Six Months in Thailand......thank you !!!!

February 27th is my 6 month anniversary of my arrival here. This evening, the Bridges took me out for a dinner to celebrate my special date. (thanks for an awesome meal and fun evening!)

Thank YOU, each and every one of you that helped get me, that are helping to keep me here, that are traveling with me on this journey as we do what our father has set out for us to accomplish for his glory. Thank you for your prayers, they sustain me and lift me up. Thank you for your support, it feeds me and keeps me daily. Thank you for your e-mails and snail mail, and for cards and letters and packages, and all your LOVE. I am indeed blessed.

Join me in celebration, thanks and praise.

blessings,

Pam

Just another day in Thailand !!!

My room mate, Eileen and I went to the grocery store this evening. We rode our motorbikes to the front gate of our neighborhood and parked them. We walked out to the street and waited for a songteow to drive by. The first two were "too full", so we waited.... because, eventually, another one will come along. An empty one came along, picked us up and dropped us off across the street from the Big C, all for 15 Baht each. (33 Baht = US $1). I got money from ATM and went into the bank to have it changed into smaller amounts. We went into a Thai bookstore and Eileen bought a children's beginner Thai book and letter tiles. We ate dinner. We bought a few groceries and stopped in and had ice cream. As we were walking toward the main doors, we noticed that it was POURING RAIN !!!! "Guess those were rain clouds and not smoke from buring fields that we saw on the way to the store" hahaha. Luckily, this brand new store has a covered walkway from the store to the road. We stood with others, waiting for the next songteow, and listening to the rain as it pounded on the metal roof of the walkway. After 10 or 15 minutes, the rain let up, we walked out to the road and flagged down a songteow. A red truck drove up, the driver asked..."where go?" we told him, he shook his head yes, we hopped in and off we went. We smiled and congratulated each other, "wow, we didn't even get soaked!" And then the songteow pulled over..(we hadn't even gone a block yet) the driver got out, came to the window and said "get out, me go shopping, get out now". So we climbed out and there we were, standing alongside of the road on a dark street. Laughing, because..... it's just another day in Thailand!!

(by the way, eventually another songteow did come along, he drove us right up to our motorbikes, and we got home safe and dry..... except my bike helmet was full of water from the rain, hahaha)
Pam

Swimming by to say Hi !!!

HELLO from my side of the WORLD !!

Yep, that's me, out there enjoying the sun

and the lovely pool, today.

While most of you are experiencing the cold temperatures of winter, here in Thailand it was 85 degrees today and we were SWIMMING !!!!!!!!!!!! Grace International School has a HUGE fantastic pool and though everyone said the first step into the water was a "little chilly" we all braved the first chill and took the plunge for a wonderfully relaxing afternoon.

Are you tired of that winter chill ????? Come on over to the warm-side..... the water's great!!!

blessings, from cool and happy Pam

The detour

So we head out to drive to the doctor's office this morning (on an empty stomach so we can have some bloodwork done). As we approach the road that will take us in front of the office, there is a barracade and a policeman directing traffic to go left. Beyond the barracade we can see what looks like people and vehicles gathering...... this must be an early Chinese New Year Parade.
Now we are in bumper to bumper traffic with motorcycles weaving in and out between all the bumpers. At times the only things moving or the motorcycles and those walking!!! We snake our way up and down streets, all part of our own parade of vehicles..... about 2 hours later, We make a new plan. Let's eat breakfast!!
With great difficulty, we make our way to a place we can park, and walk back up the street to the restaurant. we sit out on the deck and can see and hear the parade crossing over the bridge.
Back out in the truck once more, we start the trek to go home. We take a right turn..... and we find ourselves "doomed" to one way streets with NO ESCAPE, and must drive right through the heart of Chinatown with everyone else. About 2 hours later, I am dropped off at my frontdoor, and sydney calls out.... "We'll try going to the doctor's office tomorrow!" and they drive off. What can I say...just another day in Thailand!
(but I did get great photos, and my advise to you...when you think you see a parade forming, forget what you had planned to do, park the car and watch the parade! hahaha!)