Come join me for a cup of coffee (or whatever your preference) and let's have a heart to heart chat... As of December 31, 2019, we have been engaged in this Expat Life for 6 years. We are now in our 7th year of living overseas in a country that is not our own and becoming friends with people who are not from our own home country--- Expat Life. So we have been in this life long enough to have some experiences and challenges we have overcome AND short enough to still remember what those beginning days felt like! In this blog I would like to share some things with you. It may help you understand us and other expat friends you may have. It may help you prepare yourself if you are thinking of joining Expat Life in the near future. It may help you know that you are not alone if you are already in this Expat Life and need some encouragement.
Hopefully these thoughts give you a little peek into Expat Life, at least for us. We always tell our USA friends how much we appreciate their support AND we do!!! We have friends that support us in many ways and believe in this vision we have. We couldn't do this without them! It was never intended for us to live this life alone! WE NEED EACH OTHER!
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There is a fruit in Vietnam that I have become familiar with and enjoy. It is one of the main holiday fruits that is given during the Tet (Chinese New Year) season. This fruit is called Bưởi in Vietnamese or pomelo in English. It is in the grapefruit family. It has taken me about 3 years to really conqueror the peeling of this fruit. It is quite an extensive job to get through the tough outer skin then peel back the thick membrane that surrounds the juicy fruit sections. This Tet season, as I peeled one of the Bưởi we were given, I had an illustration to come to mind. As I gave much energy and time to get to the center of this fruit where the juicy and delicious fruit was, I thought of the outer layers that I had to "fight" through to get to the beauty of this fruit! Is it worth the fight and the energy? Yes, I believe it is. One Bưởi (and that is a big piece of fruit) is only 230 calories and it packs some great nutritional value. One fruit gives you over 600% of your daily value of Vitamin C. One fruit gives you 37% of your daily value of potassium. One fruit gives you 6 g of fiber. One fruit gives you 4.6 g of protein. One fruit gives you 10% of your daily value of Vitamin B-6. And you even get some of your calcium for the day from this fruit! Geez! There's some good stuff there to keep a body healthy and all for just 230 calories (for those calorie watchers out there)! (Reference: https://g.co/kgs/1GxMNu) Many times we see the outer tough layer that surrounds people and fail to see what lies deep inside hidden by the outer layer. It takes time, energy, and patience to peel past the outer layer and then the thick membrane to get to the reward of knowing that person...the beauty within. But when we take the time and energy with patience guiding the process, we can come into a relationship that nourishes our life tremendously!! We are divinely designed to need people. There is much research that documents that people need support networks of other people. This is one of the hallmark traits of people who are resilient through the tough stuff of life...they have a support network that they draw strength and help from. Positive and healthy relationships are packed with good nutrients for our lives! Another interesting tidbit about the Bưởi is that the outside skin can be used for healthier hair. Now I don't know much about this. I just had a local tell me that he knows people in Vietnam (including his family) will boil the outside skin and then use the water to wash their hair in. It has been used to help with hair loss and seems to help increase the health of their hair. As I reflect on this...I think of the Proverb that speaks of friends sharpening friends like iron sharpening iron. Even the interactions we have that are not pleasant or may seem more difficult like the tough skin of the fruit...they still provide a benefit into the health of our lives. The main take-away? Take time for relationships. We need them! They are more valuable than we often realize! Even the tough ones!! Here are some pictures of my process of peeling the Bưởi. Actually after I finished this Bưởi, I learned a better and easier method that I will use next time...we are always learning! As I reflect on a new year...a new decade...2020...my focus is on "The Future is Bright"! Just like as I paddled through this cave on the Tam Coc Boat Tour and we came to the LIGHT on the other side! The Future is Bright! You may say, "How can you know that the future is bright?" Well, let me explain... I have recently started the challenge of learning to drive a small 50cc motorbike in Hanoi. One of the instructions I have been given is to make sure that I look at where I want to go versus where I am. Where I focus my forward vision is where I will end up driving the motorbike. So, when I see a ditch, I don't want to focus on the ditch. I want to focus on the road ahead so I can avoid the ditch. I realize, as I come into 2020, where I focus my vision is where I will steer my life. If I get distracted by the challenges that I will face and the difficulties that will come, I will steer my life into the darkness of these things versus the light that is on the other side. There maybe some dark caves or tunnels we find ourselves paddling through in 2020 but keep paddling. There is light on the other side. Focus on the promise you have. Focus on the goals you have set. Focus on the hope of a better tomorrow! There maybe weeping in the night BUT look for the joy...expect the joy...that will come in the morning! |
AuthorCindy writes about her adventures, observations, and other nuggets from living in another nation. She and John live in SE Asia. She will also share nuggets from her 58 plus years of life. Categories
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