All In The First Day Including A Fried Bird....

Our first day in Cambodia started with embracing a moon cake for breakfast as a celebration for the Moon Festival, a day adopted from the Chinese once a year to honor the full moon. We furthered the celebration in the evening with more offerings and lighting special ornaments.

Somehow on my first morning I found myself at the gym with Poau and Sea, our host brother and sister. It was an interesting experience as Garnett was teaching Poau how to swim while I ran on the treadmill. It was funny because I overlooked the pool as I ran and noticed how Garnett was the only White Boy in the pool in a sea of Cambodians.....hillarious!!!

Next was off to the market to meet our host mother, Paula, who sells jewelry. All I can say about this 4 story market is that our trip to Bali in 2010 got me accustomed to seeing a whole bunch of stuff in one place and how to sternly say NO. As Poau took us throughout the market to introduce us to some of her extended family, I realized that we were known as "her foriegner's," similar to the phrase "my bitches" back home.....I mean this all in good humor.

The entire day was not only taking in the smiling faces of Cambodia's present but we also had to recognize that this country is not all sunshine and rainbows, thus we visited the Genocide Museum. This was a former high school that had been turned into a torture camp during the Khmer Rouge Regime during the 70's and now serves as a museum to remember how this country has progressed. I was warned before coming to Cambodia that this would be tough to see but is an important place to visit. I had never visited a place like this where you could still feel the horrors of the events that took place there. It truly brought tears to my eyes and gave me a very sick feeling in my stomach. I left there feeling mentally and physically drained as we have taken in so much of the Cambodian past and present in one day.

On a lighter note, the food improved throughout the day until we ate a baby fried bird at dinner but all I can say is "when in Cambodia...." The country has already found a special place in my heart with the wonderful people. I look forward to taking more in tomorrow. Until then, this girl has to get to bed with the fan on high to cool me off.

With Cambodia I Begin To Listen

A common question about this transition is "what next?" I was recently told a good quote from my husband as he read the book Quantum Warrior. The author discusses his 2-3 year sabbatical to contemplate his career and how he had no other plans but to listen because in taking time to listen we find our answers. His experience resonates with me as that is what I spent two 10-day Vipassana retreats doing this year; being silent with my ears wide open. And with that what clarity can come! Now I borrow his answer to the question, "what next?" I'm Listening.

The first leg of this trip has been about exploring Singapore while also de-stressing from work and the move from NZ. As we now progress to the second leg, and truth be told what I have been looking forward to the most on this trip, volunteering in Cambodia, I begin opening my ears.

I have always wanted to volunteer abroad and to be in a country where I can really get hands on with service. This will be the case as I work with orphans who have been rescued from a landfill.....yes, a working landfill. It seems very hard to believe but not much so after reading Curse Of Cambodia in preparation for our work there. An eye opening book that had me questioning my decision a time or two but I had to reflect back on why my heart has been called to do this in the first place, to serve.

I cannot begin to imagine my life over the next two weeks as I have never been to a third world country. This is where I fully begin to listen.....listen to those in need and listen to how I can open my heart so that I be of service. My yoga practice off the mat, if you will, as I commit myself fully to each moment in experiencing the lives of those very different from myself.

From one listening ear to another.....

Holy Tourist!!!!

Back in the saddle again of traveling.... My first day brought many realizations, such as I no longer live in NZ, I no longer have a home, and that my life will not have it's usual daily schedule of "to-do's." This sent me in some what of a spin I must say. I am one who is always used to doing something and has a good idea of her goals for the day. It gives me a sense of purpose, achievement. What can I say, I love to get things done. In this respect I am getting coached by my husband, as the moment you say the word "vacation" he is already there and relaxed drinking a beer.

Also, I find myself a bit out of place amongst the tall buildings of Singapore searching for some green grass and space, like the land I left just yesterday. But today the Universe has reminded me many times of my place in this transition and with that, I can only laugh.

Holy Tourist! Throughout my first day in Singapore I have constantly been referred to as a tourist by the locals and have noticed how I have even gravitated to the Westerner's restaurant hot spots. You know the ones.....for example in Singapore I did not see one Asian at breakfast and was surrounded by the typical tourist fashion wear. I tried to go with a cute sundress today but to no avail was still mixing in better with the out-of-towners than I was with the Asian Chic. I was also reminded of my tourist status as with all the walking today I remembered that Rainbow flip flops do not work for walking tourists, hence my 7 blisters on my feet. Lastly, I am reminded of my Holy Tourist status as I am in the shopping capital of Asia, I was still stuck buying things that were more utilitarian rather than chic.

As the day went on I embraced that I sit in the unknown and in the life of a traveler. I made some changes throughout the day such as eating lunch in an Asian sushi hot spot and even buying some local facial cleanser. Although, I was alarmed when the sales woman asked if I wanted it to make my skin whiter which is a custom for various Asians. In that respect, this Mexican will not change so I politely said no but not without triple asking to make sure I was not buying the cleanser that turned my face whiter. After living in the cold for the last 3 years I am headed in the other direction.

So today I embrace where I am in this journey and how it has already gotten me out of my comfort zone. I am letting go with no expectation other than to enjoy!

Because I knew You

As a traveler, and in life, you never know what door you might walk through or what turn you take that could change your life. In 2009, for just purely wanting to practice yoga in a hot room to be rescued from cold, windy Wellington, I walked into Hot Yoga New Zealand. It is 3 years later that I reflect on how that space became home to me and the people, my family.

This wonderful community encouraged and challenged me to always bring nothing less than my authenticity to the mat. It was in this process and through their actions that I learned how to let go and to be open to all possibilities; giving me the courage to step out of my comfort zone to teach the art of yoga. I found my self in a new world away from my physical practice to something more expansive. This is a territory that I continue to grow with today, thus the phrase "yoga is a practice, not a destination." I have been blessed to practice and teach yoga with truly inspiring people.

I realize that it is these simple decisions in life that lead you not only to the most amazing experiences but amazing people. I was truly honored to have met my NZ Family and can honestly say "because I knew you, I have been changed for good." Thank you for opening your hearts to me. I am truly just a reflection.....Namaste.

A Time Of Transition

Welcome To Transition Central!  I have been living in New Zealand for over 3 years and after a lot of soul searching, I (along with my husband, Garnett) have decided to relocate back to the USA.  Why leave such a beautiful country that most consider to be Mother Nature's Playground?  Good question.  In February, it became a natural conversation such as the one that led us here in 2009.  We just new it was time.  I have been blessed to have traveled throughout this beautiful country where there is no lack of space.  When I go on my runs it is time that leads me back home, not a lack of space or places to explore.  I have also been fortunate to meet some of the most amazing people who have become family to me and who, as I, love travel and adventure.

Currently, I sit in the place of transition.  The loading dock of travelers.  I leave New Zealand in week and find myself in a place that I can only compare to as a sink, where the water on the outer edge is swirling faster and faster into the center.  That is how I feel momentum is building as this transition begins.  Over last few days I have come to realize that transition is another way of saying you are sitting in midst of change both physical, mental, and emotional.  There are moments of happiness, sadness, excitement, trepidation, curiosity, and the list continues.  Each moment, each conversation, provides a different answer to the daily question of "how are you feeling about leaving?"  I have never been one to love this part of change.  Sitting in transition to me is like a band-aid....."just pull it off already!"  But I made it a point a few months ago when the decision to move was made that I wanted to experience in full this transition and not make myself completely busy and unaware of the process.  Thus, here I am living my roller coaster moment by moment.  I am just lucky to have friends around me who support me in this process. 

I began a blog when I moved to New Zealand to let friends and family know how the transition was going on the other side of the world.  Now, I begin this blog in a similar manner but on a different adventure.  These entries will be to log my transition/travel back to the US.  I will be traveling for 5-6 week across Southeast Asia and Tahiti.  A well thought out trip that includes the sites of Singapore, selfless service in Cambodia, learning through detoxification in Thailand, and ending with a little TLC in Bora Bora.

Stay tuned as the transition and journey unfolds!