"We Never Change, Do We?"

“We never change, do we?

  We never learn, do we?” –Coldplay

It seems like I am constantly making the same mistakes; playing the victim to my own bad habits.  I am getting pretty tired of it.  Are we incapable of change?  I would like to think it sometimes.  That way I can blame nature rather than myself when I screw things up or act in a regretful manner.  But the truth is – the only thing we cannot change is our past.  If we truly want to be different, better, wiser, richer, or what have you; the power to do so is in our own hands.

Dalat-Nha Trang Highway, Vietnam

Making a change is not easy though.  It is something I struggle with immensely.  There is so much about myself or my life I wish I could change.  I am constantly saying things like, “I want to lose weight,” or “I wish I had more patience,” or “I will not lose my temper,” but I never seem to DO anything more than state my desire…and get frustrated with myself when I commit the same habitual mistakes.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Well, as Bob Dylan so eloquently stated: “the times, they are a changing.”  It seems my time in the Middle East is drawing to a close.  I know a change in location does not fix things that are broken (however small or large they may be); but it will provide for a “fresh start” if I commit the effort to making those positive changes I keep talking about.  I think it is about time I stop talking the talk and start walking the walk.

Dalat, Vietnam

I won’t make a huge proclamation like; “from this day forward I will be good, I will be kind, I will be patient, I will eat healthfully, I will exercise, etc, etc, and so on.” If I do that, I will never grow to be the person I would like to be.  I think the first thing I need to do is come to terms with my flaws, accept the things about me that are not so great, and think about what ways I can improve the things I want to change in a realistic manner.   I would like to learn to celebrate the things that are good in my life and accept the things that are not so good as a challenge & an opportunity to improve. It is something I will have to work on every day; and if I fail today, tomorrow I will try again.

Danang, Vietnam

(Yes, I did post random pictures from Vietnam to distract from the actual content herein & lighten the tone.  We are working on positivism here, y'all.)

Reflections of a No-longer Newlywed

Not every day is perfect or noteworthy,

But each day is ours to share. (photo: our engagement - Alaska 2009)

Not every adventure turns out as planned, (photo: save-the-date - Doha 2009)

but we are taking the journey together (photo - Breckenridge, CO 2009).

We know how to push each other's buttons, (photo: rehearsal dinner ice cream cake -Doha 2010)

And how bring out the best in one another. (photo - Lower Latourell Falls, Oregon 2009)

We are teammates & best friends (photo: Whidbey Island, WA 2008)

Lovers, too.  

{Whoops. How did that pictures of Tom Selleck get in here?} (photo: bachelorette party - Doha 2010)

We are a family, (photo: Honeymoon -Paris, France 2010)

That will grow & change with time. (photo: Doha 2011)

 We will make mistakes & face challenges; (photo: Honeymoon - Corsica, 2010)

 But we will overcome them as a team & become stronger for it. (photo: Courcheval, France 2011)

Each year marks another awesome chapter; (photo: Istanbul, Turkey 2011)

Of the epic adventure that is our married life. (photo: Wedding Day 9-25-10, NJ)

Cheers, to 1 year down & lifetime more to go!

Be Better Than The Gap

Going to the movies is a rare occurance for me. Unless Harry Potter is out and in that case, I am first in line for the midnight premier. Holler. (BTW, do people still say that?) But in Qatar I do not go to the movies because it is like my own personal nightmare.  It is always too crowded. The locals have poor movie ettiquette: they talk, come in late, go in & out several times, use their cellphones, & generally are there for reasons other than actually watching a movie.  But I digress... Oh yeah - and their kids are most likely to be found kicking your seat & crying at the same time.  Not to mention that films here have all the good parts edited out.

(PS- Sadface for no more HP)

Anyway, despite all of the above nonsense, I went to the movies this weekend.  And was treated to this:

Well, Hello There.

Don't Mind If I Do.

Ladies, You Are Welcome.

(images from Crazy, Stupid, Love - IMDB page)

Crazy, Stupid, Love wasn't anything ground breaking, but I was not expecting to see such a funny & well done Rom-Com.  I am a big fan.  Even with all the kissing/sexy scenes cut out - it was still hilarious.  Tons of good 1-2 liners.  And Ryan Gosling - damn, he looked GOOD (and even though everyone loves the notebook - I was really neither here nor there on him before). When this is available on DVD/download I will definitely be watching it again.  You should watch it too; RG's hotness alone should be reason enough.

BACK TO THE US of A

IT IS OFFICIAL.

KP RETURNS TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (for a limited time only)

SEPTEMBER 30th- OCTOBER 21st

In celebration of the monumental occassion, here is a top ten list of

"MOST AWESOME THINGS ABOUT AMERICA"

1. SEPERATION OF CHURCH & STATE
• This is a concept taught to all kids in US History classes, but it is something that I never fully appreciated until I lived in a society where religion strictly dictates the laws - regardless of the religion (or absense-thereof) you choose to practice.  America wins because it supports freedom of practice & while beliefs may play influence on certain legislature - they are never founded on the sole basis of "because the Bible/Qu'ran/Vedas/ETC says so"
• Example A: The entire country does not literally shut down for religious observances & prohibits a person from conducting their life as they choose - AKA it is not ILLEGAL to eat food or drink beverages in public during daylight hours during the holy month of Ramadan.  If you choose to practice fasting; it is your choice to do so- it is not forced on you.  While the US does close certain businesses & give holiday time off for Christmas it is not ILLEGAL to work.
• Example B:  You have the right to wear whatever you please in public - so long as it is not indecent exposure.  You can proudly show your hair, face, knees, & shoulders without a problem.
• Example C:  As long as you are of age (or are in the privacy of your own home) you have the right to drink & purchase alcoholic beverages.
2. FREEDOM
3. NO UNJUST CENSORSHIP OF PIGS
•  Pigs & pork products are not illegal and/or banned from the country
• Depictions of pigs are not deliberately removed in media & even children's books
• 
• 
  
  
4. STARBUCKS ICED CHAI LATTE
• 
  
  
5. THERE ARE FOUR (4, count them) SEASONS - as opposed to HOT & HOTTER posing as two seperate seasons.
6. DOES NOT SHARE A BORDER WITH SAUDI ARABIA
• Instead it shares borders with 2 rad on their own accord Countries:
• CANADA - home of Maple leaves, Mounties, & nearly legalized Marajuana.
• MEXICO - home of mexican food & cerveza. Yum.
7. DARREN CRISS
• 
• If you are not already a fan - please watch "A Very Potter Musical" or "A Very Potter Sequel" & then get back to me. Ok? Thanks.

  
  
8. LAND CRUISERS & A-HOLE DRIVERS DO NOT DOMINATE THE ROADWAYS
9. TAMPONS
• America, my ovaries thank you!
10. MANY OF THE PEOPLE I LOVE & MISS LIVE THERE

• 
  
• Nephew Cayden & the "Devil Dog" Brody; just to name a few...You know who you all are :-)

AMERICA - I can't wait. See you soon!

XOXOX, KP

New Sports To Try...

1. Street Surfing (Istanbul, Turkey)

 2. Community Park-ercizing (Vientianne, Laos)

3.  Sand Dune Sailing (Sealine, Qatar)

4.  Snow Ski Hang Gliding (Courchevel, France)

5. Jungle Court Basketball (Luang Prabang, Laos)

Thought of The Day...

 

Mixay Guest House; Vientiane, Laos

Obligatory Re-Cap Part II

So as you already know I disappeared from the face of the earth (blogosphere) for nearly 7-8 months...and yeah, I really don't have a good reason for my absence.  But anyway, here is where we left off on my previous re-cap:

I got hitched.

Then we gallivanted through France & Corsica on our honeymoon:

We spent a few lazy weekends hanging & camping out with friends at our favorite "secret" beach here in Qatar:

We traveled to Jordan for Christmas & visited Petra which is very high on my list of "most awesome old places on earth":

 Yup, that is the husband who climbed on top of the ruins...

 We stayed at the Six Senses & it was one of the most awesome hotels ever...that waterfall is actually a hot spring.

And that brings us up to speed on re-cap part I.  Now if you are still with me...on to part II.

In January the "Moms" came out to visit to celebrate the Husband's birthday & we showed them around Qatar (or actually they showed us around Qatar since they had done more stuff in a week than we had in over a year of living here!) & Dubai:

 HI MOM!

Ginor showed us how to properly ride a camel.

Next, we had an epic ski adventure in the French Alps, Three Valleys (a trip that deserves its own post at some future point in time):

Suddenly, it was April & off we went to celebrate my birthday in Istanbul, Turkey.  (Where, by the way, I bought the most excellent Prada birthday handbag from the Grand Bazaar) Again, another trip that deserves a full post (now only if I could stop being so lazy...).

And that brings us up to my latest adventure....backpacking with Martinez in the South-East Asian country of Laos!  (Just wait for the videos - two words - landslides & monks. Yes!)

This trip was amaze-balls.  I want to go back and explore more of Asia...like NOW.

Well, so now you guy all know where I have been hiding.  But, don't be fooled by all the cool pictures, we spend the vast majority of our time doing something less than cool (literally)...it's called work... in 120 degree heat.  And yes, we have been having quite a laugh about all the "heatwave" news in the US because we consider 100 to be a nice day!

Hsbnd

KP, 2:02 PM:
u going biking tonight?

Husband, 2:02 PM:
don't know
he didn't text me back yet

KP, 2:03 PM:
bmr
i am going to watch TB with JB tnght

Husband, 2:03 PM:
y i knw its bmr
cl
lts tp wth n vwls
it wll b fn

KP, 2:04 PM:
awsm

Typical

Such an awesome face.  Just another typical evening for us during the summertime...since it is 115 degrees out & 80% humidity... Not hot or anything.

Another Reason Why my Dad is Awesome

Today I received an e-mail from Dad (aka Bob-o).  I clicked on the hyperlink and discovered, yet again, that my Dad is a source of non-stop awesomeness & entertainment:

 PIRATE THEMED HOME MOVIE THEATER!!!!

 Captain's wheel - check

Boom/Mast - check

 Johny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow - Double check

Well appointed bar - SOLD.

(Images courtesy of Elite Home Theater Seating)

Thanks Dad!! Can't wait for my new home movie theater!  So, when do you think you can fly out here to Qatar and install it in the man-cave???