wai me?

SOOOO SORRY I haven't been able to update! I've actually only had access to internet about twice a week. Part of the reason is because I'm trying to avoid spoilers for Harry Potter. It's killing me that everyone else in the world knows the ending! (Jonathan, don't get any ideas.) Well, here are some pictures... less talking more pictures!!!

Here's my apartment, Grandma Chic

View of Chiang Mai from Doi Sutep. Andrew brought us up here and gave us a little info on Buddhism. It's really interesting to learn about it since it's such a huge part of the culture here. It's 2550 right now... on the Buddhist calendar!

Bamboo worms, the French Fry of Thaialnd.
I can say I ate them and somewhat enjoyed them! Tasted a bit nutty, but deep fried and covered in spice. An alternative way of getting your protein!

Paxson, Gwen, Eugene running up the stairs to Doi Sutep, one of the most famous temples in Chiang Mai. (It's on all the postcards). Thank you UCLA for your hills and training me to walk up stairs without huffing and puffing!

Really old, but here's our fourth of July party (some of our guests). Afterwards, Kris and I heard fireworks outside (put on by the American Consulate) and ran out the door. Our friend, Jack, was confused as to why two American girls were so excited from seeing them in the sky.

Picture of us playing in the waterfall during English Camp. Peace signs everywhere! I got soaked about ten minutes later!

I'm about to head out to Walking Street, which is THE place to be on Sunday night in Chiang Mai. It's a big night market with almost anything you can imagine to buy. The only downside is that that's where I see all the farangs (foreigners) and tourists. Otherwise, I never run into them! :)

<3 vivian

sawadee ka!

Bangkok from the top of 'Golden Mount'

Howdy y’all!
Thailand has been great so far! I’ve met lots of Dan and Lora’s (the family that I’m here with) old missionary friends. They have been nothing but loving and welcoming to us! God has really blessed me with a great place to live, lovely Thai friends who can’t wait to spend time with us, and just a fantastically rich culture with little things I’m learning about everyday!
Random tidbits:
· Everyone’s confused as to what ethnicity I am. So far I’ve gotten Japanese, Korean, and Thai… not Chinese. Strange, eh?
· Tokyo was really fun… although I was only there for a few hours! I got my bum washed by a toilet and wandered around the shopping areas. There were panda bear baos! It says 'the steamed bun which did the form of a panda' ^_^ I’m so getting a Shu Umera eyelash curler replacement when I get back!
· I don’t have to be ashamed of looking in Fobby in pictures anymore… it’s odd if I don’t throw up a peace-promoting sign! ^_^V ~la
· Pee Gaye (‘older Gaye’), our Thai teacher, is taking us to Thai massages in a few days… although I don’t like massages, I’m willing to try this one. A bit scared though, it’s two hours long! (yeah yeah, I know I’m supposed to be on missions, NOT on holiday!)
· Pee Gaye and her family took us to “Korean” bbq yesterday, which is like the Thai version of Manna’s. OMG it’s insane! They had hot pot, a place to make your own Soom-Tam (a spicy Thai salad), ice cream, lots of meats, veggies, a station to boil clams, and lots more. And it was only 85 baht = less than $3!!!
· We wandered around Bangkok for a day before heading up to Chiang Mai… riding on tuk-tuks is not fun. Especially when busses fart in your face! We’re going to get motorbike lessons soon though! We missed the Grand Palace, but from what I saw (the tops of roofs), it looks beauuuutiful!
· The students are soooo fun! I love spending time with them. Thai people are probably the friendliest people I’ve ever met! It’s great how they laugh at my reactions to things (being “American”), and how cute they are whenever we talk! I taught them how to play Pabo, but they like to say ‘buffalo’, since it’s supposed to be a stupid animal. They’re just so lively and filled with joy! :D
· The food here is SO GOOD. I’ve tried something new at every meal, and nothing has been bad so far! It’s so cheap too! The Singaporean team also made us some real Sing food during English Club. I'm not sure what exactly it was called... It was really good too, but I felt odd eating little fishes with eyes on them.







Here we are at Dhi's church, where the whole service was in Thai! The people were really welcoming to us! :)


Erm… that’s about all I can think of right now… I’m off to run and get stuff for our Fourth of July celebration for the students tomorrow. Kris and I are hoping to host some of them at the apartment! Hope you have a good one with lots of fireworks, watermelon, and hot dogs! :9