The Pursuit of Happiness

I just wanted to wish the good ole United States a big Happy Birthday! I've spent much of the last year focusing on that certain unalienable right listed in the Declaration of Independence as the Pursuit of Happiness. During our home visit in Texas, many people have asked me how I like living in Malaysia. It's been one great big vacation for me. (My kids still have school, and hubby goes to work, so they will probably not make the same claim as me.) I explore the streets of a historic city, learn about a different culture, and try out new food every week.

It's been a wonderful, stimulating year, and I'm so glad we decided to accept this expat assignment. Last July, I wasn't 100% sure it was a good idea, but I went ahead anyway. I often tell my kids that sometimes they can't control a situation, but what they can control is their reaction. I guess this past year I decided to be happy. That is the reaction I chose. Over the course of my life, I've had my low points, and I know that choosing happiness sometimes isn't necessarily easy or even possible. But this isn't one of those times.

There are supposedly four stages of culture shock according to my reputable friends at Wikipedia.

• Honeymoon phase - (0-3 months) Life abroad feels like an extended vacation
• Negotiation phase - (3-6 months) Excitement gives way to anxiety, frustration and homesickness
• Adjustment phase - (6-12 months) Life begins to feel "normal" as you become accustomed to the new country and negative feelings decrease
• Mastery phase - (12+ months) You participate fully and feel comfortable in the host country while keeping many traits of your original culture

I figure that I am either still in the Honeymoon phase or that I perhaps skipped entirely over the Negotiation phase and went straight to the Adjustment phase. To be honest, I wasn't very supportive when my husband told me about the expat offer. I worked my way through all the anxiety and frustration before we even left Texas. I'm not quite sure when things changed, but I know I boarded the international flight to Malaysia feeling slightly apprehensive but mostly excited.

That's when I decided to pursue happiness. I knew that embracing my new country and culture is what would make this expat stay the most meaningful for me. I decided to find joy instead of frustration in the differences. I intentionally cut back on volunteering as much as I did in the U.S.A. so that I could free myself up for discovery. I committed myself to traveling on long weekends so that we could take advantage of our new location. I surrounded myself with like-minded, positive people while also trying to remain sensitive to the feelings of those who are less in love with expat life.

I also decided to pick up an old childhood hobby which had fallen by the wayside due to the demands of work and motherhood. I started writing this blog to share my adventures with the world. Thanks for reading this. You have made me so happy.

U.S. National Park Week: Part 2

From April 21-29, 2012, it's National Park Week in the U.S.A. That means you get free admission at all national parks plus special discounts at selected parks.

We had planned to visit one of the most famous national parks, Yellowstone, last summer. I even made reservations a whole year in advance for hotel rooms with a view of Old Faithful. But fate stepped in and sent us packing halfway around the world instead. Thank goodness the lodge had a very generous cancellation policy. In Part 1, I covered our visits to parks in Washington State, Colorado and Maine. Now, on to the rest!


Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Big Island, Hawaii - 2010
This was a place of refuge for the ancient Hawaiians who broke sacred laws. It is an amazingly way cool historical place.

My favorite memory is asking my then 5-year-old how did she think they lifted up the massive rocks to build the tall wall. I thought she'd reply, "Magic," or "Fairies." Instead, she said, "An inclined plane." Thank you Sid the Science Kid!


Ki'i (carved wooden images) made out of ohia wood

Volcanoes National Park, Big Island, Hawaii - 2010
Here's your chance to visit a live volcano. See the red glow and gasses coming out of Halema'uma'u Crater while standing on the deck of the Jaggar Museum. At night, view lava flowing down the mountain. Explore the cavelike Thurston Lava Tube hidden under the jungle growth and hike the aptly named Devastation Trail where you can observe plant life reestablishing itself after a 1959 eruption.

Visiting the home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes

Modern day lava flows across the old Chain of Craters Road.

Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii - 2010
The landscape changes as you start at sea level, pass Hosmer Grove, and drive up to an elevation of 10,023 feet at the top of Haleakala. Some people even watch the sun rise at the summit then bike down the twisting road.

Missing summit near the top of Haleakala

Alien forest in Hosmer Grove gives way to
native Hawaiian shrubland

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, California - 2011

I spent many childhood summers nearby in Lake Isabella, but I somehow never made it to this park until last year. Giant trees, the Crystal Cave, and a canyon that's about 8,200 feet deep (2200 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon) all call for your attention.

Pausing for a moment before descending to the bottom of Kings Canyon
to hike Zumwalt Meadow

Driving through Tunnel Log — How much more touristy can you get?

U.S. National Park Week: Part 1

From April 21-29, 2012, it's National Park Week in the U.S.A. That means you get free admission at all national parks plus special discounts at selected parks. We're a family that visited National Parks every summer until we ended up moving to Malaysia (where we happen to live just 20 minutes away from the smallest Malaysian National Park).

In some ways, I always thought our park visits were a little strange. We are not folks who normally go out on weekend family hikes. We typically spend our free time baking in the kitchen or maybe tinkering with LEGO robotics. But our big vacations always seem to lead us to National Parks.

Over time, I have figured out that even though the kids were small when we started, we've created lasting memories. When my oldest boy studied ancient American civilizations in Social Studies, he couldn't wait to bring in some photos from our trip to Mesa Verde National Park which was home to the Pueblo Cliff Dwellers in Colorado. My younger boy once started babbling on about riding on a boat, eating a hamburger, watching whales, sleeping in a log cabin and eating pancakes. At first (only halfway listening), I thought he was telling me about a dream. He insisted it was real. Then, I realized he was describing our trip from Canada's Victoria Island to Olympic National Park in Washington state that we took when he was only 4-years-old. He made it sound so magical. What kid couldn't love it?

Here are some of my favorite pictures from past trips to U.S. National Parks. I hope that one day, you'll make some time to see some, too.

Olympic National Park, Washington - 2007
With Pacific coast beaches, temperate rainforest, and alpine areas, this place is like three parks in one. Twilight fans have an extra bonus since Forks is reached by driving through the park.




Rialto Beach



Easy alpine trail on Hurricane Ridge

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado - 2008
This park is best known for the cliff dwellings of the ancestral Pueblo people. It has everything from hikes so easy a 3-year-old can do it, to more challenging ones that involve climbing ladders up to the cliff side condos.



Spruce Tree House

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado - 2008
This is the home of the tallest sand dunes in North America. The sand gets blazing hot by midday in the summer, so plan on visiting early in the morning. Afterwards, cool off in Medano Creek that runs by the Visitor's Parking.



Can you see that tiny speck of a person just right of center
on the Great Sand Dunes?

Acadia National Park, Maine - 2009
On top of Cadillac Mountain, be one of the first people in America to watch the sun rise for the day. Enjoy popovers and tea at Jordan Pond House. See the rugged Maine coastline and eat lobster. Ahh....



Grabbing some sun on Cadillac Mountain

Post-prandial stroll around Jordan Pond

Stay tuned for Part 2 where I'll cover a few parks in Hawaii and Sequoia National Park in California.


This post is part of Friday DayDreamin at R We There Yet Mom?