English Sentances in Daily Life

So I bought this book entilted 999 English Sentances in Daily Life because it had both english and Thai tranlations. I thought it would help me practice and learn more Thai sentance structure. I do think it helped me some with Thai especially now that I can say things I've always wanted to say to my friends, neighbors, or the average joe on an average day:
Some of my favorites:
Remember me to Touch
What underwear color do you use?
It goes to the corn field
Who do you in love with?
Where did they Shout?
Where did you guard your dog?
Did we chop some meat?
We did not rub the knife
He did not hunt the wildlife
He did not cry with reasons
I went shopping at the Red Cross fair
I spoke Chinese poor
Where would you like to join boyscout camp?
I would not like to kiss it
Where can you cut some wood?
I can ride my buffalo
Will it have a tail?
Will it have a lung?
Am I a doctor?

Now I guess I'm ready for some woodchoping at a Red cross fair on something that may or may not have a lung, but at least I can ride my buffalo and know my friends underwear color.

All in the daily life of an english speaker learning Thai.

Smiling Moon

There is a lot of chaos in the world right now. Economic, Political, Social ect. Right now Thailand is politicaly unstable --though I still feel very safe in my area and those in the states need not worry about me.

In the midst of the stress The moon smiled down on us. Literally the moon and two planets formed a smily face. My good friends mother ran to my house and insisted I come out and see it, because in her 60 years of life she has never seen such a thing.
Sure enough . The moon was smiling. My Thai neighbors say its the
gods smiling down on us--offering blessing to the new upcoming year. My Christians friends say how kind of God to offer some joy and peace in times of turmoil.

I do have to say it was a pleasant surprise that the God of the universe orchastrated the skyes to smile down on Thailand.

Thanksgving

Yesterday I studied Thai for 4 hours and then ate alot of food at Our Team leader's Familie's house. It was fun eating Western food, playing games, and watching the Cosby show. It felt good.
We talked alot about Thanksgiving and food, Family and traditions.
Today I woke up--realized My family is still camping with colored leaves in California and I realized I miss them alot.
Tommorow I will take a government Thai test that I'm not ready for.

All that's to say I'm grateful this Thanksgiving season, but can't wait for it to be over.

Miss you Family.

Bed room pictures

So I finally finished my room and after the plees from many people about my color scheme I am posting pictures of my room.

Before:

After:

Poster board come in handy yet again. No more peep hole in my bathroom, Curtians were hand stiched by me and the flooring was a great bonding time with my neighbor.

I threw in Bathroom and bed for kicks so you quys can see a little more of my normal life.

Birthday reflections

Turning 25 was great. Thanks to all who sent birthday wishes, cards and or gifts. You helped to make it a special day.

I surprisingly felt very loved by my teammates and Thai friends as I celebrated with them. They all where so thoughtful and full of love

.

My desk was decorated with flowers, my friend made one of my favorite dishes from strach for lunch and we were invited by our team leaders house for home cooked lasagna and birthday cake. I felt loved. The gifts from the office staff and team where so thoughtful--a flower paint tray (Jin my Thai friend said "I noticed you like to paint and you've been using a cardboard box as your tray--Thats just sad. I feel sorry for you"--Great, Thoughtful and perfect gift. others made me jewerly by hand or put together a thing of my favorites. Pumpking Spice coffee ( I love anything pumpkin ) Chai Tea, Lavender to help me sleep, paintings in my favorite colors and so much more.

Then when I came home my good friend Gop, in the neighborhood, surprised me with a cake she bought herself and we had a mini celebration just the two of us.

I did have a party with the neighborhood-- kids and adults alike where excited about the cookies, brownies, Cake, and other snacks--oh and yes they enjoyed the karaoke.

It was a good celebration. And I'm so grateful that I was able to enjoy turning 25 with people I really enjoy hanging out with.

Ghettoness

In Pomona I thought I had reached a level of Ghettoness when my roomates and I put up cardboard boxes in our window to keep the house cooler. Don't knock it till you try it. It really helped us survive the extreme heat.

In Thailand I realize that I actually have become even more crafty. My sister in law has been adding accent walls to my nieces and nephews room. I, like my sister in law, have a value for nicely decorated walls and homey feeling rooms. That is why I added my own accent wall--with thin sheets of poster board and foam tape. A whole new level.

Before:
Posterboard accent wall
Diecut flowers boarder and a string with clips for the childrens art work.

Ahh to be resourceful.

Greatness

Recently my Grandma sent me a package for my birthday--it was filled with goodies and many fun things. One poster she made her self had the quote by Mother Theresa, " We can do no great things-- only small things with great love."
How true is this statement.
How deeply profound this statment is.
The more I live in Thailand the more I realize that I am not great or special. I don't have magic superpowers and I'm not beyond human. I get tired and thirsty and irritated. I have joy and hardship, but I'm often still a person who longs to be great. I want to do my best at what ever I do and when I fall short I'm often overly hard on my self. Yet as much as it is human nature to desire to be great ,I'm also overwhelmed with the desire to be normal. (I am coming to terms with the fact that this realty kind of went out the window when I decided to follow Jesus's call for me to live in a slum) I want to be remarkable and yet ordinary. This could be why one of the greatest books I've read is called "Irresitable Revolution" by Shane Claiborne.
What I love about Mother Theresa's quote is that it's true. I as imperfect, human, Christy can do nothing Great. Thankfully Jesus never called me to be Great he called Himself to be "I AM" He is Great. All he asks is that I would respond to His love and love those around me. Small things with Great Love.
If I live in this world longing to be great I will miss the chance to see Great things happens, but if I live in this world doing small things with Great Love I may actually see the Greatness of God--Which I believe to be much greater than the "Great" I could ever be.