... They are more palatable when volunteered for.  But even when challenges arise that you certainly weren't looking for, they can have potential for positive (and of course negative) personal change and growth.  I prefer to find the positive in such episodes and hopefully be able to realize the negatives as they arise.

Very early one morning few months ago, Mr. Tat and I, away on vakay, found ourselves face to face with 4 masked men and a gun in our hotel room...I know we both considered the possibilities of how the night could end.

In this case we were fortunate enough to have heard the intruders.  To be fair, it was Mr. Tat who heard them coming up the balcony to our 2nd floor room and when I saw them, I screamed.

The ordeal seemed to take forever but it was probably less than 8 minutes.  Someone had heard me scream and a few minutes later the hotel's security officer was at our door. I yelled out and the thieves ran back where they came from. 

Police came and talked with us. Then a trip to the station a few sleepless hours later and it was over. 

The hotel's manager and a maid there were very sympathetic to us and we are very appreciative of their support. The hotel's owner was extremely good with helping us to take our vacation back, though I have to admit it wasn't the same afterward.  He also compensated us for our losses after we returned home.  I know we would have had an all around great time there if not for our experience.

So what do we do now?  Be a wee bit bolder.  Don't take garbage from anyone.  Remember to live.  Try our best to not live in fear.  Keep traveling.  Continue to trust that most people don't want to harm us.

My latest challenge was the Leonardo Challenge.  I try to participate every year because it's so damn fun.  This year's theme was maps... I love maps!  I don't think I rose to this challenge as well as I could have but I'm still pretty proud to have completed the vision in my head.