Loy Krathong

When you live in another country, you learn a lot about culture and customs.  Last night we had a learning experience; Loy Krathong.  My first thought of the festival while walking into it was it is a cross between The 4th, New Years and Christmas.  As got closer to the community club house for the celebration, Amelia described the atmosphere perfectly, "magical". 

Earlier that day, she and her classmates had learned about Loy Krathong and its meaning to the Thais. They watched a video and made krathongs (boats). According to a Thai tourist site  "Different legends surround the origins of Loy Kratong. The most popular version is it was an expression of gratitude to the goddess of water 'Phra Mae Kongka' for having extensively used, and sometimes polluted, the water from the rivers and canals. It is also in part a thanksgiving for her bounty in providing water for the livelihood of the people. "  What Amelia was able to tell we me was you make a wish for your boat and put money in it for good luck.  She wished to be a princess.  I was in.

"Magical"

We spent the evening with friends from the community, music, a magic show and ended it with a firework show (leave it to Thailand to let me experience a firework show SUPER close!!).  I am excited for next year and hope we can make it to Chiang Mai to celebrate.  Anyone looking to visit, November is a good time!

Heading to the festival.

You can buy Loy Krathongs there.

The vendors.

Amelia got SUPER excited when she found an Christmas tree.

Ice cream....it had little pieces of corn in it.

Looking onto the lake.  White lights and candles everywhere.

This was the view around the perimeter of the lake.

Getting ready to add it to the lake.  We lit the candle, incents and made our wish(es)

The boats we so pretty.  I wanted some to decorate my house.

Once Amelia releases hers, she wanted it back.

Looking at the boats in the lake.

Yahoo!!

Snack time....candies peanuts.

Dancing and shows.

A little break.

Amelia's new thing is taking pictures.....

In ah at the magic show.

We were right under these.  It was a little scary how close at times.

Watching the firework show.

Tadpole Swimming

Amelia has been swimming two times a week since September. It has been awesome to watch her develop into a kid who can actually swim. She has so much fun with her friends and her coaches are super.

Last week all the tadpole swimmers (preschool to 1st grade) got to have a swim meet against each other. All the parents were there with our cameras and the kids swam in a variety of different races. The best part of it all was how into cheering the swimmers got into. Amelia came home on a high from the meet (and having her name on a certificate. Her first participation award).

So proud

Next semester, I am thinking we keep it up. Now I just need Liam to join so I can relax around the pool.

18 months

I am VERY behind in this post....about a month.  It has taken me that long to get Liam to the doctor for his appointment and shots.  Saturday, I finally did it. According to the doctor, he is normal.  Not sure what that means.

The kid is growing like a weed and is definitely turning into a boy. Liam loves toy cars, bikes and would live outside if I let him, but his big obsession is BALLS.    His favorite word is Amelia, to match his favorite person.  I can hear him at night calling to her in their room as she reads to him her books.  I love that they LOVE each other so much.  He has two good friends, Riley and Kaimika, who both live in the same neighborhood.  He also loves to hang with the big kids and he thinks that he is their same age.  Liam is a good eater and will try most things: Thai, Indian, Western.  But, his favorite food is cookies.  He is a bruiser and has some scars to show for it.  Wade had to even go out and put together a first-aid kit for him.  He is starting to talk, but we are still unsure on what language. 

There are times he can drive me crazy, but he is the sweetest little boy ever!!

Freshman Class

This post has been held hostage in my camera for months now.  The pictures were taken when we first got here, but I was too lazy to upload them to the computer.  I finally did it....

Moving here has reminded me a lot of when I left home for the first time to attend WSU.  I only took my clothes, I had to "create" a new home and I left my family and friends behind.  The biggest difference was in toe, I had a husband and two children with me. 

The Freshman Class at the King's Palace

I arrived to Thailand the same week as 17 other teachers.  Some of them are single, here by themselves, some of them are teaching couples, with and without children, and some are like me, a teacher with dependents.  Wade was given the name of traveling spouse.  Just like going away to college, we all left the comforts of where we came from before to start a new beginning...the Freshman Class.

The people that I arrived with have turned into my community/family (along with other elementary teachers and our neighbors).  Being far away, they are now the ones we will celebrate with and cry with when needed.  We depend on each other and if I ever need help, I know there is someone (or more) there for me. 

Wade, the kids and I are more busier here then we were at home.  There is something to do almost every night.  Living so close to the school and amongst friends we comment how it is like living back in the Greek system.  It has become a balancing game of not overdoing it.  Due to this time is FLYING by. 

 Making the decision to move abroad was not easy.  There were many tears, but overall it has been worth it...the freshman class has confirmed that we made the right choice.

Me and the traveling spouse.

The school took us out to a dinner show.  This guy was one of the stars.

Thai guard at the palace

The King's Palace.

Halloween Hangover

As a teacher, Halloween is not the best holiday. It is not because of the actual day, but it is the after effects the day after....the Halloween Hangover.

In college this had a different meaning. Now, it is the dull headache in the morning from a night of chasing kids, staying up late and coming down from that sugar high. Your hangover size determines how good your Halloween was.

I am struggling today. The funny part... living in a country where Halloween is not a holiday, my students are not. The school did celebrate with class parties and trick-or-treating, but it didn't stop there for us.

Amelia went to bed last night and the last things she said to me was "I LOVE Halloween." It made me so happy to know that an American tradition was not lost even though we celebrated across the world. Last night I decided that we live in the best neighborhood on this planet.

Amelia and her class.  The school hired a photographer.  I stole pictures again off the website :).

The elementary teachers got into the dressing up as well.  People made awesome costumes. 

For weeks my neighbors and I have been planning a Halloween fair/carnival for RIS staff and their families. Each house hosted a booth (I did face painting), the kids had a costume parade, leading into trick-or-treating and ending with a haunted house. We had over a 100 people come. Amelia and Liam consumed and got so many treats we are set for a long time. Of course I checked the haul and relieved it of it's chocolate.

I hope this tradition continues while we are here. I missed not going to the Fowlers house pre-festivities and going door to door with the Turrells, but in the meantime, we are still making good memories.

Spiderman and Spiderman 2

Pur carnival getting stated.

All the kids who came to celebrate

My attempt to get a photo with Spiderman.

I love this pictures.  Shows how much they really love each other.

Spiderman and his leading lady, Witch Lucy. 

My beautiful Cinderella.  Gma sent her this dress and accessories.  She was so proud and got MANY compliments.  Thank you Gma for helping make this Halloween special!