time

i got a little package yesterday from an old family friend which made me think about two things. (first, thank you annie! it was wonderful).

first, in some ways i'm so far away and then in other ways this distance allows for this unique kind of connection... i get notes and packages and pictures from people who, in the states, i see and talk to rarely. and here because we're so far away that connection needs to be made to feel like we care about each other. so, letters, text messages, phone calls, packages are these amazing gifts which remind you of specific people in specific moments and which seem so natural to the person and which i hold and cherish as these little reminders of the people i love. whether it's a dr. seuss book or earrings or prayers or a book about american teachers abroad i see them all and think of someone specific. it's kind of amazing.

second, annie wrote about writing and sending in "haste" and how she does everything these days in haste and that the only time that wasn't true was when she was travelling. i have so much time here. time to fill with pets and people and meetings and which sometimes feels productive and sometimes feels incredibly empty. and yet, i fear the time when i get back to america and CAN'T read because i don't have time or don't watch the sunset or greet people as i pass them. it's frustrating here but isn't the opposite just as frustrating?