Giving Thanks

It is Thanksgiving Day and I am sitting on a Beach in Bali, hanging out with amazing friends and soaking up the sun. Is it possible to even try and explain all the things I am thankful for in my life? Don't think so...but I can try.

I am thankful for my family.
Even though they all might not understand my insatiable need to travel, they are supportive. Even though they may be jealous of the experiences I am having, they are excited. My mother is the most amazing, loving, intelligent, understanding, supportive, thoughtful, caring and courageous person I know. She is my ultimate role model in life and probably the major reason I am who I am today and like who that person is. My father is the best life lesson teacher I know. He is amazing at pushing me to me better, encouraging me when I fail, understanding how I work and knowing that I have to go through the wall sometimes, even if there is a helping hand over. He taught me about work ethic and success, and that understanding a person is the greatest gift you can give your self and them. My siblings are all inspirational in here own way. Each one a remind of different ways to walk through this journey of life. They are all intelligent, thoughtful, special people that at times I wish I knew better as friends, rather than as siblings. They have each impacted my life enormously, and taught me that although we may not always agree or get along, we will always love each other and be there for each other. My stepmother and stepsister have only been in my life for a short time, but they have greatly enriched it with their kindness, generosity, outlooks on life and personal successes. I am lucky beyond words for the family I have.

I am thankful for my friends back home.
Even if I don't get to see some as much as I would like, I know I have a strong bond with each and every one. My friends are the richness in my life, the smile on my face that changes an ok day into something special. They are how I measure my wealth, and let me tell you...I am one of the richest people on the planet! I cherish the many conversations over a glass (or bottle) of wine, listening to incredible music together, dancing the night away until we collapse from exhaustion, sharing food, memories, stories, and everything else around a campfire or dinner table or while driving in the car. I am thankful for knowing there is a large number of people who would do whatever is needed if I am ever in trouble or in need. I love being able to share my current traveling experiences with them and know that even though I may travel alone most times, I am not ever far from someones thoughts. I am thankful that I may come back a changed person, but they will still love me. I love knowing that I am loved by the most incredible people I have ever met, and that they chose me to be counted amongst there friends.

I am thankful for the friends I have met while traveling the past 71 days.
Even if I never see them again, I count them as close personal friends. Even if they live on the other side of the planet and speak a different language, I have bonded with some amazing folks. Sitting around campfires sharing life stories, getting lost in the jungle, climbing volcanoes, skinny dipping in the ocean, sunbathing on the beach, trying crazy fruits in a night market, zooming around on motorbikes, dancing the night away at clubs, watching the sun set and then rise again, counting stars in an unfamiliar sky, swimming in waterfalls and sharing 24 hour bus rides from hell are only a few of the amazing moments I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am thankful for the random moments where I desperately need help, or someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on...and this amazing person walks into my life with just the fix. Being picked up from the train station at 4 in the morning my the random guy I met before getting on the train in the previous city, just so I have somewhere to go for the few hours before the bus station opens for my next ride. Having a traveling partner for the first time I am desperately ill while traveling, who brings me noodle soup and makes sure I don't have to go to the hospital. Meting a group of folks when I first hit Malaysia, after traveling alone for almost a month, and instantly adopting me into their pack and making me feel loved.

I am thankful for all the "bright light" moments that put a smile on my face throughout the day.
Sitting in a bus in Thailand and smiling at the woman and child that sat down next to me, who then shared their snacks and we taught each other words in our native language. The random Chinese family at Borobudur, Indonesia that wanted to take pictures with me and each one (including the 80 year old grandma) that hugged me like a long lost child. Walking through the night market in Mersing, Malaysia and seeing a bunch of catfish flop around on the table (don't ask me why but it made me grin in a dirty, boring town). Campfires in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia and discussions about god, religion and life views. Amazing sunsets on deserted beaches. Roti Bom and Martabak in KL, Malaysia. Ten cent McDonalds ice cream cones. Funny looks driving a motorbike in Lankawi, Malaysia with Joonas on the back. Watching 5th graders in Cianjur, Indonesia perform a Pencake Silat demonstration for us while volunteering at their school to help teach English. Feeding monkeys by hand in Railay, Thailand. And so many, many more.

I am thankful for my life and hope everyone that is a part of it knows how much I love them and wish them the best on this day. Thanksgiving - 2009.