Excessive planning

To put it straight, my current life is not the most interesting one. I work during the week and study during the weekends. I’ve bought gym membership last month and went to the gym three times. I usually waste my spare time on the Internet, just like everyone else does.

I keep on reading different blogs about destinations I plan to visit. But I don’t stop just there.  I search for all legal information I can. I check what’s currently up in different cities I want to live in. And their grocery stores offers. I look for interesting job offers and adjust my educational plans around them. I even spend hours and hours to find a perfect flat in given location.

I’m very much aware it’s crazy or even maniacal. I’m desperate to imagine my life there, detail by detail. But there is a method in this madness. According to “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne you should do so. You actually should feel your fantasy becoming real. Do I believe in it? I’m not so sure but it’s a great excuse to carry on my crazy planning.

I’ve accidentaly come across a polish blog about a teacher who has been working in China for 6 years. He works at university and has long vacations twice a year which he uses to travel through other Asian destinations. Right now he’s hiking in the Himalayas because why not?

That renewed the idea of going there for a couple of years before I settle down in Thailand. When I was about 9 years old I read “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden. I absolutely loved the book. It made me more interested into culture of different countries, continents, religions. Before I reached 12 I had read way too many books portraying often tragic stories of women and regional customs. I loved books written by Lisa See and everything I could find about Empress Dowager Cixi.

It’s natural that I want to explore Asia. I’m aware that both China and Japan have drastically changed yet I want to learn more and see those things in person. I’d like to check how much of old Asia is still hidden in those highly modern countries. I’ve read that you still can find both and I’m more than willing to see myself. I’m dying to set my foot there.

I don’t know much about Thailand so the country I want to settle down in. Quite bizarre, isn’t it? All I know is that people are friendly, weather is good and there are tons of cheap fruit everywhere. Especially Chiang Mai is heaven for many fruitarians- people who stick to solely eating unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables. And those mangoes look delicious!

Yes, I’m serious when I say I chose Thailand due to quantity and quality of fruits. I’ve always eaten many fruits on daily basis. I can’t imagine living in Japan where access to fruits is limited. Plus sushi and bonito flakes are just not for me.  

I think that food plays a huge role when moving to a different country. When you don’t enjoy the food I think half of the pleasure is taken away. And I know what I’m saying. Two years ago I works as an summer au pair in England. My first family was a busy British one. Food was highly processed and most of it was premade.

For me it was unthinkable to buy breaded chicken filets from M&S instead of taking just five  more minutes to do it yourself (and season it better too). Premade sauces from jars are also a weird thing for me. It just doesn’t taste real to me. Food should be food, made from scratches as much as possible. I understand people can get busy and tired but I strongly believe you won’t feel better if you put junk in your body.

After two months I moved to a lovely Pakistani family. Despite the fact that they were the kindest and warmest people, the food was amazing too. The host mom would cook a nice Indian/ Pakistani meal every day.  It was delightful. I could go on and on about that family, their kindest and food. I always think about them in a good way. It was really hard to leave them and go home just to study at my University. And just saying- to study a subject I’ve dropped midway through.

Food is a great factor to consider when choosing a new home. You are less likely to feel miserable after a good dinner and that works everywhere you choose to go. So excessive reading can only benefit you. There is a method in this madness, I tell you.