Thankful Thursday

Maggie ~ Thankful that my friend who took a spill on her bike today is ok and that I wasn't the one to do a handstand over the handle bars on my bike. 

Walter ~ Thankful that Erin has traveled into the  mountainous regions of Thailand for a week to help the less fortunate. 

Andrew ~ Thankful that I got a smart phone this week and now I can keep up with my family and friends. 

Jack ~ Thankful that I have 2 friends coming over Friday after school. 

***Erin being away this week has been excused from our Thankful Thursday

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. 

~ Melody Beattie

Cheers

😘 M

Karaoke, I do NOT

Remember, your voice does not sound any better in a foreign country even in your mother tongue. 

If only I had stuck to that mantra Saturday night. I NEVER sing karaoke but for some relapse in my mental capacity I did. These ladies love karaoke. Being invited to the birthday party was quite a privilege for Walter and I, being the only foreigners, we were enjoying the entertainment. Getting quite the kick out of their song choice from Perry Como, Air Supply, Whitney Houston and Bon Jovi. They kept bugging me to sing saying your the American come sing your English music. No no, was my usual reply.  These ladies were hilarious singing these English songs with their Thai accents. The one woman couldnt even carry a conversation in English but she was the one doing all the singing. They even sang Jimmy Buffet. At one point Walter and I thought we were in a bad movie. So maybe you can imagine why for some reason I thought that I "just HAD" to sing a song better than a Thai person when singing an American Classic 1980's song. As I watched her attempt to sing Bon Jovi I really began to believe (could have been the Chang influence) that because English was my native language I would do a far BEtTER job of singing the song than she would. How wrong I was!!! 

My new Thai friends did not ask me to sing again. Something about carrying a tune. The stage was theirs the rest of the evening.  I am a much better audience member. Lol

It was so bad that when Walter, the kids and I went back to the restaurant last night one of the staff recognized us and with no words exchanged between us just a pretend microphone in his hand and laughter.  Walter laughed and of course tipped the guy when we were leaving. Me, I may never show my face there again. ;)

No Walter did not sing, smart man.  Oh and if you don't recognize him, He is the really tall white dude! Lol

Life here in Thailand has begun to seem normal, scary that my life seems normal. We have fallen into a routine. Kids have adjusted really well. Both boys got glowing reports from their head masters about how well they have fit in. Erin is enjoying her week in Koh Chang. She comes home Friday. The house is a bit quieter with her gone. On a bummer note she did not get elected Red House Captain. She is Head of her Tutor room. She was a bit bummed but has bounced back and is okay with it. I was just proud that she attempted it being new to the school. She also has a very cute "friend" who came to dinner on Sunday but I can't talk about him. 

I finished my book, sort of, and went to book group to discuss it. I haven't been that intellectually challenged in a long time. Yikes these women are serious. I just had to work hard on listening to keep up with the different accents, never mind giving my input about the book.  The fun thing about it is I got to go into a really cool house with an amazing view of the sea, eat some great food and listen to these women speak who are from all over the world. Forget the book, that is enough reason for me to go back next month.  I just like hearing their stories.  

Also now I'm exotic as well because I'm Australian. Something got misinterpreted about where I'm from and I got labeled as from Australia. Shhh I'm going with it for a while. Now I can really practice my Aussie accent. I'm getting quite good. ;)

Walter is doing well and working lots though his fantasy football is suffering. Something about not being able to sit and watch the games has thrown off his mojo. I think it's because we are to involved in watching Breaking Bad on Netflix that he isn't giving proper attention to his lineup. 

He heads out Monday for the next 2 weeks to India and Korea. 

All good on Ryan's end, well at least that is what I think, haven't heard much from him lately. Must have enough money. 

Listen If you hear from him tell him to call his mum (that's Australian for mom). ;) lol

Cheers

😘 M

The King and Queen of ..........

 

 This is the Sanctuary of Truth.  It is an all wooden building filled with sculptures based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu motifs. There is no metal used.  It is under constant construction because of it being made of wood.  It needs continued up keep and they are constantly adding new sculptures to it.  They started construction of it in 1981.

I really did take that picture too.  It is not from the web.

 

 

Steps to get down to the temple are definitely not to code, says my engineer of a husband.  ;)

This is completely hand carved.  I don't think the pictures do the sculptures justice. 

 

 Seriously this is all carved wood.  It is quite impressive close up.

 

  If I had paid attention better I could tell you why they hit the gong before entering but I didn't. 
Oh well.  Oh and we had to wear hard hats around the site because of the constant construction which cracked us up because I can't really say safety is always a priority here and we were allowed to take them off inside and for pictures.  It was funny.

 

The family photo ( -1 )

Yes this is Erin and Jack our king and queen for the day.  Nope we will not be referring to herself as Queen E ever.  LOL   Here Erin and Jack were able to play a bit of dress up.  To show respect for the sacred place women have to have their knees covered so Erin got a cute new wrap which of course they sell to you at the entrance. 

Andrew did not want any part of this dressing up. 

 

 

 

 

Not a great picture but to show you the massiveness inside and the constant construction going on.

The beliefs.  I have to say it holds a lot of truth. 

 

 

 

 The wood they use to carve.

They actually carve the sculptures on sight and they work on their hands and knees.  All carvings are done by hand only a chain saw is used to cut the wood into pieces for carvings. 

The wood used is Red Wood.

 

 

 Big Papa enjoying a tall cold one.  The Buddhist may not drink but they will SELL it and of course we will drink it.  ;)

 

Feeding the sharks, well why not.  We fed fish too! 


Cheers
 M

Thankful Thursday

Walter ~ Thankful that I swam in my pool for exercise today after talking about it for 6 weeks. 

Andrew ~Thankful that I ate awesome guacamole tonight. 

Jack ~ Thankful that we got to eat guacamole at this awesome Mexican restaurant tonight. 

Maggie ~ Thankful that I actually survived my first bike ride to tennis. (meaning I didn't get killed by another motor vehicle, motor bike or motor anything else that fills these Thai roads, or eaten by a dog, cat or any other animal that fills these Thai roads, or fall off the bike, and was able to pedal more than 1km) 

Erin ~ Estoy agradecido por el restaurante nuevo Mexicana que encontramos esta noche. (Erin wrote this) it means (I am thankful for the new Mexican restaurant we found tonight.) 

As you can see there is a bit of a theme tonight. Not on purpose and not common, we were just so excited to have found this authentic Mexican restaurant in the heart of Pattaya. It was delicious. 

Other Elms news

Jack: Played in his first football game and scored 3 for his team and 1 for the other (oops, not on purpose but by accident, bad trap on his part). His team won 6-5. Very close game. Jacks coach is extremely impressed with his "footy" skills. He played I think the entire game accept for maybe like a minute. One of the best parts about his game was Prayoon, our driver.  Prayoon sat on the side line cheering his heart out for Jack and stepping in to coach when the "coach" had to go off and coach year 5. Prayoon's son plays for an amateur football team in Bangkok so Prayoon is a big football fan. He has been watching his son play for a very long time. It was so cute how excited he was that Jack was in his first game. 

Not a great picture of Jack but that is Prayoon in the striped shirt standing next to the field. It was the first time someone was actually louder than Walter at Jacks game. 

Erin: She gave her speech for Red House Captain and the Head of IB was quite impressed with her speaking skills. Walter and I not so impressed we listen to her speak ALL the time. She is good. Lol. Voting is this week and results are Tuesday. 

She leaves for Koh Chang in the Trat Providence of Thailand Monday for her week long island trip. Okay maybe I'm making it sound more glamourous than it is. It is a school trip where they go to Team build. Okay well it is on an island, Thailands second largest island, they stay in a resort and hello I never went to an island for a week when I was in HS. 

I did apply for chaperone but got shot down, something about beer drinking moms not being the best guidance or something. Bleph what do they know. I could show those kids a thing or two about club dancing, right Ricky.   Lol!  JK I really didn't apply for chaperone, parents aren't invited but I'm secretly following the bus and hiding out on the other part of the island just so I can say I went to Koh Chang too.   Worried about Erin, no way!  Just jealous she is going to an island and I'm staying home. Hahahahaha

She best stay in uniform and no string bikinis though!  ;)

Andrew: He is doing well and starting to come out of his shell. He is back playing his saxophone. A boost to his small ego was the football coach asked him to fly with the team in November to the Phuket International Football tournament. A weekend long tournament staying at a resort to compete with other international schools in football. Needless to say he is sooooo excited.

I don't get to go on this one either, or so my kids told me.  I swear there is a conspiracy or something. 

Ryan:  Got his first cold without me and survived, I think. ;) Got himself to the doctor and pharmacy, there is a first for everything in college. 

We have received only a few texts with hey hey hey we need to talk or I have a question to ask you, but never with the full story, this is Ryan's way of asking if he can spend more of our money. 

He receive some very nice care packages from his grandparents which made him very very happy. 

Classes seem to be going well, he should be getting all A's since he claims it is so easy. Yes we all chuckle since it is only week 3 for him, time will tell. 

He is now looking for a roommate since MSU has caught up that he has none and is going to place some random person in there which we know is usually not a good sign. 

Big Papa and I went back and shopped at Makro. No one stopped us and security did not kick us out. We did not buy more liquor. We decided to leave those poor girls alone for a while or at least a week or until the booze runs out. :) Probably back this weekend!

Cheers

😘 M

He is the MAN!

What was I thinking?  Seriously, why would I doubt Big Papa. He is the MAN!

You ever go into a store and a sale sign is posted with the price and you buy that item because of that price only to get to the register and have it ring up with a totally different price?  Frustrating! Try this in a foreign country where you don't speak the language. Most like me would give up and just walk out the door. How does one argue this. They don't teach you this conversation in language class. 

Nope not Walter. One who has mastered the art of negotiating large engineering contracts in most foreign countries. He will take on anyone just for the principle. 

Walter and I go into Makro (the store he fished in) to buy some captain. Yes The Captain, well it's not the real Captain it's the Jamaican Rum Captain, definitely not the same (so I have been told)

Note to readers: If you ever come to visit us please bring Real Captain in your suitcase for my man, you will be reimbursed!  And it will be MUCH appreciated. 

Anyway~ 

While we are in the liquor section I want some Proseco too. The sign says if you buy 6 bottles then you get a discount. Never passing up a bargain we put 6 bottles, plus the captain and a few other treats in our cart. They ring up our selections, we pay and walk away. Walter checks the receipt, we are still in the store, have to purchase liquor in the liquor section which is in the back.  Walter notices that we were charged the regular price not the discounted price for the Proseco as stated on the sign. He shows the receipt to the lady at the register. She then Shows the receipt to the lady who sits behind her, who we assume is the liquor store manager though she doesn't really do anything but wear a different shirt. This "manager" says something we don't understand. Walter says no no that is the price (pointing to the sale price on the sign) we should pay. I know they have no idea what he said but they get he is unhappy, it's all in the tone. They make a phone call which makes a weird noise over the intercom. We wait!

I'm thinking ~ security is coming for us. 

We stand there for a very long time. I think they are trying to "wait us out\the stall tactic" hoping we give up. A trick we have learned when living in another country. Not my Big Papa. While waiting Walter takes a photo of the sign with the Proseco bottles with his phone. The woman takes down the sign. Finally the woman with the different shirt grabs our cart and takes us to the front of the store.

I'm still thinking~ security is coming for us. 

We wait some more.  Now the different shirt girl starts talking with one who we assume is the manager, he isn't.  He throws up his hands. A different woman approaches and the two women start speaking (remember we don't speak Thai so we have absolutely no idea what they are saying). The other (who we assume is now the store) manager takes over. She makes a phone call continuing while she is talking to count the number of bottles again and read the receipt, again.  

I know security is coming for us. 

She gets off the phone and speaks to different shirt girl. Different shirt girl says a word we recognize, Photo.  Now we have the managers attention. She makes another phone call. We wait. Getting off the phone. Walter shows her the photo. She picks up the phone again. The stall tactic is working on me. I am ready to throw in the towel. Not Walter. 

She starts speaking to Walter again. Walter says pood tai mai dai krap (that means I don't speak Thai) she says Oh Ok then continues to speak slower IN THAI. I am at an almost full blown giggle now.  Walter being extremely reserved and extremely polite starts pointing to bottles and numbers. A full blown game of charades is taking place between the manager and Walter and I am not sure who is winning. 

I know security is coming for us. 

I said to Walter, really,  like what kind of baht are we talking. He says we are in this to far, I'm not walking away. It's not about the money it's the principle of it. Plus this is comic relief. He is having fun. 

Both of us are enjoying ourselves watching these poor Thai people squirm not knowing how to deal with this American.  After a really long wait and several more rounds of charades, pointing and writing and each speaking their own language, Walter tells the lady, "I tell my company people to never shop here again". Really these are his words. Not sure what word she knew in english but something caught her attention. 

Now I am ready to fall over in laughter. You can't make this sh..... Up. I swear. 

She gets back on the phone. Says something over the counter. Has Walter sign some documents and hands Walter his money. Walter wins. He gets his money owed.  Extremely proud of himself, never once raising his voice or was rude, extremely respectful with hand movements but got what was due his. His best game of charades ever. This guy is good. 

Thank goodness she didnt know that there are only 3 Big K expats in all of Pattaya. Lol

Why would I ever doubt this man. I would have thrown in the towel at the first hint of confrontation. 

Yep this is how we get our entertainment here in Thailand!

Cheers

😘 M

I was blessed!

Out to lunch today while sitting at the table we notice a crowd of people gathering in the road. A pick up truck rides up and in the back is a monk with this gold statue of I have absolutely no idea who. The truck is preaching something over loud speakers and many Thai are gathering around. My girlfriend and I decide to head over and see what is going on. We can see people with money in hand. 

The monk is blessing people with water and tying string around their wrist. The people are also placing gold leaf onto the statue. They are putting money in the box at the end of the truck. Not one to miss out anything plus you never know when you need an extra blessing or two, we step up. A man walking behind the truck hands us 2 pieces of string and a gold piece in what is like wax paper. We step towards the statue and rub the gold on it then go to the monk where he ties the string on our wrist. I put my offering in his box and bow at the monk. 

Stepping back from the truck I begin to look up, the monk has this long wooden stick in his hand. Thinking he is going to strike me, my mom might have called me devil child once or twice when I was younger and I haven't always been the most rule following adult, I go to bend my head down and am struck in the face with a large splash of water that came off his blessing stick. Caught by quite a surprise I have to contain myself from giggling. I guess he decided I needed some extra help in the blessing department. Not once during this time that we are watching people did he douse anyone else., just me. I have been blessed!!

Here is the monk on the back of the truck. 

The gold statue where you can see the gold leaf that people have placed all over. The statue is actually what felt like oiled so the gold would stick. 

My friend getting her wrist tied. 

What the string looks like. 

Here is what I learned when I googled Buddhaism. 

Monks tie a string with a symbolic knot around your right wrist (women can be either wrist). You should not attempt to help tie the knot. Monks are adept at doing it without touching you. The string is called sai sin. Thais believe this will bring you great luck but it is not a talisman nor does it possess secret powers, it is a gift from someone revered by Thais.

The gold leaf is actually real gold pounded into very thin sheets. Placing the gold onto the Buddha is said to have the meaning of doing good deeds without seeking attention.

Cheers

😘 M

Gone Fishing!

Walter caught our dinner tonight. So proud of that man and what an excellent fisherman. Yeah Right!! Only if you count fishing in large tanks in your grocery store using a plastic basket. Quite hilarious and I do wish I had videoed it. Actually he ended up not catching our dinner. The damn slimy thing jumped out back into the tank and the woman who works there had to come and show him the correct way. Regardless we got our fish and a really good laugh. I'm so easily entertained. 

These are the tanks that line the walls. This store is called Makro, very similar to a Costco or SAMs. Can you ever imagine catching live fish in a store in the US that you are going to eat. There would probably be some big protest outside against the cruelty of animals. These fish are caught in the wild then stored in the tanks. We bought almost 2 kilos for only around 8$. 

A closer look. They are red Tilapia. 

His fish. So proud was Big Papa until it flipped out. 

The lady who came over to help and show him how to catch 2 fish and keep the fish in the basket. Something to do with being gentle. 

Doesn't your local Costco sell frog. Yum!  Not!

.

Sting ray and some sort of shark. 

One of the 2 fish before, well you know what happens. Can we say filet!

Cheers

😘 M

Thankful Thursday

Walter ~ Thankful that I finally found the fitting for my gas grill and we are now ready to grill.  

Erin ~ Thankful for the opportunities I'm given through my school to help the communities in Thailand.

Andrew ~ Thankful to be able to play 3 sports and be pretty decent at them. 

Maggie ~ Thankful that pest control came today and hopefully the Mosquitos will stop making me their nightly snack. 

Jack ~ Thankful that I was invited to a birthday party this weekend.  

Cheers 

😘 M

Thailand Fun Fact: 

The longest place name in the world is the full name of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand: Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit. It means “City of Angels, Great City of Immortals, Magnificent City of the Nine Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of Gods Incarnate, Erected by Visvakarman at Indra’s Behest.”ⁱ

Sports have begun!

No longer am I the chauffeur.  No longer do I run around after school driving to and from different activities trying to find a clone of me to get different kids to different sports at the same time.  Whaaaaa, I actually miss it, well sort of. 😉 Believe me, I never thought I would say that. A late van brings them home from all activities OR if your my spoiled kids the driver picks them up, who stands and waits for them and carries their bag and puts it in the back of the car then carries the bag into the house. I put a stop to that. They can carry their own damn bag. Also when we move back they will expect me to do that and I don't think so!  What a life they are leading. 

Sports have begun!!  Kids are excited. It is very different from what they are use to. Erin, Andrew, and Jack are expected to participate in an after school activity Monday and Thursday then on Tuesday or Wednesday they can participate in team sports. Not much goes on during the weekends for sports but that I'm sure will change if they get accepted into the travel program. If that happens travel no longer becomes a 30 to 60 minute distance now it's like different countries, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and China. 

Jack is playing football (soccer) 2x a week and rugby. Thursday he participates in Course Sports, which we have no idea what that is so I can't really explain it, starts Thursday. He already got picked for the first "football fixture" which I'm assuming is a game since a formal letter came home asking permission for him to travel to another school and the equipment he needs. Needless to say he is happy. 

Andrew is playing basketball, football (soccer), and rugby. He is also continuing his saxophone which are private lessons during the school day. They are pressuring him to play in the school orchestra but he is, NO WAY, practice takes place during sports. A battle I can already predict. 

He is taking Spanish and he said a light bulb went off in his head today while in Spanish class when all these words came flooding back to him. Maybe living Mexico is not just a bad dream for him after all. Lol. He is also taking Thai which is hilarious when the driver and maid say things to him. Yeah he is not getting that one so quickly. 

Erin is running for Red House Captain. Yep thats my girl, why wait until your familiar with anything and run for something that requires a popular vote. (Hint that was said in a very sarcastic voice). Think Harry Potter, the entire school is divided into 4 houses named by colors and rare gems that I have no idea what they are.  She wrote a speech and presents to the entire red house ( includes the entire school, year 1 and up). Her speech is actually really good.  I would vote for her, but I am her mother so duhhh. 

Erin's Monday -Thursday activities are Mondays spent at the women's shelter and Thursdays at the orphanage. I know your either thinking  ahh so sweet and what a great person or your thinking oh please is she going out for the Mother Teresa award. Well both opinions are right, sort of. She is required for her degree 50 hours of community service and only certain things count and for her grade limited things are offered because of her course load. She has been approached by the basketball coach, hasn't played since I think 3rd grade but who cares she is like one of the tallest girls in the school. (We are in Thailand ) Football (soccer) is not an option for her because they consider her an expert (no she didn't play for any special team)  it's just that she played for a gazillion years and they want the IB students to expand their potential and place themselves out of their comfort zone and try something new. But she was approached by the girls head football coach and wants her to play which would be considered an extracurricular sport, which also counts towards the IB degree. Whatever she chooses I'm fine with as long as she keeps track, to many rules for me. 

I am trying to go to anything and everything to find my place. Eager beaver is me!  Being new, again, sucks!  It's like childbirth, you forget how bad it really is until you do it again. Somehow my brain forgets easily since I have more kids than most and have moved more times than most. Being over the age of what I don't want to mention, I really don't like being the new kid in town but I'm adjusting. Tennis ( thank goodness, how I owe Big Papa a thank you for making me pick this sport up a ton of years ago), coffees (where they really drink Proseco, not complaining) and a new book club (somewhere I will have to find my brain and try not to get the shakes when it brings me back to HS junior year English with required reading) try Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, my first book. Yep not the best book for me to ease into this new group. Its more like falling into the shallow end of the pool head first!  I will have to bring my brain game (don't know if I have one but will let you know).  

This book club is good for me, it is keeping me from addicting Netflix and HGTV programs. Lol. Do you know you can watch an entire season of shows on Netflix.  You can actually watch an entire season in one weekend. No really, I didn't do that!!!  Ok, Walter travels a lot!!! Don't judge!

Walter returns from Singapore and Malaysia tonight, places I thought at one time were exotic, not so much anymore considering they are only an hour plane ride. JK. I haven't been so still exotic to me. 

Ryan is well and enjoying college life. I think he was a bit homesick this past weekend. It might be wanting what you can't have sickness because I think if we still lived in MI he wouldn't have come home. Who knows. He made the MSU fall lax travel team. Very cool that he made the team. We are excited for him but unsure if he will do it. Your thinking what? Why?  It requires travel during the holidays with the team and he doesn't know if he wants to miss being with his family right now with us being so far away. Completely understandable but Walter and I are pushing him to think about it. Makes me feel bad knowing if we were still in kzoo he would be playing. He needs to make the right choice for him. He does love college and is thinking this term is too easy, he should get all A's then, right. 

Sparky is happy as a clam. Between the maid, driver and gardener ( don't roll your eyes) they all throw the ball and have seemed to pick up my very high pitch voice when speaking to her, Sparky Sparky Barky, in english no less with this very cute thai accent. Yep they all do it, hilarious. I'm proud! My kids, not so much!

We have many animals joining us in and outside the house. The black and white bunny is still visiting us each evening. It might have something to do with the kids now feeding it carrots. The geckos are in abundance with one falling on my head in my bedroom, no I really didn't scream that loud. Lol. We seem to be the main snack of Mosquitos right now with me sporting like 15 bites on my legs and feet, attractive I know,  hopefully that problem gets taken care of tomorrow when pest control comes to spray. 

We get the NFL, sort of. Monday morning is when Sunday night football is played. Watched the Cowboys game Monday morning, so happy to be chatting with my parents at the same time.  Somehow it just seemed a little different with the kids at school, Walter at work, and me sitting on the couch at 7:30am with cold beer in hand. JK. The maid sure did look at me funny, but what else is new they all think I'm nuts. 

As always, life is carrying on and I am trying to hang on for the ride and make the best of it. 

Need to go, need my hands to smack the Mosquitos and my iPad so I can read this dreadful, I mean wonderful novel. 😊 Unless, I decide to catch up on Weeds, my new addiction, no not the drug the TV show on Netflix. 😝

Cheers

😘 M

Our bunny, well not really but one we have named and give treats too. 

How many continents are there?

Topic at our dinner tonight, How many continents are there? What would you answer?  Many US citizens would answer 7 but my kids are learning that not everyone around the world has learned the same facts and most people call the Australian continent Oceania. 

We discussed how the world is viewed and that George Bush ruined how people say our countries name, "Merica". Lol

Also people like to be referred to by their country not their continent. Why do we lump Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Filipino as Asians when Russia is in the same continent, but we would never call a Russian, Asian. Can you imagine calling a Canadian an American or a Mexican an American. They might be offended. 

My kids are fascinated by people's opinions of America, especially those who have never even been to our country. They are learning to be proud of their country but to be humble, I hope ;) and allow others opinions to open their mind about the bigger world out there. 

Needless to say Jack's eyes were glazed over from boredom during this conversation. Lol

Some fun was had Friday night. Oh how I love to go on new adventures. I am always more than willing to try anything once, over eager is what I can be described as right now, downfall of being a newbie in the expat world.  We went on a wine cruise called Wine in Tube Tasting. Seriously with that kind of name wouldn't you go!  It was great and not sure how the man makes money. Baht bus to and from the dock, chartered catamaran, free flowing wine, absolutely terrible appetizers, great new friends to hang with and a bottle of wine to end the evening ( of course our bottle was opened and drunk BEFORE we even left but that's another story). Even the headache the next morning all cost us only 1500 baht. Bottles of water though you had to pay for so maybe thats how he does it.  It was quite a fun evening. 

Bad picture but that is how you got on the boat. No plank, or dock this is Thai style. A semi hallowed out pylon (had to look up the correct spelling of that word since I don't think I have ever used it in a written sentence) that you stepped on to then hike your self over the railing to get on the boat. (Don't think it would have passed any US insurance policies)

A tube of wine. Got to chose from 5 different Spanish wines. I really have to figure out how to get myself one of these tubes. 

Very steep stairs looking down into the boat. The heels I chose to wear this night was not one of my better choices. After a few glass of wine these stairs were really really steep. In Walters world these stairs were definitely not to code. 

The boat ride made Pattaya look so beautiful. 

Cheers 

😘 M

Thankful Thursday

Maggie ~ Thankful that I am playing tennis again ~ it's good for the heart, soul and MIND 😊

Walter ~ Thankful that Maggie is playing tennis and making friends.  ( yeah, yeah, yeah it just takes the pressure off of him, I always said he was a smart man :)

( BTW Walter does not see what I'm thankful for until its posted, so its funny he is thankful for the same as me)

Erin ~ Thankful for the air con in my classrooms and room at home. 

Andrew ~ Thankful that I have friends to hang with at school. Mom is thankful for this too!

Jack ~ Thankful that I have a nice teacher, Mr Baker. 

Here are some things we are learning about living in Thailand;

Bowing becomes second nature and people bow to you everyday 

Your conversations with second language English speakers or limited english speakers are very direct and rarely a pronoun is said. You begin to speak in incomplete sentences and word choice is very important. 

Strange creatures live in your house and outside and your okay with that. 

Air con is the word for air conditioner and you hope it's on!

You take your shoes off whenever you enter a house.

You rarely use a knife to eat with but our skills with chopsticks are outstanding.

Pointing is okay and sometimes the only way to get what you want.  The game of charades is a daily occurrence. 

You never worry about weather.  It is always hot and sunny, occasional rain in the evening. 

You plan your shopping trips before 2 or after 5 because they don't sell beer, wine or any alcohol between these times in stores unless you go to the Drive Up ( this is what Walter and I call it). There you stop on the side of the road put down your window tell them what you want and they throw it in your back seat regardless of time. 

You don't need a handle to flush a toilet, a ladle full of water from the barrel next to the squatty toilet will do the trick. This is mostly when you are out. We are lucky to have European commodes in our house which have handles. 

You learn to carry toilet paper and handi wipes where ever you go!

Cheers

😘 M

Don Quixote has arrived!

Don Quixote has been a fixture on our front porch or foyer for 7 years. He is now in Thailand, home!  The kids think that he needs a friend so either an elephant or Buddha will be joining him at some point. 

"Remember that there are two kinds of beauty: one of the soul and the other of the body.  That of the soul displays its radiance in intelligence, in chastity, in good conduct, in generosity, in good breeding, and all those qualities may exist in an ugly man." Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote

Our sea shipment arrived last Thursday and with much chaos, 8 movers and 2 maids, we are unpacked. It was very overwhelming but it is done and now this house seems more like a home. We have a few things hung on the walls already. Most of what we brought is a perfect addition but I did get a little carried away in kitchen things. Storage is not in abundance here. All the unpacking does allow you to reflect on how fortunate we are, also the 2 maids chatting away in Thai with a few recognizable English words, "so much", and them throwing their hands up when another cabinet was full with still 10 more kitchen boxes to unpack and only 3 cabinets left. I got the hint. Lol

The kids are happy with their rooms. First time ever Andrew and Jack have their own rooms ( which they were so excited about) and I believe they have only spent a handful of nights sleeping by themselves trading off sleeping in each others room. 

I brought our 15x17 area rug with us. The entire house has marble flooring. Very nice but hard as a rock. We thought the rug would be a good addition to the family room to soften things up a bit and to make it more comfortable when the kids plop on the floor to watch TV. As the movers are unrolling the rug we are overtaken by a very strong odor. The rug had been rolled up and left in storage in a very warm container for 2 months, having had at one time 2 dogs and a cat the rug was in desperate need of a cleaning. If you could have seen the faces of these men unrolling this rug, and let me tell you they didn't smell any better but I guess you can't smell your own stank!  I didn't need to speak Thai to know they were talking about this awful smell.  Khun Pien, my maid, got on her phone and called someone, seriously that is how bad it smelled. 

The next day the owner of the carpet cleaning co. showed up.  Walter, the best barterer I know, agreed to a price and hired him. The man showed up about 45 minutes later with about 6 people and they proceeded to hand scrub my rug with a bucket full of pleasantly smelling water and a scrub brush. They had this bigger machine to suck up the water and lots of rags for blotting. The owner stood over the workers not lifting a finger but blurting out instructions. They scrubbed that rug for 3 hours then rolled it up, carried it out of my house laid it down on the driveway and proceeded to have lunch and a nap, on their own rugs they brought, in my garage/carport with the occasional bathroom trip inside my house. After about 2 more hours, when the rug was dry, they rolled it back up, carried it into my house, laid it out and combed it. Best customer service EVER!  This was all done for 5000 baht or $155. The best entertainment for me too, yes I am easily entertained. I wanted to take a picture of them eating lunch and napping in my garage but Walter held me back. Something about it looking a little weird. Lol

The rug looks brand new. We have the cleanest and best smelling rug ever now. And think we were supposed to have had this done in the states before we left. Thank goodness we didn't. Think of the fun I would have missed out on. ;)

This is the family room with "the rug". The furniture all came with the house including the wall art with the exception of the green barrel chair in the foreground, which is ours. 

We had a nice low key weekend. Trying to get into some sort of routine. 

I am getting use to this driver thing, okay I won't lie, I sent Walter a text Friday night, and I quote "loving this driver thing". It is awesome. After you get use to this person waiting on you hand and foot, dropping you off and picking you up at every entrance, running to carry your bags, loading and unloading your car, never having to worry about drinking and driving also doing your errands, you tend to love it. Friday Walter and I never left the house but Khun Prayoon did. He did all the errands including picking up the kids from school. It was awesome. I went to a ladies night out Friday night and he drove me. 

Kids are doing well and adjusting to life. Erin and Jack seem to be jumping right in. Andrew a little slower. 

Big Papa is working hard, which is a good thing since that is the reason we are here.  Lucky man, he goes to Singapore on Sunday for work. 

Ryan is adjusting to college life. He seems to be loving it. 

Cheers

😘 M

This is a gas station, no those bottles are not filled with alcohol but gas.  You can stop at these stations everywhere and fill your tank. They are usually for motor bikes which are in abundance here. 

This is a gecko, our new pet, okay not really they are everywhere and you find them all over your house. We just kind of ignore them. They are harmless and you just get use to them.