So I ran into an old friend at the Shopping Centre the other day. I use that term for want of a better one. I guess we were friends at one point, probably quite close but have not been in contact for a good 10 or more years and have made no effort to stay in touch. As inevitably happens in these situations the 'life achievements' comparison occurred. On paper how did I score? Not too well as it happens. It seems that one needs to come equipped to these conversations with a wedding ring, (or at least an engagement ring), a brilliantly successful and well paid career OR being employed full time in ministry, a substantial mortgage for the mansion in the suburbs and as an added bonus, a few kids. Now lets see... 0/5! Gee if only they had seen me a while ago, I could have at least ticked... well, one box anyway! Goodness, what have I wasted the last 30 years on!
It was only a 5 minute conversation with the obligatory exchange of phone numbers and promises to keep in touch... who knows, maybe we will but somehow I doubt it... And the weirdest thing is, I walked away feeling light and happy and a little bit sorry for my old friend, who spent the 5 minutes trying to prove something to me. I'm not entirely sure what it was they were trying to prove, but it was almost like my opinion of them was ultra important and they couldn't waste that opportunity to impress me, all the while making themselves feel better because they had done more stuff than me...
I don't know how much of the fact that I felt content was because I know I have an amazing adventure coming up, but honestly, I think a large part of it is that I'm FINALLY getting the point that the stuff, achievements, notability is not what its about. it really is about loving God and loving people and doing the best you can with what you have. maybe that sounds corny and simplistic but maybe it really isn't supposed to be complicated... Just a thought...
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
An innocent abroad...
It seems like it's been forever since I last updated. So here goes! Well work continues to be interesting, unpredictable and challenging. And try as I might my bank balance doesn't seem to grow! I guess that's because I keep buying bits and pieces for the trip so I can't complain. For those of you who don't know, I'm getting on a plane in ...37 days! I'll be gone for about 3 1/2 months at this point... who knows how I'll cope with that. It may turn out to be longer of a whole lot shorter!
My adventures begin in South Africa - flying into Johannesburg and then possibly on to Cape Town for a few days before flying from Jo'burg to Uganda. There I will have amazing experience of attending the Hope for Africa's Children Conference (see www.watoto.com) No safaris planned at this stage. I would be more than content with the conference and possibly getting Cape Town and seeing Robben Island. I couldn't tell you how incredible it would be to visit such a significant sight and feel a little of the history of Mandela and this Country...
Then after Africa I head to London for a few weeks and then Ireland. I'll try and catch up with some of the family and then I've booked myself on a Shamrocker bus tour of the South. I'm really looking forward to that! It's a 5 day tour taking in the Hill of Tara, Connemara, Galway, the cliffs of Mohar, Doolin and Killarney, Blarney and then back to Dublin...
And then it's off to Holland to meet up with Airin for a little bit. The pan is to drive with her to Paris via Belgium.... It's a tough life I know! In Paris I'll meet up with another friend Oliver (if he can get some time off!) and we'll travel around a bit. No idea where exactly, but that's part of the fun! The Mediterranean has been mentioned as has Germany. I'd love to see Italy and possibly Spain... or Greece... and then there's Switzerland and Austria... and I'd really love to see Auschwitch before I leave Europe but we'll see if that is possible... so a bit of a whirl wind trip!
And then it's back to London before flying off the the US of A. I land in New York and am so excited! I'm going to love exploring this amazing city for a week before heading off to LA where I get to hang out with Josiah for a bit and catch up with my friend Zoe! Yay!
It seem huge and overwhelming and surreal and yet it's happening in 37 days!
No doubt, more updates to follow...
My adventures begin in South Africa - flying into Johannesburg and then possibly on to Cape Town for a few days before flying from Jo'burg to Uganda. There I will have amazing experience of attending the Hope for Africa's Children Conference (see www.watoto.com) No safaris planned at this stage. I would be more than content with the conference and possibly getting Cape Town and seeing Robben Island. I couldn't tell you how incredible it would be to visit such a significant sight and feel a little of the history of Mandela and this Country...
Then after Africa I head to London for a few weeks and then Ireland. I'll try and catch up with some of the family and then I've booked myself on a Shamrocker bus tour of the South. I'm really looking forward to that! It's a 5 day tour taking in the Hill of Tara, Connemara, Galway, the cliffs of Mohar, Doolin and Killarney, Blarney and then back to Dublin...
And then it's off to Holland to meet up with Airin for a little bit. The pan is to drive with her to Paris via Belgium.... It's a tough life I know! In Paris I'll meet up with another friend Oliver (if he can get some time off!) and we'll travel around a bit. No idea where exactly, but that's part of the fun! The Mediterranean has been mentioned as has Germany. I'd love to see Italy and possibly Spain... or Greece... and then there's Switzerland and Austria... and I'd really love to see Auschwitch before I leave Europe but we'll see if that is possible... so a bit of a whirl wind trip!
And then it's back to London before flying off the the US of A. I land in New York and am so excited! I'm going to love exploring this amazing city for a week before heading off to LA where I get to hang out with Josiah for a bit and catch up with my friend Zoe! Yay!
It seem huge and overwhelming and surreal and yet it's happening in 37 days!
No doubt, more updates to follow...
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