flight and arrival

My flight in whole lasted 20 hrs., with a 6 hr. layover divided between LA and Taipei. The entire ordeal was exhausting!!! LAX is a pretty strait forward airport, and as per usual I made a friend at the airport and exchanged contact info to the guy searching my overly stuffed carry on. hahaha! I ended up sitting in between two Indonesians. One young guy named Artie, who I later also exchanged info with. He's from Bali, but now lives in CO., and the other person was an elderly Indonesia lady, who just before we landed looked at me and said in broken English: "You have face of child. I will remember you always. You are lovely."
I love how current movies in the US have previously been released in China, on the plane I watched: Atonement and Michael Clayton. Great movies and both still in American theatres!
Once I arrived in China I was immediately impressed by the airport, which was very large and comfortable. The Chinese were nice and curt. The airport was adorned with high fashion, orchids, buddhist prayer rooms, yummy smelling food, and hello kittie everything! hahahah! When I finally found my gate an old Chinese man sat next to me. He smiled and then repeated "Hello!" until I looked at him. Once I did he asked if I was an Aries. I said "No. Gemini." He laughed and crinkled his index finger and pointed at his nose. Then pointed at my nose. Then he touched his hair, and pointed at my hair, and then laughed hysterically!!! It was very weird. I thought he was crazy....
Once I got on the plane to BKK I felt very emotional. It was difficult to hold back my tears. Maybe because I was tired after all my travel, or because I realized that Mark and I were truly and officially over(and saddend to loose my best friend and confidant), or maybe because I realized the reality of my decision for how long I was stuck with myself in a foreign country, or maybe I just needed to release! I don't know.
When I finally arrived and passed through Customs- piece of Cake! Negotiating a taxi was the next challoenge. You see, because I'm white, that means rich, meaning they double or tripple the price, but finally I found one for $500 Baht=$16, and it drove me an hour through the most insane traffic and poor country I've ever witnessed. Cabbie and I tried to communicate, and did pretty well.
I arrived at the 'Bangkok City Suites' finally, showered, did yoga to release my aching back, meditated, and fell asleep. I woke up anxious, but I still antisipate the arrival of my friend Nichole, who should arrive shortly. Funny... I've been living in Thailand for several hours now, and although I feel overwhelmed, I know I'll eventually get the hang of it. I've learned a lot already! The fear will pass. At first when I saw the poverty clear as day, I felt guilty for having the opportunity to come here, but now... I feel blessed. It'll be ok.
I love you all so much, especially my family. Please keep sending me positive vibes.

preparation

Over the last 2 months I have done extensive research into what kind of Thai Massage educational programs were available to me in English in Thailand, what visas I could apply for, and how I can actually do this: move to Thailand. After talking with my helpful friend Nichole J. who lives in Hua Hin, Thailand, and bouncing ideas off her, networking abroad, opening myself up to my destiny, research research RESEARCH, I was able to create a plan that was not only feasible and affordable, but felt right.
I decided that experiences were more important to me than worldly possessions, so I decided to sell my car to fund my journey abroad through Southeast Asia.
I applied for a 6 month Thai tourist visa through the Thai consulate in LA, CA.: $60, sold my car(Thanks David Lathrup), received all my vaccinations: $200, went through motorcycle school: $200, received a backpack(For X-mas from my loving parents), started hiking/ doing yoga/ and meditating daily, obtained my international drivers permit for car and motorcycle: $15 through AAA, found a school I liked(Thanks Heath and Nicole Reed), purchased my plane ticket: $800 + tax and fees(Cheapoair.com), purchased my travel and health insurance: $200, renewed my scuba, and received an Ipod from my family as an early birthday gift. I then created a budget, met a travel buddy from Australia by the name of Sue(Very cool woman who I can't wait to meet and tour Bangkok and trek with in Chiang Mai for a month before she leaves for Nepal)!), learned motorcycle mechanics from my friend Mo(he was such a help!), and organized my thoughts, wants, and needs.
HhahAHhaHAHa! *sigh*
My Family(I love you so much!) and Friends(especially Emily, Mark, Mike S., Nichole J., Jason A., Heather W., Paul C., Mo, and Kazushi) were extremely helpful in their support and advice.
In 3 hours I leave for the airport. All my bags are packed, copies of all my documents have been made, money is in order, and everyone knows I love them and will miss them, so I'm officially ready! :D
What's weird is how calm I feel. When I went to Scotland, Italy, and Quebec alone I was SO nervous, usually my stomach would be flipping in knots, and sleep the night before would be impossible. This calmness reinforces how right this decision is, in my mind. For the first time in my life, I'm not trying to intellectualize every step, but instead just allow myself to flow(Vaya Con Dios). It all feels very Taoist or Zen.