Nobody ever said life is easy.

While Cindy and I were traveling, if something went wrong we'd look at each other and say, "We're not working. We still have our hands and our feet. We can walk. We'll be OK." So when our bus slid off the road and we had to wait a few hours for a tractor to pull it out, when we missed our train and had to sleep in the Rome train station and when we woke up in the middle of the night with cockroaches crawling on us, we laughed and relished the experience for what it was - something that likely will never happen again. And I'm so glad I had those experiences even though at the time they weren't always the most pleasant.

In the last few days, I learned that a friend of a friend who sustained a traumatic brain injury during a soccer match on February 22 got to come home from the hospital. His girlfriend, family, and friends formed an amazing support network that has helped him know how important he is in their lives and that is certainly helping in his recovery. Although he has a long way to go, all signs seem to be that he is moving in a positive direction.

I also learned that a dear friend of mine is in ICU at the UW hospital. He was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, and has taken every experimental treatment he could to prolong his life. He is an incredible fighter and a true inspiration. The passion with which he has lived his life and the love I have seen him show for his wife are examples worthy of imitation. I hope to visit him when I return from Montana next week.

Lastly, I learned that someone dear to me lost their job yesterday. Although this person isn't the only one I know who is (or will soon be) unemployed - take me for example - it's a tragic thing because she is truly gifted at what she does and budget cuts are the reason for her "involuntary dismissal." Knowing her, she'll find the silver lining in the situation and will come out on top. At least, that's what we hope for.

These three people who weigh heavily on my mind haven't been dealt the easiest of hands right now. I keep reminding myself that things work out the way they do for a reason. In each of these circumstances, I'm not sure what exactly the reason is but hopefully in a few days, months, years it will all be understood.

Until then, we all just have to keep on fighting the good fight. Nobody ever said life is easy, and if it was we wouldn't have tough experiences that make us appreciate what we have that's worth holding onto. Here's to turning adversity into something positive and to one day looking back and laughing.

Still Thinking

Since I've been home, I've of course been looking for a job and have been doing some volunteer work (mostly meetings so far, but hopefully I'll have something to show for it soon). When I'm not at the library or at home conducting my job search, I'm keeping busy cooking dinner for Andy and Janie and taking Turk on runs or long walks. Today it might have to be a short run since the weather isn't cooperating so far. Hopefully March will go out like a lamb . . .

It's a good thing that I've been babysitting for friends occasionally because I'm headed to Great Falls, Montana, at the end of the month to welcome the newest member of the Weber Clan to the world. My cousin Amy, her husband Jason, and their two kids - Gracie and Emmett - are eagerly awaiting the arrival of another member of their family, and if the timing is right I'll be there when the baby is born! I've never been to Great Falls before, so I'm excited to check it out and plan my next trip to go fly fishing with Amy and Jason. : )

The first weekend in April, I'll be in Spokane to participate in the 2009 Inland Northwest MS Walk. My friend Kishia's mom was diagnosed with MS nearly 20 years ago, and their family has participated in the walk for several years now. I walked with them two years ago, and was unable to last year so I'm putting on my walking shoes and joining again this year. Hopefully I can survive the walk carrying Jackson, Kishia's baby who I'll meet for the first time at the Walk! She assures me that he is heavy, but I think I'm up to the challenge!

Just before visiting Cambodia, I read "First They Killed My Father," a book written by a survivor of the devastation Pol Pot's Khemer Rouge inflicted upon the Cambodian people in the 1970s. The book really impacted me because I didn't know much about Cambodia's history before I left on my trip, and it was a big eye-opener to the atrocities of war. If you still haven't read this book, please do at some point. It's not always the easiest read, but it's definitely worth picking it up. The book's author, Loung Ung, has written a follow-up to her first book, titled "Lucky Child." I'm in the middle of it right now, and it's also been very eye-opening. I don't want to spoil the story for you here, but it definitely provides perspective and is thought-provoking in its own way. Next on my list is "The Covenant," by James Michener. It's 2 ginormous volumes written about the history of southern Africa. I really enjoyed his book "Hawaii," so am hoping that I'll be able to get through both volumes about Africa so that I can continue my quest to read more about the places I've visited. I think India will be my next chosen country, but I might have to take a break from serious reading for a while before I delve into that. We'll see . . .

I was supposed to play softball yesterday, and was both happy and sad that my game got rained out. Happy because I have no idea where my cleats are packed away and I probably would've fallen and been super muddy and wet during the game. Sad because it would've been nice to get out and play again. Hopefully next week I'll be able to get out there.

I hope anyone who is still reading this is having a good day.