07 August 2012

there's a place...

so there's a place in jakarta where you can buy cotton candy colored chicks. but that's not surprising at all to me. because there's a place for everything here. 

there's a place to crack your iphone, a place to get the best mexican food you've ever eaten in your life even though you've lived in texas and even once traveled to mexico, a place within stumbling distance to get a before-bedtime massage, and a place where a seamstress sits in wait of torn catalog pages, the styles on which she is ready to unabashedly copy at a twentieth of the honest cost if you're ready to be a little dishonest. (as of this writing, i am not ready. i've heard you need to be in-country for at least two weeks to be this sort of ready.)


there's a place to get a 7-eleven slurpee, and a place that holds a forever 21 and every other store and brand you never thought you'd see in person or again. there's a place to see a movie with subtitles that you don't even see, really, the popcorn smell lulling you into thinking you're home until you walk out into the lobby and wonder why there are so many indonesians in virginia. there are many taxis to catch, a sea of smiling faces you'd swear were meant just for you, and so much dirt coating the bottoms of your feet and the lining of your throat when you come home at night that you believe it will be permanent. and you don't mind. not even one bit. 

choke-cough. choke-cough.

best of all, there seems to be a place for us.

pat asked me to write something here. i told him i am too full right now to do that, but he just shrugged his brows and passed a little silent judgement and so here i am.


you guys. this place. i feel like i was deflated for the past two or three years. uninspired and flat. and now? man...i'm full. and i don't know what that says about me. nothing good, i imagine. i do know i enjoy swimming against the current even though i never get my hair wet, i like being in the minority but only when i'm treated like a treasure. or an oddity. whatever. and i guess i like proving myself. i might even like being a little dishonest. i mean...in a few weeks. haute hippie, i am coming for you. 




kittens! totally kittens.

so. i'm here. i'm awake while you're sleeping - (i originally wrote the line i miss you while you're sleeping, but that sounded rather skeeve, yes? indeed.) - and that makes it a little difficult to keep in touch, but we'll figure it out. if anything major happens, like babies needing to be named or if you got a cute new pair of jeans or if you've taken a particularly fetching snap of yourself at carpool, please tell me? i would very much like to know.

xoxo. and yay. this is good.

28 comments:

Barchbo said...

I love that you're loving it! Cheers to that!

And I bet we're awake at the same time; I'm 36 weeks pregnant so I'm always up in the night! I'll be thinking of you and your new adventure!

Anonymous said...

I had to google Jakarta. And then (embarrassingly) Indonesia. You are worlds away my dear and I can see the change in you already. Enjoy it!

Sherry said...

oh, man, I'm glad your back! i love following you on instagram..but i love your words too. when you're flat, i'm flat..that's how much you inspire me to write more and more. maybe i'll get some work done today now. enjoy every day over there...and this wanderlust girl is so looking forward to hearing (and seeing) everything--sherry

ale norris said...

i was so glad to see one of your posts this morning! you always describe things so vividly and perfectly, and of course this post was no different. glad you're enjoying it out there!

-ale

SAV said...

I gasped. Outloud. Scrolled down and up, down and back up again, just to make sure it wasn't still 'the middle of the afternoon.' You've been missed!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to see this post! I missed reading your words!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to see this post! I missed reading your words!

Brandi said...

your words just set my heart singing. i want to visit. that fullness and wonder of a new place...it keeps reviving the wanderlust in you, i think. or it does for me.

Tracey G said...

We miss you guys already. Glad you are happy and full.

meredith said...

SE as

Anonymous said...

SE Asia is so special - we had the joy of living in Vietnam for two years until this past spring - we are prepping for our move to Central America - and I long for the new smells, sights, sounds and people - your words and pictures are inspiring - please keep them coming - i hope that your new home is a source of joy, warmth and hope for all five of you -

Shirley said...

What a happy girl you've made me today! I've missed your words. P.S. The dress is beyond lovely.

katie said...

it's so good.
get yourself to bloody seamstress and copy away!!
STAT!!
love this so stinking much.

Krystal Celeste said...

So good to see a new post from you, have really missed your writing! Looking forward to hearing more about your new adventures in Indonesia! :)

Unknown said...

I'm biased, but not convinced you were completely flat in VA.

Just. Not just. Prepping those girlies for indo 101.

Ali said...

So very happy to see your new words pop up in my Google Reader. How is it that you always make my cry? Happy tears this time. I'll be following along on your new adventure...

Kate said...

Yay, Pat!

Mallory Nickels said...

I'm glad you're back.

Victoria | Hibiscus Bloem said...

Loved reading this. How wondeful that you feel you have found a place for yourselves. Great adventures to be had. I'd get a copy of that dress in an instant!!!

Shannon said...

I am glad your meraki has found you in a place that you have found home.

~Shannon

Kim said...

Oooooh so excited that you're back overseas! I look forward to hearing all about Indonesia. :)

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

she's back. all is divinely good again.

la la Lovely said...

i've been checking and checking and now I feel a little more relaxed knowing you are all in magical place! Yay to feeling so alive! I still can't believe this cotton candy colored chicks thing.
xo . trina

Callie Grayson said...

yeah! you're on an adventure again.
that dress, pretty sweet!

xx
callie

Estelle Hayes said...

Oh, I knew that I missed you and all of your words. But man, this just reminds me of what a treasure you surely are...so happy you are back to sharing. Please do keep it up - that is, when you are up for it.

P.S. Love picturing Pat as a papa of teenage girls. Rough.

TX Girl said...

I wish I were more like you!

TX Girl said...

I wish I were more like you!

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh yeah. I have missed you.