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A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Lao Tzu |
Where: The footpath at the corner of West and Alderley Streets in Toowoomba
Why: 2 years ago I made a commitment to myself to get fit and healthy. I have been pretty good most of the time, but have let things slip a bit…so this is me renewing that commitment.
What: Running (or at least jogging) from home to work… 4.4km It took 32 minutes, which I was pretty happy with…I ran the whole way, except for this brief stop waiting for the lights to change!
#myleftfoot
Where: Sizzler Restaurant in Toowoomba
Why: To celebrate my birthday, with Mum & Dad, Courtney & Amanda, David, Daniel & Mitchell.
What: About to go and get my first plate of food, which actually turned out to be a bowl instead…of pumpkin soup!
Where: At home, sitting on side of my bed with my feet on the mat.
Why: Even though it is the middle of summer, today was cool and wet…a good day for wearing my favourite RM Williams boots and jeans.
What: Just home from a day of working followed by dinner out and seeing Star Wars 7 for the second time at the cinema (this time with Daniel and Mitchell)…about to take the boots off and climb into bed.
#myleftfoot
Where: At home in the living room
Why: For the first time in over 2 weeks I am home in the evening before bedtime.
What: Watching TV…I rarely watch tele, but when I need to stop thinking and just relax it can be handy. This show is guaranteed to make me laugh as well, which is a really good thing to help unwind.
#myleftfoot
Where: At home, in my room, on my bed.
Why: It is the end of the day, I have spent the majority of the day on my feet and am glad to be able to come home to my safe, comfortable place and relax.
What: Getting ready for bed…teeth brushed, face washed, been to the loo, pj’s on…about to pick up my book and read a few pages (if I am lucky) before falling asleep. I’m currently reading Allegiant by Veronixa Roth…the third book in the Divergent series.
#myleftfoot
Sometimes things do not go to plan, we try…but something happens that prevents us from being immediately successful. Yesterday was the first day of 2016. I had intended to write a blog post here (instead of Facebook)…however as you can see, that didn’t happen.
The reasons why are many, all linked together in a way that could take me a whole year to explain fully, yet in essence it was because I initially couldn’t log in on my phone…simple user cs technology issue.
Anyway, I have managed to get it working today, so here we are…
My challenge to myself for this year, is to pause for a moment each day and consider where I am (physically), why I am there and what I am doing…take a photo of my left foot…and by the end of the day write a short post to explain that moment.
So…this is the moment from Day 1 of 366 (yes, 2016 is a leap year).
Where: Lake Cobby, about half an hour north of Toowoomba, Qld
Why: Maintaining balance in my life by spending time with my family, outdoors.
What: Watching Courtney, Amanda, Daniel and Mitchell playing in the boats, talking to Mum and David; colouring in in my new Mindfulness Colour In Diary; soaking in some vitamin D and breathing fresh air!
#myleftfoot
Travelling in Asia by air is often referred to as just like going by bus…and it really is. Cheap, easy and available to go wherever you want almost everyday.
As it happens, I am sitting here at Gate P8 of KLIA2 waiting to board the bus…the Airbus…back to Australia. We’ve had 3 weeks in Southeast Asia and seen, smelt and tasted lots of new and exciting things, as well as some that are just the same as at home, or anywhere else in the world.
They say the world is getting smaller and I have to agree. In a little over 8 hours we will be on the ground in Australia and the thought will not be ‘wow, that was a once in a lifetime trip overseas’…my mind is already strategising where are we going to visit next…maybe Myanmar, Laos or Sumatra…though the Philippines looks cool and then there is the multiple appeals of Japan…
I guess it is a good thing I have a job to go back to…
The explotation of elephants in some places is quite disturbing, so the decision to visit Ran Tong Elephant Park was not one I took lightly. It was organised for us via Joy’s House. They confirmed that the elephants here are not forced to do tricks, they do not use seats or spikes and the mahuts that care for the elephants are encouraged to respect their charges.
Part of our decision to stay at Joy’s House in Chiang Mai, Thailand was based on the fact that the house is associated with the ‘Children’s Shelter Foundation’. The Foundation provides the primary source of funds required to run Joy’s House, which consists of the guest house (where we are staying); the Tamarind Gardens cafe; the Yellow House which is where the older students come to stay while they are at university or preparing to move on…these are all next door to each other in Chiang Mai. Then there is the Farm! This is where the younger children come to live, they go to school in the local village school; learn to have a deep appreciation for earth and nature, including growing their own fruit and vegetables, raising chickens and recycling; cooking and cleaning; respect for their peers, teachers, leaders and the volunteers who come to stay…and learning how the financial side of living needs to be considered and valued.
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This morning we were taken out from Joy’s House by Chiangmai and Fhe, two of the young students from the house. Fhe is 19 and learning to take guests on tours and working on his English. Chiangmai is 16, quite confident with his English and a lovely young man happy to tell you what he knows about the area he is named after…