nothing much to say

I'm feeling quite bitter as of late. I don't like it at all. Prayers would be appreciated.

Farewell, old friend

As an ATCK (Adult Third Culture Kid), I'm used to change. Nothing will ever be the same because nothing has ever been the same. Because of this constant change, it's quite easy to become attached to material things, as they tend to last longer than people. You might know a person for a year, or up to four years if you're really lucky. Then you, or they, move, and eventually lose touch. That's just the life of a highly mobile global nomad; a blessing and a curse; impossibly good times tied up with abundant heartache. For me life is filled with rich, bold, golden moments and daring adventures, and at the same time, with loss and heartbreak, mainly caused by the most dreaded word of all- "goodbye." Even though everyone changes, everything doesn't always change; you bring a lot of your stuff with you when you move. And so deep sentimental value gets put into stuff, and the highly mobile TCK becomes a pack-rat, or worse, a hoarder. I'm a bit of a pack-rat but I'm really trying to change, because I'm afraid that I'll eventually wind up with so much sentimental value assigned to my stuff that I can't give it up. I'm doing my best to sell some things, give others away, and throw away things that clearly are worn out; but yes, it's tough, and I'm not sure anyone but a fellow third culture kid/global nomad can truly understand. This will probably sound less than sane to many, but today I have to throw out a tough one- a pair of shoes I've had for more years than many friendships have lasted. These shoes and I, we've traveled together, had countless adventures...it really is very sad to let them go. But in all practicality, they're somewhere around 8 years old and completely worn out. I have to throw them out or I really will become a hoarder. So, here's to you old friend. Here's to all the adventures, all the times in confusing situations in foreign countries, all the stress, all the happiness encountered, all the "peace in a bottle" moments, all the mountains climbed...farewell old friend, and may your successor be granted even grander adventure.

The shoes and I in ancient Corinth, Greece

The shoes and I at the top of Mt. Tsukuba, Japan.

The shoes and I in a Cedar of Lebanon at Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland

The shoes and I in Fort Knox, Maine