Countdown is on.

With 9 days left until we come home for the summer, my list of things I am excited for is growing. I have decided to list my top 10 (not included seeing family and friends because that is a given) so I can remember to appreciate them when back in the good ole' USA.

1. Eat and EAT....I miss meat the most. Good, red meat grilled to perfection. I have a feeling I am going to gain some weight....Mexican, American, cooking dishes I have not been able to do here....Trader Joe's!!!!!

2. Wearing layers of clothing. For the past 10 months I aimed for minimal, light outfits. Heading to a 30 degree difference, I know I am going to freeze. I am going to be the crazy person dressed like it is winter in June. I miss my hoodies.

3. English: English is spoken a lot here, but I am looking forward to EVERYTHING (mostly) being in 
 English. We live by the saying “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit”. There is also ”Thailanded” coined by some friends. You have to visit to understand.

4. Driving a car. I have only driven a motorbike while in Thailand. I am hoping I still remember how to drive. I long for the freedom it gives.

5. Running. I use to call myself a runner. I have not ran once here. It is too humid and hot. I am excited to take a run in the fresh Northwest air and not feel dizzy from heat after.

6. Meeting Hadley and other babies born while we were here. Knowing I have a niece and the kids have a cousin they have never met is sad. I hope we can make up from lost time.

7. Taking HOT baths. Only cold showers here.

8. Sleeping with lots of blankets and soft beds. The mattresses in Thailand suck and are very hard. My memory foam on my mom's bed is calling my name.

9. Being in the same time zone...this means calling people and not needing to calculate what time it is there.

10. Using a washer and dryer to do laundry (preferably with Tide). I have a washer in Thailand, but the water is hard and the clothes are dried in the sun. That combo does not give the same feeling on your skin. Tide is also over $30 here in the Western grocery store. I can't afford that. 

Liam has also become a little confused here.  A little time away may be good for him.

Long weekend: Erawan Falls and Kanchanaburi

It is nice when long weekends that occur in the States fall as the same time as long weekends in Thailand. Makes the world feel a little smaller.  This year instead of joining a team for "Ski to Sea" over Memorial weekend, we joined our neighbors for a hike up the Erawan Falls  to celebrate Visaka Bucha day.   The falls are seven layers, with water pools and slides at each.  Wade and others made it to the top, while the kids and I made it to level 4.5. It was nice to be out in nature, but the pool at the resort was calling my name after being sweaty and muddy for a couple hours.

Taking a break after some serious climbing.  I had to bribe the kids with a coke to keep going. 

Look closely at the rock and you can see the natural water slide. 

In his "spot".  The Ergo has been a lifesaver for me/him and our travels.  Best pack ever. 

All cleaned after our hike and enjoying a snack  by the pool. 

The pool was right outside our room.  

The falls are just out of the city Kanchanaburi, which is famous for the "death rail".  The movie and book named  Bridge on the River Kwai  is based there.  Being so close to this historical place, we needed to make a stop on our way home.

The bridge. 

The train passing on the bridge as we were on the tracks. 

Looking at the river and the famous bridge. 

Here comes the train.  Thank goodness there were platforms off to the side.  My mom was telling me in the past these were not there and people ended up in the river. 

Waiting for the train. 

Birds and Bees

Forget Vegas...the world's capital for sin is Pattaya, Thailand.  Run by mafia, the center of Asia's sex trafficking and dead (farang) bodies showing up on a daily basis, why not have a bachelorette party there?  With three teachers getting married this summer we had a reason to celebrate.

The pool

22 of us hoped into a party bus Friday after school and partied until Sunday morning.  We ate good food, got plenty of sun, but most of all had good (mom we were safe) fun.

As for the rest....what happens in Pattaya, stays in Pattaya.

What I will say is we stayed at a resort away from the main strip called Birds and Bees.  It is part of the famous restaurant Cabbages and Condoms.   It was a great place that I will keep in mind for future weekend trips.

The three reasons to celebrate.

Good meals

Condom Santa

Birth-control Man

Two for Two

I no longer have a baby, but another kid. 

I love this picture because he looks like such the little man. 

Over Songkran, Liam turned two in age and attitude.  Because we were on vacation for his actual birthday, he was the lucky one who had a birthday that went for a week plus with multiple celebrations and two parties!!  We had one at the resort where the staff at dinner made him a pancake, turned out the lights and everyone sang.  He LOVED it.  We had the other party when we got home and had his neighborhood and daycare friends over for a "pool" party with pizza and cake.  He was adorable with his expressions and excitement with presents and cake.  He is not only a very loving little boy, but very expressive (in good and bad times).

Over break Liam also had his annual exam.  The exam was a little different than we had the year before in the States.  In addition to looking at his growth and such, he also had a blood test and chest x-ray.  All turned out perfect.

2 Year Stats:
Weight and Height: 12.9 kg (28 lbs) and 86 cm (just under 3 feet).  He is not a big guy.  Built more like a bull dog: short and broad.  I am afraid he is taking more after my father than his father.
Physical Examination: All normal  Blood Count: In normal range Blood Chemistry: Normal, but iron low. Chest X-Ray: Normal sized heart and such.  Mom count: Perfect little boy.

Developmental:  Liam is a talker, but sometimes it doesn't always makes sense.  He can express his wants and feelings pretty well and speaks 3-4 word sentences.  He is a good eater and LOVES Thai/Asian food.  He also has a sweet tooth and often asks for candy.  His favorite people are mommy, sister and Goma.  But, dad always needs to be accounted for and near by.    He thinks he is a BIG kid and keeps up with the neighborhood gang. His favorite activities are playing cars, riding his scooter and jumping on the trampoline.

Happy Beach Birthday

I am raising him to be a lover. 

Pool party

Songkran Break: Koh Kood

I am starting to think maybe our adventures our not just due to us living in Thailand, but perhaps we are a little jinxed (or destined).  Everything always seems to work out, but the process leaves us stories to tell.

This vacation would be no different. To make a long story short, we had ended up adding two unplanned nights to our trip and almost didn't make it to Koh Kood. But, the island was worth it all and the resort made vacationing with children easier.

All there is on Koh Kood is small resorts, clear water and white sand. It has yet to be hit by BIG named hotels, there is no town/city and the first paved road was in the process of being built while we were there. It is not a place you go to looking for action. It is a place you go to lay in the sun and relax with a dip in the water to cool down.

We stayed at a resort called "The Beach" with our neighbors from home. It has little tiny bungalows nestled into the jungled hill. The best part of the place was the beach. Perfect for children and adults. I could relax in the sun while Liam and Amelia played near by in the calm water. We ate great seafood, the kids loved being with friends and Koh Kood is another place on my list that I want to return to.

White sand.

Clear, warm water.

Oh yeah, there is also a waterfall on the island.

Nightly sunsets.

Our jungle hike to see the waterfall. 

Sunglasses are a must. 

An attempt for a family picture.  Why is it so hard for all four of us to smile at once?

He thinks he is a swimmer.

One of our additional nights waiting for a boat at the Centara Resort on the Cambodian boarder. 

Liam found a ball... coconut.

The resorts dock.

Apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

Waves.

Liam turned two on this trip.  Here he is showing his "two".  He is getting so big/. 

Songkran = Madness

Well, we made it home alive. There were times that I thought we would never make it out of the madness called Songkran. With our trusty guide Anne (who grew up here), she showed us how the celebration is done....water guns, clay and thousands of people.

Guns and mean mug...check.

 There was a moment that we almost claimed defeat, but Wade (blinded) and I triumph on and "did" Songkran the way it should be done.   It was an experience we needed to have and now have stories to tell our grandchildren.  If you are looking to join the world's largest water fight, this is the place to do it.  I advise children stay home and learn to just smile no matter what.

Darcy and Orestes in their flowered Sangkran shirts.

Our guide Anne and her friend Jesus in the middle of Silom.

Just the start of the clay on the face.

Wade being picked to be the token "Farang" to dance Gangnum Style and be dunked in a tank.

Looking down at Silom from the BTS.  You go down into it, you are not staying dry or clean.

Picture through a plastic bag.

Wade in the street at Nana.  Look for the yellow shorts.

 Now, we have a McDelivery kind of day and recover for our next adventure.

Starting this week....HAPPY SONGKRAN.

Helps that we get a week and a half off to celebrate this:

Songkran is days away but you can already feel the build up of energy in the air as Thais prepare to take to the streets for the water gun wars. For those staying in Thailand, see our Songkran 2013 Survival Tips below. Feel free to share, especially with those new to the Thai New Year festivities.

NANCY CHANDLER'S SONGKRAN SURVIVAL TIPS

Shop for your Water Gun Today. 

Don’t wait until the water wars begin as prices skyrocket during the water festival. Pop by any supermarket, department store or mega mall to source at least two or three water guns per person in your posse. (Water guns break easily and having more than one also allows you to continue playing without having to refill every five minutes.) Look for guns with sling straps attached so you can carry more than one at a time. Test them in the shop if you can. (We once had fun testing several in a toy shop, sending several of the staff back to their counters to grab their own guns and fight back!) If you wait to buy during the festival, check packaging before handing over your cash. (Crafty entrepreneurs have been known to collect broken guns lying on the streets, repackage them in the original packaging and then re-sell them!)

Stock up with Other Songkran Essentials Beforehand Too.

Ziploc bags could have been invented in Thailand during Songkran. You’ll want plenty to store your mobile phone, camera and any other personal items in during this week, assuming you do plan on leaving your home. Larger plastic bags are useful for carrying a towel and one or two changes of clothing should you plan to visit anywhere where air conditioning inside might be a problem if you’ve arrived dripping wet. Large garbage bags may be needed if you’re having a house party (see below). A visit to the ATM and supermarket for food and drink before Songkran is also advised. If changing money, do so before the holidays as banks will be closed throughout the country.

Songkran may Start as soon as Friday!

Although Songkran does not officially start until April 13, venture out onto the streets anytime from early Friday afternoon and you may risk being set upon by posses of Thais with their buckets full, hoses aimed and squirt guns loaded! Office staff will leave early to celebrate together on the steps of their buildings. Shopkeepers will close up shop and set up staff parties on their doorsteps. Condominium building security may well also be armed by Friday. Another tip: Head home from work early. Traffic will be horrendous from 3pm on as many head to the airport or home, others taking to the streets with friends and families ready to start playing. Note: This is a great time to get to know your neighbours, even if you don't speak Thai.

Don’t Want to Get Wet?

Good luck. For those wary of water, when ambushed by a posse of water gun toting Thais, you can try waiing and politely offering your hands for them to pour water over, or offer your cheeks for a little powder, but there will always be that one who won't be able to restrain himself. Best you just stay home if you can’t see the fun in it all. In which case, make sure you have food delivery service telephone numbers on hand (see the directory to your copy of Nancy Chandler’s Map of Bangkok)! Just remember that forcing a food delivery guy out onto the streets on a motorcycle this week isn't the kindest thing to do, so tip well.

Eager to Get Out and Play?

Dress to get wet. And covered in white powder (which may well still be coming out your ears for weeks). Secure all valuables in ziploc bags, unless heading to the heart of the water wars (Silom Soi 4, Khao San Road or Chiang Mai’s Moat Area), in which case leave all valuables at home. Pickpockets are not only rife in such areas but extremely talented. Do not use tuk tuks or motorcycles to get around. Use the skytrain and taxis instead. Note that by the end of the festival, being in a taxi does not necessarily protect you from the posses unless you have dutifully locked all doors (we’ve been in one where the driver stopped to let people open the door the dump a bucket on us, all in great fun of course).

Songkran Etiquette and Safety Tips

Please avoid shooting water at moving motorcycle and tuk tuk drivers or their passengers. If someone asks you not to get them wet, please respect their wishes. Do not aim water guns at anyone’s eyes. Do not use ice water or powdered water in your water gun. Do not dump buckets or water balloons from high above the street. Take care when walking or running on slippery floors. Do not drink and drive. Do not let your friends drink and drive. Remember that, even if you have not been drinking before driving, other drivers may have.

Having a House Party?

Do not expect your house to remain a dry zone. Bag it instead. Use huge garbage bags to cover the sofa cushions, the TV, and the microwave, and move everything else into to a locked room. If you have pets, you’ll want to lock them away in a private room with food and water too. Having a few water bins outside near a hose for reloading will prevent most guests from running through your house to use the bathroom taps, but know you’ll end up with wet footsteps through the house anyway.

Heading to Khao San?

Khao San has traditionally been water war central for foreigners and Thais. Should you choose to check out the mayhem, study Nancy Chandler’s Map of Bangkok and/or Nancy Chandler’s Map of Khao San & Old Bangkok so you know your whereabouts (the latter especially useful for those using taxis as you will be dropped off several blocks away from Khao San). Use the map to identify two meeting points at either end of the street or down a nearby side street and set a time to meet up should anyone in your posse get lost. In recent years, the action on Khao San itself has been a bit tamer – police barring anyone with an extra large water gun or powdered water from entry, with cultural shows staged throughout the festival – but be forewarned, the streets around it remain serious battlegrounds. And the pickpockets are real pros - again, do not take valuables. Eighty mobile phones had been reported stolen during a 4 hour period when I last had to report to the local police here for a stolen ID card during Songkran. Separating your cash on your person is also a good idea. Note: For 2013, they are trying to ban alcohol in Khao San and other official 'water war zones'. We do believe that if you want a drink and they really are enforcing this new policy,all you will need to do is pop into a side street bar.

Other Water War Zones in Bangkok

Silom Soi 4 is always a full on party, with revelers ambushing new arrivals from left, right and center, but join a bar and you’ve got an automatic posse! Similar water wars will be waged within any red light area. Less mad, will be CentralWorld’s Songkran Festival with dry and wet festivities including concerts (usually running daily 10am-10pm). Other malls are planning more subdued events, hoping to attract those not really into all the water play. Several clubs are also planning special events (see our website's map updates pages, Facebook, the newspapers or BK Magazine for details). You will still have to navigate the streets to get to them though.

Enjoy!

Your Friends at Nancy Chandler Graphics

www.nancychandler.net