We thought it was about time to check back in with everyone and let you know how our last couple months here in Thailand have been. So many good things to report :)
One of the VERY nice surprises has been that our household goods arrived and flew through customs much quicker than planned! We had been told to expect it to take between 3-5 months before we receive our shipment and wouldn't you know that it only took 2 months? What an awesome gift from the Lord! We are so thankful! Although I have to say, it was a very emotional day for me as well. You see as the moving trucks (yes that was plural, as there were 2 trucks with a total of 7 crates full of our stuff) were pulling in front of our house, reality hit that this was no longer a temporary vacation, but the real deal for the next few years. I was honestly surprised with myself as I thought I had worked through a lot of the emotions already, but there was something much more concrete about knowing everything that was supposed to come had now arrived and it was time to start getting settled and plant roots. Also, I had learned that same morning right before the moving trucks arrived that my dad was re-admitted into the hospital again. So it was a tough morning emotionally.
However, a nice bonus about that day was that the Buckeyes were playing and we were able to somewhat follow the game while we had a team of 10 men unloading and unboxing everything. And let me say, these guys are impressive! The majority of them don't even wear shoes because you are constantly walking from outside to inside the house. In Thailand, it's cultural to remove shoes off at the door. And when I say at the door, I mean on the outside of the house. So, it doesn't make sense for movers to wear any shoes at all then. I was worried about their toes!
The weekend before the move Jason and I explored a place called Asiatique together downtown Bangkok. It was a fun time to explore as adults! We plan to do that hopefully once a month together, doing things that the kids wouldn't enjoy but things we would still like to do. So, Asiatique is only open in the evening and is an outdoor market but feels more western than the typical markets here. The stalls have more space in between them, it's right on the river, lots of sit down chain restaurants, everything is lit up pretty in the dark (it gets dark at 6pm here all year round) and has live music as you walk around. A unique thing we experienced here, known to be popular in Thailand, is that they offer fish tank foot massages. I don't even know if that is the right name for them, but let me explain. Jason and I sat down next to the edge of big fish tanks filled with fish and put our feet inside where the water came up past our mid calf. The fish then proceed to eat away at the skin on your feet and legs for 15-30 minutes (or however long you can stand it). Wheewy! Jas continues to push me outside of my comfort zone. The first 5 minutes I about had a full blown panic attack. Then I pulled my legs out completely, regrouped and tried again to finish out the 15 minutes we had paid for. Was it a new experience for us? Yes. Do I feel the need to do that again? Nah. Am I glad I tried it? Yes :) The really sweet ending of this trip was that we bought a car from another US Diplomat here in Thailand and were able to drive it back home that day. Hooray! We now have transportation! Thank you Jesus that we now have a bit more independence!
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| Asiatique View on the River |
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| Interesting Foot Massage eh? |
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| I can't believe we are doing this and paying to do it! HA! |
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| The view made me realize how much I missed seeing the mountains everyday in Frederick! |
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| These Jelly Fish are HUGE! |
One night while we were in Hua Hin we decided to join a group of embassy families to go to their night market called the Cicada. In theory it sounded like a fun adventure. Well, little did we know we were about to experience our first Thailand flash flooding. It was sprinkling a tad when we arrived but we managed to grab some food quick and eat at outdoor picnic bench tables with umbrellas to stay mostly dry. Then the sky opened and the rain came pouring down as we were trying to check out the different stalls of clothing and all. So we proceeded to find one store that had an awning that we can huddle under. We had to laugh because a sweet Thai lady came out of the store and offered to take Tyler only into the store to keep him dry. HA! So much for the rest of us. Needless to say, Ty was not willing to go in there without Jas or I.
Which brings up another point. Since our kids look different here we are beginning to get used to others coming up to them and wanting to touch them and pet their heads lol. Thais especially love kids which is really sweet. And want to touch their lighter hair and interact and play with them even though we can't communicate much verbally yet. Too funny!
Anyway, after taking cover for a good 20-30 minutes and realizing that it may not slow down for awhile we decided to head out and try to hail a cab. Well, once we got to the street the cabs and tuk-tuks (motorbike type taxis) were nonexistent or broken down bc of the rising waters in the streets. So then we were stuck waiting in the rain for our shuttle driver from the hotel to arrive. Now, to explain the shuttles here, they are pick up trucks that have benches in their bed and a pop up type tent over top. We are in Thailand lol. Thankfully he decided to arrive 10 minutes early. We were praising God for that surprise! However as we all climb in, Taylor is having a full blown panic attack that it is flooding. She has had a fear of floods for as long as I can remember, and now we was experiencing her first flash flood up close in person. Wheewy! As I'm trying to sing to her and pray with her in the shuttle, the grown men are shouting WOW, this is incredible, look at those high, rushing waters, etc. And believe me, it really did look like a rushing river on the street at the time. We are in the middle of monsoon season here and this is very common to the Thai's and they aren't real phased by it. Thankfully we ended up back at the hotel safely and were finally able to get Taylor calmed down. Now looking back we laugh saying it was a team bonding experience :) It sure wasn't funny at the time with a daughter having a panic attack and a 1.5 year old out past bedtime. Let me also add that even 2 days later some of the items we had on or with us from that night were still wet! Below is a picture of our view from the back of our shuttle.
The American Red Cross Snake Farm was another day trip that a couple friends and I took our older kiddos on together. You see usually the 3 of us ladies get together with our little babes because they are all the same age while their older sibs are in school. But since school was out for conferences we decided to do something special with the big kids this time. So, we headed into downtown Bangkok for the day to the Snake Farm. Come to find out there are only 2 of these Snake Farms in the world! Ever since I had arrived to Thailand I have been told it's an important thing to do, as snakes are a common reality to us here. We see them often and around our neighborhood and I knew nothing about which snakes are harmful vs. which ones wouldn't hurt you. And, if you aren't able to describe what type of snake bit you, they are likely to hospitalize you for a couple days and pump you full of all 40+ anti-venoms. YIKES!
So we had a really good day learning about snakes, which ones are venomous/non-venomous, talking about how to identify snakes by the colors and designs of their skins, etc. Then we attended 2 different shows. One was a demonstration on how they extract venom from snakes to collect and use to make anti-venom. That was cool! And then the 2nd one was where they brought different kinds of snakes out of their cages and had them perform in a way for us to see how they would behave when threatened. King Cobras are here and so are Hissing Siamese Cobras, so we got to see them in almost full attack stance. Then at the end they brought out a huge Burmese Python. Of course all 3 of the kids are jumping out of our seats to go hold it and let it drape around them. Somehow, my friends convinced me to go up with them. I seriously thought I may have yet another panic attack, however when they promised me they would keep the head away from me for some reason that was comforting. So, once again I was stretched outside of my comfort zone and I survived :) At least I have a picture to prove I did it lol.
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| I have never seen snakes preserved like this before! |
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| This is a Burmese Python snake skin. YIKES!! |
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| King Cobra - while not huge in size, deadly! |
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| Hissing Siamese Cobras |
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| We did it! |
Other things we are getting our arms around are just general maintenance/routine type tasks. Like haircuts. First of all, I know this is a rare thing but my mom back in Ohio has done my hair my entire life. Obviously that is no longer possible being across the world... So who do you go to that can communicate English well enough to understand how much hair to cut and what colors to use for highlighting... Thankfully Jason has found a barber that he likes and on one of his days off we took Tyler there as well. I was a bit anxious as to how that would go because remember, Thai's want kids to be happy. Knowing Ty's background w haircuts I figured he would scream at least half the time. While he did still do that, the lady did an awesome job and was efficient. Wheew! Tip and all it totaled about $4. Nice right? So the guys have a place to go. I've found a Thai salon where the owner trained in Canada and does a fabulous job with highlights and a cut and even took the extra 30 minutes to straighten my hair. Now that is quite the task w the humidity here! And she spoke excellent English! So we have the hair end of things figured out now. Hooray!
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| Ty's haircut treat - pineapple on a stick |
Another challenge is trying to figure out where to get anywhere outside of the neighborhood. We finally have a car to drive when we are outside the neighborhood gates, but it's still quite overwhelming for me. Quite frankly I'm just now starting to get comfortable leaving our big neighborhood and venturing out on the golf to try to find my way to the mall, market, seamstress, 7-11, gas, etc. However, I am finding that I need to set little adventures up to force myself to learn around here. GPS is not helpful and I am directionally challenged. So it's just going to take practice and patience. Not to mention getting comfortable with driving on the opposite side of the car and road along with not having street signs in many places. I did muster up the courage to take one adventure last week to a grocery store that I still don't know how to get to. However, I had a brave friend who was willing to navigate me there. We did it and arrived back with what we needed and the accomplishment of driving it the first time. Over time I know this will get better. Pray for me please! Jas doesn't have a worry in the world about it. He has already driven our car into downtown Bangkok and knew how to get there no problem. He has a gift of having a good direction sense which will really help on the weekends when we want to venture out for family outings!
We continue to get plugged in relationally here which has always brought me such joy! Our relationships with friends are strengthening and we are intentionally plugging people into our lives that will continue to help keep us focused on loving and following the Lord and also those that the Lord has placed on our hearts to be reaching out to. I feel so spoiled because I have already been able to attend a Women's retreat at our church and am plugged into a weekly bible study there. Food for the soul :) Jas and I are also part of a couples bible study in the evening once a week and have also been able to start teaching ESL (English as a Secon Language) classes together weekly at our church. We are excited to build relationships with our student and ultimately share the gospel with them when the time is right.
I've also had the luxury of starting Thai language class twice a week and tennis lessons once a week. I can't remember the last time I had time for a hobby! What a gift at this stage of life especially!
I'm thankful that little Ty continues to get plugged in and meet some friends his own age now that Taylor is back in school. Now that 2 yrs is approaching, he is ready to have buddies of his own vs. playing with Taylor and her friends all the time. So during the day it's been such a gift to start focusing on him more and spending time getting together w his little buds. Jas and I even had a chance to take Ty to a local zoo here on Columbus Day. You see Jason still gets some American holidays off that the international school does not. So we are going to make some of those days special adventure w our little guy. He loved the zoo!
Taylor continues to love school and meet more friends from different countries! Between birthday parties to attend, playdates after school and after school activities (gymnastics and swimming), she has been having fun and has a full schedule :)
And Jas is continuing to adjust to his new job learning the ropes and all. He had a 2 week work trip that he really enjoyed at the end of September. We are sure glad to have him back now!
Well, that's it for now. We will catch up in another month or so. If you could please continue to pray for the sale of our house in Maryland we would really appreciate it!
With Much Love in Him,
Meg
Well, that's it for now. We will catch up in another month or so. If you could please continue to pray for the sale of our house in Maryland we would really appreciate it!
With Much Love in Him,
Meg
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