Farewell to Bangkok

I certainly have not fully processed that we aren't going back to Thailand. Between the constant parties and joyful reunions, there simply hasn't been time to think about the enormous shift happening in our lives. It hits me sometimes that I'll likely not see many of the people who used to be constant figures in my daily life. In some cases that's a great thing. In others, it's heartbreaking. Some of the hardest goodbyes were of course to our close friends, my yoga family and somewhat strangely to our security guard and familiar mototaxi drivers. As I write this, a sad, empty feeling washes over me wishing to be back in the colorful, lively environment of our home in Bangkok. But quickly I remember the feeling that it was time to leave. At least for now. That still doesn't remove the aching feeling of wishing I could go back to one of my favorite yoga classes, eat deliciously cheap food on the street with beer in a cup with ice, feel the wind in my hair on the back of a moto and soak up the energy of the most chaotic city I've ever been to.

Our life in Bangkok was amazing. It was stressful. It was sweaty; it was wet. It was simple; it was complicated. It was sweet and it was smelly. It was isolating but inviting. It was thrilling; it was scary. Bangkok was our home and now it's just a memory. A place we may never go to again, but even if we do, it will never be the same.

To say I'm grateful for the good times and the bad, for the lessons learned and perspective forever changed is an incredible understatement, but it's all I can put into words right now. Thanks to everyone who made that chapter of our lives so special and rewarding. Words will never be enough, but the fullness and simultaneous void in my heart will always remind me of that most fascinating and lively 'City of Angels.'

Bye bye, sleepy dog in 7-11.

Namaste, Apple:
One of my favorite yoga teachers.

Miss you so, Beini!

Adios, buddies.

Good luck, Bangkok Warriors.

Thanks for being our Thai family :)

Until next time, Coach Sam.

Lazy Days in Phuket

Here's a post that should have gone up ages ago. From one of my last hurrahs in Thailand, it's fun to read through and remember the life we used to live there. I'll be retroactively sharing some more photos from our recent adventures in upcoming posts to get us caught up. Shout out to my travel buddy, Beini. Missing our beach vacays and laziness so much as autumn sweeps over the Pacific Northwest.

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As soon as I confirmed my final day of work (a few days before Sam because I had extra personal leave that I hadn't taken yet) I made plans with Beini to have a girls trip. She has Thursday/Fridays off so often doesn't have anyone to travel with, so we were pumped to get another mini holiday in the books. We both love the beach, so decided to fly down to Phuket and treat ourselves to a perfectly lazy couple of days. Our hotel was absolutely lovely and it was fun to be in holiday mode, sipping beers and coconuts, watching the tourists go by and enjoying being one of them.

The view from our room!

We had no idea what to do with this much space in the room.

My permanent location on the beach,
listening to the joyful shrieks of parasailers.

A lot less scary to practice headstand in the sand.

Another pool at the hotel.

Back in the USA

Hey, strangers! We've been stateside for almost two months now (woah) and are only just now winding down from the excitement of seeing everyone and transitioning into the next chapter. It's been far too busy to check my phone during this time let alone share stories on the blog, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Seeing our families and friends again has been a constant celebration without much time to reflect. Now as I sit in our lovely 'garden suite' at Chez Rathbone, I'm noticing the range of emotions going through me right now: overjoyed to be reunited with family, excited to be at the start of our 'West coast or bust' journey, anxious to see how it will unfold, missing my friends and the warm weather of Bangkok and generally hypersensitive to how I'm experiencing events/interactions in the US with the new lens of our life in Thailand to see through.

200lbs of luggage + nearly 48 hours later: we're back.

Here's a hodgepodge of photos from our time in the US so far, which has taken us from Chicago to Boston to NYC to Sarasota, FL to Urbana, IL to Peoria, IL back to Chicago and now to Seattle. We are so lucky to have been able to spend this wonderful quality time with so many people we love and have missed while we were on the other side of the globe. Cheers to you all!

Special thanks to Jon, Sarah, Anna and George for creating a lovely, relaxing space for us to call home in Seattle where I can look through photos and re-enjoy all the happy times from the past few weeks.

FIRST TIME WE'VE ALL BEEN TOGETHER... EVER!

All her cousins celebrating Anna's #2!

'help'

Happy boy

These cuties!

Cousin Jackie is the best host in Boston!

Boston Commons on a perfect summer day.

Inside the Massachusetts State House

The Wheelers!

Congrats cousin Tim and Stephanie :)

Wheeler cousins!

Lobstah on Cape Cod. YUM!

Amazing NYC hosts, Will and Meredith.

Becoming Mets fans w/ Will and Brian McD.

Sarasota early bird dinner with Grandma Anne.

Siesta Key sunset.

Rendezvous w our BKK friends and their new babe!

Taking Eneko to Kam's.

Downtown Peoria at sunset.

With my sweet boys and Taid at Navy Pier!

Happy pool time at the Wheelers.

A gorgeous welcome to Seattle.

Seattle's Golden Gardens w friends.

Afternoon walks w Anna and George.

Seattle Center w Anna

...to be continued... :)