Sometimes the biggest heroes come in the smallest sizes.

(Or-what I learned walking down the main street of Mae Nam, Koh Samui.)

Always make sure when you go to a country that you keep an open mind and celebrate their differences. You travel to see something new, not the same old thing.

Is create. Don’t just think about it or talk to friends. Practise, produce, and create. (Sorry, if it sounds like I am stating the obvious.)

On Friday, we went for an elephant ride which cost 700 Th Bat (or 23 dollars). It was a short 30 minute trip around their jungle park. At first, the driver guided our elephant along a dirt track with Katka and sitting behind him. After awhile, the driver let each of us ride behind the elephant’s head as he walked alongside. He took several photos with our camera. Then, he got back on and tried selling us plastic charm bracelets and necklaces at a high price. When we tried to negotiate a deal, he said, “No, I must charge this price. Elephant has to eat.”

For 364 days, we rush around, knock into each other, stress, worry, meet deadlines, attend meetings, work, but this holiday should be about stopping and slowing down.

I know what I said last month about writer’s life style, but visiting real places can give your imagination a boost.

Small independent cinemas are fun. As a kid, my favorite was the Roxy near my house. It started as a concert hall.  I once overheard a couple talking about Billy Joel and Heart had played there. The atmosphere was amazing with the old organ, the velvet curtains, and lights. The 70’s cartoon preview reminded people that they could still buy popcorn.

In 1998, I was visiting the Christmas market in Wenceslas square. I noticed that there were people in costumes. (men in white fluffy beards with staffs, or young girls in wings). One family with two little boys was walking down the street. Two men with horns on their heads and dirt smudged faces ran up screaming. They grabbed the boys, threw them over their shoulders and ran off.

Bridge to Terabithia is a nostalgic tale of friendship and losing that special someone. Written by Katherine Paterson and published in 1977, it is one of my favorites for its intimate portrayal of a boy as he grows from the new person in his life and the changes that she brings.

A month ago, my writers’ group discussed how your geographic location might affect your art. They claimed that they would all write better if they could move to Europe (Paris or Prague). In this bohemian environment, inspiration would blossom.

I know Halloween was two weeks ago, but a friend gave me these Jack O’ Lantern photographs and it reminded me of the first time I bought a pumpkin in Prague (back in 2004) and took it back to my flat. All these women were smiling at me. I thought, Wow, everybody is flirting with me today.

When I lived in Panama, I did my student teaching at a bilingual Catholic school. The teachers and students were all native Spanish speakers and practiced English in select subjects.

Looking through my notebooks, I found this memory of my first Dušičky (Or All Soul's Day) in the Czech Republic. After all these years, I still consider it one of the most beautiful holidays.

This book review is dedicated to my elementary school librarian, Mrs. Miller, and her annual ghost story reading done by candle light every Halloween.

Once I was with friends on a getaway weekend out of Prague. We were walking through the woods. One girl, Petra, screamed and ran off the path. My heart leaped into my throat and I started sprinting after her. Did she see a bear, a boar, snake, spiders? What?????? Should I climb a tree?

Tove Jansson's Moominvalley in November isn't your typical narrative, but more of a glimpse into a natural wonderland. The story setting is the passing seasons from Summer, Fall, and then Winter. The beautiful description helps you see the isolated Moomin valley. It feels almost as if you, the reader, have fallen out of the sky and landed in a forest. You dust yourself off and meet Snufkin and the others one by one as you walk along.

When you write and share your work (articles, short stories, plays, poems), you will get all types of criticism. Not everyone will think your writing is pure golden wisdom and praise your ideas. Some will only look to find your grammatical mistakes, missed punctuation or typos. Others will point out your flaws in your stories and others won’t understand anything at all.

Travelling is an act of faith that everything will go alright.

In 1998, I left to live abroad in the Czech Republic. As I prepared, I kept my mind blank to all the possible problems. My co-workers asked, "Are you worried? Have you traveled before? What will you take? What WON't you take? How long will you be there? What if no one meets you at the airport?"

In the last week of August, my parents and I stayed in a hotel near Assatague Island, Maryland. This beach was recommended by a fellow surfer as a great surf spot, but I had never been there. It is home to 80-100 wild horses as a national park. The horses can wander wherever they want and are protected under environmental law.

Picking out a book by unknown author is quite scary. Will it be good? Will I like the story and the characters? Of course, I could have spent hours searching the shelves. There were so many new books out there besides the classics. However, in the end, when I visited children’s section of Luxor, I found one tucked in the corner hiding in the shadows, Momo by the German writer Michael Ende. His most famous book was The Neverending Story.