In Real Time - March 25, 2017

We've been married 22 years today, March 25th. It seems like a blink of time, but it also seems like it's always been "us."

I told someone just yesterday that I am married to someone who chooses everyday to be the best he can be, an attitude that spills over into everything he says and does and even thinks. But, it's the tiny decisions that seem to matter the most.

So, this might not seem like a little decision, but it is. Jeff knows that I would be just as happy staying home to celebrate our anniversary, but he also knows our time at home is rarely spent connecting with each other.
And, as busy as he is, he finds the time to research places (for off season prices and deals on flights) and books everything.





Flying to Bali is not a short flight, but the 4+ hours on a plane together is GREAT. We took the first two hours remembering that we belonged together without kids.

Once we made it to Bali, we had another 45 min flight to Lombok, and a 90 min drive to the Lombok Lodge, which is by far the most beautiful place we've ever stayed. But, the travel time was time spent together, which is all I needed.



Last night at the Lodge so we had dinner on the pier, alone.



The Lodge only has nine rooms and only two were being used at the time. Glorious!

Many places in Asia are doing this open shower idea, but not very many places get it right. The Lodge got it right.

Graduation 2016

This was not a sad moment for me because I was just so incredibly proud of Forrest. I was thrilled for what he had accomplished to be so young and I was thrilled to watch him pass through this milestone to move toward his goals, which are lofty (and half accomplished).

He was accepted into the Public Health Scholars program at American University in Washington, DC, where I know he will continue to be a world changer.

Even with all the bamboo scaffolding around the school, the graduation decor was impressive.

Golden Birthday

Forrest turned 18 on April 18, which is apparently called the Golden Birthday. I had never heard this term until we moved to Asia.

With Anna around (our helper), every birthday feels like a Golden Birthday. At the very least, every birthday feels like we're living with Elf. On the morning of each person's birthday, this is what we all receive. And, she doesn't save any of this, so every person gets a very unique surprise.

All of those little slips of paper have character qualities for Forrest.

In HK, a person becomes an adult at 18 and can legally consume alcohol and drive. Because Forrest is a rule-follower he was waiting (not to drive). Jeff had a "guys" dinner planned on his birthday to bring him into the fold, so to speak. 

One of my all-time favorites of the gang from 2009. He's still their leader:)

Myanmar Spring Break - April 2016

The decision on a spring break destination hinges on the cost of hauling six Holcombes on the plane, and the cost of sleeping six Holcombes in the hotel (no one wants to let us share a single room no matter how much we tell them our kids love to sleep on the floor).

Myanmar recently opened up to tourists and it's still relatively inexpensive to travel in the country. And, they aren't too picky on packing a room full of people (as long as you talk fast causing a bit of confusion). And, that's the right combination for us.

Myanmar is predominantly Buddhist, but we found this beautiful church in the center of the city in Yangon.  We asked the tour guide to take us in, and she gladly agreed. She had never been in the church because she thought she was not allowed. We told her all would be welcome and she happily went in with us and asked us so many wonderful questions.  

Then, we were off to a temple and were required to wear the attire.

I love the book selection on the street. As I said, this country only recently opened up to tourists.

So, the guy with the sign in the background is walking through every aisle showing everyone which flight is leaving. He is checking the stickers on the chests of the travelers (you can see the little sticker on Forrest's shirt) and making sure no one misses the flight that matches the sticker. To me, this system calls into question the age of the plane and air traffic control towers. But, clearly, it's only me that's worried.

I'm just not sure how this bus actually worked. It was out of a cartoon. 

We love this service. We book fishing and snorkeling and the boat just comes up to the beach to pick us up.

 The best fishing story on youtube:

https://youtu.be/RKbVMx133HU

These kinds of finds in countries other than the US - Dairy Queen - elicit an unbelievable reaction in my children. It's embarrassing, actually.