Monthly Archives: June 2011
Leaving, On A Jet Plane
It’s just after midnight on June 18th. I leave for Thailand today! I should be sleeping, seeing as how I have to get up at the butt-crack of dawn. But I’m sitting here with a million thoughts running through my mind. So I figured I’d throw up a quick post to say just that. I’m packed and ready to go. I made lists and checked them, and I’m crossing my fingers that I didn’t forget anything. Either way, I suppose it doesn’t matter, so long as I don’t forget my passport and debit card (kind of important, you know). Well, that and my Xanax. I tell you, that stuff is a lifesaver for a freaked out flyer like me.
The next time I post, it will be from another country. Until then, I’ll leave you with the song that’s been flying through my head for the past hour. With the exception of one line, it has nothing to do with my own situation, but it’s the only song I can think of that relates to traveling. Thus, here you go. (Plus, this is a super pretty cover of the original.) See you on the flip side, peeps!
Thoughts on Writing and Traveling
Most of you know I’ve been in a rut when it comes to writing. I’ve been lost. I haven’t known what to write about for months. Hence, I’ve been writing bits and pieces, here and there. Nothing coherent. Nothing that really speaks to me. I struggle to put pen to paper (or rather, fingers to keyboard). The only time I seem able to write without reservation has been when I journal. Which is awesome but does little to assist in developing my next writing project.
But today, as I added another entry to the journal, I realized something. Journal writing actually is the key to my next project. Here’s what I’m going to do (and I must say, I’m pretty excited about it). I’m bringing writing materials with me to Thailand. I fully intend to document the whole trip. Feelings, experiences, adventures. Good days, bad days, in between days. I’ll write anything I please. Anything that comes to mind, that inspires me. Some of it will appear on my blog. But not all of it. Just the stuff I’m comfortable with.
The biggest reason for documenting my trip will be to keep a record of everything I experience, to be able to look back one day and remember this time in my life. But the other reason is that I have a sneaking suspicion my journals will make excellent material for my next book project.
I don’t know yet if I will write something true to life or if I will use my journals to develop a fictional story. But I know for sure I have a story to tell. I don’t want to tie myself down to a particular type of writing. If I end up wanting to spill my guts for all to see, perhaps I’ll write something of a travel memoir. If not, I’ll spice it up with lots of goodies and make it fiction. Maybe the main character will be a teen. Maybe he/she will be an adult. Maybe I’ll tell it from my perspective. Maybe not. I don’t know yet. And that’s the really exciting part. I feel amazingly good about having a foundation to build and even better about not feeling tied to one particular genre. I’m going to let it evolve into what it’s meant to be. I won’t force it. I’ve let go of expectations.
Mary Carroll Moore, one of my favorite blogger/writers, talks a lot about using islands when she starts writing her books. Islands are essentially non-sequential, dramatic moments in a book. They are the pieces-parts. They’re not in any particular order. You write a piece when the moment strikes you. You don’t worry about how it will fit with the story or what the purpose of it is.
That’s pretty much how I plan to use my journal entries. Each will be it’s own island. When my trip comes to an end, I’ll print out all of my entries and start looking for story and structure. I’ll decide the genre. I’ll do the hard work of bringing it all together. Until then, this part is cake. It’s writing without reservation. Without holding back. Without worrying about the outcome.
And I’m excited for that. I’m really, really excited!
Fremont Street Experience (Or, The One in Which I Go Ziplining!)
I’m always excited to report the checking off of an item from the bucket list. And, wooho, I get to do just that today! A month or so ago, I was going over my list with Angela, talking about how I needed to check more things off (and trying to talk her into doing as much as possible with me). We got to number 4, go ziplining, and Angela immediately pointed out that a new zipline just opened up on Fremont Street. So of course we had to go!
We celebrated Angela’s 30th birthday a little early on Saturday night (seeing as how I’m going to be on a plane headed for Thailand next Saturday, her actual birthday). We went to an awesome Italian restaurant on the northwest side of town called Mezzo. (If you go, check out the eggplant parmesan. It’s SO yummy.) And then off we headed to Fremont Street.
Before I even get into the ziplining, let me just tell you. If you like people watching, OMG, this is the place to go. The tagline should go a little something like this: Fremont – Where the Freaks Come Out at Night. Seriously. I had to check the sky for a full moon. Was someone playing a trick on us? Had we walked back to 1983? Were we in a time warp? It was hilarious. If you’re entertained watching the crazies, check out Fremont Street. You won’t regret it.
But anyhow, I digress. Ziplining! So I wasn’t nervous at all as we waited in line. And looking at the top of the scaffolding (the launch ramp) from the bottom, I still wasn’t nervous. As a matter of fact, I managed to buy my tickets, ride the elevator to the top of the building, stand in line while curiously glancing over the edge and even climb to the top without getting nervous. And then they made me walk to the hooking-in point. At which point, I totally got nervous. They asked us to stand on a little stool in order to latch us onto the zipline wire, and I looked over at Angela asking, “Who thought this would be a good idea?”
I swear. Sometimes I get myself into these situations and wonder how the heck they happened. It’s not as if I don’t know I’m afraid of heights. Or that adrenaline rushing activities make my stomach queasy. Nonetheless, I think I like to push myself. And although I was nervous, I was also pretty damn excited. (And pretty damn proud of myself for being up there.)
Brian, the guy that pushed me off the deck, checked my equipment and sent me flying. And I screamed. And laughed. And went gliding down the wire, across one street and onto Fremont Street. It was so much fun! And really quite hilarious, plus a little scary, when I stopped just before reaching the landing ramp. Instead of gliding in peacefully to the landing, I started to roll backwards. And then I started to roll faster – back to the starting point as opposed to the ending point. The operator on the other end tried to bounce the wire (or something like that) to get me to come back, but it didn’t work. He ended up having to latch himself onto the wire, scoot himself upside down on it, hanging somewhat like a monkey, connect a wire to me, and pull me in on his own. Which turned out to be awesome and all totally just lent to the experience.
It was fun! I would definitely go ziplining again. And I would totally recommend it!
Happy Early Birthday, Angela!!
Thailand Bound
Okay. I’ve been wanting to share this for a while. But I also wanted to be sure things were really happening before I let it out. Here goes. I have officially leaped! Long story short, I was offered a full-time teaching position with the school I work for. I accepted. Perhaps more import to this story is that a friend living in Thailand invited me to visit over the summer. And you’ll be proud. It took me about half a second to think about it and answer with a resounding YES.
It sort of worked out perfectly that I accepted the teaching position just before I was offered a chance to do some serious summer traveling. Having the teaching contract gave me the comfort of knowing I wouldn’t be jobless upon return. And having someone awesome to help me figure out the trip gave me the confidence I needed to jump at the chance to travel.
So. On Sunday, I booked a 50-day trip to Thailand. I leave on June 18.
Yes, you read that right. That’s next week! I’m sort of running around like a crazy person, making sure I have everything I need and attempting to do a small amount of trip planning before the plane takes off.
I have little idea what to expect. I do know a few places I’d like to see. But the rest, I’m leaving up to the moment. Luckily, that friend staying in Thailand right now has been there before and happens to be somewhat of a professional traveler. I have no doubt that even when I jaunt off on my own, he’ll be able to give me lots of direction. It’s sort of the perfect first big trip for me. I’m going solo, but I won’t be alone. I’ll be in great company.
After I pressed the submit button and purchased my plane tickets, I had a small moment of freak-out. OMG. This is actually happening. And, yes, I’m still a little nervous. But mostly, I’m just seriously excited. For so many reasons, this is absolutely the perfect thing for me right now. So much so, I’m having a hard time focusing on everything I need to get done before I go. Like I have to grade final projects and final exams. I have to do some prep for biology class next year. And I still have another job that I’m committed to until the 17th (and I want to do a good job each of those days).
But at the same time, I sort of want to run down the street, with my hands in the air, screaming, “Woohoo! I’m actually going!!”
While I’m gone, I hope to blog regularly and update you with pictures and stories. I’ll tell you all about my adventures in Thailand (and Cambodia and, who knows, maybe Laos). Seriously, peeps, I’m so excited. So, so excited.
So send me good vibes. Have I mentioned how terrified I am of flying? No worries. I’ve got my Xanax (my favorite flying partner). This is all going to be such an awesome experience. I just know. I can feel it.
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