The Best Things in Life aren’t Things

Security. Advancement. Good salary. Am I really going to quit this good paying engineering job? These were just a few of the many thoughts whirling through my mind around this time last year. Leaving my job was uncomfortable, but deciding to leave my job, the States and everything I’d known for the past twenty-eight years was just crazy. Amidst the farewells and the going away parties I’d sometimes think, it would be cool if I could bring my friends with me for a while. Several of my friends and family said “We’re coming as soon as you get settled.” I would smile and then the pessimism would take over. Okay, sure. They don’t realize that it takes two days to get there. Plus, how’re you going to get enough vacation time to make the trip worthwhile? American workers receive little vacation compared to other countries where 6 weeks of paid leave, national holidays, and gap years are the norm. Perhaps that culture of constant work is what has made the country so great. However, it can be deflating to the travel’s spirit when you see co-workers acquiescing to that culture by bragging about staying at the office late or not using their allotted vacation time. I didn’t want to get to the end of my life with a long list of what ifs, so I set off on my journey with hopes of seeing my friends abroad. I didn’t want to be disappointed, so I didn’t set my hopes too high. In spite of my quiet skepticism, my friends starting showing up in Thailand less than a month after I arrived.

First, it was the fellas trip to Bangkok. I was surprised to have visitors so early. I had not yet explored any of the city myself. However, after 2 consecutive nights of greeting the sun, I acquired a fair amount of knowledge in regards to Bangkok nightlife. Next, my childhood best friend, his wife, and 2 more friends formed the second group. That 2-day flight must be getting shorter. Not only did the second group visit, but my students were fortunate enough to receive guest lectures from them. My heart soared with pride as I also sat in the back of the class and listened to my friends lecture. For many of the students these were the first minority Americans they had spoken with beside myself. Subsequent to the second group, the girls arrived in a pack of 6.  I thought I had experienced most of the city and then one Saturday afternoon I found myself with an apron on in a Thai cooking class with the girls. The culmination of the visits was greeting my mom and sister at Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) Airport this past month. While waiting for them at the airport I had a ball of exciting/nervous energy bouncing around inside of me. It is the same sort of  ball that bounces inside of you before a sporting competition. Comparable to the energy at the start of a game, once they arrived it was indeed invigorating.  I had some Bangkok firsts with the family including a massage at the high end Healthland and a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. The smile I had on my face was in concrete.

I met the majority of my friends while in college. The gratitude I have for them and my family cannot be expressed in a language. They have always been there for me and encouraged me to travel, from my father taking me on my first airplane ride,  to a college friend providing a free room in Singapore. My appreciation has only grown by being away from the majority of them for the past year. I do not take my friends for granted. I realize that some people are not as fortunate. When I lived in the States, I would take as many trips as I could. I had a co-worker that would always ask “Who are you going there with this time?” In a knee jerk manner, I would reply “My friends from school.” He would just look at me blankly and say “I don’t keep in contact with any people from my college.”  These same friends started traveling to Thailand and I am grateful for all the visits. I am clearly aware of all the financial, and time sacrifices required to travel across the world.

I am still amazed at the willingness of my friends and family to spend 2 days traveling to come visit me in Thailand. Thanks for proving my initial pessimism incorrect. Thank you more so for the splendid memories that can’t be taken from me. Having so many visitors reminds me of a quote from by best friend’s stepfather, “If you need help on the moon, I’ll be on the next thing going to the moon.” I feel like my friends and family would go to the moon for me and I the same for them.

Cheers to (in order of visit)
Jared, Marcus, Brayboy, Melvin, Asha, Smitty, Britni, Joce, Eb, Jen, Robyn, Kia, Kelly, Mom, MyyA, & Shanita (aka Zenobia)

I am always trying to add to the list. Who is next?
Ruru, Shannon, Debra, Lawrence, Kentae…