A midnight train to Georgia...or Rochester!

I received an email on Thursday from a former teacher at KnPT - the school I taught at in Thailand - informing me a previous student resettled in Rochester, NY! I couldn't conceal my excitement as joys echoed from my corner of the office. Albeit I was at work, where I was supposed to be doing work things and not obsessively checking my gmail account for something to brighten my day in a sunless office space. Elephants could be flying, Obama could be parading down 7th Ave., the old idiom "it's raining cats and dogs" could be happening and I'd be oblivious to it all.

2 years ago today I returned to the US. 2 years! It's such a privileged statement to make, but I'm here 1 year longer than I anticipated. How did this happen? What have I to show for my 2 year sojourn in NYC? Please, someone, throw another question my way. I remember watching 12 straight hours of pop culture television after my return; my thirst for a western lifestyle was unnerving but I took advantage of this privilege as the significance of the word 'choice' had new meaning.

Buffalo, Chicago, D.C. - these cities are on the list where other students are reported to be resettling too...the list grows as does the number of applicants interested in applying. I admit, I cannot hide my concerns. After speaking to students about the advantages and disadvantages of resettlement, I am anxious about their adjustment. Granted my perspective is subjective, many of the students saw my upbringing as ideal. I won't deny it, it was in a lot of ways, however freedom does have its costs. I tried as best I could to convey freedom has no competition against an individual with refugee or asylum status, however we cannot be ignorant and uninformed citizens. Living in a free country means hard work must occur as we're all held responsible and accountable for good social change. Oh right, back to my student though...

For the sake of confidentiality, I spoke with Ree Lo Friday afternoon. Her group arrived mid-March and her comment to me was, "It's cold." When one's climate of comparison is the jungle north of Mae Hong Son, it is cold. Unbearable, I think. As she spoke, I sensed a longing for her home; a need for instant familiarity. I knew she was struggling. Her family owned a shop in the camp, her face constantly lit with curiosity and hope and now, a day's flight apart, here she was removed from everything she'd ever known. Yes, she had the choice to resettle and took it, yet apprehension can still prevail. Quitting a job with fabulous co-workers, leaving a relationship despite their endearing qualities, turning in a friend for their wrong-doings - though the context of one may be more significant than the other, they share similar qualities. We're hesitant creatures by nature whom deeply connect to the idea that what's familiar is comforting; saying goodbye to anything no matter how amiss it is can be difficult.

As we approached the end of our conversation, I wondered of her appearance now amidst the cold end of winter and on the premises of a new 'home' - was she just as curious and hopeful or had the bitter winds of Rochester hardened her youthful glow? Ree Lo ended our conversation by asking me if I could call later as they were on their way to the hospital. Why? I couldn't discern. I tried, but this is one thing technology, surprisingly (and thankfully), has not managed to detect - interpreting accurate emotion and affect.

Despite landing in the US and separation from her family, I believe Ree Lo will find her own way. Wherever that may be. Although it is unknown to them, she, and the rest of the KnPT students taught me a lot about choice and strength in the face of adversity. We all have choices to make and despite their unfathomable difficulty, we are capable and confident beings. As Mr. Henley expressed, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul...". So I think, go on, whatever choices you make today make them knowing you're moving in the right direction and embrace every opportunity. Sometimes the most challenging ones offer the most rewards.

Verbose does the job? Nay!

January 20th marked the inauguration of our 44th President of the USA. What a day.

It's hard to find the right words that capture the essence of the day's events...perhaps words don't really do it justice as sometimes things are better left unspoken and best interpreted through observation. Too many words can mar a scene, a moment, an event...and that's coming from someone who believes writing and literature can be used as an analogy to explain life; breathing is to living, as reading and words give our body its soul.

I imagine other countries, children, adults and elders who've never experienced democracy, the right to vote, freedom of speech or whom lack an identification card and it weighs heavy as a responsibility. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all individuals are free and equal...yet with all the violations occurring in OPT, the dearth of health services in Zimbabwe and the lack of international attention for the refugees in Thailand and Bhutan...it's challenging to recognize.

This past Tuesday helped revive any lost hope. As pessimistic as some may be, I think we all saw a sliver of a silver lining then. Facing these global strifes will not be easy, but at least we're reassured through someone whose vision is not obstructed and whose attitude and ethos can be expressed in 3 simple words: Yes We Can.

Slan Abhaile

Going home to Rochester is always a feat. Especially after being in a city that heightens your energy levels by simply walking on the street vs. sipping some Red Bull. After a day of corresponding with company agents and office debauchery, the smells of the city send a wake-up call like walking into a brick wall. But I digress...

It's about going to Rochester. About slowing the pace of life down a bit.

I'm hesitant to go for various reasons. Yet tomorrow, another fellow and hopefully faithful Craigslist-onian will represent 'us' well. I say 'us', because I believe so many of us search the site for a few reasons - whether they're entertainment, purpose or boredom-based - and so often do we see an ad worthy of a response. Yet our fingers fail to traverse the keyboard, striking keys and composing an answer.

Tomorrow, someone's fingers got the better of them though because I got a response to the ad I posted requesting a rideshare home. Yay. You all know I thrive on the unknown.

Thinking back, a year ago I relaxed in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In a Buddhist country, evidence of Christmas and New Years only exists because of the tourists. I sat eating dinner in an Irish pub, drinking beer for $1.70 and watching the sky light up from lanterns and fireworks. Never had I felt more in the spirit of celebrating. It's ironic, I think. Being in a country surrounded by monks who give versus take...and there I was, loving it all at the crossroads of Eastern faith meeting a Western upbringing. Buddhists believe if one can free themselves from attachments, an unworldly level of happiness will be reached. And now I'm in New York City where it seems not having attachments equals suffering. It's akin to a shopaholic not being able to buy anything.

The title of this post is (c'mon all you Irish lads, correct me!) a phrase seen on signs when exiting more populated cities/towns in Ireland: Slan Abhaile. The literal translation is 'Safe Home'. Tomorrow's a day of traveling for a lot of folk. And wherever you may be reaching out toward, in whatever space you wish to be, I wish you well during this holiday season. I wish you well, always.

Slan Abhaile.