Easter in Thailand

What a glorious sunrise service it was. We had a long hard rain yesterday for the first time in months. It settled the smoke in the air from burning rice fields and gave a breather from the intense heat of April (Thailands hottest month of the year). Standing on the mountain top this morning both literally and figuratively, the view of the city below was in a sleepy mist. The sun rose from around billowing storm clouds and warmed my skin. We sang songs of Christ's death and resurrection and had communion together. We were sitting in a temple where monks were chanting and banging gongs behind us. But they prayed to their god whose bones still sit in the grave, I worshiped and thanked and gave glory to my God who brought life to the morning.

Shepherds but why did you but raisins in it pie?

I am still not on solid foods yet. My jaw is just too sore. I had to go to the dentist yesterday again to get a filling repaired...I will spare you the details just know it was painful due to the fact that he numbed the wrong tooth. Last night I ventured out and tried shepherds pie. You know the stuff? I don't really even like the it but thought the gravied meat and mashed potatoes would be easy to swallow. No doubt it was with exception of the inflated hot raisins they added. As I was eating and lightly bit into one having it explode in my mouth, I promptly spit the bit onto my plate, wiped my mouth and said "what the heck was that!?" Is it not bad enough that I have to eat a meal that compares to hamburger and fries stuck in a blender, they have also added RASINS?? Sick!!

I lack wisdom.

Today was such a lovely Tuesday. I had breakfast with all my single friends and watched UNC spank Michigan's tails. It was a horrible game but the food and fellowship was great. Some discussion came up about teeth cleaning and going to the dentist, which reminded me it had been a while since I had gone and might be a good idea to do while I was still in cheap land/Thailand.

I went to a nice little dentist shop where I had previously met the lady who owns it. She was a lovely Thai lady, who seemed perfectly capable of cleaning teeth. As she was cleaning me teeth she says of you have lovely teeth, like a Hollywood star. I smiled as if I were a star and said why thank you what a sweet thing to say. Between rinsing and spitting I asked do you take out wisdom teeth? She said "oh yes we will do it right after we clean teeth." My eyes got real wide as I choked a little, spit and said "you mean today?" She said "oh yes very easy, no problem." Hum ok well if she is that confident, then why not? Let's do this thing. She kept looking at my teeth and my xrays and saying "you have very nice teeth. Very long roots." I thing she seriously said "very long roots" like 32 times. I was thinking yeah you said that already several times, not usually something you wanna hear right before your "long rooted" teeth get pulled.

She got out the tools necessary to do the procedure and I started to get real clammy. I sent Brooke my roommate a text message as I was laying on my back in the dentist chair saying "I am getting my wisdom teeth pulled..HELP!" She this will hurt a little bit. She proceeded to give my entire mouth pricks of shots to numb the area. Next she pushed down, to the side, pulled up, twisted as one lady held my head down and another held my hands. Until finally my tooth went flying across the room, hit the wall and bounced around on the floor a little bit. "Ok got it" she says with a little laugh. She showed me the bloody thing and said "part of the tooth, not come out" I looked and yeah HALF of the tooth not come out. She said "it is ok though, it will not be a problem." I said "I think it might be a problem, you better get it all out." She said "ok I do other tooth first." Same twisting, pushing, pulling and cracking sounds until finally again...my tooth went flying across the room. Yes not once but twice!!! What that heck has she ever done this before? She showed me the tooth and said "this one I was scared about cause it have very big curve see." Yeah I see and am so glad to know my dentist was scared. Next they took me to the xray room to see if there was any pieces of tooth left over. As I am sitting in the chair I start to feel, ill and light headed. Before I know it I am on the floor of the xray room with the entire staff hovering over me, fanning and holding ammonia under my nose. I look down to notice I still have the heavy xray bib on my chest. Obviously this kind of thing doesn't happen very often at the dentist and I put on quite a show. Brooke finally arrived to find me sitting in the lobby with my feet propped in a comfortable chair, ammonia under my nose and a ice pack on my face. In my gauze packed voice I said "hey brooke! it wasn't all that bad i think I can drive home. The doctor said it won't hurt at all and I can eat in an hour."

I am here to tell ya...it is 24 hours later I am in CRAZY pain and I haven't eaten in 36 hours. That doctor she didn't know what she was talking about!! I need medication but apparently my dentist is not licensed to give them out. Oh for the love of everything that is good and holy!!! Once again how stupid could I be.

My Vacation - First Stop Bangkok

I have spend the past two weeks...well ten days really being papered while visiting the most exotic places IN the world...ok one place really but you know me and my dramatizations. My friends from my home town came to visit. The Amer Family. They are what my Thai friends called Hi-So, basically meaning high society. It doesn't take much to appear hi-so to a Thai person, but let's not negate the fact that to me they really are. So I was along for the ride and whatever translation I could offer.

First stop Bangkok. One fast, yet slow day in Bangkok. I think we spent as much time sitting in a taxi as walking the hot...we are talking hot hot streets of the city. It didn't take more than a day for each of us to come to the conclusion that we were done with Bangkok forever (yet I am going again this weekend, I am apparently a glutton for punishment). Our rock hard beds/bed for me and the girls felt feather soft after the long day. I didn't even mind sleeping in the middle so much after all I was surrounded by two of my best friends in the world.

All night long I lay in anticipation, just trying not to stir too much and wake those around me. Truth was as excited as child on Christmas eve. We were heading to my dream beach, that on my own budget would never have the chance to visit. Finally a glimpse of daylight!!! Oh wait my phone just says 4:00 AM, oh wait that's just the street light. How much longer will I have to stare up at the endless black hole of a ceiling?

Then what?

Let me tell you where I sit today. It is nearly 9:30 in the morning and my mind is trying to be filled with guilt for not already have gotten to my office, while all that is in my heart and soul longs to to sit here with my Father a little longer. I needed this morning to FINALLY wake early, forsake my schedule and be with the one I love so deeply. Struggling with fear and doubt I must seek out what the source of that fear is.

I started by reading Esther a woman who by all reasons should have been terrified, but still did what she knew she had to do. Est 4:16 she says "and if I perish, I perish." In relation the decision I face and the fears I dwell on can not even begin to compare. But what if I used that statement? "and if I _____, then ________." And if I am lonely, then _____, and if I am single forever, then ____, and if something happens to my family while I am away, then ____. I could go on and on with the fears I have. The enemy knows my fears, he gets me to ask myself "what if?" And though it hasn't happened and may never happened, if he gets me to ask "what if?" then he has gotten to me. "What if?" is saying "I fear, I fear, I fear" So what if? What if I am lonely? Then what? I might cry. Then what? I might get mad at the Father. Then what? I might lay flat on my back with the Word on my face. Then what? I might memorize verses. Then what? You see eventually I would have to get up, go back and do what He has called me to do. I know this because my Father is good and faithful. My Father is faithful. My Father is faithful. My Father is faithful. And if I _____, then my Father will take care of me.

Thursday's

Ah blessed Thursdays…it’s almost always filled with more things on my agenda then I know I can possibly get done in one day. I have so cleverly named Thursdays “the day of small things.” (title credited to Alli Rogers I should take no credit). I never sleep past daylight, not on Thursdays, there is too much to be done. If I don’t start the day with the Father I will end the day in a completely frazzled state. And by frazzled I mean completely, hair in a froe and all (be picturing Monica in the tropics episode). First stop of my day will be the prison. The prison can almost be a guaranteed testing for the rest of my day. If I can mentally make it through the teaching, singing, crafting and countless times the girls grab my booty, I know I can proceed on with my day in confidence. Ok Thursdays…long story boring right?


Today was an exceptionally interesting day with a surprise meeting with two English ladies thrown in the mix. We conversed over tea and scones. We talked of life, love and other mysteries (now you will have point of grace playing though your head). Having tea with two English ladies will almost always give a person a higher since of status and class. In this company I wasn’t going to sit in my usual legs folded manner, and my hair tied in a tossed up due. On no must cross the legs, sit up right and softly gesture with my hands. Yes I know this completely misrepresents everything that I am, but non the less I felt a bit posh for about two hours today. I used phrases such as “do you take milk with your tea?” or “would you like one lump or two?” While trying my best not to laugh out loud when they would say things such as “oh what a lovely color the tea is…oh yes indeed there is defiantly a color for tea that is just perfect.” Who knew? I learn so much from these wise English women. They gave me advise to do such things as “snog a boy” Which my facial expression must have shown a bit of confusion and discuss as they felt an explanation was necessary “oh my dear that only means to give em a kiss”. Perfect example of how things don’t often translate. I am always reminded from where I do come from when I do not understand all their phrasing. That and they always serve me tea out of the most horrid patriotic, red, white and blue, stars and stripes mug. Snickering as I drink with my little finger raised high is if somehow they have corrupted the yank. Still it is fun to pretend for a moment and if only for a moment I am a bit posh and could speak with an proper English accent “yes I do take milk with my tea and I shall have two lumps please” Thursday The Day of Small things…enjoy every dynamic detail of what comes with the title.

An Asian Wax

How Stupid Am I? (this one is a little personal)

Turning 27 and going to the beach is reason to get a body wax right? Well I thought so. That and the spa was having a 250baht special (which is less than $10!!!) I am all about a bargain wax...or was anyway. One thing I am learning in my life of randomness is there are certain things that should not have a coupon offered and if there is don't take it. Tattoos, doctor visits and waxing I would suggest go ahead and pay full price for. After a week or so of growing out so I could be waxed and hairless for the beach. Finally, today was the day I worked up enough nerve to go into the spa and get 'r done. Laying out on the table thinking please just get this over with. They spread the thick warm wax, place a cloth over the top and RIP. OOOOHHHH the pain!!! The young girl looks at my waxing area with a hmm puzzled look. Next thing I know she is spreading and ripping again, and again and once again. Until I am like surely I don't have any skin left in that region. One more time lady and I am going to rip your hair. I said "what seems to be the problem?" In her little asian I don't get it accent she says "it hurt?" I said "heck yes it hurts!" She said "your hair too short." I said "and you are just now telling me?!" What did she think that if she did it enough times it would grow? I don't know? As I walked out of the spa in raw pain I thought to myself, who is more stupid? Her for her persistence at my expense or me for letting someone wax the same spot six times over? Rhetorical question ok :)

Friendly Subway

Today I went to Subway for lunch. They have this great deal, that I am sure you know about called "sub of the day." Each day it is a different sub for 69baht. What a deal!! I can't hardly pass it up..my biggest problem is that I am awfully tempted to go in every for a different sub flavor. 69baht ever day adds up though, especially when I know I could get a bowl of perfectly good noodles for 20baht right outside my office. What makes the subway experience unique to any other place though, is the little man who works in the parking garage just above subway. He is as commonly little as any other Thai person, but some how the combination of baggy kakis pants and tucked in long-sleeve shirt with a golden rope draped from his shoulder to one one of his...I don't know parking school badges...makes him look so tiny. I am always intrigued by the amount of pins he has on his shirt. Clearly there must be an extensive training program to become a parking garage attendant in Thailand. Well deserved I say for as hard as he works to get my car parked perfectly. I am sure at ear shot of my little car coming up the ramp he is standing up tall, straightening his shirt, putting a big smile on his face and preparing himself to help me park my little powerless steering car. What I don't get is usually...my car is one of the only cars parked in the garage at that time of day, so rather than having to parallel I just pull straight into a spot. Still, this little man feel the need to get my car parked perfectly aligned. To him, parking my little goldie car is his art...so oblige and perfectly park my car in it's lonely place. I smile and nod looking for the approval of the park before I walk away. He with his hands on his hips nods and grins as if thinking "I have once again saved parking spot from the disaster of a inexperienced parker." Today after eating my lovely sub of the day, I sneaked back in the garage quietly to see if I could just simply drive off..no need to hassle the little man. I was not surprised when he was waiting at the doorway as I walked back in, ready and anxious to help me pull away perfectly. Kelly Crocker was with me today to laugh with me at the predictability of this experience as I narrated the entire event (of course). As we drove back down the ramp I said be sure to look up as he waves and watches us drive away. Seriously? Yeah seriously. We had a good laugh as we waved him goodbye for the day. To me it's more than just the "Sub of the Day" it's a chance to smile with an old friend.

The Effects of Water

My dad is kinda a fanatic about staying healthy, eating right, takingvitamins, lots of exercise and plenty of water. I try to do each of these things faithfully. One I love toexercise, two he always sends mevitaminsso therefore I feel obligated to take them. The only thing that gets me is the water drinking thing. No doubt I feel so much better when I drink lots of water, but howinconvenientto have to use the restroom so often. So, I took a week long log of how much of my time is consumed by simply drinking water. Here it is.

1) 1 hour 40 minutes filling water bottle
2) 23 minutes actually drinking the water
3) 5 hours thirty minutes going pee
TOTAL TIME TO DRINK THE AMOUNT OF WATER MY DAD ASKES OF ME 7 hours 55 minutes



I have to ask myself the question...is it worth it? Yeah I guess so, knowing how much better I feel when I have had enough water to drink and the fact that I am constantly sweating it out of me. But that moment in the elevator when I really need to go, but we stop at every floor to let someone off or on...then finally getting to my floor and 3..2..1....1....1...1 DANG DOOR OPEN ALREADY!!! Digging to find my keys through a purse that seems to contain every other item but my keys. Then tangling though book bag, briefcase purse, that all seem to getintertwinedas I am juststrugglingto keep from peeing all over my floor. And I don't know what it is about having to pee really bad sometimes but there is that moment you FINALLY get to the pot and you bladder has held it in so long that it now doesn't know that now is a good time torelease. Breath, tell yourself torelaxand perhaps turn on the waterfaucet. Is it worth it? Not so sure at those moments. I do it for you Daddy.

Love the Leaf

My newest endeavor towards being a healthier more fit Kelly is drinking more tea and less coffee. It's going great so far. I have gone 4 hours 13 minutes without a coffee beverage!!!

So I purchased a fancy box of green tea, cause we both know I am drawn to the best design, which may or may not be the best product. Also to inspire my tea drinking I though a cute personal teapot would do the trick. I saw a few that were way expensive and really cool, but was not completely confident in my tea drinking addiction at this point. I settled for just buying the fancy tea. As I was walking out of the import store, I thought to myself how stupid I was for purchasing tea at an import store in ASIA. Just then I passes the window of a little shop of gadgets. I backed up two or five steps to go into the door. Turns out this is the equivalent to a $1.94 store in America. Everything was at a set price of 69baht. They had fun tools, gadgets and...one tiny, little, personal sized tea pot. I was thrilled and quickly snatched it into my hands, gave it a loving hug and was off to make my first small pot of fancy green tea.

By this time it was 10:00 AM and I am use to having my morning coffee about 7:00 AM, so I was getting to the jittery slightly irritable stage. I decided I was completely under prepared to start my tea drinking today and walked into the next shop for a hot cup of freshly brewed joe. There I sat, with my shopping bag on the table filled with all things leaf brewed...but as a loyal coffee drinking all I could think about is bean. It's no wonder they call me KellyBean :)