Christmas Cheer!

Hasn't anyone figured out a machine that can put your thoughts onto paper yet? I suppose that would be silly, after all some of our thoughts are pretty foolish and often absurd, though I have a gift of saying most everything I'm thinking anyway- so I suppose it wouldn't be that much different....

Anyway, I wish it was possible for the last couple weeks... I have been constantly thinking of great one-liners, beautiful paragraphs and eloquent phrases to put on my blog. Alas, at those moments I was walking down a beach, lying in a bed on a sleeper train, bumping across the ocean on a ferry or unwrapping special gifts Christmas morning with a mamosa in one hand, sand under my feet and a prezzie in the other.

All in all over this Christmas season (which was about a week of cookies in the staff room, a weekend off--at a WONDERFUL beach with a WONDERFUL second family and a long weekend for New Years)...I have realized one major thing- Although the last 7 months has been some of the most difficult of my life... I am blessed. Now that Christmas and New Years have passed and I will be finished my teaching contract in Thailand in 8 weeks (no I am not counting down..?!) I can no longer remember a lot of the special details I wanted to include in this Christmas blog entry. Alas, I will try to describe them in the following.

A View Out My Train Car Window.

As I snuggle in I don't realize, that when I awake something glorious will be before my eyes.
I look out and I see many things before me.. and these are out my train car window.

Across the tracks, not a long while back I saw a man- enjoying life and a cigar,
I ponder where he's been-- will he travel far.
I wonder of his pain-- if anyone else knows his name.
As I gaze out my train car window.

The train rolls on as such does life... full of wonder and amazement, stories and strife.
Full of fulfilments and 'acclamades', glimpses of hope. Hope beyond reason, for one, none--for most.

Beyond the window, beyond the pane, I see a lady, a bike, signs of rain.
I watch her struggle-off to market she goes, when she will return I do not know.
Will she make enough money to get through the day-
Will she send all that money, far far away. Do I work hard like her-in each and every way?
I wonder, as I gaze out the window.

Fields blur by- palm trees too, a shack, no--- a house.
A business, wait--that's a mansion-- look!---- There's a few.
Dogs run about, chasing this- eating that, running loose of course, no tag or chain to hold them back.
I envy their freedom- as I whiz on by, though comfortable on the train my mind feels as if it's in a tie.
I try to think about not thinking- I am happy and thankful- correct?
I can't look back now- not with a hint of regret.
I ponder, as I gaze out this window.

The next time I look out there's nothing to see: instead of bushes and brushes there's a face looking at me.
It's a face I once knew, better then, than now- once a face full of reason and without much doubt.
The face is now older- and recognizable as such, grown up maybe but inside still a wee pup.
It's soon easy to see there's no one looking at me.
It's my reflection, as I gaze out the window.

I can see clearly now the cheering crowds outside-- are they there, I wonder- or only in my mind.
I see family- and friends- then loved ones gone on... there are no tears only laughter we always knew how to have fun.

I think of great times and down times- of sad times and glad times.
I often remember those oh- so mad times.
I try to focus on the good, but my mind wanders to the great- how this year, wait last year- I found a new love--I believe true love- somewhat accidentally at the wedding of two mates.
I think of the future and all that that it holds- where will I be when I start to grow old?
Then I recall old is only a term- something for which I doubt I will ever yearn.
I reflect, as I look out my window.

Then the train rolls on the it's time to get off-I soon realize the pictures that went past do not stop.
As I step out of the train I see the woman- the man with cigar.
Then I see me in those people-- in that bike, in this car.
I don't know why my eyes didn't see before, but alas as I step out of that train door...
Though, I cringe at the thought of bliss everyday, I now don't have a choice- there is no other way
For as I step out, I find- that though the train has moved on
This is life- and if I choose I can be part of those pictures from dusk until dawn
Those pictures, out the train car window.

For life is a window to a world far and wide- full ... fighting, injustice? ....should I run and hide?
But wait just a moment- that's only what I choose to see, for behind those injustices are you- wait, is that me?
If life is a window beyond which I look- if I'm in through that window- how do I look?
Am I the hard working lady- am I enjoying my life, or am I the woman on the other side- do I cause the strife.
Now my eyes now strain to see, what I portray to the world as me,
As life looks in, through this train car window.

What do you see, now what will you choose?
As we travel together- we've got nothing to loose.
Choose the best. Choose today, don't let the least little thing get in the way.
Now look, out the train car window.






Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone! I did have a fabulous Christmas on the beach- New Years on a different beach was great for fireworks, but wasn't the best place I've been- oh well! Good people= good times. Thanks for all the phone calls and goodies you sent during Christmas!


A VERY BEACHY CHRISTMAS- PICTURES


A VERY RUDOLPH CHRISTMAS- PICTURES

A VERY LOT OF TRANSPORT-New Years

LIFE since the end of October.

** I have included the Pictures as links-- you just have to double click on the blue links throughout the post and it should take you to the appropriate pictures... Auntie Ruthie-- if you need some help you can call your mom- That 89 year old wonder I have as a grandmother will be able to show you on her Mac no prob:)
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Well, while the pitter patter of rain--more like pounding, can easily be heard through my window-- and door-- the forces are our out drinking free margaritas, riding bulls and watching a grand lady boy performance I figured it was about time I sat down and updated this blog!! After all a blog is not a blog if it is not written on!

Well, life has been challenging to say the least! I am going to blame it on a wonderful October holiday (I think that's last time I wrote!) and coming back to rooms full of talkative students and my desire to be back in Canada-- I think it's a certain someones fault I miss Winnipeg so much!) I'm sure in a few months I will be wishing for the balmy weather and the beaches, but lately I have been dreaming of a White Christmas--perhaps why the lack of writing.

Now that I have a few more beach pictures and I bit more time I will update! Since my last post I have finished university classes FOREVER! (Technically I have graduated!--Just waiting on the official thing in June!) Now I am just finishing up my contract with the school here... I will be done the end of February and have just booked a flight to New Zealand! (Book but not paid for --so if some of you were thinking long and hard about what to get me for Christmas.....tee hee)....
Some NZ friends I met in Winnipeg are getting married and some friends that have now moved from WPG are attending so it should be a lovely get together--and a holiday I am really looking forward to! I will be in New Zealand for 3 weeks and am finally home March 23rd-5:52pm to be exact!

December was a month blessed with long weekends! We had two long weekends in a row- with the Kings birthday and Constitution day we ended up with a 3 day week sandwiched inbetween! We decided it was time to check out downtown Bangkok and so splurged a little and stayed at a fancy hotel! It was WONDERFUL- we got to COOK our own meals! (HIGHLIGHT as we don't have kitchens in our apartments) and sleep on beds that felt like clouds--unlike the rocks that are somehow passed as beds that we normally sleep on! The beautiful international school with immaculate grounds, 2 swimming pools, 2 tennis courts, and a full sized track that we could see next door to our hotel made us a bit jealous--but alas it was grand. It was a perfect location to watch the smog- as well as the fireworks on the kings birthday WOW! As a bit of background info --the THAI people LOVE their king. The Thai King, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) Thailand born 1927-12-05 ascended. 1946-06-09 ,has reigned 64 years, 188 days. The longest reigning current monarch. He is like a father to the Thai people and is much revered. Thus, there were huge celebrations for his birthday- a national holiday- and we chose to celebrate with Games in our gorgeous hotel room while watching the Fireworks around us.

The following long weekend we went to an island new to us-- and a definite new favourite- Koh Chang. It was BEAUTIFUL and a perfect mix of mountains and beaches...this time I chose to remain on the beaches and didn't do much exploring--except for a day of snorkeling, but it was FABULOUS- I can't complain about spending time with wonderful food and amazing people; a fun morning of snorkeling (Snorkeling Koh Chang Pictures) and lots of beach time! (See Links to pictures below!) A highlight of my weekend was getting a manicure and pedicure and foot scrub--totalling about 10 dollars, if the fact that I was lying on a bed-- on the beach-- looking out to the ocean while getting pampered wasn't enough I tried to hold back my giggles when a salesman (often found on beaches) of some sort of temporary tattoos stopped by. I was a little bit uneasy as I was sprawled out on the bed in my bikini (as of course the massage ladies were set up 10 steps from our bungalow-- which was on the beach: 4 steps from my bed to the sand-- I counted!!!)... anyway if the view and location weren't enough as this salesman passed by-- he actually sat down-- and get this- he was about age 15.. and it must have been his mom doing my nails- cuz he sat down at my other hand and started cutting my nails-- and filing my nails-- and painting my nails! Of course- all the while I was trying to hold back my giggles and I knew they were talking about me-- finally the boy touched my tattoo and the lady asked me- in Thai (somehow Thai people think that if I know how to say hello in Thai-- I know it all)... she asked how long I had it- how much it cost and where I got it done... anyway it was quite amusing... I never did find out if they thought my tattoo was nice or hideous-- but I"m sure if it was that bad they would have told me- as Thai's aren't afraid to tell the truth.
(KOH CHANG 1 Pictures) (Koh Chang 2 PICTURES)

Now as I await my 3rd Christmas in my life without snow (1. Uganda, 2. England...3. Thailand) - I am thankful for all the wonderful people- food- and hopefully I'll find a comfy bed --I am looking forward to returning to in Winnipeg. I think about the people that I love who will not be physically with me this Christmas... Some of you may not know, but my Grandma Mc Kinnon passed away in November. This Christmas I will choose to celebrate the wonderful times I have with her and those I love-- who I am not with this year. Last night one of the guys in our group, Damon, came over and we made fudge. Last Christmas his family had gotten together with his grandmother who always made fudge and she taught them how to make it--Damon recorded it on video. His grandmother passed away in the fall while he was in Thailand and thus in her memory he asked me to make fudge with him (as I have a hot plate AND microwave!)...it was a special time to also remember Grandma McKinnon and the many special times we've had together cooking in the kitchen, and visiting over the years...

I think I will celebrate Christmas at ''home'' in our ''apartments'' this year. My budget- or lack of-- is now New Zealand bound and keeps reminding me that my flight isn't really mine until I pay for it! Alas, as Christmas is not a holiday here (though it is DECKED OUT in Christmas decorations at the malls- and all our spoiled students will be receiving gifts from their parents, and our Buddhist centred school plays Christian Christmas carols in the mornings...)... I will be remaining at home. On Christmas eve there will be a supper put on by our school and hopefully we'll find a Christmas Eve service to attend... other than that I intended to do NO school work and just relax--maybe taking a run and a swim in the pool.

I don't want to admit it but as my time passes in Thailand- though I am absolutely grateful for this time in my life, I think I finally have a homing device back to Canada- I think it's time for my trips to be more of holiday lengths in weeks/months and not so much in years! On that note--see you in March! (If anyone has an extra, house- car- phone- bed-living supplies that they'd like to donate/sell to me upon my return I would be eternally grateful!) :)

Although I am terrible at communicating with you- Please know you are in my thoughts this holiday season! God Bless and Merry Christmas--and a Happy NEW Year!

ps. A few highlights of the Christmas season so far:
- Seeing a giant snowman in a back of a truck
- Setting up a Christmas tree at school
- Receiving a parcel from Shaun filled with chocolate (that was melted all over the box!)
- Wearing a Santa Hat to teach-- every day this week... and boring my students by singing them Christmas Carols :)
- Making ''Grandma's Fudge''
- Receiving my one and only present from a student thus far, wrapped in paper that says ''Love-- kiss-- Love you-- and Sex'' (hmmm I guess I better teach them to read!)

-PPS. The GOOD things about everyday life have been(LIFE PICTURES):
-Making delicious sandwiches including BACON- feta cheese- tomatoes- boiled egg - A new Garlic/Herb spice- and cucumbers-- mmm mmm goood.
-Watching my students excited about a Mystery Writer during a letter writing unit.
-Walking up and down 78 steps to get to my 4 classrooms-- you get exercise whether you like it or not
-Running at the SE Asia University ''track'' across the street....just the road that goes through the UNI.
-Finishing University Forever!
-Collecting Shells on the beach (oh I guess this wasn't every day!)
-Drinking FRESH smoothies and Pad Thai off the street- totalling 45 Baht- about $1.50.
-Having a personal Taxi driver come pick us up every day ""Tok"" (pronounced Talk) speaks English and fancies my neighbour= rides every morning... and makes him a living!

ppps. OHH ya- we also did an ''AMAZING RACE" at the local outdoor market=Chatuchak Weekend Market - the world's largest weekend markets
  lots of fun- Very HOT- and WE won best spirit! :)
THE AMAZING RACE PICTURES

pppps. Oh and I forgot about Loi Krathong-- a water festival where the Thai people decorate elaborate water features to set free into the rivers for good luck and to say sorry to the water for polluting it! (or something like that).. anyway it was a HUGE festival --the lanterns were definitely the coolest thing ever -- and most dangerous! (See picture links below!)
LOI KRATHONG PICTURES

The Holiday Sega... and links to pics!

Perhaps the tardiness stems from trying to encapsulate such wonderful moments on paper....or that I was busy playing nurse...the new addiction to an old tv show, now not an addiction as I spent all Sunday watching the final season (Prison Break...)... or jumping back into the swamp they call career and teaching. Whatever the excuse it's not a very good one.. but I think I'm finally ready to summarize the last 3ish weeks on the blog.
Now ... how to do that without boring you to death- I'm assuming if you're reading this you're mildly interested.

I will use the point form journal Shaun and I kept over our holiday as a jumping off point and go from there.

First Stop of holidays.... (after 2 weeks of ''nothing''/planning with show and tell for parents and a ''camp'' which was basically babysitting- at the beginning of October)

-First Stop Chiang Rai- Northern Thailand.
* After a weekend of browsing Bangkok we headed up north.
Initial thoughts of our place in Chiang Rai--Musty, Where ARE we? But great soup from the street. We proceeded to rent bikes the next afternoon and finding our way around- trying not to get lost...or ran over on the not so calm streets. We then decided Monday would include a bike tour with better bikes and a tour guide:) Though our self guided tour was pretty wondering seeing lots of soi dogs (street dogs- yuck!), a river, all the beautiful places we could have stayed and getting badly cut off by a car (but not ran over).... We also came across a great Italian restaurant that later that night served us some lovely baguette etc....
-MONDAY: All day bike tour-- with a 1:1 ratio of guides: Included a visit to a beautiful and very modern/new age ''White Temple'' done by an amazing artist, three visits to local businesses; a rice mill--SO interesting, a rubber ''factory (even MORE interesting), and a stop to the fisherman rubber boots and all netting tiny minnows for the market. We also came upon a Monk ceremony/lottery type ordeal in a small village where the monks were honored by locals making basically ''penny parade' type baskets that were numbered. Then the monks pulled a number and hoped to get the basket of the rich family in town (as the baskets were adorned with money!) This ceremony was neat to happen upon as it happens once every SIX years- in that particular village! AND being the only white people and GIANT (Shaun) we soon became the centre of attention-- which I always like :)

After a LOT of uphill climb- a rest stop in the middle of a rice field and lots of sweat we climbed up a steep path on foot to arrive at a beautiful waterfall. Eager to jump in we soon realized this would be detrimental to survival as the waterfall was VERY strong due to the rainy season-- so strong that when our guide took his shirt off the shirt was straight out like a flag due to the wind created by the waterfall!

Thankfully we had the next couple days to recover-- I mean some people argue that Shaun caught some Thai bug-- though symptoms showed *cough* maybe some heat exhaustion-- the bike WAS really hard-- it did provide a good opportunity to catch up on Canadian tv shows.

I will add a following entry regarding the rubber factory it was SO interesting!

jump ahead to THURSDAY-now in another norther community Chiang Mai: We visited a TIGER KINGDOM- where they don't drug the tigers but the tigers are raised in the 'tiger kingdom'' from birth so are trained-- I guess not to eat me! The rest of the day was spent at the Chiang Mai Zoo and Acquarium and FYI if you so choose to NOT take the tram in the Zoo it is a LONG walk UP HILL -- but you DO get the benefit of going to the redneck carnival as you exit the zoo-ie. shooting range and mini mini bike track (like the shriners ride--) AT THE ZOO?

FRIDAY was WONDERFUL we spent the morning fishing at a local fishing hole with Mr. Tuk Tuk. Shaun won the competition catching 8 fish...(he's read this and wants to edit- it was 9--9 fish) I came in a close second with 3+ the one (not joking) that got away- speculated to be about 25kgs! We did both manage to tie for biggest size at 16kg! Those things are pure muscle and it was quite an adventure to reel them in with the giant fishing pools we used! It was a great success after the initial disappointment of shore fishing vs. boat fishing (afterthoughts: Thank GOODNESs it wasn't in a boat-- I would have fallen out trying to reel those giants in and gotten eaten alive!)

SATURDAY included white water rafting with funny english-men, an australian, german, americans and of course us canadians.... After a LONGGGG drive up the mountain- we got out of the van and right back onto the raft-- on a flatbed-- we continued the climb up the mountain- got out for a Thai lunch and then on the river.WOW. What a ride! it was certainly a good season for rafting! We did have to get out of the river at one point-- they wouldn't let us go down the level 6 white water:( Saying that I will certainly fight for a life jacket and helmet that fits a little better next time-- cuz swimming down the rapids was a little terrifying!

Rafting was followed by ATVing-- lets just say after a long day I wasn't quite prepared for the steep inclines-- slippery rocks and muddy situations-- so I quickly decided I was good in the passenger seat:)

Moving on to the south--Phuket.

Sunday Monday and tuesday were spent on the BEACH== woo woo.....

-between surfing-a little (SHAUN)...lying in the sun a lot (CHRISTY)
-a tour to Phi Phi Islands where the movie- THE BEACH was filmed, as well as a different island where a Bond movie was shot-- including AMAZING snorkeling-- with fintail alligator fish! I LOVED the beach- the flourlike sands and the crazy blue waters were BEYOND belief and wonderful--

WEDNESDAY we spent figuring out how to get to our final destination Railay Beach-- once on the ferry we became storm chasers and actually spotted a TORNADO!! cool hey? (it wasn't too near us!) This day was full of varied transportation including: taxi, ferry, tuk tuk, longtail boat, foot...and 200 stairs to our ''resort'')
-upon arrival at our ''resort'' turns out we didn't have a reservation -- but it was pouring rain so decided to stay there anyway-- well- also turns out it was probably more of a resort 20 years ago and mold has taken hold- OH WELL- the view was GREAT and the pool was nice. The 200 steps up to the ''bungalow'' were especially nice as I spent the next couple days attending to Shaun as he was really fevered and NOT healthy--which took us to the hospital on friday- thankfullly he's now recovered (unfortunately now back in Canada.....thankfullly, safe and sound! PLUS although I knew it already it was really nice to have time to hang out with a really superb friend who likes to do all the same things as me!)

-Well that's the short version- Imagine what the LONG one would look like! and now... I'm back to school-- but I'm not ready to admit to that yet... so i'll just try to upload some pictures now :) .... wish me luck!

I figured out a much easier way to upload pics-- just click on the links below and they should get you to facebook pics- they are MUCH easier to download!

let me know if they are inaccessible!

xCLR

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240570&id=502156238&l=9cfe9b9d36

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240575&id=502156238&l=bb02c9abab
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240572&id=502156238&l=8c6b6c419a

HOLIDAYS!

Almost a month!

I just took a peek and realized I'm 10 days short of a month-- of posting on the blog! AHHH.... well I guess it's been almost a month since I've left Bangkok. In between then I've seen a ~7ft. snake in our apartment yard- it got zapped on the electrical wire, shorted out the power and fell dead- only to be discovered by the security guard- who called and of course I ran out to see it! What else- school has been winding down, it's somewhat of a summer break for the kids- they have a month off- but can choose to come to school for a 'day camp' of sorts. They had exams last week and this week was ''open housé'' also a somewhat optional week where parents can come in and we 'perform' for the parents and they watch what goes on in class. Today's show included me bouncing around the classroom making sure that the students- who have been having free time all week-- were on task and not writing inappropriate adjectives like the boys group including ''sexy''... well I guess that is an adjective so they are technically correct- but of course I put on my teachers face- tried not to laugh and asked if they'd write that if THEIR parents were there. So this week I've had lots of prep time for next term- which is great, but makes the week waiting for holidays- and Shaun to come VERY long. Only 8 sleeps until holidays- 7 until Shaun arrives- Next week will be ''day camp'' at school. Should be nice change- me and Lindsay are making pom poms and being cheer leaders...

Wonderful

I am reporting that I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY! Wonderful- from top to bottom? Is that a possibility? I know my memory is terrible, so I'm sure I forgot some not so great parts but overall a wonderful day. I think it happens when perspective changes and you realize some little students are actually people and have lives, and aren't just there to get on your nerves! What can change a wonderful day when you arrive at school at 7am to ''The Chicken Dance" followed by Sharron, Louis and Bram's Skid-amirinkidinkedink (sp?)you have an hour to prep before you have to be at ''hard court'' a daily meeting for the students where they repeat their Buddhist rituals and vows to the school- to be a good student (it's Scout's day on Friday so they all come dressed in Scout uniform, very cute, but at the start somewhat of a problem as their scout uniforms don't have their names written on them, but their school uniforms do).

Anyway hard court today was someone in our key stages turn to lead so we started the morning off with a rousing round of Y-M-C-A! Followed by my weekly trip to the very cozy and cute coffee shop around the corner from the school where I get a mocha Frappe. Well this morning was a special treat- last week they began serving breakfast and so today I partook in a delicious spread of ham, weiners, very thin and de-crusted bread, 3 slices of tomato and a lovely sunnyside up egg done to perfection in the shape of a heart! The deal is it is only 20 baht more (about 70 cents) than my regular drink I get...except I get breakfast too- go figure! (Somethings just don't make sense out here!)

The day continued well- my day teaching one less class than normal was a nice change- and I got to hear the bell chiming throughout the day (have I told you the school bell is to the tune of ''it's a small world afterall'' ? And although some classes were difficult I was able to navigate my way through the difficult students by giving talkings to- rather than yelling at them, and describing in detail how much it makes me sad when they talk the whole class or are not complete their homework-- Overall I got fairly good responses.

The school day ended with a lovely round of ''let's try to play dead for Mr. Damon'' Damon teaches after my last class on friday (he teaches a homework class-- incase going to school for 7 hours straight wasn't enough for them...) and yesterday he decided to try and get the students attention by lying on the floor and playing dead-- as nothing else was making them quiet... well it took them 3 whole minutes to notice he was even on the floor and then they looked at him quizzically and said, ''Mr. Damon, what are you doing on the floor!" Needless to say his method didn't work... Sooooo the homework students and I decided to wait quietly in the dark- playing dead for Mr. Damon to arrive.. Well it worked- except one of the student actors rose from the dead to yell at him as soon as he came through the door-- so he left and reentered- we were all quiet then and Mr. Damon started to sing a victory song- and we all had a laugh.

ANyway Spaghetti and such for supper- a quick clean of my room and then watching Erin Brokovich (sp?) with friends-- Ahhh what a lovely evening.

Well laundry should be done- and I'm off to console my neighbour who just returned from working late at school- only to tell me that she got locked into not only the school.. and had to escape through a window-- but then got locked in the school yard and the gates were even locked so the guard could not let her out-- and she had to climb the fence! Ha... what wonderful adventures--ha.. glad it wasn't me!

Well now that I've told you about a typical wonderful day I'm off to hang up my laundry and get to bed-- I'm teaching Saturday class tomorrow- thankfully We get to leave an hour later than usual! Woo hoo... isn't it sad when 7 oclock is sleeping in?!

:)Sigh....

Live well.

ps I even got a gift from a student today- I'll keep his last initial anonymous, as I have two of them in my class, but Gun (yes, his name is Gun) gave me a present today! It's in a beautiful box I think I'll dismantle and frame.. but check out the ingredient list (Moon Cake: Sugar, Cashew Nut, Salted egg yolk, sweet pork, wheat flour, squash, watermelon seed, white sesame seed, sweet apricot kernel, macadamia nut, vegetable oil and egg... hmmm scrumptious? I guess we'll see tomorrow!)