2008 Reflections

2008 – it was a good year. It brought many opportunities and blessings to both Monte and myself, with very small challenges here and there. We both held jobs that paid remarkably well without being over-worked. We were able to save up for a year long trip… We are so lucky that we’ve been able to do this. On the one hand, it’s so unfair that we have enough money to leave the country for a year and not get paid at all…think of all the people in the world that would benefit from one of our dollars. On the other hand, we can’t save everyone and we know that.


2008 taught Monte and I how important our family and friends are. We’ve always known and appreciated the people in our lives, but this past year has made it blatantly obvious. Now that we’re so far away from you all, we’re realizing how much we miss you. Really, missing someone is a good feeling…Think if we didn’t miss anyone at all back home. That would be sad!


2008 brought us to Mexico, Cambodia and Thailand. Each of these countries taught us lessons and made us grow both as individuals and as a couple. I can’t help but daydream where 2009 could possibly take us. We will go to Laos in February for sure, but we might even be able to go to Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, maybe even the Philippines. Hell—why not New Zealand and Australia?


2008 taught us lessons about the economy and how a bad president can not only change one country, but the entire world.


2008 brought a great deal of change to Thailand as well. Thailand has seen four Prime Ministers in the past year…can you imagine? From an outsider’s perspective, you might think that Thailand really isn’t catching onto the idea of democracy—that you vote, majority wins, and then a few years down the line there’s another election. Here, a Prime Minister is elected and the opposing side doesn’t like him (there are usually corruption charges) so they protest until that PM steps down. Then, that side’s PM takes power, and the other side rises up until he steps down as well…But, to be honest, Americans could learn some lessons from Thailand. Thais are able to mobilize together and stand up for what they believe in. As a group, they can accomplish so much by just being persistent. During the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement Americans were able to mobilize and stand up for what they believed in. Where is that passion now? What’s the difference between Vietnam and Iraq? They are both unjust wars…When there’s corruption in Thailand, the people take a stand and demand change. That’s admirable, even if it’s not all that efficient.


2008 brought personal challenges to some of our good friends and family members, but all in all, we have so much to be grateful for. Thanks to all of you who made our 2008 a wonderful year :)