Isn't That Nice

... that you can buy this

(which looks like this on the menu)

for this much

($4)

at a place like this

(fancy look'n)

It tasted great and filled me right up!

Saturday Road Trip!

Saturdays seem to be the "no-office" day here in Thailand. No typing on a noisy keyboard or the blast of an air conditioner... nope, it's the mountains today!

We went to this really cool cave (well, actually it was hot in there) where Pookie and I followed a guide carrying a kerosene lamp while the Gaudets filmed outside.

Of all the fascinating things to photograph, I found most intriguing the stray dogs.

So scrawny and ill.

There are so many dogs wondering around Thailand. One day Krinny told me that the dogs at temples are well taken care of. I saw the proof today. After going to the cave we discovered a temple down the road... and some more dogs.

These dogs looked much happier!

We made a couple more stops before heading home that included a memorial with hundreds of chicken statues... that was odd.

A Celebration - Pookie

Today in Thailand our little group congratulated Miss Pookie on her accomplishments of a completed semester at the university!

Bro Tom treated everyone out to a lovely Japanese dinner. Soooo yummy!

Have I ever mentioned that wasabi makes me cry?

Then Pookie and I walked around all the shops and played with this cool black scratch paper.

The evening was almost over as Pookie and I began walking home... but then came the hysterical laughter when I decided not to follow her advice and I stepped smack-dab in the middle of a mud pit!

I will leave it up to your imagination the sounds my flip-flops made on the way home...... I VERY much dislike flip-flops.

A Foreigner

"You dress like an American"

I poked my head around the corner with a toothbrush sticking out of my mouth, "huh?"

Pookie, my wonderful friend here in Thailand, laughed and began to drescribe my outfit. Long sleeves, long heavy skirt and socks... 

Naturally my outfit had nothing to do with the fact that we just arrived home after a drizzly night safari in Chiang Mai.

But she is right, it must be odd watching a "northerner" from America bundle up for the heat of Thailand. I've loved turtleneck sweaters and anything with long sleeves as far back as I can remember.

But, in my defense... I have begun wearing flip flops.

Rainy Day

A rainy day in Thailand left me feeling cozy inside away from the wetness... that is until I couldn't resist the urge to go out and get some photographs of the precipitation.

Welcome To The Land Of Smiles!

Thailand at last!

I flew in at night after chasing the sun around the world for a day.

Knowing that I would not see snow during my stay in Thailand I was thrilled to fly over snowy mountains and frozen waters.

 

My flowers made it safely (although very wilted) to our destination!

 

Arriving at my new home, I unpacked my belongings and fell asleep.

The next morning the Gaudets took me shopping for the normal stuff...

Soap, toothpaste...

 This is the milk isle...

It is in boxes so it doesn't spoil.

 This is something that is not good for you.

Mrs. Krinny picked one up and said, "did you know these can kill you?!" Yup, I did.

 I like carrots... especially when they look pretty.

 Mrs. Krinny says this is good... but couldn't tell me what it was. I didn't try any.

 Snack time anyone?

I have stories to tell... plenty of stories to tell but be patient, they get better with time. :)

Homeward Bound Through A Foreign Land

"This world is not my home I'm just passing through..."

There is something deep down in the heart of the Christian that demands forward movement. A certainty of the future and a confidence in the present as Christ leads the footsteps homeward.

I am beginning a new chapter in my life's journey home as I step out in faith to the distant country of Thailand to serve the digital media needs of missionaries located there.

Separation Anxiety

What is that?

That is what a dad gets when he realizes his daughter is going to be gone for three months.

Where am I off to? Thailand!

I will be working with missionaries Tom and Krinny Gaudet in their video productions and other various projects during my stay. I believe “flexible” was the key word in our phone conversations.

There is a long story that tells how I arrived at this point... so I will share it at another time. However, I will give you a brief personal history.

I was born into a God-fearing home in the 1990’s and grew up in what became a family of eleven. Shortly before reaching the teen stage of life I received the gift of eternal life by the nail pierced hands of Jesus Christ and upon baptism became a member of a local church.

For few years now, I have been going to college and working in the media industry gaining knowledge and experience so that I may be used as a missionary assistant.

Under the guidance of my parents and pastor, I am embarking on my first purpose driven mission trip. The purpose? To aid in digital media productions, specifically video and photography.

Oh so much to reveal! But I must get back to packing, I’ll write more soon.