking a little sluggish but better then last year, that the political debate is disturbing as ever, and hurricanes are threatening all of us again. Well I suppose my prayers go out to all of them/us.
Brooke and I are planning on having some sort of fundraiser during one of the football games coming up. Goodwill is trying to produce pamphlets that they can give to their students about sexual rights, lawyers, and ways to get out of the life they have found themselves in or the life they have recently left. Basically my parents will be having a tailgate and I as well as them would appreciate you stopping by donating 5, 10, 20 bucks whatever you can afford. I really don't have a whole lot to offer but a few beers. However, I'll get you more of the information as it solidifies. Goodwill needs to generate $30,000 for this project and I've taken the challenge on and would like to see my friends and family help. I will attempt to send something more formal soon...but it would mean a lot to me and to those at Goodwill if you would donate.
Hope this gave you all something to do while at work!
Here's to you,
-Michaud
There are a lot of metaphors and analogies for the beach and spirituality...I like them all. But more then that the one quote that kept coming to my mind had nothing to do with a beach it was this: "If you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans". For some of you that may strike a cord or maybe you can even relate, to others I'm another babbling idiot...so this next message is for "the others": YOU ARE RIGHT! :)
Being in Thailand it's hard not to get sucked into the meditation, body cleansing, yogic, spiritual hustle and bustle, and i'm not saying that's a bad thing. Unfortunately it's a little hippie for me but I must say I did do a little Michauditation while I was at the beach...but better then that I got a response. Michauditation has a little in common with meditation but basically it is just listening to the waves...and that's it. Just listen to the waves. But while I was doing this listening a great contradiction came about:
"There is such a contrast in the places where I've seen God on my travels. In school aged children playing in the streets of Cambodia and begging on their spare time, to this incredible scenery that only God Himself, ever the Artist, could have created." (from my journal) And of course looking at this contrast seeing God in two different ways also got my curiosity going: "I've never experienced beauty such as this. But am I truly closer to God now because I have experienced this? I don't feel any closer. Is it because there are people back home that have shown me their love in so many ways. Or could it possibly be all of the European women with impossibly small swimsuits hugging them very tightly?" But what is the real point? I see God, I see him in every song, smile, frown, word, syllable, embrace. But I don't feel any closer...is the sunrise in Nebraska that much worse than in Railay...can a sunset get you closer to God? Does a child have to suffer for you to find God?
"I know when I go back they will ask me what I did, what I saw, what did I find? But in truth it's the experience. It is the willingness to go and the courage to come back [from paradise]. It is the realization that big dreams are small and fleeting thoughts can change a persons life. I can tell them about the people I saw, the disappointingly few people I helped, I can attempt to describe to you the blue green waters in contrast to the luscious jungle and mountains that shoot out of it. I'm sure I'll have a funny story or two to tell but NONE of it justifies the experience. And that's what I have realized...it's the experience that matters. The old Nike slogan comes to mind "Just Do It" so that's my advice to any of you young and old that are on the fringe of the unknown; Just Do It and have faith in yourself that even in the dark we can land on our feet!
I know you want to hear more about my trip what I did and what I found...but in reality I spent a lot of the time in self reflection and making new friends. In true Michaud fashion after a few hours of internal deep thoughts and writing and a few seconds after attempting to befriend a beautiful Italian woman (who coincidentally was there with her new husband) I ran down to the water slipped, stubbed my toe and had to chuckle at how unfortunate it is that I'm so much like my dad. Who by the way slipped running down to a lake and dove into the sand completely missing the water...there are many witnesses but for the majority of you that either know me or my family I don't think it's that much of a stretch.
I keep waiting for this defining moment in my life...some great sign that gives me freedom or noticeable change from "everybody else". Some mood that creates harmony around me. Nursing my sore toe I realize I've been waiting for that sign for a long time. It's as if I expect God to prove Himself to me (yes I know the story in the Bible that says it's not right to ask God to do that). It's as if I renounced my Lincoln life and due to this I deserve some sort of enlightenment...I mean come on God look what I had going for me and I left it all to come help You (because He obviously needed it here) and look at all the good I'm doing...i'm not asking for payment but how about a little enlightenment...basically I had the brass to say to God "Throw me a frickin bone here will ya?"
So as I said; on the beach talking with the waves asking myself why we see God in sunsets? Is it the reflection in the water the symbolism of a ray of light in a vast omniscient field. Is it because sunsets produce colors that are impossible to duplicate? Colors that can only be seen in nature. Maybe it's the clouds that sneak in, in an otherwise clear sky. Adding the finishing touches to a landscape that can only be created by the universes greatest Artist. The old adage comes about "If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans". We see God, we feel God, and in all of the New Age books I read and the horrific yoga translations I've tried to comprehend I've decided that contorting myself in an uncomfortable position, traveling to Heaven on earth, or watching kids less fortunate find joy in themselves we feel and see Him in accordance to how hard we look for Him. And here's a tip: You don't have to look that hard!!
Okay enough of this I know a lot of you that read this cringed when I even mentioned God so let's get to the all Powerful the all Knowing the Universal Connector: Football! That's right I was able to watch the University of South Carolina Vs. Vandy game! And it was a great game!! As Allison and I were getting ready to go out I flipped through the channels and saw that we got ESPN in this remote place of the world, not only that but a football game was on. We promptly got up bought some beers and spent a night in Heaven on earth, in our hotel room watching football. I think I was a little more joyous then her.
However besides that our nights were filled with making friends, talking music, smoking hookahs, and trying to decipher which Thai was a guy and which was a girl. We had a blast but unfortunately Allison got really sick and we barely made it home. Not only due to her health but our bus broke down in the process.
During one of our late night conversations I had a reflection that filled me with oddity: I have talked politics with Israelis, I've talked about hunger and poverty with Thais, honor killings with a Pakistani, complete suppression with a Burmese, the "untouchables" and the caste system with an ex-monk, drug legalization with a girl from the Netherlands, I've debated basic Human Rights with international graduate and doctoral students, empathised with New York teachers about special needs education, I learned about underground movements against oppressive governments from those that are leading the movements. Not only this but I've played ate and petted a squirrel, ate with a chicken and rooster as I was probably consuming their cousin, fed a baby elephant, and had lunch with a monkey trying to figure out the wonders of a salt shaker.
I guess what this comes down to i have realized that it's not about articulation, the moments you can share with others so they might have lived it...it's the experience. It's looking for God and smiling as you see Him right in front of you. It's about not having excuses, not having consuming worries, and always having an alibi! It's about boat drinks not what "they" think.
Most of all it is the realization that any question you have ever asked always has one momentous answer: Love.
I hear the Huskers are looking a little sluggish but better then last year, that the political debate is disturbing as ever, and hurricanes are threatening all of us again. Well I suppose my prayers go out to all of them/us.
Brooke and I are planning on having some sort of fundraiser during one of the football games coming up. Goodwill is trying to produce pamphlets that they can give to their students about sexual rights, lawyers, and ways to get out of the life they have found themselves in or the life they have recently left. Basically my parents will be having a tailgate and I as well as them would appreciate you stopping by donating 5, 10, 20 bucks whatever you can afford. I really don't have a whole lot to offer but a few beers. However, I'll get you more of the information as it solidifies. Goodwill needs to generate $30,000 for this project and I've taken the challenge on and would like to see my friends and family help. I will attempt to send something more formal soon...but it would mean a lot to me and to those at Goodwill if you would donate.
Hope this gave you all something to do while at work!
Here's to you,
-Michaud
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Update
We have received a few e-mails from concerned people due to the unrest that’s going on over here. However, for our Lincoln friends it just so happens that all of this is going on during the first week of football and as we all know the world revolves around the Big Red Machine at this time.
Here’s a quick recap: the ex-prime minister Thaksin was ousted and charged with corruption and a whole slew of other allegations. His wife has already been tried and charged. They allowed both of them to go to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in which he fled to the UK. He is absolutely loaded and is the owner of a soccer team there. Pretty much this guy is pretty unsavory and will likely be put to death if he ever comes back (hence the UK won’t extradite him). So this new PM has been in power for only about 9 months and the PAD (People’s Advocacy for Democracy) says that he is just Thaksin’s puppet and want him to resign. Well the PAD organized and stormed in and took over a state run television network, they are camped out and protesting in the Government’s House (which is the PM’s residence). Friday they demonstrated in the airports at Krabi and Phuket and the railroads have all shut down in support of the PAD. It’s been largely non-violent except for a little incident where there was a skirmish. There are warrant’s out for the head PAD leaders as well as a mandate to get the protesters out of the Government’s House. So far the King has had a special meeting with the PM (he usually stays out of the politics of this country) and right now there is a parliament meeting to discuss how best to go about everything. As of now the military is with the PM but an ex-general with power wants him out so if the military is swayed he’ll be out! Good news is the king won’t allow a bloody coup…meaning they won’t go into a civil war or anything. Believe it or not this one man has that much power. Today the airports opened back up but the railroads are still closed.
It’s a little volatile right now but as long as you stay away from the troubled spots you are fine. With that said Allison and I are headed to Krabi tomorrow!! J (don’t worry mom it’s not bad down there, just at the airport). We were planning on taking the train which is the way to go, but we obviously can’t do that now so we are taking a 14 hour bus ride. We will go and visit a bunch of the islands and relax a bit.
I know I’m not making good with my promises on posting more believe me it’s not due to a lack of things to report but I’ve been very busy with ActionAid Thailand and now with Allison here only one of us can be on the internet at a time so it gets a little difficult to manage. But everyone is fine and dandy over here and we are excited to hit the beach!
Saturday we went to a Muay Thai match and it was one of the craziest things I’ve been too. Matt and Brooke knew a guy from the movie set they worked on together so we went with him and he knew the owner of the gym so we got in for free and sat literally 10 feet away from the ring. We saw 6 matches and these guys are crazy as is the crowd…you had everything from bookies, low-middle class people to the mob and people that were throwing down 300,000 Baht on matches. No, we are not betting the way they do it is impossible to understand. We saw a kid get knocked out and another one broke his shin. Definitely an intense intense sport.
Besides that I went to Laos for about 3 days to the capital. It was very sad, for the capital of a country and there was nothing going on there! I can’t believe how much I take for granted the little knowledge I have of Thai…because in Laos there is NO Thai or English spoken. It was very difficult to communicate and almost starved because I couldn’t order food. But it was an experience at the least. I met a few people on my travels, as always, and unfortunately I see them and it scares me that these people are out in the world. It amazes me how people twist and turn and try to cover-up who and what they are. Then the next guy behind them is proud of who and what he is and does. However if you are buying human lives I suppose your conscious has gone out the window a long time ago. It only fuels my drive to help ActionAid and the things they are trying to accomplish.
Also Brooke went on a 10 day meditation retreat where there was no absolutely no talking. Obviously not something I can do but she said it was amazing and wants to do another one. It gives you a unique insight into yourself and helps you to figure out your internal problems. Something we all probably could use but few have the ware withal to go about it.
I hear our football team won but didn’t look to impressive, I only hope that you all had a beer for me and cheered extra loud. Hopefully we will come around. I miss football so much and will let you know if I find a place to watch it.
Thanks again for your concerns and keeping tabs on us! We are all fine, safe, and having a blast. I’ll be sure to post something once I get back from the island! For more information on the political unrest over here
Here’s to you,Ryan
Here’s a quick recap: the ex-prime minister Thaksin was ousted and charged with corruption and a whole slew of other allegations. His wife has already been tried and charged. They allowed both of them to go to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in which he fled to the UK. He is absolutely loaded and is the owner of a soccer team there. Pretty much this guy is pretty unsavory and will likely be put to death if he ever comes back (hence the UK won’t extradite him). So this new PM has been in power for only about 9 months and the PAD (People’s Advocacy for Democracy) says that he is just Thaksin’s puppet and want him to resign. Well the PAD organized and stormed in and took over a state run television network, they are camped out and protesting in the Government’s House (which is the PM’s residence). Friday they demonstrated in the airports at Krabi and Phuket and the railroads have all shut down in support of the PAD. It’s been largely non-violent except for a little incident where there was a skirmish. There are warrant’s out for the head PAD leaders as well as a mandate to get the protesters out of the Government’s House. So far the King has had a special meeting with the PM (he usually stays out of the politics of this country) and right now there is a parliament meeting to discuss how best to go about everything. As of now the military is with the PM but an ex-general with power wants him out so if the military is swayed he’ll be out! Good news is the king won’t allow a bloody coup…meaning they won’t go into a civil war or anything. Believe it or not this one man has that much power. Today the airports opened back up but the railroads are still closed.
It’s a little volatile right now but as long as you stay away from the troubled spots you are fine. With that said Allison and I are headed to Krabi tomorrow!! J (don’t worry mom it’s not bad down there, just at the airport). We were planning on taking the train which is the way to go, but we obviously can’t do that now so we are taking a 14 hour bus ride. We will go and visit a bunch of the islands and relax a bit.
I know I’m not making good with my promises on posting more believe me it’s not due to a lack of things to report but I’ve been very busy with ActionAid Thailand and now with Allison here only one of us can be on the internet at a time so it gets a little difficult to manage. But everyone is fine and dandy over here and we are excited to hit the beach!
Saturday we went to a Muay Thai match and it was one of the craziest things I’ve been too. Matt and Brooke knew a guy from the movie set they worked on together so we went with him and he knew the owner of the gym so we got in for free and sat literally 10 feet away from the ring. We saw 6 matches and these guys are crazy as is the crowd…you had everything from bookies, low-middle class people to the mob and people that were throwing down 300,000 Baht on matches. No, we are not betting the way they do it is impossible to understand. We saw a kid get knocked out and another one broke his shin. Definitely an intense intense sport.
Besides that I went to Laos for about 3 days to the capital. It was very sad, for the capital of a country and there was nothing going on there! I can’t believe how much I take for granted the little knowledge I have of Thai…because in Laos there is NO Thai or English spoken. It was very difficult to communicate and almost starved because I couldn’t order food. But it was an experience at the least. I met a few people on my travels, as always, and unfortunately I see them and it scares me that these people are out in the world. It amazes me how people twist and turn and try to cover-up who and what they are. Then the next guy behind them is proud of who and what he is and does. However if you are buying human lives I suppose your conscious has gone out the window a long time ago. It only fuels my drive to help ActionAid and the things they are trying to accomplish.
Also Brooke went on a 10 day meditation retreat where there was no absolutely no talking. Obviously not something I can do but she said it was amazing and wants to do another one. It gives you a unique insight into yourself and helps you to figure out your internal problems. Something we all probably could use but few have the ware withal to go about it.
I hear our football team won but didn’t look to impressive, I only hope that you all had a beer for me and cheered extra loud. Hopefully we will come around. I miss football so much and will let you know if I find a place to watch it.
Thanks again for your concerns and keeping tabs on us! We are all fine, safe, and having a blast. I’ll be sure to post something once I get back from the island! For more information on the political unrest over here
Here’s to you,Ryan
Monday, August 11, 2008
Adam's Final Thoughts:
We all know everyone makes mistakes. We all learn from mistakes and adjust accordingly. But how do you learn from a mistake you don't know you are making? One of the worst things you can ever be is selfish, because in their eyes they do not make mistakes and therefore can never learn from their actions.
A few good ones:
It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.--Winston Churchill
“Do or do not, there is no try” –YODA
“Events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves they find their own order the continuous thread of revelation.” Eudora Welty
You must be the change you want to see in the world
Mahatma Gandhi
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
Mahatma Gandhi
The main things which seem to me important on their own account, andnot merely as means to other things, are knowledge, art, instinctivehappiness, and relations of friendship or affection.
Bertrand Russell
“Do or do not, there is no try” –YODA
“Events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves they find their own order the continuous thread of revelation.” Eudora Welty
You must be the change you want to see in the world
Mahatma Gandhi
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
Mahatma Gandhi
The main things which seem to me important on their own account, andnot merely as means to other things, are knowledge, art, instinctivehappiness, and relations of friendship or affection.
Bertrand Russell
Update
Okay, Okay, Okay, I know it's been awhile since I've given you an update. Yes, I'm still alive. I have been spending more time getting reacquainted with an old friend, doinga whole lot of research for the future, and walking around aimlessly in Salaya and Bangkok. I was prompted to get back in the groove and write on my blog after drinking a Carona the other day. It tasted like Florida...
As for volunteering I am meeting with ActionAid on Friday to see what kind of projects are going to be needing my help, I am in contact with Friends For All Children an adoption agency in Bangkok as well as Project L.I.F.E. Foundation which has a whole range of programs that I'm interested in.
As for the future, I've been thinking a lot of what I'm going to do after my Thailand trip. I've come up with some unique options and have searched endlessly on the internet. Some options include Graduate School abroad or domestically in the Social Sciences field, attempt to find a job in the Social Development, philanthropic, or Human Rights fields, and last but not least I'm looking into Officer Training for the Air Force. I know for some of you you might see the military as an odd option but talking with Matt and my Grandpa it is something that I've decided to look into. Of course there is always the option of attempting to find a job in my field of Marketing. So a lot of broad research is being done to figure out my best options.
I don't know if I've told all of you this yet or not but Matt and I dined on crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and some giant type of flying cockroach. They all went down okay but I about lost the flying cockroach because I was laughing so hard. Matt and I decided to put the whole thing in our mouth and chew...well all of the Thai's around us started laughing and we had no idea why. Turns out you are supposed to take the wings off before you throw them in your mouth. It was a very interesting experience.
I wanted to thank all of you for the Birthday wishes, cards, and even phone call. We are having a good time here and hope all of you are over there. I have gotten a few responses to my 24 questions so I thank those of you brave enough to offer your opinion.
I will try and post more regularly!
Here's to you,
Ryan
As for volunteering I am meeting with ActionAid on Friday to see what kind of projects are going to be needing my help, I am in contact with Friends For All Children an adoption agency in Bangkok as well as Project L.I.F.E. Foundation which has a whole range of programs that I'm interested in.
As for the future, I've been thinking a lot of what I'm going to do after my Thailand trip. I've come up with some unique options and have searched endlessly on the internet. Some options include Graduate School abroad or domestically in the Social Sciences field, attempt to find a job in the Social Development, philanthropic, or Human Rights fields, and last but not least I'm looking into Officer Training for the Air Force. I know for some of you you might see the military as an odd option but talking with Matt and my Grandpa it is something that I've decided to look into. Of course there is always the option of attempting to find a job in my field of Marketing. So a lot of broad research is being done to figure out my best options.
I don't know if I've told all of you this yet or not but Matt and I dined on crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and some giant type of flying cockroach. They all went down okay but I about lost the flying cockroach because I was laughing so hard. Matt and I decided to put the whole thing in our mouth and chew...well all of the Thai's around us started laughing and we had no idea why. Turns out you are supposed to take the wings off before you throw them in your mouth. It was a very interesting experience.
I wanted to thank all of you for the Birthday wishes, cards, and even phone call. We are having a good time here and hope all of you are over there. I have gotten a few responses to my 24 questions so I thank those of you brave enough to offer your opinion.
I will try and post more regularly!
Here's to you,
Ryan
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