reality hits

so i had to send my passport to the thai embassy in DC to get my visa, and this week i got it back! it says kingdom of thailand on it; i thought that was pretty sweet, heehee. it made me feel a bit relieved cuz even though it shouldnt be a big deal for me to get a visa to travel to thailand, government stuff always stresses me out a bit. but having the visa in my hand makes everything seem like this is right, and this is going to happen.

then i got my lonely planet book on thailand and ordered some random memoirs people wrote when they went to thailand from B&N. im so eager to learn about their culture, so i can try to treat my friends and the new peeps i meet in the right way. one thing i learned, that i think i will appreciate, is that the culture is very easy going. they have a saying that goes, mai pen rai, which means like, no big deal. apparently they say it a lot. i guess its like how in NZ a common pharse is no worries. i think i thrive in laid-back cultures. hopefully the relaxed way of living will help me to recoup from my intense pressure and stressed filled so not laid back years at UNC...

also it was encouraging today cuz at my church, vintage 21, they prayed for me and my trip. it makes me feel so loved by Him to know that i have a family praying for me and remembering me constantly while im gone. i was pretty much in awe most of the service and probably the rest of the day. it's a good feeling.