Hi,
Our busy weekend was a whirlwind of activity. Immigration adventure, evening shopping, Formula One, and The Party.
The 'Old School Friday' song was "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye. I guess everyone has been so busy with having fun in the sunshine and Labor Day that this easy song just slipped through your fingers. Now it's time for 'Easy Monday' and another tune you surely remember: "__, on a Sunday afternoon. Really, couldn't get away too soon... There ain't a place I'd like to be instead of __..." Hint: It's an easy, one-word title from a group that was once young.
Saturday morning we went to Central for our visa renewal, our 90 day check-in, and re-entry permit. Each of those things required a form in order to get a number in order to sit and wait. The area that immigration set up was larger than in the past and it was full of people. Where did they come from? It was so busy that people were taking photos of the crowd. Even the immigration workers were taking pictures. We had everything in order so once we got to the desk, we had no problems. It just took a lot of time. While we were waiting we saw friends, and discovered a new expat internet forum. When the immigration workers broke for lunch everyone scattered. We ate at the mall and then returned to get our re-entry permits. We left the mall with a feeling of contentment and security, knowing we had another year of 'legality'.
Where did they come from?
There was much to do at the house in preparation for the party. Nothing like a bunch of lists to keep things focused. At the end of the day we were pretty close to ready. We still had to go to Big C for beverages and extras. For some reason I was sure it would be calm in the evening. Ha, it was the first of the month and a Saturday. What was I thinking? The place was a zoo. Even though it was crowded, we got what we needed.
Sunday morning I went into town to get some prepared chicken in the flower district. Getting there was a major affair since streets were blocked off for some kind of event. I finally got to my destination, got the chicken and some flowers and headed home. I noticed an overhead banner on one street that had a symbol of a bicyclist and I noticed a '2' on the ending date. It may have been some bike marathon that caused the closures. If only there were more signs with a little English. Once again, that feeling that comes from being illiterate.
All day long we kept a watchful eye on the sky. It never rained and that was a good thing. A little after 4pm our guest began arriving. Boot and Dah prepared some wonderful Thai dishes, Lisa made her famous Thai Tuna, and it looked like everyone sampled everything. For many of our visitors it was their first time at the house. Lisa took them on 'tours' of her studio, and I told the story of how we got here over and over. It was a very diverse mix of friends. Some we've known the whole time we've been here and some we just met. There were a few artists, and creative people having little conversations and then shifting from one circle to another. As I walked around I sometimes heard the same 'story' several times. Hmm, the fine art of conversation.
When the last guests had left we realized just how tired we were. My feet, ankles, and hips were so tired I just plopped on the bed. The house was back together and there was nothing left to do except watch the Formula One race. Sleep came quickly after the checkered flag.
Have a Great Week.
Peace,
Danny
"One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this:
'To rise above the little things.'"
~John Burroughs
~John Burroughs
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