Saturday, January 10, 2009

Stress, Health, New Directions

Wow! I now realize just how much my stress level is tied to my health. Yes, I have been sick a lot of this trip through Asia but it was due to a bad cold. As for my constant stomach ache and digestive issues, they have been almost non-existent this trip. Over the last couple of days though, I have noticed my stomach issues slowly coming back and I think it is very much related to the fact that I know I will return to the states tomorrow and I am thinking about it and starting to stress out again.

I have always known the mind is powerful and can control your state of being but controlling the mind is another story. I have even more to think about now after this trip, the future of my life and my goals. Where I want to go in life and what I want to do. How I want to live my life.

I know I need to see more of the world and live globally. America and San Francisco is not big enough for me. I need more culture, more adventure, more languages, different foods, different love, more friends, less stress, more challenges. It's my life and time doesn't wait for anyone.

I have witnessed some amazing acts of kindness from perfect strangers who can barely communicate with me. I have been blessed to feel the same sun but in parts of the world where it feels so much more comforting and displays it's beauty in a way that melts your heart and inspires your mind.

I wish everyone could spend more time feeling the love of this beautiful planet shine down on them while they sail on the big blue rather than the glow of their computer screen in a prison called a cubicle. When you finally stop to breathe and look up, you realize you are old and life has been flying by without concern. You realize you missed a thousands beautiful sunsets, dinners with strangers who are your best friends, tasting exotic foods you never knew existed or only read about on Google.

The hardest part is not knowing what is right or what should be done. It is taking action and doing it. Perhaps, knowing if I should go to the right or to the left. I know it should be one of those directions rather than straight. We all know where this path goes, it is the same as where we have been. If we want to go somewhere new, we must change direction, change our present to improve our future.

I have a long flight ahead of me, plenty of time to think about the right direction to go.

I love you all.

Loren

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Thailand Update

I finally had a chance to upload a few pictures so I wanted to post a quick update.

I first arrived in Bangkok and it was pretty overwhelming to start.



We had lunch with Pui's friends in Bangkok, they were all very nice and fun.



Then, Pui and I were off to her hometown in the countryside of Thailand. Her family was very nice and hospitable to me.




It was onward to Koh Samui Island for New Years and relaxing. It was incredible and beautiful. Most of these pictures were taken from our room or hotel restaurant.





After a couple of days at Koh Samui it was time to head to Koh Tao Island. An even more amazing and beautiful island. I have more pictures but they are on Pui's camera as my battery charger got stolen for my camera. I will get them uploaded as soon as I can. Here are a couple pics though. Koh Tao was relaxing and then it was scuba diving time.





I have a video of my scuba diving and will try to get that online when I return home. I am now back in Bangkok for a couple of days before returning home to SF. I can't believe my vacation is almost over. So sad. It will be tough to get back into the swing of things.

Cheers.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Are you for Scuba?

Still in Koh Tao and taking scuba lessons. Today was my first lesson and it was a lot of fun. I think I might have found a new profession. :)

Everyone is so laid back here it is unbelievable. We have some studying to do but then we get to have fun in the pool and soon I will get to dive in the sea. And it is amazingly beautiful here. I can't wait until I can post some pictures. Maybe in a couple of days. I some incredible pics to share.

Anyway, I feel like I am getting better again so I hope it's for real this time.
I hope this post finds you all well.

Love and Sunshine.

Loren

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Koh Tao Island - Amazing!

Wow! It will be hard to find words to describe Koh Tao Island. It is so beautiful and amazing I don't want to leave. I have been able to take some pictures but don't have time yet to upload them so I will try to find some time soon.

I will also start scuba diving lessons tomorrow night so I am very excited. This place is so peaceful and amazing. It makes you think of life in a whole new way and time changes as if you were in a time machine or if the clock could stop.

This is how life should be lived! It makes everything else worth it and also makes the value of everything seem like something foreign.

Love to all.

Loren

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Koh Samui

I am in Koh Samui and had a wonderful new year night! Pui has been a great host and I think I would have been lost without her. Thailand is so different, like nothing I was prepared for. Some good and beatiful and some bad.

I was able to see the real Thailand when I visited Pui's home town in the country. The living conditions were something we don't get to experience in America. I am greatful for that experience. Unfortunately, some things were stolen from my bag during the flight there and my camera charger was one of them. So now I am looking for another one but it's not looking good and my battery is dead so no pictures. :(

Also, I am sick again. Or I should say still sick but got worse again. I think I have a fever tonight. I hope I can get well for scuba diving but I am worried it's not looking good for me. I will try to take it easy. Seems like everything has been going wrong here in Thailand. I hope things turn around as it's not a good start to the year.

Anyway, I am happy to experience this new and exciting country even if it comes with the bad.

Happy New Year to all of you.

Blessings.

Loren