I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world. ((Mary Anne Radmacher))

Today Ben and I set out on one of our final adventures together here in Bangkok. We made it to RIST, where our HW kids go to school. An hour from Mercy, Ben and I had some time to chat in the taxi. We both admitted to being in denial over the fact that he's leaving, but he has big waves to catch and friends and family to see, and while we'll miss him, he put it best: this isn't goodbye, it's just 'see you later'. He better believe I'm going to be visiting Australia one of these days. And until then we'll get him on Skype for HW help.

Timing today was like out of a movie. With a lost cab driver and a high school campus larger than my undergraduate's campus, Ben and I were worried we'd miss our kids' performance for Cultural Week. Ton was lipsinking to Bodyslam (how perfect!) as our other kids danced along. Literally, the second Ben and I made it to the Performing Arts Center we hear "now introducing our 7th and 8th graders" as the music cued in and the lights faded from dark to light, Ton came tearing out of the wings on the stage. If Ben and I had done ANYTHING differently we would have missed their show, but like a true miracle, it was the perfect timing.

The kids spotted us in the audience almost immediately following the show, when the lights came up. They were so happy to see us there. "Mommmm, Dadddd!!!!" And Ben and I were beaming with pride - "Let's go find our kids!" Rose showed us around the grounds as we waited for the final bell to ring which signaled 'go time'. On the bus ride home all the kids fell asleep. I turned to see what Ben was doing. Naturally he had his Kindle out. I sat in front of him with my paperback. "Look, mom and dad are reading and the kids are asleep," I joked. "Yeah, looks like we'll have to carry them into the house when we get home..." he quipped. While we joke, this has become my family away from my family. They are the most amazing kids and Ben is so good with them, he's going to make a great dad some day. We followed the performance with dinner on the 3rd floor of Mercy. I sat and rubbed Kwan's back (she ate too much) and watched Ben take pictures in his head. When we talked about plans for tomorrow, I reminded them it was Ben's last day. "Noooooooooooooooo" and "you can't leave"'s were screeched.

I know it's coming, but it's going to be SO weird when he's gone.

Tonight I went home to find my lovely roommates just hanging out at the house. I told Pung I really wanted to go see her mom, who is a fortune teller. Within minutes Pung was on the phone - "come on over". What an enlightening evening! Cards, books and birthdays were referenced and apparently I'll be married within two years, ha! Pung and Pui translated as Pung's mom carried on in a whisper. At times there would be burts of laughter and at others moments of silence. The anticipation killed me as I waited for Pui and Pung to decide on the proper translation. I made sure to record the hour on my phone, so that I may some day go back to that moment.

I'll have to get back to Istanbul again soon and have Fusun reread my coffee fortune! We can see if it all matches up. But the good news is I will have a great job soon and keep traveling (shocking, I know) and she can see my soulmate...

Life's a funny thing, four months ago I could have NEVER predicted where I would be right now and I can't wait to see what the next few months have in store.

For now I will live by Rumi's wise words:

Let Yourself Be Silently Drawn By the Stronger Pull Of That Which You Really Love

I love days with the kids...

...and views of Mercy 2 at sunset.

On a day when the wind is perfect, the sail just needs to open and the world is full of beauty. Today is such a day. (rumi)

ABA