tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43970804242291696832024-03-19T10:05:42.590+07:00Mai Aow PetI've left my life in New York City and moved to Thailand to teach English and art. Armed only with my camera and my love for people and food, I'm documenting my life as I take Thailand by storm.Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-37181946734871385952011-04-17T01:04:00.007+07:002011-04-17T01:53:58.738+07:00Chit te... mak mak!There are no words to describe how happy I am with my life right now, and I definitely owe a lot of that to these kids. How could you not love life when you're surrounded by picture perfect places, kids like these, and more love than you know what to do with?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The way she shines somehow even makes the garbage look beautiful...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUEuTG5ylVQ-Y0zg7j9fpkJ7GX0rjBlaNBE5zjJvkqqQG_JDCR0GGCPBtZIhrfrYGbFacby36K09HL85xYXpuqTzkf-HWcPhcYtTv5uSQmhiwH9AO3dlB0mZ1IMwtiovbh7tlCs0DLhCQ/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUEuTG5ylVQ-Y0zg7j9fpkJ7GX0rjBlaNBE5zjJvkqqQG_JDCR0GGCPBtZIhrfrYGbFacby36K09HL85xYXpuqTzkf-HWcPhcYtTv5uSQmhiwH9AO3dlB0mZ1IMwtiovbh7tlCs0DLhCQ/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596244737736288434" border="0" /></a><br />Looking across the river to Burma.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgW2aFj0jZOdPdWyXo2cNA4EqEO4L-fv5X7yfwhvzCXmPTKqgu8ZwvU9t8EcfClcfo3PDGwHKw7Cjm3s3OSYNlwcBvSMoZxU8vBrO1EXUPoYan-ftUXNrWweSgwdIr18p8GgJ0R6_qE2X/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgW2aFj0jZOdPdWyXo2cNA4EqEO4L-fv5X7yfwhvzCXmPTKqgu8ZwvU9t8EcfClcfo3PDGwHKw7Cjm3s3OSYNlwcBvSMoZxU8vBrO1EXUPoYan-ftUXNrWweSgwdIr18p8GgJ0R6_qE2X/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596244738336803474" border="0" /></a><br />Their smiles make me melt!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLD9LEpYv3RghMVA8gS2KW6RBizPtzu49QgoiDF8ieojAcE-onHwTkMRboKtxb3GgkDMDuBiin1MGyHxKNNzp6jjVHCVNlHNAQ2gLLdWrw8ctr7zkMkdMV7S3laaIV0y80N6ww1wJgnmr0/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLD9LEpYv3RghMVA8gS2KW6RBizPtzu49QgoiDF8ieojAcE-onHwTkMRboKtxb3GgkDMDuBiin1MGyHxKNNzp6jjVHCVNlHNAQ2gLLdWrw8ctr7zkMkdMV7S3laaIV0y80N6ww1wJgnmr0/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596244732386624690" border="0" /></a><br />Playing tag as the sun sets over the Thai-Burmese border... nothing beats this!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpBkSQfoJuJ6JGWrM7deH20qTGCltvNkkhEiSWCgcPbp1X1hrx5yYN6F78515cpvmFuktmShhNwLUOWaqEmZtcjtB05aSIeH0cFIwSESSECBnItJbFGFgflfDBgJBDqFnBRdnMln-cGee/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpBkSQfoJuJ6JGWrM7deH20qTGCltvNkkhEiSWCgcPbp1X1hrx5yYN6F78515cpvmFuktmShhNwLUOWaqEmZtcjtB05aSIeH0cFIwSESSECBnItJbFGFgflfDBgJBDqFnBRdnMln-cGee/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596244254375143858" border="0" /></a><br />Thailand on the left, Burma on the right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BQdif33Bi1aBmlv0OvM7H8LC2Cn6jGN_9Z9RyywTQ9S0dnuVTquIGNIjlQd_3F_hSg8aUJHpazME3KEvlerx_63bn5X9jvZts5_MtFhqgZeMvnhd0aMT06HzInoqPqNh22chuvvoC-Ix/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BQdif33Bi1aBmlv0OvM7H8LC2Cn6jGN_9Z9RyywTQ9S0dnuVTquIGNIjlQd_3F_hSg8aUJHpazME3KEvlerx_63bn5X9jvZts5_MtFhqgZeMvnhd0aMT06HzInoqPqNh22chuvvoC-Ix/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596245097350070066" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't even think twice before hopping on the back of this bike...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZdWZxz9GzGBq_shA4250cXoLhxs8HQogCd4KI0rjeSm5Ya8Fqf42_AXLYPOipv6i3A3GcX8Pa0Flg-XTtGafiuzueRRvlHQQFcws6vxQt5ec4DktfqWWOeAlwLGChANVtrsa-aKOOS_x/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZdWZxz9GzGBq_shA4250cXoLhxs8HQogCd4KI0rjeSm5Ya8Fqf42_AXLYPOipv6i3A3GcX8Pa0Flg-XTtGafiuzueRRvlHQQFcws6vxQt5ec4DktfqWWOeAlwLGChANVtrsa-aKOOS_x/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596244249892749442" border="0" /></a><br />Like I said: picture perfect!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9d4uH9W1iZrtgMM-jXn5Bjuzk6HPz8iJ5I-IH2I6z4rRghN1dqemDfBLX2FAZpFFT1rPvbYepMbEPaKHWSg2b_k0FP_f1oM8ggcHbHUdii4wre7-x-x2sIJGcjsti65SzIJiCzcWKd8uQ/s1600/22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9d4uH9W1iZrtgMM-jXn5Bjuzk6HPz8iJ5I-IH2I6z4rRghN1dqemDfBLX2FAZpFFT1rPvbYepMbEPaKHWSg2b_k0FP_f1oM8ggcHbHUdii4wre7-x-x2sIJGcjsti65SzIJiCzcWKd8uQ/s400/22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596244244773761042" border="0" /></a><br />Happy kids =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22Y76-uBa-114JyalhSccslxOaE2oL0izy_pw33ni_1OWZJb1ss_h5PwYVSu39r2NJOswyDK45XNC_VWQ3TShOQCX7UXmuliZCDvkVcsTX25hcTwEG6bd3amw4kmzUrYa5Ms35Yozjcrw/s1600/23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22Y76-uBa-114JyalhSccslxOaE2oL0izy_pw33ni_1OWZJb1ss_h5PwYVSu39r2NJOswyDK45XNC_VWQ3TShOQCX7UXmuliZCDvkVcsTX25hcTwEG6bd3amw4kmzUrYa5Ms35Yozjcrw/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596244246662783986" border="0" /></a><br />Love, love, LOVE <3<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDgzf3rB6Q-6_WyJGSkmpp6ZaPARoeUvtIthQ6LN1FPdj5mee4itiESN7IM2ItWlwVU88o3csyNKi3Hfin_VpRkjAfaTqWfv7CCTMneJOJggP-B0snLvjw2S5a_7ywkDVP241_xCNEsOo/s1600/24.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDgzf3rB6Q-6_WyJGSkmpp6ZaPARoeUvtIthQ6LN1FPdj5mee4itiESN7IM2ItWlwVU88o3csyNKi3Hfin_VpRkjAfaTqWfv7CCTMneJOJggP-B0snLvjw2S5a_7ywkDVP241_xCNEsOo/s400/24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596244242325148498" border="0" /></a><br />There's nothing in the world that could make me happier right now... what else could I possibly want!?!<br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-26052074439964945992011-04-17T00:56:00.005+07:002011-04-17T01:43:53.387+07:00Suk san wan Songkran!Songkran- the Thai New Year- has been going on for the past few days and I'm lucky enough to have spent it with my favorite people in the world! I'm in Mae Sot for a few weeks spending the school holidays at Future Light. Songkran is a nation-wide water fight... EVERYONE in the country participates by throwing water and powder on everyone that they see, which means that I've been soaking wet for 4 days straight now! People ride around in the back of pick up trucks with water guns and buckets of water (some iced... brr!) and it's one big party with singing and dancing in the streets. It's definitely been fun and interesting, to say the least, but I'm about ready to be dry!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">When I got to Future Light on the first day of Songkran, I was greeted by 30 ecstatic kids and a few gallons of water. We spent the day (and the next day and the next day) having our own water fight in the street outside of the home and soaking any person who dared cross our path.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SFURHxBTx2okzRbuwzHU8yPiYOE5R7vhyIojTy2haypfoO4o3t7ivnHlHpfgiZqoqcbg7299KEN5zloVOUATD-R6MNq09nZN1OQypgpxNl8txnSlqLJ39z1QZfThF4o_GvNtqnkOrZ9E/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SFURHxBTx2okzRbuwzHU8yPiYOE5R7vhyIojTy2haypfoO4o3t7ivnHlHpfgiZqoqcbg7299KEN5zloVOUATD-R6MNq09nZN1OQypgpxNl8txnSlqLJ39z1QZfThF4o_GvNtqnkOrZ9E/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243747442478370" border="0" /></a><br />What could be better than a water fight with your 30 brothers and sisters?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX6nFpHAAKFm_AxCLruaMZzAeF1ZrWJ7aTklMlDHrJkOu7Gj063xCMD5EmXWIqNRP56lZWotaAECP2dEdbJQlzPM5-P3qUyJWLPeFa4zjk7xH66ziTz3TV8V4flo0LV-avqREJBNmAwsX/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX6nFpHAAKFm_AxCLruaMZzAeF1ZrWJ7aTklMlDHrJkOu7Gj063xCMD5EmXWIqNRP56lZWotaAECP2dEdbJQlzPM5-P3qUyJWLPeFa4zjk7xH66ziTz3TV8V4flo0LV-avqREJBNmAwsX/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243741259360786" border="0" /></a><br />All of the kids wore their best clothes for the occasion just to get wet and muddy and have to change.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOQ7QrRSG8RQ2KBe0bKh7WeO6LTgCW1VqBi0vxipliMK7tWQlQY47zC07bQ-Ut6qM5On8I8Paw_f-EO9pEvPjPKL-qniry28brwEKAreEmUQ0Wa3cqFhEQAVHfZPRZ2ogjPWaTDym6w5M/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOQ7QrRSG8RQ2KBe0bKh7WeO6LTgCW1VqBi0vxipliMK7tWQlQY47zC07bQ-Ut6qM5On8I8Paw_f-EO9pEvPjPKL-qniry28brwEKAreEmUQ0Wa3cqFhEQAVHfZPRZ2ogjPWaTDym6w5M/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243751663024738" border="0" /></a><br />Ready, aim, FIRE!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryCVV_fFp-xf0ald6SibvAWfIORFtmvWYT3bJglEH76hCuWgua8uC61suY66A3_C7taWLxfrmQaWUfLtjRVl6BzZzvUGvQknGG648vey2xjtVjoGlAZXVI2YIAzdEuXMB79QJjh7zAuoc/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryCVV_fFp-xf0ald6SibvAWfIORFtmvWYT3bJglEH76hCuWgua8uC61suY66A3_C7taWLxfrmQaWUfLtjRVl6BzZzvUGvQknGG648vey2xjtVjoGlAZXVI2YIAzdEuXMB79QJjh7zAuoc/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243738907349330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkNJZbJuNiH27ICW8mwgZh1ITd5IJTGff-v5I6Jgg_G9MAxBsA5mTaHkObcvWgwba0ByKOXmhka50SSVRR8xKUFZnpaXQtretZ2cGdSYPWpxH-fMDrRqHaf_cUFvcuvopkay0g63LnvrY/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkNJZbJuNiH27ICW8mwgZh1ITd5IJTGff-v5I6Jgg_G9MAxBsA5mTaHkObcvWgwba0ByKOXmhka50SSVRR8xKUFZnpaXQtretZ2cGdSYPWpxH-fMDrRqHaf_cUFvcuvopkay0g63LnvrY/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243738038545378" border="0" /></a><br />Not enough water being thrown around? Then why not jump right into the bucket of water itself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD_W83njAcYpOCj5SDodBHaBiaa1JYwM27vmR4Fsn1Is91szW2VUYlsu4bcoWTyPGZy40aj9wvI2HkoZSD9Rov9oYWpDl5aKnKep67fLkxVLI3bXHuq-cK6fdUl3NniYjQUCU5BWe8itw/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD_W83njAcYpOCj5SDodBHaBiaa1JYwM27vmR4Fsn1Is91szW2VUYlsu4bcoWTyPGZy40aj9wvI2HkoZSD9Rov9oYWpDl5aKnKep67fLkxVLI3bXHuq-cK6fdUl3NniYjQUCU5BWe8itw/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243450759123522" border="0" /></a><br />Out of ammo...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggybaE1ElTvF0BNNC-HGFwf8AHK-SHl84XvrLCqtkOqgdAXqCGHYdWfEV6A9bNyQN_HlA_N1knCDmEUF5eF4N76izFAOeSdm46QTzYR_Tk_HXkiAa1pT2iwMEyxrIWJBpkK63QvmDccLsA/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggybaE1ElTvF0BNNC-HGFwf8AHK-SHl84XvrLCqtkOqgdAXqCGHYdWfEV6A9bNyQN_HlA_N1knCDmEUF5eF4N76izFAOeSdm46QTzYR_Tk_HXkiAa1pT2iwMEyxrIWJBpkK63QvmDccLsA/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243444061048898" border="0" /></a><br />Paybacks for all of the ice water he poured on us!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuZDC1cDXdCpqY7ef5ISDP4pcicOJW69ppltW1BlAp_VjJj2fTm006soFFpaTHulFXEb3lGSThcEJ0EZVXEopQCjLn8ixq9WYnlctUMMAMiUhi8gqO40BYVEz6fHNyRDHN28Xno0M0Yko/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuZDC1cDXdCpqY7ef5ISDP4pcicOJW69ppltW1BlAp_VjJj2fTm006soFFpaTHulFXEb3lGSThcEJ0EZVXEopQCjLn8ixq9WYnlctUMMAMiUhi8gqO40BYVEz6fHNyRDHN28Xno0M0Yko/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243442050957922" border="0" /></a><br />A hole in the hose? No problem, that just makes it even more fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFuknsAgclCbpC7f20q10339vzvrBKX91Ni-vnT3e1Rq5P41NqqSM-pNyxI2EvlE2KN9qJSiQDo66x-kfp6Sn37GitDnW8tVxedCAegUtuoF-blCQLiONe_jlk20f20zzbqnX9u0Wt1AT/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFuknsAgclCbpC7f20q10339vzvrBKX91Ni-vnT3e1Rq5P41NqqSM-pNyxI2EvlE2KN9qJSiQDo66x-kfp6Sn37GitDnW8tVxedCAegUtuoF-blCQLiONe_jlk20f20zzbqnX9u0Wt1AT/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243433076175042" border="0" /></a><br />Getting serious and hunkering down...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjTgYJwPzF98P0l2cbryndcDMaL58uZ3jgjbkEi09Ghwr4H29l7LIG8XPhH1hWlRn1YfnnlJakKSGEtEue5DtIGYaMOiW5Opk8BhrjSMy_2iyIFKMjQqSNTJIMvseVL_fkmEtowCFawMy/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjTgYJwPzF98P0l2cbryndcDMaL58uZ3jgjbkEi09Ghwr4H29l7LIG8XPhH1hWlRn1YfnnlJakKSGEtEue5DtIGYaMOiW5Opk8BhrjSMy_2iyIFKMjQqSNTJIMvseVL_fkmEtowCFawMy/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596243430273082738" border="0" /></a><br />Clean, dry, and TIRED after a long day of playing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C4mwKMQS-5yU_CpQq4MBHQ6KUFMs_jyohYP4bFnzECwvNaHDry-KVZivyd2S1IPRFvew-RmTA9kCPMxw2kxZiAM8T8-fBg4PUly1wqsZ8HWpeSmPJW7istjngTy2vFXZ3ur4Yf1EQB9t/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C4mwKMQS-5yU_CpQq4MBHQ6KUFMs_jyohYP4bFnzECwvNaHDry-KVZivyd2S1IPRFvew-RmTA9kCPMxw2kxZiAM8T8-fBg4PUly1wqsZ8HWpeSmPJW7istjngTy2vFXZ3ur4Yf1EQB9t/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596242433944535618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A8uU-QwhNNs3pbLOb48zHP_Tv0fvDMEM2ydxeCV8UnsJEBOhtP4jaHUGo-s2AhXH_CvtJBn2xFGfbRF_ae6yRLir7jqggy1ihFR9DhUUKMYBYQPDSJXxmGfmgmfMUI29acESISj8E6J8/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A8uU-QwhNNs3pbLOb48zHP_Tv0fvDMEM2ydxeCV8UnsJEBOhtP4jaHUGo-s2AhXH_CvtJBn2xFGfbRF_ae6yRLir7jqggy1ihFR9DhUUKMYBYQPDSJXxmGfmgmfMUI29acESISj8E6J8/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596242415153204450" border="0" /></a><br />Re-energizing for day 2 of Songkran!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4mCkLQOClBmDHT24o1bcVNzY1Qsa5lL3kAxG5AZX_LxBO1K05Vnnwv_YzE7ODBOxt_hyphenhyphen25GJls6R5dpGqmw10UOyJArFs0fDfKnGVPYqEghXQd6-DUbFnGI04m5NulR85GsFb9IRMpaS/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4mCkLQOClBmDHT24o1bcVNzY1Qsa5lL3kAxG5AZX_LxBO1K05Vnnwv_YzE7ODBOxt_hyphenhyphen25GJls6R5dpGqmw10UOyJArFs0fDfKnGVPYqEghXQd6-DUbFnGI04m5NulR85GsFb9IRMpaS/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596242428034648610" border="0" /></a><br />Cold and tired after a long day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kmlcYzPKUwoIBF8RYnGGyYhpvy62V7CXVx3bXt5QzwexnO9939mU1w0RhcAaKHOKumVslZ2dtQ4J_5FMXctDbI_OiMRFSpbDAtbNeqbAg9_CWFDvRBTIjP5CBt2KE8KDU4n9pYDvpAvc/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kmlcYzPKUwoIBF8RYnGGyYhpvy62V7CXVx3bXt5QzwexnO9939mU1w0RhcAaKHOKumVslZ2dtQ4J_5FMXctDbI_OiMRFSpbDAtbNeqbAg9_CWFDvRBTIjP5CBt2KE8KDU4n9pYDvpAvc/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596242418486850978" border="0" /></a><br />There's nothing like a nice, hearty meal after a hard day's work!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ArfXvu2ca7oo52ZsuXuDxtu2JUPhyphenhyphenh_SOOE_WP83BkyWe6Lbzd0idLfHXvkY_A9Rxaga7pAvdi8tTVWmT-TwyOuweFrk1OAKtp-UwVSun_Wv-ccgu1iN32tzTPnwHapB3-WKFEI6XW1n/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ArfXvu2ca7oo52ZsuXuDxtu2JUPhyphenhyphenh_SOOE_WP83BkyWe6Lbzd0idLfHXvkY_A9Rxaga7pAvdi8tTVWmT-TwyOuweFrk1OAKtp-UwVSun_Wv-ccgu1iN32tzTPnwHapB3-WKFEI6XW1n/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596242415146905362" border="0" /></a></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-17496245153981365642011-03-23T18:21:00.004+07:002011-03-23T18:54:46.552+07:00Exploring Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi TunnelsI've been sick and stuck on the couch all day, so I figured I would put the time to good use and give you a (drumroll, please...) DOUBLE BLOG POST! Here's a peak at my time exploring Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Communism in Vietnam is advertised all over the streets...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTLlMNvc6w0PpMz4uB89nYGQ_A1ABFrwWZMIuyqEbPPiQY5qC5ojaGYKUij_8jEVLd7Hco6T9Y8eLxqinArT_Hr8JQMdL3QzSQ6IpvBSVYsatBTOZVwkKb5m9KpQRjgl5Fu5Z0xuiY24M/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTLlMNvc6w0PpMz4uB89nYGQ_A1ABFrwWZMIuyqEbPPiQY5qC5ojaGYKUij_8jEVLd7Hco6T9Y8eLxqinArT_Hr8JQMdL3QzSQ6IpvBSVYsatBTOZVwkKb5m9KpQRjgl5Fu5Z0xuiY24M/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587235390776161042" border="0" /></a><br />... and all of the history museums.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qvCjxkN1ewjamCfJW-b0a0LjRtm1aIybMDXFoU3uoOpDQEK8BhhtLskAUE7nFhoNY_9mQtMy58C71XXAPH2q5vpckE2mikxgNd02dZQLPwLrhjz2wIvY-a5fdwdJrUgjlhn5hDvQ42QI/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qvCjxkN1ewjamCfJW-b0a0LjRtm1aIybMDXFoU3uoOpDQEK8BhhtLskAUE7nFhoNY_9mQtMy58C71XXAPH2q5vpckE2mikxgNd02dZQLPwLrhjz2wIvY-a5fdwdJrUgjlhn5hDvQ42QI/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234999734663042" border="0" /></a><br />I wonder who the few lucky people to get postcards are... =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O6EIPaOyLoQWv2fwqCgTdKqxKmoxn7oD381C6E_qSVqJk5F_m6V36kuke4GdRRAnmcUCQvnFt0F8PcGrq-ksxf-w-BUC7DURtaYLnzs5KJ3HE7f4cArrgyTBcb3XfFHSW-yNLWtj00EE/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O6EIPaOyLoQWv2fwqCgTdKqxKmoxn7oD381C6E_qSVqJk5F_m6V36kuke4GdRRAnmcUCQvnFt0F8PcGrq-ksxf-w-BUC7DURtaYLnzs5KJ3HE7f4cArrgyTBcb3XfFHSW-yNLWtj00EE/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234997044077010" border="0" /></a><br />Red, red, red!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRm76lMY36yqbWx0k4_eq80TuEowQTGDEPMm0HKkwbeWbztXT8BoY9rxGIKysO_XlMaUM6Ve2yCMI8FN6e8lzTd9TqY5cNEXo2q6UL6NMxbyWfUFBgdOpjwQuaO7KH13Vv9e4ROLQmZFr/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRm76lMY36yqbWx0k4_eq80TuEowQTGDEPMm0HKkwbeWbztXT8BoY9rxGIKysO_XlMaUM6Ve2yCMI8FN6e8lzTd9TqY5cNEXo2q6UL6NMxbyWfUFBgdOpjwQuaO7KH13Vv9e4ROLQmZFr/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234998017981090" border="0" /></a><br />As one of the only cathedrals in Southeast Asia, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica was a nice reminder of Western life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtraFlJTdvgpyRych_knhpzVJL5f0S8oQ7UrqlzEOEPu9ZHa3auHzz6bZW3L2RYW9D7JLi8YCsWnCHo5LEYT9gAvNw6eiouRTv7ZO73itgAGoH8jOGnYJyuB302ZnvEC9RTBV5ThaoaZr/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtraFlJTdvgpyRych_knhpzVJL5f0S8oQ7UrqlzEOEPu9ZHa3auHzz6bZW3L2RYW9D7JLi8YCsWnCHo5LEYT9gAvNw6eiouRTv7ZO73itgAGoH8jOGnYJyuB302ZnvEC9RTBV5ThaoaZr/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234993746610578" border="0" /></a><br />Ho Chi Minh City is basically just a sea of motorbikes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZuR81DgU7dfQ66nvEA4BRA_5dkxAi2LMDYYVcCri2LLyvPXZLYdeBg125p2OXaD6GYjXPUWWxYZCQXjZXJBeryoeQaU_bvp9XPneJoSVUYHJsGmZAv69YpYHtG7c8dmIQOLzCqWVMSSp/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZuR81DgU7dfQ66nvEA4BRA_5dkxAi2LMDYYVcCri2LLyvPXZLYdeBg125p2OXaD6GYjXPUWWxYZCQXjZXJBeryoeQaU_bvp9XPneJoSVUYHJsGmZAv69YpYHtG7c8dmIQOLzCqWVMSSp/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234986191429970" border="0" /></a><br />A Vietnamese man selling lottery tickets on the side of the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjC6EI2yA9D-i3WGtR7CaC5sZioQ0qZYTeYdnIKaFOvevZiwAnnWBqS7dd4b90RLK2TAP4v-pxAJ-2Pm3z50kM4j7FUKbA271Hw4rHsLfeZg1AhNJaHh9ZLTjpphDArsMUxwlYqAwguOV/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjC6EI2yA9D-i3WGtR7CaC5sZioQ0qZYTeYdnIKaFOvevZiwAnnWBqS7dd4b90RLK2TAP4v-pxAJ-2Pm3z50kM4j7FUKbA271Hw4rHsLfeZg1AhNJaHh9ZLTjpphDArsMUxwlYqAwguOV/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234607866969746" border="0" /></a><br />The streets of Saigon...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9YBrEAxflVUOVhhb5W_CFErG49tJtgg_J52szt-QLiHS_9_8pU70wiL33QwfTdWVBPgLGI2E9SVASb_2Nm_vw0vD6nRMsBjCrlG6xKfoH7tqKsElxSpXlMJy_hfoo-IyitfNn7EWjuG1/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9YBrEAxflVUOVhhb5W_CFErG49tJtgg_J52szt-QLiHS_9_8pU70wiL33QwfTdWVBPgLGI2E9SVASb_2Nm_vw0vD6nRMsBjCrlG6xKfoH7tqKsElxSpXlMJy_hfoo-IyitfNn7EWjuG1/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234607483684994" border="0" /></a><br />A police officer's hat sitting on top of a vendor's stand. I got yelled at for taking a picture of a police car, so this is as close as I could get...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFWdT74fSjDktLT3s93gXlTNqZHHz1gok_KfZhQPi5XqATF2-po6076XjWcq2F6wIvkyaDMa28IO7ZbntJmc55R9g78VaNXF9dGV4f50zsGhPOOvL0w_StMDM2YXyUvapC3JSiYgOHNqg/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFWdT74fSjDktLT3s93gXlTNqZHHz1gok_KfZhQPi5XqATF2-po6076XjWcq2F6wIvkyaDMa28IO7ZbntJmc55R9g78VaNXF9dGV4f50zsGhPOOvL0w_StMDM2YXyUvapC3JSiYgOHNqg/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234595698231490" border="0" /></a><br />So much history, so little time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNdqKqNxeJ5F7nhnuBG-JS1w_1J7dbtnhUR7i84g2jW3WGPe19H0nS4tDYsu3yivxrKdvlKcHs4C9NJeG13AT4fSC7X6DZ8IzDRW60-j_Nnlo70DPwazmXXjR287MQQl7LREyblRmb_Q8/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNdqKqNxeJ5F7nhnuBG-JS1w_1J7dbtnhUR7i84g2jW3WGPe19H0nS4tDYsu3yivxrKdvlKcHs4C9NJeG13AT4fSC7X6DZ8IzDRW60-j_Nnlo70DPwazmXXjR287MQQl7LREyblRmb_Q8/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234590740517906" border="0" /></a><br />I spent a few hours feeling sick to my stomach at the war museum in Ho Chi Minh. It was definitely eye opening to get such a different perspective on the Vietnam War and to be exposed to all of the things they'd never show in America. I'll spare you the rest of the horrible, graphic images, but just so you can get an idea (yes, that's what's left of a person after being hit by a bomb)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgCb2IDDNJujxaZ8RqYb5E0Hti1iuj7t-4VGYTN2CbResXMx4CiUULUaaP8kOQfWDyj7ypGvV9R8baeNqZRgXQkKYrtUY8UBSBmBSL2GMyFbkK57GKfs3XJhsQf4i3K8m1vIn_wUHOCSS/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgCb2IDDNJujxaZ8RqYb5E0Hti1iuj7t-4VGYTN2CbResXMx4CiUULUaaP8kOQfWDyj7ypGvV9R8baeNqZRgXQkKYrtUY8UBSBmBSL2GMyFbkK57GKfs3XJhsQf4i3K8m1vIn_wUHOCSS/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587234587456891490" border="0" /></a><br />On our way to see the Cu Chi Tunnels, we made a pit stop at a Handicapped Handcraft Factory. All of the workers there are handicapped and they make beautiful, handmade handicrafts including dishes, paintings, and statues. It was pretty interesting to see the crafts go down the assembly line and then to see the finished product.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0SyHsX3jRBoOcd6qKp__t8qsUzEdcYKDgbfZ8J_7aobWpYKwwJfj7OA8FAR0UcL0Hnerv1cnEk-rQy4bzhf8u8lVrzppyVPO7fc1ScJfziEAJU947cxzrQEWiXoezHRt83RY180zbbAy/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0SyHsX3jRBoOcd6qKp__t8qsUzEdcYKDgbfZ8J_7aobWpYKwwJfj7OA8FAR0UcL0Hnerv1cnEk-rQy4bzhf8u8lVrzppyVPO7fc1ScJfziEAJU947cxzrQEWiXoezHRt83RY180zbbAy/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587235395919829026" border="0" /></a><br />The Cu Chi Tunnels are the underground tunnel system used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Before going through the actual tunnels (which are about 3 feet tall, a foot and half wide, and pitch black) we were able to see the Viet Cong's weapons, bunkers, etc. Here's Erin in a (teeny tiny) sniper hole!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMt0irpa7S5-pJs6YZ0eShc3rieOYKm4C8QFvkr7TVTJqd6DjIgZ27j-uT5kkiNfqwhsG5xCwPsH-ZtFAEUi8NxkQqw9ecuM8beCOZgR6vlwsTQwVvpxF0-kjjjdaQb794tuv94oKiq7Gk/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMt0irpa7S5-pJs6YZ0eShc3rieOYKm4C8QFvkr7TVTJqd6DjIgZ27j-uT5kkiNfqwhsG5xCwPsH-ZtFAEUi8NxkQqw9ecuM8beCOZgR6vlwsTQwVvpxF0-kjjjdaQb794tuv94oKiq7Gk/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587235403670862930" border="0" /></a><br />They also have a shooting range where you can try your hand at any of the guns used in the war...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX24jMaY7UOScdQ1P-Qfm-fbn6veimAMvtWL6bL1XNf75ul1xMIiYnY0Hy1upeDKB6SDAEBlYY4E6cuGoMY3X2NXSTavnXO4zEDnm331Jw2kv1am2MP0_COxNQVTIhyTY1c92K_NryML89/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX24jMaY7UOScdQ1P-Qfm-fbn6veimAMvtWL6bL1XNf75ul1xMIiYnY0Hy1upeDKB6SDAEBlYY4E6cuGoMY3X2NXSTavnXO4zEDnm331Jw2kv1am2MP0_COxNQVTIhyTY1c92K_NryML89/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587235399213155746" border="0" /></a><br />... when else would I get the chance to shoot an AK 47 in the exact spot so many soldiers fired their own guns during a war??<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21382871?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=c9ff23" frameborder="0" height="224" width="398"></iframe><br /><br />We may have saved the best day for last, exploring Vietnam and the Mekong Delta by boat. It was absolutely beautiful, and you can see for yourself tomorrow!<br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-11598236626616743722011-03-21T20:55:00.006+07:002011-03-22T10:41:05.466+07:00Phnom Penh, CambodiaAfter spending two days in Siem Reap we hopped on a bus and moved on to Phnom Penh, where we visited the Killing Fields and the genocide museum. I'll admit it was a rather depressing time considering the subject matter, but everything was so interesting and eye opening that it was well worth it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh took us through <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> rural Cambodia, which was awesome. It was so picturesque and exactly how I've always pictured typical Southeast Asia.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpNsHcm2Mijbj02b4VWTMhkGLAFpIbqcAbURyaL2nDgosB5VpHAJ93RfjgmBP8pTLun0PDKFGlODX-ZRh1W4-lxnKyNChI78oqcA-X9euHG-fjZPCaebVb-Ev6v4V85MER437x70K4jCJ/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpNsHcm2Mijbj02b4VWTMhkGLAFpIbqcAbURyaL2nDgosB5VpHAJ93RfjgmBP8pTLun0PDKFGlODX-ZRh1W4-lxnKyNChI78oqcA-X9euHG-fjZPCaebVb-Ev6v4V85MER437x70K4jCJ/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586532527602662690" border="0" /></a><br />Houses like this lined the streets on the way to Phnom Penh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lx6aCAVtqQGuAzcpNyoZ5rv6aDC7wMNXio_kthRK6JIWsxEPC3XhsnEr13qeUStUxzOljZHjyySed6ZIXZhqqZXsJIVv-4eZ-uV1jrj04B2eWrm8IqcIW3wYrfzUEyz8NqOBs4KOa7zb/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Lx6aCAVtqQGuAzcpNyoZ5rv6aDC7wMNXio_kthRK6JIWsxEPC3XhsnEr13qeUStUxzOljZHjyySed6ZIXZhqqZXsJIVv-4eZ-uV1jrj04B2eWrm8IqcIW3wYrfzUEyz8NqOBs4KOa7zb/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586532526230412514" border="0" /></a><br />The Killing Fields are where the Khmer Rouge brought their prisoners to be killed. Mass graves dot the fields and you can still see bones, teeth, and clothes coming out from underground. There's a memorial built to honor the victims of the massacre. It's filled with skulls, clothes, and other bones. I still can't comprehend the fact that I could reach out and touch the skulls of real people who were brutally murdered.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvua5m-MA1gTWwNr0DfV3fUww6Qva3WQn01p2VrYUV_fmPqAm5sYR-NhuaWe9e9uvkBA4Z7jmHoskswDQ7CWX90bfqJNZvxGltXBtCU14KTkaUc2IlOkcEU6nb424NHVD1ABtP7tyW1sA/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvua5m-MA1gTWwNr0DfV3fUww6Qva3WQn01p2VrYUV_fmPqAm5sYR-NhuaWe9e9uvkBA4Z7jmHoskswDQ7CWX90bfqJNZvxGltXBtCU14KTkaUc2IlOkcEU6nb424NHVD1ABtP7tyW1sA/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586532274628041442" border="0" /></a><br />It was nauseating to see so many skulls and to be able to tell exactly how each person was killed. This one was beaten with a pointed weapon...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnolx8JXTXxnRHt2mja_EbOWmt4lfFGGU8oIhdkoWhhh5uxIV9IaNlKj27pcTMpPaEg2-DXsXRtZ3Ah7m1A37JIkxf_4b0UCWLNmAabR0tkjqt064DNAto6N7CP1gVmJo4RXD_wvSCZP7/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnolx8JXTXxnRHt2mja_EbOWmt4lfFGGU8oIhdkoWhhh5uxIV9IaNlKj27pcTMpPaEg2-DXsXRtZ3Ah7m1A37JIkxf_4b0UCWLNmAabR0tkjqt064DNAto6N7CP1gVmJo4RXD_wvSCZP7/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586532275267934866" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the prisoners did not die right away...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CgqlpjSuihIUB3eFN-D9ZawUeiyMeIn0XZ1NZ1TxjqD-5Y2nx2qwDWiZBG3TdaMP-fuAPJ3suxQikDZFUutAcmQfkrWLYXaHjAQJ555NjJXUSHb4Otr5zSFsWDciJbumfZ7LOvFLtPT-/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CgqlpjSuihIUB3eFN-D9ZawUeiyMeIn0XZ1NZ1TxjqD-5Y2nx2qwDWiZBG3TdaMP-fuAPJ3suxQikDZFUutAcmQfkrWLYXaHjAQJ555NjJXUSHb4Otr5zSFsWDciJbumfZ7LOvFLtPT-/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586532290012796082" border="0" /></a><br />Barbed wire still lines the fences surrounding the fields.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRVbNF-HZlZJbKAH-4MuRkVkWFWm-3YM6xOzfd5wyQYzJC9eKd6OM__pK_TAGna_CfwvMeATIgDtMXd4uSr1UUNWzBH44mi0SDja0IIgALTmyDvD1j99JOkByIBF8qij1DuYB3HjN-FM7/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRVbNF-HZlZJbKAH-4MuRkVkWFWm-3YM6xOzfd5wyQYzJC9eKd6OM__pK_TAGna_CfwvMeATIgDtMXd4uSr1UUNWzBH44mi0SDja0IIgALTmyDvD1j99JOkByIBF8qij1DuYB3HjN-FM7/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586532293536619522" border="0" /></a><br />Picture perfect Cambodia...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDk6LE5-qr1hSGoiUtf6azfWqnQK4FgWrk02TyI99DABkCeWY5shBjQtOOaZKZRxcrnQ9bMbPNyDNdIH9w6ufV6dZsrpzlo0948WkMT842QL5GfrWjGsB7t2ctTBK2cn7c2X_6LUK2u8s/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDk6LE5-qr1hSGoiUtf6azfWqnQK4FgWrk02TyI99DABkCeWY5shBjQtOOaZKZRxcrnQ9bMbPNyDNdIH9w6ufV6dZsrpzlo0948WkMT842QL5GfrWjGsB7t2ctTBK2cn7c2X_6LUK2u8s/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586531900262753122" border="0" /></a><br />As if the killing fields weren't depressing enough, our next stop was the genocide museum. It's been converted from one of the main prisons used by the Khmer Rouge. 17,000 innocent Cambodians went through the prison, and only 7 survived.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo5-n2i9fzj3H7TdKL4ALXqfVF77EnSBaCix6UpjycyFlfW8G7zQum7kLkpbpd0XKNoJfmxCTaHNcQQTQZrswPQM-UtikiTjAvD09iTre2Kz-p27oQtWy73iqP3XIusu1ktjPes90PesE/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo5-n2i9fzj3H7TdKL4ALXqfVF77EnSBaCix6UpjycyFlfW8G7zQum7kLkpbpd0XKNoJfmxCTaHNcQQTQZrswPQM-UtikiTjAvD09iTre2Kz-p27oQtWy73iqP3XIusu1ktjPes90PesE/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586532268440294802" border="0" /></a><br />We were able to explore the cells and get an idea of the harsh conditions the prisoners were forced to live in. Those who were held in the large mass cells (like this one) were collectively shackled to long pieces of iron bar. The shackles were fixed to alternating bars; the prisoners slept with their heads in opposite directions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs5lE2FAXeTa9GBc_3LvCVQfk31ztTFtMmZFR2fE8pFlyFWb04H0WBPqzppo8HkdkqDQEdQDMw3o7KOjrtgtn1u72x2gQoqESoqbS4Afj56DE1jWdLqBxXMQfMVCnBrg_WaUq59olR1h_/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs5lE2FAXeTa9GBc_3LvCVQfk31ztTFtMmZFR2fE8pFlyFWb04H0WBPqzppo8HkdkqDQEdQDMw3o7KOjrtgtn1u72x2gQoqESoqbS4Afj56DE1jWdLqBxXMQfMVCnBrg_WaUq59olR1h_/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586531914232865058" border="0" /></a><br />Prisoners were tortured in ways I would never have been able to imagine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknb0fxU08VcGKUUlCbjx9NVF1jev3hxucqYWEScT4x34ooQ05QuE2lD2cghkXADqhDZf7Ze64dJ8Tca5NxzOqiDrL-dZgwzi_iWzQ1QWUb9Wjc8TpZlR_g5KZZkR9mKMu0rZ_FXbjW-SV/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknb0fxU08VcGKUUlCbjx9NVF1jev3hxucqYWEScT4x34ooQ05QuE2lD2cghkXADqhDZf7Ze64dJ8Tca5NxzOqiDrL-dZgwzi_iWzQ1QWUb9Wjc8TpZlR_g5KZZkR9mKMu0rZ_FXbjW-SV/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586531910287799666" border="0" /></a><br />6. While getting lashes or electrification you<i> must not cry at all.</i><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ExpAEyd-XWqfMKvMbPQeLz8lGWlW3MzDai2qoc75GRmaDgIiGr_gAElYFYIVtUR-fPo9cyD5LEjkvfyV0R0LKahfNgrXjcjiBO5E58k7BMI2n-He9CubkYOY1JAdTYpOrKqr3CUAPB_N/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ExpAEyd-XWqfMKvMbPQeLz8lGWlW3MzDai2qoc75GRmaDgIiGr_gAElYFYIVtUR-fPo9cyD5LEjkvfyV0R0LKahfNgrXjcjiBO5E58k7BMI2n-He9CubkYOY1JAdTYpOrKqr3CUAPB_N/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586531904279806226" border="0" /></a><br />Each person who went through the prison was photographed upon entering. An artist has re-interpreted these photos and his work is on display in a few of the empty cells.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2kDrgPgEMpCDR4JV6zxGfsuqzKjdZoaETh90I-m9os4Te1SZn0brkb0rpi0D5uo9kZbXeuHjY2AOLGQDlkGHYpWBhwBktOLKKfcuDLSjK9Veg4znf79lD4TxuGH_wrfYXKjaOajG0oDW/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2kDrgPgEMpCDR4JV6zxGfsuqzKjdZoaETh90I-m9os4Te1SZn0brkb0rpi0D5uo9kZbXeuHjY2AOLGQDlkGHYpWBhwBktOLKKfcuDLSjK9Veg4znf79lD4TxuGH_wrfYXKjaOajG0oDW/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586531899420050610" border="0" /></a><br />I promise the next post will be a happier one! Up next is my first day in Vietnam.<br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-60018586130653717342011-03-19T13:59:00.005+07:002011-03-19T16:56:13.644+07:00Angkor Wat... again!On our second day, we biked about 40km through Angkor Wat and Siem Reap. I'm tempted to say it was my favorite day in Southeast Asia so far!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We rented bikes from our guesthouse for the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecu44AX_R0vFSQN6vCvks7FntiXRlBU0ed10jdEXxAZ7dU_o3PjTyNIKriK-U_-GDFjo_34uqm0EBS1J5JLZ4VhnvjH_hyphenhyphenAZjkBRRgwL5mQw3fddvVrOu__Hg1eO3YBjraq8RkjFdVxzP/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecu44AX_R0vFSQN6vCvks7FntiXRlBU0ed10jdEXxAZ7dU_o3PjTyNIKriK-U_-GDFjo_34uqm0EBS1J5JLZ4VhnvjH_hyphenhyphenAZjkBRRgwL5mQw3fddvVrOu__Hg1eO3YBjraq8RkjFdVxzP/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585691213440278930" border="0" /></a><br />We took a wrong turn on our way to Angkor Wat, and ended up riding through a very 'Cambodian' village... I love happy accidents!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u_63Jltc43eHF3tldXSr3oSdkio9copDVToap2kZ2pW8ibslPZr5_t6UfE5ZpfLekM3snL4fAMPecFJ36kh-JFXoHbaL0SgFqKlp8qCL9eAU82veSP14DD2nZIdekYwnDNyCH_lzmAge/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u_63Jltc43eHF3tldXSr3oSdkio9copDVToap2kZ2pW8ibslPZr5_t6UfE5ZpfLekM3snL4fAMPecFJ36kh-JFXoHbaL0SgFqKlp8qCL9eAU82veSP14DD2nZIdekYwnDNyCH_lzmAge/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585691228530599058" border="0" /></a><br />I don't want to brag, but I'd say I'm pretty good at taking photos while bike riding with one hand...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRre3-3jHFukxNNf9uc2VXRK6JtLiBeTABQxXkH-oUBUrQrko3skkVRSGXk7QXAizvurQvA_mSPJSimklYPOVgSsKd0LJPgNgyQoFvGa4nQmxiQlB1aVHDSq3pd8wX2CY8eVd6YBGVxZuz/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRre3-3jHFukxNNf9uc2VXRK6JtLiBeTABQxXkH-oUBUrQrko3skkVRSGXk7QXAizvurQvA_mSPJSimklYPOVgSsKd0LJPgNgyQoFvGa4nQmxiQlB1aVHDSq3pd8wX2CY8eVd6YBGVxZuz/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585691211279926146" border="0" /></a><br />Being a local (kind of). You know how the old saying goes, "when at a Buddhist temple..." oh wait. That's not right...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOSNztHl8ph4Us9wfI019PelP7VrwY1D8BJ5A6yzHlNwyyKJgFoOzgqZEm6MYxRXIoqWsUy41CczJa23ppu_PyPM14aPE32ZY51ZfvAMZaCZCXjKN0E9A_rLbnDDOEnMiLUg0JEV2KDeP/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOSNztHl8ph4Us9wfI019PelP7VrwY1D8BJ5A6yzHlNwyyKJgFoOzgqZEm6MYxRXIoqWsUy41CczJa23ppu_PyPM14aPE32ZY51ZfvAMZaCZCXjKN0E9A_rLbnDDOEnMiLUg0JEV2KDeP/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585691214265757234" border="0" /></a><br />Erin and KJ, enjoying the view of Angkor Wat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehOdKSvCN9xmK_XeXrz8ix-RyEELyhkilD7lsUqX7x2qYd4rTHoffpBCZxo3T-h2gJbvrUcCWkD8UzwRXdSBI643kmSeBb2G4TRutrkU91yGZ9WZh8q2u_XO5xIKHESFmeRejuDM7SYyM/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehOdKSvCN9xmK_XeXrz8ix-RyEELyhkilD7lsUqX7x2qYd4rTHoffpBCZxo3T-h2gJbvrUcCWkD8UzwRXdSBI643kmSeBb2G4TRutrkU91yGZ9WZh8q2u_XO5xIKHESFmeRejuDM7SYyM/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585689723320246194" border="0" /></a><br />Talk about an awesome place for a wedding!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjR68dpOhtKv9dDYH058nzOB8fMq_jji3aSep0HFoOQdbZEnjbAh_SwTK1bWAGO3QoZC1zVTNQth51HkFhySU3gpmi91Wava6VJ1PMyl3_Xi9LOkkIwul_3BgGBVct-FbNYkcFmWKLfDm/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjR68dpOhtKv9dDYH058nzOB8fMq_jji3aSep0HFoOQdbZEnjbAh_SwTK1bWAGO3QoZC1zVTNQth51HkFhySU3gpmi91Wava6VJ1PMyl3_Xi9LOkkIwul_3BgGBVct-FbNYkcFmWKLfDm/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585691217818711650" border="0" /></a><br />Walking up to this sort of "off the beaten path" temple, I couldn't help but think my life might turn into a horror movie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_ULpgT-2ODFd4Z_si_DFooS1dRM4ZqtlCMKaMVqmkwez5Jh2gB8QhrJ2vvMNJraa_2-dD9qGOqVksej52_jy-uZi380OXDrh56ZTDn4BCs4gZAfCy976qfRL-8ANir5GwWILtWiNsLJx/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_ULpgT-2ODFd4Z_si_DFooS1dRM4ZqtlCMKaMVqmkwez5Jh2gB8QhrJ2vvMNJraa_2-dD9qGOqVksej52_jy-uZi380OXDrh56ZTDn4BCs4gZAfCy976qfRL-8ANir5GwWILtWiNsLJx/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585689725789874402" border="0" /></a><br />Erin, making a new friend. She traded this woman her watch for this... umm... beautiful scarf.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISut0c_EAflHxBKa2n97R_uSG3y7j9WCW9TJO3GWoY5xmHp4RBAminZjdo7WT0FVhZ7oM6e4qrmfJrprCoOP7_BxyVLOENbcN0nD8RQ1YPCqdD5iVmoCnlGb0fNJNpWWqO6EiSFl9IKQK/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISut0c_EAflHxBKa2n97R_uSG3y7j9WCW9TJO3GWoY5xmHp4RBAminZjdo7WT0FVhZ7oM6e4qrmfJrprCoOP7_BxyVLOENbcN0nD8RQ1YPCqdD5iVmoCnlGb0fNJNpWWqO6EiSFl9IKQK/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585689719107905730" border="0" /></a><br />We stopped to hang out with some monkeys on the side of the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj609ksITJLmQlGIWPO0zfF91ZdINlSen67okshAErW6irhBKXUX33Ql2bKYdWFF38d673_VdftfFG_T_kBXi0vu-HxQ-xjDpgd-pRCuUA0a_hHkO67O4Jrrmr0km9HRSS5UAO_fSqj1R/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj609ksITJLmQlGIWPO0zfF91ZdINlSen67okshAErW6irhBKXUX33Ql2bKYdWFF38d673_VdftfFG_T_kBXi0vu-HxQ-xjDpgd-pRCuUA0a_hHkO67O4Jrrmr0km9HRSS5UAO_fSqj1R/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585689717079589666" border="0" /></a><br />How can baby monkeys be SO cute and SO ugly at the same time??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQh5QVmtuUh0bHZ82yqAMBLNYJ6Ppbt2Qiv54SW97yzb1_DLhU7WMtO6L7EXLSta82VTbPArd7cI42vg1VqezFeBsQ2rDo8DaLo3Wdrl4Nkb2UqeVlI842F1rnLJ7UuSFazbYWi8Zu_5oD/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQh5QVmtuUh0bHZ82yqAMBLNYJ6Ppbt2Qiv54SW97yzb1_DLhU7WMtO6L7EXLSta82VTbPArd7cI42vg1VqezFeBsQ2rDo8DaLo3Wdrl4Nkb2UqeVlI842F1rnLJ7UuSFazbYWi8Zu_5oD/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585689714253823538" border="0" /></a><br />Inside one of the temples... there was doorway after doorway and they got smaller and smaller as they got further in. I was too cheap to hire a guide to explain why it was built like this, but I thought it was pretty cool just the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3zLvtvki22FqknCx2IFgNJ841fiRKd5BQ2vKSyWOHs2PCNAqhU-Z0r-Lcm-jXWZbiXK77IEQMdz2Y1WbMaEus58dC4CjuMvcZ40tdH9JNKEQlBSKnjLf7iDgoOHAyjhvALGay_rHRQ7s/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3zLvtvki22FqknCx2IFgNJ841fiRKd5BQ2vKSyWOHs2PCNAqhU-Z0r-Lcm-jXWZbiXK77IEQMdz2Y1WbMaEus58dC4CjuMvcZ40tdH9JNKEQlBSKnjLf7iDgoOHAyjhvALGay_rHRQ7s/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585688401814418082" border="0" /></a><br />I realized all of my pictures were starting to look the same so I played around with my camera to spice things up a bit...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaJxbeBA8MABXc9Ak_d6_a2ya7Syws6A351BOgiRMW7fprCwfTW3rfiKfIjQK0kuraE1_3qLeyP-EsCIDZdZRLvXyTGswdrwmGpFhXYAOyagG0WUrA7dVrq-G-RlXqwUxuP4O6Cjncbaa/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaJxbeBA8MABXc9Ak_d6_a2ya7Syws6A351BOgiRMW7fprCwfTW3rfiKfIjQK0kuraE1_3qLeyP-EsCIDZdZRLvXyTGswdrwmGpFhXYAOyagG0WUrA7dVrq-G-RlXqwUxuP4O6Cjncbaa/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585688386756335586" border="0" /></a><br />With our bikes, we almost looked exactly like the locals. Almost.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIQ43PM71ov_i3CbXH_6Z_E1iDRCxinByo8DEGNf7ZkTslAoH0ubeHtLMw5-bkHTzMsR4GOR6DoGCUvfg4tYGWdMDsbDW7NI7zD2wzsOxuaSZLdUAthlWxxAD412-7lFCNxcBRr1_9mnl/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIQ43PM71ov_i3CbXH_6Z_E1iDRCxinByo8DEGNf7ZkTslAoH0ubeHtLMw5-bkHTzMsR4GOR6DoGCUvfg4tYGWdMDsbDW7NI7zD2wzsOxuaSZLdUAthlWxxAD412-7lFCNxcBRr1_9mnl/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585688397396851970" border="0" /></a><br />I'm still amazed by the intricacy in the carvings!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yVyC8qLgD1IhvA-1SpKYrVxTytIrO-Z8qkCURUUwtLGX63rJpWclXmALCISdacnxrEP1gusDKRTZx8YTXxCerQBZENfUbFDiwcAYhiZejunZa8nlo9ju3tCKFRiFlwPO8pJyw2VotiEx/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yVyC8qLgD1IhvA-1SpKYrVxTytIrO-Z8qkCURUUwtLGX63rJpWclXmALCISdacnxrEP1gusDKRTZx8YTXxCerQBZENfUbFDiwcAYhiZejunZa8nlo9ju3tCKFRiFlwPO8pJyw2VotiEx/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585688390445738786" border="0" /></a><br />I don't think I could ever get tired of how beautiful this place is!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxy4l-uZU-0Jx4K20Ojqu6oT95nyl8azi-ZhOmLOHw_6B1uAiAh4l7Q9Y8DhbYPZ5Bru8S_relCYSSFbdc5Iy4lgATwX-4OZ_K-KKMK1PI99A7O3Pk8VLQk4XRQBgcX9qqs_RfF6JzIS2m/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxy4l-uZU-0Jx4K20Ojqu6oT95nyl8azi-ZhOmLOHw_6B1uAiAh4l7Q9Y8DhbYPZ5Bru8S_relCYSSFbdc5Iy4lgATwX-4OZ_K-KKMK1PI99A7O3Pk8VLQk4XRQBgcX9qqs_RfF6JzIS2m/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585688387636051698" border="0" /></a><br />After two days in Siem Reap, we headed to Phnom Penh for an education on the Cambodian Genocide. Pictures of that in the next post!<br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-32166884813581388022011-03-17T22:51:00.008+07:002011-03-18T00:20:28.173+07:00Too busy getting stamps in my passport to blog!After a 2 month hiatus, I'm blogging again! I just got home (Thailand home.. don't get too excited!) from a quick trip to Cambodia and Vietnam with two of my friends. The school term just finished and we had time to squeeze in a bit of traveling before they head back home to America! Our first stop was Siem Reap, Cambodia, where we spent two days exploring Angkor Wat. From there, we went on to Phnom Penh to see some of the (rather nauseating) sites involved in the Cambodian genocide. We then spent three days in Vietnam exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, boating through the Mekong Delta, biking through a rural island town, educating ourselves about the Viet Cong and the Vietnam War, exploring Ho Chi Minh City, and of course eating lots of amazing food! The entire trip was absolutely amazing. Nothing I could say would do it justice, but maybe some pictures will do the job...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Our first morning in Siem Reap, we woke up nice and early and got to Angkor Wat to watch the sunrise. It was cloudy, but still beautiful!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVWkMlDA0UWwHHao0wO9EUv31TXvS3F5j8rgiSispmRtXDlapkVggQ9p2qHfC-wdMh7xkzCtjSmfyeINIPMiVMXerrNLsxjgOVpn5CjgofyJCRYG0ImGRejMx1BFwt5J4BIuNUf8GBtaH/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVWkMlDA0UWwHHao0wO9EUv31TXvS3F5j8rgiSispmRtXDlapkVggQ9p2qHfC-wdMh7xkzCtjSmfyeINIPMiVMXerrNLsxjgOVpn5CjgofyJCRYG0ImGRejMx1BFwt5J4BIuNUf8GBtaH/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585087562053646818" border="0" /></a><br />A rather appropriate depiction of how my eyes were working when we woke up at 4 in the morning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewphD3lyCKupSKbj_mL3C2DgoRfMx2jwKRRqIcYwIXWZ_83tTsVDWaGNcJJh8cJpsQ0u4GLNYFC76eLWo_5lMk5Hg-42BAtUxdvE6xGjFfAjjVkqFhJYoW0TceuzZcvt9ClA9puH4ugoc/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewphD3lyCKupSKbj_mL3C2DgoRfMx2jwKRRqIcYwIXWZ_83tTsVDWaGNcJJh8cJpsQ0u4GLNYFC76eLWo_5lMk5Hg-42BAtUxdvE6xGjFfAjjVkqFhJYoW0TceuzZcvt9ClA9puH4ugoc/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585087562544020690" border="0" /></a><br />The sunrise from inside of Angkor Wat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIu4EzF1kZMWWqjaTXLXyPFOjRSDL3haUupCq7Y1ngrblsLlBmz9IGDwdSgIVQa2Y5RK6Z0vsykNhOCBE-UxtFRG6KtEekfq70YJ_89GrTa9Ux3j2mkIk5ZGaN0zisGZaKFWxx_uYPDZHY/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIu4EzF1kZMWWqjaTXLXyPFOjRSDL3haUupCq7Y1ngrblsLlBmz9IGDwdSgIVQa2Y5RK6Z0vsykNhOCBE-UxtFRG6KtEekfq70YJ_89GrTa9Ux3j2mkIk5ZGaN0zisGZaKFWxx_uYPDZHY/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585087567878764082" border="0" /></a><br />Beautiful is an understatement...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7h6mJm_0OtXt5HujN0_PRtq3ix7sQf4vJsEotQNU2xEjcLIoW2cq5w4D3NNDptY2etIBmIE9G7tQGF1n2o4j4ThuNlul-FdZc_RMKsbPSkRtA8wx33wbwU971-idAIhrruNNcsZ6Q8Qj/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7h6mJm_0OtXt5HujN0_PRtq3ix7sQf4vJsEotQNU2xEjcLIoW2cq5w4D3NNDptY2etIBmIE9G7tQGF1n2o4j4ThuNlul-FdZc_RMKsbPSkRtA8wx33wbwU971-idAIhrruNNcsZ6Q8Qj/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585087229017765698" border="0" /></a><br />KJ and I at one of the temples. We're tiny, but this makes us look even smaller than we really are!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4tlyUMLTNGj9HIP0xB3g3k3zmEZMRmfL82SVVbhyXcbJKOAdz8jOjfudB6Ig7nXVF5ahXvMqOxo9uk7ir3UhThQe4_-efTReh6nHp16o1JTFaUB8W1NYi9f8Ri4_8MjAlSUJ5ZdqQipM/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4tlyUMLTNGj9HIP0xB3g3k3zmEZMRmfL82SVVbhyXcbJKOAdz8jOjfudB6Ig7nXVF5ahXvMqOxo9uk7ir3UhThQe4_-efTReh6nHp16o1JTFaUB8W1NYi9f8Ri4_8MjAlSUJ5ZdqQipM/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585087244992654818" border="0" /></a><br />This isn't an illusion... these stairs really do go straight up! This particular section was closed off, but we climbed more than our fair share of steep steps.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6TR8ST-0iSFXhY4n9xR8UxeNtAlhYdGCnqQGZxC4yXNfcEPx7Zu-te8c6Rl_v5f7_n6AVdq4ItnCuNrBcva7kbXIjYryGY0-N5FxV9aCJKUJ2OARhA-TfMTNWj_f0ACORENDrGmwyPx3/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6TR8ST-0iSFXhY4n9xR8UxeNtAlhYdGCnqQGZxC4yXNfcEPx7Zu-te8c6Rl_v5f7_n6AVdq4ItnCuNrBcva7kbXIjYryGY0-N5FxV9aCJKUJ2OARhA-TfMTNWj_f0ACORENDrGmwyPx3/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585087238265048098" border="0" /></a><br />One of maybe 50 statues lining the path to a temple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNGTLKVSRn0i2Qtvcw30ZCyDYooGmZcCAZAaNLmcpT53kYtQAedAqLmjdFV-CcHINtHWGLmW9_vuWB8U8APAGbqYkXUncQpMQ9O6D6RERFVTcO411T65HnOkyl9k7JMavmDXjsDHNRnQb/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNGTLKVSRn0i2Qtvcw30ZCyDYooGmZcCAZAaNLmcpT53kYtQAedAqLmjdFV-CcHINtHWGLmW9_vuWB8U8APAGbqYkXUncQpMQ9O6D6RERFVTcO411T65HnOkyl9k7JMavmDXjsDHNRnQb/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585087231743939474" border="0" /></a><br />Siem Reap!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZHbt0TG6ZgYVBCrDd0jucCsHcle8sU-of4M6WMg51J2hGgBN_Bg15-bco1f7xvrV41ukBlcu8t_sCUhFObuhgiawV5-hj3jozoOdM_rh4lHHMJuv0a-blTJhl_rxxc_Bsso96hKFqjOT/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZHbt0TG6ZgYVBCrDd0jucCsHcle8sU-of4M6WMg51J2hGgBN_Bg15-bco1f7xvrV41ukBlcu8t_sCUhFObuhgiawV5-hj3jozoOdM_rh4lHHMJuv0a-blTJhl_rxxc_Bsso96hKFqjOT/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585087227819623602" border="0" /></a><br />Almost every inch of every temple is adorned by intricate carvings like this. I can't even imagine how much work went into it all!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZW3Fb9grdxmZoe85DzTpVOFkc6hinwp0swRQeoGRcECUo_iMVp3W7Oc104bZgjBxjWNJ6KsF7txT27lQjersGC91Ryou8UPmxW7CzdbXCQu3uqGK6p6KaGEvHCgN4f-DiV6O56FIT0mk/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZW3Fb9grdxmZoe85DzTpVOFkc6hinwp0swRQeoGRcECUo_iMVp3W7Oc104bZgjBxjWNJ6KsF7txT27lQjersGC91Ryou8UPmxW7CzdbXCQu3uqGK6p6KaGEvHCgN4f-DiV6O56FIT0mk/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585086635081645330" border="0" /></a><br />Temples, temples, TEMPLES!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsINv5herbaayOzTQeBX8iPG9QcltH17Esgtnr6DLnEytQ1Dh0kM0w7cCsc8lYgnIjTeSZf8vyvwWa2xGk1mafRCx_P1VFMSKD7IdSiUDQXvvP5xOV3317_jF3WoF-eDLIwum8rQPpFQW/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsINv5herbaayOzTQeBX8iPG9QcltH17Esgtnr6DLnEytQ1Dh0kM0w7cCsc8lYgnIjTeSZf8vyvwWa2xGk1mafRCx_P1VFMSKD7IdSiUDQXvvP5xOV3317_jF3WoF-eDLIwum8rQPpFQW/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585086629875373602" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not sure why, but this was my favorite part of the entire temple complex. There's something about the way all of the stones fit together that I think is so beautiful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pj0ZZCqmnTXyzYjkeRiJRWqXMXrcejw9GyF0KXNdbIQslm92kbv1wF2aBpJ2miG_E2bk973Qc5S19dJJc0RTaxMjHmk3u0nYQJ8wZLqktx3ge6LpBIlQyYgoDjyzAwk7oE7pAPOnB391/s1600/011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pj0ZZCqmnTXyzYjkeRiJRWqXMXrcejw9GyF0KXNdbIQslm92kbv1wF2aBpJ2miG_E2bk973Qc5S19dJJc0RTaxMjHmk3u0nYQJ8wZLqktx3ge6LpBIlQyYgoDjyzAwk7oE7pAPOnB391/s400/011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585086627172521186" border="0" /></a><br />A shot of me for the folks back home...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1tkfckb9xXATVgCIGPTNqxaUwWE7RvdOJ-jHBsJXd-mSswBRsooUKUbLiPYdBoFgcq77o9gQNYbRAe4TtqzvxZZRsC6be3_tVDTzkVNubpCeJ5_pnPrzOC7SAk3FTQFB6GhDZGr70Wj4/s1600/012.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1tkfckb9xXATVgCIGPTNqxaUwWE7RvdOJ-jHBsJXd-mSswBRsooUKUbLiPYdBoFgcq77o9gQNYbRAe4TtqzvxZZRsC6be3_tVDTzkVNubpCeJ5_pnPrzOC7SAk3FTQFB6GhDZGr70Wj4/s400/012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585086623660738482" border="0" /></a><br />There's nothing like frolicking through ancient ruins!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnbmRCvq8Awdrq6wFTzllR15Vc_3l9BEt071KhCIaMJ_X1IaAcyU1mwzn0Kgr3mO6_nefEVre_UwDHs1vnRqwuqpeGHiMvrZn5btrG5wXnIG6c3yhbkEvsVz9T1gfGYXXPFvqPLx9ObL8/s1600/013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnbmRCvq8Awdrq6wFTzllR15Vc_3l9BEt071KhCIaMJ_X1IaAcyU1mwzn0Kgr3mO6_nefEVre_UwDHs1vnRqwuqpeGHiMvrZn5btrG5wXnIG6c3yhbkEvsVz9T1gfGYXXPFvqPLx9ObL8/s400/013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585086619323061778" border="0" /></a><br />Me and Domo: same same!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSouIRqi8thUnSDQzO29k5l-ajMQWRNwN0qlRRcVcKsQnuMkXk9W71JCHcEx7Dam8LV8iTc2xzWLcFG1MxAjRT4yHAXnJQ9sQAf-gRYkpshD6JPT3DIicKGQdk-r7ZME6KIw1KvgQJOF_u/s1600/014.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSouIRqi8thUnSDQzO29k5l-ajMQWRNwN0qlRRcVcKsQnuMkXk9W71JCHcEx7Dam8LV8iTc2xzWLcFG1MxAjRT4yHAXnJQ9sQAf-gRYkpshD6JPT3DIicKGQdk-r7ZME6KIw1KvgQJOF_u/s400/014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585085427955685826" border="0" /></a><br />I spy an elephant...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdMoO5I_smtdBIX-Wg1htRT28B-VmH8bch8ItNPxw8HI4YIS15sPILWB17T3Argdi4a7t4-xhvL73a2GSKlCs1-ljOKbHj1T3YRJXT7Uwm1o2Z5m0055Di42AKBgP7nyfIZCNjFhV5day/s1600/015.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdMoO5I_smtdBIX-Wg1htRT28B-VmH8bch8ItNPxw8HI4YIS15sPILWB17T3Argdi4a7t4-xhvL73a2GSKlCs1-ljOKbHj1T3YRJXT7Uwm1o2Z5m0055Di42AKBgP7nyfIZCNjFhV5day/s400/015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585085427714543842" border="0" /></a><br />Our tuk tuk driver for the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzqvDRUDtEiWf3Qo7G02bsyC0cvtrF96Zoh1VjijPex-rs_aM9k4N4OFZDdMIzdgrwV6-c7-tMvVqsgA_ikFoWUY5ejkjI9xhKazX8bBGxbSbywE-JL9-P9Li6tY4DMcEHvE67Bq4jHAx/s1600/016.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzqvDRUDtEiWf3Qo7G02bsyC0cvtrF96Zoh1VjijPex-rs_aM9k4N4OFZDdMIzdgrwV6-c7-tMvVqsgA_ikFoWUY5ejkjI9xhKazX8bBGxbSbywE-JL9-P9Li6tY4DMcEHvE67Bq4jHAx/s400/016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585085422231055906" border="0" /></a><br />My happy travel buddies, KJ and Erin.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsPiY8cjNyedtDcRws3nYjr9yrC01ttI4g6heC_BEHdg_wUiWXqzgcsj_i7CQWkHtBi04kc9P02FdX9hx-_S-jMdNxcbQxZkyAbIf9keT37ERzhCCtM7Wx66Ee0tMUTd9HNGPX3bd2VKZ/s1600/017.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsPiY8cjNyedtDcRws3nYjr9yrC01ttI4g6heC_BEHdg_wUiWXqzgcsj_i7CQWkHtBi04kc9P02FdX9hx-_S-jMdNxcbQxZkyAbIf9keT37ERzhCCtM7Wx66Ee0tMUTd9HNGPX3bd2VKZ/s400/017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585085415347454258" border="0" /></a><br />Just hanging out, flying through Angkor Wat...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8yIGX6akDgmLNwcL74bLi7UXa60aqIlVJTDGush1NleXo3rO5P3ZI4GEeS0ByvUrAteLkQfD45nxsDBJs2XHBL3PQk91_QDiFWafG7rgyZGArzjzIiK8x8b8cJ50dAQyl8Pdus_tRLYL/s1600/018.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8yIGX6akDgmLNwcL74bLi7UXa60aqIlVJTDGush1NleXo3rO5P3ZI4GEeS0ByvUrAteLkQfD45nxsDBJs2XHBL3PQk91_QDiFWafG7rgyZGArzjzIiK8x8b8cJ50dAQyl8Pdus_tRLYL/s400/018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585085414588351170" border="0" /></a><br />Erin, taking it all in!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkT4XOehUeAm5mRYQdRO-o5NdUJDsFC1cZo4iuTD3s_qq08_shaM31JwD8IMx_N-GIWG55h9Zg-8MgM48d9n3ItCdjSCMBdzd3YBXPYpk5uj3_wBt4euazVT2rBZLz2vuT1-DIA2UaN_a/s1600/019.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkT4XOehUeAm5mRYQdRO-o5NdUJDsFC1cZo4iuTD3s_qq08_shaM31JwD8IMx_N-GIWG55h9Zg-8MgM48d9n3ItCdjSCMBdzd3YBXPYpk5uj3_wBt4euazVT2rBZLz2vuT1-DIA2UaN_a/s400/019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585083514909470450" border="0" /></a><br />I told you these stairs were steep! I had to mentally prepare myself to start down the "staircase", so I took some photos as an excuse to wait a bit longer to go down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyP5-17MYOA1ZOXz77ITf8T56giTCJjcdANSobXITHooF5yAObwnUqA1bJyS2TKHrioI7SoPSjZtQSZ5T4kYKmHW9igmzzwvDy5DcGBdrVGonZTSPzopmfCkaopCD0heeBCEa3q45vtx7/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyP5-17MYOA1ZOXz77ITf8T56giTCJjcdANSobXITHooF5yAObwnUqA1bJyS2TKHrioI7SoPSjZtQSZ5T4kYKmHW9igmzzwvDy5DcGBdrVGonZTSPzopmfCkaopCD0heeBCEa3q45vtx7/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585083508723484274" border="0" /></a><br />We almost look like we're part of the carvings, right??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-2z5_eMfdDv7Oku-Q0WNIgapPUGCoPQXC0d9bZmOhxHklc0S7HxIdeq6Yfoaxz3aw9uPBqTzroQMyw6NoTXClz96B9iGmRddI-0iSl5J8dds6ldXeNe3TLTglV2U30_Hm0fTEOM9JnHz/s1600/23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-2z5_eMfdDv7Oku-Q0WNIgapPUGCoPQXC0d9bZmOhxHklc0S7HxIdeq6Yfoaxz3aw9uPBqTzroQMyw6NoTXClz96B9iGmRddI-0iSl5J8dds6ldXeNe3TLTglV2U30_Hm0fTEOM9JnHz/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585083500425106818" border="0" /></a><br />These temples blow my mind!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGq33lWsOmFCqMpRM_IikN_VHzqVuxV1hzk0MvznWHAl3KPPa9PzvyCY42ZxPlVQT8gs8QoHF8TNR0RSK6dcK-2HP9fwtX2az_PsOC6Fhhd6BsK8-pc5Kjs3sj_1lHtO1ao4mbi2zpoSjz/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGq33lWsOmFCqMpRM_IikN_VHzqVuxV1hzk0MvznWHAl3KPPa9PzvyCY42ZxPlVQT8gs8QoHF8TNR0RSK6dcK-2HP9fwtX2az_PsOC6Fhhd6BsK8-pc5Kjs3sj_1lHtO1ao4mbi2zpoSjz/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585083509110603346" border="0" /></a><br />One last photo for the fans at home...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4kkgBjtz2SVWq_L5NZkCPh1ITb0di_6vQcjbw41mk24HoYqtVcGba7moTi2JJMeo_eR5mlusHyNdcdb-F_DTEpyn-6tLhUJB4lEzBZFYA7R_SJcIs1L1rn8VInndby7bus3u4s1hLGGG/s1600/22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4kkgBjtz2SVWq_L5NZkCPh1ITb0di_6vQcjbw41mk24HoYqtVcGba7moTi2JJMeo_eR5mlusHyNdcdb-F_DTEpyn-6tLhUJB4lEzBZFYA7R_SJcIs1L1rn8VInndby7bus3u4s1hLGGG/s400/22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585083503598154194" border="0" /></a><br />The perfect photo to end with... happy travelers at the end of a great day =) I stole this one from KJ but it's just too cute not to post!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_DVkQVi8gyaZBL6NZM-LSsRlA0FxUTdHHwy1-dvPdyJEuQFIviYWdScb8sG-NvTdBC3uV51yqEFJDBe9FU__M6Rwd-2ZGkF3zPQjgJakCcfYcoEuZmzE4o24c6NLvN0vaYBdI_v4Osn_/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_DVkQVi8gyaZBL6NZM-LSsRlA0FxUTdHHwy1-dvPdyJEuQFIviYWdScb8sG-NvTdBC3uV51yqEFJDBe9FU__M6Rwd-2ZGkF3zPQjgJakCcfYcoEuZmzE4o24c6NLvN0vaYBdI_v4Osn_/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585099020741740066" border="0" /></a><br />After going through all of these photos, I'm almost as exhausted as I was that day! Check back tomorrow for photos from day 2 at Angkor Wat!<br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-75834733682220099162011-01-11T17:32:00.001+07:002011-01-11T17:32:36.480+07:00New Layout!I'm working on getting a new layout up and running... sit tight!Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-56222237138501478762011-01-11T10:38:00.007+07:002011-01-12T11:10:16.259+07:00Sawadee Pee Mai!The next stop on our trip was Chiang Mai, which is in the north of Thailand. It's one of my favorite cities in Thailand... it's got everything you need like a big city, but without the chaotic atmosphere. I thought it would be a great place to ring in the new year, and actually proved to be even more perfect than I could have hoped! We did do some sightseeing while we were up there, but those pictures will come in a later post. For now, here's a look at what may have been my favorite New Year's celebration yet!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Back in November I posted about the Thai holiday, <a href="http://maiaowpet.blogspot.com/2010/11/loy-krathong-at-school.html">Loy Krathong</a>. Thais release floating krathongs down the river and they send all bad things with them. In Chiang Mai, they are known for releasing a different kind of krathong into the air, rather than the tradition ones in the water. Their's work like hot air balloons and float away until they disappear into the night sky. They also release them on New Year's Eve in order to cleanse themselves of all negative energy and get a clean start to the New Year. Seeing thousands of these krathongs lighting up the night sky was definitely one of the highlights of the trip!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBdkt5bgz_JoxWfz294-n6MB67Z7KhB5Xz2836iE7HMdfLsAkV6HDtxpLiXGczzqZu38Jjo8DKqBH3r7LFagwri9388lSYpn00cSzSAqDI5qulvqIRr0lCtyFlLrQFaejkqyeI-rz7Jh9/s1600/25.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBdkt5bgz_JoxWfz294-n6MB67Z7KhB5Xz2836iE7HMdfLsAkV6HDtxpLiXGczzqZu38Jjo8DKqBH3r7LFagwri9388lSYpn00cSzSAqDI5qulvqIRr0lCtyFlLrQFaejkqyeI-rz7Jh9/s400/25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560768630799716258" border="0" /></a><br />We released ours at a temple, where the monks were helping all of us first timers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MaggBVrS9-jTJelUpkMHCC3OuTzskm82_qDQGN_LVI_i2ft_qr-bITHwew6rBSjFBvLC_FmoZt98Z2pm0aoa7sUYYOnYK9UHeJw7FJ17eqBjYof7sx5QtY6pCPUVBvDlDKCC3nO1ETIu/s1600/26.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MaggBVrS9-jTJelUpkMHCC3OuTzskm82_qDQGN_LVI_i2ft_qr-bITHwew6rBSjFBvLC_FmoZt98Z2pm0aoa7sUYYOnYK9UHeJw7FJ17eqBjYof7sx5QtY6pCPUVBvDlDKCC3nO1ETIu/s400/26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560768624777104322" border="0" /></a><br />Really, what could be better? If you ask me, this definitely beats out the celebration in New York City!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHPK-yHUwe9s4Z8SylZDUlsHlMpZfg2NVH56le0K4o0Pw0cnvBvRZLcg54IX4HT29IvgKTRlFFotbl3FuukV-h0v8fWkzAdfsp-t1Zob2FX_sRAKH8K4CSRrwlmJmJFf8kExaNWbv9gzZ/s1600/27.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHPK-yHUwe9s4Z8SylZDUlsHlMpZfg2NVH56le0K4o0Pw0cnvBvRZLcg54IX4HT29IvgKTRlFFotbl3FuukV-h0v8fWkzAdfsp-t1Zob2FX_sRAKH8K4CSRrwlmJmJFf8kExaNWbv9gzZ/s400/27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560768624093605634" border="0" /></a><br />It amazed me that there weren't any mishaps with so much fire just floating around! Krathongs were floating mere inches over people's heads and getting stuck in trees left and right but somehow, I didn't see a single thing catch on fire. Unless you count a few of the krathongs themselves...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jrNlzpEEsCDmGgz4ZcrCJOzE6iNA82vyMmTGOQ_MaBLEMcH6DW9VgIBEg29arsr56PeOvehzazGGqiS42X1sjitRpsxp4qc10nK9iNzYsMvHDzqmoAaJgpjp99Ii5JiBz8dsjSOMLGdr/s1600/28.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jrNlzpEEsCDmGgz4ZcrCJOzE6iNA82vyMmTGOQ_MaBLEMcH6DW9VgIBEg29arsr56PeOvehzazGGqiS42X1sjitRpsxp4qc10nK9iNzYsMvHDzqmoAaJgpjp99Ii5JiBz8dsjSOMLGdr/s400/28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560768617595809458" border="0" /></a><br />The view down the river, where the krathongs were being released and the fireworks were set off. It felt like it was straight out of a movie! Or at least straight out of Europe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR5DT5oZGBzbJgIHAQql6bTZ05_FuIG3QHM1tmdj-IBRf54qBYIXgrYpaaumWnMwUMmYRyucQc4KiZ2Kq_9QKv3tiAqwcshyphenhyphenT09V2A13JitIC3xq1s8k_VuXaePK_12085PoFKcvmqWBq/s1600/29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR5DT5oZGBzbJgIHAQql6bTZ05_FuIG3QHM1tmdj-IBRf54qBYIXgrYpaaumWnMwUMmYRyucQc4KiZ2Kq_9QKv3tiAqwcshyphenhyphenT09V2A13JitIC3xq1s8k_VuXaePK_12085PoFKcvmqWBq/s400/29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560768617223403762" border="0" /></a><br />As if the regular ones aren't awesome enough, they even make panda krathongs! And as if THAT'S not enough, they also had hearts, soccer balls, Thai flags, and ones adorned with images celebrating the Year of the Rabbit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROlCsZWVBPR9T-QZZMxfKYXvm3N29BjaWG7c2_rG5C4rVlCN_r2XgDCbV0XY3pgyAE0Q-l7jgRMhRdGbyE6t5Hw-5KvRyBJ09K3KZPpV8FawEDDgR9LSYLs_ffAeOpk_j7e-3SlSEVd3m/s1600/30.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROlCsZWVBPR9T-QZZMxfKYXvm3N29BjaWG7c2_rG5C4rVlCN_r2XgDCbV0XY3pgyAE0Q-l7jgRMhRdGbyE6t5Hw-5KvRyBJ09K3KZPpV8FawEDDgR9LSYLs_ffAeOpk_j7e-3SlSEVd3m/s400/30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560768014964243298" border="0" /></a><br />My parents watching the fireworks...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHlPvQPKX8Uk9UIYumQPuYjS7uNIe-Tx2kKkkuq4N26v7bPN2KJlQPX4Vohsl_4oPMq8xR2EUC_x8_EUqlJb6aJZQ1QfQnr-pkj0tinNwYVYIdxVWwOZAS2YHWvdO22rc5ChQ4Y1mB4zK/s1600/33.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHlPvQPKX8Uk9UIYumQPuYjS7uNIe-Tx2kKkkuq4N26v7bPN2KJlQPX4Vohsl_4oPMq8xR2EUC_x8_EUqlJb6aJZQ1QfQnr-pkj0tinNwYVYIdxVWwOZAS2YHWvdO22rc5ChQ4Y1mB4zK/s400/33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560768014214498050" border="0" /></a><br />Like I said, it felt like something straight out of a movie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdS2GNu9P4Lzr0xbULMLKVLidwLPv0khazFN0L8eF9x7BF6B0SZHh0Ks27np7difRykmUByK2v0NHKZBazIMhpEAgFe3qnKDO_Isgsic_un2UmzIbeZy-tlnMr4g1cPOiOUhI0tSklLce/s1600/32.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdS2GNu9P4Lzr0xbULMLKVLidwLPv0khazFN0L8eF9x7BF6B0SZHh0Ks27np7difRykmUByK2v0NHKZBazIMhpEAgFe3qnKDO_Isgsic_un2UmzIbeZy-tlnMr4g1cPOiOUhI0tSklLce/s400/32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560768013907050066" border="0" /></a><br />People looking on as the fireworks signaled the start of the New Year. It was such a different atmosphere than you find at celebrations in America. No obnoxious drunk people, no wild parties... just a happy and peaceful environment with families and cute Asian couples enjoying themselves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBI_7jqC8zZWcEQ2J2YQeFRlg25Rzz13IHIqze5DB1I9IYe2coen-k20PI3ruiBmhdYeYkfxPjbvwwDVcLEekWBzlOz6ustZbv_aVo6GUhslrG6WqM2OdxLdzP09Bkv-fYiEeZYffWXb9p/s1600/34.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBI_7jqC8zZWcEQ2J2YQeFRlg25Rzz13IHIqze5DB1I9IYe2coen-k20PI3ruiBmhdYeYkfxPjbvwwDVcLEekWBzlOz6ustZbv_aVo6GUhslrG6WqM2OdxLdzP09Bkv-fYiEeZYffWXb9p/s400/34.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560768008665616914" border="0" /></a><br />Each of those little dots is a Krathong, and this doesn't even do justice to how many of them there were. I wish I could say that's a shooting start going through them all, but I guess letting you know it's a firework is awesome enough!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2bYTUU4H8d9Uyou0I_a5gOyBsR-MP8u7eyNHv9H8BBcWYO5sCfaBglnfTYRhBaPggFtIaBz2V619alyy0hdSzNPqFRD68NzMzImjZpdystOe1lMcIXPMGxnd2TP_B4pVW0oMY16THj3f/s1600/36.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2bYTUU4H8d9Uyou0I_a5gOyBsR-MP8u7eyNHv9H8BBcWYO5sCfaBglnfTYRhBaPggFtIaBz2V619alyy0hdSzNPqFRD68NzMzImjZpdystOe1lMcIXPMGxnd2TP_B4pVW0oMY16THj3f/s400/36.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560767998900855490" border="0" /></a><br />I'll say it again, I'll take this celebration over New Year's Eve in America anyday!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Coming Soon: A Day at Khao Yai, a National Park right here in Saraburi</span>!<br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-61557548420559730762011-01-07T19:34:00.012+07:002011-01-07T21:16:27.828+07:00Nama TwemeI'd been telling my parents about the kids at Future Light for months, so they were so excited to finally head up to Mae Sot and see things for themselves. As I opened the gate to the school, I was immediately swarmed by 33 smiling kids begging for hugs. I quickly found myself smiling from ear to ear and it didn't take long for my parents to follow suit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">These kids never cease to impress me. When we arrived on that first day, they were on school holidays. Tadalie (the oldest girl) was teaching the rest of the kids a lesson to make up for that lost time in school. I don't know what I was more impressed with- the fact that every single kid was giving Tadalie their undivided attention, or the fact that a 13 year old was able to HOLD their attention.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Tu68FsQjvJcnrXePXobKnQljL-T6AnCOtAUqpt4OdlfYTS7YVLjuSWCM8tmB82oFuNrQ5RzjbRoqFYox3Gc5M6BYCtiYByYm0sYr_CcqEHQKp7r-sTSoQUX0Z5Eehe6i8N8zzMsX3iBw/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Tu68FsQjvJcnrXePXobKnQljL-T6AnCOtAUqpt4OdlfYTS7YVLjuSWCM8tmB82oFuNrQ5RzjbRoqFYox3Gc5M6BYCtiYByYm0sYr_CcqEHQKp7r-sTSoQUX0Z5Eehe6i8N8zzMsX3iBw/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559424274125313186" border="0" /></a><br />The six youngest kids had their lesson taught by Ita's (the house mother's) niece. I could tell they were antsy, but they still sat (relatively) still, payed attention, and did all of their work. Show me an American 6 year old who is that disciplined and I will bow down and kiss your feet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SkvB0QMfIAnV_wAHpNzqLMqr4AFPXtnCBcaOTPa9mtGsD4CCW1XWpnGArOfayoCy7jwOhSOwTqqaWcSXB_qW3FUFqKWIgrRKW8oDr3poH1r34_BcoiSdcr8UomLxoQ6evXPf8qq0Jkyw/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SkvB0QMfIAnV_wAHpNzqLMqr4AFPXtnCBcaOTPa9mtGsD4CCW1XWpnGArOfayoCy7jwOhSOwTqqaWcSXB_qW3FUFqKWIgrRKW8oDr3poH1r34_BcoiSdcr8UomLxoQ6evXPf8qq0Jkyw/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559424284155958466" border="0" /></a><br />Tadalie's a strict grader!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0EjBqCH7rwUNlcUA9be1I1tTTKBuzpWTFwDgla-0rSEe5IxruOHMLNq4cN1n8UeGmu5Qt0rgtEsqTWwy-Kf-h-2kSp5yGk6_3yOYGlA1n6N-J3lkyXgUi7cn6adXJLSVv5Rwwl6VBlku/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0EjBqCH7rwUNlcUA9be1I1tTTKBuzpWTFwDgla-0rSEe5IxruOHMLNq4cN1n8UeGmu5Qt0rgtEsqTWwy-Kf-h-2kSp5yGk6_3yOYGlA1n6N-J3lkyXgUi7cn6adXJLSVv5Rwwl6VBlku/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559424279054604306" border="0" /></a><br />Chili playing the drum while rocking his new Nikon jogging suit...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWuMv6tLJ8GIIBCcmri7mNzSNwp-1UjGbtDR4NruZuCyCjGdzHfPagHCfiFrR1cwr_5FXM_mYV2oanKbJnIK96-JTP1hL7M3uktoWIBJWYGq7G1iWXKadgZOCWkasDgdg4NlHpGmnd9by/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWuMv6tLJ8GIIBCcmri7mNzSNwp-1UjGbtDR4NruZuCyCjGdzHfPagHCfiFrR1cwr_5FXM_mYV2oanKbJnIK96-JTP1hL7M3uktoWIBJWYGq7G1iWXKadgZOCWkasDgdg4NlHpGmnd9by/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559424273564456418" border="0" /></a><br />Susa, Chator, and I!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1p2Fb_1CduNyOPMYaT2Wan5PhKnMfTP2aNhXapHl0JF8ea_vCKxTyQ7pPLkf0EgjcisInZ8xX5mMP0tNpA6hV_proTB68qUS49HBq7H2-d8BlbDiK39UlGaTdl2ubKlM_WlHV-quEUKV/s1600/01_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1p2Fb_1CduNyOPMYaT2Wan5PhKnMfTP2aNhXapHl0JF8ea_vCKxTyQ7pPLkf0EgjcisInZ8xX5mMP0tNpA6hV_proTB68qUS49HBq7H2-d8BlbDiK39UlGaTdl2ubKlM_WlHV-quEUKV/s400/01_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559440790205848018" border="0" /></a><br />Tastee Subs make you strong! Think they'll mail me some subs if I do an advertisement for them?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqq0dVYGCucqhjwomNUxPn4gFiyqoXTNVD-6rXMmF19Bxopr8ZrB4h2DKMLjBhiNjiVN-POtHtUlP2Yb1ICHsYSm-Ss_Iy38h4H1ILkiMP9OpdtP8-ObK8qz9aUFnp2941pSDeXG1sNc0/s1600/02_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqq0dVYGCucqhjwomNUxPn4gFiyqoXTNVD-6rXMmF19Bxopr8ZrB4h2DKMLjBhiNjiVN-POtHtUlP2Yb1ICHsYSm-Ss_Iy38h4H1ILkiMP9OpdtP8-ObK8qz9aUFnp2941pSDeXG1sNc0/s400/02_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559440792378240642" border="0" /></a><br />Nunu, Susa, and I think my Dad and I are in there somewhere too...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZCOMCVh1NL8oQkz3zzsMNisBibM-glFE4zuRrN-o5FFiA7AabsYoPWPc4MO5QaKJImVw2JViXh36qI_dqdbxuBTXF9qy26ewQeoOEh_iWu7Hh3eP2i_GZcIiguMSye6ZyBuybvCo7hiK/s1600/03_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZCOMCVh1NL8oQkz3zzsMNisBibM-glFE4zuRrN-o5FFiA7AabsYoPWPc4MO5QaKJImVw2JViXh36qI_dqdbxuBTXF9qy26ewQeoOEh_iWu7Hh3eP2i_GZcIiguMSye6ZyBuybvCo7hiK/s400/03_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559440799346748978" border="0" /></a><br />Clearly, my Mom is the civilized one out of the three of us. While my Dad and I played outside, she and JoJo worked hard on making a whole world out of clay. Which they did ALL day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOX0VLexGnd-o3Boidz34DRTwJAsZuIFPLEH02TuSRzIufeFR-vPiEljBoLQ6iHSqmEoJcxTPpCmuyUOebTRCqBvJQzGA9AL4INdkstHOnXDJK8fF-d4eeMfWc8q9L7CB8IB1LIqVkaI0t/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOX0VLexGnd-o3Boidz34DRTwJAsZuIFPLEH02TuSRzIufeFR-vPiEljBoLQ6iHSqmEoJcxTPpCmuyUOebTRCqBvJQzGA9AL4INdkstHOnXDJK8fF-d4eeMfWc8q9L7CB8IB1LIqVkaI0t/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423774267911570" border="0" /></a><br />I'm starting to think Tada doesn't know how to stop smiling =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm2mecY7nWpltHo3gf-k9hEiSZzfLkm47ipGq3tdKzx7AdHJm1Qesn0VQle0eOVs3vRTAVFN_2dMBPF3H4kQo_6zhsnTdORlTTjOGX_YCXlqqhDUwkaNE-giVBfMfIIGVribYMWqzdYQB/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm2mecY7nWpltHo3gf-k9hEiSZzfLkm47ipGq3tdKzx7AdHJm1Qesn0VQle0eOVs3vRTAVFN_2dMBPF3H4kQo_6zhsnTdORlTTjOGX_YCXlqqhDUwkaNE-giVBfMfIIGVribYMWqzdYQB/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423769891793602" border="0" /></a><br />We gave the kids glow sticks one night and they only stopped playing with them when they were told it was bedtime. They were definitely a hit!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0UB9NKO8Lpxzpe95VB0yIMhcYeh-ePFtOLkERfbxOtKP26Z6LeP7cjFolkiCZRvzmWR8Ak-gLAkU5sv_jNZsbLEUd2O7ZzewQgUVkWQXHzEplX1HaArISXy8QWvFA7l5PgKxv2aPKKqd/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0UB9NKO8Lpxzpe95VB0yIMhcYeh-ePFtOLkERfbxOtKP26Z6LeP7cjFolkiCZRvzmWR8Ak-gLAkU5sv_jNZsbLEUd2O7ZzewQgUVkWQXHzEplX1HaArISXy8QWvFA7l5PgKxv2aPKKqd/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423765327301554" border="0" /></a><br />My parents, just outside of Future Light, watching the sunset over Burma.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WCUeobU-nOiKpn_U4aOoeaBnqDvD5Ve8NqXHUZivrV5TmE6h15pgJAgu1DDzeiQUM1K30t0BiXBybWkl0JAbeFRUXO6_NKIyGZjk2XQFK66lJ3GTpcVLXaTyQEzSmL-IzSNr6U5DsuGm/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WCUeobU-nOiKpn_U4aOoeaBnqDvD5Ve8NqXHUZivrV5TmE6h15pgJAgu1DDzeiQUM1K30t0BiXBybWkl0JAbeFRUXO6_NKIyGZjk2XQFK66lJ3GTpcVLXaTyQEzSmL-IzSNr6U5DsuGm/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423766279047122" border="0" /></a><br />We got official "Future Light Home School" t-shirts printed for all of the kids and the staff. I designed them, a family friend printed them (thank you, Fana!), and my parents lugged them all the way across the world. They were months in the making, so I was so happy to finally have them in my hands. I was even happier to see how good they looked on everyone, especially when the kids accessorized with those awesomely big and grateful smiles they like to wear =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ncgAnlpN0q0bVDAZU4fryQn0NR_LEGk9p7yPfgzj2HgiPvNBTVskX654FKy2j_abK7CrBVG6cJhRzFLAAQvBeDhNWzr7II34D_Lxx6Fb65W3aP72mqo79A_oyzuQMKRE-Bxs8tMczlZ3/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ncgAnlpN0q0bVDAZU4fryQn0NR_LEGk9p7yPfgzj2HgiPvNBTVskX654FKy2j_abK7CrBVG6cJhRzFLAAQvBeDhNWzr7II34D_Lxx6Fb65W3aP72mqo79A_oyzuQMKRE-Bxs8tMczlZ3/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423761300584882" border="0" /></a><br />Susa being a ham, as usual...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yLEeWTeYp3SYrKI27IGJzBjYc6ApAXY-zGQkloJ1Gmj9gfqq3bnFoujPheTE4JaiBG-1mkP8U-qEu3ugAAbc8RfHxSUUzqr6Ofd0HCcCv32tV-2hp2Ea_CyLusLEJag8Vi3QOt1tE46D/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yLEeWTeYp3SYrKI27IGJzBjYc6ApAXY-zGQkloJ1Gmj9gfqq3bnFoujPheTE4JaiBG-1mkP8U-qEu3ugAAbc8RfHxSUUzqr6Ofd0HCcCv32tV-2hp2Ea_CyLusLEJag8Vi3QOt1tE46D/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423333585885810" border="0" /></a><br />Adam looking nice and healthy... check out all that hair!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLQkOX1pf78cZs7gXrBhYjh2uWqOXwDJ3rcda46uamDkzjXYrQjR4eu4O4sDzkT3nQ1jOQ8CdOHXsEPRj9tOjW8ghNFbv7w_o_k7m-zqvaOymiJTaA5Khsu5fJF_0mCm7g6QESEMsOGFL/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLQkOX1pf78cZs7gXrBhYjh2uWqOXwDJ3rcda46uamDkzjXYrQjR4eu4O4sDzkT3nQ1jOQ8CdOHXsEPRj9tOjW8ghNFbv7w_o_k7m-zqvaOymiJTaA5Khsu5fJF_0mCm7g6QESEMsOGFL/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423329557001810" border="0" /></a><br />I swear Chator gets cuter every time I go up there...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMb_NlHWmBcRgX6xsrjv1Y1zJ62sJEKCnXaFY9dRPXwbxrVB6zyWF63vDZJPGvikC_9edIxYfxz0l1hyQarwpyJoa6-4d2MgVLSLQz4f-Mdg8vp9O8iwnSD4hbjAldmVrZyn1Rau_y1as/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMb_NlHWmBcRgX6xsrjv1Y1zJ62sJEKCnXaFY9dRPXwbxrVB6zyWF63vDZJPGvikC_9edIxYfxz0l1hyQarwpyJoa6-4d2MgVLSLQz4f-Mdg8vp9O8iwnSD4hbjAldmVrZyn1Rau_y1as/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423328183095394" border="0" /></a><br />The older girls were fascinated by a growing Christmas tree my parents brought for them. When I told them it was brought here from America just for them, I thought they were going to explode from excitement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEycGfqpJ503u8aTQdSbHIhVfiZK7ndRulyYiZ0FcgHq0cKEAuvP7TRRmbf-j4xdjBP4RmXvBV24GgUf5OhFfWEOzC2GBDkAa71w1KXIoGYtxo5l56Zn3lwqoKgjsStY0MCVYdMUw1pb6n/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEycGfqpJ503u8aTQdSbHIhVfiZK7ndRulyYiZ0FcgHq0cKEAuvP7TRRmbf-j4xdjBP4RmXvBV24GgUf5OhFfWEOzC2GBDkAa71w1KXIoGYtxo5l56Zn3lwqoKgjsStY0MCVYdMUw1pb6n/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423322601785970" border="0" /></a><br />Naychee LOVED my parents, and the feeling was definitely mutual! She gets my vote for "Most Improved" since the first time I was there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF8U5aZIFvIV7lN6NL2S2swyi2KizwLyVeexvvfDpTQHyxOxzI5M_8n2h_J75EUUSceoK-Evxqwofk7EvVLYHAuscvDu5cnq5EST0DfvI4M8l2GmQRR88cj8cUKHS-q7Ief-avSVaX5Mn/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFF8U5aZIFvIV7lN6NL2S2swyi2KizwLyVeexvvfDpTQHyxOxzI5M_8n2h_J75EUUSceoK-Evxqwofk7EvVLYHAuscvDu5cnq5EST0DfvI4M8l2GmQRR88cj8cUKHS-q7Ief-avSVaX5Mn/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559423321093349010" border="0" /></a><br />We gave the kids bubbles but they went through them pretty quickly. Being the little geniuses that they are, they made their own replacement bubbles out of water and soap... and dirt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuzEHWKq3DdsuGZId0JZUMCX7o8Ovog7j6hTUBuYBy3KjljbnAZ2AXX6tMIvhg2iRB2WnAcOoMffdaVJqoY0jZgViqdNoLZtd9BlqaPY9SXaUAv30wdU3htZCcQDZuhgLJ6R5uzaCzjia/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuzEHWKq3DdsuGZId0JZUMCX7o8Ovog7j6hTUBuYBy3KjljbnAZ2AXX6tMIvhg2iRB2WnAcOoMffdaVJqoY0jZgViqdNoLZtd9BlqaPY9SXaUAv30wdU3htZCcQDZuhgLJ6R5uzaCzjia/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559422838778201426" border="0" /></a><br />Bubbles and short sleeves in front of a Christmas tree? Welcome to winter in Thailand!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZHSPJdCbUJTs_AbPbD25rr_0vFESeav1aem1n1i3fjmq1q70wL_Q7rncubi4NqWDV_kLDO1EizGAChqpi1_uLG_Ou8-tvgvq1DsPjfdW_tdQQtjaHjaAFqIulz1VZFHcMhhDzcL6gqlk/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZHSPJdCbUJTs_AbPbD25rr_0vFESeav1aem1n1i3fjmq1q70wL_Q7rncubi4NqWDV_kLDO1EizGAChqpi1_uLG_Ou8-tvgvq1DsPjfdW_tdQQtjaHjaAFqIulz1VZFHcMhhDzcL6gqlk/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559422835201833442" border="0" /></a><br />I think I've been replaced...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JQLhxx3urET-Z4cnfr7JoOl77pb3KrmNbSIN7RCzYeH4DuoXvOYgKd6STbvNvN6VG6PSc6OeCcuWpVBTriuWcZC9pTH2lMhx-5EWhrujbZBv6ijMDusv86BYErt2vjFp0ESbg036ERFX/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JQLhxx3urET-Z4cnfr7JoOl77pb3KrmNbSIN7RCzYeH4DuoXvOYgKd6STbvNvN6VG6PSc6OeCcuWpVBTriuWcZC9pTH2lMhx-5EWhrujbZBv6ijMDusv86BYErt2vjFp0ESbg036ERFX/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559422834498887266" border="0" /></a><br />Solid proof that even my mom had an amazing time... all dressed up AND posing!?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPEWS4n8KQyrZwWxBs9UkgNLqcM53S4KrBSvgHai7tHkxEBruvskTcis7HB_AIDNLFfsO1GZxoHN68foVOfACMzHsQhEn7S7dEjAuvVpVzriYM0AhB3Zb6SHSGfvTrhtYoQ0PVA6mRt5u/s1600/22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPEWS4n8KQyrZwWxBs9UkgNLqcM53S4KrBSvgHai7tHkxEBruvskTcis7HB_AIDNLFfsO1GZxoHN68foVOfACMzHsQhEn7S7dEjAuvVpVzriYM0AhB3Zb6SHSGfvTrhtYoQ0PVA6mRt5u/s400/22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559422827867070658" border="0" /></a><br />My Dad lit up by the headlights of a motorbike as the sun sets over Burma... the perfect end to a perfect few days in Mae Sot =) Nama Tweme, Future Light!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh6XNVRkFiweZsPlHHZHDMKXAazYMOmm4rsP03cASy5wqopPNogDCMdFaSgRW5uQG_IDGD4sKDLXSDn5qmUT1-pyycjPLlJwm74Ae0Cye0-4Hg2nQAZXObd1V3TccgRALYr-CzKuGL5ew/s1600/24.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXh6XNVRkFiweZsPlHHZHDMKXAazYMOmm4rsP03cASy5wqopPNogDCMdFaSgRW5uQG_IDGD4sKDLXSDn5qmUT1-pyycjPLlJwm74Ae0Cye0-4Hg2nQAZXObd1V3TccgRALYr-CzKuGL5ew/s400/24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559422826714946162" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Coming up next: New Year's in Chiang Mai!</span><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-40275061885310969012011-01-05T22:47:00.010+07:002011-01-05T23:39:00.208+07:00Christmas in BangkokThis year, I got the two best Christmas presents I could ever ask for- a visit from my parents and the chance to help and spend time with some amazing families in Bangkok. The visit from my parents was courtesy of my entire life's savings and the opportunity to help those families was courtesy of the amazing <a href="http://www.insearchofsanuk.com/">Dwight Turner</a> (who will henceforth be referred to as Saint Dwight). Saint Dwight is the patron saint of Bangkok slums, and has been helping a (rather large) handful of families put food on their tables and money in their landlords' hands. He took it upon himself to make Christmas special for these families and asked for some help in making it possible. That's where I come in. I "sponsored" two families and was rewarded by getting to spend Christmas just hanging out and getting to know them. My parents arrived on Christmas Eve, so the three of us headed to Bangkok on Christmas morning to enjoy the first leg of what turned out to be an amazing two week tour around Thailand.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">On a normal day, these families struggle to put food on their tables. On Christmas, there was so much extra food that the kids fed it to the birds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8OyjiIYFze-Ph4clQTIIk2B8SU1GsbJejMNCaDVx0k39zDO4GSOTIf1Gq69R23ybEoCI2mS-opPp62R2TRMqXZSgsMQ2SD7ZKLpenlg_SjhytjpG58pG7jZlyF7fqIDWXPgbL5UPXWX4/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8OyjiIYFze-Ph4clQTIIk2B8SU1GsbJejMNCaDVx0k39zDO4GSOTIf1Gq69R23ybEoCI2mS-opPp62R2TRMqXZSgsMQ2SD7ZKLpenlg_SjhytjpG58pG7jZlyF7fqIDWXPgbL5UPXWX4/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558731163877055138" border="0" /></a><br />How could you not smile with that cutie in your arms?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfACGB81wgtJHB4SCMqtjNPgDhF4dW5evECnqAO7ZexggPtbyzaUnUojB6N7xA2cEKJS4kb3SMHC-bf5KpsDjvrShGEMNkJcqpNsuweK45yINWcWg-tVH1nR_Ic3YUxGXeYTpWBofaAPTv/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfACGB81wgtJHB4SCMqtjNPgDhF4dW5evECnqAO7ZexggPtbyzaUnUojB6N7xA2cEKJS4kb3SMHC-bf5KpsDjvrShGEMNkJcqpNsuweK45yINWcWg-tVH1nR_Ic3YUxGXeYTpWBofaAPTv/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558731158545789346" border="0" /></a><br />Enjoying some french fries near the river in Lumpini Park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo-Eth4KDvV1DDUv02ijM0dKoUuHjdWh_kb0BDghXyepIskcc4GPNsWF90BHL2mVC393j2OUVPqzkwaoENuBe-AZxZCGRU8MOysTgJaErkx2c3b-Ar5M6V7aXYurv_7M1RBpxEN6FD8Q_/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo-Eth4KDvV1DDUv02ijM0dKoUuHjdWh_kb0BDghXyepIskcc4GPNsWF90BHL2mVC393j2OUVPqzkwaoENuBe-AZxZCGRU8MOysTgJaErkx2c3b-Ar5M6V7aXYurv_7M1RBpxEN6FD8Q_/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558730873086116242" border="0" /></a><br />Bird-feeding is now a spectator sport.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul7FzfstsX6Ym_DVc3ZAmpAMdHX1-DMlXMW8hU40E1QZ3I9x2AAFeNrmcI6YeA9mwNUpunbvshMvdPvNhP-2jyvBFTzexIpcoYsd5cCukkJQIaxXJxvcLr8PPpKZZ4x8EGYzZbRsJ7opN/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul7FzfstsX6Ym_DVc3ZAmpAMdHX1-DMlXMW8hU40E1QZ3I9x2AAFeNrmcI6YeA9mwNUpunbvshMvdPvNhP-2jyvBFTzexIpcoYsd5cCukkJQIaxXJxvcLr8PPpKZZ4x8EGYzZbRsJ7opN/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558730871664597666" border="0" /></a><br />Holding his ground while the birds close in...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tsG7Sf9-TPlKvJQOsKSfsXrCUK8yBWgZ4mW7_q9VTSxL-jUqafzBo6zYkjHlV5kn5sJXsgddCkuQ4Y9D2iN6bvclWYBTWKH2j9nN8JUMjV_CYuT9hX-DB7q4-zQlCPGErIm-lmX_dwvO/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tsG7Sf9-TPlKvJQOsKSfsXrCUK8yBWgZ4mW7_q9VTSxL-jUqafzBo6zYkjHlV5kn5sJXsgddCkuQ4Y9D2iN6bvclWYBTWKH2j9nN8JUMjV_CYuT9hX-DB7q4-zQlCPGErIm-lmX_dwvO/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558730868004034162" border="0" /></a><br />Christmas dinner for the birds!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeuLP8WpikocLjjpq4hC7GvSGmMCP4C7CRasMn0l_QoxFEUWNQxhaPuJUPQWPkxDObCYlu60oJufBmuBHYj2g8JXlmT-8M3ExHvFe6SZ8R2RRHJnJcpEgwSugiIuchgLD_FZFttX9WUR3/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeuLP8WpikocLjjpq4hC7GvSGmMCP4C7CRasMn0l_QoxFEUWNQxhaPuJUPQWPkxDObCYlu60oJufBmuBHYj2g8JXlmT-8M3ExHvFe6SZ8R2RRHJnJcpEgwSugiIuchgLD_FZFttX9WUR3/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558730868371986706" border="0" /></a><br />They took a time out from bird-feeding to be hams for the camera...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bj5oWztcRVhQW-iq5CeCa0iAzuONRayaaKut5LIJsjFdn8x-b2kbppCLslfx6iWnShRwyI_CoRv2ABoOvVAQbrz_MGR70U2adX8zCsPRMS2I_eaEmEkRT42aFNju5nmyd8JN_o0QC92O/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bj5oWztcRVhQW-iq5CeCa0iAzuONRayaaKut5LIJsjFdn8x-b2kbppCLslfx6iWnShRwyI_CoRv2ABoOvVAQbrz_MGR70U2adX8zCsPRMS2I_eaEmEkRT42aFNju5nmyd8JN_o0QC92O/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558730862812253346" border="0" /></a><br />They're all such beautiful kids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8UWAAlpv3DcLlAPik0xBEIH1Jcpp6-I0aWL-8sQbtEPXc3YF5Toz8DjeDNmX0EqNyXDxcu81ajQdlG4g8Q6bdZ4ybTK1_icLz_vC2wVwkIwzl-r5XrsoiCzn8f5-aasVvf9aTQLtWLTx/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8UWAAlpv3DcLlAPik0xBEIH1Jcpp6-I0aWL-8sQbtEPXc3YF5Toz8DjeDNmX0EqNyXDxcu81ajQdlG4g8Q6bdZ4ybTK1_icLz_vC2wVwkIwzl-r5XrsoiCzn8f5-aasVvf9aTQLtWLTx/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558729340501974402" border="0" /></a><br />Enthralled by Harry Potter in Thai... who wouldn't be!?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHc1I9WUfZtXzRbQwiAo6prlFlRzDjhwPMWOs1kWEYx1CakthtPkwR0Q894T-OS5vYIm0eNWWcQgLRP77h08cJ0EbdZGD7kUEkBfT3LMaBb4mhyphenhyphene7cNq4QIYEgHay1BvWYo69dYQ7tdZE/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHc1I9WUfZtXzRbQwiAo6prlFlRzDjhwPMWOs1kWEYx1CakthtPkwR0Q894T-OS5vYIm0eNWWcQgLRP77h08cJ0EbdZGD7kUEkBfT3LMaBb4mhyphenhyphene7cNq4QIYEgHay1BvWYo69dYQ7tdZE/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558729339553764274" border="0" /></a><br />Donations, donations, donations...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHW2EnwN3NgGg4rR8v7S8iHZoc1Glxate7Q6PgDueuy14FG86aGe4zpP5NiXZ7NdnPC0Qw6MGKJOu8SY_nDxxXKV9RTO56MFlwrjm031byq4Xcpkezw5VugErKVkcFfC2jl_cL1sRwE3_/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHW2EnwN3NgGg4rR8v7S8iHZoc1Glxate7Q6PgDueuy14FG86aGe4zpP5NiXZ7NdnPC0Qw6MGKJOu8SY_nDxxXKV9RTO56MFlwrjm031byq4Xcpkezw5VugErKVkcFfC2jl_cL1sRwE3_/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558729339177248706" border="0" /></a><br />...donations, donations, donations...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxdxuY-rCYqamZbGDpcxubSHSbqdPZGI46ySNGA7U8drXAkTlwaCfy-EjUIiXVh85_WtBtfjvOEPLUunC898bw8IIQfgoGWZ6z6a4GPHSgVbpKaj6xAe9jBiNfZVNK5vtbVKQFCdoj8p9/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxdxuY-rCYqamZbGDpcxubSHSbqdPZGI46ySNGA7U8drXAkTlwaCfy-EjUIiXVh85_WtBtfjvOEPLUunC898bw8IIQfgoGWZ6z6a4GPHSgVbpKaj6xAe9jBiNfZVNK5vtbVKQFCdoj8p9/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558729334539768370" border="0" /></a><br />I'm thousands of miles from home but I still got to spend Christmas with one big, happy family!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwoseNxkbfqqEBAlNiA7dAmBcRN3vIqNnhn0v-4SLJqMAmwwereHSlRQGFd15ygUkwpC9mDJwo9JOF-oZxNsxVASYFORk0hd_9CD63Zj7Uqowc1nLPkq2ZSgzlnXIX-3eBzH_mA_VKChn/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwoseNxkbfqqEBAlNiA7dAmBcRN3vIqNnhn0v-4SLJqMAmwwereHSlRQGFd15ygUkwpC9mDJwo9JOF-oZxNsxVASYFORk0hd_9CD63Zj7Uqowc1nLPkq2ZSgzlnXIX-3eBzH_mA_VKChn/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558729323852544338" border="0" /></a><br />You can read more about the day <a href="http://www.insearchofsanuk.com/2010/12/stealing-back-christmas-2010/">here</a> and contact St. Dwight or myself if you'd like to help these families out!<br /><br />St<span style="font-style: italic;">ay tuned for the next stop on our tour de Thailand- Mae Sot! Where my parents got to meet my favorite kids =)</span><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-14712079882296822442010-12-21T19:45:00.015+07:002010-12-21T21:44:30.287+07:00International DayYesterday was International Day at school a.k.a. the best day of the year. The entire school (and I mean every single student AND teacher) got SO into it and everyone started preparing for it MONTHS ago. Each M5 and EP class set up a "booth" about a certain country. They all dressed in costumes relating to their classes' country and each booth had all sorts of activities and food from that culture. There were two big stages set up where the students performed songs, dances, or whatever they wanted to. International Day is kind of a day for the students to let loose and have fun, rather than be proper and conservative as is expected every other day of the year. One of the Thai teachers loaned me a traditional Thai outfit so I could be Thai for the day. The whole day was SO much fun... easily the most fun I've had in a LONG time. All I kept thinking all day was "only in Asia...". So now, I hope you're ready to be bombarded with photos!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Some of my EP students lined up for morning assembly. They do this every morning... it's where the homeroom teachers take attendance and a time for any announcements to be made. It's always so regimented and the students form a sea of blue uniforms, so it was really strange to see it this way!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpHVw8zPq0Cy_filoPFElcX49a2rclRPa_y-KimjkbZR0aGwjn-caJ6c-2GBOdLhC1q9ViMF8ouM_YKB-jUv2MtGYH_Ze-2cWOkEOKE3Jf0wZgdWsCMv9ZCtLWRuHURBpDP0pB42PRtC6/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpHVw8zPq0Cy_filoPFElcX49a2rclRPa_y-KimjkbZR0aGwjn-caJ6c-2GBOdLhC1q9ViMF8ouM_YKB-jUv2MtGYH_Ze-2cWOkEOKE3Jf0wZgdWsCMv9ZCtLWRuHURBpDP0pB42PRtC6/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553118087764110130" border="0" /></a><br />Some teachers dressed up in Indian attire. Everyone definitely paid more attention to taking pictures during the announcements rather than listening...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj89QPTEXbGx0uC7A3Ww3vMOWcRogXCG9bil_J-0sFl2Y0PUCswkhRmyGQo_T480xiwpNr2gCO1l4lWWMF3HqBVk_TaBYph4Tx8MhZUl6m17MJM3Pqce1jyfTH1E0W0f6Od6FgpSWAE8U/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj89QPTEXbGx0uC7A3Ww3vMOWcRogXCG9bil_J-0sFl2Y0PUCswkhRmyGQo_T480xiwpNr2gCO1l4lWWMF3HqBVk_TaBYph4Tx8MhZUl6m17MJM3Pqce1jyfTH1E0W0f6Od6FgpSWAE8U/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553118080855084946" border="0" /></a><br />One of the student teachers and two of her students... so cute! Students have VERY good relationships with their teachers here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXb4uJCE9PI0USLYKElmXUYp1M4zGdDy1VV2VDlor2DDFtJ91_k32xwpvQrGHJyFUd_OHiJh42zCO_H7-hJfXzNo8O9by42-GmgbhRxILfJdYgPk5rMTmqRacrIFq9wnUhxuZprEOaVylA/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXb4uJCE9PI0USLYKElmXUYp1M4zGdDy1VV2VDlor2DDFtJ91_k32xwpvQrGHJyFUd_OHiJh42zCO_H7-hJfXzNo8O9by42-GmgbhRxILfJdYgPk5rMTmqRacrIFq9wnUhxuZprEOaVylA/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553118079427624850" border="0" /></a><br />Two of my favorite students! L and Poomai from my 2/8 (non EP) class:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoKGlEHgN5sE0PToE5NvH78TgCCJbb4CbK0P6SYwhPpG2Vs6DQERr4JM_7A2jh7AsVQdgrKwQMcSC3WIcIdMUhZlovsxuDzKnFiAq14SmuPYdyrL-sm5y3OZOzwAxr5x40N6ohD7QMRDj/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoKGlEHgN5sE0PToE5NvH78TgCCJbb4CbK0P6SYwhPpG2Vs6DQERr4JM_7A2jh7AsVQdgrKwQMcSC3WIcIdMUhZlovsxuDzKnFiAq14SmuPYdyrL-sm5y3OZOzwAxr5x40N6ohD7QMRDj/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117910835655618" border="0" /></a><br />Boon, Great, and May- a few of my M1 EP students (I teach them art and these three are also in my photography club):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacOsYcitqxQoecGmYajsTaO-MeOFkQtr9vtfYEPHvBQ5x4MuBP0J2fw9OtWg3lYbf6bs1D6hcwJyy1KfpD6FITHZYpZij7n4HyQbB5TyeJliUyT4nqZ_UDSFpaF9dcPc2jaM-kphk77UI/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacOsYcitqxQoecGmYajsTaO-MeOFkQtr9vtfYEPHvBQ5x4MuBP0J2fw9OtWg3lYbf6bs1D6hcwJyy1KfpD6FITHZYpZij7n4HyQbB5TyeJliUyT4nqZ_UDSFpaF9dcPc2jaM-kphk77UI/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117905000509458" border="0" /></a><br />Two more M1 students who are also in my photography club. This is Junior and Guy... both of them are absolutely crazy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9rRQKuxhFpICG_6UqJlltWHqeunJZGf3CsB0-95v37yzSsnPI2IxOOgfAjRm-McX92zeHUfWLB8nCz8o6b51Lm04pwDVlcH9MrR3wSR6TMlVuRlbEMcH2_H_uJnKABGifVKoIPfra2Wh/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9rRQKuxhFpICG_6UqJlltWHqeunJZGf3CsB0-95v37yzSsnPI2IxOOgfAjRm-McX92zeHUfWLB8nCz8o6b51Lm04pwDVlcH9MrR3wSR6TMlVuRlbEMcH2_H_uJnKABGifVKoIPfra2Wh/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117904278751906" border="0" /></a><br />Yet another of my M1 students: B. I know I should be more mature now that I'm a teacher and everything, but his last name is Pimpabut...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC77LsD7nbJjRIBw2wmpD0xvD8RvD6Gkmg1sCdeRtUwd-RBtVymrAVgQErz7GVDvLG1cxZ2JPf2gOpXPmYEmw_BmYj3XMBmxAOmkp6Q7yFFCe7ywREemRv_M_l-qZv3SSNdRcRXhzZKeSZ/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC77LsD7nbJjRIBw2wmpD0xvD8RvD6Gkmg1sCdeRtUwd-RBtVymrAVgQErz7GVDvLG1cxZ2JPf2gOpXPmYEmw_BmYj3XMBmxAOmkp6Q7yFFCe7ywREemRv_M_l-qZv3SSNdRcRXhzZKeSZ/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117900066747954" border="0" /></a><br />Guy being the wonderful photography student that she is!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB-fDwQPGRLYz7VM-LCNHLAOcj6Y9ikg5D_jmo4vQ1RAifnNrulxtvM6nbZ1cGX7b6Tuqic9l409g-O3cESmHm3QiHqBNga2d6R2rNQnJ42HHeugPni9RSO0kcpseaqn7cDB8qsgxisQb/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB-fDwQPGRLYz7VM-LCNHLAOcj6Y9ikg5D_jmo4vQ1RAifnNrulxtvM6nbZ1cGX7b6Tuqic9l409g-O3cESmHm3QiHqBNga2d6R2rNQnJ42HHeugPni9RSO0kcpseaqn7cDB8qsgxisQb/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117897092643778" border="0" /></a><br />This is Far (not paying any attention to me). She's another from M1 and definitely one of my best students.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQV7zbyavrYvi5GnJ3yySn_cEsQXdLhJtwOU28ncviUPlFYXTbgIOZr4XSKvWuEpynQBlqOyeVY0tlpg2R3b7Zs7DTndcz5-26qP6mzPyWIVWgSTbDdaxYUIXHc8qv08xsTHMqEFxsxuU/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQV7zbyavrYvi5GnJ3yySn_cEsQXdLhJtwOU28ncviUPlFYXTbgIOZr4XSKvWuEpynQBlqOyeVY0tlpg2R3b7Zs7DTndcz5-26qP6mzPyWIVWgSTbDdaxYUIXHc8qv08xsTHMqEFxsxuU/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117392163892322" border="0" /></a><br />The last of the M1 photos (for now). Just a few American cowboys hanging out in front of the Tower of Pisa...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63HP3PhPie3e9NV-p5klMFUSOiKSogmvAWN9oSofG5zUEFqP8jd5X1C9dREiPGqq26kq_K2j4exaB7cM-qBdhDEjPeXb4JoCdbvjbf8NpIxD-h9jYwfY128FSaF64xqhCfTV7U6VI9S8m/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63HP3PhPie3e9NV-p5klMFUSOiKSogmvAWN9oSofG5zUEFqP8jd5X1C9dREiPGqq26kq_K2j4exaB7cM-qBdhDEjPeXb4JoCdbvjbf8NpIxD-h9jYwfY128FSaF64xqhCfTV7U6VI9S8m/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117382877698018" border="0" /></a><br />The EP students did an awesome performance of a medley of songs from High School Musical. I felt like such a proud parent watching them... they did so well! These girls were a few of the cheerleaders:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkpnC86RkseSTDOB9b1gG7JBdXF9J3Y43nd58eqIa3tBd04UJup__n-aV6H5g0ezDNKXaanJAlNjLfgXwsCTIIbkqRIiOo1WYTvk32vGr7WGw_UXOoDF7B0iYqj5IcGR9wRtyEjaUfcPv/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkpnC86RkseSTDOB9b1gG7JBdXF9J3Y43nd58eqIa3tBd04UJup__n-aV6H5g0ezDNKXaanJAlNjLfgXwsCTIIbkqRIiOo1WYTvk32vGr7WGw_UXOoDF7B0iYqj5IcGR9wRtyEjaUfcPv/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117381696839858" border="0" /></a><br />A few Greek goddesses (from one of my M2 classes) touring Egypt...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lGeXeX3LeQDg3Ng5RLFh0E7ZuLRjmvMbB3-CGEv-n7ncPpp_nL1tHKqF-YIz3R1gfNmpFqyAjjoPvTWBV7AU8RM5RkaOKearYcWEKl_cuX1eQ6sFq1xhUoaMJDxWn7I3MoLN7jD52n2x/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lGeXeX3LeQDg3Ng5RLFh0E7ZuLRjmvMbB3-CGEv-n7ncPpp_nL1tHKqF-YIz3R1gfNmpFqyAjjoPvTWBV7AU8RM5RkaOKearYcWEKl_cuX1eQ6sFq1xhUoaMJDxWn7I3MoLN7jD52n2x/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117378492799842" border="0" /></a><br />And a few of the Egyptians, themselves! Who also happen to be some of my M2 students:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZibqUlzbNNuTHE2r8YWB08NOJmxYxNMqKxTrzJExq5l7SrLvveR71W6tLNmEUX-1S3SwTZ6jIcA8x3Fhx8Q0WZ5TiLL1AqpMoqS5729oUYD2aQcRSiiqyIvseBP3Ie-Sg6Mb0e1DSgso6/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZibqUlzbNNuTHE2r8YWB08NOJmxYxNMqKxTrzJExq5l7SrLvveR71W6tLNmEUX-1S3SwTZ6jIcA8x3Fhx8Q0WZ5TiLL1AqpMoqS5729oUYD2aQcRSiiqyIvseBP3Ie-Sg6Mb0e1DSgso6/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553117373160690770" border="0" /></a><br />The main performance stage... these girls were insanely good! That girl in the middle is my idol.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyL2mhjg_UxUzbKDWU-n5mZiPOwdQY4PZb7DNajCZKUw0thPean4-ej3IoD-Gk6l9PxokDLmxl7FATNgjdqRzhJ2QQdzRyieuRSE6naYdAwrUCOx5ndblZAkz8YwoqS1qCL5Jed9khru7/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyL2mhjg_UxUzbKDWU-n5mZiPOwdQY4PZb7DNajCZKUw0thPean4-ej3IoD-Gk6l9PxokDLmxl7FATNgjdqRzhJ2QQdzRyieuRSE6naYdAwrUCOx5ndblZAkz8YwoqS1qCL5Jed9khru7/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116802531647666" border="0" /></a><br />Oh you know, Lady Gaga being interviewed by a French renaissance woman and Siamese royalty (maybe? I never did figure out what that guy on the right was dressed as)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ch19I8slmEHW_RZLG2a0JC8SP0sxZytGFWmBIA4b9KGe_hqaFxQEXPuAGyFQviP7IYiAAW3COCwz2TY6q8K_LWsgBI6KEI7AnpC51cg1fwTHvhEgQ088IyVHopVORfIULYWBrMfEUNuL/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ch19I8slmEHW_RZLG2a0JC8SP0sxZytGFWmBIA4b9KGe_hqaFxQEXPuAGyFQviP7IYiAAW3COCwz2TY6q8K_LWsgBI6KEI7AnpC51cg1fwTHvhEgQ088IyVHopVORfIULYWBrMfEUNuL/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116800144764306" border="0" /></a><br />Two of the other teachers have two GIANT great danes. GIANT. I was too scared to sit at my desk when they had the dogs in the office because I was genuinely afraid of being eaten. Each one of them weighs a good amount more than I do (and keep in mind, I've gained a lot of weight!) and standing on all fours they almost come up to my shoulders!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUS0Cr-w7hyS_fwNP0twfOOfMTHIrHuvNd9n-HQPFDYhyENSDEFbBE2-zfMu9suK_EKcZk_CTwrou0oeTcToPhJQU6VihXzLFmHjHbqHIa7T1jr4qDQbucSCXlnOa49mxSxl0mQCfdNFO/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUS0Cr-w7hyS_fwNP0twfOOfMTHIrHuvNd9n-HQPFDYhyENSDEFbBE2-zfMu9suK_EKcZk_CTwrou0oeTcToPhJQU6VihXzLFmHjHbqHIa7T1jr4qDQbucSCXlnOa49mxSxl0mQCfdNFO/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116792360579330" border="0" /></a><br />A few of the "booths" set up. And I put booths in quotes because clearly, these are a BIT more elaborate than measly booths.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxGP_wjHBm3-PCY_NJHlG-Gk8koNSVSz13pGMIqJCm3PTT0bb3zGugFNibxVTHyLmbQxPyaoaJ_Ky__NAgHKrMDzHvW5mO6OeT6wY3edMHE2qlH6RH8gTMF-dzVpkSjRnZShyBRKmvR6D/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxGP_wjHBm3-PCY_NJHlG-Gk8koNSVSz13pGMIqJCm3PTT0bb3zGugFNibxVTHyLmbQxPyaoaJ_Ky__NAgHKrMDzHvW5mO6OeT6wY3edMHE2qlH6RH8gTMF-dzVpkSjRnZShyBRKmvR6D/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116791113439154" border="0" /></a><br />A zebra from South Africa:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q5PegwTCPoGjMMc5ko3a7lk_nWLKvRQ4fQi1FIFH_n1U-cGEFGmZ0xFABq0e52m9EXN874QCC4iWts3EuHmnFb3jPD4dSDDZ93eB7_qrEy6eyRnX09SPHhLo_vMBrH4KJMOp-GPPIKiL/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q5PegwTCPoGjMMc5ko3a7lk_nWLKvRQ4fQi1FIFH_n1U-cGEFGmZ0xFABq0e52m9EXN874QCC4iWts3EuHmnFb3jPD4dSDDZ93eB7_qrEy6eyRnX09SPHhLo_vMBrH4KJMOp-GPPIKiL/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116787705141730" border="0" /></a><br />One of my EP students intently watching the brutal beating of the pinata that would not break...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdjBpVjg21T0YBaTaQyG00Vg4ZO5AqdEndn2QJj0B65KC5mAGST-OCBCNAhFvuRxA0xCgcisB1r2KtAA_x1HvJQ0gRk_jdEDC-tDLcDs89sIHVXjZkMqjyIBAPOyUcCz2HwuNaEqr9Ej1/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdjBpVjg21T0YBaTaQyG00Vg4ZO5AqdEndn2QJj0B65KC5mAGST-OCBCNAhFvuRxA0xCgcisB1r2KtAA_x1HvJQ0gRk_jdEDC-tDLcDs89sIHVXjZkMqjyIBAPOyUcCz2HwuNaEqr9Ej1/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116345321644674" border="0" /></a><br />Meet Bonus, one of my favorite students. This kid is absolutely adorable... Erin and I fight over which one of us he likes more. The other day as he was leaving my class he yelled back to me "I love you, babay!!!" Clearly, he likes me more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdbyUBYvzBYkhBFPYBKRxqMr7-Fe3C3O-EW-7IZQBJwopgBpN4QOp2PNc9mqYzig6qbv6EKcI6AAD9rveHylJXevFAZ1vi_qC_XOJr-n0RNNs9blqvu8NSyCZRysPIQvUiE7BlTPqC6JK/s1600/27.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdbyUBYvzBYkhBFPYBKRxqMr7-Fe3C3O-EW-7IZQBJwopgBpN4QOp2PNc9mqYzig6qbv6EKcI6AAD9rveHylJXevFAZ1vi_qC_XOJr-n0RNNs9blqvu8NSyCZRysPIQvUiE7BlTPqC6JK/s400/27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553119238993612610" border="0" /></a><br />This is Mart, another one of my favorite students. He's surprised me with both his art and singing abilities and he's always joking around with me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gssSirpmCZlDydnDikYULP4b5Ri-kUwuxx8tF3gkhfA0sXsG6Bn2NwBKUB7J0R08eY-kwLZuN0dbiPxcu_rFAjK9W_3deh6o7X3lv8-q-rqAI-Da0XcTYSq6U6clhI-w2rm02_RTlhWl/s1600/28.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gssSirpmCZlDydnDikYULP4b5Ri-kUwuxx8tF3gkhfA0sXsG6Bn2NwBKUB7J0R08eY-kwLZuN0dbiPxcu_rFAjK9W_3deh6o7X3lv8-q-rqAI-Da0XcTYSq6U6clhI-w2rm02_RTlhWl/s400/28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553119237156548578" border="0" /></a><br />All of my EP students gathered around trying to break this pinata... it took, literally, at least a half an hour! When they finally got it open, all of the candy was beaten to a pulp and they couldn't even eat it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBCRDjMsvmv6tlTkwELd7YVsLTVv7wQBoQzrMJh2o2_sA2TZwKdBLt_n4zRNHYaQoHZ4ks6auIOFXrzZeOmZJQYi4C9hIi-hrcL_lAOAVyujTDS-7aNBb4Lm29AoWmsPMUyT9N4jsfJFE/s1600/23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBCRDjMsvmv6tlTkwELd7YVsLTVv7wQBoQzrMJh2o2_sA2TZwKdBLt_n4zRNHYaQoHZ4ks6auIOFXrzZeOmZJQYi4C9hIi-hrcL_lAOAVyujTDS-7aNBb4Lm29AoWmsPMUyT9N4jsfJFE/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116335418180338" border="0" /></a><br />Check out this rockstar with some of her M2 students (non EP):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye8TMgysABiuF8NbHWCiBOQXsGkOC6NLvYjcAHrUvdtP4_wDlbwwBYyUWObhkuUbaQrXHcxlK5H55xhVUxHidJtc47yMjv9cl4u_wnS9wQjUAP9XmpWN_ficiV_1O0OLfiZS5ovoE1UEL/s1600/24_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye8TMgysABiuF8NbHWCiBOQXsGkOC6NLvYjcAHrUvdtP4_wDlbwwBYyUWObhkuUbaQrXHcxlK5H55xhVUxHidJtc47yMjv9cl4u_wnS9wQjUAP9XmpWN_ficiV_1O0OLfiZS5ovoE1UEL/s400/24_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116332165333186" border="0" /></a><br />A few more of my regular program students and I!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W0C_jmAXFEcqJCIWu_n7Xaez4weNRUcHRAYOqPPSqfEEYKwI5KXpWP0TzoznLpLsDmIM-0GcUgapc9KAcp-z7H_4yRiPSPeo9zgHWIPoVmnslnraDlGNhwnrodFHwMBw_QrZ1fcu5oxe/s1600/25_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W0C_jmAXFEcqJCIWu_n7Xaez4weNRUcHRAYOqPPSqfEEYKwI5KXpWP0TzoznLpLsDmIM-0GcUgapc9KAcp-z7H_4yRiPSPeo9zgHWIPoVmnslnraDlGNhwnrodFHwMBw_QrZ1fcu5oxe/s400/25_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116326879364866" border="0" /></a><br />And last (finally!) but not least, one of my favorite students and I. There's a group of 4 girls and 3 TINY boys in her class that are my absolute favorite FAVORITE students (out of all 930 of them!). They are 7 of the funnest kids in the world... they're in my very last class on Friday afternoons and I always come to their class completely exhausted. Somehow though, they always manage to keep me smiling for the entire period. Because of them, there hasn't been a single Friday that I haven't left school in an amazing mood! Unfortunately my pictures with the rest of them came out blurry, but look at me all decked out in old maid Thai clothes. And she's reppin' the good 'ol US of A. We switched!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwop8jb7w4Tg2PG1bNN1PZhmRtnUGHX0hj9Mv5Y3mW2NyjLiRpJYuYliutNb-SKb9W7BSb5uQ6g5yvDMc0oEiabgBLxz4QAqRRh9OwWkzUGaEAzpbDlg_8cV5h8BS27GiQGNGSTrPsy22B/s1600/26_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwop8jb7w4Tg2PG1bNN1PZhmRtnUGHX0hj9Mv5Y3mW2NyjLiRpJYuYliutNb-SKb9W7BSb5uQ6g5yvDMc0oEiabgBLxz4QAqRRh9OwWkzUGaEAzpbDlg_8cV5h8BS27GiQGNGSTrPsy22B/s400/26_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553116323647493426" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-49045886736381731412010-12-12T14:55:00.006+07:002010-12-12T15:38:25.872+07:00Mingalaba, againYesterday was a National holiday in Thailand so I had a nice, long weekend. I took the opportunity to go visit the kids at Future Light for a few days. I just got back early this morning and I miss them already! I'm counting down the days until I get to see them again in just two weeks. There have been A LOT of changes since I was there last, and I was so happy to see the kids healthier and even happier this time around. They got BEDS and finished building their new school, which I must say, looks absolutely amazing. I was sad to see that <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh4hJZnoYJycQpu3CTY8AUR2Xo7P43UluzsDXj4nfIGKQ_lILPEf-ffjUZXfI3BGor4vkgyATp6CLs1AAHd4gxbYlWfzho1yXF1Kz3edv5D_iUB3zR9Wh6imrR7a4EaR9SClZ3T-7Ca-z/s1600/01.jpg">Jota</a> and the oldest boy, Poeweioo, are no longer living there. They've both been reunited with their fathers and still living in the area though, so I can only imagine they're very happy =)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The kids making good use of the new school and learning Christmas songs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3E4nhNhsBE5lQhMRR-OBRVF9gYe8N7vbLg7tir2agOLjwpnAmZWhwrBexi26lxr7UvXns5L8_AHjJJA-X8WOLest0aOq4SDTTrlAF7CRfTNYLwYuUv6fDccrVe8qn_ZuL30oZHn7zJhyphenhyphen/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3E4nhNhsBE5lQhMRR-OBRVF9gYe8N7vbLg7tir2agOLjwpnAmZWhwrBexi26lxr7UvXns5L8_AHjJJA-X8WOLest0aOq4SDTTrlAF7CRfTNYLwYuUv6fDccrVe8qn_ZuL30oZHn7zJhyphenhyphen/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549703085990957394" border="0" /></a><br />They were being taught the Spanish lyrics to 'Feliz Navidad' by a Thai teacher, so you can only imagine how much I was enjoying the "interpretation" of the lyrics...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ7Zb2MC1kTLptDuLlc7Ps8llBJrxokJ_GgiExgiotgRMCauyWpnNOxPVvlFd6PnphWP07Wky92NidOi8c7feFQMhuF_-Ksc9zl_46qtzb4n4Uzd4_-COTqNF2-W0lDXlK16v_V1h8Psh/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ7Zb2MC1kTLptDuLlc7Ps8llBJrxokJ_GgiExgiotgRMCauyWpnNOxPVvlFd6PnphWP07Wky92NidOi8c7feFQMhuF_-Ksc9zl_46qtzb4n4Uzd4_-COTqNF2-W0lDXlK16v_V1h8Psh/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549703078324846050" border="0" /></a><br />The beautiful Tadalie...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAr96vTnbyRjoiD3o1Ev-hJGiPzR8vmlwsBjct3QNIcwYgIpihyphenhyphenyKiSwL1pP3YYu4zOoR2JJ0Vwcw0SEz4KRhLjAEdWe8F3ZlBHG8rUiWV-olVpPXKqyhZpX0sCty1RjgSHKmjAVPJaJe/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAr96vTnbyRjoiD3o1Ev-hJGiPzR8vmlwsBjct3QNIcwYgIpihyphenhyphenyKiSwL1pP3YYu4zOoR2JJ0Vwcw0SEz4KRhLjAEdWe8F3ZlBHG8rUiWV-olVpPXKqyhZpX0sCty1RjgSHKmjAVPJaJe/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702825769618802" border="0" /></a><br />Last time I was here, it took Mumu almost my entire stay to warm up to me. This time, she was the first to run up to me and give me a hug when I got there and she was constantly by my side. She seemed much happier and not so reserved this time around. It looks like she's learning to stand up for herself rather than fill the traditional, submissive Burmese woman's role. I couldn't help but smile every time I saw her smile, because that was such a rare thing for her just a few months ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKGgWRNRnGXNeg1uMqalx3R7uavKISoTn9a74XIdQ3APkxHBE5FV-dk3dKMDBLPkE6-e3ALDIP0y98URVLCeHOcrGo3hiykTov0uLC1D-2I20TpJr8gicey3ruI3_1dVitVqq9Uya-ReZ/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKGgWRNRnGXNeg1uMqalx3R7uavKISoTn9a74XIdQ3APkxHBE5FV-dk3dKMDBLPkE6-e3ALDIP0y98URVLCeHOcrGo3hiykTov0uLC1D-2I20TpJr8gicey3ruI3_1dVitVqq9Uya-ReZ/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702825419741202" border="0" /></a><br />The older boys learning some "break dance" moves... hilarious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JMRgl37aGNINtKwLkI5vOpEjnDm3a-ko9wRumcTYM_v8fGWFQJ4zkfIkdeXuv5_lE65MXnCsd4W6yaBEJqF3lhUpwTUEbphnakWHh-6AvG1ai1q-bhT4pxu_zwCqw2bYBdcNERmWQWWS/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JMRgl37aGNINtKwLkI5vOpEjnDm3a-ko9wRumcTYM_v8fGWFQJ4zkfIkdeXuv5_lE65MXnCsd4W6yaBEJqF3lhUpwTUEbphnakWHh-6AvG1ai1q-bhT4pxu_zwCqw2bYBdcNERmWQWWS/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702816974911426" border="0" /></a><br />Nini and Tazioo... all smiles, all the time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53n-vD_tAcbVdY2Wo5rMOZ_1KeYkLoZzMcdbYvTmLLSEbnufAm8RSbYBiPKPmlMuv1MynbPAHWnnrN3VluliJ_Nc5Rps4AD-y-EJGsZ21oBJsBQhNqnVVm-QBQwdeUSJktnhFtuBTCyC8/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53n-vD_tAcbVdY2Wo5rMOZ_1KeYkLoZzMcdbYvTmLLSEbnufAm8RSbYBiPKPmlMuv1MynbPAHWnnrN3VluliJ_Nc5Rps4AD-y-EJGsZ21oBJsBQhNqnVVm-QBQwdeUSJktnhFtuBTCyC8/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702812515604514" border="0" /></a><br />She's definitely not lacking a personality...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx-JF_SvFBbShVKP79uKnaAgFes2xtIeY_Px8Q5NQWh6JGwa1cRFlkh7rPF33Ow0_hD_HTvhf1j60994Gsjpyv3lG0518q-vTuuiAReLyaGSA-jQwEmZiIJukuBX-ndvRuwR87T80jae3/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx-JF_SvFBbShVKP79uKnaAgFes2xtIeY_Px8Q5NQWh6JGwa1cRFlkh7rPF33Ow0_hD_HTvhf1j60994Gsjpyv3lG0518q-vTuuiAReLyaGSA-jQwEmZiIJukuBX-ndvRuwR87T80jae3/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702807348663426" border="0" /></a><br />The boys still attempting to learn these dance moves...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ5oQsnkCMCNr8OLi0aZKqsqK6SoRyidquP7inAe5q-deENCbPcKf9GGFTKh9Fq8uySdkE8kVTYtjWWVPK8BmOK2qy7p3Vi9VGelp5_f8-qt0OObWkhf0bGkcSdIf135BIwVtqK1zWHZT/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ5oQsnkCMCNr8OLi0aZKqsqK6SoRyidquP7inAe5q-deENCbPcKf9GGFTKh9Fq8uySdkE8kVTYtjWWVPK8BmOK2qy7p3Vi9VGelp5_f8-qt0OObWkhf0bGkcSdIf135BIwVtqK1zWHZT/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702589427997346" border="0" /></a><br />Tadalie, again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cmnOORYUNU9wxKHA2Dvn7Fschy3TNj-92fzjihQNsRWuPzFeo2WMlylXlenXHdYR0lf_H5PmU8rud68h6Z2waqseaQsifJJD5b4p0sDk36g-ODnHVhaQPnaWlzKwlhw2K640g9qQLtGZ/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cmnOORYUNU9wxKHA2Dvn7Fschy3TNj-92fzjihQNsRWuPzFeo2WMlylXlenXHdYR0lf_H5PmU8rud68h6Z2waqseaQsifJJD5b4p0sDk36g-ODnHVhaQPnaWlzKwlhw2K640g9qQLtGZ/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702584838383138" border="0" /></a><br />Future Light's resident beauty queen... this boy owns the catwalk.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeJy4BDTiCKs828vbcTmzSXOzhA-vHSJqD1Qp7Ks9ojQ__jnewJ20uGAFej6WfcGvZKfLJ3G6PDVUZV_U-1bZqmfkwBrBj-u84Gob9b81WCrYWWyL3q9i2NnMv0sGzwwUL1Fz1qOHGrK5/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeJy4BDTiCKs828vbcTmzSXOzhA-vHSJqD1Qp7Ks9ojQ__jnewJ20uGAFej6WfcGvZKfLJ3G6PDVUZV_U-1bZqmfkwBrBj-u84Gob9b81WCrYWWyL3q9i2NnMv0sGzwwUL1Fz1qOHGrK5/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702579602399490" border="0" /></a><br />Falling into the old routine of playing with my iPhone. They were happy to see I got some more games since last time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp-ONh_ufgnJqWBKuA0sdGZLIpgocqv1C2kvJLy31sz5-1hV1TeXLiks9EXLAVJd1kJirp1VSCu0Uqp2ZxVl7IOEWgPPQ3az028d0k7jVgHDXI6cUvFVwdcKtCL_Rm8vBYENMT6b86Yi9/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp-ONh_ufgnJqWBKuA0sdGZLIpgocqv1C2kvJLy31sz5-1hV1TeXLiks9EXLAVJd1kJirp1VSCu0Uqp2ZxVl7IOEWgPPQ3az028d0k7jVgHDXI6cUvFVwdcKtCL_Rm8vBYENMT6b86Yi9/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702570490701698" border="0" /></a><br />Chili =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwN18TUzHs6i8LDd2YUxnrghsYdv48PdwOi4LxKuRo-WvlydveCMZoWvicHIvKiMAjxkJEcgVJ0wqec9pNp11HETfdFiqISOJdCgdjCqEsC7CqLXaGmTbbf0-OBdd3TitCw_S_R8-qEm-K/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwN18TUzHs6i8LDd2YUxnrghsYdv48PdwOi4LxKuRo-WvlydveCMZoWvicHIvKiMAjxkJEcgVJ0wqec9pNp11HETfdFiqISOJdCgdjCqEsC7CqLXaGmTbbf0-OBdd3TitCw_S_R8-qEm-K/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549702562831756290" border="0" /></a><br />Ready to learn!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvM-_5ui8cBvt1ihFtvLbx0E6Rcbwyoh46waKZo_N2EtfPbUyMXmk-54ZMKzRY7NRJS1MdJnuyK09RRaYcBwmSk3qfgnmJ3s4O-IzZgRgHdOPuOSk0AEJoVgC2HfJpzcTffxqY97m0EMC/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvM-_5ui8cBvt1ihFtvLbx0E6Rcbwyoh46waKZo_N2EtfPbUyMXmk-54ZMKzRY7NRJS1MdJnuyK09RRaYcBwmSk3qfgnmJ3s4O-IzZgRgHdOPuOSk0AEJoVgC2HfJpzcTffxqY97m0EMC/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549701548489117330" border="0" /></a><br />PoKwah just hanging out, nice and comfortably. These kids are all gymnastics prodigies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTIRS_he0vYQxMmpltkzbVbUikJwNEijEQRMZHLdMEgMXqvJNHS2CG9AeH5ALn1qrRinDpi0Byk19GPejlAaF0tZI3pqHONm-nsUPABqaIWbK46Fg46S-k7Uu53SjBfiPihV4skdhHHS7/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTIRS_he0vYQxMmpltkzbVbUikJwNEijEQRMZHLdMEgMXqvJNHS2CG9AeH5ALn1qrRinDpi0Byk19GPejlAaF0tZI3pqHONm-nsUPABqaIWbK46Fg46S-k7Uu53SjBfiPihV4skdhHHS7/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549701543839520866" border="0" /></a><br />Cuties...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw_fs8tLSPFnRQQ58q0DF97DlkcyN-Ojw6alBpkm4IH-W4AHcOELDWYwycurm4CaZLuHF-EYxyC6PbsFRE98oEmoV3BRJ5fWENDzN2Ym-zSA_kso7COmEFTSxscNvyXWQtukiMyWSRsB2/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw_fs8tLSPFnRQQ58q0DF97DlkcyN-Ojw6alBpkm4IH-W4AHcOELDWYwycurm4CaZLuHF-EYxyC6PbsFRE98oEmoV3BRJ5fWENDzN2Ym-zSA_kso7COmEFTSxscNvyXWQtukiMyWSRsB2/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549701533558269298" border="0" /></a><br />Ninja<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8w3-X0CvkShnXMze-4zUA2Q8EIYTesWIiMtsO3Z5lyP1yIi-_MQj7VxbgmXZV8XdqUX0oHXqoOX53oiI9Hdz19c9dkfP6SwYop44uRmt8iaapHBl11JmG3nA3Me_0Rb_rtXctc6hScoI/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8w3-X0CvkShnXMze-4zUA2Q8EIYTesWIiMtsO3Z5lyP1yIi-_MQj7VxbgmXZV8XdqUX0oHXqoOX53oiI9Hdz19c9dkfP6SwYop44uRmt8iaapHBl11JmG3nA3Me_0Rb_rtXctc6hScoI/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549701517014528402" border="0" /></a><br />Too cool for the ninja fight going on the background...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmVbFNEAqQETpyrVo2WsiW0iWRoYo9ZBnApvOjPVnAQb7htlmDadEibHF6twEMQP4-HiChvb9mCMWlnLMNU3SIg9eALmb4qK7Ujq6RF_eCBxoNH3xoBAuVaE2olcnPWLchIHMXWxxhy2C/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmVbFNEAqQETpyrVo2WsiW0iWRoYo9ZBnApvOjPVnAQb7htlmDadEibHF6twEMQP4-HiChvb9mCMWlnLMNU3SIg9eALmb4qK7Ujq6RF_eCBxoNH3xoBAuVaE2olcnPWLchIHMXWxxhy2C/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549701515440197266" border="0" /></a><br /></div>It was an 11 hour bus ride (each way) to see these kids, but clearly, they're more than worth it. I think it's pretty obvious why =)Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-4948507894840829952010-12-05T22:55:00.008+07:002010-12-05T23:54:30.493+07:00InspirationAfter finishing my thesis a few months ago I pretty much swore off art for good. Now, after taking a few months to focus on other things and give myself a break, I've come to a conclusion: I think my problem was lack of purpose. Everything I was doing towards the end of college was just to do it. It was kind of like busy work. I needed to do it to graduate and I just did it for the grade. Since coming to Thailand, I've had the privilege of being exposed to so many new things- so many people, so many different ways of life. I've had some of the most amazing experiences imaginable. Every single moment I've spent here has made some sort of impact on me. I wish it wasn't such a cliche to say this, but there truly is inspiration around every corner. Whether it's watching my favorite street vendor cook my dinner or it's seeing a family of three eating an ear of corn as they ride down the street, somehow all on one bike. Whether it's my students or the indescribable sunset I watch from my balcony every night. Whether it's the amazing kids up at Future Light or the equally amazing people that run organizations like that... voluntarily. I feel so privileged and honored to have met the people I've met, seen the things I've seen, and done the things I've done. I think I might burst from sensory overload if I didn't do something with everything I've been experiencing, so I've started a personal project: <span style="font-weight: bold;">people, places, and things that inspire me</span>. No more of that commercial shit they taught me in school... the only point to that is to make money and these days, money is the least of my priorities. This project is for me.<br /><br />I started with drawings of two of the kids up at Future Light. These two had a huge hand in shaping my experience there... neither of them would ever leave my side.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yota: a little 4 year old cutie, who I somehow managed to make look like an old man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKkhs9qdIjs6j97171pM5srZrrDdbj21KwUslSdXdVt1F0B3tI88CZBayVDsuRy6GYtY-nUxi-tQM6GD6rsOucXWWfACaSaFpI2biFs03rcmwA_lz76VxoIeSxy1qW2PSxUEF_sa0NFlm/s1600/02_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKkhs9qdIjs6j97171pM5srZrrDdbj21KwUslSdXdVt1F0B3tI88CZBayVDsuRy6GYtY-nUxi-tQM6GD6rsOucXWWfACaSaFpI2biFs03rcmwA_lz76VxoIeSxy1qW2PSxUEF_sa0NFlm/s400/02_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547238955215349874" border="0" /></a><br />Tantanso- 6 years old, barely speaks any English, but still one of the most loving people I have ever had the honor of spending time with.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey3EAtQMgL3wC8MwS8knlpnDe3xTmNkjXFraOi_9pV33lV4tc7Npf7N3Zi1CVfPhKWA8QMW5UkKP_QOnff7coTdXv-afzEtNbAWX0tq2L-VD9dwU6FoXxJ6HMMfKGb13OvxnpuWNV0nSZ/s1600/04_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey3EAtQMgL3wC8MwS8knlpnDe3xTmNkjXFraOi_9pV33lV4tc7Npf7N3Zi1CVfPhKWA8QMW5UkKP_QOnff7coTdXv-afzEtNbAWX0tq2L-VD9dwU6FoXxJ6HMMfKGb13OvxnpuWNV0nSZ/s400/04_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547238968833350706" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">My sincerest apologies for being a complete cheeseball.</span><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-53697381517865440672010-11-28T19:58:00.012+07:002010-11-28T21:20:14.357+07:00Monkey BuffetLopburi is a province of central Thailand (and just north of where I live). It is known for it's monkeys, who roam the streets freely. I've heard LOTS of stories of them fighting with people trying to steal their bags and whatever else they're carrying. The Thais say that the monkeys are descendants of Hanuman who, according to legend, claimed Lopburi as his kingdom. To celebrate the monkeys, a buffet and festival is held for them every year. Of course, there was no way I was going to miss an event like this! I'd been looking forward to it for weeks and it definitely didn't disappoint. It was probably the coolest thing I've done in Thailand so far! It was held at a wat and there were SO many people there. The grounds of the wat were completely covered by monkeys running around eating the food from their buffet. There were HUNDREDS of them!! There were newborn babies all the way up to the old fogey monkeys, who looked like wise old men. They definitely aren't shy animals! They were climbing all over everyone and helping themselves to whatever they pleased.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Just to be clear, I was the one behind bars. I was inside the wat, the monkey was outside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LEFNr7BqnmZKzUPbWmJ1XrTNVz6PvhlaetmGaDrglkD4T1y3P-I99zg30BRKADZO5YuA9AO5d4TjOI1Cqx5ZWNZQ4ZaZKKmUolOd13yfRHj-Y6uAteze_OTa5OQBg2XFuHFdDPSU5iaD/s1600/22.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LEFNr7BqnmZKzUPbWmJ1XrTNVz6PvhlaetmGaDrglkD4T1y3P-I99zg30BRKADZO5YuA9AO5d4TjOI1Cqx5ZWNZQ4ZaZKKmUolOd13yfRHj-Y6uAteze_OTa5OQBg2XFuHFdDPSU5iaD/s400/22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544590316784870802" border="0" /></a><br />A little cutie patootie enjoying some watermelon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1hKyEEkCZ0igP9NqDmWk1qnOLbW1And09KW9JE6ofx2gkL1UyVXlsxQiufpvWAaKWFEiW4EKI-O3MiWB0Z23C7yrHQE7X9LVoc67ymcQ-24EkVSnjTeeWX2Zue-DrGGOmFmMyC89vOdI/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1hKyEEkCZ0igP9NqDmWk1qnOLbW1And09KW9JE6ofx2gkL1UyVXlsxQiufpvWAaKWFEiW4EKI-O3MiWB0Z23C7yrHQE7X9LVoc67ymcQ-24EkVSnjTeeWX2Zue-DrGGOmFmMyC89vOdI/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544585713019563346" border="0" /></a><br />Mother and child...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEign4bL-hK3ESmzPDfajyTa3Vph7-k5TuolR1GLn6xsB51tTYbBLjQfJRYgQd4llfKFfn3myPJA0uPGpZDBp2iUmA91oxYZv9dt2ZtshPQTNy-tysRMjMgCXM8SNIjoiSWsHKwxi31QP74f/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEign4bL-hK3ESmzPDfajyTa3Vph7-k5TuolR1GLn6xsB51tTYbBLjQfJRYgQd4llfKFfn3myPJA0uPGpZDBp2iUmA91oxYZv9dt2ZtshPQTNy-tysRMjMgCXM8SNIjoiSWsHKwxi31QP74f/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544584609386659394" border="0" /></a><br />Oh you know, just checking for bugs...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipson3JZ3z3Xgw5jYeanh_-s-mdcsi0Uh6MyYnZXw3SgzcFkpH2xcRcwZafnUIeMxZhk2DxgTy3aH0hWw_9s5Brn_qFph8D1ACLPgnXHsfx5gVB56XJe3pzNjF5H4-l7kiUD7vOhvENGUj/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipson3JZ3z3Xgw5jYeanh_-s-mdcsi0Uh6MyYnZXw3SgzcFkpH2xcRcwZafnUIeMxZhk2DxgTy3aH0hWw_9s5Brn_qFph8D1ACLPgnXHsfx5gVB56XJe3pzNjF5H4-l7kiUD7vOhvENGUj/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544586866699413778" border="0" /></a><br />Check out the little newborn curled up to it's mother!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5A1-gxIeJS0AZyoMvMIuQdKNXNEY71X-QOqGan7NHAAjWO-pkzh7ipRtPSy5GIapNhDnZ88SoAeUvVhdOJPxiChH2EVd5hyB2mptLshGt1ceCF0K8eGfGYp1hyphenhyphen7Gc7pbX9OFCR2eHH3uo/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5A1-gxIeJS0AZyoMvMIuQdKNXNEY71X-QOqGan7NHAAjWO-pkzh7ipRtPSy5GIapNhDnZ88SoAeUvVhdOJPxiChH2EVd5hyB2mptLshGt1ceCF0K8eGfGYp1hyphenhyphen7Gc7pbX9OFCR2eHH3uo/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544584592531458114" border="0" /></a><br />I'll admit, some of them kind of scared me...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZItBYo6UZi23X_fOZl_JdsrleOH12zKsvH6KK0R7rvA5C_gAZfS6kguTA2-CiA-RoYvv3uWvlAO7uMjKbxwL4qtD2Wc8IDL5sTsewmsYj2KY-ea_jZnerAyeydUL3RRJrPKgMoISfCpfV/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZItBYo6UZi23X_fOZl_JdsrleOH12zKsvH6KK0R7rvA5C_gAZfS6kguTA2-CiA-RoYvv3uWvlAO7uMjKbxwL4qtD2Wc8IDL5sTsewmsYj2KY-ea_jZnerAyeydUL3RRJrPKgMoISfCpfV/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544586849803800402" border="0" /></a><br />Erin being attacked... the monkey was eating her hair!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo9fSET00YUQI4-01eq7rbXfVeC6UngcEinjDBQ7kHLC7YLS97q-dQwhPwEV_go-JOPHQayGptNohCySOCp-IyQ5AX5KeIxKRIyhk6cwFPlsjT52dr19qmu3ZhzAT9oW8pbtdfUv4beV6/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo9fSET00YUQI4-01eq7rbXfVeC6UngcEinjDBQ7kHLC7YLS97q-dQwhPwEV_go-JOPHQayGptNohCySOCp-IyQ5AX5KeIxKRIyhk6cwFPlsjT52dr19qmu3ZhzAT9oW8pbtdfUv4beV6/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544586861068342658" border="0" /></a><br />This one had a bit of a superiority complex, looking down on the childish antics of the festival apparently too cool to join in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoz4vtA0-h9Njc58e_o97SFEaog2wF8SA6glLY1cXnMoB8DKzhmzBO02WKx8gto_dhlELG-oja9yZ0zg_VyQekxJSCk7-0ZB_oF-HtrgxocJRdJRhIX_zFsrZ365eT7wulYSroV3ePaiz/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoz4vtA0-h9Njc58e_o97SFEaog2wF8SA6glLY1cXnMoB8DKzhmzBO02WKx8gto_dhlELG-oja9yZ0zg_VyQekxJSCk7-0ZB_oF-HtrgxocJRdJRhIX_zFsrZ365eT7wulYSroV3ePaiz/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544585694147193122" border="0" /></a><br />He looks like a little old man!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW4d2M5dOkfXEptIHFMmKXu-TU3sIAs9X1AQ35HcLZKYbu7i9-vOTsfbA5utIW7Oirrmo8BKzQiuDDA8QwmwsqoQ8KK8IRvwD7tEbuMhWy_6z27QSufNmKOqv1Fj1v5kzPguTdrGmTm_r/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW4d2M5dOkfXEptIHFMmKXu-TU3sIAs9X1AQ35HcLZKYbu7i9-vOTsfbA5utIW7Oirrmo8BKzQiuDDA8QwmwsqoQ8KK8IRvwD7tEbuMhWy_6z27QSufNmKOqv1Fj1v5kzPguTdrGmTm_r/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544584600187055442" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently I wasn't the only one annoyed by this woman and her camera...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCAxBDabzyNd41XsRkUFi1KEw9fdmwK4lp1cVRlN2_6RkTYXxA8uLejrwEg1jme70Gu5-h2uEK-nlz9l-U5VwymlTLhxzqkVz4IjJHTkArvupRghhphF9f9KepqVaHmNDXU27cL-08bEv/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCAxBDabzyNd41XsRkUFi1KEw9fdmwK4lp1cVRlN2_6RkTYXxA8uLejrwEg1jme70Gu5-h2uEK-nlz9l-U5VwymlTLhxzqkVz4IjJHTkArvupRghhphF9f9KepqVaHmNDXU27cL-08bEv/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544585688861538530" border="0" /></a><br />Being a sport and looking at the camera for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdhDIQMa8WQ6TS_b8s4plJ2UJB-1xvKfuAI4xGV3KMoNEtGFqMhZxJIqiKaX0TwFvD9SpChzEgx1b6NtQa_Pdr6_PIlKQTBSI0sYueV-HQigQX2n_PBkJYMQlEGaPm8TUpb-1xTRQd5HX/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdhDIQMa8WQ6TS_b8s4plJ2UJB-1xvKfuAI4xGV3KMoNEtGFqMhZxJIqiKaX0TwFvD9SpChzEgx1b6NtQa_Pdr6_PIlKQTBSI0sYueV-HQigQX2n_PBkJYMQlEGaPm8TUpb-1xTRQd5HX/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544584583107337442" border="0" /></a><br />A Thai man was feeding the monkeys his peanuts (and again, WE were the ones behind the bars!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaYHRYRfM7Pl1DhxWgPbwBL2QmQs7h4efM7-TRv40x6k1J2hk0o0tT54xpHLL0dRZq6uM7PfVcCaM3dXHPUJU-B2PzMV0zb9NEmEvdOPgsjxajDFyAp6whl2s5dnJHDaLTJJeM7_1n70z/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaYHRYRfM7Pl1DhxWgPbwBL2QmQs7h4efM7-TRv40x6k1J2hk0o0tT54xpHLL0dRZq6uM7PfVcCaM3dXHPUJU-B2PzMV0zb9NEmEvdOPgsjxajDFyAp6whl2s5dnJHDaLTJJeM7_1n70z/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544584578420698226" border="0" /></a><br />Sticking his tongue out!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucgTCofuQxJ2RijLd_Ovf6JJC4DPEDB0cGxyQ9Aj4rs3J1zPF4tsAMwidCymhHcixPIrxv9Q8dpoA9SU25VtHwoiRU6HTGlPMjIsGsV4dSRB9AB3sRQj8ANrYPPz95DN_idf0V2knMvLb/s1600/21.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucgTCofuQxJ2RijLd_Ovf6JJC4DPEDB0cGxyQ9Aj4rs3J1zPF4tsAMwidCymhHcixPIrxv9Q8dpoA9SU25VtHwoiRU6HTGlPMjIsGsV4dSRB9AB3sRQj8ANrYPPz95DN_idf0V2knMvLb/s400/21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544590288597515538" border="0" /></a><br />Just hanging out... literally.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZirK6djd1yv0Nyk3eVoj5-IqtNTBpO9e-u9yxHsdflBUimT75U4PoSY7h1TP8IW1gFUUjaQEZeH10mCuoL9t1i9Wr4EKzJKU_XLlnx14berz02XBKomyOwN4-crudzw-Y4BMvbsNAhNV9/s1600/23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZirK6djd1yv0Nyk3eVoj5-IqtNTBpO9e-u9yxHsdflBUimT75U4PoSY7h1TP8IW1gFUUjaQEZeH10mCuoL9t1i9Wr4EKzJKU_XLlnx14berz02XBKomyOwN4-crudzw-Y4BMvbsNAhNV9/s400/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544590329389120114" border="0" /></a><br />The aftermath. These were all awesome images made out of food, which the monkeys clearly destroyed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_1p6ygXHPVwqwcwDmSfIkwEqgFo8NqSSNTb8bX2blvE-gHNANyuhjWgj1geyxOqSGcETdnY03MhP8NelrXFeVA-H1dz0IY_d39NrNoZtDSOZ-XaOgEzLYWF4hou5cgu5zu_ITExKfL_D/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_1p6ygXHPVwqwcwDmSfIkwEqgFo8NqSSNTb8bX2blvE-gHNANyuhjWgj1geyxOqSGcETdnY03MhP8NelrXFeVA-H1dz0IY_d39NrNoZtDSOZ-XaOgEzLYWF4hou5cgu5zu_ITExKfL_D/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544585710451095938" border="0" /></a><br />I made a friend!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDUsW9RNHtDluMVQUbi-YCHUCHcezhbAeZeEHSWX53MHqCkop3DLaCJY_4wypPk76DXV-okV24p6w-XOUogcwi7N09mzIxH0cJQYgSrpl5rVqAoDe9xF-pNvPnpNcSn9FqFzEWnKnQkRq/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDUsW9RNHtDluMVQUbi-YCHUCHcezhbAeZeEHSWX53MHqCkop3DLaCJY_4wypPk76DXV-okV24p6w-XOUogcwi7N09mzIxH0cJQYgSrpl5rVqAoDe9xF-pNvPnpNcSn9FqFzEWnKnQkRq/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544586838679150082" border="0" /></a><br />Coke vs. Pepsi<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOb1lz_Sz2IWYC0-X3Qj4bM2vYvsJzBqCSf4CR1KPR4Ai8XyWGV8jiArVZ_2ss8v_pI8kKsiqABGqJZmALlitiQSS7blqjaNAhJczFjhJLSeidIscJnDVb9WMuQM462ab8p5QB5euglCn/s1600/10-12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOb1lz_Sz2IWYC0-X3Qj4bM2vYvsJzBqCSf4CR1KPR4Ai8XyWGV8jiArVZ_2ss8v_pI8kKsiqABGqJZmALlitiQSS7blqjaNAhJczFjhJLSeidIscJnDVb9WMuQM462ab8p5QB5euglCn/s400/10-12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544585700498466274" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-22660749335072362602010-11-23T12:37:00.003+07:002010-11-27T11:15:23.261+07:00Loy Krathong FestivalSunday was Loy Krathong Day, so one of the Thai teachers brought my housemate and I to the festival at the river. It was SO crowded! It was really strange to see some of my students there... I didn't even recognize a lot of them without their school uniforms. It was a lot of fun though, and I'm excited to have celebrated my first Thai holiday!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">People walking towards the river with their Krathongs, all ready to be sent down the river.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSs0Z2excVvYCnQooJ17twKc5xJuWvX17LTBk3tkwVheMr-HW2jyyqE1biLBUw7K_nv-aEqpjoItr5M5Xs2M-s6o25VU1h5bLPp30lRfiD7N39PaT3hpQIl9h_Z8BeBmtbE10J_i5CGko/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSs0Z2excVvYCnQooJ17twKc5xJuWvX17LTBk3tkwVheMr-HW2jyyqE1biLBUw7K_nv-aEqpjoItr5M5Xs2M-s6o25VU1h5bLPp30lRfiD7N39PaT3hpQIl9h_Z8BeBmtbE10J_i5CGko/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542613164898072482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">People relaxing, eating, watching the Loy Krathong show (Thai dance and beauty contest).<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGx4LkCo9VlwyfJ2Dku51m8WNc8fC8X5KuWi01IiGZzqPYKFNWyv6h7HVwmqQIGGiQoHO2XXra2CT4ySnc8Lq6WuWefUuXTO4cbXe5OrN7otK3AXdM5wsbTuBTis2eNncybI3sIOZxE8H/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGx4LkCo9VlwyfJ2Dku51m8WNc8fC8X5KuWi01IiGZzqPYKFNWyv6h7HVwmqQIGGiQoHO2XXra2CT4ySnc8Lq6WuWefUuXTO4cbXe5OrN7otK3AXdM5wsbTuBTis2eNncybI3sIOZxE8H/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544076890616726674" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We ran into one of my favorite students (appropriately named Thai Boy). He's in one of my M5 classes, which is the equivalent to juniors in America. He's not in the English program but he somehow still managed to become fluent! Please do not make fun of how much shorter I am than my student, or how much weight I've gained since I've gotten here. The other girl is my housemate, Erin.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig_SH7dOCuv3cn4Be4Ij2vP3iPZcCOa8kBxrx77dvQZyr7qC8mriKjtEDY5ld7qTXJxNzA-sH0cjFvlWwavnB-1gs2ylND1J2MXnLkA36ixsa3Pz4KbcE1AQrINJ_lbGp62cwJDtM40hg/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig_SH7dOCuv3cn4Be4Ij2vP3iPZcCOa8kBxrx77dvQZyr7qC8mriKjtEDY5ld7qTXJxNzA-sH0cjFvlWwavnB-1gs2ylND1J2MXnLkA36ixsa3Pz4KbcE1AQrINJ_lbGp62cwJDtM40hg/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542613159694629490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A tour of one of the markets set up for the festivities...<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17109014?byline=0&portrait=0&color=33aaff" frameborder="0" height="225" width="400"></iframe><br /><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-66925162777278440932010-11-18T21:03:00.009+07:002010-11-18T21:50:29.470+07:00Loy Krathong at SchoolLoy Krathong is a Thai holiday that falls on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (usually November). At night, people go to the klong (canal) or river to float their krathongs. The krathongs are traditionally made from all the parts of the banana plant and they also carry incense or candles. People light the incense/candles, make a wish, and set their krathongs off down the river. The idea is to ask the water spirits to sail away their troubles in the ir krathongs as sort of a spiritual cleansing. By the end of the night, there are hundreds of flickering lights bobbing up and down on the water. They also have fireworks displays and (very elaborate) beauty contest.<br /><br />The real Loy Krathong Day isn't until Sunday, but my school held it's celebrations today. It was SO much fun! It was a HUGE event and I still cant believe how into it everyone was. Something like this would/could never happen in America! The students worked on their krathongs all day and then there was a beauty contest and singing competition in the afternoon. For the beauty contest, classes voted on who they wanted to enter, and those girls who were chosen got dressed up in traditional Thai costume. They were all absolutely beautiful! They went all out, and I mean ALL OUT. A lot of my students were participating and I didn't recognize a single one of them!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A sea of students working on their krathongs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP277p0RylDroKpK-E9JSubTf_pzhW9iDGMllGWjrMvUAv5XTLsWainFjcemjccqChnURs-x-Cwr42bNZUS92CsiYNk_4vp4oBC9TC72Pgjur8wCXxxw_LWSbRhzsmExRUaAKxlSh2XvJ/s1600/19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP277p0RylDroKpK-E9JSubTf_pzhW9iDGMllGWjrMvUAv5XTLsWainFjcemjccqChnURs-x-Cwr42bNZUS92CsiYNk_4vp4oBC9TC72Pgjur8wCXxxw_LWSbRhzsmExRUaAKxlSh2XvJ/s400/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540892268013029314" border="0" /></a><br />Hard at work!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrVzJw2sCJ46QAZOpbvGlxb6KoSvJ8RH1j8e7j3e3FZODjt6mjX7hX7rdXa7MdBH61O6NiLjU_vPYjesBYfY2MC2Nyyc2E_XHTOsLJndk8d59CR2lWb9UE0osqJ6sB95kSshzx1JOddNp/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrVzJw2sCJ46QAZOpbvGlxb6KoSvJ8RH1j8e7j3e3FZODjt6mjX7hX7rdXa7MdBH61O6NiLjU_vPYjesBYfY2MC2Nyyc2E_XHTOsLJndk8d59CR2lWb9UE0osqJ6sB95kSshzx1JOddNp/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540892261284418322" border="0" /></a><br />Some of my favorite students! They're in the Science Program, not than the English program, which means English is far from their main focus. Still, I always have so much fun with this class! They're very lively, to say the least.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZEPIKbVX4rHJYCN_aI7a2sdq9sskiIbK7tD-wHy90qJplQ2UFiGg0lC5zfU9sydy4fuUrvA4jbAADQJMeOazPtTBKSt5NukoTsYRGDIJUwsCSSYKttsFzx8R3xKunKtsKorXw4NVZXVj/s1600/20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZEPIKbVX4rHJYCN_aI7a2sdq9sskiIbK7tD-wHy90qJplQ2UFiGg0lC5zfU9sydy4fuUrvA4jbAADQJMeOazPtTBKSt5NukoTsYRGDIJUwsCSSYKttsFzx8R3xKunKtsKorXw4NVZXVj/s400/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540892276958612578" border="0" /></a><br />A few more of my students...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3IHJHhiJulNm_TH7OqnQQPpSoKU-q_thQzl8phr8rXALUObt7bTrQtVVsFJ5hJ_qqUoMa7dbD3UxCwQ2i1oLs4k9fa7GU8YPsvcMRjsZxDK1SeJIx3RjIK-TQKhNRRlCnfc3odOQVQEY/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3IHJHhiJulNm_TH7OqnQQPpSoKU-q_thQzl8phr8rXALUObt7bTrQtVVsFJ5hJ_qqUoMa7dbD3UxCwQ2i1oLs4k9fa7GU8YPsvcMRjsZxDK1SeJIx3RjIK-TQKhNRRlCnfc3odOQVQEY/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540892537716948658" border="0" /></a><br />One of my students shyly showing off her krathong. I can't believe how creative all of the students got with them!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOxKiDlJXsnmCvJO1xCJ7X8LYx3ZtfKTKLM0_HcapkLV1TjH8cJliUlSa_zGOXrAJNfXvqYuKndVZwojoWYJbO158r8gbqhiPWq6fnhYo5kEUm8ZwEI452pYWkjlwaE8Qy-rT-Pf1tFOI/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOxKiDlJXsnmCvJO1xCJ7X8LYx3ZtfKTKLM0_HcapkLV1TjH8cJliUlSa_zGOXrAJNfXvqYuKndVZwojoWYJbO158r8gbqhiPWq6fnhYo5kEUm8ZwEI452pYWkjlwaE8Qy-rT-Pf1tFOI/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540892257260075730" border="0" /></a><br />Some of my students from one of my EP (English Program) art classes. They're M1, which is equivalent to 7th or 8th grade at home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtaGFoHfKa3K83olqJLh5atFaP5VHGH1qt_gvDh8Iwt2g8z3KLMZFmpDS6BgyRopowV65yLxSBNkuEpBJJFcXisXKYfinR9vSHRP0vREo3b3o_O8MK8nWpupmOy9_4PA2bCQjQyB7V_U1/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtaGFoHfKa3K83olqJLh5atFaP5VHGH1qt_gvDh8Iwt2g8z3KLMZFmpDS6BgyRopowV65yLxSBNkuEpBJJFcXisXKYfinR9vSHRP0vREo3b3o_O8MK8nWpupmOy9_4PA2bCQjQyB7V_U1/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540891250672604978" border="0" /></a><br />One of the Thai teachers with one of the MANY wild dogs at school. The dogs wander around and will walk right into the classrooms and even the teachers' lounge. They also have a habit of attacking my housemate and I whenever we ride past them on our bikes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBKJOfVj6lgDNYfwbKrFVA2NFFjnCOpABuRrmXGBDy41QerjCUyJk-UbUAXlpUjZVUdPO91Cfn_ayhMi6ppFrv1CQvNOUM_MjJPcRiBg5yUOIQ_r-IhXYadQEsCmr7dunkf0x0gAz0A2c/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBKJOfVj6lgDNYfwbKrFVA2NFFjnCOpABuRrmXGBDy41QerjCUyJk-UbUAXlpUjZVUdPO91Cfn_ayhMi6ppFrv1CQvNOUM_MjJPcRiBg5yUOIQ_r-IhXYadQEsCmr7dunkf0x0gAz0A2c/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540891246209561538" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the boys, apparently too cool to make krathongs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcb5ftGT74rFrPpqQZeGOBQ5pJZVwTCqm-Hwj7oAv0-b3PRbTY-oPWeVV-BItrEtCIXRNIVG9_kvcYCePUKNY41MKphGDYgPjwN0END15AywqOAB8UJA-YsoGu3Q1mq4q-52M_fx1alA_/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcb5ftGT74rFrPpqQZeGOBQ5pJZVwTCqm-Hwj7oAv0-b3PRbTY-oPWeVV-BItrEtCIXRNIVG9_kvcYCePUKNY41MKphGDYgPjwN0END15AywqOAB8UJA-YsoGu3Q1mq4q-52M_fx1alA_/s400/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540891247348880306" border="0" /></a><br />Testing out their krathong to see if it floats. This is the so called "pool" at the school. "Lake" is definitely a bit more appropriate, but I think something gets lost in the translation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq4IBWUY6QaPSYBd_hjw0e9L7uDbB7u9VdDm0MucZGmfYhbG25-24IH89LEkwKa33BYJ8YwCsXoWadnKW9-bcyftZYsWzl19l3ZXXAm01EMB0xQ-64GArtDIg_q9m4UaFVGnmnvc_YEN-/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq4IBWUY6QaPSYBd_hjw0e9L7uDbB7u9VdDm0MucZGmfYhbG25-24IH89LEkwKa33BYJ8YwCsXoWadnKW9-bcyftZYsWzl19l3ZXXAm01EMB0xQ-64GArtDIg_q9m4UaFVGnmnvc_YEN-/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540891242933586466" border="0" /></a><br />All the krathongs lined up and ready for judging! Each class made one... there were SO many of them and every single one was amazing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3up4i6ASqvG7aUtcC4A6dZKSHlqzCB1AkQ68gCHaOUCoOn286i-3zLczXgWyOjJs5uVKtB_td2waaEqmZm1jeOz1BzpSGWYTk8alnnkbrMi6KtnWFdl8T3rjM-IqDvISTEu01nX-aweB/s1600/15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3up4i6ASqvG7aUtcC4A6dZKSHlqzCB1AkQ68gCHaOUCoOn286i-3zLczXgWyOjJs5uVKtB_td2waaEqmZm1jeOz1BzpSGWYTk8alnnkbrMi6KtnWFdl8T3rjM-IqDvISTEu01nX-aweB/s400/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540890623561030306" border="0" /></a><br />Lots and lots of kids waiting for the beauty contest to start!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMDhRs2Ws5JHdh0u1RGKpVYZ6K6mKyzmfTu3gl-DK9JSYzR6fw1ZTmib16ko4fIlro3vrSrgpESbz-bXSTmiRBCLRceAKJzG3WxvfeFjDswm60f_6Mov49U8wwZBFUQrGi10ixk7P-dtF/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMDhRs2Ws5JHdh0u1RGKpVYZ6K6mKyzmfTu3gl-DK9JSYzR6fw1ZTmib16ko4fIlro3vrSrgpESbz-bXSTmiRBCLRceAKJzG3WxvfeFjDswm60f_6Mov49U8wwZBFUQrGi10ixk7P-dtF/s400/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540891238298378930" border="0" /></a><br />It was too crowded on the ground, so a lot of the kids watched from above.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqQByv6mSLK1nfr8KMbi1nq3KR68J7Uvayq_6yLShc22tYap2SJzWi7uUBLENhUV_WAN0egzpYOqh6Dr94m72hJrOwFt-yxrH2UCPSLDfXvIpS3d3CUH9ljWCY95hAibGBdkc9EnZ0jQI/s1600/14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqQByv6mSLK1nfr8KMbi1nq3KR68J7Uvayq_6yLShc22tYap2SJzWi7uUBLENhUV_WAN0egzpYOqh6Dr94m72hJrOwFt-yxrH2UCPSLDfXvIpS3d3CUH9ljWCY95hAibGBdkc9EnZ0jQI/s400/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540890629385277666" border="0" /></a><br />One of the Thai teachers helping a student get ready for the contest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PAqFpoQrvWzoTBZLXDd2bVG6v8YNUmmoo9WjBMOGTGr3ifKKYyfiziOtGRsqDbT0ckcJ3OfvKnT9YkGVwqmx6SrS6q5GWcLPZUwpJXW-ejpGihY-SUhvBEI3OMxgxKM83NCpzkj_QWss/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PAqFpoQrvWzoTBZLXDd2bVG6v8YNUmmoo9WjBMOGTGr3ifKKYyfiziOtGRsqDbT0ckcJ3OfvKnT9YkGVwqmx6SrS6q5GWcLPZUwpJXW-ejpGihY-SUhvBEI3OMxgxKM83NCpzkj_QWss/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540892285335302274" border="0" /></a><br />It's a school rule that all of the students have to keep their hair very short, so Erin (my housemate) and I were wondering how much fake hair was used for all of these fancy shmancy up-dos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwbk1rxU50ieshgWMAj8RlTxWE-PGyRA3zHTGK__rDs6P4OUvcRS48gyt8yBQR_uiELaURA18l_y1lIJ8kWUWXLj1BzzkBdIVIpX6hR3BhKifo6nirwrOWaA3sVjnWVOsFPocn-EpxwMP/s1600/16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwbk1rxU50ieshgWMAj8RlTxWE-PGyRA3zHTGK__rDs6P4OUvcRS48gyt8yBQR_uiELaURA18l_y1lIJ8kWUWXLj1BzzkBdIVIpX6hR3BhKifo6nirwrOWaA3sVjnWVOsFPocn-EpxwMP/s400/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540890619913856722" border="0" /></a><br />Saway MAK! (Very beautiful.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5JIm8oACajOu_bM9hdf3pkrSmZUTEEDKcm5W5ATC4ru89mL7ffklPP5bCmx23VldXzHCXjO_3ke7d5HSjdbzGeoyuQXOdIB_W0vxBKr_a3KZpWgXAzqfIW6LDQ-YxfKnt_78MYsmVCMt/s1600/17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5JIm8oACajOu_bM9hdf3pkrSmZUTEEDKcm5W5ATC4ru89mL7ffklPP5bCmx23VldXzHCXjO_3ke7d5HSjdbzGeoyuQXOdIB_W0vxBKr_a3KZpWgXAzqfIW6LDQ-YxfKnt_78MYsmVCMt/s400/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540890616900599378" border="0" /></a><br />The beauty contest in motion! They were all wearing- no exaggeration- at least 4 or 5 inch heels. The "stage" was made of tables, so it wasn't the most solid thing to walk on. To top it all off, these girls all had so much extra weight on their heads and skirts that really didn't allow for much movement. Somehow they all still managed to be perfect little Thai women. I definitely couldn't have done it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhSxcj7fEyhAzb6Nk2VgKFLCr8FQa14dn5OsW7Zb9sPlMtwlkm8T06OUJwwZ6hWx7sjsVBWODUpi_5IRg-Vda9hSaHi8U_9q4cYtEUHJGeYMIxcuJZeRw0_pJCTfm6H4dyv15TFiU3Z_H/s1600/18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhSxcj7fEyhAzb6Nk2VgKFLCr8FQa14dn5OsW7Zb9sPlMtwlkm8T06OUJwwZ6hWx7sjsVBWODUpi_5IRg-Vda9hSaHi8U_9q4cYtEUHJGeYMIxcuJZeRw0_pJCTfm6H4dyv15TFiU3Z_H/s400/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540890612064934386" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-70080507611170852362010-11-17T19:49:00.003+07:002010-11-17T20:08:09.605+07:00Cooking LessonsI love the Thai teachers at my school... they're all awesome and the nicest people ever. They've been teaching us how to cook some Thai dishes recently and they've all been deeeeelicious! Today we learned how to make pad see ew woon sen (pad see ew but with glass noodles instead of wide rice noodles). Using different noodles gave the dish a completely different taste, and I MIGHT have even liked it more than the traditional pad see ew!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Deliciousness in the works...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizxrw1aRph-WP5NhYX-89-pEnUM1fknWYptd6wyQPkhDvjpLt_2eeDzOgM6MTYTIrY2Iz1mOQZU9n1oH5Mb7oDjF-v8pzUUe6lucX3jWL61OPan534aFR61ZAbk_JiSR90ooSgiO1Sm1P/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizxrw1aRph-WP5NhYX-89-pEnUM1fknWYptd6wyQPkhDvjpLt_2eeDzOgM6MTYTIrY2Iz1mOQZU9n1oH5Mb7oDjF-v8pzUUe6lucX3jWL61OPan534aFR61ZAbk_JiSR90ooSgiO1Sm1P/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540500225291991538" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the lovely Thai teachers and office staff.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggn8Y1RixBx8AyLihQ3F3-WUlz28oGVQGPoJFWna4PtvoyARdeh2pr_hAF0ZqHbrJSQ2Ti0zb3DAJVIZGmfSXRmJsFsxCgvVDSfln0uFsyavq5h_5KksK3NiiBp0z6BKg_Wzj7g84ak4x/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggn8Y1RixBx8AyLihQ3F3-WUlz28oGVQGPoJFWna4PtvoyARdeh2pr_hAF0ZqHbrJSQ2Ti0zb3DAJVIZGmfSXRmJsFsxCgvVDSfln0uFsyavq5h_5KksK3NiiBp0z6BKg_Wzj7g84ak4x/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540500216488440722" border="0" /></a><br />The master at work.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrj6ury50oLmR3A0DWhExrpIGY8edRJtp1TQXRc2oW_2fB472fW3WmLyESXCh2Y9E8rtsRONzXrYqxBe-QoHIDz7k-E-M4tZlOaQva7zfSvPhynCa5OE5ZO75ZgsO6dQN09qpKVEek_373/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrj6ury50oLmR3A0DWhExrpIGY8edRJtp1TQXRc2oW_2fB472fW3WmLyESXCh2Y9E8rtsRONzXrYqxBe-QoHIDz7k-E-M4tZlOaQva7zfSvPhynCa5OE5ZO75ZgsO6dQN09qpKVEek_373/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540500211210366754" border="0" /></a><br />The finished product!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWuSp9Tx8TEFWb5xG6zSk_1adXxI738uTZNMV2EkRqUaQUfhJbvrfWZMUJWHmiFeq7jHE4LvjcXvv1tDj49EV5qDEakcG895dgdiXMn98pRsMCcAjsxtXJTpG-LAY-6i6BzW5Dv3-Sfyb/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWuSp9Tx8TEFWb5xG6zSk_1adXxI738uTZNMV2EkRqUaQUfhJbvrfWZMUJWHmiFeq7jHE4LvjcXvv1tDj49EV5qDEakcG895dgdiXMn98pRsMCcAjsxtXJTpG-LAY-6i6BzW5Dv3-Sfyb/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540502641487037250" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-78027602708922165732010-11-16T21:14:00.006+07:002010-11-16T22:18:19.174+07:00Aroi MAK!I've had a special request to bring back the food pictures, so without further ado, I present to you... what I've eaten over the past few days:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is THE BEST FRIED RICE IN THE WORLD. It was also, by far, the best meal I've had in the three months that I've been here, and I've had some amazing food. I don't know how the woman did it, but every bite was an explosion of flavor in my mouth and I was so sad when I finished it. The second my housemate and I finished eating it last night, we decided we were going back to get it again tonight. I woke up thinking about it, and it's all we talked about all day. This fried rice alone is worth a trip to Thailand... seriously.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO52bMhBKyxFJVPXnYQieJiHS7wKqv1H4gr-Kq_Ds79rdJG4yZVUDezqvxt24N__1zFj9oIDs1o3p6XJRqXJ2-_4zqF2mKsVpJwaj_7K3lR9jC4ateCN48t3rQ0VuyWZug_BRiU4-xy-3b/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO52bMhBKyxFJVPXnYQieJiHS7wKqv1H4gr-Kq_Ds79rdJG4yZVUDezqvxt24N__1zFj9oIDs1o3p6XJRqXJ2-_4zqF2mKsVpJwaj_7K3lR9jC4ateCN48t3rQ0VuyWZug_BRiU4-xy-3b/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540153817981859650" border="0" /></a><br />This salad is yet another one of the amazing things Thailand has to offer. Like the fried rice, it's hard to imagine it's even half as delicious as it is. It's the dressing (or "salad cream", as they call it) that really clenches it. I don't know what it is, but it's sweet and yellow and I can eat it by the spoonful. It goes almost TOO well with the sweetness of the corn, taro, and pumpkin in the salad. I don't care what you say, that dressing even puts ranch to shame.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWX9S2J0rBPod-VOGLUnAlMNQsHYcbnFUJLH6TCKVEzJUqn_nZ9q5JVOxk3mwJDzL1MY0OsIDNlEknJ-EM0os6zdzsQx03LwADDRF-GJQBHvdYU-FD1EokQ_75shfyMPpadUAzrXU3U_Qr/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWX9S2J0rBPod-VOGLUnAlMNQsHYcbnFUJLH6TCKVEzJUqn_nZ9q5JVOxk3mwJDzL1MY0OsIDNlEknJ-EM0os6zdzsQx03LwADDRF-GJQBHvdYU-FD1EokQ_75shfyMPpadUAzrXU3U_Qr/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540153844256161058" border="0" /></a><br />One of the Thai teachers had this dish for lunch the other day, and as usual, she forced me to try it. And by forced, I mean she saw me drooling over it and offered me some before I exploded. It's called Pad Kana Moo Grob and is my new favorite Thai dish. When I first got here, I was all about the noodles. Now I'm all about the rice. I'm not sure what kind of sauce this is fried in, but it's kind of sweet and super flavorful. There's also A LOT of garlic thrown in there, which is right up my alley. Moo grob means crispy pork but I've yet to find out for sure what part of the pig it is. It's a little bit sweet and a little bit fatty, but not too much of either. It's my new favorite meat... I get it in everything now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5QdHuJv001umg0kjxjjDCPZDMSCbNghy5HT9duLXaXKxlceUhiWK-9kJ5bNdAD1dDKzqr0uaAgz2oU8b0PBhAi0G3pNNsUgjUJAUv8B3p7AN2dvhUCtkMsd-xT7B2hLJehrI2CTO6dFc/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5QdHuJv001umg0kjxjjDCPZDMSCbNghy5HT9duLXaXKxlceUhiWK-9kJ5bNdAD1dDKzqr0uaAgz2oU8b0PBhAi0G3pNNsUgjUJAUv8B3p7AN2dvhUCtkMsd-xT7B2hLJehrI2CTO6dFc/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540153772497754178" border="0" /></a><br />This is a crab stick donut. Yes, crab. And mayo. And it was just as disgusting as it sounds. I knew it would be but it was staring me in the face and screaming my name so I couldn't resist. How many people can say they've had a crab donut before?? When in Thailand...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4cc3eWbLQ0-gYFd4v910Fn440LLFtVsLG4aYvrqsDEg0Mqc9ycPqLOXpo6cRbqwz5TmAzgl9QlnMVokNnKhoN-nQQDST24BioKkLAsJInnp6gmEZ3NeEJw8TAWiqJWeFdyIpYRdzZHjV/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4cc3eWbLQ0-gYFd4v910Fn440LLFtVsLG4aYvrqsDEg0Mqc9ycPqLOXpo6cRbqwz5TmAzgl9QlnMVokNnKhoN-nQQDST24BioKkLAsJInnp6gmEZ3NeEJw8TAWiqJWeFdyIpYRdzZHjV/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540153769093681490" border="0" /></a><br />Stay tuned to see more of what's making me fat.<br /><br />More importantly, I've got a busy weekend ahead and my camera will most definitely be accompanying me. Thursday is the Loy Krathong celebration at school, complete with traditional Thai costumes and the 'releasing' of krathongs in our school's pool (aka swamp). On Saturday, my school is hosting an inter-school English competition (storytelling, skits, spelling bee, etc.) and I'll be the word reader for the spelling bee. On Sunday, one of the Thai teachers offered to bring me to a wat a bit north of here and to show me the parts of Saraburi that I haven't seen yet. After that, we're planning to go see a soccer game at the stadium in town. Then, (if I haven't fallen asleep yet) we'll go to the Loy Krathong festival (Sunday is the actual Loy Krathong Day) and see all of the krathongs in the river and eat all of the delicious food specially prepared to the occasion. Lots to look forward to... I'm so excited!<br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-5904501862553488202010-11-13T15:09:00.004+07:002010-11-13T15:34:06.730+07:00My Neighborhood by DayThe other day, I realized that things that I thought were strange and interesting when I first got here are now starting to feel normal. As soon as this hit me, I decided that no matter what, I would go out and take some pictures of my neighborhood before I'm not able to pick out things that are "strange" anymore.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEQA9JjZdMPQTf6P5EiPlJ0PHRspEMhX2ApKtGuTvMUtAZPslXPvqg9kWteeDAS2iLfHMfI0WzYqYvgVZBEUKE_0un8DDzIdC6i6jw7rbFXvMFwqyWAGOuYVSXEZWUVqpk2l8JXjytOPh/s1600/01_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEQA9JjZdMPQTf6P5EiPlJ0PHRspEMhX2ApKtGuTvMUtAZPslXPvqg9kWteeDAS2iLfHMfI0WzYqYvgVZBEUKE_0un8DDzIdC6i6jw7rbFXvMFwqyWAGOuYVSXEZWUVqpk2l8JXjytOPh/s400/01_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538943921970406914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVydQMH00xP0RmV4dEfhIc0kKYVPdwQN00D2We2kaTAEynivkhAE403Dg2fK7zi2ptsw72QOViR4PalF8ZaVzihiFCzz2VJwagR2Gc7PEt-P3G30qZwJWlCG2P0y9a1JAhERCyVTOyh-x/s1600/05_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVydQMH00xP0RmV4dEfhIc0kKYVPdwQN00D2We2kaTAEynivkhAE403Dg2fK7zi2ptsw72QOViR4PalF8ZaVzihiFCzz2VJwagR2Gc7PEt-P3G30qZwJWlCG2P0y9a1JAhERCyVTOyh-x/s400/05_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538943935808144770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPrdNLqannF8dvsLRMl8zhX_BYzwO2JM5HEyksI1qfdLrJnRxlAx-I8ajPQSV1YFsCgtDWG5k5nm4YoJvQBMyLWPxSN5ZgcvRV05aLHrNCsTkG0a4Rhrpk1jCvaQJy_rQmOxoAs2Zjwnm/s1600/03_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPrdNLqannF8dvsLRMl8zhX_BYzwO2JM5HEyksI1qfdLrJnRxlAx-I8ajPQSV1YFsCgtDWG5k5nm4YoJvQBMyLWPxSN5ZgcvRV05aLHrNCsTkG0a4Rhrpk1jCvaQJy_rQmOxoAs2Zjwnm/s400/03_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538943926135412226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiDpFt-uL_wThS_hG3YtMYrvorNMEnp8qFuwi1Xo53ZfSndm1IJorCTSR32yPfMij1ytuHgcTa47LyMOJAyIAjMRC9XjWAJFLtoNLs9kOiXlATKSyILz_3UJ7l6FUObMg82ZFoV5tZsPf/s1600/02_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiDpFt-uL_wThS_hG3YtMYrvorNMEnp8qFuwi1Xo53ZfSndm1IJorCTSR32yPfMij1ytuHgcTa47LyMOJAyIAjMRC9XjWAJFLtoNLs9kOiXlATKSyILz_3UJ7l6FUObMg82ZFoV5tZsPf/s400/02_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538943923124214450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJq1ssBdgGlnPQSLmCX14CDWNGaRi5ieQr8r6poQr5xTp-edc_OtDOVLh-iwmOZochfWlCrdNeRNplKJ7mQ11OpGVkNQ2jIvZOZhDtDiowLJ9Or1OdbC1FbJqw9r1Non8ov7fvaJCIOZ53/s1600/04_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJq1ssBdgGlnPQSLmCX14CDWNGaRi5ieQr8r6poQr5xTp-edc_OtDOVLh-iwmOZochfWlCrdNeRNplKJ7mQ11OpGVkNQ2jIvZOZhDtDiowLJ9Or1OdbC1FbJqw9r1Non8ov7fvaJCIOZ53/s400/04_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538943931460054226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2peCfodgLjknBN898jN7tthsGARZZufgVzxHz5DL209imzsjthiEaiJEZsGcQYuDEjNCDZYeYNDWmRP-vr4G66k4hqcgSxkiExxBcy0_Ys9LMzt_F_Wz2QbzwX3KryZL0FpXI4S3hgmRY/s1600/06_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2peCfodgLjknBN898jN7tthsGARZZufgVzxHz5DL209imzsjthiEaiJEZsGcQYuDEjNCDZYeYNDWmRP-vr4G66k4hqcgSxkiExxBcy0_Ys9LMzt_F_Wz2QbzwX3KryZL0FpXI4S3hgmRY/s400/06_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538948393570757154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62XXeFOhFe2i-1IMEJ-QpOuo4HRTXWvLEtAE3M5szDZeXd5TgSptSiW9WI0JKZGRZ7nhGh5x7a1F1HM19FVq6xE0x8wxzwxHCuUVQ6fuPbmbWYUSQt13C_GU2M_2vvJvdu7iDttL7WaKs/s1600/07_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62XXeFOhFe2i-1IMEJ-QpOuo4HRTXWvLEtAE3M5szDZeXd5TgSptSiW9WI0JKZGRZ7nhGh5x7a1F1HM19FVq6xE0x8wxzwxHCuUVQ6fuPbmbWYUSQt13C_GU2M_2vvJvdu7iDttL7WaKs/s400/07_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538948397352016610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43gL-qjYpknSPiu_2cMMnEX1MzhZJcyzTE43GsquvQx5nXGTZmXENCjC2MUbr9gJNlkTYlZvtaLGOSZA6JSzevDKs794UTFEXOQNoa9gcbtyHdkGVZFdCafX0V7oIL-nw3wVRRoyI0gmV/s1600/08_small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43gL-qjYpknSPiu_2cMMnEX1MzhZJcyzTE43GsquvQx5nXGTZmXENCjC2MUbr9gJNlkTYlZvtaLGOSZA6JSzevDKs794UTFEXOQNoa9gcbtyHdkGVZFdCafX0V7oIL-nw3wVRRoyI0gmV/s400/08_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538948405066670994" border="0" /></a><br />"My Neighborhood by Night" coming soon!<br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-2963585376727496152010-11-06T11:28:00.006+07:002010-11-06T12:01:57.250+07:00SaraburiI'm long overdue for an update... I've been CRAZY busy with school and being sick with dengue fever. I haven't been bringing my real camera around with me, but of course I've been making good use of my iPhone camera!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My school! I teach mostly regular English classes (13 of them), which is where I took the first and third pictures. I've got about 60 students in each of those classes, there's no air con, wild dogs walk in and out of the classroom whenever they please, and I have to teach with a microphone. They're M2 students, which is about the equivalent of freshmen in America. Their English is pretty beginner level, but some of them are awesome. I also teach a few English Program classes with the same age students, but their English is AMAZING. A lot of the time, I can have a normal conversation with them. The words that they know AND use correctly always impress me. They're absolutely <span style="font-style: italic;">hilarious </span>and I'm constantly cracking up at the things they say. They've definitely got personalities and they're probably a bit <span style="font-style: italic;">too</span> comfortable in class. The English Program kids are the pride of the school, so they've got nice, high tech classrooms with computers, projectors, and air con.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nyaeoBRwDNx1K0xorT1wosXHCouWAx5l1uFeKgcjhu3kx_97wi2wGXQUZxKmZNniwpF0mMfTLaeX0Q3wch-88DUj7JMwqIeHPxweAzaKm5kTC4GOhJSI-exVUNxjexEy8-45n0rSGrMa/s1600/school.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nyaeoBRwDNx1K0xorT1wosXHCouWAx5l1uFeKgcjhu3kx_97wi2wGXQUZxKmZNniwpF0mMfTLaeX0Q3wch-88DUj7JMwqIeHPxweAzaKm5kTC4GOhJSI-exVUNxjexEy8-45n0rSGrMa/s400/school.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536292217772554386" border="0" /></a><br />I live in Saraburi which is in central Thailand, about an hour north of Bangkok. We got hit with really heavy rainfall and LOTS of flooding recently. There's a river that goes through the town and it was- literally- about 30 feet higher than it usually is. That's the first picture. The second picture is of a wat (temple) right near where I live. The third photo is of my go-to street vendor. When I don't know what I want for dinner, I go to him and tell him to make me something good. The other night I had some fish insides that were surprisingly delicious. I haven't been disappointed with a meal from him yet!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUcmJv22ZGCl2a5UgkP_Q1N0fx3Hus4zq3Rw8zkinTp8Nm2LxCdiqpcJ9Pm17xJPB5No1mK_SCgurjtIGxY1Od2-mrBqL9UfZIjx2Fu7eHkr5Xff2W3q_dAh6hkp2Wae10qNT8nL01eog/s1600/saraburi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUcmJv22ZGCl2a5UgkP_Q1N0fx3Hus4zq3Rw8zkinTp8Nm2LxCdiqpcJ9Pm17xJPB5No1mK_SCgurjtIGxY1Od2-mrBqL9UfZIjx2Fu7eHkr5Xff2W3q_dAh6hkp2Wae10qNT8nL01eog/s400/saraburi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536292208965289954" border="0" /></a><br />And last but not least, my home away from home... the hospital! I had dengue fever for the past week or so and let me tell you, it has definitely not been fun. I'm almost over it now though, finally, which I'm very happy about. My room in the hospital was like a hotel suite though- private bathroom with hot water, balcony and nice view, microwave, refrigerator, TV <span style="font-style: italic;">with </span>English channels, and a couch for all of the visitors that I didn't have. All of that, IVs, medicine, meals, nursing care, x-rays, and the doctors' services for less than $300 a night! The middle picture is of the incredibly itchy rash that I got when my fever broke. This picture was taken when it first appeared, but within a day the spots of "normal" skin were pretty much non-existent. The rash covered pretty much every inch of my arms, legs, and stomach, and it was UNBEARABLE.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiA4amxxG0HwQB5Tl1iZr-YBsWT7gl4U0JuJTGrZWmu24Sl5Oz_cnmPtR2OAxsGYboUxQaGKeJWXvws1Cn0G5-XE739Opk_ONACDTiUdYtwltTC4r5AiKGXMtp1X97z9swr6GaT51zlChO/s1600/hospital.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiA4amxxG0HwQB5Tl1iZr-YBsWT7gl4U0JuJTGrZWmu24Sl5Oz_cnmPtR2OAxsGYboUxQaGKeJWXvws1Cn0G5-XE739Opk_ONACDTiUdYtwltTC4r5AiKGXMtp1X97z9swr6GaT51zlChO/s400/hospital.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536292204167110226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'll hopefully take some <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> pictures soon so keep an eye out for them!<br /></div></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-20662779313490791112010-10-23T21:52:00.010+07:002010-10-23T23:21:08.393+07:00Vientiane, LaosI've been in Vientiane, Laos for the past few days for my first visa run and to switch to a working visa. Now, I can legally work here! Yay! It's about a 10 hour bus ride up to the border from where I live and trust me- it's a very LONG 10 hours. Vientiane is the capitol of Laos and it's just over the border. I have to say though, it's pretty lame as far as capitol cities go. There's not much to do or see there, and the day and a half I spent there was more than enough. Still, it's been on my list of places to see while I'm over here so at least now I can cross that off. Plus, my passport is really starting to fill up with stamps! I thought the trip was going to be all work no play, but I ended up meeting some pretty cool people and we definitely had some fun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Patuxai is probably Vientiane's main attraction. It's a war monument dedicated to those who lost their lives in Laos' struggle to gain independence from France. Funnily enough though, it's meant to resemble the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z_j0DIhgSD25Eiwl7ltx1LUClsOLcMdGT2PiQfbj2136q6GeMTmSo3xYt_HevBWrHA3x00b3Q7R9mht7-wDaJP5CdIDyfFiMdUgDPVQkh3F_ylAAejwbhWypH1rsDFb0X6eiIHvg_AjB/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z_j0DIhgSD25Eiwl7ltx1LUClsOLcMdGT2PiQfbj2136q6GeMTmSo3xYt_HevBWrHA3x00b3Q7R9mht7-wDaJP5CdIDyfFiMdUgDPVQkh3F_ylAAejwbhWypH1rsDFb0X6eiIHvg_AjB/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531256510080480962" border="0" /></a><br />Gotta love Engrish...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDJKD7emy7UyaBRBq1yh6ZBuG9phkt2fRrFoZwMGKw67yNcsQegmWyYX0im8mlp7mqBeknTXWRBgg1cKaTGiy0QbrIp-twFBEXl9BZcgh2HHjPnZqBA19lhChfNhKahVhrDFry7hQHUn7/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDJKD7emy7UyaBRBq1yh6ZBuG9phkt2fRrFoZwMGKw67yNcsQegmWyYX0im8mlp7mqBeknTXWRBgg1cKaTGiy0QbrIp-twFBEXl9BZcgh2HHjPnZqBA19lhChfNhKahVhrDFry7hQHUn7/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531256503570687554" border="0" /></a><br />A girl from South Africa that I met on the trip, taking a photo of Patuxai (clearly).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQDU45Zg79xRCl9vUyPzOPZhKQ3jdGg3oxKYZHOuVCz7dGDXRdN705UvcvenS1hkfXcmVHZanEFrZ2t5i-Rmu117E4qukrRn-dzCMNnBF_kC4Tc0WR04vhFJEi-XBk3EBZPkGu0vhbQK4/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQDU45Zg79xRCl9vUyPzOPZhKQ3jdGg3oxKYZHOuVCz7dGDXRdN705UvcvenS1hkfXcmVHZanEFrZ2t5i-Rmu117E4qukrRn-dzCMNnBF_kC4Tc0WR04vhFJEi-XBk3EBZPkGu0vhbQK4/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531256496498375282" border="0" /></a><br />The road leading up to Patuxai is even meant to resemble the boulevard in Paris.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O0iMY6gCjX1tB7T2_tvEU6qYH9HLqZVQvmR_f4zTu8QzRecGT1LX419C5rz4HS9VXhHlZ9q8rBOiOU7CMX3hLMTBb_2ay7HNIF_hprZLaMd-2SUbwWwKHRD0RO-KtXt7u4WD2RaNd5y6/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O0iMY6gCjX1tB7T2_tvEU6qYH9HLqZVQvmR_f4zTu8QzRecGT1LX419C5rz4HS9VXhHlZ9q8rBOiOU7CMX3hLMTBb_2ay7HNIF_hprZLaMd-2SUbwWwKHRD0RO-KtXt7u4WD2RaNd5y6/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531256489219853250" border="0" /></a><br />That Luang is Laos' most sacred Buddhist monuments. It's completely covered in gold, and absolutely beautiful.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8776XF8h4jsOXW9bDoDIX9lzCf81AMBSvGP2niXI5GHCyzlzG9JlJaOOdbFs-7vPdIxlmb4dLHsXitM0Pxuu6osXEsylBh9UnaqU4et7G3YhOELcELBRDNCYspxfOTr7cdNq2V2mb2j0W/s1600/02+copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8776XF8h4jsOXW9bDoDIX9lzCf81AMBSvGP2niXI5GHCyzlzG9JlJaOOdbFs-7vPdIxlmb4dLHsXitM0Pxuu6osXEsylBh9UnaqU4et7G3YhOELcELBRDNCYspxfOTr7cdNq2V2mb2j0W/s400/02+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531259275579861058" border="0" /></a><br />We didn't get a chance to see it during the day, but I have a feeling it's prettier at night anyways. Unfortunately, going at night meant that it was closed to the public, but I'd say it's a pretty fair trade-off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6rGkNBgScCOYYzFVIeH8t-O7ojHS435Cj3B0C-A7cSJSNmF4t_kgPblVjiJe50Bl1nYJNGrdgWKHlE_YWbpinUJaFw9tAwShlPVxCLSA865FwVHMsuLkh4srjZnlHHx9olgPymBAEIRb/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6rGkNBgScCOYYzFVIeH8t-O7ojHS435Cj3B0C-A7cSJSNmF4t_kgPblVjiJe50Bl1nYJNGrdgWKHlE_YWbpinUJaFw9tAwShlPVxCLSA865FwVHMsuLkh4srjZnlHHx9olgPymBAEIRb/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531255709269228146" border="0" /></a><br />Just to the right of That Luang is a wat, and the temple grounds are lined with Buddhist statues.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5WwFDSAVEzYRbRbO1TYnMdcTl-4Rq_AQUMiewRa2GfXjbdXN1hX_pa0WF7l4qIRD5KZVBb7UJOkmgSuY8diq2iHAqm0TmAGQw-jvHrfvHG4kAZToWv5mmr0MCPaQ7n_1EcDzrIIHSjUu/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5WwFDSAVEzYRbRbO1TYnMdcTl-4Rq_AQUMiewRa2GfXjbdXN1hX_pa0WF7l4qIRD5KZVBb7UJOkmgSuY8diq2iHAqm0TmAGQw-jvHrfvHG4kAZToWv5mmr0MCPaQ7n_1EcDzrIIHSjUu/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531255702887537794" border="0" /></a><br />It just happened to still be open, so we asked if we could come inside. We were happily invited in, and it was absolutely beautiful. It was kind of sistine chapel-esque and it's the first wat I've actually been inside. You're not supposed to take pictures but being the rebel that I am, of course I had to sneak a few. Sorry Buddha!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-MdtL7NplrbvwtU2TL_kE79Jf-TH7qTD9ai7gJ5mPh2X1YNOJkqjztWdvi14wYhmLtpFa996wyn7xXgrufRUOdqGoKRWvJrNsZKRG-rBTYs3xfv7HfzQHck-IWg1LqHRiEjTwmmJJvla/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-MdtL7NplrbvwtU2TL_kE79Jf-TH7qTD9ai7gJ5mPh2X1YNOJkqjztWdvi14wYhmLtpFa996wyn7xXgrufRUOdqGoKRWvJrNsZKRG-rBTYs3xfv7HfzQHck-IWg1LqHRiEjTwmmJJvla/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531255698805887634" border="0" /></a><br />There was a HUGE night market going on, so we decided to stop there for a bit and check it out. Now, I am such a market aficionado, but this one was just too much for me! It was so overwhelming and unnecessarily loud, but I guess it was pretty cool to see it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4K9RgjU7Z-CtZtO0QEdyrRIWHlhiFR-1CDWwr5MVcWmmgjDu7yI6b04OqmAwiK-rgiOeaAwhTVLAufWtXG1wTdSvKp_FwD7oMQdcapF9P6amJRbjTycw-nO27O86C8ZfQ-i88QFL3T4Y/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4K9RgjU7Z-CtZtO0QEdyrRIWHlhiFR-1CDWwr5MVcWmmgjDu7yI6b04OqmAwiK-rgiOeaAwhTVLAufWtXG1wTdSvKp_FwD7oMQdcapF9P6amJRbjTycw-nO27O86C8ZfQ-i88QFL3T4Y/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531255695892187858" border="0" /></a><br />The market was right along the Mekong, so we escaped the market to go see the river at one point. It was pretty cool to see the river itself because it's so well known, and the solace it gave us from the market was much appreciated.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjrlg9bGgsQURI3xACKYmDlr14R076h-pi_jCU9M6sJE8x4XtF6ldU3RYT2rBzXetLtx1BhF-QSCMjmDTD-my0FcG61KnjQ44e-hJ4qpJx3gk1EPRtpDtPJXQiIJeij0UYxPJadfWTVNN/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjrlg9bGgsQURI3xACKYmDlr14R076h-pi_jCU9M6sJE8x4XtF6ldU3RYT2rBzXetLtx1BhF-QSCMjmDTD-my0FcG61KnjQ44e-hJ4qpJx3gk1EPRtpDtPJXQiIJeij0UYxPJadfWTVNN/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531255698687627218" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-2488053997220170992010-10-23T21:47:00.002+07:002010-10-23T21:52:33.211+07:00FireworksTonight is a full moon AND Chulalongkorn Day, so I don't know which one all of the festivities are for. Standing on my balcony, I can see an unobstructed view of the full moon to my right. We got lucky and it's a perfectly clear night! A few hours ago, there were fireworks going off directly across the street from my house- literally. I guess they don't have the same safety issues here as they do in the states. When the first one went off, I actually thought it was a gunshot!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yEhBQ79LDvjl0qHL9Ah_2irfsTdzA7Tr7gVlbCzphy-gBsKuIMZQiejBcV7U1lIvQjk7UAtO_-D1C1Phrpq6uPkMijfJCS2AsxZ_T8qz-snAeLaAv-11q1hkaEojCIuo-fniMKTqHvmN/s1600/fireworks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yEhBQ79LDvjl0qHL9Ah_2irfsTdzA7Tr7gVlbCzphy-gBsKuIMZQiejBcV7U1lIvQjk7UAtO_-D1C1Phrpq6uPkMijfJCS2AsxZ_T8qz-snAeLaAv-11q1hkaEojCIuo-fniMKTqHvmN/s400/fireworks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531254309724669170" border="0" /></a>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-76923718176242285722010-10-16T15:51:00.003+07:002010-10-16T15:55:04.780+07:00Chiang MaiAfter I left Future Light, I went up north to Chiang Mai to relax and take a few days to myself. It was amazing. I was too busy loving life to give much thought to taking pictures, but I did get a few HDRIs. They're not the best, but they'll do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSPQlkjHTtMzJkUbqOuihpXL4petNAMvGRlEQ4ZbsU4TGyVqkyThbpadhUFAytnKJGxA2aaWsCOCiZ9i4jMClq5GDmlDqv65svxLDsGBANjDSJ11UDf8O9vPZ6YKzIwWMqwXex69Kgmga/s1600/ruins.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSPQlkjHTtMzJkUbqOuihpXL4petNAMvGRlEQ4ZbsU4TGyVqkyThbpadhUFAytnKJGxA2aaWsCOCiZ9i4jMClq5GDmlDqv65svxLDsGBANjDSJ11UDf8O9vPZ6YKzIwWMqwXex69Kgmga/s400/ruins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528564231334642962" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCvk-eEwOoLWOFNqX-CjwFBNHVEIhV-_xEkgBmdkltkSI-eVClWDxuSGnEHPFRq67pGDEAdzauqDv9zoGaNXDaxMDT3XRLaOI1vYvQsjy_jucUnYpfAf2Dndwc2gj14taWrB_fyPy6xT7/s1600/temple.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCvk-eEwOoLWOFNqX-CjwFBNHVEIhV-_xEkgBmdkltkSI-eVClWDxuSGnEHPFRq67pGDEAdzauqDv9zoGaNXDaxMDT3XRLaOI1vYvQsjy_jucUnYpfAf2Dndwc2gj14taWrB_fyPy6xT7/s400/temple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528564241213446962" border="0" /></a>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-49972916106792013602010-10-16T14:01:00.011+07:002010-10-16T15:55:34.804+07:00Goodbye, Future Light!As per the requests of a few very persistent people, I now present some photos from my last few days at Future Light...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My last day there, a few of the younger kids were participating in Sports Day. Sports Day is the most amazing day of the school year, and I'm jealous that I didn't grow up with it. It's an intense inter-school competition where the kids compete in everything from running to relays to Muay Thai. They really go all out with new uniforms for the competitors and elaborate costumes for the "cheerleaders". I went as the proud parent/crazy soccer mom, but apparently it is a very Western thing to watch your kids at an event like this. Our kids were the only ones with fans cheering them on and buying them all sorts of sweets and treats, but they were definitely the happy kids there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlL_K14617ztlHpGihQujQyWCy7kKPx5P9__7ZMpsjoHeYvYiExnvBKr0JGvm8WGvzHemnSinQTFf_8Du3ks-w1tBmuCYl_dxU7Zjso9YQYkLC0iYn-hB-kanJ3Mimb2a45O2ezANjN6K/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlL_K14617ztlHpGihQujQyWCy7kKPx5P9__7ZMpsjoHeYvYiExnvBKr0JGvm8WGvzHemnSinQTFf_8Du3ks-w1tBmuCYl_dxU7Zjso9YQYkLC0iYn-hB-kanJ3Mimb2a45O2ezANjN6K/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528555554230965202" border="0" /></a><br />Zorbay being awesome and owning a tennis ball throwing competition... he got one of the farthest distances!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMahVfBoNl6KAdx7XE9ghVy7VtpXq7xd4UqpFewIZZBteXC2I7gqWkY_Q-YWKlj4_dKu5wxqDw3LYT-FJbG3YSbci48w9PG58dwOLE2D6Ea2OYTq9h2BXk51UHBQ8jcQkudX22Nly4SIuR/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMahVfBoNl6KAdx7XE9ghVy7VtpXq7xd4UqpFewIZZBteXC2I7gqWkY_Q-YWKlj4_dKu5wxqDw3LYT-FJbG3YSbci48w9PG58dwOLE2D6Ea2OYTq9h2BXk51UHBQ8jcQkudX22Nly4SIuR/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528555558533347730" border="0" /></a><br />Adelle is one of two Australians that I hung out with whenever I needed some time away from the home. This is her taking pictures of some children she does not know. These are a few of the cheerleaders in elaborate costumes that I was talking about!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejpV6LbIEtl4mP9mGwwQUzeC54GsoNXh9lEC9IFrKVsU9qLRTguGnkVtDtk9ekafNfg3x2Gz_aq8_Mw-OLSPt3ewUIQRxFMcO73bOBNZmBYBquAfSfuWPaO0VgGfUW_5s_KHqfkfBXbdk/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejpV6LbIEtl4mP9mGwwQUzeC54GsoNXh9lEC9IFrKVsU9qLRTguGnkVtDtk9ekafNfg3x2Gz_aq8_Mw-OLSPt3ewUIQRxFMcO73bOBNZmBYBquAfSfuWPaO0VgGfUW_5s_KHqfkfBXbdk/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528555550576663746" border="0" /></a><br />We spent a rather eventful morning at Sports Day, and then I went back to the home to spend some time with the kids who were there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwb_785BVPXNygtIFYcIrp-QxYoP1PvTpbo9qi7IIA8bfUZiW4T0kBDtwY3BNSiqwYGXD_bpLRXxSyrG6tP5w2-Lhyphenhyphen1kZkGF3UK_kzP9SReD4_1ek-6FBnAU153ynHTOpqMfoco1nj_6pL/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwb_785BVPXNygtIFYcIrp-QxYoP1PvTpbo9qi7IIA8bfUZiW4T0kBDtwY3BNSiqwYGXD_bpLRXxSyrG6tP5w2-Lhyphenhyphen1kZkGF3UK_kzP9SReD4_1ek-6FBnAU153ynHTOpqMfoco1nj_6pL/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528555547304503282" border="0" /></a><br />Natasha and Jen are the two amazing girls who run and fund the home. On one of my last days there, they came up to see the kids and bring LOTS of donations. It was Natasha's birthday just a few days before they came, so I thought it would be fun for all of the kids to make her a birthday card to surprise her with when she got there. Little did I know it would occupy them for HOURS. I can't even describe how excited the kdis were for Natasha and Jen to come, and they were even more excited to have something to give them when they arrived.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3LPbcqEc49QADtYg3Ekpa9XZBcuu5YKWe4v7bh8u1flMu-oap5ubq8FrnEATo5vOLn_z9VH3Ob53eHpI2GYxH4DmOt5a-LIze_tlK2OKDRkVWEoo7Xfaw9g9m2__oJCOUE7Li7CyIl-F/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3LPbcqEc49QADtYg3Ekpa9XZBcuu5YKWe4v7bh8u1flMu-oap5ubq8FrnEATo5vOLn_z9VH3Ob53eHpI2GYxH4DmOt5a-LIze_tlK2OKDRkVWEoo7Xfaw9g9m2__oJCOUE7Li7CyIl-F/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528548850873075330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpBb5h4YjgoAZWoUMBwLxs4v5jLobaYBQdINy7I2w9n4Pt_SCUyPw8Om5SwKMnsgVOwy3hNx2DtSFxkhQ3WqlxT2GbkcWIBm8mKLhi-gRr3-pIyV5cfYDe74Jr7KVaf2g3SPxxND725fI/s1600/02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpBb5h4YjgoAZWoUMBwLxs4v5jLobaYBQdINy7I2w9n4Pt_SCUyPw8Om5SwKMnsgVOwy3hNx2DtSFxkhQ3WqlxT2GbkcWIBm8mKLhi-gRr3-pIyV5cfYDe74Jr7KVaf2g3SPxxND725fI/s400/02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528539278241675618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUS5CliDpzRe_UYpN_oD1DFMtOkxVrkXBZ1D_y2NQUHEg94IXkFe_l8FKfmObuLOcW5w4E6SuFqgCBPSiPU-_09fcSolkjibb4di6H4Y9UL4oZZkZqzBLDHd7dsdSSovRD5BGcvJoO4kbF/s1600/03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUS5CliDpzRe_UYpN_oD1DFMtOkxVrkXBZ1D_y2NQUHEg94IXkFe_l8FKfmObuLOcW5w4E6SuFqgCBPSiPU-_09fcSolkjibb4di6H4Y9UL4oZZkZqzBLDHd7dsdSSovRD5BGcvJoO4kbF/s400/03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528539278107964162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYDYhtWbRIzzG5QT_zQX_ux9pdAIlOTKJIT0TIxfV7PDy6ntzfsIwXB7BH5oKQuK4AzhmFZkU1En13aifCAXLuGrO9H_7JfxpvKc2iyfLrAnEXlvCTNPhYjIsztvvdM0nX_OpIpwBJnGf/s1600/04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYDYhtWbRIzzG5QT_zQX_ux9pdAIlOTKJIT0TIxfV7PDy6ntzfsIwXB7BH5oKQuK4AzhmFZkU1En13aifCAXLuGrO9H_7JfxpvKc2iyfLrAnEXlvCTNPhYjIsztvvdM0nX_OpIpwBJnGf/s400/04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528539270811987698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TCs9YysrwlF12Kl2gatNxj5ztSC7vI1UbBPBwAU_51jzrdT6rCRgHOiDzFOt7d8Y6xnPLPkivtHMcrSKVBmNxjh9-tn9EGtESBRqd6NQOtHRo22fJsPqArJlhbpMsNvB1cK9jaNzPmbZ/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TCs9YysrwlF12Kl2gatNxj5ztSC7vI1UbBPBwAU_51jzrdT6rCRgHOiDzFOt7d8Y6xnPLPkivtHMcrSKVBmNxjh9-tn9EGtESBRqd6NQOtHRo22fJsPqArJlhbpMsNvB1cK9jaNzPmbZ/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528539268090822882" border="0" /></a><br />They were all so proud of their cards! Matay only arrived at the home a week before I got there, so when we were making the cards he had never even met Natasha. But of course that didn't stop him from putting just as much love into his card as the rest of the kids did into theirs. His card was actually the product of quite a few kids' (and my own) handiwork, which I think makes it even better. And, he learned how to say "Happy Birthday" and "I love you", so he definitely had the right to want to show his card off!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sy_-LS8vs8C8sGVAzQ9vFPnelfbx6Vk8lZZnvhYbwVqMDiU8wVpSDzbg9XwM9rvyDdyQZatvFfSGKZvoSz6jDvWo6aMJ7ikefkISZsOh49N-D3Y7aCKgPK6NRCghXmdyPk-0D9LFNFla/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sy_-LS8vs8C8sGVAzQ9vFPnelfbx6Vk8lZZnvhYbwVqMDiU8wVpSDzbg9XwM9rvyDdyQZatvFfSGKZvoSz6jDvWo6aMJ7ikefkISZsOh49N-D3Y7aCKgPK6NRCghXmdyPk-0D9LFNFla/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528539265362092642" border="0" /></a><br />After all that hard work, it was time for some fun. Or for a nap, as evidenced by Nichi sleeping in the background!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WodRU_WTFZO9w9fMZf28Kt3aZNuYmOdQAZL94vUpz6ciSqpTW8IPzyFxiZEZ01_neLtD9YzJcaWAm2sWMs2YnoCf-0UuYYAWL_-5VH2UU8lV1MiAB8YPHq-2wHh540HapkyTtBkJ7oUm/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WodRU_WTFZO9w9fMZf28Kt3aZNuYmOdQAZL94vUpz6ciSqpTW8IPzyFxiZEZ01_neLtD9YzJcaWAm2sWMs2YnoCf-0UuYYAWL_-5VH2UU8lV1MiAB8YPHq-2wHh540HapkyTtBkJ7oUm/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528538773048551442" border="0" /></a><br />I was serenaded by the little girls for at least an hour, and treated to some (<span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> Traditional) Burmese song and dance...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV211spQVXUcw7-YCMRbpy-c7AaTYBjIAfuVEpA_zGCJZAVfl8zWOguG6IV70fTtYTAqn0Pecui7WbKF6ZV1paUwyKO9WdYmcnK1m2Fu90fUN_f2xzZ-SCciI0aT8HoZc3Irb7eVdPpLbd/s1600/08.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV211spQVXUcw7-YCMRbpy-c7AaTYBjIAfuVEpA_zGCJZAVfl8zWOguG6IV70fTtYTAqn0Pecui7WbKF6ZV1paUwyKO9WdYmcnK1m2Fu90fUN_f2xzZ-SCciI0aT8HoZc3Irb7eVdPpLbd/s400/08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528538760528528146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj6NsyPFimTn2jfjQ_TOI5twS0RRqxAWJSbdq0hn9laaYgvjyV6OyrvLykc1UZtegAxA6Z0b9mO2jlCg43jEC_sK_-CMNb_iUe3ifSX2EJ325cwVk5I0uYcgCvaSb3FgQAr0oQVa-J_zI/s1600/09.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj6NsyPFimTn2jfjQ_TOI5twS0RRqxAWJSbdq0hn9laaYgvjyV6OyrvLykc1UZtegAxA6Z0b9mO2jlCg43jEC_sK_-CMNb_iUe3ifSX2EJ325cwVk5I0uYcgCvaSb3FgQAr0oQVa-J_zI/s400/09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528538760848407442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Zr8M5kOu6zS6Sl9bNhYl5-J5OxUev6aZUMT4p9FJ7LkWLNHQhi0tJfWBw9WvOj69ud8fBpRaDwWwCbpNn7Ugne-gy66Vl0Tfp56v82PlZSy1P1q0PYBNS6k5UL4Sr-UNrO21mNx341Kq/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Zr8M5kOu6zS6Sl9bNhYl5-J5OxUev6aZUMT4p9FJ7LkWLNHQhi0tJfWBw9WvOj69ud8fBpRaDwWwCbpNn7Ugne-gy66Vl0Tfp56v82PlZSy1P1q0PYBNS6k5UL4Sr-UNrO21mNx341Kq/s400/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528538755811012434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7VseQ32i-QJ1RIMRq3ukjVY50STwxfh_rlWqesR2zu-oeuJRdvbevfSAckAnSo5kQ1LWKf59z49muhadFWK9IcNfehJ0ufmo3fABrVKpxFs8gSpgCx1Ltj3r5EMyhMiUhOL5Sv2RE2H4/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7VseQ32i-QJ1RIMRq3ukjVY50STwxfh_rlWqesR2zu-oeuJRdvbevfSAckAnSo5kQ1LWKf59z49muhadFWK9IcNfehJ0ufmo3fABrVKpxFs8gSpgCx1Ltj3r5EMyhMiUhOL5Sv2RE2H4/s400/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528538748845573842" border="0" /></a><br />In anticipation of Natasha and Jen's arrival, all of the kids put on their best clothes and did their hair and make up. They even got me all dolled up... Natasha paid me the "compliment" of saying I looked like an 80's pop star. Once they were ready, they all sat quietly and patiently in the main room, just waiting. After nearly two hours, they finally arrived and you should have seen these kids' faces. They came with TWO VANS FILLED WITH DONATIONS, and the kids could not get out the door to carry everything in fast enough.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEf8A-gvZx4lt18zk5iSZqZzPbnY0M79IV9LBWdTqOwJQuxl9gvI8mUUzyWPDckBNgvydaJ9Qe5PW2i6tWithHSXsbrhtmR7_zfzSUi7SHFntQtU-enYeIPJSG9vyhvpHS5T7VeT9S3rK/s1600/05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEf8A-gvZx4lt18zk5iSZqZzPbnY0M79IV9LBWdTqOwJQuxl9gvI8mUUzyWPDckBNgvydaJ9Qe5PW2i6tWithHSXsbrhtmR7_zfzSUi7SHFntQtU-enYeIPJSG9vyhvpHS5T7VeT9S3rK/s400/05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528547514150595666" border="0" /></a><br />They were SO eager to help unload the vans, and not because they knew the things were for them, but because they just wanted to help.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOBpVV915_zWsV_EH80G41UCNDn2yLtQrXLMcZWgDAzfQwtphXszt9j0e6zJT8_mxb8WWbYFJzy9GltLP1mpKJbHfVbkfTEezd9QtCyFdzVTT6ZtcH8lE9xGsptMOR9OetKZxEyVLeecl/s1600/06.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOBpVV915_zWsV_EH80G41UCNDn2yLtQrXLMcZWgDAzfQwtphXszt9j0e6zJT8_mxb8WWbYFJzy9GltLP1mpKJbHfVbkfTEezd9QtCyFdzVTT6ZtcH8lE9xGsptMOR9OetKZxEyVLeecl/s400/06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528547522514786946" border="0" /></a><br />SO many boxes! And this is only about half of it. Lots of awesome frozen food and TONS of cheese that they absolutely hated. They said it tasted like armpit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE80r_xgSIf6PDHblHrruXHfSYu3eppbZ-7CntsUOLkJJgFjaM6NMLEETwzQM4YSdP7A0RcmT2Tz-H4CtHKI0ImYkCdoIZctI-TMaI7W8uUQxb9lKs2og5b-hjdcnjWGfc7tpRa-MabmCM/s1600/07.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE80r_xgSIf6PDHblHrruXHfSYu3eppbZ-7CntsUOLkJJgFjaM6NMLEETwzQM4YSdP7A0RcmT2Tz-H4CtHKI0ImYkCdoIZctI-TMaI7W8uUQxb9lKs2og5b-hjdcnjWGfc7tpRa-MabmCM/s400/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528547526493833362" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Now, this goes against absolutely everything I stand for, but these kids are worth it:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">They are ALWAYS in need of donations, whether it be goods or funds. There are 36 kids, 4 staff, and 2 houseparents all living off of the kindness of two twenty-something girls in Bangkok. If you would like to help in </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">any</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> way, you can contact me or get in touch with them directly <a href="http://on.fb.me/futureLight"></a>by <a href="http://on.fb.me/futureLight">clicking here</a>. Every little thing counts, and even the smallest acts of kindness go such a long way with these kids!</span>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397080424229169683.post-81708617308734515292010-10-05T10:32:00.007+07:002010-10-05T11:46:22.173+07:00Smiles, Smiles, SmilesThis is my favorite batch of pictures yet... so many SMILES!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Papalin (I think I'm finally learning how to not butcher their names!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSLxoTvk6p8tTQ_-_J0dvZoXrTDW5Xg4Hj7nyNdahAKwEDd8urvt_cHmrijyaOUqRxKW4pThuLEhKetrMAcS0_giLFaPTZoGK3gvILCIvPmxVJOlE9oDGYhLwOnrSiSRo7U1e8xdkDl1t/s1600/05_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSLxoTvk6p8tTQ_-_J0dvZoXrTDW5Xg4Hj7nyNdahAKwEDd8urvt_cHmrijyaOUqRxKW4pThuLEhKetrMAcS0_giLFaPTZoGK3gvILCIvPmxVJOlE9oDGYhLwOnrSiSRo7U1e8xdkDl1t/s400/05_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524400060327004802" border="0" /></a><br />Desioo and Tada.. they were blowing bubbles and catching them in their mouths. At first I discouraged the eating of soap, but then I came to the sad realization that it was probably the cleanest thing they'd done all day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NCwsImAQvQBwBVmMgydfydYGKr38JXkqXQmmiumPvTsdqvbX9lNnQCKsvxmICU8ZSA51FWcB0h7Mea9R19FO9FNIkSe1kbTWDs0YK-uhu3v55G8W7D4M7QJf6Ogt7o51OaX6gb65jkh4/s1600/02_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NCwsImAQvQBwBVmMgydfydYGKr38JXkqXQmmiumPvTsdqvbX9lNnQCKsvxmICU8ZSA51FWcB0h7Mea9R19FO9FNIkSe1kbTWDs0YK-uhu3v55G8W7D4M7QJf6Ogt7o51OaX6gb65jkh4/s400/02_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524400068902546690" border="0" /></a><br />$1,000 to anyone who can look at this photo and not smile...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYEShVFghbyqo22uFlG95aD-APCy50qKQgOT7VWFnI1qAlSESWEKFJ8ZdSR67Zfo8KYXzK-6YDT71yxw7-kexq53WXNiimCySzrH9PUuI7VZw52BYkmdGERbd4vTkmOVWyxdkehXLzZl4/s1600/04_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYEShVFghbyqo22uFlG95aD-APCy50qKQgOT7VWFnI1qAlSESWEKFJ8ZdSR67Zfo8KYXzK-6YDT71yxw7-kexq53WXNiimCySzrH9PUuI7VZw52BYkmdGERbd4vTkmOVWyxdkehXLzZl4/s400/04_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524400062640426914" border="0" /></a><br />I wish I could be fascinated for hours by something so simple!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU186CY_BqCOcxNMp8x2JSKlxbz1uqkAg-3K8x5rugvUuPo96j4qArQ2cf8mCCdSbV_CBW1xoJURTl8sWKC4Qmm__O0ATOSha8DFdz0tPCa4kiz5EjXLpcZLLuaLkmIA_ZdP4VEbNe7nQ/s1600/06_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU186CY_BqCOcxNMp8x2JSKlxbz1uqkAg-3K8x5rugvUuPo96j4qArQ2cf8mCCdSbV_CBW1xoJURTl8sWKC4Qmm__O0ATOSha8DFdz0tPCa4kiz5EjXLpcZLLuaLkmIA_ZdP4VEbNe7nQ/s400/06_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524400057081881090" border="0" /></a><br />Tadalie... such a little model.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8MP2pORDCCe4YzFxj-RSnaJN6kg2ziWf2bP-jz8tv5FylaZwN6sR2dqdV_NPjRjAtMOIL6Hb-pGNvtVAMBBTvLXIB31It4RO1QNqofRruVE-3ft22WcVudP2dGkqQnkusiBTaIGAVIDw/s1600/01_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8MP2pORDCCe4YzFxj-RSnaJN6kg2ziWf2bP-jz8tv5FylaZwN6sR2dqdV_NPjRjAtMOIL6Hb-pGNvtVAMBBTvLXIB31It4RO1QNqofRruVE-3ft22WcVudP2dGkqQnkusiBTaIGAVIDw/s400/01_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524400073464716386" border="0" /></a><br />Yota, one half of my shadow...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcrajPbn8Ws0YfcvWAyENSdLIhtyqIyS58FVz7X4vLiNxnNz8taNWvQo_xieuu5fDwG8uhgmbeH1WhE7glk68WsWp1O_sLikF2prS7QNd6kgryEuOl0NszKFW11hNvn22FGHERknsThdD/s1600/07_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcrajPbn8Ws0YfcvWAyENSdLIhtyqIyS58FVz7X4vLiNxnNz8taNWvQo_xieuu5fDwG8uhgmbeH1WhE7glk68WsWp1O_sLikF2prS7QNd6kgryEuOl0NszKFW11hNvn22FGHERknsThdD/s400/07_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524402190478693506" border="0" /></a><br />... and Tantanso, the other half.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h3uaQJ97VsLEBEgGu0lSayOwZ4S8R2KY2_d8kmUurAqCvPwpfPAzthHP0uBSmtvrnLfp5-zy2Zh7lNjNU-IXwicm-8tp8H6fj8lcTTZ6xqXTKQIl9BL7G_cZRuazxMRUBUZPp9bVuBt5/s1600/08_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h3uaQJ97VsLEBEgGu0lSayOwZ4S8R2KY2_d8kmUurAqCvPwpfPAzthHP0uBSmtvrnLfp5-zy2Zh7lNjNU-IXwicm-8tp8H6fj8lcTTZ6xqXTKQIl9BL7G_cZRuazxMRUBUZPp9bVuBt5/s400/08_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524402194841534994" border="0" /></a><br />A cutie whose name I am embarrassed to say I still don't know. He's always by my side, but never says a word. He's always got a smile on though!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPdSFOJC626IyFYc1KjJmIodRewH7GQi4c_lJzdayqggQ3S2svfLjpfKGTnEZbbKM83eFQc3auCoqXAQA1YQopxF_v01Rt0m5fDxV7VQ-G8_BJna7RqKuq7yPcygK6CRDTmzSmctit_Ev/s1600/10_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPdSFOJC626IyFYc1KjJmIodRewH7GQi4c_lJzdayqggQ3S2svfLjpfKGTnEZbbKM83eFQc3auCoqXAQA1YQopxF_v01Rt0m5fDxV7VQ-G8_BJna7RqKuq7yPcygK6CRDTmzSmctit_Ev/s400/10_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524402197907594994" border="0" /></a><br />Monday dancing and putting himself in a trance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2rMC4_HIC9tXjDhHGzW0W_3uuaJWiM_GBl0X2gaI01ptG_89AFGgstwxGXgI3vuH2i0Hl7p-Wwn7uuqqulrywn94esHhJPyWFy7zfWnp233_CSPcJKfgq0GmV42xGiMYCjqo1q0oCWcl/s1600/12_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2rMC4_HIC9tXjDhHGzW0W_3uuaJWiM_GBl0X2gaI01ptG_89AFGgstwxGXgI3vuH2i0Hl7p-Wwn7uuqqulrywn94esHhJPyWFy7zfWnp233_CSPcJKfgq0GmV42xGiMYCjqo1q0oCWcl/s400/12_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524403879940142530" border="0" /></a><br />Checking himself out... too too too cute!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9aYn2zTc_0JUPACMT0YIiIQLoXNebHiMg2eLeRJfwD2uoMQlRRmGg1hzexTytvKuGjoE3cc9DP_y2odojQVExRCRGEvhgwXUN-Lg1ReeqzRpNo0KmTp-1FglEvw71DQmdm0V-Biuw5Zb/s1600/13_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9aYn2zTc_0JUPACMT0YIiIQLoXNebHiMg2eLeRJfwD2uoMQlRRmGg1hzexTytvKuGjoE3cc9DP_y2odojQVExRCRGEvhgwXUN-Lg1ReeqzRpNo0KmTp-1FglEvw71DQmdm0V-Biuw5Zb/s400/13_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524403879505347282" border="0" /></a><br />Yota and Tantanso.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NR9pFsSTnOXpO59yNu-jALTc6_K5O4lT9q0pbtxANjBtLjxY-VBCfWgAUHd0_McxKi2XoKxziUtUDavh8IKbyPXXuP4zGn1nRpGaK6BcvRhsChxONP8-Mr_rgO6p1xeaoxgfqksHMn7q/s1600/14_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NR9pFsSTnOXpO59yNu-jALTc6_K5O4lT9q0pbtxANjBtLjxY-VBCfWgAUHd0_McxKi2XoKxziUtUDavh8IKbyPXXuP4zGn1nRpGaK6BcvRhsChxONP8-Mr_rgO6p1xeaoxgfqksHMn7q/s400/14_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524403885905920962" border="0" /></a><br />He's gorgeous. And I think this might be the best picture I've ever taken. Of course, it helps when your subject is so photogenic!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh4hJZnoYJycQpu3CTY8AUR2Xo7P43UluzsDXj4nfIGKQ_lILPEf-ffjUZXfI3BGor4vkgyATp6CLs1AAHd4gxbYlWfzho1yXF1Kz3edv5D_iUB3zR9Wh6imrR7a4EaR9SClZ3T-7Ca-z/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh4hJZnoYJycQpu3CTY8AUR2Xo7P43UluzsDXj4nfIGKQ_lILPEf-ffjUZXfI3BGor4vkgyATp6CLs1AAHd4gxbYlWfzho1yXF1Kz3edv5D_iUB3zR9Wh6imrR7a4EaR9SClZ3T-7Ca-z/s400/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524405107208547314" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802698109025562590noreply@blogger.com4