From Where I Stand

I saw a baby elephant in the heart of downtown Chanthaburi! Unfortunately I was on my scooter when I passed it or I would have snapped a picture. I feel like I've lost a little bit of the tourist in me and I want that vibe back. These are BIG moments for a westerner!!!! It's been four months. Hope to update thoroughly some time in this grand month of September. Monsoon season is coming to an end! Transitioning into... non-monsoon season. It's not dry season next. That starts in January, I think.

(delayed post from a month ago) The past two weeks have been a whirlwind. I had to make a VISA run because my working VISA (Non-Immigration B) was going to expire. The University will not have any documents by the time my VISA expires so off to another country I went to renew it. It seems like there is a significant lack of communication between our mini school and the higher ups at the University. Long story short, I went to Laos trusting that my school had given me all the valid documents to apply for a new working VISA. I was denied the working VISA because my school did not provide me with legitimate documents. I ended up getting a tourist VISA instead and pretty much figured all of this out on my own because once again, the University doesn't know what they are doing or how to prepare their teachers for a business trip. Such is life. However, I wouldn't change my trip to Laos for anything. Yes there were situations I felt paralyzed in because I didn't know what t...

Here are a few: The past two weeks have been all about rice. From learning how it is grown to making crafts with uncooked rice to watering our own plants, the kids have fully understood the word "kao" or rice.  The grand finale of our rice-themed weeks took place at a rice field.  Parents and several staff from our school came. All of the kids piled in on one bus to experience an adventure of a life time. Our Mini English Program got to plant their very own rice right outside of town. It got messy real fast.  so. much. fun. I want to go again and plant.  Look Nam showing off her play-dough rice patty.  Ms. Bed Head can really create masterpieces!  Preme and his stacked 'rice'. So proud.  Anything to exercise our fine motor skills. I am nurturing something! My plant actually has three buds now.  Super excited that I am not killing it.  Went to Bangkok this past weekend for business and go...

I have a lot of other things to blog about such as my obligatory VISA run to Laos and holiday to Ko Chang but for now... Here is a song I dedicate to my sister Allie and her fiance, Adam. (that sounds really weird and looks really weird typing it). I have been told that Adam is fond of this song called 'You and I'. It's by Ingrid Michaelson. It's a song that totally embodies the word cute and... more cute-ness.  You guys are the definition of a happy couple and deserve a happy song. So this song goes out to you two as you continue to do life together, grow in community with others and enjoy the beginning of your engagement. Coveting you all in prayer too.   For you two, with love from Chantaburi,  xo Amy   P.S. I had fun making this little video. My voice can only go so deep for the male part- 'he' sounds pretty sexy if you ask me. Pardon the scruffy look, yesterday was a free day. School was cancelled due to flooding and I ...

It's been two months since I have made the move to Chantaburi, Thailand. Here are some realizations/lessons learned/random thoughts living in a completely different culture: -Moped Rides = Guaranteed joy ride. Mine just started working again and I couldn't be happier. It has a mind of its own.  If you belt a song while riding/driving you multiply that joy times 2. - I've learned that you are only responsible for yourself  and how you react to a situation. - I've learned that you are not responsible for other peoples happiness. (this is a big one in my book)* - My feet are black by the end of the day. I go the entire day walking barefoot at school and I like it that way. We don't wear shoes inside. It's just a given in the Thai culture. - I suck at disciplining myself to go to bed at a decent hour even when I am exhausted. - My eyes are way bigger than my stomach. - It's okay to make a mistake, it's okay to make a mistake, it's okay to...

I hitch hiked my way to town for the first time due to the fact my moped is not working. I needed to get out. I am realizing that I love to walk and I can walk for miles on end. On my way back to campus I stopped by a familiar street vendor and ordered Som Tam (Papaya salad). This time she gave me half the amount of water in the jug. I had to strategically ration it to make it through my entire m eal BECAUSE she made it spicy.... I clearly communicated with her mai ped (not spicy). Not even half way through my meal I am literally panting like a dog, tongue is out and I'm shaking my head. I feel every surface of my taste buds rubbing raw, becoming nonexistent. "ped mai? (spicy?)" she asked. In Thai I told her it was spicy but delicious, because it truly was. She made a banging Som Tam. By a show of fingers, she told me she put three peppers in it. I looked back at her like she was crazy, "THREE?!" Why would she do that? I thought. Numerous motivations ran through...

I'm on my second plate of hash browns that I made from scratch. Let's just say today was a rough day at school. I am emotionally drained and going to bed after this. I feel like I haven't experienced the joy of His presence the past few days. Just when my heart speaks of that longing, a sister in Christ emails me a little testimony with a profound message of value in waiting for His perfect timing. A moment of prayer happened between her and a dear friend. When we wait upon God He will show Himself to be faithful. This act of prayer between the two has been circled in prayer for several years . And it happened. Glory be to Him. When we yield to God, He yields into us. And I got to witness this through her email. Tears of joy mixed with exhaustion streamed down my face. This little testimony brought second-hand joy of His goodness, faithfulness and almighty power. He is the great pursuer of our hearts. This was enough for me to know He is near and on opposite sid...