I knew it would happen eventually but it does feel good, now that it's finally here.
This week, I officially became old enough to get a retirement visa in Thailand. That means I will not have to move there, stay 3 months, leave the country, come back, leave again, come back again. I will be able to apply for a regular, ordinary retirement visa that will allow me to stay for longer periods of time. At this very moment, I don't recall all the specifics but I have them written down. Additionally, the requirements seem to change at the whim of the Thai government.
The fact is I can't just leave at this very moment. There are other things preventing that .. but it is still nice to know that one milestone has been met.
And who would have known fifteen years ago or so that I would fall head over heels in love with a little plot of land in Southeast Asia that's not any bigger than California? Who knew that it would turn my world upside down and change my life completely? It's just dirt and rocks and mountains and streams and waterfalls and beaches ~ all the standard things that make up a land. It's politicians and greedy business people. It's mothers and fathers and kids. Grandparents, aunts and uncles. It's friends. It's people working, loving, living ~ just like everywhere else on the planet. All the same, it has captured me in a way nothing ever has in my lifetime. There's a thread of it running through me.
It's home .. and I miss it the way anyone misses home. Sometimes it's okay. Sometimes I long for it. Sometimes I miss it in a way that feels almost unhealthy because it's so intense.
Most of the time, I'm just grateful it's there. And it will be there when I'm ready to go. Steady. Unchanging. Permanent. Home.
Peace,
~Chani
(Note: I realize this is MILF Friday. I will post about that tonight. :)
~*
Friday, January 26, 2007
Officially old enough for Thailand....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
I hope to visit Thailand one day. Your fascination with the place and your vivid descriptions are motivators. Now if I can only find the time.
Hurray, hurray, hurray! Hope you're kicking up your heels a little.
Your pic reminded me of the little bit of Thailand that's a block away from my house. There's one of the only 3 Thai pavillions outside of Thailand in a botanical garden. It was built by Thai craftsmen, reconstructed by them here and is surrounded by traditional Asian gardens. It's very beautiful and peaceful.
Home. That's such a beautiful word. Some people never find it. Lucky for you-you did.
Standing up and wildly cheering for you!!!!
What is preventing you? Tell me (offline if you prefer) If I can help in any way, I am there. I will. In a hot Thai minute.
Hi Chani! I find home whenever I have a microphone in my hands and a band to accompany me. Since september, I have been attending full-time classes and have not been able to squeeze in even the tiniest little singing gig. I feel empty and dislocated. Something is missing from the very core of my being. I know what you mean. But I can always find home, all I have to do is open my mouth and belt a couple of notes. It's not as easy for you and I am sorry. I'll be cheering on when you find your beloved homeland, you can bet on it!
Happy birthday to you :). Life's journey is one step at a time, now that you crossed one hurdle, look for the next. good luck.
I didn't know about that specific requirement for living in Thailand. How interesting. I hope it works for you and, now that you've overcome the first hurdle, perhaps it won't be too long before your dream will come true.
Happy birthday young lady!
Happy Birthday! May your next be spent in your chosen homeland.
I love your dream. That's so beautiful. And to have one more thing in your corner...that's great. I'll be checking back for MILF.
Yay Chani! I am rooting for you over here in my little snow covered portion of the globe.
And the garden of which Lucia speaks is indeed beautiful.
P.S. I finally updated my blog template and added in the link to you I wanted to!
Happy birthday to you.
And isn't it strange that one can feel at home in a culture so far from where on grew up?
I wish for you that your dream comes true and turns out to be what you hoped for.
Birthday greetings to you. Hope it was a warm and peaceful day.
Doesn't it feel wonderful to clear that first hurdle on your journey? Now it is step, step, step and on to the next one. One small step at a time and you will arrive "home".
Cheering you on from my little corner of the world. You go girl!!!!!
Post a Comment