A Decade Away ... The last 10
Over the last few weeks, I've counted down some of the most significant things/people/places that have shaped my life. The reflection over these days made me realize again how far I've actually come and what I was able to achieve. Although there were many mountains in my way, I found a way around them and I flew each time my wings would let me. The countdown is random and by no means is one of these more important than the other.
So, let's start the countdown:
#10 - I became a ... chicklit writer (WTFalafel?)
Donatello en Volksie all the way in LondonWhen I was told that I had to change my romantic comedy into a chicklit novel, I was petrified. I had no knowledge about this genre and I've seen 'Bridget Jones' Diary'. That was it. So I had to do research and a lot of it. The next problem was... I was a male. Chicks won't fall for a man trying to get into a woman's head. We considered writing under as pseudonym, but in the end I said: "Screw it, let's see if I can win the girls over". I asked many questions and tried my very best to understand female behavior as chicklit demands that. After rewriting the book 3 times, I finally saw my baby born and she was gorgeous. One newspaper heading read: "Finally, a guy that gets us girls." This was a highlight of my career.
#9 - I got to hang out with some of the world's most beautiful women
The girls in Sri LankaI have had the most amazing friends in Taiwan and they were better support than a good Nike sports bra. After arriving in Abu Dhabi, I found it hard to make friends of that quality again and it took me more than a year to really sort out some good friends. Louna (in the middle) was the first of the girls who came into my life through the 'Lekkerlees Boekrak' (read the next entry). We became good friends right away and the other girls joined. I have had many great times with all of these lovely women and they make me look good. This did wonders for my own self-esteem as well. I'm so thankful for them in my life.
#8 - I started the 'Lekkerlees Boekrak' (Reading for fun Bookshelf)
In this day and age, with the vast amount of resources out there, it is humanly impossible to read all the books out there or even just a small amount of them. In this rat race of life, I found it incredibly frustrating buying a book, starting it, and half-way through needing to put it down because it either bored me or didn't interest me at all. So I started the Lekkerlees Boekrak on Facebook with a dream to find others who like to read and to find books that are leisure reads. I got more than I bargained for. I was blessed with a new family. Soon the people - or Rakkers as I call them - started crawling into my heart, because we all shared the same respect and love for reading. Famous writers joined and even publishers and book shops. Today we're more than 400 strong and I can't imagine my life without these people in it. They're witty. They're funny. But most of all, unlike many forums out there, they have respect for each other. If you don't like a writer or a book, you don't slam them and break them down. Many like to slam social networks... I think it's only because they've never met the right people over there.
#7 - I completed the Inca Trail in Peru
I know I can. I know I can.
WARNING: The Inca Trail is not for wimps. Anybody who's ever survived it, can tell you. I've seen a 45 minute documentary on it once on National Geographic and somehow in the back of my head I convinced myself that it's a nice 45 minute trek to Machu Piccu - one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. So I signed up.
W T H W I T ?!! (What the heck was I thinking?!!)
It turned out that the 45 minute walk was more of a 4 day trek and not only was that tough, but the altitude was a killer. The 'Dead Woman's Pass' deserves it's name as you attempt to walk at 4,215 m above sea level. I could barely give 10 steps at a time. It was pure torture.
Thank goodness for a crazy bunch of people in my group, we pulled each other through and we made it to the final day. Not something I'll do very soon again, but I'm proud of myself that I did.
#6 - I saw the Amazon
Eating live termites in the Amazon
As a child you sit in school and you learn about places around the world. The moment I first learned about he Amazon, I was intrigued. Biggest rain forest, different species, sounds, anacondas, piranhas... how can this not capture any child? I told myself that one day I'd like to see this and experience it first hand. And I did! I even got to swim with piranhas. Well, I was told they were 'vegetarian' and stupid me believed the guy. After I jumped in, and found out that they weren't really vegetarian, he told me: "I didn't think you'd jump." By far one of the most amazing places on earth. You feel like Pocahontas... not so much the long hair and big eyes... but more the connection to nature. It's as if the energy in the nature here is magnified.
#5 - I gave back in India
Poor (but happy) kids in Agra.So many people asked me why I waited so long to see India. Well, the reason was that I didn't think I was prepared for it. It's only after you arrive in this fascinating country, that you realize you can never be prepared for India. It's one emotional roller-coaster from the get go. The love/hate relationship for India is something you have to experience for yourself as a mere blog can't ever explain this place.
The Marries Goody HamperThe one moment you look up at the Taj Mahal and your heart aches at one of the most amazing love stories ever told. The next you look at the poverty around the Taj and how people literally don't have enough to eat while tourists flock in and out of Agra. Then the monument reminds you of the unfair world we have to live in.
I never give money to children while traveling. I don't believe it sets a good example. Therefore I always travel with stickers, or books, or pens or something useful. Candy is never a good idea as these kids can't afford decent dentists out there. So, while taking in Agra, I found these kids playing cricket on the street and they realized I had a camera. Soon props were collected. Cricket bats, bricks, dried pot plants, a cow and even a new born baby to make their shots all worth while. As I handed out the stickers and colouring books, the kids' eyes lit up and they thanked me immediately. Appreciation. Something you don't get much from working where I've been working for the last 4 years. A mere 'thank you' was more uncommon that rain. I came to bless the kids in India, and turned out to be the blessed one instead.
#4 - A world of friends
I literally have good friends from all over the globe.If there is one thing I'm probably most grateful for my life overseas, it's the fact that I have been able to meet friends from all over the globe. I've tried their cuisine, lived their culture, learned new words and by doing this, my perception of the world changed dramatically. The old cliche to "walk in someone's shoes" has taken a whole new meaning to me. What if I had so little rain? What would I do? What if I had to wear those clothes, wouldn't that make me behave in a certain way again? I am grateful for all the global friends I have over all the continents. Thanks for blessing me and teaching me your ways.
#3 - I had a White Christmas
Real reindeer, real snow, real Lapland.
I don't think growing up in the Southern Hemisphere is the worst thing when you need to celebrate Christmas. It's mid-summer and we usually laze around the pool or go to the beach. But deep down we're jealous of the cozy Christmases we always see on TV. Warm inside, fires crackling, snow falling. This is why seeing a White Christmas was one of the first 10 items ever on my Bucket List. In 2011, I finally went to Scandinavia and got my White Christmas. I wasn't sorry for a moment. It was everything I dreamed it would be a more.
#2 - I met the sweetest orphans in the world
Having ice cream in Nairobi, Kenya
So often I hear people complaining about trivial things. The chips are overcooked, waiter! My hair isn't exactly the shade I wanted! I can't stand this heat/cold/neighbour... and the list goes on. I often wonder when last people have removed themselves from their comfort zones and actually tried to understand how others live.
I was so blessed in Kenya to meet these lovely orphans. I set a day of my holiday aside to go play with them. What an honour to be overwhelmed by their acceptance and love. Their hugs were so genuine and they appreciated the attention I gave to them. They made me realize that - even though I remind myself how blessed I am - I don't remind myself often enough.
To anyone of you that have never been part of a community project... I urge you to do it. You change your thoughts on so many things. You will never be sorry.
#1 - I got precious time with mom
Mom and I in Thailand
Being a decade abroad, means you are a decade away from your family as well. While many take things like birthdays, Christmases and other holidays for granted with their loved ones, the 'overseas orphans' have to make the best of the time we get with them.
In Santorini, GreeceWhen I left for Taiwan in 2002, my mother knew a different me. I was defeated and weak. My self-esteem hit rock bottom and more than that, I was poor and pathetic. Slowly but surely my mother saw the new me rising from the ashes. A newer, stronger me. Someone who showed this life that it won't get him down. Someone who grabbed opportunities by the horns and who took chances where he never would have.
I am so thankful that I got to spend quality time with mom and that I had the funds to take her abroad as well to show her my life and the things that I get up to. We laugh together and we've even cried together. Telling tales of what life was like when dad was still around. What he would have said about all the things I got up to in the past few years. My mom is my best friend and I'm so thankful for her. I've missed many days being away from her, but we made each and every second count that we got to spend together. And these moments we treasure when were far apart... and humming one of your favourite songs, as we might be "wishing on the same bright star."
So, let's start the countdown:
#10 - I became a ... chicklit writer (WTFalafel?)
Donatello en Volksie all the way in LondonWhen I was told that I had to change my romantic comedy into a chicklit novel, I was petrified. I had no knowledge about this genre and I've seen 'Bridget Jones' Diary'. That was it. So I had to do research and a lot of it. The next problem was... I was a male. Chicks won't fall for a man trying to get into a woman's head. We considered writing under as pseudonym, but in the end I said: "Screw it, let's see if I can win the girls over". I asked many questions and tried my very best to understand female behavior as chicklit demands that. After rewriting the book 3 times, I finally saw my baby born and she was gorgeous. One newspaper heading read: "Finally, a guy that gets us girls." This was a highlight of my career.#9 - I got to hang out with some of the world's most beautiful women
The girls in Sri LankaI have had the most amazing friends in Taiwan and they were better support than a good Nike sports bra. After arriving in Abu Dhabi, I found it hard to make friends of that quality again and it took me more than a year to really sort out some good friends. Louna (in the middle) was the first of the girls who came into my life through the 'Lekkerlees Boekrak' (read the next entry). We became good friends right away and the other girls joined. I have had many great times with all of these lovely women and they make me look good. This did wonders for my own self-esteem as well. I'm so thankful for them in my life.#8 - I started the 'Lekkerlees Boekrak' (Reading for fun Bookshelf)
In this day and age, with the vast amount of resources out there, it is humanly impossible to read all the books out there or even just a small amount of them. In this rat race of life, I found it incredibly frustrating buying a book, starting it, and half-way through needing to put it down because it either bored me or didn't interest me at all. So I started the Lekkerlees Boekrak on Facebook with a dream to find others who like to read and to find books that are leisure reads. I got more than I bargained for. I was blessed with a new family. Soon the people - or Rakkers as I call them - started crawling into my heart, because we all shared the same respect and love for reading. Famous writers joined and even publishers and book shops. Today we're more than 400 strong and I can't imagine my life without these people in it. They're witty. They're funny. But most of all, unlike many forums out there, they have respect for each other. If you don't like a writer or a book, you don't slam them and break them down. Many like to slam social networks... I think it's only because they've never met the right people over there.
#7 - I completed the Inca Trail in Peru
I know I can. I know I can.
WARNING: The Inca Trail is not for wimps. Anybody who's ever survived it, can tell you. I've seen a 45 minute documentary on it once on National Geographic and somehow in the back of my head I convinced myself that it's a nice 45 minute trek to Machu Piccu - one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. So I signed up.W T H W I T ?!! (What the heck was I thinking?!!)
It turned out that the 45 minute walk was more of a 4 day trek and not only was that tough, but the altitude was a killer. The 'Dead Woman's Pass' deserves it's name as you attempt to walk at 4,215 m above sea level. I could barely give 10 steps at a time. It was pure torture.
Thank goodness for a crazy bunch of people in my group, we pulled each other through and we made it to the final day. Not something I'll do very soon again, but I'm proud of myself that I did.
#6 - I saw the Amazon
Eating live termites in the AmazonAs a child you sit in school and you learn about places around the world. The moment I first learned about he Amazon, I was intrigued. Biggest rain forest, different species, sounds, anacondas, piranhas... how can this not capture any child? I told myself that one day I'd like to see this and experience it first hand. And I did! I even got to swim with piranhas. Well, I was told they were 'vegetarian' and stupid me believed the guy. After I jumped in, and found out that they weren't really vegetarian, he told me: "I didn't think you'd jump." By far one of the most amazing places on earth. You feel like Pocahontas... not so much the long hair and big eyes... but more the connection to nature. It's as if the energy in the nature here is magnified.
#5 - I gave back in India
Poor (but happy) kids in Agra.So many people asked me why I waited so long to see India. Well, the reason was that I didn't think I was prepared for it. It's only after you arrive in this fascinating country, that you realize you can never be prepared for India. It's one emotional roller-coaster from the get go. The love/hate relationship for India is something you have to experience for yourself as a mere blog can't ever explain this place.
The Marries Goody HamperThe one moment you look up at the Taj Mahal and your heart aches at one of the most amazing love stories ever told. The next you look at the poverty around the Taj and how people literally don't have enough to eat while tourists flock in and out of Agra. Then the monument reminds you of the unfair world we have to live in.I never give money to children while traveling. I don't believe it sets a good example. Therefore I always travel with stickers, or books, or pens or something useful. Candy is never a good idea as these kids can't afford decent dentists out there. So, while taking in Agra, I found these kids playing cricket on the street and they realized I had a camera. Soon props were collected. Cricket bats, bricks, dried pot plants, a cow and even a new born baby to make their shots all worth while. As I handed out the stickers and colouring books, the kids' eyes lit up and they thanked me immediately. Appreciation. Something you don't get much from working where I've been working for the last 4 years. A mere 'thank you' was more uncommon that rain. I came to bless the kids in India, and turned out to be the blessed one instead.
#4 - A world of friends
I literally have good friends from all over the globe.If there is one thing I'm probably most grateful for my life overseas, it's the fact that I have been able to meet friends from all over the globe. I've tried their cuisine, lived their culture, learned new words and by doing this, my perception of the world changed dramatically. The old cliche to "walk in someone's shoes" has taken a whole new meaning to me. What if I had so little rain? What would I do? What if I had to wear those clothes, wouldn't that make me behave in a certain way again? I am grateful for all the global friends I have over all the continents. Thanks for blessing me and teaching me your ways.#3 - I had a White Christmas
Real reindeer, real snow, real Lapland.I don't think growing up in the Southern Hemisphere is the worst thing when you need to celebrate Christmas. It's mid-summer and we usually laze around the pool or go to the beach. But deep down we're jealous of the cozy Christmases we always see on TV. Warm inside, fires crackling, snow falling. This is why seeing a White Christmas was one of the first 10 items ever on my Bucket List. In 2011, I finally went to Scandinavia and got my White Christmas. I wasn't sorry for a moment. It was everything I dreamed it would be a more.
#2 - I met the sweetest orphans in the world
Having ice cream in Nairobi, KenyaSo often I hear people complaining about trivial things. The chips are overcooked, waiter! My hair isn't exactly the shade I wanted! I can't stand this heat/cold/neighbour... and the list goes on. I often wonder when last people have removed themselves from their comfort zones and actually tried to understand how others live.
I was so blessed in Kenya to meet these lovely orphans. I set a day of my holiday aside to go play with them. What an honour to be overwhelmed by their acceptance and love. Their hugs were so genuine and they appreciated the attention I gave to them. They made me realize that - even though I remind myself how blessed I am - I don't remind myself often enough.
To anyone of you that have never been part of a community project... I urge you to do it. You change your thoughts on so many things. You will never be sorry.
#1 - I got precious time with mom
Mom and I in ThailandBeing a decade abroad, means you are a decade away from your family as well. While many take things like birthdays, Christmases and other holidays for granted with their loved ones, the 'overseas orphans' have to make the best of the time we get with them.
In Santorini, GreeceWhen I left for Taiwan in 2002, my mother knew a different me. I was defeated and weak. My self-esteem hit rock bottom and more than that, I was poor and pathetic. Slowly but surely my mother saw the new me rising from the ashes. A newer, stronger me. Someone who showed this life that it won't get him down. Someone who grabbed opportunities by the horns and who took chances where he never would have.I am so thankful that I got to spend quality time with mom and that I had the funds to take her abroad as well to show her my life and the things that I get up to. We laugh together and we've even cried together. Telling tales of what life was like when dad was still around. What he would have said about all the things I got up to in the past few years. My mom is my best friend and I'm so thankful for her. I've missed many days being away from her, but we made each and every second count that we got to spend together. And these moments we treasure when were far apart... and humming one of your favourite songs, as we might be "wishing on the same bright star."
No comments have been added yet.
