I had such an inspiring day. I took a trip out to Lantau Island and saw the Big Buddha statue. The island itself was just gorgeous and the tram up remarkably beautiful. There were a ton of hiking trails all over the island which I’d just love to explore more. The more I think about it, the more I feel I should figure out how to live here. I just love exploring this vibrant city. It’s like the skyscrapers end and then nature begins. It’s just wonderful.

Gratitude List:
Feeling close to God
Plans coming into focus
An exhausting day exploring this wonderful area

I can’t help but feel like something is going on. Something beneath the surface that I haven’t quite grasped or become fully aware of. I catch glimpses of it here and there; I can feel it growing, changing. It’s certainly gotten my full attention, but full comprehension hasn’t quite arrived yet. Sometimes I feel as though I’m on the path of discovering nothing, But in it’s discovery, all will be found and understood.

S and E left today. We are all going our separate ways. Well, they are going their separate ways and I’m staying here for a few more days. I’m so lucky to have met them. Today we went to Stanley Beach and wandered around this chic area of Hong Kong. I had so much fun with the two of them. M also proved to be a great tour guide. I’m grateful to have hung out with him today as well.

Gratitude List:
New old friends
Old new friends
synchronicity

3:30 am… Much better time to go to bed than the 6 am that was last night.

I had the most remarkable day. It wasn’t so much what we did as the company I did it with. Macau was great to visit, but England and Switzerland are really what made it special. I’m so grateful to be able to spend the day laughing and hanging out with them. They are both just so great. And really, I’d underestimated how therapeutic a day of laughing and goofing off can be. Just awesome.

Gratitude list:
England
Switzerland
Laughing my ass off and being silly like usual

Switzerland is so cute. He’s really ignited this passion inside me to find one of my own – this latent desire that hasn’t been seen for a few months. It’s nice to feel in touch with that desire again. Now I just have to stay positive…. Just stay positive.

Gratitude List:
Wanting again
An extremely enjoyable sushi search of Hong Kong at 2 am
Another day to explore this fabulous city

I got the best surprise ever last night. Yesterday’s post was all about heartbreak and loss, but when I got back to my room in the hostel I noticed a note on my bed. It was from Switzerland man! I was able to connect with him and we met up today and spent all day exploring the city. I had a great time with him. We bought tickets for the tour bus and spent the day being driven around the city. It was proved to be a great way to explore and I enjoyed spending time with him. I’m pretty sure he’s straight, but he’s not mentioned women at all so it’s possible (although certainly not likely) that he might swing my way. If nothing else, spending time with him has definitely given me a much clearer idea of what I do want. Basically, a boyfriend.

Gratitude List:
Making new friends
Beautiful, vibrant Hong Kong
Hope I’ll someday find a man to call my own

I’m in Hong Kong.

Sitting in the terminal at BKK waiting to get on my flight I notice this extremely attractive guy traveling alone.

We get on the plane. Surprisingly, he’s not seated next to me. He happens to be seated one seat behind me. I’m sitting in the front of a row near the window with a ton of leg room and no one sitting next to me. Until he asks the flight attendant to move to the seat next to mine which is open. Perfect.

Not only is he adorable beyond comprehension, but he’s really nice, too. Ugh. We talk for a while; he’s Swiss, but he studied in LA for a couple semesters and has since been in Shanghai working and studying architecture. It doesn’t take me 10 minutes to decide not only is he perfect, but we were meant to be together. Forever. I start planning our future lives together.

When the plane lands I ask him to show me into town. We get everything ready and take the train. First we find a hostel he was thinking about staying in, but it’s full so we go to the one where I’ve got a room booked. They do have one for me, but can only accommodate him for 1 night. They show me to my room and I tell him I’ll come right back out and see him. When I get back he’s gone. Haven’t seen him since.

I don’t know why my higher power does these things to me. I mean really, sometimes it just feels cruel and unfair. I haven’t been thinking about dating lately because I feel so gross about how I look and don’t really want to date right now. Couple that with the fact that I’m surrounded by Asians and no men I’m particularly interested in dating and I’ve basically stopped thinking about it entirely. And then bam! I sit next to and get to know that guy. I feel like one of those women who’s clock is ticking who keeps seeing babies everywhere and just wants one more than anything. Or, perhaps, it was meant as some motivational fodder so I’ll get my ducks in a row and possibly be able to date. Maybe it’s a sign my guy is coming. I guess I’ll keep the hope and stick with that. Yeah, let’s stick with that.

Gratitude List:
A renewed interest in the men around me (this could also fall under the “curse” category)
Getting to explore Hong Kong for a bit tonight
A yummy meal filled with things I’ve never eaten before

I’ve had this book, The Artist’s Way, for a couple of years now. I keep meaning to start using it. I moved it from Minneapolis to New Jersey and then Thailand. Last night I finally started reading it. I’ve heard really great things about the book, but just haven’t made the time to read it (or do the exercises). This morning I started doing the morning exercise that is suggested everyone do. After reading the introduction of the book it really gave me hope that I will find it to be beneficial. I’m really hoping it’ll provide some much needed clarity and hopefully a healthy dose of motivation.

So I’ve been taking a magnesium supplement. It makes me tired as hell and I’ve been sleeping excessively since I started taking it – like up to 12 hours a night. I hate sleeping that much. It always brings me back to growing up and the time well into my 20s when I had the hardest time regulating my sleep. I don’t seem to have as much difficulty anymore which I’m super grateful for. Last night I didn’t get as much sleep as I’d have liked, but it wasn’t a struggle to get out of bed. It was much better than it’s been for the last week.

I’m sitting in a cab in the way to the airport now. Hopefully the Bangkok traffic won’t make it too horrible to get there. I should have plenty of time, but I’d rather not get stressed about it. I’m really excited to have a week in Hong Kong exploring. Woohoo!

Gratitude List:
An easier morning
Hope for some creative motivation
Leaving Thailand for the first time in 3 months!

I’ve just not felt much like posting anything lately. Every time I do post it just feels like a chore.

I looked at some of the entrance admission requirements for graduate programs in creative writing. It made me feel a bit overwhelmed. I don’t think I would be feeling that overwhelmed if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m not really doing any writing right now. Maybe in the not so distant future I’ll decide to try to write a short story or two. Hopefully that will happen soon.

I went to the mall and spent a whole bunch of money eating today. For some reason whenever I go to the mall I end up spending more money than I’d anticipated. I also saw a new movie that just came out called “A Big Wedding” or something like that. It wasn’t great, but kept me entertained for a little while and provided me with some space to think.

I’ve also been drawing more lately. I’m not sure why, but I’ve just felt like doing it. I’ve only completed two drawings, but I like them both. I started a 3rd tonight after buying some new pens at the stationary store. I like the pens, but the red is a little different than the red in the pens I was using. I’m sure I’ll get used to them.

Gratitude List:
The desire to draw
Some new pens
Getting out of the house (even if it was only to go to the mall)

I had a really slow start to today. I skyped with a friend in Mpls last night and ended up staying up until 3 am. I set an alarm for the morning, but played the “let’s just hit the snooze button for 3 hours game.” I’m planning to take a shower shortly and get out of here. I’d like to go to the mall. Maybe watch a movie and buy a beard trimmer. I had to throw mine away about a month and half ago because it wouldn’t charge here with the different voltage used in Thailand. It would be great to be able to grow some sideburns again. I miss them.

I also tore off the toenail on my big toe last night. I realized it was going to come off and next thing I new I couldn’t help myself and tore it off. It really didn’t hurt that much, but it did bleed some. Unfortunately now I feel like I should avoid getting a massage or doing anything that would involve someone else seeing it. I’ll also have to wear shoes instead of sandals for a bit. I feel like it would be best to keep covered until it’s at least somewhat healed up.

Gratitude List:
Drawing
Getting out of the apartment today
Watching Pirates of the Caribbean

Yesterday was good. I didn’t accomplish very much, but that’s ok. I’ve spent the last couple of days hanging out with this English guy in BKK who is visiting from Bangladesh. I’ve enjoyed spending time with him. It’s too bad that he is leaving tomorrow, but such is life I guess.

Gratitude List:
Looking forward to more traveling, rather than dreading it
Finally getting a place to stay booked in HK
The occasional run