The Peace That Comes With Routines

 April 25, 2026

I like rhythms and routines.  There is a peace that comes from slipping into a stream and knowing the direction you are going.  Now, it rare that any two days in my life at UF are the same; however, there are certain action steps that I typically take about the same time within any given day or week of the semester. I've had roles where I felt like a pinball machine- ping, ping, ping- being bounced about and my schedule smacked with levers in someone else's control. Not my cup o' tea. 

  https://media.tenor.com/Js7zPtta3HgAAAAM/pinball-bounce.gif 

When I am abroad, I typically fall into a routine based upon the week day and my teaching/ activity schedule.  For reasons that I still ponder, I've struggled to get into a rhythm here in Chiang Mai.  As some would say, it has kept me one bubble off plum. Here I am starting my final week here (fly out in 7 days for Hanoi) and I finally feel like I have a grasp on my neighborhood and my work relationships at Chiang Mai University. 

Yesterday, I dedicated my day (Saturday) to grading papers all day for my two courses at UF.  Except for those students who have not turned in their final assignment, I've got those courses wrapped up.  Hope to get grades entered on Monday.  I celebrated by having dinner out at what is now my favorite Indian Restaurant over here.  The waiter recognizes me and welcomes me back.  It's those little things, particularly when you are traveling solo, that keeps me centered.  Feeling non-stop lost and floating about is the norm at first, but getting settled means a lot to me. I will enjoy my leftover palak paneer and naan for lunch today with the fried rice that I just picked up from the farmers market. 

 

Despite there being a gorgeous indoor pool here, last night was just the 3rd time that I went swimming.  Okay- so I really hate COLD water and this pool tends to be chilly, but I discovered about 7PM, the water is just about perfect for me (it closes at 8PM).  So, I suspect they turn the pumps off about that time. With this discovery, I suspect that I will use it almost every one of my remaining nights here. 

When I needed to stretch my legs throughout yesterday, I would take a break go downstairs and enjoy  sitting on a sofa under their portico.  Yesterday afternoon we FINALLY had a gully washer and it was so nice to feel the cool breeze and read my book. 

This morning- thanks to the rain, I bet the temperature is only 85 or so and not humid; so, off to the farmers market and Top grocery store as well as leaving food scraps for Lady and Tramp just outside the 7-11.  Nothing huge, needed some coca-lite (Diet cokes) from Tops and I wanted to get some pork belly and fried rice to go with my Indian leftovers from the farmers market.  I am ruined.  I will never look at a pack of Applewood bacon from Hormel the same way again.  When I enter the farmers market, some of the women and men running stalls that I've shopped at before call out in greeting and give me a wave. Okay- so the "pork belly man" most definitely remembers me :-)  .  The husband/ wife vendor team with the fried rice offered me a taste of a couple of other dishes they were serving and while tasty, my lunch is already looking more like a traditional noon-time Sunday dinner, so I declined.

 

                  Fresh Fish                                                       REALLY Fresh Fish

   

    Frog Legs... Well,WHOLE frog anyone?                           Lotus Blossom: Great for salad, soups,

    I don't know if you buy the live frog or if the vendor        when the blooms open and dry, the seeds

    guts them for you. I'll pass.                                                are popped out of the pods like nuts and 

                                                                                                eaten. 

     

    The veggies here are just gorgeous.                 Pork Belly

  

    A store that sells just sauces!  Most are less than $1.       Bags of dried spices! 

Where is all this rambling going? The last assignment for my Transformation class students was a short reflection on the one characteristic that the student believes to be most important in nursing (though at least 10 of the students ignored the one part and provided me with a list). Out of my 41 students, probably 5 students said "flexibility".  It is certianly something we preach in nursing school. I thought about that word during my walk this morning (while keeping my head on a swivel to the cars both parked and moving!). 

I don't think flexibility is necessarily an antithesis to routine. I am good at being okay with tossing the schedule out the window when something comes up that needs attention or helping with a colleague is needed.  But I also know I would not wish that for my daily norm. When I have a routine/ rhythm, I am much more in the moment of living. And I believe routine gives us the opportunity to talk with Our Lord and listen to what He wishes to share.  So, the Lord and I did a walk about this morning in my neighborhood of Chiang Mai. I covered the vendors with prayer and soaked in the sights and sounds of the neighborhood waking up and getting the day going. And I felt...... at home. 

Peace of the Lord be with you this day. 

Stepping Off the Sidewalk..... Into New Adventures

Karen

Disclaimer: The content of my writing strictly represents my personal views and not those of the University of Florida, the U.S. government, the Department of State, or partner organizations.