Maybe 7-23-15

I thought we could all use a little Zen wisdom on this Thursday evening.  I know I need it. 🙂

Maybe, Said the Farmer

Once upon a time there was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.

“Maybe,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed.

“Maybe,” replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

“Maybe,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

“Maybe,” said the farmer.

~ Zen Parable, Author Unknown

Hmmmm, while you’re pondering the message of one of my favorite Zen Parables, check out what I’ve been up to while here in Thailand.  If you’re in the social media world of Facebook or Instagram you’ve probably seen most of these, if not, they’ll be new to you.  You can follow me on Facebook as Eryn Donnalley and The Critical Path or on Instagram, eryndonnalley if you want to see what I’m up to on a more day to day basis.

Yummy, my favorite Thai ice coffee.  That’s, Thai gaafae yen, in case you were wondering how to say it in Thai

Here’s a beautiful park I go to regularly.  It’s right inside the city, amazingly.

View from my apartment

A few of you have wanted my address.  Here ya go 🙂

Oohh I spent the weekend at this beautiful ashram outside the city a few weeks back.  I’ll spare you the details of the weekend as it was a detox retreat.  My bowels are all clean now after the 15 glasses of salt water, that’s all I will say.  LOL

I look a little drunk after all that cleansing… nap time.

For all my construction peeps out there – is this the coolest disguise of a concrete crack you’ve ever seen?  Yeah, I thought so…

Ok, any of you Italians out there want to come visit me and cook me proper Italian food?  

OMG the cuteness factor of these little girls is off the chart, huh?

Had to make a run to Laos for a day.  Overnight bus from Chiang Mai – Laos – Overnight bus back to Chiang Mai.  OMG exhausting!  This is the typical ‘visa run’ required to stay here in Thailand.  Now I have the education visa, so I don’t have to leave the country every 3 months.

Crossing the Mekong River from Laos back into Thailand.  Was kind of a surreal moment seeing the Laos flag and the Thai flag flying in the wind as I crossed the bridge on foot with my two new friends.  Who gets to stand on a bridge crossing the Mekong?

View from my co-working space at Maya Mall.  Have you guys heard of co-working spaces?  It’s a popular concept these days, especially where people work remotely.  It’s basically like a big library type space with a cafe and you just sit around in a comfortable place working all day and order food or coffee when you feel like it which gets you access to wifi.  Good stuff!  I’m usually here 3 days a week writing.

Ohhh, don’t I look studious.  

The other white meat?!?!?!?!?  Ummm I think I’ll skip eating here.  LOL

Well, people, the book is happening!  Made it to 100 pages, kinda feels like a milestone.

Go me!!!

First day of Thai school, new notebook!

Four hours a week I spend here learning Thai – very difficult language, let me tell ya’.

I’m eating well, don’t you worry!

Still amazed when I see things like this – bamboo scaffolding.  This wouldn’t fly with OSHA in the U.S. but it seems to work just fine here.  Wonder how many accidents they have…

New Mandala

This gives you an idea how many scooters I share the road with.  Eeeeek!

Bought a scooter, here we go… Zoom, zoom.

Hey ya’ll I found me a friend from Texas, all the way over here in Thailand, can you believe it? We shared apple pie for the 4th of July.

Lots of love to all my peeps around the globe.  If you’re missing me, chances are I’m missing you too, so call me, text me, Skype me!  Oh, and Happy 3/4 Birthday to my good friend Chris Godlewski 🙂