Everyone is on their own Journey

How do you go from feeling SO alive to SO dead all within days? People try to compare what I am going through to returning from a vacation. What they don’t understand, is that I was not on a vacation. I was living in a different reality, a reality I made for myself on the other side of the world. A reality where my brain was constantly on because it was going through so much change every second of every day. Sure, my pictures look amazing on social media, with beautiful beaches, temples, and elephants; but who puts up pictures of working, the pitfalls, the challenges, the tears and the scared and lonely times? Vietnam was filled with both; significant greatness and significant adversities. It was that rollercoaster that I loved. I loved the feeling of being dirty from the pollution and sweat, having helmet hair, crossing the street being one single struggle of life or death, never having time to scroll through Facebook or Snapchat, waking up not knowing where I was, not being able to process everything that happened in just a single day, that when your body finally passes out from pure exhaustion you start jolting in your sleep because your body is finally having its first chance to catch up with your brain. THAT is feeling alive!  THAT IS VIETNAM!!!  Just one day filled with counter events happening around your 360 radius at all times, keeping you on, aware, and alert constantly. Routine never becomes a part of you as each day is always filled with new events every thirty seconds. I wasn’t on a vacation and my time abroad was not what is painted all over Instagram and Facebook, just as anyone’s life. Coming to Vietnam alone, and having no choice but to gain as much as possible out of my experience, living and succeeding here quickly turned into my reality. A reality that despite extreme challenges that a third world country throws at you, a reality that was mine, that made me feel SO alive all the time! I keep using this word, “reality” as I am trying to define what it really means to others. Since I have returned to the States I can not tell you how many people have said to me: “Katie, it’s time to get back to reality.”  I decided to look up “reality” in the dictionary to dig further into this word.

"Reality; noun. The world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them."

What do people really mean when they say this to me? My life in Vietnam was real, I wasn't making up some idealistic world and I sure as hell was not on a vacation. So, why does everyone keep telling me to get back to reality?

So, to answer your question; Yes! It is time for me to get back to reality. Vietnam is my reality and a state of actual existence. Last week, after nights and weeks of restless decision making, I decided to make the bold move and resign from my Speech Therapy job in Philadelphia, a place where I have worked for the past six years. I want my roller coaster ride of highs and lows and my brainwaves to be turned back on. Vietnam is a country filled of constant chaos just like me. I made exponential growth during my three- month journey in South East Asia, and there is still so much more opportunity out there for me to continue growing. I am not ready for that growth and progress to stop. I want more. I feel more Asia and I won't stop until I'm done. 

Everyone is on their own journey. There isn't one way to live or one way to do things. I have been criticized many times for my recent decision to resign from my job to work abroad. I've got "You're out of control," "You're running away from your problems," "How are you going to do this without any money?" and even, "you sound like you're on drugs, you should really see someone." To be fair, from another's perspective I probably do sound like I'm on drugs. I get high every time I talk about or think about Asia. I was high and ON everyday for three months and it never went away for a single moment. I was high off of life, culture, my everyday surroundings, the extreme highs and lows, the remarkable friendships and bonds that I made, and my passion for teaching and traveling. Teaching English abroad and traveling is the reality that I want for myself right now, in this moment. Routine is easy and since I've returned my brain has just been off. My daily routine of living and working, I can do all without thinking. I know exactly how to get myself to work, I know where I am going to put my things down when I enter my room, sign in, turn on my light, open my computer, the list can go on and on. I'm not thinking, I'm just physically going with the routine that my brain already knows how to do for me. 

I love change and I love a challenge. The Philadelphia School District was not an easy job initially. Working in a very urban environment, where my students faced so much neglect and instability was a very difficult task. This place made me strong and confident to have the ability to teach anywhere now. I will forever be grateful for that. However, my brain and body is ready for something new. My decision to leave has upset a lot of my family members. However, leaving for Vietnam is not a death sentence. It is just my new journey to lend the way for even more future opportunities. I can't say this enough; Everyone is on their own journey. This may not be the way one goes about finding change in life, but it is mine. There are so many secret doors in life to be opened, but it's up to you to find them by taking your chances. Words of advice: Do what you love, thrive from desire, and seize the day as you only get one life!

The reality is yours. Namaste with me my friends. 

I Lost Myself in Passion

I Lost Myself in Passion

The truth about traveling alone is that you are never truly alone at all. Several people on planes and in passing have asked me "Are you traveling by yourself?" I have to stop and hesitate for a second because I forget that I am out here as a solo traveler. I have met so many genuine and strong people traveling that so quickly turn into my people. People who look after one another and go to the police department when a person from your group goes missing after a crazy night out. You endure so much greatness, face challenges and once in a lifetime experiences with these people that friendships are instant. Within 24 hours of traveling to a new location you blink your eyes and realize you've just made a whole new group of friends. Friends that understand the new you and the level of greatness you are experiencing. I've been traveling by myself for three months now. Not one day went by out here where I ever felt by myself--besides my trip from Cambodia to Loas. I lost myself in passion over these past three months in Asia. A passion to travel, teach, see, explore, and conquer the world. If you have been keeping up with me traveling is not all fun and games. I've faced a lot of challenges that really tested my ultimate strengths as an individual. As soon as I think I have had enough I create new goals and challenges for myself. These past three days I decided that I would like to take classes to get scuba dive certified. A little island off the coast of southern Thailand, Koh Tao offers the cheapest and greatest  scuba diving certification in the world. 3.5 full days of training. You start off learning the skills in the pool on the first day and then you are trained directly in the water 40-60 feet down under. Scuba diving wasn’t anything like I would expect it to be. Being a great swimmer and a previous lifeguard I thought it would be cake. Little did I know I was about to endure a snapshot of military training. Many safety procedure measures are tested directly on the bottom of the sea. Filling up my mask with water, taking out my breathing regulator, and setting up my scuba equipment where the current is so rough you can barely stand, were some to name a few. My first day, I had a panic attack when I got to the bottom. I don’t know why but the feeling of not being able to go up when I wanted to really freaked me out. I started breathing very heavily through basically a straw. I wanted to go up so desperately but my diving master would not let me. Scuba diving is all in the mind and staying calm is key. Once I told myself that my panic attack was not going to help me I was able to talk myself out of it, calm down, and breathe normally. I was really close to giving up on this one as scuba diving made me feel so uncomfortable and stressed. I’m not a quitter though and everything is in the mind. Having friends around experiencing the same training was very helpful. We all were in this together and quitting was not an option. Scuba diving is an amazing experience. Being in one with nature in their natural habitat is something not everyone gets to do. Ascending and descending into the water so far under makes you feel like you are literally flying though space. I can  now say I am officially a certified scuba diver.

The friends that I have made through out my journey are more then just people who you meet and have conversations with. Friends you meet traveling experience extremeness together. Extremeness that makes the bonds with people you meet so strong. As I lost myself in passion for traveling I also lost myself within friendships. I will forever be grateful for the time and experience that I got to share with these extraordinary human beings. Ill never be able to explain in words or pictures everything that happened in my 3 month journey in Asia. What I do have is memories and friends of the world that will constantly understand the high of traveling. I am so grateful for every person whom I met, that shared my joy, challenges, and extreme thrill with. Six hour bike rides to monkey island, swimming in the Phi Phi islands, scuba diving in Koh Tao and watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat would not have been the same without you. Whether a day, week or months the time we captured together will always stay with me. Friends, stay strong and keep traveling. Until we cross paths again, Namaste with me my friends and SO MUCH LOVE!!<3 nbsp="" p="">

How NOT to travel

How NOT  to travel

“Mom, it’s okay these two Cambodian men have me in great hands.” After a flight cancelation from Siem Reip, Cambodia to Laos my only next option was to bus it. The Cambodian airport was a newly established airport. When your flight is cancelled, there is just no one at the gates. No one to help me or speak English well enough to inform me on what was going on. I resorted to tears to get me some help around the airport… yes, of course it worked.  The next thing I know I am in some back room where they are trying to find me a new flight by pen and paper and use of cell phones..It was the most bizarre airport encounter I have ever experienced.  Still, after a restless search there were no flights. I was informed at the bus company that there was  a sleeper bus from 8am to what I thought 8 pm.. looking back at my ticket it did say 8AM- 8AM if you can do that simple calculation.  Not being the smartest traveler I didn’t realize this bus was going to be a 24 hour journey. I’m picked up from Siem Reip and enter on a van where you are arm to arm, leg to leg squeezed in. About 45 minutes later I say “excuse me, when are we switching to the sleeper bus?” “Maybe in about 7 hours,” someone replies. “WHAT?? I was supposed to be on a sleeper bus with meals and accommodations.” Laos being an unplanned adventure, I did zero research on this country. I didn’t have a book or a map and had no idea on the names or pronunciations of any of the towns. I thought okay, I will wake up and let my friends whom I am meeting from camp handle the rest. After the 7 hour journey on a squeezed in van where it was so bumpy you couldn’t even read I am dropped off in the middle of Cambodia where everyone is talking in every other language except English.. Literally it was like I was being kidnapped. If I could afford to have Obama come down in a helicopter and rescue me, it wouldn't even be possible because I there were no coordinates to even find me.  As I am sitting at this drop off point, an intelligent and kind Cambodian man informs me that only myself and another man, both in their early 30s are the only three people going to Vientiene, Laos. Most people were being dropped off more south where the ride wasn’t as far. But, Vientiene/Vang Viang was where my friends were. The Cambodian man,  Sorn Roatha, explains to me  that the bus company misinformed me that the bus would be direct from Siem Reip to Vientiene Laos. As, I am sitting in the middle of Cambodia, my two choices were to stay there for the night or to go with Sorn Roatha in a car that he arranged. “I’m calling my friend now I need to be in Vientiene by tomorrow morning so I don’t have time to stay over night here, do you want to come with my friend and I, says Roatha?” So, what do I say? "Ummm, Yes, I guess I'll go."   Wanting  to get out of my awful situation as fast a possible, I trusted this man. It’s truly amazing how when you are traveling abroad how much of your life you trust in the hands of transportation and strangers. The next thing I know I am in another van with at least 5 more Cambodian men. I continue on and we make a quick stop. As I see the faces of 6 westerners (France) my heart feels a little better. Thank gosh- white people!! Five hours later on this van, we stop. I get out with the other westerners and we are crossing boarder control on foot from Cambodia into Laos to get our visa’s—it was pretty cool. Next, back on the van and about three hours away from this 10 hour sleeper bus. Finally we arrive to REAL big busses, that I imagined from the beginning, traveling directly to my destination. Sorn Roatha, my fellow friend and I grab dinner and he helps me receive a sim card to call my mom. “Mom, I have no idea where I am and I’m scared but don’t worry these two Cambodian men are taking great  care of me.”—soothing statement for any parent, right?  “Katie, stop crying! You are going to look vulnerable and get taken advantage of if you are in tears.” My mother, so brilliant was absolutely right. As I needed the comfort, telling me to stop crying was the smartest thing she could have done in that moment. But, I was so scared. I literally laid my life  in the hands  of strangers whom I am so lucky were truly true gentlemen whom did take excellent care of me. Next thing is next and I am finally on the sleeper bus in the right direction. I take a sleeping pill as passing out was my only option after this day. I hear the bus stop and people talking in Cambodian or Lao language, I don’t know.. “The bus is broken down,” I hear. “NO, NO, NO, NO, this is not happening.” An hour later the bus is fixed as I pass out from pure exhaustion. I wake up the next morning at my destination and I get to my hostel to finally rejoice with my friends. I never got to say goodbye to Sorn Roatha for being my hero that day but I hope to find him on facebook one day to thank him.  27 hours later—I finally made it safe and sound. Laos is a hidden secret and a beautiful country completely tourist free!!!  I went tubing and motorbike riding through the Valley’s. There are hidden caves and blue lagoon’s all throughout the valley that you can only get to by bike.  I even extended my stay here as I am loving it so much. My long trek and journey was 100% worth it. I met a boy and we ran around this beautiful country on our bikes for days and tubed down the rivers all night. Laos is so chill, everywhere you eat, you lay. Tables are set up with pillows and mats so that you can lie down while waiting for your meal and after. I don’t know how I am ever going to eat in a chair again.. “Happy” shakes and eatables are in all of the restaurants and literally everyone just chills and goes tubing down the river. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!  Moving forward, I am now on my way to South Thailand where I am going to get my scuba diving certification. Word of advice.. Never get on busses without throughly checking times and asking questions about the route. Know your country even if it’s  basic town names so that you know where you are and what is going on. Always have a map as you can not count on the internet out here. I know it sounds basic but this was a blog about how NOT to travel.
NAMaste I’m blessed to be alive and MOM I LOVE YOU!!!

How Vietnam stole my heart

“Home is where the heart is.” A quote I’ve only seen on a cheesy gift around my grandmothers house. Never in my life did I  think Vietnam would become my home. A place I want to move to and stay forever. I went from being afraid of leaving my hostel alone to flying off of a motorbike in the middle of Saigon, picking it right back up and driving  home like it was no big deal. I could not be more grateful for the experience Vietnam Australia International School has given me. My co-workers transformed into best friends. For seven weeks this small, smelly, sports equipment room where we met for meetings and breaks became my home. I already miss laying on the floor being kicked with soccer balls while completely hungover from the night before… Did I mention my friends were great? Each of us were paired with a Vietnamese co-counselor whom we worked with for the duration of camp. It gives me the chills on the international bond we formed between cultures. I was informed that the directors of the camp were hesitant on how Westerners and vietnamese were going to work together. Little did they know it was the best thing they could have done. We learned so much about each other and the teaching balance worked out perfectly. As I take off today to travel on, I am failing for words to express my experience and growth. I had  high expectations for my journey  but they were completely surpassed. I want to thank Danial Hogg, the director of the VAS summer program. Without him accepting me none of this would have been possible. Danial, you have opened my eyes into a new beginning and I think you should run for President. The bonds that have been made at summer camp between the Vietnamese and Western staff are remarkable. If only the rest of the world could catch on maybe we could stop wars, because at the end of the day we all wear Purple. As I left my mates in tears last night it is now time for my Journey to continue on. I will be spending the next five weeks traveling Asia. As I stand on the other side of the world, my heart, family, and love will always be in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. It doesn’t matter where you live it’s the people that make home. As I sit on the airplane writing, I already feel like a different person. It’s so hard to believe it is all over. The only thing getting me through it is that I know I will be back.
Tom Biet