Happy Happy Holidays~~~

I know a lot of people don't celebrate Christmas because they're not Christians.  I also know a lot of people who celebrate Christmas but they're not Christians and they have no idea behind the religious meaning of Christmas.  

Personally, Christmas to me does not necessary have to be about religion.  If you want to look at the religious origin, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus.  It's a celebration of life, a miracle, a blessing, hope, joy, and a bunch of people traveling from far to get together to celebrate this day.  If you ask me, you don't have to be of an religion to celebrate life, hope and joy.  If you are alive today, that in itself is a miracle.  

Today, two of my girlfriends arrived in Australia, and for the first time in 4 years, the 5 of us are on the same continent, same country, same city, at the same time on Christmas eve.  That itself calls for a celebration.  

So maybe you won't be going to church this Sunday, or you don't have a tree set up in your house, and presents stuffed in stockings, but take a bit of time and think of the following: think about what a wonderful year this has been, the good and the bad, the people in your life who have made it super special, the happy events to look back on, the exciting future to look forward to, and the miracle of life that we are all fortunate enough to be enjoying.  

Happy happy holidays to all my dear friends!!!!  

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

My Wonderful Wonderful 2011

So it's that time of the year again.  The time when you hear this so often "Oh my, is it Christmas already?  The year has just flew by!"  For me, so much has happened this year, everyday has been a day of reflection, everyday I hope I'm taking a step in the right direction.  Don't ask me what the right direction is exactly, as long as I'm happy, it's the right direction as far as I'm concerned.

Let's have a look then at what I've done this year.....

Courage

India was absolutely one of the biggest highlight of my year.  I did a lot of yoga, learnt from some pretty amazing teachers.  Met a bunch of awesome people, some of which will be lifetime friends I'm sure of it.  Learnt a lot about myself, the obstacles I have yet to overcome and will continue to work towards.  Overcame my fear of huge cockroaches, still not a fan but no long need to run away screaming.  I don't know if it's India or the yoga, but those 3 months helped me tremendously in terms of personal development and fine tuned several qualities I had wished to improved upon.  It was the first time I traveled for so long away from home on my own.  Although I'd planned it down to every little detail, it was a trip where I realised truly I'm not a greenhouse butterfly, I can make it out there on my own.

Goodbyes

Before taking off on my long journey away from home again, I took my time to pack, have what seems like endless farewells, spending quality time with those close to me...  Whilst I know it's not goodbye, especially in an age where flying across the globe is so easy, it was still difficult because I don't know when I'll be back again.  I don't know when or where I'll see those faces I've become so accustomed to in the past 20 years.  I have a huge support group of friends and I am so lucky to be surrounded by all these wonderful people, what's gonna happen after I leave?  Going away for 3 months is one thing, going away indefinitely is another...  Saying goodbye to these special people in my live was definitely a hard thing to do, maybe that's why it took me so long to "pack" those two months!  But keeping in touch has not been difficult at all, and I'm reminded everyday that there are a bunch of people across the world who love me very much :) 

Reuniting

Of course I was not the first one to have left South Africa, so the first part of my travels was meeting up with old friends who have left for some time.  During this time, I met up with a friend from high school whom I have not seen since 2001, exactly 10 years!  It's really quite crazy when I think about it, but it was absolutely incredible seeing her again and we had a lovely time going away together.  This part of the trip was not just great fun, it was also amazing to see how my friends have changed, most of them for the better, from as long as 10 years, to as little as just over a year.  It always gives me a great sense of comfort to see how well my friends are doing, and knowing that they are happy makes me happy.  Whilst many of us also faces various obstacles in the paths ahead, I know that we are all strong intelligent women who will easily overcome any problems which presents itself.  

New Beginnings

The final quarter of the year I landed in Australia.  This is officially the furthest I have even been away from home!  I am having an amazing time here, and once again being reminded everyday how lucky I am to have friends even as far as this who have shown me great hospitality.  This place reminds me so much of home, yet so different in many many aspect.  I could totally see myself living here on a more permanent basis (definitely going to be something I'm going to look into!).  For the first time in my life I need to look for an apartment, looking for a part time job that doesn't involve working for your parents, and hopefully for the first time I will teach some yoga and actually get paid for it (making your passion into your living, I'm totally in!).  

Overall, it's been a pretty amazing year.  I want to tell all the awesome people in my life how awesome you all are and how special my life is because of you.  I have a feeling next year is only going to get even better and more legendary.  Hope you all have an amazing holiday and travel safe.  See you all next year.  I love you~!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Stop worrying, and listen to my body!

So I'm here in Australia with a working holiday visa, and in this land of endless traveling, there's simply too much that I want to do in this short space of time.  Yes, I'm here for an entire year, but time flies when you're having fun.  It's been almost 10 months since I stopped working and started traveling and exploring my "inner peace" (that's what I will call it from now on, it's just like Kung Fu Panda), and it definitely didn't feel like it's been that long.  So I probably really should start prioritizing what I really really want to do while I'm here shouldn't I?  

There's always so much that we want to do in life, how do we decide what we want to do, what we don't really have to do, and what we absolutely must do or else if I get hit by a bus tomorrow I really will regret not having done XY and Z by the time I get to the pearly gates?  Why does it get more and more difficult when we are thrown with more choices in the short time we have on earth?

Today I went diving at this place called Cook's Island, near Coolangatta, an island discovered by (surprise surprise~) Captain Cook.  The island is known for the turtles in this region, which we saw plenty of today and it was wonderful.  Water temperature was not so wonderful though, at 21 degrees Celsius, I was freezing by the end of our second dive.  

Now I'm mentioning this because I've been thinking about doing my divemaster course for scuba diving while I'm in Australia, and getting a job at a resort or something for a few months and dive everyday.  Until today.  Don't get me wrong, the two dives I did today was great, but it was not the most ideal dives I've had in my life.  And chances are, if you dive everyday, not every dive is going to be great, and that's just part of life.  So the question here now is, how much do I want to do this, over something else that I really really really want to do, like say, teach yoga?  Chances are, teaching yoga is not going to be absolutely great every single day either, and that's life too.  

Now I just sound really whiney and ungrateful don't I?  No wait, I have a point, it's coming.  What if I just stopped thinking about what might be better than what I'm doing right now, and just enjoy what I've chosen to do right this moment?  What if I left some of these choices to fate?  What if I just stopped planning so much for all these things which could change at the snap of my fingers (or yours for that matter)?  Let's just put one foot in front of the other, one at a time, and once I manage to do that well, then maybe I can work out some kind of dance routine.  

So that's it, I'm going to stop worrying, stop planning, stop thinking, and listen to what this body is telling me that it wants to do next.  Right now it's saying that it wants a nap!  

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Churches in Canberra

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I've always had a thing about churches. They are just so beautiful and peaceful, it makes me more relaxed just being present in one. Found two pretty churches today around Canberra, unfortunately the one was locked so I couldn't go in. But the All Saints church was open and what a quiet place to sit for the afternoon and ponder about the wonders of my life :)

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Finally!!

I have waited so long for you to arrive!!!

I actually noticed yesterday that my 3GS has this one gap on the side, probably consequence on being dropped on its head by its mother way too often. Let's hope the same does not happen to its successor. Yet to set it up as it won't allow me to do so without a sim card, guess I must go to the shops now and get it sorted out! Have to wait for Han to come home later then I can compare the iPhone4 and iPhone4S to see if there are any obvious difference. Yay! Sent from my old iPhone

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

lulu *love*

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

New beginnings

Tomorrow I'm going to a new country, a new city with a new haircut and a new attitude to life.  I am looking forward to this new adventure!  So far this trip (since July), all the places I visited are places I've been to already and there's some sense of familiarity to it.  Australia will be totally fresh, how exciting that will be!  I look forward to analyzing just about every aspect of this country, learning the new lingo, meeting new people, identifying animals I've never seen in my life, trying out new food (kangaroo meat anyone?), and much much more I'm sure.

One of the things I'm currently most excited about though is.... the arrival of my iPhone4S!  Hahahaha I know I know, I'm a big nerd, but really, it's going to be beautiful the moment we meet.  Come to mama Siri~

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Awesome!

After watching this clip by Neil Pasricha (http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_pasricha_the_3_a_s_of_awesome.html) recommended by a friend, which I agree with totally, and learning about this book called "The Book of Awesome", I don't think it was pure coincidence when I came across this book some days later.  What a fun book it was!

To summarize his talk, Neil Pasricha talks about how attitude, awareness and authenticity can change your life.  Whilst his book does not discuss this explicitly, it is implied in the way the book is laid out.  It is just pages after pages of random simple things that he thinks are awesome, even though some of these things seem so trivial in our day to day life.  He also has a website which is updated daily, a great place to visit for a little pick me up if you need one!  Check out http://1000awesomethings.com/

I loved this book because this is what I've been doing on my travels.  While others go sightseeing (which I do too), I enjoy sitting in the middle of a park and watch a mother playing with her child.  I like roaming quiet streets of India and watch a man sweeping in front of his front door.  I get a kick out of taking the bus in Hong Kong and looking out the window as the city passes by.  Even every time I beep my octopus card I am amazed at how technology has advanced (gosh now I sound soooooo old).  How we often overlook the small stuff, yet when we become more aware, how amazed we are by it.

The one awesome thing listed in the book that I remembered last night was - "Peeling an orange in one shot".  He described it as "peeling an orange into only one big, swirly peel, it can be one of the greatest fruit-eating experiences of your life".  He proceeds on to describing HOW to do it to guarantee success, and if you nailed it, then SHOW AND TELL!  Guess I don't have to tell you what I did next... and guess what, it was AWESOME!

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Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Home is where the heart is….

...my heart is not here.... I miss home.....

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Bad yogi in Thailand

Laziness is a darn thing.  Laziness causes to make excuses.  Laziness makes you procrastinate.  Laziness makes you fat and unfit.  Laziness is I.

I've been so damn lazy since the start of my travels in July that I've hardly been yoga-ing in the past few months.  "I don't have a mat", "I don't have time", "I'm meeting someone later and there's not enough time for a practice and shower", "I'm tired", BLAH BLAH BLAH.  We all know those are excuses yet we make them all the time to postpone doing the things we know we love to do.  Ironic, I know.  So when I'm here on a beach (current location Koh Samui, Thailand) with so much time, some excess body fat, and my brand new travel-friendly yoga mat, there can be no more excuses to be made.  It is time to break in that new mat.

After an action packed 2 weeks in Beijing along with many days and nights of gourmet food indulgence, it was so good to get back on the mat.  The flow of the body in sun salutes, tuning your mind to the rhythm of your breath, feeling your long forgotten muscles, remembering those old injuries and how to push enough for some progress but not too far as to cause damage once again... OMW WHY do I keep making excuses not to get on the mat?  What a bad yogi I am.  

That said, I know many people who have similar problems to me, breaking in a new habit, or fitting in an old habit in a new routine, or in my case, the lack of a routine.  I find it so much easier to get on my mat when I'm in a calm and peaceful place like this, because my body is channelled to a different type of energy as the city.  However, isn't that the point of yoga as well, to find peace and serenity amongst our chaotic lifestyles.  So what can we do to break in a habit when we are so used to making excuses for just about everything?  How about this:

1. Start with a shorter practice.  Maybe 45min instead of an hour.  Maybe even half an hour.  Even 20 minutes is better than nothing, building up to a longer practice.
2. Yoga-on-the-go.  This is something I've been doing for a while now - observe your breath throughout the day.  It can be while you're on the subway, at work, having a massage, eating lunch, on a dive, whatever!  Just observe.  Take in deeper, longer breaths.  Focus on your excuse.
3. Let's not forget that yoga is not just about asanas.  It's also a way of life.  Acceptance, forgiveness, patience, love.  Those are things we can practise everyday, including forgiving ourselves for making excuses for not getting on the mat!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Happy Days in Beijing Happy List

Here I am in Beijing again after 2 years.  I still love this city as much as I did the first time I came.  A great amount of really exciting stuff came up lately that totally calls for a happy list woohooo~

• The biggest news lately would be that Emmie and Danny are engaged!!! It's about bloody time this guy proposed man!  Not only am I way exhilarated for my baby, I'm gonna be meeting up with her in Hong Kong in 2 weeks!  I can't wait!!!!
• With an engagement means an upcoming wedding woohoo!  Wherever you guys decide to tie the knot I'm there!
• Spoke with another dear dear friend of mine last night, and I'm so happy for her that she finally spoke up and decided to follow her dreams and do what she really wants.  It is never, EVER, too late to pursue your dreams.  Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise.  It's only too late when you're lying in your deathbed and you still haven't done anything about it!
• Meeting old friends and making new friends in Beijing.  It's been wonderful hanging out with Ivy and all the mouth-watering delicious food she's been sharing with me, and all the wonderful people I've meet on this leg of the trip has been great.  So blessed.
• Of course thanks to the universe for looking after me throughout my trip.  Like I was saying in India and I'm still saying now, God really loves me, I know it.
• But as much fun as this trip has been, it's almost time for the next part which is.... *drum roll*.........................KOH SAMUI!!!! Beach, sun, ocean, scuba, cocktails, tanning topless (oops did I say that out loud?)......  Thailand I'm coming!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

On the go again

Here I am back at HKIA. It's been a good 6/7 weeks of chilling in Taiwan. Come to think of it, I really didn't do much. And that's okay. I didn't want to do much to be honest. I spent a lot of time with old friends, new friends, long time no see friends, childhood friends, high school friends… There were days of searching for good food and nights of endless conversations about everything ranging from what's been happening in our lives to politics, gossip, feelings, dreams, relationships… It's so interesting how we all grow into the unique individuals we are now. How I will miss these conversations with you all, just as I miss the conversations with my friends in South Africa. While Taiwan is not my favourite country I have visited so far, it definitely has many qualities worth further visits in the future. I want to come back to visit the little islands surrounding the main island. I want to take the chill train and circle around the whole country. I want to climb its highest mountain and shout at the top of my voice. I want to visit all its little tea shops. I want to go mingle with the aboriginal people. I want to go scuba diving and appreciate its beautiful coral and topography. So much to do, so little time.

As my journey goes on, I continue to learn things about myself. Qualities I love, attributes I would like to change, issues I need to continue to work on. But there has been progress and more self awareness, that much I can say and I'm grateful to all those who crossed my paths that made it possible. I must confess though, sometimes I get tired. I miss having a home. I hate packing and unpacking, and packing again after awhile. I hate airline regulations on baggage allowance (though it seems I'm getting rid of some baggage, both literally and figuratively speaking, after each place I go). Sometimes I want someone to go home to , sometimes I want someone to share my experiences with, just sometimes… I'm not complaining! I'm just saying :P (self note: I need to do this now for a better future for myself.)

Next stop: Beijing, China. My "husband" already planned a list of activities for us to do, so I imagine it will be a fun-filled exciting adventure ahead!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

"You are above average"

I went to get a Chinese massage the other day and I was told that my body type is not suitable for living in Taiwan. The lady confirmed the feeling that I've been getting after having been here for over a month. Don't get me wrong, I think Taiwan is a wonderful place. The people are passionate and friendly, there is so much variety in fruits and vegetables, the convenience of the place; but it's just not the place for me.

Before I continue with what I have to say, I just want to emphasise that I am not saying that the entire Taiwan is like this. This is just my view and my experience to the general people I've encountered. There are also some exceptional things about this country but that I will not rant on today.

I celebrated my birthday for the first time in Taiwan this year and I gave myself a present by visiting a skin clinic. The consultant and doctor kept emphasising how certain treatments can help whiten my skin. Most of you would know how I love to soak up the sun when I visit the beach, sometimes even removing items of clothing to get my perfect tan. So imagine my reaction when they kindly advise me on whitening my skin. Why on earth would I pay money to do what I can achieve after a long cold winter? Not to mention pointless the minute I start hitting the beach! When I responded to them that I love my scuba and tanning, the doctor looked at me with her big round eyes that for a moment I had mistaken myself for a psychotic patient at a mental institution. I wanted to tell them that yes, I'm not your average Asian girl who thinks she has to be whiter then a piece of tofu to be beautiful. My bronze sun kissed skin can be goddamn sexy too.

Then there was the massage therapist. She told me that if I wanted to lose weight in my ass, I should do xyz. "Oh I'm not sure if you want to lose weight, but you know most girls...". OMG please just stop. My ass? Seriously?! I love my big round ass and I'm not shy to say that it is one of the best asses I've seen in my life. I don't want to be a paper thin Asian girl who looks like she's pre-puberty her entire life. I'm a freaking woman and a woman is suppose to have curves!

Oh this gets better still. The really nice sweet Karen somehow got lured into a Herbalife consulting shop. The sweet lady did a free weight analysis for me which tells you your weight, body fat percentage, metabolic rate, etc. I was told I was 6kg overweight, my body fat percentage indicates I'm definitely overweight, I have a metabolic rate of someone who's married and given birth already. Though my organ fat percentage was in a good range and my body age suggests I'm only 25 while I'm 28, she did not want to discuss too much about these two points. I'm sure the lady meant well and she just want to help people becoming healthier, but at the same time I was surprised that she didn't just tell me in my face that I'm obese, because I swear I could see that sympathy in her eyes while she eyed my body fat percentage (which apparently was even higher than before I joined the gym last year and had 2 months of training with a personal training, nevermind the weight I lost while in India after 3 months of yoga). "According to your weight and body fat percentage, you're above average."

So I'm not your average Asian girl who doesn't exercise and have no muscles (who would obviously weigh less, duh). So I'm a little bit fatter than the average Asian girl. So I'm not a paper person. So I'm darker than the average Asian girl. So I have curves. So I don't wear XS. So I don't always wear make up when I go to central Taipei city. So I don't like wearing high heels.

I exercise. I enjoy a good walk in the city rather than taking a cab (and in the sun! Or the rain for that matter). My heart feels healthy. I don't eat crap then go and take diet pills to lose weight. I wear sun screen and remember to reapply when I go lie on the beach for half a day. I like my curves. I know what to wear to make myself look good and feel good with what I was born with. I don't like wearing make up because I don't believe in false advertising. Walking in the rain might make you wet, but it's just water and it's so much fun! Going barefoot makes you feel free and connected to the earth, you can always rinse your feet later. I like looking good but I'm not obsessed with it. That's the kind of girl I am.

In this country, more often than not I feel that society places unnecessary pressure on people to be part of the norm. Be white like everyone! Be thin like everyone! Work and study like robots. Be accepted, be just like the average man. It is here where on more than one occasion, I feel that I've been categorised by a number according to weight, size or shade. I'm not saying I'm perfect because I know so well that I'm not. I know that I'm not an average girl on the street and how I love that! I love that we are all different. We are individuals with our own thoughts and opinions, in different shapes and sizes. I might not be the fairest, I'm definitely not the thinnest, but I'm healthy and happy and I love me. You know, that lady from Herbalife was so right - I'm WAY above average!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Happy 28th Birthday Happy List

Last year this time, I celebrated my birthday in South Africa for the 19th year in a row.  I knew it would be the last birthday celebration in the country I called home for the past 20 years.  This year, I had a very quiet birthday in Taipei, away from family and my dear friends back home. It was nevertheless a very eventful quiet birthday that most certainly calls for a happy list!

• Thank you to all my dear friends from all over the world for all the birthday wishes!  Even though you may be far away physically, but you are all deep in my heart :) 
• Phone call from my very sweet mother.  It's always good to hear her voice.
• Attempted phone call from a dear friend in India. Pity about the terrible signal so didn't get to speak on the phone but we had a good chat on facebook!
• Sweet Ivy and the very pretty birthday cake!
• Restorative yoga on my birthday!  My favourite kind of yoga!
• Birthday morning spend quietly at home reading, one of my favourite activities.
• Being told recently that I've changed for the better.  And being reminded by myself that we should all let go of our ego all the time, that will make us happier.
• Taking a nice evening walk in the suburbs of Tian Mu, down a street of cute little shops and lined with Banyan trees.

Thank you for all the love my dear friends.  Thank you God for my great health to be able to do all that I love to do in life.  Thank you to my family and friends for all the support you've given me for the choices I've made in recent times.  Thank you Karen for your courage to make the change you need in your life.  Happy 28th Birthday you amazing woman!  I love you.  

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

"What level yoga are you at?"

"What level yoga are you at?"

Someone asked me that today after I told her that I recently did my yoga teacher training in India.  I thought about that for a moment, then I realised I don't understand why exactly is it that she is asking me.

Yoga for me is a way of life.  It's a belief.  It's a philosophy.  It's about a healthy diet.  It's consist of asanas to help you lead a better life.  

How do you define what level in "life" you're at?

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Everything happens for a reason

I really do believe that everything happens for a reason. And everything that doesn't happen, doesn't happen for a reason. I believe in fate. I believe in destiny. Some people think how can I be so carefree, and not give a damn about so many things in life. Well it's not that I don't care, it's that I believe it doesn't matter if I care or not. If I worry about my job, my family, my friends, my life, does it mean it will turn out better than if I don't worry about it? If I don't go traveling, don't scuba dive, don't do any commonly regarded somewhat risky activity, does it mean the chance of accidents happening will be less? No. Because what's meant to happen, will happen. Some people were probably at home, being safe, or worrying about their job, thinking about their bills, when an earthquake and a tsunami hit and buried them alive. So what's the point of worrying and playing it safe?

Live your life. Do more, plan less. Stop thinking and start doing. Yes it's lame and cliche, but how many people actually DO it? Don't live your lives with regrets, anything you do you should not regret because even if the result is not something you are happy with, there's always a lesson learnt from it.

What actually prompted this post is a water bottle. Since India I've been looking for a water bottle. Sounds like an easy task, but somehow I never found the water bottle that I want since February! In these 6 months I accumulated scarves, pants, rings, snorkel, mask, macbook… But a water bottle? And trust me, I looked HARD. But today I found the perfect one, it's a SIGG water bottle in beige, with the Surya Namaskara (sun salutation) yoga sequence all around it. It's the perfect bottle for me. So it wasn't me who was being picky that's why I couldn't find myself a water bottle, it was the universe telling me that the perfect bottle was waiting for me at the Hong Kong airport. Everything happens for a reason.

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Korean food in India!

Did you know there's a bigger Korean community in Chennai than there are Chinese people?!?!?!  Okay I'm not sure if that's a real fact or not, but based on my observations after spending a month in Chennai and seeing Koreans everywhere I go and never bumping once into a Chinese speaking soul, that's what I believe anyways.  My classmate who is an American Korean also told me that she bumped into a Korean couple one day who told her about a Korean restaurant in town.  Me the kimchi lover would no doubt have to go and try it out!  And I didn't only go there once...  My roomie and I went back for more....  

If you ever in Chennai and craving for some kimchi and bibimbap, go visit InSeoul at No. 530 (S 149&150), TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai.  Phone: +914442081998.  Not a bad restaurant at all, and most of the customers are Koreans. 

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Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Eating in India

Many people wondered how I survived India for 3 months and I get a 100% response rate of "No ways!" when I tell them I love the food in India.  In fact, I had some of the best food ever in my life in India.  I don't know where the people who experienced "Delhi belly" were eating, but I had no problems whatsoever the entire time I was there. 

Indian food is predominantly vegetarian given that the country's mostly Hindus who believe in a vegetarian diet.  Almost everything is spicy if you eat at local restaurants, and on some occasions where there is a "non-spicy" section, the food still seems to be spicy nevertheless!  The first week there was a lot of guessing involved when ordering at a restaurant, and by now, I can almost fully understand everything on the menu at an Indian restaurant! 

One restaurant I would really recommend in Chennai is Mahamudra, a very clean, healthy, vegetarian restaurant.  The premises it is at includes a fitness studio, spa and boutique.  So if you want a massage, do some shopping and have a great meal, then this is the perfect place to be.  Contact details:  Mahamudra, Isha Life Fitness System, Old. No. 50, New No. 117, Luz Church Road, Mylapore, Chennai.  Phone +914443535555, www.ishalife.com.

Oh how I wish for a masala dosa right now!    [[posterous-content:pid___0]]

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Bye bye South Africa and.... Helloooooo Hong Kong!

29 June 2011

This is the day I left South Africa on a one-way ticket with absolutely no certainty about the future days of my life.

This is the day from there onwards where I will really have to learn to live in the moment, making minimal plans, 活在當下嘛∼

This is the day I leave my family and friends behind in search of the real happiness/self-realisation/whatever to eternal bliss.

For the last comment, I don’t mean that I’m not happy with my family and friends.  I am however, someone who is easily influenced by those around me.  Someone who enjoys living in a comfort zone.  Someone who easily falls into routine and forget the dreams and goals of the Karen within.  I need to be on my own and learn to find my own way.

It never really occurred to me that I’m not going home for a long while, not even when I was at the airport, not even when I arrived in Hong Kong, not even now as I type this up in my hotel room without all my stuff.  The weird thing about returning to Hong Kong this time is how comfortable I am the minute I landed.  For the first time I haven’t got lost so far and ended up walking back and forth around Tsuen Wan.  For the first time I didn’t stand at the MTR station staring at the map trying to figure out where I need to go and how to get there.  For the first time I took the red minivan all on my own.  For the first time I’ve arrived for 3 days already and I have yet to buy one item of clothing!  (That last one is perhaps the most shocking one of all).

One thing that bothers me so far into the trip is that I’m unsure about whether I can fit into this society if I choose to come back and settle in this country.  Chatting with various family members and friends in the last few days made me question the values of the people in this society.  What is socially accepted as the norm here are things that I would never do, nor do I find acceptable in any circumstance.  Of course this is a choice you get to make for yourself, and you can choose to associate yourself with peers alike yourself, or be influenced and change into one of them.  By no means am I sitting on my high horse and judging others for what they find as important in life or their actions in day to day life.  I’m simply not sure how I’d feel being surrounded by such people, and possibly feel like I need to distance myself from such people as to not be affected and change from the person I am now.

On the other hand, I rediscovered a side of Hong Kong that I love.  I went hiking on Sunday!  Of course it’s not really the same kind of hiking as the type I’m accustomed to in South Africa (it was more of a walk with a bunch of elderly), but the surroundings were beautiful and yes, there IS nature in this cement city!  Actually, most people do not realise that less than 25% of the country’s landmass is developed, and about 40% of the remaining land area is country parks and nature reserve.  There are so many mountains, bays, rivers, beaches and islands all around that it really isn’t that difficult to be close to nature if you choose to.  Looking forward to more connection with nature in the weeks ahead!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

It's on baby!

I arrived home at the end of April expecting to stay for 2 weeks before I fly off again, and before I knew it, it has been 2 months already. People keep asking me why I'm still here, wasn't I suppose to be travelling the world or something? Well, I'm going, it's just that it isn't all that easy leaving your home. Packing your things into boxes, whilst at the back of your mind you know that you will not see these things of yours again for a year or two is a weird feeling. I'm known for my clutter and "stuff" in my abode, and its amazing how I managed to pack most of the things I want to keep into under 10 boxes (I know it's still a lot but it's a huge achievement for me already!). What was most amazing today is that while packing my precious beloved shoes, I realised I didn't feel as attached to them as I did before. Me and SHOES. OMG my jaw almost dropped when I decided not to pack some of my favourite shoes into storage. At the end of the day, it's just stuff. What is important to us we hold in our hearts, not in our suitcase. Which makes me wonder again about the way I packed my suitcase... Maybe I have to repack again... *sigh* I strongly dislike packing!!! Despite being able to let go of my material possessions, it is still very difficult to leave this beautiful country filled with all the wonderful people whom I love dearly. South Africa is my home and that will never change. It is destiny that bought all of you into my life for all these years and I know it will bring us together again in the future. Packing mission almost completed, now pending the completion of my diving courses then I'm outta here! Sent via my BlackBerry

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Remember and Apply

Oh Karen, Karen, Karen.... 

It's only been a month since you left India, and yoga practice out the window already?  So what if it's freezing cold and you can't move your toes, just do 20 rounds of Surya Namaskara instead of 10 to warm up!  Do ashtanga yoga to really warm up then!  Do your pranayama and create some heat!

Remember what you learnt: action without thinking about the fruits of the action, zero expectations, acceptance, selfless actions, goal leading to self realisation, if you can't change the situation, change yourself, positive attitude, treat everyone equally without judgement because we are have the same pure soul routing back to the universe, love, live, be grateful, do good, be good, be kind, be compassionate...........................

Okay enough pep talk today, let go, delete and reset.  

Go, go, GO!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

The only thing that is constant is change.

A week ago I was lying by the hotel pool in Mauritius. And the week before that I was waiting at Trivandrum airport in India on my journey home to South Africa. After 10 airplane rides, 13 different towns and cities, 2 continents, 1 island in the past 3 months, I'm finally back here sitting in the same spot I often sit at everyday for almost 4 years. Many things have changed in the short time I left. People got married, people got engaged, babies were born, babies are about to be born, people left the country, people moving to the country, etc. People changed, places changed, relationships changed, I changed. I had many doubts about what I should do after India. Do I really want to leave South Africa and go traveling indefinitely? What about my family and friends? What if I can't find new friends? What if I get tired of traveling? What if..........

Something I learnt about myself in India is my ability to adapt. Everyone told me to be careful in India and was concerned for my safety traveling alone as a woman and yadda yadda yadda. But through my journey I realized how blessed I am as I have so many guardian angels looking after me. I never struggled to make new friends, in fact I made more than a handful of friends, maybe even soul mates, who I know I will stay in touch with for a very very long time, if not see again in the not too distant future. Everyone has their lives to live, and I need to live mine. Things will change, people will change, and such is life. The only thing that remains constant, is change.

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

The beginning of ashram life

It's my second night at Sivananda Ashram in Neyyar Dam, Kerala. There are cockroaches the size of my thumb here. My mosquito net has holes in it. I have to wake up at 5:20am every morning. I'm freaking hungry ALL THE TIME, even straight after I stuffed my face at brunch or dinner. I love it here. Despite all the "negative" things of the place, I find it strangely calming in a way. I'm hoping I will be able to use this experience to help me overcome my fear of cockroaches and maybe one day we can live in harmony... (If my master plan of eliminating all cockroaches from planet earth doesn't succeed that is...) I will become stronger and fitter (and thinner) by the time I leave. I will learn to appreciate my food even more. MAYBE I will learn to wake up early even as a daily routine in life! One thing I'm struggling with is my attachment to the outside world. The fact that I have been unable to turn off my cellphone just yet shows my lack of separation from outside. There are too many people in my mind everyday, those I'm worried about, those I miss, those I care for, those I love... That will be my goal for the week, find that courage to switch off my phone and feel that it's okay that I can't be contacted, and maybe find some answers to other questions along the way! P.S. I love my room mate and the yoga thus far is been very gentle, but I think the intimidating part starts tomorrow..........

Sent via my BlackBerry

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

I don't feel ready....

I'm at the end of my 7th week in India and tomorrow I'll be travelling to Sivananda to start my intensive 4 weeks teacher training program. I don't feel ready after the kind of indulgent holiday I've been having here, eating various good food, shopping at cute little boutiques, and lazing around like a sloth. I'm not ready for ashram life eating only 2 meals a day, working harder than I use to in my job, doing +4hrs of yoga everyday, etc. Everything seems a bit overwhelming suddenly and I'm nervous. What if I fail my teacher training? Is it possible to fail? Will I fail because I'm not good enough? Will I be able to do so much yoga on only 2 meals a day? I'm just not that sure.

Fear has been following me around in the past few days, and today when the driver asked me what time I want to go to the ashram I was so shocked that the holiday is coming to an end now! Somehow though, I felt so much better and calmer after speaking to the new friends I made whilst I was at KYM and I feel that I'm able to go and face my ashram life a bit better now. All I hope is that my room mate at the ashram will not be the type who will annoy the hell out of me ha ha ha.......

Sent via my BlackBerry

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A brief update

It's been difficult to keep up with blogging with a lack of stable internet access, general laziness on my part and being zoned out mainly during my days in India. Temperature is rising and Kerala's humidity doesn't make things any easier. A/C is a luxury where you always have to pay more for, and "can I have ice with that please?" seems to be a saying I hear myself ask more frequently than ever.

To sum up what I've been up to in the last few weeks before I forget (which I probably wouldn't but that's beside the point...):

I was in Chennai for just over 4 weeks where I did a course called the Heart of Yoga. Amazing school, wonderful teachers, a tradition in yoga that is so wise I hope I can share everything I have learnt with everyone. Met a bunch of amazing people from all different countries and backgrounds, all of whom I have learnt so much from and I look forward to seeing them again in different places in the future.

Then I went to Assagao, Goa for 2 weeks for a yoga retreat at Purple Valley where my friend Han from Australia joined me. Here we did Ashtanga yoga with Kino Mcgregor and Tim Feldman who are apparently "celebrities" in the Ashtangi world. I learnt part of the primary series up to Navasana where we practised in Mysore style every morning. Very different to my experience in Chennai as it was more physical intensive than my previous 4 weeks. Here I ate a lot of salad and Macrobiotic food prepared by Sayuri Tanaka which was truly amazing, especially after a very starchy diet in Chennai. My days were filled with lying around by the pool tanning, eating at the retreat as well as venturing out to try out different restaurants, ashtanga yoga, day trips to markets, beaches, Old Goa, spice plantations, chai time, shopping, etc.

After 2 weeks of hard work of yoga, eating and relaxing, we moved onto Fort Cochin for 3 nights where we were joined by another friend Ivy from Taiwan. Shopping and eating continued.

A quick 1 hour drive took us from Fort Cochin to Alleppey, the Backwaters of Kerala. We spent 1 night on a houseboat, an experience I will recommend to all friends and family, maybe even enemies as it is truly amazing. Even before I left I was thinking of when to return... The houseboat then dropped us off at a heritage homestay called Emerald Isle, only reachable by boat, where we spent 2 nights. Here we did absolutely nothing except just BE.

We left the homestay today and it was very sad. I'm now on a car on my way to Trivandrum, some 130km from the backwaters, yet it takes 3 hours to get there... There will be many follow up posts in the months ahead for more detailed stories of my travels. Right now I need to eat lunch! Hungry....

Sent via my BlackBerry

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First day at KYM

31/01/2011
Chennai Day 4
KYM Day 1

So let me start off with some good news - my jet lag is fixed! Just in time too to start my first day at KYM (Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram). And? Did I like it? No. Was it everything I expected it to be? No. Did I meet some decent people there to potentially travel with over the next 4 weeks? No. I absolutely LOVED it! It was way beyond what I could ever imagine for it to be like, and my classmates are awesome. Most importantly, I meet people who share the common interest in food as me, and we've already agreed to go together in search of the great food of Chennai. This is the outline of what life will be like from Monday to Friday for the next 4 weeks:
- 50min of yoga asana class at 7:30 followed by breakfast served on the school rooftop
- 50min on the principles of yoga
- 50min on the principles of asana
- 50min on vedic chanting
- 2hour lunch break
- 50min on the principles of pranayama (breathing exercise) - 50min on the application of yoga
- 20min tea break - 40min of teachings from other yoga texts
- 45min of meditative practice ending at 17:45

Yup, it's like a full day of intense classes, but the teachers are so great that I'm enjoying myself so much. I'm such a nerd as everyone knows, so I kinda enjoy being back at school! Being here made me think of Nadine a lot, my favorite yoga teacher of all time. She came to KYM twice if I remember correctly, and bought back much of what she had learnt at KYM to the classes I had with her. I look really forward to seeing her in Melbourne later this year! At lunch a whole bunch of us went to this local Indian place called Sangeetha to eat. The food was awesome, I ate with my hands, and it was dirt cheap! Yummy and cheap, my two favorite adjectives! The whole day of classes does wear you out, so I'm guessing I won't be having much problems anymore with jet lag!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Blessed

29/01/2011
Chennai Day 2

When the vehicle in front of you is driving into you, hoot.
When the vehicle in front of you is suddenly slowing down, hoot.
When the vehicle in front of you is coming to a stop at a red light, hoot.
When you are trying to overtake by crossing a solid line and driving towards oncoming traffic but don't want them to drive into you, hoot.
When in doubt, hoot.

These are the rules of driving I learnt today whilst I sat in the auto rickshaw. As a passenger, don't look, don't think, don't question. Just let the drivers do their thing as scary as it may be, because they seem to know what they are doing. Once again, organized chaos. Animals spotted: 1 goat, 1 cat, 2 chickens, 3 dogs, 4 cows (one of them was very pretty). Shaking heads - too many to count. The midday heat was almost unbearable and I decided to hide out at the cinemas, enjoying the blissful air-con and worldwide familiar Coca-Cola! I never thought that watching a movie in another country would be any different, but gosh was I surprised. Firstly, people are loud before the movie AND during the movie. They talk to each other, their phones ring, and they actually answer it and talk loudly. Secondly, halfway through the movie, it stops. There is an interval in the middle of the movie. I mean seriously? I thought there was some technical problem, but nope, people got up to go to the bathroom or to buy refreshments. When the interval was over, they played another 5 good minutes if adverts before the movie continued. Just plain weird. Opinion on India thus far? I'm loving it! People are mostly very friendly and helpful even when they look angry or uninterested. A random gentleman, who was stopped by the rickshaw driver who didn't understand where I wanted to go, too 5 minutes of his time to help me google the exact address and map of where my hotel was and showed it to then driver. Are the locals just really friendly or am I just one of the most blessed girls in the world? :D 30/01/2011
Chennai Day 3 15:30

Okay so I was going to do more exploring today but I am having a bit of a difficult time fixing my jet lag. So 3 and a half hour time difference is not huge, but "bedtime" in India equals my nap time back home so I keep waking up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep... =.= So for today I'm just going to stay at the hotel and enjoy room service, old movies on the Telly and reading up on what else I can do during my time in India. While we complain about roadworks causing major traffic in South Africa, an article in the newspaper today reads "Jumbos descend on road, block traffic for 2 hours". AND this is on page 5 of the Sunday news, so 13 elephants straying from the jungle and into the village was ranked fairly newsworthy (it got a bigger space than a strike action and an attack with petrol bombs, with a picture insert even).

22:15
You would expect that eating at a hotel would be somewhat expensive, but I'm on holiday so I'm just going to go all out. This is exactly what I had for my dinner for one: soda water, chicken Tom yum soup, mushroom salt and pepper (some mushroom dish with salt and pepper), crunchy lamb (wasn't that crunchy but it was nice), naan, bottled water, mango ice cream. All of this cost me around R90. Yeah it's probably a bit expensive for India, but in my world its still really cheap! There's something about eating on your own at a restaurant, you really get to enjoy every bite you take. There's no one talking to you distracting you from your food. It's kinda nice. I really enjoyed dining with me tonight, plus that waiter walking around the restaurant with an electric mosquito squat/racket thingie. Ooooh first day of school tomorrow! Better get to sleep, would not want to be late!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Jet lag sucks......

30/01/2011
Chennai Day 3 15:30

Okay so I was going to do more exploring today but I am having a bit of a difficult time fixing my jet lag. So 3 and a half hour time difference is not huge, but "bedtime" in India equals my nap time back home so I keep waking up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep... =.= So for today I'm just going to stay at the hotel and enjoy room service, old movies on the Telly and reading up on what else I can do during my time in India. While we complain about roadworks causing major traffic in South Africa, an article in the newspaper today reads "Jumbos descend on road, block traffic for 2 hours". AND this is on page 5 of the Sunday news, so 13 elephants straying from the jungle and into the village was ranked fairly newsworthy (it got a bigger space than a strike action and an attack with petrol bombs, with a picture insert even).

22:15
You would expect that eating at a hotel would be somewhat expensive, but I'm on holiday so I'm just going to go all out. This is exactly what I had for my dinner for one: soda water, chicken Tom yum soup, mushroom salt and pepper (some mushroom dish with salt and pepper), crunchy lamb (wasn't that crunchy but it was nice), naan, bottled water, mango ice cream. All of this cost me around R90. Yeah it's probably a bit expensive for India, but in my world its still really cheap! There's something about eating on your own at a restaurant, you really get to enjoy every bite you take. There's no one talking to you distracting you from your food. It's kinda nice. I really enjoyed dining with me tonight, plus that waiter walking around the restaurant with an electric mosquito squat/racket thingie. Ooooh first day of school tomorrow! Better get to sleep, would not want to be late!

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

*blessed*

29/01/2011
Chennai Day 2

When the vehicle in front of you is driving into you, hoot.
When the vehicle in front of you is suddenly slowing down, hoot.
When the vehicle in front of you is coming to a stop at a red light, hoot.
When you are trying to overtake by crossing a solid line and driving towards oncoming traffic but don't want them to drive into you, hoot.
When in doubt, hoot.

These are the rules of driving I learnt today whilst I sat in the auto rickshaw. As a passenger, don't look, don't think, don't question. Just let the drivers do their thing as scary as it may be, because they seem to know what they are doing. Once again, organized chaos. Animals spotted: 1 goat, 1 cat, 2 chickens, 3 dogs, 4 cows (one of them was very pretty). Shaking heads - too many to count. The midday heat was almost unbearable and I decided to hide out at the cinemas, enjoying the blissful air-con and worldwide familiar Coca-Cola! I never thought that watching a movie in another country would be any different, but gosh was I surprised. Firstly, people are loud before the movie AND during the movie. They talk to each other, their phones ring, and they actually answer it and talk loudly. Secondly, halfway through the movie, it stops. There is an interval in the middle of the movie. I mean seriously? I thought there was some technical problem, but nope, people got up to go to the bathroom or to buy refreshments. When the interval was over, they played another 5 good minutes if adverts before the movie continued. Just plain weird. Opinion on India thus far? I'm loving it! People are mostly very friendly and helpful even when they look angry or uninterested. A random gentleman, who was stopped by the rickshaw driver who didn't understand where I wanted to go, too 5 minutes of his time to help me google the exact address and map of where my hotel was and showed it to then driver. Are the locals just really friendly or am I just one of the most blessed girls in the world? :D

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

First Impressions

28/01/2011
Hotel Airport International - Mumbai

First impressions are everything, right? My first impression of India? Well I've arrived in Mumbai for all of 2 hours and so far these are my thoughts...

1. They need to do something about their airport. It's so congested and it seems like departure and arrivals are all together and all over the show. That said, it was fairly organized chaos. Ahhh, such is India. 2. I have no idea what they are saying. And yes, they were speaking English to me. I am going to have to get use to that! 3. Besides not being able to understand them clearly resulting in many of them having to repeat themselves several times, they have been super friendly to me, the first time visitor. 4. The airport I booked near the domestic airport sent a young boy to wait for me at arrivals. I'm so glad I was going with him and not some of the other dodgy looking people. 5. Are there traffic lights in India? I didn't seem to see very many, and when I did, there were cars going in all directions whether the light was red or green or flashing amber to them. I'm confused as to how their roads work so far. 6. A LOT of dogs. Oh look, there's a black one. And a white one. Ha a brown one. Wow a pack of them, rummaging or eating something over there... Hmmm and a topless man standing next to the pack of dogs as if they were his. 7. Huge mosquitoes. There's no ways that I will forget to take my malaria tablets!

I have no idea when I'm gonna post all these onto my blog but I promise to write everyday that I am here. It still seems kind of unreal that I am here all alone. Princess Karen in India. Yeah so I'm not that much of a princess compared to some of you reading this (yes you know who you are haha), but still I live a pretty comfortable and pampered lifestyle back home. Looking forward to Chennai tomorrow and settling in over the weekend!

xoxo
K
28/01/2011
10:15 Mumbai Domestic Airport
Curry for breakfast? Um no thanks, I think I'll stay with toast for now. The service is so good in India thus far, but I think that's probably because they were expecting a tip or something. I didn't manage to exchange money until this morning so didn't have any money to tip anyone. Plus, an Indian expecting a tip from a Chinese? Well that's just silly. Travelling alone as a woman is a bit intimidating I must say. It will take some time for my courage to build up. But I must also remember what my dear friend Emic said, "Remember you are just a little girl, don't be brave and go do stupid shit on your own.". Leaving all my dear friends and traveling on my own also introduces some loneliness. Suddenly I don't have my girls with me to laugh and gossip along the way. But that is the point of this whole trip right? For self exploration, for the challenge, learning to be truly independent and being totally out of your comfort zone. I sure picked the right place to do that. The upside to traveling as a woman in India though is that at the domestic security check, you have your own queue, which happens to be much shorter!

28/01/2011
20:48 AMJ Raj Palace Sundar room 305 - Chennai
This is my home for the next 4 weeks. Besides the choice in decor I cannot call my own, this feels like home! Mossies are at a minimum level and shower works like wow. I chose the right place. One thing I've noticed since I arrived is that some of the people working at the hotels are really young! They look like they could be in grade 10 if not younger and that makes me feel a bit sad. Most of us, if not all of us reading this, are so privileged yet sometimes we struggle to see it. We complain about the smallest of things and think to ourselves, "Oh what a hard life I have!". Seriously? Sure things don't always go our way, but when you look carefully, we are surrounded by privileges. Oh and I know why people say you must bring earplugs when you come to India. Gosh the hooting does not stop! Like ever! Hooting on the road here is a form of communication on the road. "Get out of my way", "You're coming into my way", "I'm gonna move into your lane now so get out of my way", "fuck off", "no, you fuck off!". Sitting at the hotel room, you can hear the constant hooting going on outside in the streets. Taxi drivers back home seem so tame in comparison.

One thing about Chennai, as the plane was approaching the city, I gazed out the window and saw a wonderful mix of colored houses. Buildings were painted pink, purple, green, yellow, blue etc. It was such a pretty sight. The roads are undeniably chaos, but appeared to be a little better than Mumbai.

Shit I need to sleep and fix this jet lag! XOXO
K

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

India here I come.....

27/01/2011
On the way to India......

So here I am 5 hours into the flight to Mumbai, India, and slowly it occurs to me that, OMG I'm going to India! Many people have said to me lately how brave I am to do this, honestly at this precise moment, I'm not sure if I'm brave or just plain stupid. But too late to be considering that now, all I can do now is hope that my organizational skills are amazing and everything goes smoothly.

Current concern #1 what if my credit card decides not to work in India?? I only have US$500 on me and my 2 credit cards so let's hope that doesn't happen otherwise I am screwed!

Current concern #2 I hope the hotel doesn't mess up my airport transfer! I don't want to be wondering around the Mumbai airport after midnight to exchange money and find a taxi to my hotel all on my own!

Whilst it hasn't hit me yet that I've left behind my family and friends, out of the comfort of my own home for 3 whole months, anxiety is certainly building. Am I gonna cave and book a ticket to go home earlier? Am I gonna end up staying in my hotel room the whole time too scared to go venture on my own? What if the other yoga students don't like me and I don't make any friends??? (okay let's be realistic, who doesn't like me....)

Anyways let's just hope for the best and see how it goes!

Xoxo
K 3 hours from Mumbai mid-air...

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Lovely piece I read

Be careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears.
A woman came out of a man's rib -
not from his feet to be walked on,
not from his head to be superior,
but from his side to be equal,
under the arm to be protected
and next to his heart to be loved.

~The Talmud
Sent via my BlackBerry

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland

Goodbye 2010 Happy 2011 List

Another year has flown by, another year older, another batch of new year resolutions that may never materialise....  

Time to review the past year and look forward to the exciting plans of the new year!

Things I'm happy about in 2010:

• I had my own business.  I was the boss lady hahaha
• Open water scuba diver qualified in Ponta D'Oura - first time in Mozambique, good times!
• Going to Taipei, Tao Yuan, Tai Chung for the first time, attended a wedding, shopped, ate and partied a lot!
• Lots of girls' nights, lots of KTV nights!
• Going to one of the most beautiful weddings ever in CT in August.  Possibly also the most embarrassing one of my life.  But beautiful!
• My together forever who started the year with me in NC and more together forever than EVER. lol that sounds funny when I read it out loud in my head....
• My wifey who started the year with me in NC and also ENDED the year with me in my somewhat tipsy happy state!
• Mozambique AGAIN, but Inhambane this time and advance scuba diver qualified!  Woohoooooo~!!
• My bestest friendie Ji-Won being in SA for so many months this year and spending all that time eating and getting fat together.
• Hong Kong with Ji-Won and Ivy.  We make the best travel buddies ever.  We never disagreed when anyone of us suggested to let's go eat again....
• Going to the World Cup Final and freezing my arse and falling asleep after having paid an arm and a leg for that ticket hahaha
• Braces on and braces off!  All in one year!
• Long curly hair to short boy's hair!

Things to look forward to in 2011:

• Three months of I-totally-dunno-what-to-expect India and tons of yoga!
• Mauritius with my girls!
• Seeing my 38 again and her new apartment in Tao Yuan in less than 6 months!
• Seeing my husband and her company paid for apartment in Beijing in less than 9 months!
• Seeing my honey and her new apartment in Canberra in less than 12 months!
• Travelling with the 3 girls upstairs to Bali!!!!
• Lots of eating, lots of praying, lots of loving.....

I put out these happy lists every now and then to help myself remember how blessed I am and the amount of things I have to be thankful for.  As the day of departure approaches, my emotions are mixed with excitement and sadness.  Although I may act like I'm super excited and keen to get out of this place, please know that I'm hiding my sadness as I know for sure that I will miss all my dear friends very very very much x 1000000000000000000000000000000000 to infinity and beyond.  No amount of new friends that I make elsewhere can replace the special place that I have for you in my heart, I promise.  You all know who you are.  Despite the sadness of having to part ways with you, we must all move on with our lives until our paths cross again...  Or when we pop up on each other's facebook news feed ;)

Posted via email from Karen In Wonderland