Monday, February 18, 2013

Life


Hi,

Chiang Rai is officially into the 'Hot Season'.  The highlight of the weekend was the party on Sunday.  Today we took the car to the garage for a photo shoot.  

The 'Old School Friday' tune was:  "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" by Neil Sedaka.  Oh well, it's time for 'Easy Monday' and I'm sure you remember this one:  "Hey girls, gather 'round.  Listen to what I'm putting down.  Hey baby, Im your __ __."  Hint:  Everyone needs one around the house (555).  Extra Cool Points if you can tell me the original writer/artist.  

Saturday I got reacquainted with our pick-up truck.  We forgot how comfortable the seats are and how efficient the air/con is.  It didn't take long to get back in the groove of shifting, but I began to really miss the Vios when it comes to steering.  The main thing was that we were mobile.  The plan was to wait until Monday to take the hurt car to the garage, so it just sat over the weekend.  We ran a few errands for the party and worked around the house.

On our travels from Makro we had to wait in a line on the highway to make a U-turn.  That's when we noticed this interesting banner hanging over the bicycle shop.


Sunday was the big day around here.  There was last minute shopping, and odds and ends but by party time we were ready.  Guests began arriving exactly at 5pm.  Within 30 minutes the house was buzzing with people.  We ended up with 33 adults and 6 children, mostly here at the same time.  Most guest stayed for most of the party.  The crowd was representative of all our friends.  There were expats from several countries, and members of the art community.  Within those two groups there were two mothers-to-be, teachers, journalists, photographers, and musicians.  Our friends from 9 Art Gallery brought a young man who plays guitar and he provided background music for the whole party.  We have heard him at openings and it was nice having live music by the pool.  At one point I walked outside and there were 4 little boys in the pool, having a great time.  Three of them were swimming in their clothes and didn't mind a bit.  Later one of the adults, who loves to swim, joined the water crowd.  People brought food and drink and presents, which I really didn't expect.  It was the biggest party yet and many of our guests connected with others for form new friendships and discover common connections.  Today we are tired, but smiling as we reflect.

This morning we took the car to the garage.  The man told us it would take about one month to fix it.  Then he called our insurance agent to have him explain what we already knew.  Our agent called back and told us to take the car home and said they would call when all the parts came in.  That makes a lot of sense, since we will probably have to rent a vehicle in order to get around.  They cut off the mirror that was just hanging, and sent us on our way.  Our policy does not provide for a 'loaner' so we're on our own, but we have lots of resources.  The adventure continues.

Tatt came back from Rayong today, went to school straight from the bus and then to our house.  He was a little tense, waiting for the results of the testing he had done at Mihodol University.  It's his first choice and the results were to be posted after 5pm.  After dinner he came upstairs with a big smile on his face and announced that he passed the testing.  Tomorrow, after school he will get back on the bus and go back to Bangkok for interviews on Wednesday.  Next week he starts final exams at his high school.  He is an amazing young man, focused and determined.  

Have a Great Week.

                 Peace,
                            Danny

"Life is playing a violin solo in public
and learning the instrument as one goes on."
~Samuel Butler

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