Good Stuff

We are home now from another wild and crazy International Food Fair. We are tired, and STUFFED, and happy! Who had the falafel pitas at the Israel booth? Curry at the India booth? Sausages and onions at the Aussie booth? Pie and pulled pork sandwiches at the American booth? Yum!

D, Tess, and I worked all day on our apple tarts. So proud of my girl. She's got great technique!

 We love the food fair, the chance to bake together, and all the excitement! Our other project was helping out in the games area with our Girl Scouts Daisy Troop. We helped run the treasure game. 10 baht- win a prize every time! My Daisy Scouts were great little money earners!

Happy little American girl.

Who Knew??

So yesterday I ran my first half-marathon. I have not been a runner my whole life but about a year ago, after a bit of weight gain, I decided I wanted to LOOK like a runner. You know, lean, fit, ripped abs. :) Okay, well, I don't know about the abs, but I just decided running would be the best way to slim down. So I began!
The half-marathon idea came along in November when I heard that the Bangkok Marathon had been postponed to February 2012 due to the flooding here. It was smart move so that runners wouldn't be hurdling sandbags the whole time, and it gave me time to train.

Yesterday was the big day!!! (See me before)

 Up at 3 am, on the road to downtown by 4 am, at the start by 4:30 am, and running through dark and yet, still very warm and humid Bangkok at 5 am. There were 1186 runners doing the half marathon yesterday. And we all learned that Bangkok does not smell any better at 5am than it does at noon.

Anyway, I came in at #92 in the overall, and #10 for my female age category! Woooo hoooo! And man was I beat!!! All I could think about was how lots of people were running twice as far! WOW! My hat is off to marathoners!!!

I am so glad I did this I am looking out for the next event. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me! SO MANY wonderful and supportive people near and far who gave me a thumbs up while I ran around the lake or well wishes on facebook. This accomplishment feels so good- and it would be really fun to share it with more friends and family!

Happy Belated Australia Day!

To celebrate the big day down under, C and I baked our first pavlova.
It wasn't the prettiest pav at the ball, but it tasted good!

Many thanks to my little Aussie baker for his assistance, and spirit!

Ayutthaya

After the kids returned to school T's mom and dad and I decided to go out and do some exploring on our own. We drove up to Ayutthaya, about 45 minutes north of here. This is the former capital of Thailand and now sits in ruins. It was a big, bustling, beautiful place until 1767 when it was attacked by the Burmese. In the decades before, it is thought that the population may have reached 1,000,000, making it one of the largest cities in the world at that time. The city was never rebuilt. Instead, the monarchy relocated down the Chao Phraya River to what is now Bangkok.

It's an interesting day and a fun place to bring the camera.

Welcoming 2012

It was fun to be here in Bangkok for New Year's Eve. Lots and lots of places to choose from for dinner and entertainment. We chose our favorite Italian place, DiVino, and a great jazz club downtown called Fat Gut'z. Was a guaranteed good time! We should have taken a group shot but, attending that evening were T and I, Kristi and Joe, and our Bangkok friends, Jeff and Laura. Lookin' good people!

Then we were up the next morning and on a flight to Krabi!

It was raining when we arrived and then did so for the next 24 hours, but eventually the skies cleared and we enjoyed sea kayaking, snorkeling, massages, sunset, and wonderful beach time. Krabi is beautiful!

Found the biggest variety of shells and coral we've ever seen on 1 beach!

We always say "We're going to have to come back here!" but there are just too many beautiful places to visit in Thailand. Better spend 2012 visiting all the others, and then revisiting!

Buddhas, Tuk-Tuks, and Mythical Creatures

T's family was up for all things Thai so day 3 was spent visiting 3 of the most famous Buddhist temples in Thailand. The best way to get there from our "suburb" was by river taxi. So down the Chao Praya River we went. Much nicer than sitting in traffic on the expressway!

 Making an appearance with D below, is Flat Zachary, of Ankeny, Iowa, USA! Welcome to Thailand Flat Zachary!

So we visited Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and The Grand Palace. All big tourist spots, and for good reason. They are beautiful, interesting, and give you some insight into the Thai way of life and worship.
Wat Arun means, "Temple of the Dawn." It is decorated with porcelain dishes that were once used as ballast on Chinese trading ships. Brilliant early recycling!

Anyway, it's a fun stop, and a steep climb!

 What Pho is famous for housing the world's largest reclining Buddha. And he's somethin', right Kristi and Joe!?

Below, the kids couldn't resist giving alms in the monk bowls. They make a fun noise in the metal bowls that echoes through the entire temple. Clink! Clink! Clink! 

Tuk-tuk rides to the Grand Palace! We should have put C in the driver's seat.

What's on the menu C?

And finally the Grand Palace and Wat Phra See Keow. Home of the Emerald Buddha. He's carved from 1 solid piece of jade and they dress him in golden clothes according to the seasons. It's winter here, ya know, better put him in a big golden parka! (Just kidding, there's no parka....and really no winter. He's currently wearing a robe-type garment. And a hat.)

Difficult pose to hold but anything for the shot!

Searching the massive murals for all of the Thai mythical creatures: Naga- serpent like protector of the Buddha, Singha- lion like temple guardian, Yaksha- giant, Garuda- half-man, half-bird, Erewan- 3-headed elephant, Kinnari- half-woman, half-bird. Plus more! The paintings kept the kids busy!

So pleased to bring visitors, T, and the kids here. What a fun day in the city!

Great Winter Break Highlights!

Over the winter break, T's mom, dad, sister, and brother-in-law all came to visit us here in Thailand. We LOVE having visitors, but while playing tour guide, there's no time to blog about it. SO, please forgive the delay and sharing the tales and photos of our adventures from the past month.

On day 1 of our visitors, T took Loren, Joe, Kristi, and C fishing. Everyone got a turn or two reeling in a big one. See them with their prize catches!

 The rules say you have to throw them back, but wait!!!

Day 2 was a drive to Pattaya and D's first time on the jungle zipline. She was awesome!

It took a few lines for me to cope well with watching her sail through the treetops, but it was a delight hearing her squeals and giggles echoing through the jungle. So fun!