Happy Wai Kruu Day!

My day began with kids coming up to me asking for forgiveness. Two days ago, I had to take up 2 cell phones and have some kids stay after class for talking repeatedly. So, why did they ask for forgiveness? Well, today at school was "Wai Kruu" Day which means it's Teacher Respect Day. Isn't that a great idea?! The entire school participates, but since there's over 6,000 kids total on campus, we divide up and use different venues on campus. Over 2,000 middle school kids assembled in the (unairconditioned) gym for nearly 2 hours to honor their teachers. All the teachers walked in together and sat on the stage facing the kids. I actually choked up as the kids sang "Come Thou Fount" in Thai. It was beautiful! The kids bowed flat on the floor and prayed asking for God to bless their teachers. It was moving. Then, the students presented these hand-decorated bowls that the kids worked on for 2 days straight! This was a sweet ceremony. I've never seen anything like it in my life. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to be an English teacher here in Chiang Mai!

Back 2 School

I'm sure you've been watching the news and seeing/hearing about the current situation here. School is closed for the next couple of days. I'm home safe and sound watching the news reports on TV. I'm fine. Please pray for Thailand!

This past Monday was my first day of school! I'm teaching 7th and 8th grade English in the "Focused English Program". So far, I'm having a blast! I LOVE the kids! They're a hoot! The students at my school are all Thai. They're so creative, clever, and quick! I never know what they're gonna say! We've been working on memorizing and understanding the classroom rules. Today, the kiddos made posters of the rules and presented them to the class by doing a skit to demonstrate their understanding. They had a ball doing it! They're so dramatic!!!! Love it! And they seem to be enjoying themselves, too!

Here are some snaps of one of my classes working on posters illustrating the classroom rules as well as some shots of them doing skits to demonstrate their understanding. We're having a blast!

Stickin' with it

After a week of walking 2 kilometers to the main road, waiting on a yellow truck to ride to catch the red truck to get to wherever I am trying to go...I found a car that was within  my very, very, extremely modest budget! It's a nearly 15 year old Toyota Corolla. I'm so grateful! Along with this new blessing comes an opportunity to learn how to drive a stick-shift. My housemate, Pam, and my friend, Lah, helped me with driving instructions. Both were excellent teachers and both gave me their stamp of approval to drive by myself tomorrow. Now, not only is this a new thing to drive a stick, but I'm also still adjusting to driving on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side of the car!!! Mercy! Tomorrow is my first day of new teacher orientation and I had no idea how I was going to get there...I'm praying I'll arrive just fine!

Deep Thoughts by Maybelle

"I've traveled halfway across the world. What did you do today?"

"I sleep to beat the heat."

"You said if I sit here and imagine snow, I'd feel cooler. Still imagining...."

"Somebody once told me to take a deep breath and enjoy life. I would if I could stop panting long enough to do that. Thanks for the suggestion though."

Touch down in the Land o' Smiles

So....after traveling since last Thursday, Maybelle and I made it to Chiang Mai! Whatta journey! It was super long but probably the smoothest international trip I've ever had! Thanks for your prayers! Today, I'm unpacking and adjusting to the heat here! The average temp is around 105 degrees right now! Unbelievable! Maybelle is panting like crazy inside the house with fans blowing! Good thing she's not an outside pup! She's adjusting though and drinking lots of water! 

Here's a few photos from the beginning of the trip...

ATL-->BKK-->CNX

Yesterday, I drove down to Atlanta and will catch my flight out to Bangkok this morning. After an overnight in Bangkok, I'll hop a flight to Chiang Mai. I'm praying I've got everything packed...if not....what IS packed will have to do. I'm looking forward to the down-time on the loooooong flight! I enjoy international flights--I can sleep!!!

Thanks for your emails and notes of encouragement! I'm looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do in this next year! Wow! I can't believe I'm really going! 

I'll holler when I get there! Goodbye, America.

KPT --> ATL

Tonight was full of good family, good friends, and good food! My peeps are sendin' me off right! Tomorrow, I'm headed down to the ATL (aka Atlanta) to stay over night and be up and at 'em the next morning to catch my big flight to BKK. Then, the next morning I'll hop a flight to Chiang Mai. Hoping all goes well including everything with Maybelle (my precious pup!). I have a load of documents to present to the Department of Livestock in Bangkok when I arrive. Surely I've got more than enough papers to get her in without any drama! We'll see!

Here are a couple of "see ya later" snaps! More updates to follow as the journey begins!


(Sulu--my cuz and her pup Paisley & me and LilliBones)
(Jules, Me, and LilliBones--daughter of Jules)

Dear Richmond...

Dear Richmond,

When I first met you seven years ago, I didn't like you much. In fact, I told you that I'd only be here long enough to finish a lease I had signed before I had ever been here. But not all blind commitments are bad. I stuck it out and now I'm sad to be leaving you, again. Chiang Mai is pretty awesome though, so I'm looking forward to enjoying its charming personality of a big city disguised as a small town. Flip-flops are always acceptable, dogs are always welcome, everyone smiles and nods as their way of saying "Hello", and chill coffee shops abound. However, Chiang Mai doesn't have Monument Avenue in the Spring and Fall, Gene & Sabrina to deliver the latest news,  and certainly no Carytown. But I do think if y'all could meet, you'd be friends. Richmond, you're a rockstar! I'll miss you! Goodbye.   --Wendy

So long, Springfield!

I've had a BLAST hangin' with Missy, Brad, and Zeke! Got to see Rachel and Amanda but failed to snap photos! We were so busy catching up! It's been awesome just chillin' and spending time with these peeps that I'm gonna miss so much! I've made special memories while being here. Now, it's back to Richmond to wrap up my final days there. Then, headin' to Kingsport, TN to visit with the fam before leaving for Thailand. Good times, but sad times.

Easter & Zekester

Made it to Springfield, MO to visit my sister, Missy, her husband, Brad, and of course the cutest lil guy in the world, Zeke!!! We're having a blast! Got in last night, chilled, read books, and went straight to bed! Long day! Today, it's pouring buckets o' rain. Lookin' forward to catchin' up with Rachel and Amanda, my Chiang Mai peeps sometime this weekend! Good times!!

Packed Up and Winding Down

A very nice gentleman from the liquor store let us have our pick of their finest cardboard boxes to use for packing. After a week of packing boxes and sorting things into piles to throw away or donate to the refugees, it was time to pack it up and move it out! So...this past Friday, we got moved out of the apartment. Daddy and Uncle Bean came up to fill a Uhaul trailer with my life's belongings. It was pretty cool to see the things that I own can fit in a 5x8 trailer. I like to stay mobile, I reckon. Momma suggests widdling everything down to the stuff that'll fit into a backpack....not a bad idea...especially after this move. Just say no to junk!

Home Sweet Home

On our way back from Cha Am (12 hour van ride!) we stopped in at a market called Samchuk. We did some speed shopping and grabbed some pork and rice encased in a lotus blossom and grilled. Weird--I know, but delish!!!!

Made it to Chiang Mai around midnight last night! Stayed with Lah at her house and then on to meet up with Goy for some good strong Thai coffee! We had a great time talking and listening and praying for each other. She's a believer and a sweet, sweet friend. Then, we went and got khao soi---probably my favorite food in the entire world!!!!!! We even went to the shop in my old neighborhood! It was just as amazing as I had remembered!!!

Tomorrow is another jam-packed day of running, visiting with peeps, and spending time enjoying this place that I love so much!

Sawadee Bii Mai 2010!!!!

Happy New Year y'all!!!

The last couple of days have been awesome-but busy! New Year's was amazing!!! Fireworks on the beach and my peeps was so much fun!!! However, the next day was our first day of "work". The kids showed up and we had a great time of study with them and it's been a true joy getting to know these kids! Their parents are in their work meetings all day and we get to study, talk, and just enjoy hanging out. I'm working with the high school kids and they are a real hoot! Lovin' it and learning so much from their kind hearts and sweet spirits.

Will holler again later, but at least wanted to post some photos below. Enjoy and happy new year!!!!