Jungle of Belize

My friend Kalinda is teaching me the ropes of traveling while holding down a "permanent" job. Although the travels tend to be shorter and geographically closer, they are not less adventurous. We recently traveled to Belize for 8 days. Since we both have been working and learning, we decided to make it easier on ourselves. We arranged transportation to and from airport and around the country prior to arriving.

Exiting the plane, we were welcomed by the warm humid air Latin American colorful airport. Seeing the homes, shops, and people, while driving through the outskirts of Belize City made me feel at peace. Immediately you are aware everything is different than the routine of life in the city and hospital in North Carolina. After riding for about 1.5 hours through the open countryside, the trees became taller, closer together, and more variety. We turned off the main road to arrive a wooden building in the dense jungle.

After the grand tour and explanation of the schedule, we promptly gather our cameras to enjoy the botanical gardens. Many of the plants were labeled with the name, medicinal uses, food/oil uses. We also found out that during rainy season, mosquitoes have a very healthy population in the jungle. After a swim and swing in the hammock, I enjoyed an outdoor shower in the jungle. While there was plenty of privacy, it took some adjusting trusting it was private.

Private outdoor shower

View from the pool

We arrived to dinner in the main area. Dinner was served buffet style but seating was family style. This set up was great for fostering community. During dinner, we picked our activity/adventure for following day. Here is a sample dinner: homemade chips and different dip every night. Second course: pasta dish, two homemade hard cheeses, two choices of homemade bread, fruit, salad fixings, two salads or veggies. Main course: Beef, chicken, and local (Belize) fish, same cheeses and fruit, potatoes someway, two different veggie dishes, rice and beans made with coconut milk. Dessert: three different options each night. One always had "Hershey's Chocolate Syrup" on top.  The grouper and snapper was delicious. My favorite desserts were homemade coconut ice cream, lemon something, lime pie with solid chocolate "crust"/no gluten. We also enjoyed several drinks with local rums and fresh fruit juices.

During the night or early morning, torrential downpours awoke us. Sometimes I could go back to sleep; sometimes not. Breakfast was not served until 8AM. Breakfast did not disappoint. The options were: omlet bar, fresh local fruit, yogurt, granola, boxed cereal, scrambled eggs with cheese, sauteed veggies, a bread (pancakes, fry jacks, french toast, etc), potatoes somehow, cookies, meat (bacon, sausage, etc). One could have orange juice if you squeezed it.

After breakfast we, met for our adventure of the day. The first day began with 11 of us and 3 guides piling into a open trailer behind a diesel truck that would not pass emission tests. We wound our way through a large orange grove, in and out of the river and through mud. This way our shoes were already wet before the rest of our bodies entered the river. We all tumbled out of the trailer to receive a helmet with headlamp, life jacket, and an inter-tube. After a brief walk through the jungle we entered the first of 5 caves. Plopped down in the tube and began paddling with our arms and hands. The river was slow except for a couple rapids in the second cave. The third and fourth caves were shorter, so we did them without our headlamps. This is a way to appreciate the darkness in the caves.

We took a lunch break on a rock outcropping in the jungle between caves. The lunch was complete with a white table cloth, homemade tortillas, fresh cut veggies, hard cheese, salami, and hard boiled eggs.  After finishing the caves, we floated down the river to commercial area with tubes for rent and bathrooms. We rode in a van 45 minute back to Cave's Branch.

The second day, we chose the waterfall adventure.  We began this one piling into a school bus. After off roading in a similar fashion as the day before, we arrived at a small opening in the jungle. We all were given small day packs and 2 liters of water to carry. We walked about 20 minutes in the jungle performing the mosquito dance and enjoying the variety of trees and plants. When we came to the opening of the cave system, we donned our helmets and headlamps. Following the lead guide, we entered. Soon our feet and legs up to our knees were drenched by walking through the river. The stalagmites and stalactites were extensive. We saw a few columns, formations that looked like dams, pumpkins, scorpion-spiders, and bats.

2 hours walk into the cave we all donned our harnesses. Half an hour walk further into the cave we encountered the first waterfall. The second one was about 25-30 feet and required the harness and belay system. The others ranged from 5-10 feet. Upon completing the climbs we back tracked. This meant jumping down many of them. Although I did them all, I did not want to be first. Kalinda was brave a jump the tallest one first. At each waterfall, the lead guide would tell each individual one by one exactly where to jump into the pool below. Each participant would confirm prior to the jump. After completing all the waterfalls, we had the same lunch as the day before including the white table cloth. This time, however, we were inside the cave with our feet in the river. We returned the same way we entered.

Things do not dry during rainy season in the jungle :)

This about sums up our time in the jungle with Cave's Branch.

Life Lesson from Brake Pads

If you have been reading my blog at all, you know I get "random" thoughts while doing every day tasks. Well, this week I had to get new brake pads for my bicycle. As I had been commuting to work the previous few days, I had to squeeze harder and harder on the brakes. I decided to take it to the bike shop on Wednesday to see if the brakes could be tightened.

The bike mechanic asked how old the bike was. When I replied, "4 months," he responded it already has lots of miles on it. I reported that it was my main transportation. He proceeded to tell me that I needed new brake pads. He asked if I wiped my wheels down. He continued to share that dirt accumulates and acts like sandpaper contributing to faster wear of the brake pads. He also informed me the brake pads that come with the bike are soft on the scale. He put on firmer/thicker pads which should last longer.

Upon finishing up at the bike shop, I rushed to a happy hour with friends and promptly forgot to wipe down my tires. Today, a rainy Saturday, I took the time to do so. While I was, the following thoughts came to mind. From a bird's eye view, the roads and bike paths do not appear particularly dirty. The wheels, however, pick up dirt simply by turning over and over in the environment. Rain does not wash the dirt off. It takes a purposeful wiping to remove it.

We are like this. We try to live in the world but not of the world. Simply by performing our daily activities of grocery shopping, driving, working, interacting with friends and families, we accumulate dirt. We see the hurt, the sad situations, the difficult interactions among people, become frustrated with ourselves. We sin. Like the rims, we may not appear "dirty" on the outside.

The sin in our individual lives and corporate lives, however, is like sand paper to our minds and spirits. It wears us down. With time, it breaks us down so we cannot function no matter how hard we try to push through life.

The good news is that Jesus knows this and has come to live among the sinners and tax collectors. Because he lived in the sinful world and did not sin, his death and resurrection give us the ability to clean our rims/lives from sin.

Like the wheel rims, we have to be wiped and washed by the blood of Jesus. It is only by addressing the sin by confessing it and repenting that we receive new brake pads/ new life from Jesus. If we are not vigilant in "cleaning" the dirt/sin off we will wear down quickly. Well, I guess that sums up my random thoughts for today.

Light in the Darkness

The weather is changing to fall. Cool mornings, warm days, cooling evenings after the sun goes down. Watermelons, tomatoes, and blueberries pass the baton to apples, squashes and pumpkins.The amount of light during the day is changing too. It is getting lighter later and darker sooner. While driving and riding my bike, I have noticed the difference lights on people and bikes and placements of them makes in their visibility.  I have joined a running group that meets on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. This past Tuesday was the first time it was required to wear reflection or lights.

To make it fun, there was a contest of who could be the brightest. I should have taken a photo, but didn't. It was a close competition for first, second and third place. One runner even donned solar Christmas lights on top of her reflective vest. Another runner had highlighter neon yellow shoes, compression sleeves, shorts, shirt, and hat. Several had glow sticks attached. What did I where?  A simple reflective vest with LED lights.

Since we began the run while the sun was setting, we were quite the sight. 30ish runners all in reflective gear running near or through the college campus. When it was dark, the lights and reflective gear were evident. 

I have been thinking and trying not to think about work. Leave work at work so to speak. I am grateful, I get to leave the hospital each day after work. Walking out the glass revolving doors into the warm sun or rainy weather grants the opportunity to experience something bigger than myself. It is a reminder that the world is more than what is inside the hospital: the warm sun on my face, the humidity as I breathe the thick air, the messy and wetness of the rain, the attention required to negotiate around cars, people, bikers, traffic lights on the way home, the beauty of the sunsets. The patients do not have that privilege. Depending on their medical needs, they are confined to their beds, room, or the hospital. It is usually exciting for them to even get outside their room; even more exciting to go to the playroom. While the hospital is colorful with animals and volunteers providing activities, it is still unnatural light, linoleum floors, the same furniture in most rooms, controlled temperatures, definitely not home.

How does this relate to lights? The hospital can be a very dark place for the patients and their families. There are hopeful stories and good endings scatter throughout. Jesus did not come for the righteous or well. He came to minister and die for the sinners, broken, sick, and poor. He was/is light in the darkness. John 1 tells us about this:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life,and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

Jesus said that we are the light of the world. We are to reflect Him. Some days I do that better than others. This idea continued while I purchased a rain/wind biking jacket to wear on my commute. The jacket has special reflective material everywhere on the outside. It is blue in the daylight. When light hits is in the dark, however, it glows brightly. The jacket did not change anything; the surroundings did. The unique feature is only seen in the darkness when something external interacts with it.

If we are Christians, we have the Holy Spirit in us always like the reflective material. We do not have to do anything ourselves to change from blue to glow. Often it is our own circumstances that change to difficult/darkness. Or we enter others "darkness" that the the reflection of Jesus's love is seen. Mother Teresa said " Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love." A genuine smile brings light. Sometimes it is just sitting next to someone without saying a word, praying for them when geographically separate,  sending a letter or email, giving a listening ear, providing encouragement to fight for the next step. I pray that I will more and more by God's grace let my "color" fade and reflect Jesus.

Teaspoon vs Ocean

So many incomplete thoughts circling in my head...this means it is time to sit down and write. On the church bulletin each week a quote related to the sermon can be found. Today part of the quote sums up the cause of my meandering thoughts. "We dip out teaspoon into the vast ocean of the living God. Holding that teaspoon in our hand, we say 'This is God.' We pour it out into our lives and we say 'This is the Christian Experience.' God calls us to dive into the ocean...Our Lord is so vast, and our exposure to him is so small." Raymond Ortlund Jr, When God Comes to Church

I have been here for three months. Not a long time you say. Well, it is enough time to establish acquaintances, routines, know where grocery stores are located, experience the hot spots/tourist spots, learn several things at work without getting involved in the politics. It, however, is not enough time to establish true community, become good at what you do at work, to feel like you belong somewhere.

With the exception of Mercy Ships, I have been moving every three months for several years. On the ship, there was constant change over in the volunteers and roommates. I am not moving, my roommates will be the same for a year. I am putting down roots, opening bank accounts, becoming the not so new one. While, I yearned for stability while traveling, I am not so sure how to live here. It does not feel like home. I think it will more in the coming months as I become even more established. I have been living in the teaspoon rather than diving into the ocean.

As I sit on my porch enjoying the cooler weather, I see the photos of Mercy Ships arrival to Madagascar. I desire to be there. In reality, the grass is always greener. While there, I felt like God was calling me to stay put somewhere for awhile here in the States. Right now though, I want to be on the ship. I want predictability. I want to be with people who I can be myself and who have similar values and goals. I, know deep down though, that God has directed me to be here where I am for this season. Sara Groves song "Painting Pictures of Egypt" talks about just this. Even this weekend, I have had several deeper conversations which makes me feel like I belong.

When I am at work, I am struggling with balancing getting my to do list done and loving people. My internal wiring is to be efficient, to do, to get items crossed off the list. Well, working in the hospital it is easier said than done. With so many moving pieces, it can be challenging to see the patient when works best in my schedule. I am growing in this area. I tend to get upset, frustrated, hurumphed when I am unable to see someone. By the time I do get to see the patient for PT, I have a challenging time tshowing love to the patient as a person created by God who is sick rather than a task. Another aspect that is difficult for me is when things don't go the way they are intended to go. For instance, wrong orders, unexpected time is needed to address the patient's case, difficult family, computer access issues,etc. At the end of the day, I often feel like it was a good day if I saw everyone on my list. It was a not so good day, if I did not complete my list. I should also be judging my day by the standard of did I share God's love today? I am working on balancing the two. I am living in a teaspoon rather than an ocean.

I was talking with medical resident at a picnic last night. She asked me if the social situations here were more difficult than in developing countries. I had not thought about comparing the two. They are different. In the developing countries, often the resources are not readily available, education is not as advanced, cultures don't value efficiency, politics are different. Sometimes it is easier to say I did the best I could with what I had there.

Here in the States, the healthcare system is broken as well. Although there are theoretically more resources and everyone has access to healthcare, it does not often happen smoothly. We don't always get what we need when we need it. It is harder for me to swallow some of the social situations that I feel like should have a better solution. Just like "abroad," there are not simple easy solutions. The resident's and my conclusion for the evening was to have a job we could feel like we could show we cared and loved them by spending time and listening to them. One step at a time. God calls us to Love Mercy, Act Justly, and to Walk Humbly with our God. At the end of the day, whether near or far, that it was I am supposed to do.

As I sit here and reflect on some of the "good" moments, I remember the sound of a young girl's giggles while playing floor hokey in the PT gym. The smile of a young man when sharing about his theater aspirations. He thanked me for talking about what he enjoyed even after receiving the news he would have to remain in the hospital several more days. Seeing a young woman's face light up when I brought a picture of a tiger into her room to mark the goal distance for walking. Tigers are one of her favorite animals. Being able to see a baby's developmental progress in gross motor skills by not crying when immediately placed on her belly. Saying goodbye to a patient going home with family after months in the hospital receiving a bone marrow transplant. I even treated myself to plantain chips which are found in Guatemala and Africa and gluten free Funfetti (the best kind of cupcakes) this weekend. As I try to dive into the ocean and not get stuck living in my teaspoon view of the world and God, I would appreciate your prayer, thoughts, and comments.

Trail Markers

Walking by the Eno River for a couple hours on an unexpected day off provided a place for my mind to wander freely. I had intended to go to a different area of the park, but the directions were unclear. I decided to stay where I was and wander there. Several loop trails that can be attached to each other provided scenery of the shallow river and the woods. 

Although the animals were not as exotic as some recent places I have walked, I was delighted to see a fawn scamper away. Sunning turtles plop into the water off the log when I walked by them, an egret standing tall in the river, and several different species of butterflies fluttering around. Several flowers and fungi I had not seen were also fun spot. 

One reason I enjoy wandering, as aforementioned, is my mind is free to wander as well.  The once common walks after dinner, the walks in the gardens, the walks without a goal when ideas were freely discussed, pondered, and meditated are becoming uncommon. Usually if we are walking, we are walking with the purpose of exercise or transportation. We have an intention or focus. Wandering in nature often puts life back into perspective for me. Seeing things we would miss if we were in a hurry or focus on other things. I am reminded the world is bigger than what is going on inside my head or life.

On the walk today, I kept my eye out for the trail blazes.  One time when I was not confident I was on the trail I wanted, I thought the following: trail blazes let us know we are still on the correct path. If we maintain our direction, we will encounter another trail blaze confirming the way. I was struck how this is the way life with God often unfolds. We have a general game plan/trail map. We were created for his glory, our standards for living are in the Bible, we will eventually die and move into eternity. We, however, do not know what all the twists and turns of life will bring. We cannot see beyond the curve or over the hill. Like on an unknown trail, we yearn for confirmation we are where we are supposed to be. Sometimes they are more difficult to find than others. 

This was a trail in Joshua Tree...It looks like one right?

These carins were the trail markers that were scattered throughout the rocks to indicate the trail.

Look for the carins to find the trail down.

If we continue to move forward day to day with what we do know is true and right, God will give us markers. Sometimes, He will not reveal what is exactly is next, but confirm His presence and knowledge with us in the present. Just as I was getting tired of fighting for the truth in my mind and soul without a trail marker, one came in the sermon on Sunday. The sermon was on Psalm 73. It begins with the psalmist having a tantrum about how the wicked seem to be flourishing. In the middle of the psalm he goes to the sanctuary where he sees the sacrifices and is reminded of God's grace. The psalm ends with his focus returned to the goodness of God being all sufficient. Nothing in the world or his circumstances has changed that we know of, but he has a renewed understanding of the goodness of God.

These past two months, I have weekly and sometimes daily been reminded that this life does not last forever. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. While this is true all the time, interacting with children and adults after a sudden traumatic death or slow tough battle with cancer keeps this in the forefront.  Also, I have a close friend who is in his last days of his fight with ALS. A coworker of mine lost her mother in a car crash two weeks ago. The anniversary of Mom passing is around the corner. Trying to figure out how to be with the people, how to love them, how to be deal with it myself are all challenging. I think subconsciously I was trying to not deal with it by keeping busy. Business = no time to think/process/feel. 

Wanting to be perfect and knowing deep down that God is good, I was not giving myself freedom to question His goodness. The sermon Sunday not only reminded me it is okay to question, it is often the only way through the feeling and emotion. We are allowed to have the tanturms as long as we bring them to God. He usually helps us get over them. One way He and I do is by wandering in nature. This helps me renew my perspective. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. If we are Christian, we belong to God's family. Like Matthew  reminds us, if the birds of the air and the flowers of the field are beautiful and provided for, what do I have to worry about. God does not change. He is still good even when circumstances and feelings and emotions cloud our beliefs. I  am thankful for the trail markers along the path of life.

We are part of God's bigger beautiful story that began before us and will continue after us. 

Even though we feel very small and unnoticed, God does see us and care about us.

Random Thoughts

I have several, but none by themselves are enough for a blog. This is a compilation of them in one local.  I don't know if you have experienced or remember orientation in college. There are so many opportunities and groups. Where do you fit? You want to try everything to see where you want to invest your time. I have tried running group, multiple churches, comedy club, contra dance, small groups, coffeehouses, farmer's markets, CSAs. Like everywhere I have lived, I will have different groups for different interests.

I live in Carrboro which is known for being “crunchy.” I was just informed that crunchy is the new term for granola. If none of those make sense to you...Hippy will. I bike to work, bike or walk in town, decide what I will cook for the week based on what I get at the CSA (community supported agriculture). It has been weekly zucchini, but tomatoes are becoming the highlighted item.

I have come to a teahouse in the country to relax and reflect this Sunday afternoon. Friday night at the contra dance, I saw the guy who works at the bike shop, people from a church I visited, people I only see at contra. At the teahouse, I saw a guy who is a member of the CSA. I like this small town feel. It is starting to feel like a community. Even though most of the conversations have been surface level, it is nice to start seeing the same people. This is a town where highly educated people have chosen to live simply, small town lives.

The stage and play area 

Honeysuckle Teahouse

Some of the herbs and teas

I have begun attending a church that is a different culture. From what can be gathered in only a couple Sundays, this church is full of deep thinkers. Many people appear preppy and drive nice cars. Many live the suburbia life and career life well. This is an area where highly educated people have chosen to live in newly built neighborhoods with nice physical items.

I value and enjoy both. It is weird to be in one setting listening to what people say about the other. I have not experienced how unique my lifestyle/dreams are until recently. It seems strange that someone's goal would be to study to serve abroad. To love people abroad. Granted in the world where most of my interactions are with PhD candidates or medical people, the idea of not climbing the ladder or getting a paper publish is not even an option in their minds. These are all important too. In fact, this is one of the reasons I am here to learn. I am glad God has gifted people with these drives and interest so we can all benefit from the new knowledge.

Some of the thoughts I been thinking about from different conversations are as follows:

1)Our desire to be a part of a community is one that is innate. We are made in the image of God. God is communal. God is trinity (Gen 1:26-27). God created male and female. We are supposed to be in community with those who are different than us in a life giving way.

2)Aslan is the turkish word for lion. Alsan and turkish delight play contrasting roles in Chronicles of Narnia that are relevant in our lives today. Turkish delight represents our attempt to satisfy desires with earthly deceptive things. The more we eat, the more unsatisfied we become needing to eat more and more to try to satisfy our desires. The only thing that can truly satisfy and fulfill our desires is Jesus.

3)God valued the human body that he created so much that he became human and dwelt among us. We often want to look good, to meet the standard. We want this even for our food. The produced ranked on B and C scale does not get sold in the stores. Something grown in the garden or a local farm with marks /scars of sun and growth is expected. It is proof that chemicals and pesticides were likely not used. Also the produce was allowed to ripen on the vine/plant until ready to be picked. It has much more color and flavor. Why is it so hard for us to give this freedom and grace to people? No one is perfect. We all have cracks from the weather and growth life throws at us. We, however, work so hard to cover them up and not let people know. We often feel shame is sharing with someone we are not perfect and have daily struggles. 1 Samuel 16:7 "But the Lord said to Samuel.  "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the hear."

These Heirloom tomatoes are delicious and beautiful inside

Beauty in the unique shapes and color 

Both squash, yet so different. 

4)Jesus did not live an easy life. He did not fit in his culture. He never married, never had a true place to call home, was rejected countless times ( John 1:9-10), was from a carpenter in a not popular town, was misunderstood by many, and had a few close friends whom he shared his daily life (disciples). This has been bringing me comfort. He loved people (lovely and unlovely). He cared for peoples physical needs. He cared for his heavenly Father. He cared for himself. He took time to be alone, time to pray and reflect, time to be in nature.  

I will close with the beauty of some of the details of creation.

It's not easy being different

Well, it has been quite some time since I wrote a blog. It is nice to be able to feel like I can take a bit to sit down and write. I have taken a permanent job here at a children's hospital. It has been a big transition. Spoiler Alert...It is not easy being different and being the new one. Although there were many aspects of doing travel therapy that I enjoyed, I am ready to be still for awhile. I yearn for community.

If you know me, you know that I usually do things  differently than the norm. This transition has been no different.  Keeping in line with doing things differently, I started my first week without a place to live. The Lord did provide two places to spend the nights and a good way to commute to work the first week.

I do have a place to live now. I have two roommates one of which will stay through next August and one who will be leaving at the end of this July. I have a nice size room with a private bath. I enjoy the large windows that let in sunlight. It is conveniently located to the center of town (1/2 mile), across from a park full of trails, about 10 -15 minute bike ride to work. It is quiet and surrounded by trees.

As usual with any move and/or change in job, very few things went the way they normally do. I will spare you the details. The first week was corporate and large departmental orientation. It felt like I was being sprayed with a fire hose of full blast daily. Each day is a little better with knowing how to perform PT, have a beeper that works, getting benefits set up, getting a routine, learning protocols, learning names and faces of nurses and doctors, and the like. Finally, I feel like I am getting settled both at work and home. Now, I can concentrate mainly on learning at work and building a community. I do not like the feeling of treading water and doing your best. Nothing is smooth. Unfortunately, the only way to improve is to continue to go through it.

Throughout this season, there have been many occurrences where I felt like saying out loud in the same sentiment of Kermit the Frog saying "It's not easy being green," "It is not easy being different." I will recount a couple here.

 Job: went from working adults outpatient primarily orthopedics to children weeks old to 21 y.o. in acute care.

Housing: went from living in true community with 5 others who rotated through a small cabin on a ship to a house where we co-exist.

Transportation: from a city where you walk or take pusse-pusse to a city where you drive 20 minutes to get almost everywhere to a city where walking and biking are very common. A drive of 10 minutes seems like you are going far away.




I was told the uniform was a specific style and brand of scrub bottoms and polo top with logo. Upon arriving here, I tried them on in the store to find the correct size. After finding the size, I was informed that the scrubs would have to be ordered. They scrubs would arrive in 7- 10 business days. When I arrived to my area of the hospital, I noticed that no one was wearing quite what I had ordered. Once the scrubs did arrive, I discovered they were about 4 inches to long. In order to get through the day, I paper clipped a hem. I promptly returned them to the store only to find a couple pairs of the other acceptable scrubs. They too were about 3-4 inches too long. All my coworkers shared they had to hem theirs too. Now, three weeks later, thanks to my grandma, I have three scrub bottoms of appropriate length, color.

I have never lived where riding a bicycle is common transportation. While I do know how to "ride" a bike, I did  not feel confident riding with traffic. Thankfully, here most streets have bike lanes. Some areas even have bike paths that connect main streets. I have gained some confidence by watching other bikers and simply practicing. While learning, I again feel like I stick out for being different.

Having been a traveler for several years, I actually had to acquire things like shower curtains, towels, bookshelf, etc. Most people simplify when they move. I feel like I still live fairly simply.

It is also different being in a college town but not being a student. Like anywhere I go, it will take time to meet people. Here, there are many different activities and events. When I go to ones by myself and feel like everyone else is there with someone they know. I feel like I stick out as being different.
 
Opposite to what this blog has been about, I do feel like I will enjoy being here. Many of the people I have met are very well educated, have wide interests, like to live simply, eat locally, healthily (vegan, high fat, vegetarian, gluten free, organic), artsy (pottery, paint, music), like to bike or walk places. I will try to keep you posted. I have attended a short story reading with wine and cheese, gone contra dancing, attended free symphony concert, free strings quartet, heard live music while eating outside a a market. Slowly but surely I will be secure in being different again.