TIDBITS!

A bit of this and a bit of that...

When we were told by the ZOE founders that upon arrival in Thailand we would have 8 weeks to “acclimate” before starting, we had mixed feelings.  Two months seemed like such a long time and yet we also knew it would take a bit to settle in.

Well, we’ve now reached week 5 and Dave is champing at the bit to begin.  Every time I catch myself thinking I wish Dave could just keep ‘hanging out’ with me every day I pull myself up because I actually don’t wish that at all.  

Don’t get me wrong, it has been so nice having the time with Dave around and seeing him so involved in what the kids are doing at kindergarten as well as playing with Spencer during the days etc but I am actually really looking forward to him beginning at ZOE too.  

The very reason why we’ve come to Thailand is to help the precious children at ZOE Children’s Home and that’s what we both feel really passionate about.

It’s been strange attending the ZOE events but not being involved.  We hear about all the tasks big and small that we could help with  ...whilst we are trying to stick to the “rules” there have been a few things we have been able to do from home! 

One of first things that Dave will be doing when he begins is to help plan the holiday program (camp) that runs at the children’s home for two weeks.  He’ll be a part of the whole event and in charge of the morning program which involves organising the games/outdoor activities.  He’s really looking forward to this and has been secretly brainstorming ideas with me already.  Shhhhh!

At the moment I am feeling like I would definitely like to contribute at ZOE in some way as well.  Without the usual mother’s groups, weekly activities and network of family and friends to catch up with, I think that once Dave starts to work that I’d also like to be doing something outside of the home.  

There seems to be lots that happens at the children’s school too which is another area where I could possibly be of assistance.  

Tomorrow is the International Fair on the senior campus which we are all really looking forward to.  We’ll get to see a bit more of the Chiangmai country side, Tobi and Eli have some baht to spend and I have baked and packaged up 150 Anzac biscuits ready for the Australian stand.

It was so much fun for me making all the price tags and putting the packs all together.  I have a feeling Dave may have even been nominated as the Australian flag bearer too... but he’s keeping rather quiet about it so I’ll let you know after tomorrow!

Everyday we feel both more at home here as well as increasingly frustrated at our obvious lack of the Thai language.  

One example being that tonight as I checked out at the grocery store, I’d bought some dishwashing liquid that was on special but because I couldn’t read the sign which said ‘buy one get one free‘ I missed out getting my one free! Boo! You know how much I love a bargain so this was very annoying for me.  I almost started rocking back and forth chanting “...must learn to read Thai...” but thankfully gained my composure just in time. Grrr.

I did manage to buy a tee-shirt for $1 though so I suppose that made up for it, kind of...

Speaking of clothes, it’s been interesting over here because out of respect for the Thai people, shoulders and knees should not been seen so all my shoe string strap tee-shirts and denim skirts, shorts etc are all of no use to me.  I have been on a hunt to find some knee length skirts as it’s just too hot to wear jeans and pants all the time.  Well do you think I can find any? No.  All I could find were short skirts and short shorts! Who’s wearing these clothes if it isn’t the Thais? They can’t all be for the tourists surely.  Anyway I stumbled upon a shop the other day that sold skorts! You know a combination of a skirt and short... I used to tease these but now they are my uniform!  Yes they are knee length, not too hot and extremely unattractive... PERFECT!

Okay, I’d better stop my rambling but to finish up, Jessica introduced us to the most peculiar thing over here and that is salt flavored toothpaste. How odd is that? But actually we are really starting to enjoy it.  It’s (as you would imagine) salty and yet refreshing... like the beach I guess.  It makes brushing your teeth not that enjoyable but afterwards you get the reward of a lasting freshness!  LOL.

Good news! We have faster Internet now and in about 2 weeks (please God) we’ll have ADSL!  Then Dave and I won’t have to fight, I mean, take it in turns anymore. We can both be online! Yay.  So, in relation to that, we’ll hopefully get quicker soon at replying to your individual emails.  Thanks, thanks, thanks... we LOVE hearing from you. Please keep them coming.  

Andie :)