Thursday, December 23, 2010

Two Feet on The Ground, Heart Wide Open

I have just rolled out of my own bed in New York for the first time in three months.  I am home and bursting with gratitude for all that I have experienced on my journey through Asia.   Thank you to all my friends in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore.  And a special thank you to my friends at home who supported my journey.  

This blog is titled Asia Teach Chi and, indeed, Asia continues to move in my psyche, deepening my view of the world and of myself.  With a nod to eternal youth, here are 29 things I have learned (or have been reminded of) about living a long, happy life...  I hope these pictures and words bless you on your journey.


Explore the world... it is a magical place




There is no place like home




Do what you love;  I am happiest when I am teaching






Make wonderful friends wherever you go






Before take a photo, should memorize view in your mind



Follow your gut instincts






Know when to say, "No, thank you"



A little bit of money can go a long, long way



Be grateful for this amazing life



Meet new people and ask them lots of questions



Slow down; Being leisurely does wonders for the psyche




When you slow down, life unravels at your feet



There is nothing more therapeutic than giggling for no reason at all




Clean bathrooms bring great joy



Never take your health for granted



Take time to pray in whatever way works for you




Trust your life and where it takes you



The rarest of beauty is in the details



Be fascinated by people



Challenging oneself is always rewarding



Cherish your friendships



Sometimes the simplest of gestures can affect you deeply



Proper letters are under-rated these days



Speak sincerely and share from your heart



Take time to step away from life and ask the big questions



Extraordinary people begin with a clear intention




The greatest privilege of being alive is to be remembered



Amazing things happen when you say "yes"





Jumping begins with two feet on the ground and a heart wide open

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

BEST OF SE ASIA: MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE

Below are my favorite moments in Malaysia & Singapore in December 2010.  This is a synopsis of each leg of my journey so below each picture (or set of pics) is a link to the blog page that gives more details of a particular place and time... I hope you'll click on the links and enjoy these unforgettable moments of the last three months.


Ahhhhhh... gorgeous Langkawi, Malaysia with my fun Malay friend Rayda...






Taking flight...




A day of giggling with new island friends that was joyously therapeutic... with the most amazing view in Asia.






Discovering the most beautiful beach in SE Asia...





Making amazing friends on Langkawi...





A blissful first-class train trip...




The soaring, luxurious skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur and a thrilling Malay dance performance...







Exploring Singapore with my fab friend Sri: dancing and Chinatown...





Then a day of play and rest at Asia's most popular playground...




With one of the most delicious Indian meals and a heart-felt chat about life...




Strolling and catching up with my dear old friend, Elisabetta...





Exploring the coolest rooftop playgrounds in the world...