Sunday Surprise

It was a typical Sunday, well no Sundays is typical, but it was typically normal for us here in Thailand. We arrived home from church, everyone darted into the kitchen to get some food and then it was NAP time- well at least it was for me!  I was dreaming of sitting with the SUN warming my back after a nice hike when my alarm went off - DANG time to cook dinner.  So I lazily get up and rub the sleepiness out of my eyes and make my way to the kitchen.  I have it all planned...

Chicken Tikka

Indian lentils (spicy)

Rice

Asparagus (grilled)

I am one of those cooks who cleans up the kitchen as she cooks, I like to keep my kitchen neat and tidy.  I had the chicken marinating in the yogurt and spices overnight so it would be tender and tasty.  The rice was in the cooker and the lentils were soaking waiting to be cooked. The asparagus was cleaned, olived oil and seasoned ready to grill.  Things were shapping up, then I had a little Sunday surprise... and John and Laura helped me with it...

Normally I am used to bugs, I am the spider killing momma around here and have been known to catch a fly in midair with my hands - but I have to admit when I went to wash the dishes I left in the sink and a nice little gecko jumped out of the sink and on to the counter ,well I yelled for JOHN.  He was pleased to come to the aide of his mother, he knew what we were having for dinner and wanted nothing to keep me from cooking!  All ended well,  my little Sunday Surprise visitor Mr.Gecko was captured, removed and let go outside our back door and the dinner was "heavenly".    

Change

Victor Frankl once said, "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."

I am learning to change myself, at times it is a painful process but "no pain no gain"!  I am learning to recreate myself and I think I am going to like the finished project.  As with any project I start, it will be a slow changing process. I also know that in the end I usually find myself heading in the right direction! 

So, bring on the next 30 years!!

FISHBALLS

Dear Thailand,

I feel the need to write you a letter.  I have a few comments and a concern that I would like to write to yu about...

First, I want to apologize for not being able to speak your language.  You must realize that I will be 50 years old in a few short days and my mind just isn't what it was, say a month ago, and well your language is just plain HARD!  I want to let you know that I appreciate your willingness to try to understand my English and my PSL (Pointing Sign Language).

Second, I have to admit that although the traffic lines on the the streets are mere designs for drivers, you are the most courteous drivers I have ever seen!  rarely do I hear a horn honk or see fists in the air, there is no screaming and cussing - just polite drivers.   American and Hong Kong drivers could take a lesson from you on merging!  So a big high five to all the drivers in Thailand, thank you!

Okay, here is something I don't understand...

What is your obsession with FISHBALLS?   I went into a little eatery outside the market today and wanted some hot and spicy noodles and soup - and I pointed to the picture (because I am an American, remember) and said NO to the fishballs.  When I got my soup there were no noodles and lots of fishballs, what is up with that!! I didn't complain - it would have been too exhausting so I just ate the soup and left all the fishballs.  (It was a wonderful soup broth - hot and spicy,the way I like things)  What are fishballs anyway?  It reminds me of like a hotdog ball made out of fish.  That texture is not fish it is just plain - yuk.  I prefer my fish to look like fish meat and not some kind of ball!!  I am sorry but I will never get used to the idea of looking a a menu and seeing the word FISHBALLS on almost every page.  It almost makes me want to puke, but out of appreciation for the above mentioned comments I will refrain.  Let me once and for all let you know that I -  do not, nor never will like FISHBALLS - so when I say NO FISHBALLS that is what I mean  NO FISHBALLS!  Thank you for honoring my request!

Regards,

Heidi in Thailand

Moving Day

Our shipment was cleared through customs and so Laura and I went to the house to wait for the container to arrive...

It was a moving mess, 224 boxes and tons of paper make Laura very happy!

 

Beds are set up, the "Big Comfy Couch" is in but it has to be split between two rooms!  This is our last night in the hotel and we are ALL excited about that.  I am excited to really start to organize things - but sadly I will have to do some furniture shopping.  I know it is a hardship but it must be done.  Thank goodness I have some new friends that want to help!

CUP Overflowing

My first week in Thailand has been filled to overflowing. My cup started out a little on the empty side, jet lag really drained me! By Wednesday morning I was up and running, literally I began my day with a 45 min run around the big city park at 6AM! You might ask why I was up so early, it is because John has to leave the hotel at 5:30 AM, we are not in our house yet so it takes him over 30 minutes to get to his seminary class and school. I have to run in the morning or else it is too hot and humid to exercise any later. The things to do list started to fill the daily cup shortly after that…and hasn’t stopped pouring in! I had a meltdown (see earlier blog post), have had my fill of Phad Thai (thank goodness), did laundry at our house (that is because the machine comes with the house, ALL other items still in customs) and I ventured out to a new store with Laura. I thought the cup was going to crack when Ron and I went to open up a checking account…They didn’t understand us and we didn’t understand them – but after 2 ½ hours (I will never complain about US Banks again) we finally had an account so now Ron can be paid for the last 2 months of work! Friday the cup was so full that I found myself in bed at 7:30PM, which was great until I woke up at 4:30 the next morning which was Saturday! Since I was up, I had to go run around the park again which actually drained some of the stuff from my cup, not that things got done on my run but I was able to let some of the worry evaporate and so there was more room in my cup.



On Saturday was filled to capacity and I am sure that I spilled a few tears over the edge, but I quickly got control of the cup and set it down so I could sleep. Sunday I was up and off to church, where all four of us had to speak – topic PATIENCE! After church the kids wanted to take me to the weekend market – which I am sure was going to be “overflowing” with new sights, sounds and SMELLS!

Need a fish, there are many ready to buy.  Wow, something familiar..7/11

Not sure what these were - some sort of crepe with fresh shredded coconut, but when your cup is overflowing you need a treat and they were yummy!

Animals of all varieties, John wants a pet squirrel, marmoset or alligator - No I am not kidding!  Laura was okay with fish or chicks, actually she did see a puppy she liked. No PETS allowed. Note to self keep the children away from the weekend market, not sure what they will drag home.

It is not a Taxi for us and we gave our drive the day off - so a Tuk Tuk it is.  Cost us roughly $3.00 USD to get from the market back to our hotel and about 15 minutes of some pretty crazy driving!

My cup overfloweth with things to do but also with wonderful adventures, it is hard at times but it is also very exciting.  So with a humble heart I am thankful that I have a cup and that it is overflowing!

Terrible No Good Very Bad Day

Oh my, I did it…I had a complete melt down in a store today somewhere in the middle of Thailand! Tears and everything right in the middle of housewares! I could feel it coming on and tried to ignore the signs, but they got the better of me. Usually I can hold out until I am somewhere more private, like my bedroom but not today! No, today I had to embarrass myself and poor Laura; she didn’t know what to do for me.


I feel out of control and don’t really want to do this, by this I mean to learn to live in another country that English isn’t even the second language. In Hong Kong at least it was a second language and they were used to foreigners. Here in Thailand the language barrier is so much harder, and since I have been in the states the last three months my understanding skills have lessened. I feel sorry for both the Thai’s and me – we try to understand each other – but sometimes I just have no idea what I am suppose to do. I managed to buy 3 beds after the melt down and after 3 hours of wondering and questioning what I should do. Everything cost money, money that I would not have to spend if we were still in HK or the states. Starting over after just ten months is HARD; emotionally, socially, economically, spiritually and even to a degree physically. Don’t get me wrong, I have done HARD things in my life and know that it always works out and get easier but it is still HARD when you are in the thick of it!


After my summer of living out of my truck and staying with people who would open their home to John and I, thank you wonderful family and friends, I am just plain tired. Tired of not having my own bed, my own closet for my clothes, my own washing machine and my own SPACE! I could never live in a hotel and in a big city for long – it is too impersonal and crowded.

Bangkok Thailand

I really think I am a country girl who has had to adapt to the city life and I have been “Bucking” it all the way. You can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl!

 I require SUN and SOLITUDE on a daily basis, I am missing Mount Butler right about now, climbing that trail always gave me both.

Oh and another funny thing, I have to give a talk in church on Sunday, the topic PATIENCE. Say what…I was never blessed with that gift. I have learned how to have some patience over the years but I am far from having enough to sustain me longer than a few days. I am sure this is the Lords way of reminding me that He is in charge of my life and I am to be following His plan for me. I know that principle in my head but I forget to feel it in my heart. I am a survivor, I have been through tough times before and will continue to STAY on the path – but I think it is okay that I have a TERRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY once in a while. Tomorrow will be better, I am sure of it!

Moving a Little

Laura and I decided to go to our house today and move a few of the things we brought in our suitcases from the states.  It is nice to know that I still have my priorities in tack even when the rest of my life is unorganized...

My picture of Austin - the one I have titled "Austin Calling Nana" was the first thing moved in, talk about priorities!

SUNRISE

When one travels west and over the date line you get to Skip a day - and I don't mean any fancy footwork, you actually miss a whole day.  For me it was Monday, but the SUN was in the sky early on Tuesday morning when I flew into Hong Kong.  The SUNRISE was amazing...

I love the SUN, it is amazing.  It provides me with light and warmth and lifts my spirits.  After watching the SUNRISE today, I didn't care about missing Monday.

LAST Days

My last post was LAST Wednesday - what is up with that?  You would think that this was my LAST week in the states and I was busy with LAST minute things!  I just want you all to know that the OCD, or Organizationally Correct Diva was playing around the LAST few days.  I know what you are thinking...how could I succumb to such a LAST minute change of plans and have fun.  I am not sure what came over me, oh I think it was the fact that I did have friends that wanted to hang out with me at LAST!
And of course there was the LAST trip south to see Austin, one LAST time to give him one LAST kiss and to be able to change that LAST diaper!  (That smell will LAST for awhile)

Here are some LAST photos of the LAST few days in the States... Thanks to all who made my LAST days fun at LAST!! 

Friends for the LAST 35 Years

Saving the Best for LAST

AUSTIN SMILES at LAST

So this is my LAST blog entry until I arrive in Thailand.  I am going to jump into my new adventure with both feet just like LAST time in Hong Kong!

STEPPING IT UP

Hit the ground running this morning - 3.2 miles in under 30 minutes!  Not bad for a soon to be 50 year old mother of 4, mother in law to 2 and Nana to ONE adorable grandson!  Tomorrow it is down to Redondo Beach, run on the boardwalk twice and then up the HILL , remember that I am not over the HILL -  yet! 

I need to keep in shape for my "Moon Trekker" hike in October in HONG KONG!

A Night Start

Friday 15th October 2010

Are you ready to push yourself to the limit at MoonTrekker 2010? Hong-Kong’s most exciting endurance competition ever? Following on from the success of MoonTrekker 2009 (we hit capacity early), we bring this unique endurance race to challenge the minds, hearts and legs of Hong-Kong’s most intrepid adventurers. The *40km and the shorter *25km endurance hikes begin at 9:20pm/11:20pm in Mui Wo, on Lantau Island, and will take participants though the island’s stunning scenic country trails. The last section of the route passes through the sleepy Po Lam Zen Monastery in Tai Tong Tsai and leads hikers up Hong Kong’s second highest peak—delivering racers to Hong

Kong’s famous and best dawn panoramas. Will you make it before sunrise? The course record was set high in 2009—just 4hours 31minutes for the 40km route.
Moonlit 25 - Start time at 11.20pm (7 hours to beat the sun)

Starting 2 hours later, some say that with only *25km to cover, you better move fast if you want to enjoy Hong-Kong’s best morning panorama view.

I better "STEP IT UP" and get climbing.  The problem is that in Thailand there are no hiking trails close so I am going to have to  - dare I even say it, go to the gym and use the stair MASTER!  That just sounds like the Master of death.  Who can actually stay on a stair master for longer then 5 minutes, I need to step at least 60 minutes a day to get in climbing mode or mood which ever sounds better!

Blink of an "I"

It has been my opinion that Mondays are usually the hardest day of the week, after today "I" would have to say that Tuesdays are!  Today went from BAD to WORSE in a blink of an "I".

First, "I" hit the alarm and went back to sleep, so when "I" finally got up "I" was already LATE.

Second, "I" went for my run and the SUN was not shining, he showed up at the end but then quickly retreated into the clouds!  "I" think that the SUN is something to be hope for and is definitely something unseen. 

Thirdly, "I" found out that returning wedding gifts is hard work and not much fun, especially when they are not mine but belong to the newlyweds! 

Fourth, "I" missed lunch!  "I" have been doing that a lot lately and need to rethink why.  Can one actually be enjoying the day so much that one forgets to eat - or am "I" just so busy that "I" don't take the time to eat!  "I" vote for the .... option.

Fifth, At about 6pm "I" found out that John lost his passport!  Ron, Laura and John were stuck in Hong Kong and couldn't leave until it was found or until the consulate gave him a temporary.  "I" had to fill out forms, get them notarized and faxed to the embassy in HK.

Sixth, All banks are closed at 6pm - so "I" had a little difficult to get things notarized.  Thank goodness for friends! ( Thanks Dave)

Seventh,  Once "I" spend two hours trying to get all the paperwork for John to get a passport, the airlines found it and called the consulates office. (Kudos to the cleaning crew)

Eighth,  It is hard to contact Ron via phone when he is in Hong Kong and "I" am in Seattle, "I" need a better phone!

Ninth, "I" need to write some emails and "I" am not sure what to say or what to write - "I" am at a loss for words, now that has to be a FIRST!

Tenth, "I" only made it though 1/3 of my to do list for the day, so it starts all over in the morning!

Hopefully, tomorrow the SUN will shine, my family will finally reach Thailand - after 36hrs of traveling, and "I" will know the answers to life's toughest question:  "What am "I" doing?"

See things can change in a blink of an "I"

Despicable ME

DESPICABLE (ME ?): deserving to be despised : worthless or obnoxious as to rouse moral indignation.   SO, I hope that I am not worthless or obnoxious - but I know that some might feel like I am deserving to be despised - but don't be jealous of  my life - it is not as easy as it seems!!  It is hard living in exotic Thailand, all those SUN filled days, the beaches and the best food -it is a chore but I will be diligent in my doing my work,  so all I ask is that you please don't despise me!

You would think that I would have this packing thing down by now, but then there is all the last minute stuff to cram into the bags.  A few quick trips to Walmart for last minute things, and a short visit to the AAA office for a luggage strap to hold one of the suitcases together.  Then of course the last "SUPPER" at Chipolte's and a quick family movie, Despicable Me, and then a quick rush to the airport.  SEVEN bags and TWO bikes in boxes, Six carry-on bags, three passports and one husband/dad, one son and one daughter are now off to Thailand and the next great adventure. 

And they are OFF...

Thailand Bound - Via

Vancouver BC and Hong Kong 

Going, Going and almost GONE

As my summer in the States comes to a close, I thought about all that John and I were able to do, all the people we were able to see and all the memories that were made. 

When I first arrived in June I was able to spend ten days with my new grandson, Austin.  I have watched him grow from a skinny new born into a little solid 2 month old baby.  I forgot how fast babies change in such a short period of time.  When I return to the states he will be a year old - how I will miss him!  My eyes fill with tears just thinking about it now.  He sure has his Nana wrapped around his little fingers and has stolen her heart. It has been a delight to watch Audrey and Toren be parents, they are wonderful.  I will miss both of them, and hope that they will allow Austin to SKYPE his Nana in Thailand. 

Besides adding a new grandchild to my family I also gained a new daughter, Amanda Leigh - and I didn't even have to go through the LABOR PAINS.  David and Mandy left Seattle today on their way back to Rexburg.  I am grateful that they finally figured out that they were perfect for each other!  Welcome to the family Amanda, I love you.  ( David, I love you too - and you know if you mess this up we keep Amanda and you are on your own! LOL)

Laura completed an extra semester at BYU-Idaho, and found that she really would like to have summers off and so now is going to have her summer vacation in Thailand with us.  Of course she has to work for her keep, I have loads of computer things for her to do- all that computer organization I want done will actually get checked off my to do list!  Laura leaves for Thailand  tomorrow and she better get some rest because when I get there....

John, has been my constant companion these past to months.  I feel like he and I have been joined at the hip, except now after two months in the states he is taller then me and so we have been joined at the hip and thigh!  He has changed into a very handsome young man, and has more girls turning their heads.  John has been to EFY, Baseball camp, San Diego, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and camping in Washington.  He is leaving tomorrow with Ron for yet another new school in another new country, and he hasn't complained once!  John I love you for being my buddy this summer and for following your father and I around the world without complaint. 

Ron has only had a short 10 days here in the states, he has seen his grandson, his parents and family and has had to  put up with me and all of my totes and organizing...much to his credit he still has a smile on his face.  Ron, works so hard for our family, he is unselfish and is always striving to prepare for the future.  It has been a hard year for him - changing jobs, relocating to two different countries without my help and for the record we have been apart for much of the time.  I wish that I could support him more and ease his burdens.  As he leaves tomorrow with Laura and John, I want him to know how grateful I am for all he does for our family. 

Going,  Going  almost GONE,  I leave in a week.  I am sure it will go by fast... life seems to be going faster then I like.  When I was younger I liked the fast lane - I think now that it is highly over rated and I much prefer the SLOW lane - if I could just get life to slow down I would have it made!

PRIDE and JOY

One of my most cherished things in this world is my family.  Last week we were all together again, it had been over 6 months since Ron has been able to be with his children and it was a wonderful day.  Wendy, my niece, met us in Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah for a family photo shoot.  Here are the results...

MY PRIDE and JOY

John (15), Ron, Heidi, Laura (19), Toren ,Audrey (26) and Austin,

David (23) and Mandy. 

Toren, Audrey and Austin (The cutest grandbaby ever!)

David and Amanda Leigh

"The Newlyweds"

"The Heartbreaker"

Laura Irene

"The Stud Muffin"

John Blain

THE BOYS

Toren and Austin, John, Ron and David

THE GIRLS

Audrey, Laura, Heidi and Amanda

THE FAMILY

Perhaps the greatest social service that can be rendered by anybody to this country and to mankind is to bring up a family.   --- George Bernard Shaw

Packing Nightmare

If anyone has ever traveled with suitcases and airlines you'll know of the headache that I am having right now!  Weight limits on suitcases and the desire to take American things to Thailand is causing my brain to split in two!  Well not really, but it is putting my organizational skills to the test!  I have never shied away from a challenge and I will not do so now so, stay tuned to see if I get it all packed and ready for the move next week.  I might need more then a song and a prayer to accomplish this...

International living is an adventure, sometimes it is wonderful and other times it is a chore.  But wherever I am at I have the SUN in my heart which makes my travels LIGHTER!  LOL

Robin is Back

Robin Hood... is back and larger then life on my parents big screen TV.  Season three is now in my possession, thank you Borders, and I am spending some quality time watching the legend! 

I know I should be packing but you really can't blame me for wanting to watch a HERO - who knows how to shoot an arrow.  Now I have my own compound bow so I am a sucker for an archer, but Robin is one of those rough and tough good guys just trying to "STICK IT TO THE MAN"!!  Oh, and it doesn't hurt that Robin is very pleasant to the eyes and he is one of the few men who looks great in scruffy stubble! Usually I prefer the clean shaven look, but Robin rocks the five O'clock shadow. 


In this day and age it would be nice to have a Robin Hood on your side.  I like KNIGHTS in armor but If I were younger I would sure like to spend a little time in Sherwood Forest!! 

• "I hope we will have forever in Heaven, because we didn't have enough time on Earth."   --Lucy Griffiths as Lady Marian
• "You are, more than ever...your eyes! And even when you look at me in anger, I feel you. I believe you can still, even after all this time, you can see into my soul"--Jonas Armstrong as Robin Hood

With quotes like that what girl wouldn't want to spend a little time in an England forest with an archer!  

A Wonderful Blessing

Austin Paul is his Nana's blessing, but yesterday Austin with his family around him was given a blessing.  It was beautiful and I felt blessed for having the opportunity to share the moment with Toren and Audrey.

Toren, Austin and Audrey

Audrey, my number One daughter and Austin ,my number One grandson