Monday, July 28, 2014

Marksman

Hi,

Chiang Rai had another rainy weekend.  It didn't rain for the entire weekend, but we had enough to discourage any afternoon and evening outdoor events.  We went to a parade and Cat got her braces.

The 'Old School Friday' song was "The One Who Really Loves You" by Mary Wells.  Time for some 'Easy Monday'.
"Set me free, why don't cha, babe.  Get out my life, why don't cha, babe. 'Cause you don't really love me, __ __ __ __ __ __.  You don't really need me, but you __ __ __ __ __."  Clue:  The title is actually 5 words, sung by 3 young women who had numerous #1 hits.  

Saturday morning I took Cat and Fern to school for a 7am staging of the crosstown parade.  Later we went to the high school near us where the parade ended.  We couldn't believe how many students there were.  Some of the schools were from outside of the city and the students came on busses.  Many of the students were dressed in their school uniforms, and others were allowed to wear anything they wanted.  There were some who marched in costumes that were everything from cute to zany to outrageous.  The host school's marching band made an entrance and later gave a concert.  The kids were there all day, watching a huge variety show on a big stage.  When we asked what the celebration was about, Cat told us it had something to do with the community seeing all of the students, but our guess is that it was a way to celebrate the end of mid-terms.  Either way, they had lots of fun.

Today's photo shows the host school band in their sharp black uniforms.  More pics to follow this week.


While having lunch at Doi Chaang Coffee, we took a chance and had the van washed.  Between the rain and the puddle splashing, it was a mess.  Besides, it didn't look like it was going to rain (555).  That evening I drove into town to pick up Cat from Walking Street and just as she got in the van, a storm hit.  At least it was clean.  Two days later, it still looks pretty good, but in a few days it will look like we've been on safari.

The golf course on the military base near our house is a beautiful carpet of green.  It seems a shame that no one gets to play on such a pretty course.  Such is the way of things right now.  There are other places to play, but this is the one in town and not too expensive.  In a way, it might be a blessing since the weather changes quickly and we do get lightning.  Yeah, that's it, it's closed for the protection of the golfers.

This afternoon was the culmination of all the tooth pulling dramas.  We went to Cat's school and she took us to the office.  This is the first time we had been there and they wanted information as to who we were, what we do, and what were we to Cat, etc.  It began rather sternly, but soon became cordial and now we're on the books.  We took a fruit basket with flowers for Dr. Nan, as a thank you gesture, and while the braces were being installed we went for coffee.  For the next two years or so, Cat's diet is going to change since she was given a list of things not to eat while wearing braces.  Oh no, no more spicy food, no more sweets, no more apples.  The list goes on and on, but she's committed.  She was told that tomorrow there will be some pain that may last a week.  A new adventure begins.  Our regular dentist, Dr. Upra, told us that the orthodontia business has been booming.  No only are there teens that want to have straight teeth, braces are also seen as a status symbol.  If you have braces, you must have money.  There is also another group of older clients who feel that wearing braces makes them look younger, which has led to 'snap-on' false braces.  What?  There used to be three clinics in Chiang Rai, but now there are about eight.  Dr. Upra told us that because Dr. Nan has additional training as a specialist, she is seen as the 'top' of the heap, with about a year wait for new clients.  They are trying to keep it at 500 patients.  Oh my.

Have a Great Week.

                Peace,
                          Danny

"The marksman hitteth the mark
partly by pulling, partly by letting go."
~Egyptian Proverb

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