Perspective

We often say that 'it's all in how you look at things' or 'perception is reality'.  Each of us define the framework of those thoughts with our DNA and life experience.  It's what makes the world go round and creates our global diversity.  Great stuff, right?  Could not agree more and it's core to every one's life and will be totally relevant to my PC experience.

I read a post from Vanuatu last night and have been processing it since.  It bothers me.  It makes me want to cry.  I know 'modernization' has happened and is happening the world over, but seeing familiar fast food logos on the streets of Lima or Leipzig, for example, has always bothered me.  When you travel to new places, you want to see 'different': you want to view local culture, local business and products and what that locale and citizens contribute to the global diversity.  

I do like technology and it will enable me to keep in touch during my service.  I don't eat Doritos and have no intention of searching them out in Tonga.  Thank you STEBLOG for making me aware and giving me warning. I have no answers to any of this.  Does all this culture pollination make a better world?  The man with diabetes probably doesn't think so.  To a child discovering the wonders of the internet, I'm sure there's joy.  All I know is that right now, I need a Kleenex.  I hope they don't have those in Tonga.

Maybe one can't change the world, but one can change someone's life.

Laugh.Cry.Appreciate.

MK Squared: 2 Ways to Rock out in Tongan Style

MK Squared: 2 Ways to Rock out in Tongan Style

The hardest Job I'll never love.

Going on a trip is fun.  Moving to a new environment is energizing.  Packing to get there just isn't fun.

I have never liked packing things up and cannot figure out how as beings with a brain we get into these situations.  How many times in the last couple of weeks have I exclaimed to self and the cat "I still have that?" or more accurately "Why do I still have that?"

I'm not a hoarder and would never qualify for a reality show on the subject.  I have donated a lot of unused clothing to Big Brothers and household items to the local women's shelter.  I thought I had things under control.  But, like dust bunnies under the bed, I keep finding articles that make me question if I was really looking at 'cleaning out' correctly.  My method was always to follow the HGTV advice that if you haven't used it in the past year, discard.  Clearly that hasn't worked.  Possibly because I lose track of the days in a year and I've also come to realize I only see the bigger items.  Now I'm talking gadgets, candles, old anti-virus discs, printer cables that haven't seen 'in to printer' in years.  You know what I'm saying?  I did recycle old computer equipment a few weeks ago and now have to see if they'll take the myriad of cables and hook ups that have been uncovered.  My methodology now is to ask "Do I want to see this same item in two years when I unpack everything?"  It makes the process somewhat easier and keeps the recycling and garbage collector guys wondering what the heck is going on.  It also has earned them some side money for some really significant trash.

I've been doing something every day, no matter how insignificant it seems and yes, I am making process.  Slow and steady like a tortoise perhaps, but I'm a Capricorn.  Not to be taken lightly - the old goat will get to the mountain top.

Yesterday was very productive so no time to stop...well, maybe just a brief interruption for a movie and pulled pork sandwich.

Tale of the Enchanted Postcard

Remember how in The Chronicles of Narnia the kids discovered the wardrobe, got inside and suddenly found themselves transported to Narnia?  They really were just being kids playing hide and seek and the next thing you know they were faced with the reality of their destiny. Great fun to read, fantasize about and rent on a DVD, but fiction, nevertheless, you say.  I always thought so myself, until...

I retired in 2004 and for a few years was like a kid playing hide and seek, enjoying my hard-earned and greatly-appreciated life of doing whatever I damn well pleased.   About two years ago, I knew this wasn't reality and I needed something to give a bit more meaning to my life.  You know, just one of those thoughts one has and then goes back to hide and seek.  On a 'nothing was special about it' kind of day I got the day's mail and had a postcard from the Peace Corps informing me of a recruiting meeting at a local library.  What struck me was the banner of "Life is calling.  How far will you go?"  Well, I didn't have far to go to get to the library on the appointed day.  I am now convinced that postcard was enchanted like a professor's wardrobe.  It had to have been embedded with some kind of powerful magic as now I find myself cleaning out drawers, closets and cabinets, trying to rent my sanctuary to strangers and packing duffels bags with heretofore unowned objects like a headlamp, cranking/solar powered radio/flashlight/USB charger combo device, travel hammock and microfiber towels.  I really am very fortunate.  The kids in the story had no time to prepare.  At least I have a packing list from the Peace Corps.  in about 6 weeks I leave for The Kingdom of Tonga and a rendezvous with my destiny.

 I'm so glad I heeded that enchanted postcard.  Check your mailbox daily.

Learn.  Grow.  Laugh.