traveling
traveling... something I've always envisioned as a priority in my life. Up to this point, I've been to Belgium while my dad had his hip resurfaced, and New Zealand for an amazing month spent between North and South Islands. It feels like there should be an "and, and, and" after these two places.
In a month I'm going to Beijing to visit my sister who has been living there for 3 months. I can only imagine her free spirit as a student of Mandarin and a teacher of English! What a different path than mine, one made of little decisions along the way through which I've placed myself in school and work rather than travel arenas. I love it when I'm learning a lot at work and thinking about how the info we gather is new(!) and leading to major publication opportunities and a grounded future creating and disseminating knowledge. It would be great to be an "expert" and take my knowledge on the road of the world at some point. But sometimes when I'm not enmeshed in work or school I ask myself, just when is "somepoint" and how do I make sure not to miss it? And why does it take so much more time to go this route???
Oddly enough my trip with my brother to visit our sister is 1 month away and I'm not feeling excited/nervous/etc. by it. It just doesn't feel real yet. A friend of mine went last year and has loaned me her Lonely Planet city and language guides. Trying to understand the tonations and measures for Mandarin from a wee little book helps the mental prep a little but I've still got more focus here in Seattle. A newish job, a new place, thesis details, planning for T-day in Oregon, navigating changing social groups... these are taking my mental energy right now. China really does seem far away (but thankfully I'll at least get the air miles!).
1 month and counting...
In a month I'm going to Beijing to visit my sister who has been living there for 3 months. I can only imagine her free spirit as a student of Mandarin and a teacher of English! What a different path than mine, one made of little decisions along the way through which I've placed myself in school and work rather than travel arenas. I love it when I'm learning a lot at work and thinking about how the info we gather is new(!) and leading to major publication opportunities and a grounded future creating and disseminating knowledge. It would be great to be an "expert" and take my knowledge on the road of the world at some point. But sometimes when I'm not enmeshed in work or school I ask myself, just when is "somepoint" and how do I make sure not to miss it? And why does it take so much more time to go this route???
Oddly enough my trip with my brother to visit our sister is 1 month away and I'm not feeling excited/nervous/etc. by it. It just doesn't feel real yet. A friend of mine went last year and has loaned me her Lonely Planet city and language guides. Trying to understand the tonations and measures for Mandarin from a wee little book helps the mental prep a little but I've still got more focus here in Seattle. A newish job, a new place, thesis details, planning for T-day in Oregon, navigating changing social groups... these are taking my mental energy right now. China really does seem far away (but thankfully I'll at least get the air miles!).
1 month and counting...