life changes

Apologizes for not writing more frequently or responding to your comments in a more timely manner. I truly appreciate them and it's so nice when people take the time to comment or give my blog an award, but lately I have felt awful that I haven't been able to devote the same energy back. I promise I'm working on it!

I have to say I'm still surprised it's not just my family and friends from home who occasionally read this, which is extremely flattering, if not slightly intimidating.

Lately many people in my world have been facing big life changing struggles. As Stefan's Oma says, "Luck doesn't always fall on one side." Sometimes it means picking up the pieces, changing life plans, or making the most of time with loved ones.

Times like this call for appreciating the little things, which I often have to remind myself. That alone isn't always easy being so far away from home and leading such an unpredictable life, but there's a beauty in knowing that support can come from the most unlikely of sources. It's one of those beautiful moments of life beginning again.

It makes me think of the hermit crabs in the Maldives. Every single day there was so much action on the shore line. Upon closer inspection I would see the tiny crabs fighting to move into a new shell. Even for the little guys life isn't easy, but everyone fights on, gradually getting stronger and more colorful over time.

All of these little battles are tedious and demanding, but they are what make us appreciate the wonderful things of life and the moments that bring us joy. They add color to our lives as well, and shape us into interesting and complex people.

At the end of the day it's important to be thankful - even for the smallest things, and to realize how difficult life can be for everyone from time to time.

Maldives revisited

Stefan and I went to the Maldives in January 2007, which seems like ages ago. Not long after I had met him he was telling me that when he got married he was going to spend his honeymoon in the Maldives. I wasn't entirely certain what the Maldives were about until he was showing me images on the internet. I instantly became envious of his future wife and thought she would be one lucky woman. Thankfully I'm that lucky lady.

While on our trip we loved the mango chutney they served each night with the freshest fish I will ever have. I did feel guilty admiring the fish while we snorkeled and then eating them at dinner, but I realize it's the island way of life.


There isn't much to buy at the resort and taking shells and corals from the island is illegal, but we took many photos and several jars of mango chutney back with us.


While shopping at one of the Asian groceries I came across Tiger beer, which we were served on the island. It was a tiny surprise for Stefan, but something that made us both smile while we recalled the sand at our feet while we ate dinner.


It's a nice reminder of our trip and I'm hoping once we run out of chutney we'll just have to make it back to buy more. If only it was that simple.

Maldives

It has been nearly one year since we went on our trip to the Maldives and I am still thinking about what a wonderful place it was. The view as we flew in with our water plane, lounging at our bungalow, snorkeling, stalking bright colored hermits, watching for black tipped reef sharks, and simply spending time with Stefan. Every striking detail is burned into my mind.



I don't know if I will ever see water so clear again in my life (until of course, we go back). We saw so many beautiful fish (my favorite was still the Picasso Trigger Fish). We had lizards in our bathroom, geckos on the ceilings, and a beautiful heron that favored visiting during sunsets. I loved watching the shore line and seeing the constant movement and the tiny hermits battling for a new shell to move into. There were black tipped reef sharks always at our stair way, that went into the ocean. Life just seems to flourish there.

All of the vibrant colors made me so happy... and continue to (I'm pretty easy to please).

We were very specific about the details we wanted on our island and I am quite pleased that Veligandu fit our dreams. It was among the smaller islands, with no bug problems, no animation or constant activities, and a lot of time for Stefan and I to simply be a couple. We did enjoy going on a snorkeling safari, as well as a day on a deserted island, which was pretty spectacular. The food was always different, although fish was pretty standard. We even loved the mango chutney so much we brought several jars home with us.

I think I am the type of person that always is thinking deeper about things, which probably gets annoying. Suddenly for me, our trip turned into other environmental and economic dilemmas. I hated feel like I was creating waste, which these islands have no way to get rid of other than burning.

Despite all my struggles, it did burn itself into my heart. The Maldives are enchanting, mesmerizing, and very much unforgettable. What a blessing to spend such a wonderful trip with someone I love so dearly. It's just another reason that I love to travel - it awakens my senses and really makes me appreciate living in the moment. Our time in the Maldives was filled with the most precious moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.