Romeo, Juliet, and the Flamethrowers

In looking back through the blogs, I can’t believe I didn’t write about Romeo and Juliet and Fire, an experience I had a month or two ago that was incredible and worth a story.  So, this is not recent, but it was incredible.

I believe this was after a school day, and we had some strange taxi ride to get through to find the bus that would take us out to the venue.  It was me and a few other gals, and we were a feeling the end of the day while we waited in traffic in the taxi to get to the bus in time.  There was something strange with the bus as well, in that we had to come through the back of the “venue” to get into the performance because there were protesters at the front gate.  The start to the whole thing was very strange, and I had little idea what to expect considering I was going on someone else’s ticket instead of having researched on my own.

We made it to the bus, and made it to the venue, and walked through what looked like a carnival graveyard.   It was dark and a bit chilly, like a brisk fall night, and we walked through a broad space with pieces of carnival equipment around on the ground.  It opened up into an outdoor stage, with a castle feature, no type of ceiling, and bleachers, about the size of a high school football field with seating on all sides. 

There was some delaying on stage before the performance started, once we sat down, possibly because of the waiting for big groups to get through the traffic, which was worse than it should have been for the time.  There was an emcee who was talking at us in Russian with his fancy suit on, and he brought down some people from the stands to play a game as a distraction.  There was also a three-man mariachi band.  Why?  I’m still unsure, but they played a few nice songs for us.

We walked out to grab a snack or a warm drink in the refreshment area and, of course, the show started while we were there.  We had been waiting and thought the wait was eminent, but we were wrong.

It started with fireworks.  Tons and tons of fireworks.  An explosion of fireworks that brightened up the sky.

And then there were ballet figures, costumed figures dancing around.  Some were wearing red, and some blue, and the whole story was told mostly in costume and dance.  The start was a group dance, with all the participants, followed by some smaller groups that would dance in the fire, and with the fire, and near the fire. 

The Juliet figure was small and petite, and her costume was flowy and lovely.  She never danced with fire, but there was a nice part where she and Romeo went off into the balcony scene and the whole set lit up in a beautiful arrangement of lights. 

My personal favorite part was the duel between Romeo and Tybalt. Many parts throughout the show involved the fire twirling of big pieces, but the duel was of two different pieces of fire equipment, and it was a dance between the two.  One of them had a ball of fire on a chain that was gracefully moved through the air, and it was quite a beautiful use of the tools.  Although, they eventually left those two pieces for…. Flamethrowers.  In fact, Tybalt was killed with a big blast of the flamethrower.  I believe I lost my hold on laughter and possibly made a scene for that.

The whole show was quite short, with no dialogue.  In fact, I think the whole thing was just an hour, maybe even less.  The whole show was amazing, though, with dance and ballet and aerials, fire in a variety of forms, fireworks.  It was a bit chaotic and crazy and absurd and hilarious, but there wasn’t a moment where I wasn’t in tears from laughing so hard.  In fact, trying to recall specific details is difficult given the night as a whole was so entertaining and enjoyable.

After the show, they invited all the flamethrowers out and the audience had the chance to come up and play with the fire.  They let us push the button to see the fire come out, took photos with us, and even taught some basics of the fire spinners.  This was… quite the experience.  Please enjoy all the photos and videos to get a taste of it. 

A Russian Constant: Dance

When I was planning my move to Moscow, one of the things I stumbled upon on the Moscow Expats Facebook group was this Ballet and Stretching class.  I was looking for some new exercise, something in a group, something like yoga but not as boring, and this seemed to fit.  It started as a fun way to get out of the house, with a class that is in English, with people that I don’t work with.  Three months later, here I am.

This one isn't great form. From the very beginning.

I’m sure some of the photos have popped up on my Facebook feed, and you may be curious.  Dance ballet class is becoming an ever-larger portion of my nights and weekends, and I’m seeing fitness levels my body has never encountered before.

A Plie, I suppose.

I attend two classes with Katya, usually on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

The first is Stretching class, which I’ll admit doesn’t quite explain the types of things that we are doing.  There are elements of yoga, like the downward dog pose, a few elements of ballet, like pointing the toes, some pilates, particularly in the core work, and a lot of pushing your body beyond what you thought was possible.  In fact, in the stretching class, I think we are asked to do the splits 6 different times, in a variety of ways.  I like to call it yoga on acid, because I usually leave stretching with rubbery legs.

Considerable progress has been made since this photo.

The second is Body Ballet, which also doesn’t quite encompass the experience.  This is much more ballet-based, with a bar, and positions, and plies, and recently, jumps.  I don’t really want to go into how ridiculous and ungraceful I look when I jump and plie.  But, it is quite a cardio and endurance event.  There are stretching elements as well, but it is mostly movement and working on endurance.  On Tuesdays, I do both classes and end up a rubbery mess.

The split is a little bit deeper.

It is quite possibly the best exercise I’ve ever had, with the strength and endurance coupled with the flexibility and the challenge.  Katya challenges us to do our very best, and gives us new tasks when we have accomplished one of the moves.  I always feel particularly accomplished when she walks past and doesn’t correct my posture in some sort of way.  I’m also about two inches away from the complete splits (at least on one side), which has not been without difficulty.

The bar makes the split a little bit easier.

The class is wonderful, though.  There are a bunch of Russian gals that I am getting to know, in a large variety of professions.  Many of them are about my age, a few younger or older.  At times, we catch each other’s eyes in the mirror and commiserate at the wandering teacher, who could at any moment greatly intensify one of our stretches by pushing us lower or pulling our leg up higher.  Many of the girls speak a little or a lot of English, and my Russian for the ballet is getting slightly better.  Although, in my opinion, the word for “more,” and the word for “enough” sound a bit too similar, particularly when I’m trying to communicate whether or not my partner should push my leg higher up to my face.

Progress. Much more progress.

And our teacher is amazing.  I will be able to do the splits this year, comfortably (?) because of her.  She calls me Kayla, because I introduced myself as K, and I quite like it.  The “la” on the end of names reminds me a bit of Thailand, so I feel some thrill from both my homes.  You can see a video of her here.

She also has a certain set of phrases that I found incredibly challenging to figure out when I first began.  In fact, I saw a new girl this week and was reflecting back to that moment when I had begun, and how amazingly awkward I was.  Katya says things like, “stretch your knees,” which made absolutely no sense to me in my first few lessons (it means to straighten and elongate your leg).  She says “neck and shoulders” or some variation thereof also quite commonly.  Shoulders go down (no clue what this meant at the beginning either) and neck gets elongated.  She tells me to smooth my face frequently as well.  Apparently, I have a pained expression whenever she stretches me a bit far, and we laugh about it often, moreso now that things are getting easier for me. 

The most recent photo. Also evident of K faces.

My favorite expression of hers, though, is at the end of class.  She darkens the room like in yoga, and has us lay down and relax our bodies.  She says to breathe deep, and to thank ourselves for trying our best and for doing very challenging work.  It’s always such a nice thing to hear, the reminder to give gratitude for the work that I do for myself.

With this class and some of the other things I’ve been working on, I’m feeling healthier than ever before, more fit and more in tune with my body.  It is a great feeling, and I feel like I’m doing 30 right.  

Goal Update: Food Preparation

In an effort to work on two of my goals, learning to cook and eat the healthiest, I have taken some steps.

I have purchased a few things for my kitchen (since all my things have arrived, and my kitchen still has not all the things.

1. A hand blender and food processor combo, which helps me make soup.
2. A multi-cooker, which I still don't know how to use.
3. A kitchen scale, because I had a recipe that required a weight that I didn't know.
4. A grill pan, because eggplant needs grilled.

I have so far created the following things in my kitchen:

1. Soup with zucchini, peppers, and carrots.
2. Roasted pumpkin soup.
3. Some version of ratatouille.
4. Ravioli.
5. Broccoli (in a pan)
6. Spinach (in a pan)

Pumpkin soup!

Carroty Veggie Soup!

Frozen Ratatouille!

A Fridge Full of Veg!

The goal is to have a bunch of healthy food stocked up in the freezer for some nice dinners, and it is working!  I have more than two weeks of food in my freezer, and a whole bunch of really nice green food in my fridge.

There is the added benefit of the mind stretch in cooking abroad.  My brain is trying to convert units and measurements, which isn't always the easiest thing.  There's the added challenge of finding what I need with the translator app on my phone, and utilizing the help of the ladies in the grocery store.  I feel like an explorer.

I know many of my friends and family aren't going to believe me... but... I'm kind of getting into this. Today, I'm excited that I'm going to cook.  I'm trying to cook eggplant in three different ways today.  Plus, with all of this, I'm losing weight and I feel healthy.  I also notice that the kitchen (and therefore my home) warms up quite a bit with the cooking, especially since they haven't turned the heat on.  And, I smelled the spice cabinet... and it reminds me of mom's house.

My Apartment: Unique Spaces

Tomorrow, I receive my shipment, and I am shocked at the speed with which my items have traveled across the planet.  So, before my place is filled with some of the treasures that I've decided to bring, I thought I would share some of the cool curiosities of my place.

This is part of my neighborhood.

There is a dish drying rack in the cupboard above the sink, which is handy for everyone involved.

My window opens like this, to the side...

And also like this... from the top.  And this is all the windows in the place.

I have real radiators at every corner of this place, in every room.

This towel warmer uses hot water going through the pipes to warm up my towel, which is epic. 

I have a bathtub, and it is as tall as me.  This bubble bath with the Russian woman on it is the jam as well.

My washing machine is in French. 

This is part of my dryer, which is a condenser dryer.  Every time I use it, I empty this container of water from my clothing. 

A gas stove. Praise.

This is a trash chute in the hallway, for my garbage to fall down to the bottom.

And last but not least, the landing at my stairs. Beautiful and full of flowers. 

A New Adventure

In November, I decided to leave Bangkok.  I was getting the itchy feet that comes with traveling, and felt far too comfortable in SE Asia.

I looked for work and I found a job.... in Moscow.  I'll be a K-12 Librarian with a second librarian at a school, working in a pseudo-public library setting.

I'm terrified and thrilled and expecting mad absurdity.


So, here's what I know of Russia at this moment:

This video is from the Stop a Douchebag Movement, which has a delightfully entertaining YouTube channel.  They get together as a group, and prevent drivers from riding on the sidewalk through force of will.  They also help police poor parkers, those that block traffic for their own selfish reasons.  They start with kind words: "Please move your car. Think of the other people." Then, if the driver doesn't agree, they put giant stickers on the windshield that say something like "I'm a douchebag, I drive where I please."  At times, there is violence. At times, placid acceptance. 

I envision this type of cold.  In this video from a cold place (not Russia, probably), this man is taking boiling water and spraying it into the cold, cold -25 degree chill.  This image I saw on Imgur. I hope it is this sunny.  

Then, there's Putin.  I'm hoping to get a sweet Putin calendar with images such as these.  I hear that the Russian men are the stereotypically manly type, with all their machismo.  According to one of my European friends, Putin has done a great job at running his economy into the ground, which is unfortunate.  He also like Trump, which says something. 

Russia isn't without its share of human rights issues.  This video is called "I Can't Breathe" by Pussy Riot, a group that advocates for rights for GLBT humans with their punk rock music.  This particular video is in response to the Eric Garner murder by the police in New York City, a call to arms against state sponsored violence.

There's also some absurd things, like this video (from Uzbekistan).  I have no idea why this video was made, or who made it, or why this woman is deciding to be somewhat unclothed.  I know only that Russia (and Uzbekistan) is absurd, and will likely continue to be absurd with every passing moment. 

So.

Let's focus more on the point.  Here are some things that I'm worried about:

1.  According to the climate chart for Moscow, the average temperature in the summer months is between 60-75 degrees F.  Meanwhile, here in Bangkok, it's about 80 degrees outside, and I'm wearing a cardigan.  Granted, it doesn't appear to get as cold as in Iowa, with temps dipping down below zero, but it still looks chilly. 

2.  More than climate, though, I worry about sunshine.  Here in the tropics, the difference between the sunrise and sunset times throughout the year change about 20 minutes or so.  In winter, aka now, the sun is rising at about 6:40, and my routine is already thrown off a bit because I'm not waking with the sunshine.  I'm moving into the dark.  I'm going to invest in one of these things: a wake up light.  To make sure that I can have some sunlight in my life. 

3. Russian language appears a bit challenging.  I'm practicing and getting a bit better, but it does have a rhythm that I'm struggling to hear and interpret.  I'll be learning as much as I can in preparation; knowing some of the language really makes a difference. 

4. and 5. The cold. The dark. The cold, and the dark.

Let's not get too caught up with that negativity though.

Here are some things that I'm excited about:

1. I will be just a few hours away from all of Europe. And Norway and Sweden and Finland, and the 'Stans.  My flight time back home will have been halved to 13 hours, with a mostly direct flight.  My travel possibilities are endless, particularly since I've seen so much of the SE Asia part of the planet. 

2.  Culture: Opera at the Bolshoi Theatre, Ballet.  Sweeping symphonies of Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev in the home of their birth.  Hockey like in my favorite movie, Miracle. 

3.  A whole new world.  Russia will be a culture shock, and I'll be learning how to live in an entirely different place.  New foods, new people, new everything.

4.  A really fantastic school.  This cannot be understated.  I'm thrilled to be working for an Embassy school in Moscow, with staff programs and benefits that will be spectacular for my future career path.  They have staff activities and trips so I can explore all around the Russian culture. 

5.  I'll get to break out my sock collection.

6.  Guys: look at this.

Seriously.  Crazy and cool. 

Now, I just need to buy some warm things, make sure all the layers are present, and acquire my light up alarm clock.

Damn, My Eyes.

Watch the LASIK video, see the park.  Do you know how
distracted I was during this part?

Today it has been raining, finally bringing a measure of cool to the hot season here in the BKK.  I'm inspired to write a post about my recent medical experiences, especially since the heat and the humidity means I'm constantly pushing my glasses up my nose and wiping off the rain or fog.

I've wanted to get LASIK for years now.  Contacts and glasses have become the bane of my existence (not really, but let's say so for the current argument).  They are pretty annoying, always in the way.  They are also sometimes useful, hiding my eyes so no one can notice that I don't bother with makeup.

Either way, I made up my mind this month that now was the time, and so I promptly made an appointment at this place called TRSC in Bangkok, recommended to me by a coworker.  My appointment was last Saturday, following a Bangkok librarian's meeting in a similar part of town.  I'm sure that you're overwhelmed with the thrilling life that I lead overseas.

This place is gorgeous.

The place was easy to find, especially with the phone that gives me endless information for the taxi men.  The elevator in the building was less easy to find, but I eventually found myself on floor 6: TRSC.  I was late enough that I got a phone call right as I was about to get into the elevator.

Once I got upstairs, I was greeted by my personal consultant.  Little did I know that this woman would follow me around for the rest of my (nearly 3 hour) pre-op appointment.  She was amazingly useful.  They took my information, and I filled out my little registration form, which of course asked me about my hobbies: "reading, sports, internet."

My consultant and I walked around to all these rooms in this maze-like environment getting test after test that I had never had in the States.  The place and the people are pristine.  Each time I got a test, the technician would grab an ipad and ask me to rate their service with the 4 smiley face system I've seen in a few different airports.

Let me see if I can remember all the tests I took:
One flashing one that tested the cornea?
One where I had to look at a target picture (I had to do this one a couple times... I did it wrong).
One where the guy had a telescope-esque tool that fit on my eye.
Several where I had to read series of numbers and test my sight.
One with a blinking red dot.
Another flashing one that looked like it was designed by people on drugs.
One where the doctor lady looked at my eyes.
One where the doctor lady poked my eyes with a plastic stick (more pleasant than it sounds).

Coffee, Popcorn, Cookies.... what more do you need?

I'm sure I'm missing something.  They were all too efficient, moving me from room to room with the most polite people I've ever encountered.

They also had me watch this "movie" about LASIK and the risks and expectations so that I would be informed.  They sat me down at a computer, then offered me coffee and popcorn.  Yes, please.  I got seconds on the popcorn because it was a very long presentation.  I also found myself somewhat distracted given the computer room had a picture window that overlooked Lumphini park and Bangkok.

They also dilated my eyes, which I found made it so I couldn't see my phone with my glasses on, and couldn't see anything else with my glasses off.  That was entertaining.

The glasses graveyard.

Of course, one thing I had to do in order to get LASIK surgery is get an HIV test (because the one I got in August is too far back).  No problem.  I decided to check out the local hospital in my village, which was an experience in itself.  I feel like I experienced two levels of medical service in the Thailand.

This hospital... I have no clue the name... is full of humans, of various levels of working and busi-ness.  The majority are young women, almost always wearing this odd shade of blue polyester uniform and a hair piece with a bow and net to hold the large bulk of hair that many Thai women have.

I get in, sit down, get my weight and blood pressure checked (and why?).  One lady sits me down and proceeds to draw my blood (without gloves on).  Oh, boy. Never coming here again. Then they charge me about $25 for the time and effort, and while I wait I get the pleasure of watching the holiday festivities.

Today is the Coronation Day of the King.  The part that I caught of the holiday was the King getting pushed in his wheelchair down to the van.  I later catch a bit more with the monks, then some with him in the bit fancy room in Wat Phra Kaew.  It's full of tradition, and many nurses were watching the television raptly.

I grabbed my results after I did a bit of shopping (seeking some materials for Jade's Under the Sea party), and noticed the complete lack of privacy in the hospital.  My results from the last hospital came in a sealed package that I had to open like a paycheck, but this is just a little envelope with a piece of tape in it.  Ah well, it's no matter; I put them in a rush because I saw a large cloud looming and knew I didn't want to get caught in the storm.  I did anyway, but it was cooling and refreshing.

Surgery is on Saturday, so I will have the laser beams (as Joe calls them) fix my eyes in the best way possible. No more pushing up those glasses anymore!

Oops

I’m mind-boggled at how much I’ve fucked up this week.   I’m writing at the airport, completely disgusted at myself and just annoyed at the (very preventable) mistakes that I’ve made.

Biggest one: My flight was meant to be yesterday.  How I’ve lived with such a lack of awareness is beyond me.  Did it start when I booked my flight?  When I checked again yesterday?  How on earth did I miss something as simple as the day, I’m not sure.

I may have left my ATM card from Bangkok in an ATM, because it has gone and disappeared.  I’ll have to visit the bank tomorrow (or Monday) to cancel the old and get the new.  That’s annoying, and was completely preventable.  How did I do this?  How.

I bought a new suitcase in the Reap and couldn’t open it.  One of the reasons I brought this suitcase was because I was supposed to check a bag in my original plan (which was derailed when I realized that the day I showed up at the airport was one day later than it should have been). 

In other news, I made a mistake.  And I’ve learned my lesson, really.  There are things that I need to be more stressed and careful about, and that will happen more now.  Honestly, I got lucky, very lucky this time.

I was almost too late catching my flight from Bangkok because I misjudged the time.  I got lucky there, passing through every step of the process with a breeze.  I got lucky in the fact that no one has taken my money from the debit card that I haven’t been able to cancel yet.  I’m lucky that the replacement fee is minimal and simple.  I’m lucky that I was able to get a seat on this here flight and that I had the funds available to pay for it.  It was honestly incredibly reasonable.  I’m counting my blessings and taking this opportunity to reflect on my travel practices with the knowledge that things could have been so so so much worse.  Oh, and the lady let me through with scissors in my (supposed to be checked) bag because I couldn’t open it.  She said, “you have scissors?”  And I said, “of course I don’t have scissors.”  And then I remembered that I got some free scissors with the Buddha cross stitch that I purchased. 

I’m getting derailed.  I’m super happy right now. 

Like, ecstatic. 

 I started this blog out with having some troubles and some difficulties, but I’m happy with my response to them.  I’m thrilled that I’ve had a full week with my friend Sarah, that I was recognized by a multitude of people in the big SR.  I’m so happy that I had the time I had in Sway.  I had G&Ts with Jan, coffee with the Coffeeman, and a host of my favorite dishes from home. 

I couldn’t be happier.  I had a brilliant break, and I’m thrilled that even with these little difficulties, I’m dealing in such an adult way.  I noticed my ATM card was gone in Sway and had a moment of panic before getting out a second, equally useful, card to use instead.  I have money in more than one place, like an adult.  I checked my card information, saw that it hadn’t been touched, and thanked my lucky stars.  I noticed my flight details, kicked myself for a minute, and am now writing out the discomfort that I feel for my own ineptitude.  I had my moment, solved the problem, and am now on the way to my home. 

I had such a phenomenal holiday, though.  It was relaxing, starting with some swimming at the pool and ending with some nachos and beers at (Sarah’s) home.  Throughout the week, there was all sorts of visiting.  I saw Vannak and Pheakdey, some old coworkers.  I saw all my JPA kids, doing spectacular things with their schoolwork.  The kids that I taught a few years back in my trial by fire grade one teaching are doing incredibly well.  I’m proud that I had a hand in their education.  I am proud that I was able to keep them on the track that they were on and not allow their English and their phonics to slip.  I was always so worried for them, and I am well aware that they are in great hands and going great places.  Their brief interlude with a non-phonics teacher didn’t damage them. 

(Side bar: there are some blond tourists in front of me on the plane engaging in an inappropriate amount of PDA.)

I saw a bunch of people that I had little interactions with throughout my time.  I saw the lady who sold fabric in the market (she sold me a skirt, despite my lack of desire to buy a skirt…. She’s really persuasive.)  I saw my old tailor, the woman who made the majority of the clothes currently in my wardrobe right now.  I saw a couple of friends that I used to hang out with all the time given their bar right around the corner from my house.  Jacob and Carsten are a Danish couple who own a bar that they are currently renovating.  Cats…. Cats everywhere.  They are some certified cat lovers.

I spent, of course, lots of time with Sarah and her lovely boy Max.  Sophal and I ate some breakfast a few days and I was able to see the very astute Chinese businessman who owns the place I ate all the breakfast in. 

Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better trip.

Fat, not Fit

I should have known better than to have a fitness assessment at the gym.

Honestly, what was I thinking?

I know what I was thinking; I feel like I am in decent shape.  Sure, I've eaten more pizza in Bangkok than I care to admit, and I'm more dedicated to burgers and ice cream than I was in the past.  There's no Aaron here to make sure that I'm eating home cooked meals that he so lovingly prepares.  Plus, I work in a school of stairs and feel like I'm consistently walking around to get to this place or that.  So, I thought to myself, what is there to lose?

Hm.

I scheduled this for a Friday night.  I met up with this girl trainer, very sweet, with very little English, with her hot pink shoes.

She tells me to get on the scale, and I do.  I'm heavier than I thought, which doesn't shock me that much.  She then asks me my height, in centimeters.

Yeah, I'm American.  We don't do the metric system.  I know about my centimeters, but I'm almost certain I have no idea how many centimeters tall I am.  I say, I have no clue.  And the frenzy begins.  She went seeking information, there was a calculator involved, things going on, chaos reigning.  We finally figured it out, though somehow gained a stray male in the process.  She inputted the height and got some printout about how much of my body was fat and bone and water and clipped it to the paper.

This is what I consider the main drawback of the gym that I attend: men.  This slovenly looking dude with glasses falling off his face was chatting in Thai to the woman attending to my fitness test and looking at my paper.  My anti-cheating reflexes, honed after years in education, rushed to intervene and I told him to back off.  He spoke English, and mumbled some apology, but it took two or three more snarky comments before he actually left the area that we were in.

Dudes.  I was annoyed.

Then I had to run 2.4 km, and I was more annoyed.
Then there were push ups and sit ups.
Then I had to test how strong my hand was with this little tool.

Then I was told I'm fat.

Now, before the affront sets in, allow me to say that I'm not offended.  I was called fat even at my skinniest in Cambodia, because it's just the word that means big, or bigger than what you were, or bigger than whoever the speaker is.  News flash: most people in Asia are quite slender.  After so many years not hearing that, it was a bit of a shock to my system.  But, honestly, I know where I am as a person and as a fit human.  In fact, according to the lady, I have to lost about 10kg to be within the really healthy range, and that is about what I guessed as well.  She also told me to work out 2 hours a day, 4 days a week, which I think is a bit excessive, but the rest of her advice was sound.

I came to the conclusion, though, that I really don't enjoy males in my gym space.  I don't like lifting weights with a bunch of dudes lolling around.  I don't like classes where I'm one woman in a sea of testosterone.  I like supportive females around me.  I really enjoyed the fitness classes I was in in Pittsburgh for that.  Kickboxing only had a man here or there, Boot camp too.

Either way, I feel like I proved myself to the lady when we went around to try machines.  I know, and now she knows, that my arm strength is minimal.  Push ups aren't my thing.  But, when you see me on the leg press, you find out that my legs are very strong.  So, she did tell me after that observation that I was "Fat but strong."  It's not that far off the mark.  I have work that I could be doing, and will be doing, as long as I can keep dancing it off with Tor+ (This is his name in the schedule because of a Thai tonal issue) or getting ab killed by Kwang.

Basically, I like the crazy classes that I go to, but they don't compare to the awesome ILKB studio.  I was in Body Combat on Friday.... with the man that wanted us to yell whenever we hit the air.  It was hilarious.  So, for now, my goal is to trim up and try to work on my tummy.  I think I can do some good things with the support of the gym, and hopefully someday I'll be considered fit instead of fat to the machines that teach my classes.

On Birthdays

I haven't had a great birthday in such a long time.  Last year, I can't remember what I was doing, but I don't think it was wonderful.  I think I was with people who didn't quite appreciate me.  I worked on my birthday.  Worked both jobs that I had, in fact.  That's, of course, only some, but it wasn't a great experience.  One of my good friends came to visit me and brought me a rich chocolate cake, though I couldn't relax enough to enjoy it.  The year before was similar, in a new city and unsure how to create my path.  This year, there is no way I could complain.

I enjoyed two little kid birthday parties on opposite ends of the week.  The first was Aisha's, Kim's little girl, who threw a beautiful pink pony themed event.  Just now, I'm back from an Egyptian themed kid party, where I was holding a newborn and enjoying the energy of this very awesome family that I am now friends with.  I also had the opportunity to go out with some of the other new teachers for a Mexican dinner (and a margarita), and they put candles in the brownie that I blew out.  I received cards from my family, beautiful cards.  A card from my mother put in me tears.  She said she was so proud of me for going to a far away land and thriving there.  The card from my grandmother also put a tear in my eye.  She said my adventures were like a Bob Hope and Bing Crosby movie.

I feel so lucky to be where I am today.  I feel blessed at the people that I have in my life, and the times that I'm already enjoying despite being in this village for such a short time.  I think that this work and this place will be great for me.

I miss my family.  I miss the sailboat in Pella, and the Wilson's pizza, and grandma's Sunday dinners.  I miss Aaron, and my friends in Pittsburgh, and the life that I finally carved out of that world.  I miss many things.

But, my birthday was a very positive one.  It has been a long while since I've had such a beautiful birthday.  My lotus is blooming.  My garden looks positively amazing.  And, I'm going to Cambodia in a short time to see all the people that I love from my old home.

Oh!  On my actual brithday, I went to get a Thai massage from the awesome ladies who trade me Thai phrases for English ones.  I had a birthday burger at the local cool kids joint and was mistaken for a 24 year old.  Oddly enough, I also got mistaken for a 35 year old at school the same day.... something about being tall and confident in my work and my school life.  I can't help but laugh at being mistaken for different ages 10 years apart.  I can only say that the massage must have taken 10 years of stress from my back.

I live a blessed life.

Thank you all for every moment that your life intersected with my own.  I'm a better human with every interaction.

The trials and tribulations of gardens

We had a huge wind storm that blew half of my plants over.
My dangle plants are swinging and moving about.  

But, then I had this gorgeous water lily.

And this phenomenal Hibiscus. 

And my lotus is a few days from gorgeous,

Rizza loves the shade of the Frangipani.

My ylang ylang is almost in full glorious yellow and there are several more buds on the way.

This interesting plants collected some water.

These were waiting on my doorstep on Saturday night ... after a glorious little kid birthday party.

They are a special herb, a Butterfly Pea, that makes tea.

And they were a gift from the man that sold me many of my plants.

This is the Balloon flower, and it is so awesome.  Look at the color!

My gardenia is in bloom, and it smells ... ah.

This is the new addition; a Bromeliad.  It likes water.

It was a hard week.  But this garden is thrilling me with all the things I see.  I take immense pleasure in every moment I spend tending to these plants.