Approaching the Edge
Again, "at the crossroads I am standing." Today is Friday, September 22. Within a few days, I will be on the other side of the world, in a country that just underwent a coup d'etat. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement - ecstatic would be more appropriate.
I began packing last night, which is early for me. A couple pairs of jeans, tshirts, underwear, socks, shoes, sandals, and some nice clothes for when I work in the hospital. Also, I have medicine and toiletries, a few books, my camera, journal, laptop. Of course, most of this stuff isn't packed yet, but I'm at least in the packing mindset. I've also been collecting music, especially classical/chamber music, country, and American classics. Those are always great for listening when out of the country and away from my viola.
On a completetly different note, I finished rearranging my room. I undertook a project to completely empty out my room, clean, refurnish with new stuff, and redecorate. I'm almost completely done (one pile to sort and put away), and I really like it. Most people say "Why - if you're about to leave?" but it'll be nice to have a clean, well-lighted place to come home to, at the end of a journey (ref: Hemingway).
Recently, I've been thinking about what this trip means to me. For one thing, it's a search for identity. I don't think I've "lost" it, but I think any kind of journey like this is a search for understanding. It's also a movement toward independence and self-sufficiency. Some of my goals include: learning Khmer, writing several short stories and other works, my research report(s). Of course there are some spiritual, emotional, and intellectual goals that don't really warrant description or enumeration.
Thus concludes the first real post of this travelogue. I haven't decided if I'll update frequently (daily) and send out notification emails bi-weekly or monthly, or update less frequently, with less general detail. Any and all input (regarding this or anything) is always welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to this journey with all of you!
I began packing last night, which is early for me. A couple pairs of jeans, tshirts, underwear, socks, shoes, sandals, and some nice clothes for when I work in the hospital. Also, I have medicine and toiletries, a few books, my camera, journal, laptop. Of course, most of this stuff isn't packed yet, but I'm at least in the packing mindset. I've also been collecting music, especially classical/chamber music, country, and American classics. Those are always great for listening when out of the country and away from my viola.
On a completetly different note, I finished rearranging my room. I undertook a project to completely empty out my room, clean, refurnish with new stuff, and redecorate. I'm almost completely done (one pile to sort and put away), and I really like it. Most people say "Why - if you're about to leave?" but it'll be nice to have a clean, well-lighted place to come home to, at the end of a journey (ref: Hemingway).
Recently, I've been thinking about what this trip means to me. For one thing, it's a search for identity. I don't think I've "lost" it, but I think any kind of journey like this is a search for understanding. It's also a movement toward independence and self-sufficiency. Some of my goals include: learning Khmer, writing several short stories and other works, my research report(s). Of course there are some spiritual, emotional, and intellectual goals that don't really warrant description or enumeration.
Thus concludes the first real post of this travelogue. I haven't decided if I'll update frequently (daily) and send out notification emails bi-weekly or monthly, or update less frequently, with less general detail. Any and all input (regarding this or anything) is always welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to this journey with all of you!
