things spotted on the back of vehicles

i think this chedi was going to get repainted

 

 

a bonsai garden

at least four people

bad fashion

durian (worst fruit known to humankind)--credit for this picture: maia schroeder

some sort of electronic

gas canisters (i guess this is more on the side than the back)

rescued dogs

rescued people

a few baskets

pyramid

recently i had a conversation with a friend about transition and the unique issues that surface when it occurs.  she brought up maslow's hierarchy of needs and said how every time we have a major transition in life, we almost always have to start working through that pyramid again.  we need to make sure basic needs like shelter, food and clothing are met.  then we can move on to starting friendships and eventually to being creative again.  i laughed, 'i feel like i'm not only on the bottom level; i am a bottom feeder on the bottom level.'

we've lived so comfortably since getting here...but it's not our house where we can put out our few things.  we haven't even unpacked our suitcases except for our clothes!  and i've already talked about how hard finding the right food has been.

ever since break, though, i feel like we've been in a better place.  ironically, there have been some pretty intense, stressful things going on, but we both are doing better than we would have two months ago.  i think we've both been pursuing our relationship with God more; that's changed our focus dramatically.  beyond that, we've been falling into more consistent relationships with some great people.  we've found some delicious restaurants that feed us TOO much! :)  we're looking at renting possibilities, knowing we can put up our few pictures.

we're moving up that pyramid.  at some point i'll be surfing along the biggest waves the ocean can offer--far, far away from the bottom.

why grace?

this short video beautifully expresses the incredible things being done through grace international school.  we're proud to be a part of it!

yi peng festival

we had one of the most beautiful experiences this past weekend...  saturday night truly left us breathless.

first: some background.  we are in the midst of the yi peng festival (it coincides with loi krathong).  it's a festival of lights.  one weekend before loi krathong (which involves floating thousands of handmade boats down the river), there is a massive sky lantern (in thai: khom loi) launch.  a multitude of people gather to send thousands of khom loi into the sky at the same moment.  it.  is.  amazing.

the crowd gets ready to light the paper lanterns.

a friend lights our khom loi.

ray helps hold it while the lantern inflates.

our group releases the khom loi!

amazing sight!

a light-filled sky.

home again

the beach was fantastic...but it's always great to be home!  some pictures from around the yard:

amaranthine orchids

fallen starfruit

green bug in a yellow flower

molly and silverleaf

snail slime

wind chimes

bird of paradise

shy torqtang

october break

I just finished 2.5 days of parent conferences.  I cannot express how well things went.  I feel so lifted up from each and every conference!  The days were long, however, and very intense.  These students are so incredible and gifted in so many areas (and almost all have very involved parents!) that there's no way to only talk about the grades.  I'm here to help these kids grow and stretch and strengthen in character.  God gave me an incredible time with each parent to work with them in helping their kids become the best they can be.  I feel both humbled that I get to do this AND inspired to keep reaching each kid beyond the academics!

It is now officially October break!  I have left piles of grading behind and come home earlier than I had planned.  My mind is so crammed with ideas and philosophy and excitement for all things school that it's worn out!  So Ray decided last minute that we should take a quick trip down south to get away from it all!  How many times in life will we live so close to world-renown beaches?  And how many times will a local airline offer such crazy-good deals?  (Hm, actually, we hope the answer is often for both of those questions!)

We are truly happy here.  I feel at such peace and happiness being back in teaching, able to work with kids all day, every day.

But the transition has still been hard on both of us.  The feeling of starting all over in almost every way has made us weary.  The constant learning is exhausting.  These are common things, to be expected.  But they have indeed made us tired.  This holiday comes a good time.  We will have 4 days to relax, reflect, talk, swim and sleep!  Then we will have 3 days to explore more of this city (and I will be back at school working for a few hours each day, I'm sure).

We are privileged to be here and we are privileged to take a break! 

black&white

it was black and white day in 6th grade (as part of spirit week)!  here are some pictures of my fantastic students!

starting the day off happily!

notice how he grabbed a white eraser to fit the day's requirements!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i love this sweet girl!

taking the opportunity to show off some all-blacks pride!

the whole 6th grade!

...and of course we had to get in on the action!