having it all together
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train market

5/12/2015

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The floating market tour included the train market, which I had not heard of from reading my guides. The train market turned out to be such a treat. There was a huge indoor market with fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. I have not had enough photography experience, so I still feel guilty about taking pictures of people's stalls if I'm not buying anything. I would just take quick shots when I didn't feel like I was intruding too much.


I still didn't get this whole 'train market' thing. We had walked down the tracks and there was about two feet wide opening between vendors and their displays. Also, as a tall westerner, I was having to duck throughout our walk along the tracks. How was a train going to fit through here? Was it called train market because a train used to come though? Was this like a small hand crank train used as a novelty tourist attraction? 


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floating market

5/12/2015

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I should have learned by now that it best for me to take English speaking tours at the beginning of my visits to new cities. It makes a huge difference. The guides always welcome you in with history of the area and point out things you may not have noticed, or if you did, you didn't understand. I booked a tour with Absolute Bangkok Tour. My tour guide for one of the floating markets was "Mod". This wasn't her real name, but it must have been the easiest shortened version for westerners. She was very friendly and told me history and information about Thailand, Bangkok, and Buddhism while we drove to the floating market. 




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arriving in bangkok

5/12/2015

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My biggest concern about landing in Bangkok alone at 11pm was that I wouldn't be able to get a cab and that my hotel front desk would be closed and I would be forced to sleep on a door jamb clutching my backpack until they opened. A little dramatic maybe, but you never know when it says 'late arrival guaranteed' just how late they mean.  I'm pretty sure now that Bangkok may be the city that never sleeps instead of New York. 

The taxi queue was easy enough, but when I arrived at my assigned taxi stall #16, there was no cab there yet so I was a little confused. I felt a microsecond sense of pride when an English speaking caucasian man asked me how this taxi process worked, and I was able to direct him to the taxi kiosks like I was a well-informed traveler.  That sense of pride was very fleeting, as I then began to try to communicate with my taxi driver. 


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away we go

5/4/2015

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This morning I started my journey to Southeast Asia.  Before I quit my job, I knew I wanted to use some of my time off to volunteer.  I am doing some local volunteering as well as an international volunteer placement.  

Years ago, I had seen an article about a UK-based organization called Accounting for International Development (AfID).  I had always tossed around the idea that I wanted to volunteer in a developing country someday, so I took note.  The organization matches accountants with non-profits in developing countries that need accounting and financial guidance.  




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jumping off the ladder

4/2/2015

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Or merry go round or carousel or rat race. Whatever you want to call it...

I'm quitting my day job!  


I have so many interests and dreams that I've decided to take some time off from my career and figure out what I really want to do and what will really make me happy.  Also, I'd like to try to help some other people along the way.  


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stories we tell

3/16/2015

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Donald Miller is my favorite author, and I'm currently reading his newest book Scary Close.  I ran across this sentence on page 22 the other night and just loved it.  I think it's quite fitting for my vision of this blog, 'having it all together'. 

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restore

3/15/2015

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If you like bargain hunting, reusing materials, and supporting a great charity at the same time, you should check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  

I discovered the ReStore on Winchester Rd. when I lived in Memphis.  Now in Austin, I frequent the store here, which happens to be the first location in the country.  The store carries new and used building and household materials, which have been donated by businesses and individuals.  The proceeds are used to fund the construction of Habitat houses within the community.  


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skimm to the point

12/12/2014

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Happy Weekend!
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There is never enough time to do all the things I want to do during a day.  And reading and watching news are not super high on the list.  But, I do like to know what's going on, so that I'm not completely out of the loop.  If you are also not a fan of wasting time or being uninformed, I want to share with you my new method for keeping up with current events without watching a ton of news or reading CNN articles. 

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behind the curtain

12/10/2014

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I've been wanting to start another blog for a while, but I wanted it to be linked to my business plans and my cohesive, narrowly focused, and beautifully designed brand.  However, that is a work in process as I continue to explore what I want to be when I grow up (I'm 33).  I constantly feel that I will never be creative enough or that I lost out by never taking any real art classes.  Every time I look at the beautiful curations on Etsy's front page or read an article in Country Living magazine about a couple who has renovated their own farmhouse and sells free range chicken eggs at the local farmer's market, I feel a wave of inferiority crash over me.  But it's not real.  It's strategically cropped.  Just beyond the frame there may be a messy pile of clothes or a couple whose marriage is failing.   


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having it all together

12/9/2014

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When am I going to have it all together?  This is something I used to ask myself.  One day, my house will be perfectly organized with a meaningful and unique collection of knickknacks and accessories, items displayed in antique metal egg baskets and beat up wine crates, and a wonderfully curated collection of vintage dresses and handbags.  

I'll have plenty of leisure time to lounge on my screened in porch and read books, paint, or write in my journal.  I'll sew my own clothes and curtains and pillows. 
I will eat meals only from natural and locally grown food, mostly prepared myself or from some hip local maker or cute little cafe down the street.  I'll have a successful business doing something I love and volunteer at least once a week.  I'll still have time 
to enjoy my relationships and spend quality time with those I love.  


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