Thanksgiving Picture

This is what Thanksgiving in Bangkok looks like. I am thankful for these friends to spend the day with! 

Thanksgiving

I'll be honest, I think thanksgiving might be my least favorite expat holiday. It's rare that I actually "do" thanksgiving abroad, in part because it's tricky to get it close enough so I usually don't try. In lucky years, I have had the traditional four day weekend, whether in Argentina or here last year, and have been able to go to the beach. Thanksgiving at the beach is a nice substitute. 

But this year I am quite excited about my thanksgiving. There will be turkey and all the proper foods and beverages to go with it and a group of friend for whom I am truly thankful. Although it would be nice to have a parade to watch this morning, or to be at my Grampa's house with my family tonight! I am super thankful that we get the day off even in Thailand, and that I have my Thai 'family' here to celebrate with. And also, no snow. I am thankful that there is no snow or chance of snow. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and sending hugs to those who have experienced deep loss in the past month or so. Praying that God's comfort would surround you this season. 

My Aunt Katie

On Thursday afternoon, a light went out and earth got a little darker, a little dimmer. My Aunt Katie went home to be with Jesus. More than anyone else I know, Aunt Katie was joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. She might not have had everything that everyone else had, or been able to do everything that everyone else did, but she had Much More. 

Jesus tells us in Matthew that the Father hides things from the wise and learned and reveals them to the little children, and never was this more evidenced than in Katie's child like faith and deep wisdom.  In addition to spiritual wisdom, Aunt Katie had what I would call people wisdom, and was so good at putting others at ease. Her memory for people and stories was amazing. 

I was thinking yesterday about how Aunt Katie truly exemplified the fruits of the Spirit, and when I opened my devotional reading this morning, that exact passage in Galatians was the reading for the day. Even in the midst of her struggles, Aunt Katie was love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control because she lived each day with her Lord. I love being at my Aunt Mo and Uncle Tom's house in large part due to Katie's peacefulness and laughter that constantly filled their home. Her giggles and joy were infectious. I am so grateful for the many years she spent supporting me and praying for me. 

Aunt Katie was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. 

Singapore Returns (or is it Return to Singapore?)

This past weekend I had the chance to make a quick visit to my Singaporean family. I arrived late Friday night, exhausted, and collapsed into my new attic room. There were lovely flowers by my bed, a birthday card, and a pair of earrings. What a welcome! 

On Saturday I made my long awaited trip to the famous botanical gardens and saw the whole thing by running 4 miles around the park. So while I didn't get to stop and smell the roses, I did get to take it all in on a beautiful morning. Observing the flowers was great, but I also really liked observing the locals. There were tons of people in the park: picnicking, jogging, walking, doing yoga, dance aerobics, tai chi, and various martial arts I didn't recognize. Great people watching. 

After an amazing lunch (topped off with my favorite egg tarts) and a bit of shopping, we went to the 

National Museum of Singapore, which I thoroughly enjoyed. A great mix of history, culture, and art. We had Lebanese food for dinner in a very lively neighborhood and then walked to a dessert bar that was To Die For. I tried to take a picture of my artisanal dessert, but the lighting wouldn't cooperate. 

On Sunday we had a fantastic brunch after church (Singapore blogs are really just food blogs, after all) and then I was pampered with a pedicure and foot massage. Ahhhhhh. A quick tour of some fun Singapore neighborhoods (including a stop at a bakery) wrapped up the afternoon before I caught my evening flight back to Bangkok and work on Monday morning. 

I think everyone needs a place to escape to in their life, a home away from home so to speak, where they can relax and be away from everything without going too far away. And I admit, I'm quite lucky. My escape spot happens to be a tropical island city state with amazing food! Can't wait to be back- every time I go I add more places to eat to the list :) 

Birthday

Awwww, now what could be sweeter than that? 

I had a nice dinner out with some friends on Saturday night and then a few close friends came here for dinner last night to celebrate my birthday. It was an awesome midweek time to just relax and laugh together. I am so grateful for the friends that God has provided me with in Bangkok! 

Running. It's good for me.

Several of my good friends are running a 10k in December, and in a moment of weakness, I agreed to join them. I have never run that far in my life. I can count on one hand the number of times I ran more than 3 miles, much less 6. But I'm going to try, because this running thing is good for me. 

Running is good for being healthy and getting back in shape and releasing endorphins and all that stuff. But it has an additional benefit to me, despite the sore ankles, shins, and knees and the painful left hip. You see, I suck at running. I am slow. I don't get very far. And usually, I don't like to do things I suck at. Really, who does? But sometimes it is good for me to do things that are harder for me than everybody else, to go to the race with my friends knowing that I will be the last across the line. It's humbling, even though nobody really cares. 

It's not that running is the only thing that I'm not very good at, but it is something that I'm not good at and I do anyway. And that is good for me. Shin splints and all.