Monday Off

Sawatdee kah! It's Chakree Day here in Thailand and we are off of school. After looking up the meaning of the holiday, I'm still unsure. I didn't find an answer. I can say that the streets are quieter and I heard a drum procession go by earlier this morning, maybe a wake up call?

School is busy. I was able to have the boys for English and Math lessons Monday through Thursday and we had an excursion (field trip) on Friday to the Children's Discovery Museum. I took some photos and videos and will post those (hidden) on the flickr page. The museum was very educational. The boys learned how blue screens work in a live TV studio. They were "flying" on a magic carpet. There was a mars space lander model (??). They learned about using energy (their own on a bicycle) to create light and to move an object. There were historical costumes and houses that they could play in and on. There were some outdoor parts that I can't remember very well. It was a really hot day and I just remember sweating a lot. Ha ha. It was a fun trip where I was able to socialize with the boys. They are a very energetic bunch and it is evident that grandma has been raising some of them, those few have very little discipline, which makes it very tough for me... who doesn't speak their first language, nor is allowed to. Eek. Please pray for patience. It will all get more serious and "official" once they are in their uniforms and actual school has started. For now I have a lot to get through and it seems that time is moving quickly!

The weekend brought a birthday celebration for Richard and a nice Sunday with Evelyn. We made it to a new mall/market that I hadn't been to before. It's one that is more popular with Thais than tourists and has very good deals. I'm in love! I didn't get to buy anything but I have my eye on what I will go back for when the paychecks start coming in.

I have found the place where I'd like to live and will see if there is still an apartment available for me. It's a little bit farther from school but still very walkable and very much quieter than the place where I'm staying now. It's a nice tree-lined residential street but the busy streets are just nearby. It will be close to my gym and a straight shot to the skytrain, two necessities. I will take a one bedroom and it has a kitchen (two burners!!), HUGE bedroom, small living and dining area and TONS of storage. I'm excited!! I'm back to lots of brown wood but brown is my favorite color, so doesn't much matter. Gotta have a place to put all these suitcases. Ha. I'll move in as soon as I get paid, in a few more weeks.

There have been some very intense thunderstorms here the past few weeks. It isn't a good thing, though I love a good storm, because this is the hot/dry season and the weather is not cooperating. Good ole Global Climate Change, I guess.

We have Songkran coming up in another week. There will be a massive school-wide water fight which I am very much looking forward to, more fun!! After that I will travel to my Thai friend's family's house a bit north and east of Bangkok. This is where I spent last Songkran holiday, Thai New Year (April 2008) and I'm excited to return again. It was a fantastic time and I'm not sure that I blogged about it, but I will this time. :)

It's been a great week here... how are things there? I saw some snow (more, heard about some snow) and so will send you some warmer weather.

Lots of love.

PS> I have tried uploading pics on this and the past few blogs but they won't post. Does anyone know Blogger well... and what might be the problem? I'm stuck!! Boo.