Chatty little Doddle Bug

From the back country of Asia to the back country of America.

All in a month’s time.

there and here.

The past three weeks have been a bit of a blur. I said goodbye to my students. I wrapped up my time in Burma, and in Thailand. I flew. A lot. I visited the ones I love in California, Oregon, Washington, and now, Idaho. I left the warmth and humidity of Asia, and traded it for rain, snow, and temperatures that have kept me in layers.

I’ve ached for the things that feel lost after this year, and I treasure the things that I’ve learned.

Since traveling to the NW to see family, I’ve kept a pretty low profile. I hope that’s ok.

I’ve read. I’ve laughed. I’ve processed the past eight months. I’ve photographed. I even broke my camera. Womp womp.

For those of you who’ve asked, “what are you doing now?”… know that the work I’ve been apart of is far from over, and I am still deeply committed to it. I’m also aware that I can’t work for free (or nearly free) forever. I also want to be better at it—-the work, that is.

I don’t have many answers yet, and though that feels extremely revealing, it also feels very honest. And that’s what I want to be. Honest.

So for those of you who may be bummed because I haven’t called to let you know “I’m baaaaack”, A) don’t stay bummed, because I heart you, and B) the phone works both ways.

Twenty eleven. Ready or not, here you are.

I’m baaaaaack…

and it’s been a crazy few days. It feels great to be back in America, and at the same time, I’m already missing the people I love in Asia. I have a lot more than this to say, but for now I will just thank you all for praying with me (and for me), and for making me feel so loved as I wrestle through jet lag and other fun stuff like that.

Highlights since I’ve been home: A) visiting LA, San Diego, and Portland/Vancouver within my first three days in the USA. Whew, talk about a little overwhelming. B) Drinks that taste like Christmas (pumpkin spice, gingerbread, and the vanilla chai I’m currently sipping on). C) JEANS. Sounds weird, but it’s great to have by jeans back, and to not be too hot to put em’ on.

Merry Christmas!

Grateful to be feeling grateful…

Do you ever feel that just when you get a ‘plan’, the carpet gets yanked out from under you? The past several weeks have felt like a series of carpet yanking mini-disasters. But, in the midst of frustration, disappointment, and loss, I’ve been feeling grateful. And I’m grateful for that. 

In September, I committed to staying at the Thai/Burma border until December. I had high hopes. I would teach, I would document, and I would come down from the mountain having given solid medical English training, armed with compelling footage and photos that will move people towards engaging in what’s happening here.

In mid October, I flew to Malaysia to get a new visa so that I could extend my stay. I thought I’d be out for a week—-taking some time to stop in Mae Sot to work on some things with our friends at Compasio. I’d spend a couple of days resting in Chiang Mai and catching up with the outside world (who I sometimes feel has forgotten me since I can go weeks at a time without having the ability to contact my friends!).

Then the border closed.

WHAT? But I had a PLAN! I’d been raising money to stay and teach, and a border closure was not part of the deal! And quickly I was reminded that though the border closure was inconvenient for me, that’s all it was. Inconvenient. For thousands of others, it has been much more intense than that.

(Insert attitude adjustment here).

Recently a team of four flew in from Murrieta, CA. They too were supposed to be heading up the mountain to train these students that are just hungry for knowledge. Their plans were spoiled too. But then, like a rabbit being pulled from one of those sketchy black hats, someone had the idea that we could FILM our training. Maybe we would not be able to get inside, but the information could.

So this week, I’ve gone from pity party/lonely/bored to renewed/surrounded by awesomeness/needing an intern. We’re filming a series of about 16 trauma videos (they’re short, people. This is no Hollywood). I’m so excited that it worked out for me to be here during this—-because resources like this can/will benefit not only the students, but others who so desperately want medical training.

And in a land where medical training is VERY hard to come by, this is like gold.

So, for those of you who have given of your finances, prayer time, and/or moral support, I thank you. It means more than my words can express, and I’m humbled that you care to engage in this wild journey.

I am hopeful that the border could reopen, and that in a week’s time we could be making the crazy drive back up that beautiful and tragic mountain.

until then, I’m just grateful to be a part of it all.