Stay tuned so I can explain this:
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| !!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
4.29.2013
May I Remind You, love
Introduction:
Thai culture and fun school-related posts are in the works - been writing just a bit at a time. I wrote this one back in early December. I've come back to it every now and then because it reminds me of who God is. May it do the same for you -
With Love,
~exposed
p.s.: please keep in mind that this was 5 months ago....
Choosing to write over sleep. Without a piano, my laptop keyboard suffices in giving me a therapeutic outlet.
Let's just be real. How many Adele, Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones and A Fine Frenzy songs can a girl listen to in one night?
Mood: Mopey. but trying to be cheery.
Music: Norah Jones Jango station
Drink: Decaf Columbian sent by momma
Most days around 3:30 PM, my brain starts to check out. Teachers don't "clock out," so my brain just mentally "checks out" and becomes this mushy thing that tries to listen some more but really can't. I usually need a piece of chocolate or a glass of [water], or a good song to remind me that I am just a human, a single girl in her late 20's (always wondered what this would be like) who wants to cook without recipes, laugh till she can't breathe, wear high heels even when it's not practical.
At the end of the school day, my mind, ears, voice and feet stop running like an 8-hour storm has just blown through, and all the wild, windy trees of my own expectations settle. Everything physical calms down, and I return to just katie, stepping out of the dress I've been wearing all day that I think magically turns me into "Mary Poppins," turning off my theatrical performance as I step off the stage [out of my classroom]... (teaching elementary school really feels like theater sometimes, and it really can be fun even if I'm exhausted).
kt. stop living under the pressures of this world.
BUT I...!
stop living under the pressures that you put on yourself and come to Me; be freed, lay your burdens down and take Me in, instead, for I am light, and I will give you praise in exchange for your heaviness.
BUT I...!
no seriously, stop.
BUT, BUT...!
But you WERE fearfully and wonderfully made, you were SKILLFULLY wrought in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139
...and your form ~ it is lovely. Song of Solomon 1
I love my new job. I. love it.
I am constantly learning, and I like that. (good thing I work in a school)
I am growing, and I wanted to. I expected to. i hoped to.
I am detoxing.
I was naturally stripped of what I was using to shallowly fill my time when I moved to Thailand.
For some cheese, a quote from Fleetwood Mac is fitting: Can I handle the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
*shakes head at the cheese. yet doesn't delete it...*
This time last year, I was planning a wedding with the man of my dreams.
New dreams happen, it's okay.
My friends are having babies back in the states as I write this post.
I wanted babies later, anyway.
I'm turning 27 in 3 weeks. ... All of the sudden, It is later. (or at least it's getting to be)
::sigh:: dear kt.
You were s k i l l f u l l y made. You are clothed with salvation and covered with robes of righteousness. Isaiah 61. Your days were ordained for you, written in God's book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139. WITH YOUR GOD, you can scale a wall; your arms can bend a bow of bronze, because He is the flawless Lord. Psalm 118. You were worth THE perfect man's death, you are enough, and He delights in you, invites you to come when you thirst, to come to the living waters when you have no money. And not only to come, but to have wine and milk [almond, please] - to enjoy, to rest, to sustain, to grow. Isaiah 55.
While I give thanks to God for the simple [loaded] reminders that I am who He made me to be and need to embrace that, I also give thanks to Amos Lee, for this song:
(is that sacrilegious?? well whatever, at least I'm thankful)
Thai culture and fun school-related posts are in the works - been writing just a bit at a time. I wrote this one back in early December. I've come back to it every now and then because it reminds me of who God is. May it do the same for you -
With Love,
~exposed
p.s.: please keep in mind that this was 5 months ago....
Choosing to write over sleep. Without a piano, my laptop keyboard suffices in giving me a therapeutic outlet.
Let's just be real. How many Adele, Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones and A Fine Frenzy songs can a girl listen to in one night?
Mood: Mopey. but trying to be cheery.
Music: Norah Jones Jango station
Drink: Decaf Columbian sent by momma
Most days around 3:30 PM, my brain starts to check out. Teachers don't "clock out," so my brain just mentally "checks out" and becomes this mushy thing that tries to listen some more but really can't. I usually need a piece of chocolate or a glass of [water], or a good song to remind me that I am just a human, a single girl in her late 20's (always wondered what this would be like) who wants to cook without recipes, laugh till she can't breathe, wear high heels even when it's not practical.
At the end of the school day, my mind, ears, voice and feet stop running like an 8-hour storm has just blown through, and all the wild, windy trees of my own expectations settle. Everything physical calms down, and I return to just katie, stepping out of the dress I've been wearing all day that I think magically turns me into "Mary Poppins," turning off my theatrical performance as I step off the stage [out of my classroom]... (teaching elementary school really feels like theater sometimes, and it really can be fun even if I'm exhausted).
kt. stop living under the pressures of this world.
BUT I...!
stop living under the pressures that you put on yourself and come to Me; be freed, lay your burdens down and take Me in, instead, for I am light, and I will give you praise in exchange for your heaviness.
BUT I...!
no seriously, stop.
BUT, BUT...!
But you WERE fearfully and wonderfully made, you were SKILLFULLY wrought in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139
...and your form ~ it is lovely. Song of Solomon 1
I love my new job. I. love it.
But regardless of what Self thinks, I am not and cannot be super woman, super teacher, super mom, super daughter, super sister, super friend, freakin' MARY POPPINS everyday, every hour, every time I want to be or try to be or think I need to be. Sure, I want to live as fully as possible here, I WANT to give and go and grow and learn, I want to take in every little AND big thing that I can.
... But ya cain't drahve the car 'th no gas in yur tank. Amen?
I am constantly learning, and I like that. (good thing I work in a school)
I am growing, and I wanted to. I expected to. i hoped to.
I am detoxing.
I was naturally stripped of what I was using to shallowly fill my time when I moved to Thailand.
For some cheese, a quote from Fleetwood Mac is fitting: Can I handle the changing ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
*shakes head at the cheese. yet doesn't delete it...*
This time last year, I was planning a wedding with the man of my dreams.
New dreams happen, it's okay.
My friends are having babies back in the states as I write this post.
I wanted babies later, anyway.
I'm turning 27 in 3 weeks. ... All of the sudden, It is later. (or at least it's getting to be)
::sigh:: dear kt.
You were s k i l l f u l l y made. You are clothed with salvation and covered with robes of righteousness. Isaiah 61. Your days were ordained for you, written in God's book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139. WITH YOUR GOD, you can scale a wall; your arms can bend a bow of bronze, because He is the flawless Lord. Psalm 118. You were worth THE perfect man's death, you are enough, and He delights in you, invites you to come when you thirst, to come to the living waters when you have no money. And not only to come, but to have wine and milk [almond, please] - to enjoy, to rest, to sustain, to grow. Isaiah 55.
While I give thanks to God for the simple [loaded] reminders that I am who He made me to be and need to embrace that, I also give thanks to Amos Lee, for this song:
(is that sacrilegious?? well whatever, at least I'm thankful)
May I Remind You
Come here my darling
Come on now
You may not be certain
You may not know how
We're all born strangers
This we can see
We may fear each other
But each other we need
Come on now
You may not be certain
You may not know how
We're all born strangers
This we can see
We may fear each other
But each other we need
So may I remind, love
What is inside you, love
The rest of the song totally doesn't apply, but that first part's sweet.
Time really does make you bolder.
but understanding, too.
And Christ in me, the hope of glory, has provided and made all that is good.
Apart from Christ, I have no good thing.
So to you, mysterious reader - let me remind you, love. what is inside you, love. And let me help you
appreciate
or recognize
or b e l i e v e
that you were created with a good purpose in mind [many good ones], that there is a place whose streams make glad the city of God; where the wells from which you drink hold living water, refreshing-cleansing-fulfilling so that you'll thirst no more, ever again, ever.
like ever. ;) been listening to Taylor Swift on repeat in the car, lately. I have her new cd Red, 2 Christmas cd's, 1 worship cd and the Mamma Mia soundtrack. true story.
draw near to Him; He's real. drink of His cup; it's glorious. meditate on His word; it is flawless.
Tomorrow for my Monday morning breakfast, I think I'll start with oatmeal, and I'll add a *spoonful of sugar* (Truvia, of course), and I'll begin class with a cheery good morning song like I always do,
but this time, I'll remember what is inside me...
Gratefulness
Gladness
Joy
&
Love. ;)
Time really does make you bolder.
but understanding, too.
And Christ in me, the hope of glory, has provided and made all that is good.
Apart from Christ, I have no good thing.
So to you, mysterious reader - let me remind you, love. what is inside you, love. And let me help you
appreciate
or recognize
or b e l i e v e
that you were created with a good purpose in mind [many good ones], that there is a place whose streams make glad the city of God; where the wells from which you drink hold living water, refreshing-cleansing-fulfilling so that you'll thirst no more, ever again, ever.
like ever. ;) been listening to Taylor Swift on repeat in the car, lately. I have her new cd Red, 2 Christmas cd's, 1 worship cd and the Mamma Mia soundtrack. true story.
draw near to Him; He's real. drink of His cup; it's glorious. meditate on His word; it is flawless.
Tomorrow for my Monday morning breakfast, I think I'll start with oatmeal, and I'll add a *spoonful of sugar* (Truvia, of course), and I'll begin class with a cheery good morning song like I always do,
but this time, I'll remember what is inside me...
Gratefulness
Gladness
Joy
&
Love. ;)
4.16.2013
Mom & Dad in Thailand
::sigh:: It's good to see you again, Blogger. ;)
Let's get down to business:
Then on Thursday,
Aside from just seeing the sights and experiencing the Thai culture, I needed my mom and dad to come to Thailand to experience this life, to taste the adventure and diversity of living in a different culture, to meet the real people and feel the heart of God for them, to see me thrive in an environment that doesn't include cowboy boots, cocktails and cobblestone roads. I wanted to them to find out what it is that I love about this country, to see that I am more than okay here in Thailand. :)
We had a BLAST, laughed a lot and ate fabulous food the whole week.
I am so thankful they could visit!!!!! =)
Let's get down to business:
Back in January....
my mom and dad flew to thailand.
THIS is a BIG deal.
We had SO MUCH FUN. We thor'ns, we beez tah-ight, so we had a lot of catching up to do. Good thing we had this fabulous hotel to enjoy for a week.
Le Meridien Chiang Rai --- same hotel that mixandmatchmama (link to the right) stayed at when her family visited Bachelor Seanzie in Chiang Rai. i know, don't even get me started again. Even though I have a house just about 15 minutes down the road from the hotel, I stayed with my parents to maximize time with them. We started off the week by touring my neighborhood and my favorite places to go, enjoyed dinner at our hotel, Sunday morning with my little home group church, lunch in a tree house (ish), ;) and shopped at the Night Bazaar in downtown Chiang Rai.
Here's a glimpse of the rest of the week: (I had some trouble with the format of the pictures. what's. new.)
On Tuesday, we took a long-tail boat up the Maekok River in Chiang Rai to an elephant camp in the Karen Village (perf.). 
Here's a glimpse of the rest of the week: (I had some trouble with the format of the pictures. what's. new.)
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| This was the moment when I realized, "Wow... my mom and dad are in Thailand." We drove by the famous Chiang Rai clock tower right on time during it's light display with traditional Northern Thai music playing. |
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| On Monday, mom and dad visited my workplace. So glad they got to see this dream school. |
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| My beautiful momma read to my kiddos. |
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| On a boat in Thailand. Does it get any better, Dad? (except maybe if it was a yacht? ;) |
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| This was one of my favorite days ever in my life. Nellie is riding on top of the elephant's head now, by the way. |
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| If you're wondering how we got this picture, my elephant guide hopped off the elephant and took several [excellent] pictures. |
On Wednesday, we took a taxi up north to Doi Tung, the location of the Queen's garden. We toured a museum, visited the Queen's mother's house, then only got to see the garden for about 15 minutes. =/ It started raining. Bummerrrrrrr, but thankfully it was buy 1 get 1 hh back at the hotel. s'all good. =]
Then on Thursday,
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Dad's turn reading! It was International Day at school, so they got to be here for the many talents displayed, international food, special dress clothes and celebrations of all the countries represented at our school.
|
On Friday, we flew to Bangkok:
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Our awesome hotel in Bangkok.
W.
|
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| View outside our 12th floor hotel room. Bangkok is SO BIG, y'all. |
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| Once again, felt like a dream. |
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| Learning about Thailand :) |
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| This isn't exactly the famous "floating market," but it is similar. |
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| We climbed up a [steep] old temple called Wat Arun. It is covered in tile mosaics and was built hundreds of years ago. |
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| Here we are in front of Wat Arun... Do you recognize this location from my FIRST DAY in Thailand?? :) ... like my skirt [scarf]? ;) Can't wear shorts in a temple. |
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| Aren't my parents pretty? We had dinner at the hotel restaurant on the patio. |
We had a BLAST, laughed a lot and ate fabulous food the whole week.
I am so thankful they could visit!!!!! =)
4.01.2013
Bloggerrrrr I miss youuuuu
Prepping for a big day at school tomorrow and all I want to do is BLOG!
SEE YOU SOOOOONNNN BLOGGERRRRRR~
=)
SEE YOU SOOOOONNNN BLOGGERRRRRR~
=)
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| heeyyyyy :) |
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| praying kids |
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| teachers on Teacher Day - I didn't know I was uploading the "silly" picture. internet is slow tonight, there's no goin' back, so let my first introduction of the CRICS staff be a silly picture. can you find MOI? ;) I'm making a very "moi" face. |
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| side yard and backdrop of my beautiful school |
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| ISN'T THIS PRETTY??? |
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| I only stay at school till sunset so I can take pictures. kidding. (this is the view outside my classroom back door!) |
3.11.2013
i know
i know, i know.
It's been over a MONTH since my last update. That doesn't mean I haven't written....
I just found a way to pack 25 hours of activities into 24 hours/day, as my parents would say.
And since I am ultimately in Thailand to give Jesus not Katie, that is not okay.
So, blogger gets the back end these days.
Some time soon (maybe after grades are due this week? and after I've re-prioritized and disciplined myself to actually receive the daily bread that IS offered to me constantly, even though I just stare at it or ignore it) I'll have time to just sit and write and write and write and then watch Smash and write some more.
Laterzzzzzzzz....
It's been over a MONTH since my last update. That doesn't mean I haven't written....
I just found a way to pack 25 hours of activities into 24 hours/day, as my parents would say.
And since I am ultimately in Thailand to give Jesus not Katie, that is not okay.
So, blogger gets the back end these days.
Some time soon (maybe after grades are due this week? and after I've re-prioritized and disciplined myself to actually receive the daily bread that IS offered to me constantly, even though I just stare at it or ignore it) I'll have time to just sit and write and write and write and then watch Smash and write some more.
Laterzzzzzzzz....
2.09.2013
The Breadth of Irony
... It extends across the Pacific.
Oh, irony. You weird, weird THing. emphasis on "th."
You may need to read through this post a little slowly, or a few times to really get all the wild irony in each instance. Not all ironic situations I find myself in get documentation. These are too weird to skip, though.
1. Last Bachelor-talk, really.for this month at least. =]
Okay.
I promise I'm not obsessed with this guy.
But you are not even gonna believe this story.
In a few recent posts, I mentioned a dream I had about The Bachelor. (Can I just say, it's been hilarious how many friends have sent me emails or messages about the new bachelor and how watching the show makes them think of me, and also how he freakishly reminds them of a former-significant-solid-buff-blue-eyed, blond-haired man I had in my life?) Anyway - here's a quick re-cap - I dreamed that Sean came to Thailand for the filming of his show and he secretly began falling for me instead of the contestants.
Well, about a week after I had that dream, a friend sent me a message to say she had just read that Sean filmed his last few episodes in Chiang Rai.
YA, I know.
I said I'd only apply for the show if I knew Sean was The Bachelor, and there's no way of knowing beforehand.
omgah. seriously?
::shakes head in an "oh, the irony" cliche motion::
2. An Old-Acquaintance
Remember how I went to that Christian Educator's Conference back in November? About 600-800 Christian Educators from around Asia attended, and all day long the first day, I kept seeing this lady that I swore I knew. After the 4th time of running into her, I followed her up an escalator (haha, creeeperrr). At the top, I stopped her and said, "Hi...uh... I think I know you." Just then, I read "Rebekah" on her name tag and remembered. "... Did you happen to teach English to some Somal*an refugees at an apartment complex on E. Berry Street?" Y'all, that was 6 years ago. Go ahead, you who always comment on my crazy-good long term memory... roll your eyes; I did, too.
Rebekah: "Yes, did we teach together?"
me: "Well, sorta... I subbed once for ___, and I know it's weird that I remembered you, but I actually just thought "gosh she looks familiar," and it wasn't until I saw your name tag that I remembered how I know you." By the look on her face, I could tell she really was trying to remember who I was.
And I was thinking, "omg kt, that was freaky."
Rebekah: "Hmmm, I'm trying to remember. Do you happen to know A.V.?"
me: "Mmm, no, I don't think so."
Rebekah: "Oh, well I thought maybe you were there when she was teaching. She's so sweet, I thought maybe y'all were friends. She ended up marrying my son."
Just then it hit me. NOW I REALLY remember her! As I was leaving the class, we stood outside my car and had a good conversation that led to her trying to set me up with her son. I reminded of her that, and THEN she remembered who I was.
Rebekah: "Ohhhhh, now I remember you! You drove a cute little Jeep!"
me: "Yep, that's me! How weird to run into you, and I can't believe I recognized you!"
Rebekah: "I know small world! Well, do you happen to be married or dating now? Because I have this nephew... do you happen to know L. P.?"
me: "OMGosh!" (L. P. is your nephew?!?!)
me: "OMGosh!" (L. P.'s bro & sis-in-law are friends of mine! They're in my Life Group at home! Y'all are related???)
me: "OMGosh! I know A. V.!!! I stood NEXT to her in Yoga at L. P.'s sister-in-law's house for several weeks last year!"
Not 1 connection.
Not 2 connections.
But all 6 degrees of separation, folks. She now lives in China but took a break for the conference in Chiang Mai. We caught up on life during lunch, and Nellie & I went on a night safari with her and her friends one night. It was a very sweet blessing for both of us to reconnect.
I love it when stuff like that happens. :)
3. A Run-in in Bangkok
You know in When Harry Met Sally, they're singing karaoke to Surrey with the Fringe on Top, and Harry spots his ex-wife?
Sally: You sure you're OK?
Harry: Oh, I'm fine. Look, it had to happen at some point. In a city of eight million people, you're bound to run into your ex-wife.
No, I didn't run into any exes. But THIS is SO WEIRD, and it reminded me of that line in When Harry Met Sally. One morning on our trip in Bangkok, Nellie and I needed and take the Sky Train---Let me mention real quickly that Bangkok is one of the largest cities in the world with a population of about 10 million people.--- We ended up at a train docking station that we'd never been to, and I look over at the waiting station next to ours and said, "Hey, I think I know that guy." He turned around talking to a friend and I said, "Yes, I do! He works at Grace!" Grace is an international school in Chiang Mai where I had visited for a curriculum survey trip about a month before this. We stepped aboard our train and a rare thing happened - hardly anybody else in our section of the train car. Usually it's too packed to find a seat, but divinely (although I have yet figured out the reason), we found ourselves on this e m p t y train car, so we sat down next to this guy and his friends. He recognized me and so did the friend that was with him, the 2nd grade teacher from Grace! I thought it was funny that I teach 2nd grade and music, and I ran into the 2nd grade teacher and the music teacher from Chiang Mai, but we all ended up on this random train car in Bangkok.
That was enough irony for me. "Woooow, that is SOooo weirrrrd. What are the odds?"
But THEN,
The next day on our way home, we stopped in Chiang Mai for a bit to see a friend and enjoy the city for the day. I checked my email at a coffee shop and read one from Mom that said, "Hey, I was just talking to Diane, who said she knows someone at Grace International School in Chiang Mai. His name is ___ and he's the music teacher there. I told her I wasn't sure what the odds of you knowing him are, but that I'd go ahead and ask." I checked the time change between here and Texas, and Mom sent that email almost to the exact hour that I was running into this guy in Bangkok.
I KNOW, RIGHT?!
When I find myself in situations like these, I ask myself -
Does this mean I'm supposed to be here or something?
Because while there is a reason for everything,
- The Bachelor coming to Chiang Rai doesn't mean I was supposed to become the dramatic "twist" of this season.
- Reconnecting with Rebekah doesn't mean I should be dating anybody related to her.
- And receiving an email about a guy I know in Chiang Mai who I ran into in Bangkok on the day this email was sent from Texas doesn't necessarily mean... well, actually I still can't figure that one out. That was weird!
Instead, I'll just believe that everything happens for a reason, not always for me to figure or find out. And that sometimes, no matter how wild and crazy or how small and simple of a moment it is, I'll just trust that it's God's way of telling me, "Don't worry, kt, you're right where I want you to be."
Oh, irony. Sometimes I think you're really just divinity and confirmation in disguise. Other times, maybe you're just around for a good laugh and an entertaining story.... :)
Oh, irony. You weird, weird THing. emphasis on "th."
You may need to read through this post a little slowly, or a few times to really get all the wild irony in each instance. Not all ironic situations I find myself in get documentation. These are too weird to skip, though.
1. Last Bachelor-talk, really.
Okay.
I promise I'm not obsessed with this guy.
But you are not even gonna believe this story.
In a few recent posts, I mentioned a dream I had about The Bachelor. (Can I just say, it's been hilarious how many friends have sent me emails or messages about the new bachelor and how watching the show makes them think of me, and also how he freakishly reminds them of a former-significant-solid-buff-blue-eyed, blond-haired man I had in my life?) Anyway - here's a quick re-cap - I dreamed that Sean came to Thailand for the filming of his show and he secretly began falling for me instead of the contestants.
Well, about a week after I had that dream, a friend sent me a message to say she had just read that Sean filmed his last few episodes in Chiang Rai.
YA, I know.
I said I'd only apply for the show if I knew Sean was The Bachelor, and there's no way of knowing beforehand.
TURNS.OUT.
kt moved to Chiang Rai,
Sean became The Bachelor,
kt dreamed about Seanzie coming to Chiang Rai,
then he did indeed end up IN Chiang Rai as The Bachelor.
omgah. seriously?
::shakes head in an "oh, the irony" cliche motion::
2. An Old-Acquaintance
Remember how I went to that Christian Educator's Conference back in November? About 600-800 Christian Educators from around Asia attended, and all day long the first day, I kept seeing this lady that I swore I knew. After the 4th time of running into her, I followed her up an escalator (haha, creeeperrr). At the top, I stopped her and said, "Hi...uh... I think I know you." Just then, I read "Rebekah" on her name tag and remembered. "... Did you happen to teach English to some Somal*an refugees at an apartment complex on E. Berry Street?" Y'all, that was 6 years ago. Go ahead, you who always comment on my crazy-good long term memory... roll your eyes; I did, too.
Rebekah: "Yes, did we teach together?"
me: "Well, sorta... I subbed once for ___, and I know it's weird that I remembered you, but I actually just thought "gosh she looks familiar," and it wasn't until I saw your name tag that I remembered how I know you." By the look on her face, I could tell she really was trying to remember who I was.
And I was thinking, "omg kt, that was freaky."
Rebekah: "Hmmm, I'm trying to remember. Do you happen to know A.V.?"
me: "Mmm, no, I don't think so."
Rebekah: "Oh, well I thought maybe you were there when she was teaching. She's so sweet, I thought maybe y'all were friends. She ended up marrying my son."
Just then it hit me. NOW I REALLY remember her! As I was leaving the class, we stood outside my car and had a good conversation that led to her trying to set me up with her son. I reminded of her that, and THEN she remembered who I was.
Rebekah: "Ohhhhh, now I remember you! You drove a cute little Jeep!"
me: "Yep, that's me! How weird to run into you, and I can't believe I recognized you!"
Rebekah: "I know small world! Well, do you happen to be married or dating now? Because I have this nephew... do you happen to know L. P.?"
me: "OMGosh!" (L. P. is your nephew?!?!)
me: "OMGosh!" (L. P.'s bro & sis-in-law are friends of mine! They're in my Life Group at home! Y'all are related???)
me: "OMGosh! I know A. V.!!! I stood NEXT to her in Yoga at L. P.'s sister-in-law's house for several weeks last year!"
Not 1 connection.
Not 2 connections.
But all 6 degrees of separation, folks. She now lives in China but took a break for the conference in Chiang Mai. We caught up on life during lunch, and Nellie & I went on a night safari with her and her friends one night. It was a very sweet blessing for both of us to reconnect.
I love it when stuff like that happens. :)
3. A Run-in in Bangkok
You know in When Harry Met Sally, they're singing karaoke to Surrey with the Fringe on Top, and Harry spots his ex-wife?
Sally: You sure you're OK?
Harry: Oh, I'm fine. Look, it had to happen at some point. In a city of eight million people, you're bound to run into your ex-wife.
No, I didn't run into any exes. But THIS is SO WEIRD, and it reminded me of that line in When Harry Met Sally. One morning on our trip in Bangkok, Nellie and I needed and take the Sky Train---Let me mention real quickly that Bangkok is one of the largest cities in the world with a population of about 10 million people.--- We ended up at a train docking station that we'd never been to, and I look over at the waiting station next to ours and said, "Hey, I think I know that guy." He turned around talking to a friend and I said, "Yes, I do! He works at Grace!" Grace is an international school in Chiang Mai where I had visited for a curriculum survey trip about a month before this. We stepped aboard our train and a rare thing happened - hardly anybody else in our section of the train car. Usually it's too packed to find a seat, but divinely (although I have yet figured out the reason), we found ourselves on this e m p t y train car, so we sat down next to this guy and his friends. He recognized me and so did the friend that was with him, the 2nd grade teacher from Grace! I thought it was funny that I teach 2nd grade and music, and I ran into the 2nd grade teacher and the music teacher from Chiang Mai, but we all ended up on this random train car in Bangkok.
That was enough irony for me. "Woooow, that is SOooo weirrrrd. What are the odds?"
But THEN,
The next day on our way home, we stopped in Chiang Mai for a bit to see a friend and enjoy the city for the day. I checked my email at a coffee shop and read one from Mom that said, "Hey, I was just talking to Diane, who said she knows someone at Grace International School in Chiang Mai. His name is ___ and he's the music teacher there. I told her I wasn't sure what the odds of you knowing him are, but that I'd go ahead and ask." I checked the time change between here and Texas, and Mom sent that email almost to the exact hour that I was running into this guy in Bangkok.
I KNOW, RIGHT?!
When I find myself in situations like these, I ask myself -
Does this mean I'm supposed to be here or something?
Because while there is a reason for everything,
- The Bachelor coming to Chiang Rai doesn't mean I was supposed to become the dramatic "twist" of this season.
- Reconnecting with Rebekah doesn't mean I should be dating anybody related to her.
- And receiving an email about a guy I know in Chiang Mai who I ran into in Bangkok on the day this email was sent from Texas doesn't necessarily mean... well, actually I still can't figure that one out. That was weird!
Instead, I'll just believe that everything happens for a reason, not always for me to figure or find out. And that sometimes, no matter how wild and crazy or how small and simple of a moment it is, I'll just trust that it's God's way of telling me, "Don't worry, kt, you're right where I want you to be."
Oh, irony. Sometimes I think you're really just divinity and confirmation in disguise. Other times, maybe you're just around for a good laugh and an entertaining story.... :)
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