I'm all packed up and ready to go! I had just enough time to get a massage, wanted to get the blood flowing strong for when I sit for 20 some hours. I'll leave in a few minutes for the airport. My flight leaves at 3am for Kuwait then on to NY. Kuwait should be interesting. I'm excited to see it!
I'm so happy to be there for spring. I love that scent in the air of the break of winter, the first time you wash your car. I've already missed that but I'll still love the change in temp. It's been over 100F here! I'm so ready for cooler weather.
So I hope I get to see most of you. I know I'll miss seeing some of you since this is such a quick trip. But I'll look forward to meeting up with you next year.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Batman to the Rescue
The media sure hyped up the political issues here. But check out this clip from a local TV news station. There's a more laid back attitude about these things here. Batman to the Rescue
A Thai sister told me about this happening a few days ago. I've been watching YouTube for a video of it. I knew YouTube would come through! Towards the end of the video the newscaster makes this comment: "Batman is kinda fat." Poor guy, he was just trying to help.
By the way, this area is called Din Dang. It's in our cong's territory. We worked those apts last year that Batman comes out of. Exactly the kind of place Batman would come out of.
A Thai sister told me about this happening a few days ago. I've been watching YouTube for a video of it. I knew YouTube would come through! Towards the end of the video the newscaster makes this comment: "Batman is kinda fat." Poor guy, he was just trying to help.
By the way, this area is called Din Dang. It's in our cong's territory. We worked those apts last year that Batman comes out of. Exactly the kind of place Batman would come out of.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Song Kran
Having the week off I wanted to do something fun at least one day. So I went with a few other sisters to a hundred-year-old market in the next province. It was a bit of an adventure with all the "excitement" we've had here lately. First there were lots of soldiers stationed around the city carrying huge rifles. Kinda intimidating. Then we were a bit late so we had to run to catch the train. We made it. Then the Thai sister with us, G, had to sweet talk the train ticket guys because we were in such a rush to get the train that we didn't buy tickets. It worked out.
So we get to the next province and take a song-tao to where we need to catch a boat. (A song-tao is a truck with benches in the bed and a cover. It's the major form of public transportation outside Bkk.) Tickets for the boat were sold out so we had to wait over an hour for the next one. Unfortunately where we had to wait was right next to a famous temple. G felt very uncomfortable there. Thai JWs don't like temples (understandably so) and are quite sensitive to being around them. Interesting. We finally get the boat and it's a 30 minute ride to the market.
The market was interesting. It's right along the river and seems like it used to be a little mini port. All built out of wood. The market was mostly different kinds of food and cheap toys from China. Funny combo. It was fun trying lots of different kinds of food.
We were finished within a few hours. Instead of taking a boat, we just took a song-tao to get back to the train. Along the way we got hit with water several times by people along the street. But fortunately everything important (phone, camera, etc) was safe in a plastic bag. We were prepared.
When we got to the train station we were told that they canceled the train we were hoping to take and had to wait 2 hours for the next one. So instead we hop in a tuk tuk and head to the bus station. We took a bus intead.
So I'm walking home and thinking how fotunate I am that I hardly got wet. But right near my place was a bunch of people throwing water at everyone. The day before I had walked past them without getting wet at all. So I felt confident that I could get by again. I took a few photos and as I was walking past the final group one girl very nonchalantly doused me with a BUCKET of water from the front. I was a bit shocked which I think encouraged her because she then doused the back of me. Sigh.
So we get to the next province and take a song-tao to where we need to catch a boat. (A song-tao is a truck with benches in the bed and a cover. It's the major form of public transportation outside Bkk.) Tickets for the boat were sold out so we had to wait over an hour for the next one. Unfortunately where we had to wait was right next to a famous temple. G felt very uncomfortable there. Thai JWs don't like temples (understandably so) and are quite sensitive to being around them. Interesting. We finally get the boat and it's a 30 minute ride to the market.
The market was interesting. It's right along the river and seems like it used to be a little mini port. All built out of wood. The market was mostly different kinds of food and cheap toys from China. Funny combo. It was fun trying lots of different kinds of food.
We were finished within a few hours. Instead of taking a boat, we just took a song-tao to get back to the train. Along the way we got hit with water several times by people along the street. But fortunately everything important (phone, camera, etc) was safe in a plastic bag. We were prepared.When we got to the train station we were told that they canceled the train we were hoping to take and had to wait 2 hours for the next one. So instead we hop in a tuk tuk and head to the bus station. We took a bus intead.
So I'm walking home and thinking how fotunate I am that I hardly got wet. But right near my place was a bunch of people throwing water at everyone. The day before I had walked past them without getting wet at all. So I felt confident that I could get by again. I took a few photos and as I was walking past the final group one girl very nonchalantly doused me with a BUCKET of water from the front. I was a bit shocked which I think encouraged her because she then doused the back of me. Sigh.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Silly Red-Shirts
They're at it again. More protesting. This time it's the Red-Shirts (supporting the former PM who was ousted in 2006). I don't get it. It's just back and forth. The protestors have blocked traffic in several significant areas earlier in the week. They did the same today. Around 5pm today the govt made an announcement on radio and news for everyone to go home and stay home for the rest of the day. So we all went home. I doubt anything major will happen, especially in the next 3 days. But you never know so I continue to be cautious.
Tomorrow starts the Thai New Year, otherwise known as the water festival. I'm off all week. (yipee!) I would think about going to the beach or somewhere but it's hard to get out of Bkk because the masses of Thais from the provinces working in Bkk go home for the 3 days. So traffic leaving Bkk is awful and everything is always booked way in advance. But staying in Bkk is fine because no one is here, it's much quieter. It's tricky leaving my apt though because you can't go anywhere without getting wet. There are people along the streets throwing water at all passing by. They also put powder in the water and even have the audacity to put powder on your face or arms as you're walking by. If I'm not in the mood for it I try to give the meanest look I can come up with in order to prevent this. Other times it's so hot that a bit of water splashed on you is actually refreshing. I would join in except that it's related to Buddhism.
On another note, my friend A up in Chiang Mai ran a 5k and came in 5th place. She got a trophy! How cool is that!
Tomorrow starts the Thai New Year, otherwise known as the water festival. I'm off all week. (yipee!) I would think about going to the beach or somewhere but it's hard to get out of Bkk because the masses of Thais from the provinces working in Bkk go home for the 3 days. So traffic leaving Bkk is awful and everything is always booked way in advance. But staying in Bkk is fine because no one is here, it's much quieter. It's tricky leaving my apt though because you can't go anywhere without getting wet. There are people along the streets throwing water at all passing by. They also put powder in the water and even have the audacity to put powder on your face or arms as you're walking by. If I'm not in the mood for it I try to give the meanest look I can come up with in order to prevent this. Other times it's so hot that a bit of water splashed on you is actually refreshing. I would join in except that it's related to Buddhism.
On another note, my friend A up in Chiang Mai ran a 5k and came in 5th place. She got a trophy! How cool is that!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Art Class
Have I mentioned K and I have been taking an art class? Last week was our last class. It was a 2-hour class once a week for 3 months. We both really enjoyed it! Sometimes I need a diversion from normal life. Something to just get lost in. (Running often does that for me too.) I enjoy the therapeutic form of expression. A few years ago I was really inspired one night so I put some music on and just painted. It was great! I got lost in the music and colors and then realized it was 2am. The amazing thing was that I slept really well and had no trouble getting up the next morning at 6:30. I was convinced how valuable it is to engage your mind in that way. So I jumped when K mentioned taking an art class.
We mostly focused on drawing. We had lots of practice with still life. But we finished the class with a canvas painting. We spent 3 classes working on it. I loved it! Here's a few photos from our last class.
We mostly focused on drawing. We had lots of practice with still life. But we finished the class with a canvas painting. We spent 3 classes working on it. I loved it! Here's a few photos from our last class.
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