how lovely is this nothingness that is everything

The title of this blog entry is a phrase that came to mind while we were in the Upper Peninsula just outside of Paradise... I'm not sure if I'd heard it somewhere before, or if it's something I came up with on my own, but either way, I love its truth. "How lovely is this nothingness that is everything." We were in a place that felt like the middle of nowhere, and it filled me with happiness.

We are homeless by choice this summer, always with the option of staying at our parents' homes or crashing with amazing friends (thank you, betsy, phil & becky, nancy, and jenny!) or chillin' in our home-sweet-tent. My car is a disastrous mess of biking gear, clothing, and random finds. We have stinky clothes, because even though we tend to bring a lot with us, we feel most comfortable in biking tops and running shorts... And I always seem to wear the same t-shirt and skirt when I do "dress up". So, we bring a delightful earthy smell with us everywhere we go. :) The car smells a bit vinegar-y on top of the exercise odor, because a bottle of kombucha exploded while we were on beaver island... oops.

I recently learned that Americans breathe much more quickly than some other developed nations. An educated friend informed us that one country's citizens (I cannot recall which one) average 8 breaths in a minute, while we average something like 15 or more. Soooo, I have started slowing down my breathing, and amazingly, it has helped me "let go" of the small stuff more easily. Breathing deeply settles the soul, it seems.

Nate's band played at the Beaver Island Music Festival last weekend, and it was such a fantastically relaxing environment... All of the motorists waved at us happily as we bicycled to the festival (such a change from the mainland's dirty looks!), and the pace of life was slow. And soon I will post a couple of photos to show you the beauty of the forest setting!

Last night, we sat on the dock with Jenny and Will, overlooking Cedar Lake (jenny's family's cabin!) and the darkening sky lit up with pinkish lightning blobs. It lasted for probably 3 hours before any rain came, so I imagine we must have sat there from about 9 until midnight, in awe of nature's beauty and power.... And don't worry, we laughed a lot too. :)

i want to ride my bicycle, i want to ride my bike...

(queen fun song, if you didn't notice)

So, we cruise up to GR and up north on Saturday, then depart from Kalkaska on a bicycle trip... We have about two weeks to head up to the Upper Peninsula and tour around there, then back down to the Kalkaska/TC area. I am very very excited and ready for some time with minimal possessions-- Just my man, our bicycles, a tent, and no luxuries. LOVE IT.

downsizing life

Funny to realize how little most possessions actually matter. We have been steadily stocking Goodwill for the past 3 months. The boxes come and go from the kitchen, and the cats take full advantage of new cozy sleep spots. We keep the essentials: books, movies, photos, and very few decorative items. I am continuously appalled by my wardrobe, which maintains a status of HUGE despite the many clothing-filled boxes given away. Old t-shirts lead to the greatest separation anxiety, and luckily they have helped us pack up wine glasses safely (any excuse to avoid saying goodbye to the soft comforting tees).

Another tricky thing is categorizing our "keeps"... Storage unit for next two years, storage unit only until we leave for the UAE, keep up here but only until school is out, storage unit but only until we bicycle away from K-zoo in mid-June, etc. It overwhelms my brain at times.

I

"It's no use trying to pretend that mostpeople and ourselves are alike.

Mostpeople have less in common with ourselves than thesquarerootofminusone.

You and I are human beings; mostpeople are snobs."

-e.e. cummings

Here I am, and this is what you've got... Me. Simple me, quirky me, chaotic me, watching you, watching me.

Funny how I thought everyone would think badly of me when I made these crazy life decisions to change, change, change. I imagined people looking down on me, wishing bad, making fun. And instead people have applauded me, encouraged me, and embraced my Change.

I began searching for the Why and discovered my luckiness in the midst of this adventure-ready peace of mind... Luckiness becacuse I indeed have managed a re-do in a world where everyone is afraid to confront mistakes. Yes, most of my friends are supportive because they love me, but there are definitely a number of people who applaud me simply because I courageously accepted my do-over opportunity. I was brave enough to acknowledge my unhappiness and change direction. And now, here I am, choosing to live life a little more selfishly, seeking out happiness.


"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people that have come alive."
-Howard Thurman

where in the world??

I realized that last map was probably a bit zoomed in for some of you to actually be able to visualize Abu Dhabi/Al Ain's location in the Middle East, so here's a better one...

small scoop

**Al Ain is the small city directly east of Abu Dhabi on the border of Oman!**

So a lot of you have been asking for "the scoop" on our future in the UAE and our upcoming adventure in the Middle East, with an estimated departure date of August 2010. The contract has now been signed, scanned, delivered (by email)! (Hopefully you got that little motown reference.) I will be teaching for 2 years in Al Ain (the guy who interviewed me said we'd like Al Ain best) for the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC). I will teach early elementary (probably first grade).


Nate and I are both free spirits, in a sense, and neither one of us is deeply in love with winter... So, we decided to search for opportunities overseas. The ADEC opportunity was the best one in many ways. Most well-paying overseas gigs are in private schools, which I didn't want. Even though I will still probably be teaching a lot of rich kids, at least they will be locals who can teach me tons about their culture! I found the ADEC teaching positions listed on the Teach Away website: www.teachaway.com Teach Away is the recruitment agency for ADEC.


Anyhow, although it seems kind of insane for the two of us to be heading to the richest area of the world, the experience should be pretty incredible... They are undergoing huge educational reform (which is exciting and challenging), Nate and I get to learn Arabic, there are outdoorsy things to do (desert camping, mountains in Oman, camel rides...), we'll experience life in a Muslim country, I'll still be teaching in a public school system, and we'll be able to save an amazing amount of money (so that we can then buy our plot of land somewhere and a yurt!). Plus, I figure if we make some good money working the richest area of the world, we'll then be able to travel and volunteer in some of the poorest areas of the world.

pinch me please?

Please ignore the university logo at the top of the page... Instead, please feast your eyes on the surrounding landscape and images. This is Al Ain, a city Nate and I may soon call "home".

I intend to keep you posted.

My interview was absolutely amazing yesterday... or else I wouldn't be on here teasing you with bits of the UAE.

So, consider this an invitation to be patient and stay tuned.