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