Everyone told us that when you travel/live abroad you gain more than you give.  I couldn’t agree more!  Living in Krathumbaen, Tim and I have a lot of time together…a lot!  Living in a 1 room apartment with no TV and one miniature computer has taught us about sharing, respecting each others space, and learning to just sit quietly.  It sounds silly but is harder than you might think.  Here are a few things we’ve come to realize or understand better.

1.  It’s good to learn to sit quietly and not constantly be entertained.  TVs, iphones, mobile phones, computers, video games,  consume so much time.  We have both read so much this summer that our reading speed has increased significantly.

2. We have had hours/days/weeks to talk about dreams, goals and plans.  Turning off the world helps you connect to those you love.

3.  Tim has learned a lot about photography, both the technical and artistic aspects to his favorite new hobby.

4. I have started to learn to relax.  I tend to create work for myself and have a hard time just sitting and relaxing.  Notice I say that I have “started” to learn…..there’s always room for improvement.

5. The Thai language may seem impossible at first but learning a few words and how to pronounce your favorite dishes make life so much easier.

6. We have to many rules/laws/policies in the USA.  We need to relax a little and stop worrying about everything, having insurance for every possible situation, stop thinking that we are going to get every possible foreign bug/illness, etc.  Trust in God a little bit, give up some control!

7.  Thailand needs more rules/laws/policies, especially in regard to noise pollution, air pollution, and how their education system is set up.

8. It’s really good to practice living simply.  Get rid of clutter and all the excess in life.  It helps you realize how little you actually need and what is truly important in life, people!  It seems scary at first but you really can survive with a backpack of stuff, a few baht in your pocket, and your best friend.

9. Being married to your best friend is AWESOME!  (Okay, we already knew this one, but it has been reinforced.)We have had so much fun together and given each other so much crap.

10.  It’s okay not to love ever experience, you are still learning something and only God knows how he will use it in your life!

11.  Working in a tropical climate without AC/fans and having to wear dress clothes and be a role model is challenging.  It is totally doable and you won’t die of a heat related death.  Your body somehow adapts and we are both realizing that winter temps back home are going to be harder to tolerate than usual.

12.  Hold on to impossible dreams!  It’s okay to be totally freaked out, but try it anyways.  You may regret not trying it for the rest of your life!

Here endeth the lesson!