Hey everyone (if you're still reading, you have the patience of Job)!
Well, I got back to the United states about three weeks ago, and got sucked right back into the busy life here. I was home in California for about a week, and got to see my familia (which was great) and then it was off to Boston to spend a few weeks with Jake, my boyfriend (which has also been TOTALLY great). So here I sit, in Boston, and it's already been almost a month since I returned. Where does the time go??
Now, I'm sure both of you left reading are wondering, if I'm in the US, what the heck do I have to write about? Well, I feel that I just left this blog unfinished, you know? Not that the dog-bite-in-the-butt story wasn't good (it's healing nicely and I'm all done with my rabies shots! Woo!) but it didn't really feel very conclusion-y. So, just so that you're all forewarned, this is probably going to be a very touchy-feely-gooshy reflective type of post, so you should get out while you still can.
Okay, onto the mushy stuff!
I think it's still hard to say what impact my time in Bhutan had on me... I was only there for two months, but it really was a definitive experience. For one thing, it was the first time I had ever moved to a place all on my own without a built-in transition time (which college definitely had) and I'll admit it, I was really scared. What if I didn't make any friends? What if I was way too homesick? What if I hated it? Worse, what if they hated me? (Never mind that I didn't even know who "they" would be...)
Well, none of that happened... for one thing, the Bhutanese are about the friendliest people on the planet, and it felt like everyone in Thimpu was doing their best to make sure I felt as welcome and as at-home as possible (and it totally worked!). It's nice to know, though, that I can manage being dropped off in a country that's pretty different from my own, accomplish what I went there for, and have a really awesome time into the bargain. Doing something like this really forced me to be introspective in order to examine the types of fears mentioned above. Once I realized what was at their roots, I was able to propose (to myself) solutions that not only addressed those specific concerns but more deeply rooted ones that I was carrying unawares and to a certain extent, still carry, but knowingly. I really learned a lot about myself in Bhutan; some good things (I like to make friends!) and some not-so-good things (stick me in an apartment with television and I will have to resist the urge to watch it for HOURS even though I'm in one of the most beautiful places in the world). But since the whole point was a bit of education, I'm happy I picked up some stuff about me along the way.
I also managed to learn some things about the world around me, one of the biggest being that people are very much alike, even if they come from countries that are very different. Bhutan is certainly not America (I don't think anyone would argue with that) and the two countries have two quite divergent cultures. However, I couldn't help but notice how many times I thought "Gosh, X from home would really love to meet Y from Bhutan-- they have so much in common!" I realize that this is super cliche, but it's also true: people are people, no matter where they're from. This is something I've believed for a long time, but it was reassuring to see it so starkly borne out. It seems to me that the troubles begin when we become "the public;" it's like we transition from thinking as people to thinking as a mass, and while people are smart, masses are not. (If anybody has any kind of solution to this problem, please, shout it out.) I realize that this isn't some kind of new or original thought, but for me, it became much more real as I spent more time in Bhutan.
There are many more lessons I picked up in Bhutan (do not trust a Bhutanese person who tells you something is not "that spicy" ; be nice to stray dogs but don't assume they're all just waiting to love on you; walk around a new city as much as possible and ignore the dang TV; try not to miss out on any travel opportunities; accept every invitation that is not sketchy) but it would take way too long to write them all out and examine them. But, using one last Bhutanese philosophy, I'm happy to just let it be. All that learning can nestle inside of me and inform my choices and my self for years to come.
Holla back Bhutan, what what???
Peace,
Liat

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
hi! I agree with u on the 'mass sentiment' thingy. Oh, and I know about that feeling you get that goes "golly, they ARE like us," too. Heppens a lot with me, and everytime it hits me how I always had this notion about certain people, but when you get to know them they are just someone nice you know, or someone annoying.
ReplyDeleteI had great fun reading your blog, so I hope you are not closing it off. Come back to Bhutan, and keep writing here, is my suggestion. :) cheers.
what did Jake have to say one your bitten butt when he got you nude? ha ha ha kidding,
ReplyDeleteCome back soon, we have a gross national happiness to pursue...
Oh what a sweet blog! You are an amazing person (and friend) and we miss you in Bhutan. Keep up the good work and live for your dreams!
ReplyDeleteGlad U back Home In One Piece! (We Really do Practice GNH In Many Myriad Forms U See...And U Certainly Know!) Good To Know What Bhutan Has Done For Ya (Like Bit In The Arse!)! And Not Done...Like Watching the "Dang TV!"
ReplyDeleteCome Back Again L...And Bring Your J With Ya!
Keep Writing...(Infact Could You Do One Full-Piece Of Your Time Here? I'd Be Happy To Have It In The Mag.)
Ciao...LokShulaJayGay!
Di: Wow-- thank you! It's so nice to have people read the blog, and better yet, enjoy it :) And I would love to come back to Bhutan, of course!
ReplyDeletePaSsu: Well, he was surprised, that's for sure ;) My parents also saw the now-scarring wound and were glad I got the rabies shots!
Liz: I'm missing all of you in Bhutan, and you especially! I hope it's not too awkward if I (publicly) tell you that you're a total inspiration to me; proof that it can be done. So keep on keeping on so that I can keep on keeping on... you know? :)
Jigme: Yup-- and I'll probably have a permanent mark on my arse as well! Bhutan has definitely done a lot for me, and I hope to come back and do more... and to bring Jake along for the ride! If you want I could definitely do a piece; just let me know how many words and what kind of theme you're looking for, and I'll do my best not to mess it up too badly :)
It is easier to get than to keep it...................................................
ReplyDeleteDrive carefully. It is not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.............................................
ReplyDelete夫妻私密俱樂部素人自拍無碼女優自拍密錄館正妹無名相簿正妹裸照正妹桌面正妹桌布成人 影片星野亞希 h星野亞季星野亞西主題星野亞西樣式星野亞西桌布星野亞矢星野涼宇星野美由星野akari星空網路聊天室視訊 辣妹go2av免費影片航海王h短片分享go2av免費看影片go2av免費影片18 禁一葉情貼影入口18 成人girl5320免費影片18成人咆哮小老鼠視訊聊天免費成人片免費a片觀看真人野球拳免費聊天交友ut視訊080aa片直播台灣18網免費A片柔情聊天網一對多視訊聊天人妻貼圖
ReplyDelete看看blog調整心情,又要來繼續工作,大家加油........................................
ReplyDeleteIt's great!!..........................................
ReplyDelete看到你的好文章真是開心 加油囉.......................................
ReplyDeleteAll good things come to an end. ........................................
ReplyDelete看後受益良多,謝謝∪ˍ∪........................................
ReplyDelete一個人的價值,應該看他貢獻了什麼,而不是他取得了什麼..................................................
ReplyDelete傻氣的人喜歡給心 雖然每次都被笑了卻得到了別人的心..................................................
ReplyDelete弱者等待時機,強者製造時機~~gogogo ....................................................
ReplyDelete上班好累哦,看看部落格轉換心情~~~先謝謝啦!! .................................................................
ReplyDelete我的老天爺~內容真是太棒了.................................................................
ReplyDeleteQuality is better than quantity..................................................................
ReplyDelete河水永遠是相同的,可是每一剎那又都是新的。.................................................................
ReplyDelete幸福不是一切,人還有責任。............................................................
ReplyDeleteIt takes all kinds to make a world.............................................................
ReplyDelete我們老得太快,卻聰明得太遲。..................................................
ReplyDelete字是活的,人和環境的觀察是活的,思想是活的。不管怎樣,就是要有一兩樣是活的。否則都是平庸。............................................................
ReplyDelete字是活的,人和環境的觀察是活的,思想是活的。不管怎樣,就是要有一兩樣是活的。否則都是平庸。............................................................
ReplyDelete友誼能增進快樂,減少痛苦............................................................
ReplyDelete人並不是生來要吃敗仗的。人可被毀滅,但不可被擊倒。.................................................................
ReplyDelete人生中最好的禮物就是屬於自己的一部份............................................................
ReplyDelete獨居時,要反省自己的過錯;在社會大眾之間,則要忘卻別人的過失。..................................................
ReplyDelete你不能左右天氣,但你可以改變心情.................................................................
ReplyDelete愛情不是慈善事業,不能隨便施捨。.................................................................
ReplyDelete你要保守你的心,勝過保守一切,因為一生的果效是由心發出................................................
ReplyDelete變天了~~注意身體,別感冒囉!............................................................
ReplyDelete肯定與支持你!!!加油囉~..................................................
ReplyDeleteLisanslı,Hızlı Ve Güvenilir Bahis Siteleri...!
ReplyDeleteEn Hızlı Yatırım-Çekim İşlemleri.
Sitemizdeki Casino oyunları EGT lisandı ile en güvenilir casino oyunlarıdır.
Sitemiz Resmi ve Yasal Curacao lisans Sahibidir.
Casinovale Güncel Giris
En İyi Casino Sitesi
Yasal Güvenilir Casino
https://www.casinovalegiris.xyz
www.casinovale-giris.xyz
Hiperwin Giriş
ReplyDeleteHiperwin Yeni Adres
Hiperwin Güncel Adres
Hiperwin
Rulet oyna ve online rulet terimleri, sanal casino oyuncuları tarafından en çok arattırılan terimlerdendir. Bunun başlıca sebebi, ruletin en beğenilen ve kazanç miktarı yüksek casino oyunlarının başında gelmesidir. Kaliteli bir oyun keyfi sunan ve çekim güvencesi veren Hiperwin’de bu popüler oyunda kazanmanız çok kolay.
ReplyDeleteRulet Oyna
Rulet oyna ve online rulet terimleri, sanal casino oyuncuları tarafından en çok arattırılan terimlerdendir. Bunun başlıca sebebi, ruletin en beğenilen ve kazanç miktarı yüksek casino oyunlarının başında gelmesidir. Rulet, kuralları öğrenildiği zaman çok da keyifli bir oyundur. Kaliteli bir oyun keyfi sunan ve çekim güvencesi veren Hiperwin’de bu popüler oyunda kazanmanız çok kolay.
ReplyDeleteRulet Oyna
Trustworthy Online Casino The more people are depending on their electronic devices, especially during the pandemic era, the more they are becoming in search of online adventures. Nowadays, time is like a river and the internet is like the boat makes us floating on it. The internet offers you many opportunities to have fun, to earn money and spend some quality time. One of those options is trusthworthy online casino websites. The best part of it that you can earn money while having goodtime. If you are familiar with casino games or wonder them, you can sign up to Hiperwin and start to play with full security.
ReplyDeleteTrustworthy Online Casino
Eines der beliebtesten Unterhaltungsangebote sind Online-Wetten. Es hat gute Optionen, die Sie verbringen Qualität Zeit und Geld zu verdienen, während das Spielen macht. Außerdem können Sie diese Aktivität mit jedem Gerät, das über eine Internetverbindung verfügt, durchführen. Die Zahl der Online-Glücksspieler nimmt ständig zu, vor allem wegen der pandemischen Einschränkungen und der begrenzten sozialen Aktivitäten. Heutzutage sind die Menschen auf der Suche nach verschiedenen Möglichkeiten, ihre Zeit zu verbringen, und sie treffen ihre Entscheidungen in der Weise, wie sie Geld verdienen können. Dies ist einer der Hauptgründe, warum die Menschen zu
ReplyDeleteOnline Wetten
Hiperwin Oyuncularına sağlamış olduğu geniş oyun ve bahis türü seçenekleri ile güvenilir bir sitede kaliteli zaman geçirmeniz artık mümkün. Yüksek kazançlara giden yolda atmanız gereken ilk adım Hiperwin’e üye olmaktır. Üyelik işlemini tamamlamanız için sitenin ana sayfasında bulunan Kayıt tuşuna tıklamanız ve sizden istenen verileri girmeniz gerekmektedir.
ReplyDeleteHiperwin
Son zamanların popüler bahis sitelerinden biri olan Caddebet, kısa sürede kalitesi ile adını duyurmayı başarmış online bahis sitelerinden biridir. Sahip olduğu popüler ve güvenilir altyapısı ile Klas Bahis ailesine dahil olan bu site, promosyonlarıyla da beğeni topluyor.
ReplyDeleteCaddebet
공주콜걸
ReplyDelete공주콜걸
세종콜걸
총판출장샵
총판출장샵
총판출장샵
고고출장샵
경북콜걸
ReplyDelete장성콜걸
경북콜걸
전남콜걸
전남콜걸
경산콜걸
경산콜걸