Sun Valley

We spent just under 3 days in Fairfield and then made our way to Hailey. Jason showed me around the town where he grew up. We took the day to explore the freakishly clean and friendly community where brilliant housing designs and outstanding landscapes convey exclusive and eccentric originality, features that I totally admire. I would have loved to share pictures of Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Britney Spears, or Shaquille O’Neal’s houses, since they all happen to be locals in Jason’s old neighborhood, but after I thought about how unimportant that really is, I passed on the opportunity. Instead, I focused my photographic energy on Galena Mountain. 

Yes, Jason hit me right in the face with this snowball.

Wide Open Spaces

How could you possibly explain the pure exquisiteness and perfection of nature?

The aroma of crisp fresh air, the jingles of bees buzzing and birds singing, the sensation of the sun’s intense rays and the wind’s sporadic breezes, the flavor of organic fruit and garden-fresh vegetables, and the view of lush green land and untainted mountain ranges are inimitable. My senses instantly fall in love with the new surroundings. This tour through Idaho has been absolutely refreshing to say the least. The wide open land, freedom, and lack of restrictions on the ranch diminish the feeling of stress and erase the pressures of society.  I am able to just step outside and remind myself of who I am and what I want to be.

Jason continuously asks if I’m bored here, I think he may have been jaded from the minute we arrived. But for me, this is all brand new and very interesting. There’s no easy escape to man-made attractions; malls, parks, coffee shops, movie theaters, or bars. We are far from any sort of development or civilization and I think there is striking beauty in that when you think about it. After a few days with his parents in their own territory, I believe they subliminally provide a priceless message: identify what’s most important to you, eliminate as much as you possibly can of everything else - no wasted time, no fluff, no regrets.

 

 

Turn the Radio up and we’ll Sing

What would a 1000 mile road trip be without gnarly accidents, two hour long traffic jams, 105 degree weather, and speeding tickets? I think a little too ordinary. We certainly faced some unique extremities over the past 48 hours on our trek up north but some feel good tunes, stimulating company, and extraordinary scenery eased any discomfort. I was so very skeptical about the thought of my car traveling so far in such a short amount of time but you know what? Life is all about taking chances.  It’s about doing something you initially thought you could never do.  It’s about being a little crazy, following your heart, and not worrying about every detail of what could go wrong. We arrived at the ranch safe and sound, welcomed by loving faces, open arms, and home cooked meals. We couldn’t have asked for more.

 

Another Step Closer

Our visas have arrived! Much earlier than expected and such a massive relief. What a tedious process it has been for each of us to obtain this one document but as it always turns out, well worth the effort. When combined with our work permits, we will be official and legal teachers within Thailand. I came across this little quote the other day and I sensibly believe it sums up our journey thus far. “Hard work and determination have made it easy. That is our secret. That is why we win.” :)

Last week we attended a Teach Abroad Webinar. We learned what we can do to ensure a smooth farewell and harmonious arrival. In just one hour, we gained knowledge about what we need to bring, what we should not bring, what we will be expected to wear, how we will get around, what teaching supplies we will be given, how orientation will be arranged, what communication capabilities will be available, etc. We then proceeded to discuss exactly what we will need to cancel, store, sell, and basically rid ourselves of over the next 13 days. It was a rather liberating conversation. Jason sold his 4-Runner and we have been solely dependent on the old green Volvo. This alone has been an interesting experience. It so quickly and blatantly revealed just how flexible we can be when challenged by considerable change. I have no doubt that we can and will stay balanced and rational through the upcoming culture shock.

As I pick up my traveling backpack, I think about how truly amazed I will be to figure out what I can fit into this very limited space. Even more so, I think about how surprising it will be to find out what I can justifiably and effortlessly leave behind. Although our return plane ticket already states that October 24th will be the date of our US homecoming, we really cannot wrap our minds around the idea of coming back so soon. We frequently joke back and forth about making the right connections with the locals of Bali and lining up some type of work enabling ourselves the time and funding in order to live on the unbelievable beaches until something like 2015.

Hey, it could happen.

"We are in fact what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."