Happy Thanksgiving at Mike's

I have missed the last three Thanksgivings but this year I was able to be at my brother Mike's for his Thanksgiving feast. He puts on quite a spread. At last count, there were almost 40 people there for at least part of the dinner extravaganza. My Mongolian friends would have enjoyed it as it was a meat-eaters paradise: several types of beef and pork, seafood such as salmon, tuna and shrimp, Italian sausage, and two turkeys - one roasted and the other deep fried.

Too many people to mention here but I want to thank Vic and Linda for coming all the way from Atlanta, and Anita coming from Phoenix, Steve and Charley coming from Cape Girardeau. It was great to have them there. In absence was Andrea, now living in Florida, and Matt and Melissa who are still in Kazakhstan. And my brothers Tom and Bill were at their in-laws family celebrating.

And the weather was perfect. It was unseasonably warm for the end of November as you can seem my brother Mike is wearing shorts. The sun was shinning. You couldn't ask for a better day.

Everyone ate too much. But being together was the best anyone could ask for. I have a great family.

Lou, Linda & Anita

Mike carving the turkey

What's on the grill?

MEAT!

More family at the table

Kaitlan and Kate

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Christmas in November

One of the things I sorely missed my three years in Mongolia were the big family gatherings for the holidays. On my mother's side, I only have 2 uncles and 2 aunts. But between them, there are 29 cousins, almost all of whom are married (I think only 2 of us are still single) and all have kids, even a few have grandchildren. That makes for a big family gathering.

This year, partly because of my leaving soon, again, and the fact that many of the family will be at other places, my aunt, Juanita, decided to have the Christmas gathering in November, before Thanksgiving. I drove my mom and my brother Bill and met my other brothers, Mike and Chris there. My niece, May, along with her husband, Bobby, and their son, Jack, and little 'Peanut' were there too. Even my niece, Lauren, from university showed up. Of my other aunts, uncles and cousins, there were too many to keep track of. [smile]

My uncle Willie, my mom, and my brother, with his daughter.
And way too much food.

Even though it was supposed to be only finger food, there was enough to feed an army. Twice! After having counted my calories for these last three months, it was very hard to show some restraint on foods I didn't allow myself. We'll see what the damage was to my waistline tomorrow morning. Not really wanting to see that I don't think.

Many I hadn't see since my last time back in Kansas City two years before. Seemed word had gotten out that I was leaving soon, but everyone still asked questions. "Why?" "What's it like there?" and "When are you coming back?" To that last one, I couldn't really say. I will probably work till September to finish the school year, but after that, I'm just not sure.

I could have stayed all day, but probably would have eaten way, way too much more. I've said goodbye to my extended family so many times, it seems just like something I do - always say "goodbye." I guess that's my karma.

My mom, Shirlene, with my brother, Mike, and his daughter, Lauren.

But not to be outdone, my brother, Mike, will have Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday with all the extended family from my dad's side of the family. And, while not as large, my dad's side of the family seems to make up for it by intensity. Again, my waistline will be tested, with too much good food and desserts. But it will all be worth it to spend just a little more time with my family.

Returning to Mongolia

Well, it shouldn't surprise my readers that I am returning to Mongolia. With barely enough time to let my Thanksgiving feasting digest, I'll be on a plane back to Ulaanbaatar. I will be returning to my old teaching position at Shedrup Ling Buddhist Mediation Center. The new semester should start in December. As far as I know, my contract will last until September. Not sure what will happen then, but I hoping for a change and maybe a new job (with the same organization) teaching in Erdenet, about 4 hours outside of the capital city.

My four months back home

It's been a nice stay in Kansas City, living first with my brother Mike, and then moving in with mom. It allowed me some quality time with both. And while my mother would prefer I stay close to home, she understands my wanting to help others, like the students in Mongolia.

In hindsight, I got a lot done while at home, but then a few things just didn't happen. Probably first and foremost, I decided to lose weight, and lose weight I did. To date, I've lost 42 pounds since returning state-side. My secret: don't eat. Yes, it's that simple. I ate my three meals a day, but they were all pretty small. And then exercise. I kept up my running and bodyweight exercises too.

The running has really taken off, probably partly due to the fact that I'm now 40+ pounds lighter on my feet. In October, I ran almost 150 miles for the month, including a half-marathon distance (13.1 miles). My farthest distance so far though was 15 miles. I think that doing the International Ulaanbaatar Marathon next summer is very doable now. I have to say though that I couldn't have done it without all the support and comoraderie I get on DailyMile.com If you want to get motivated and stay motivated with others, this is the site for you.

And I've also continued to do my bodyweight exercises care of Bodyrock.tv. I'm amazed at how I can finally do the exercises now. Simple and quick, these are great workouts for anyone, any age. Amazing.

Biked as much as I could but wish it could have been more. To date I've put over 870 miles on the bike since I got home in August. Maybe by the time I leave, it will be close to 1000. I'll definitely miss the bike in Mongolia. But if it looks like I'll stay a long time again, I might bring it back with me next time I visit KC.

Had lots of school projects I wanted to get done but there just wasn't enough time for most of them. Thankfully, I got a lot of my textbook conversations recorded for my students. That's huge. Thank you very much Peg, my wonderful sister-in-law, and my mom's super cool next door neighbors, Holly & Jason. You guys are the greatest.

A new start in Mongolia

I've had a wonderful time back home. I really needed the break. But, I hope I also learned my lesson about my "workaholic" lifestyle. This time I will be going back trying to start fresh, and stop making the same mistakes so I can stay healthy, relaxed and happy longer. That not only benefits me, but everyone connected with me.

My plans include:

• Work less, play more - I really was working 24/7 for the last three years. And while it was all worthwhile, it was not healthy at all. I was literally drained all the time. I can't help my students if I get like that again, at least not long term. So, I'm hoping that with a more reasonable workload, I can actually accomplish more because I'll be rested and energized, not dead tired and drained.
• Study Mongolian every day - I want to immerse myself in the language as much as I can in my situation. That means private lessons at least 4 times a week. I'll ask Tsetsgee if she'll teach me again, but I also want a second tutor that will get me out of the center and away from work.
• Study the morin khuur (horse head fiddle) - My students were so generous to give me a morin khuur as a going-away present back in August, and I really want to learn it both for them and myself. So, I want to start weekly lessons as soon as possible.
• Get away from the computer - This means getting away from work. I will try to leave the computer in the classroom and use my new iPad in my room for reading and drawing. I wasn't able to read for the last 3 years but with the iPad I can check out electronic books from both the KC library and the JoCo Library. I can even buy books if I want too. Looking forward to this feature.
• Stay healthy - I'm taking my scale to Mongolia with me so I can continue to monitor my weight. And I'll continue with my running and bodyweight exercises. If all goes well, I will enter the International Ulaanbaatar Marathon next summer. That will be a huge milestone.

At least, that's the plan. [smile]

I hope to update this blog more often too. I'm trying to look at this new year (my fourth) in Mongolia as a new start, a new beginning, and will try to see Mongolia with new eyes again. That means getting out of my classroom more and really getting to know Mongolia and the Mongolians.

PS: With this new beginning, I might also change this blog website a bit too.

Books: Oct-Nov'11

I like to read, mostly science fiction, but sometimes other things too. Here is what I've been reading lately:

Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived

The second novel set in the Old Republic era and based on the massively multiplayer online game Star Wars: The Old Republic ramps up the action and brings readers face-to-face for the first time with a Sith warrior to rival the most sinister of the Order’s Dark Lords—Darth Malgus, the mysterious, masked Sith of the wildly popular “Deceived” and “Hope” game trailers.

Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment

Bestselling author Deepak Chopra brings the Buddha back to life in this gripping novel of the young prince who abandoned his inheritance to discover his true calling. This iconic journey changed the world forever, and the truths revealed continue to influence every corner of the globe today.

A young man in line for the throne is trapped in his father's kingdom and yearns for the outside world. Betrayed by those closest to him, Siddhartha abandons his palace and princely title. Alone and face-to-face with his demons, he becomes a wandering monk and embarks on a spiritual fast that carries him to the brink of death. Ultimately recognizing his inability to conquer his body and mind by sheer will, Siddhartha transcends his physical pain and achieves enlightenment.

Although we recognize Buddha today as an icon of peace and serenity, his life story was a tumultuous and spellbinding affair filled with love and sex, murder and loss, struggle and surrender. From the rocky terrain of the material world to the summit of the spiritual one, Buddha captivates and inspires ultimately leading us closer to understanding the true nature of life and our selves.