Skating, Running and Riding: A Busy Week!

Last Friday the kids had a day off school due to the Thai Holiday Parinirvana. As best I can tell, (and any of my Buddhist or local friends: please correct me if I am wrong!) this is the day in which Buddhists observe the death of the Buddha and his entrance into Nirvana, "a state of bliss or peace that may be experienced in life or it may be entered into at death". (About.com)

We decided to do something a little different to entertain ourselves for the day: we went ice skating! 3 brand new shopping malls have opened in Chiang Mai in the last year and one of them has an ice rink. We had the opportunity to skate a few times in Shanghai so the kids were not completely unfamiliar with what it takes, and Conrad is actually getting pretty good!

 Vivienne gets some help from a "friend".

I was afraid it would be very crowded, as all the schools were closed, but apparently skating is still not a big draw in Thailand, so it wasn't too bad.
"Can we go have some lunch now?", Vivienne wants to know.

The next day, Saturday, we participated in the Run for Relief, a worldwide event to raise awareness of the plight of the millions of families forced out of their homes by the Burmese Army, and funds to provide life-saving relief to the refugees. Our CrossFit Box is a major supporter of the local event so many of us members turned out to show our solidarity. The slogan for the organization is "For a million villagers in Burma, running is not a choice". The event included a 5k, including a "flip-flop" division and, new this year, a "Rucksack" division. To participate in the rucksack division, runners needed to bring their own rucksack and the race organizers would provide 15kg of weight for the run, the idea being to simulate what it might feel like to be on the run for real, with crappy shoes and everything you own on your back. Or perhaps your child, or a sibling. It's quite eye-opening. I hadn't necessarily intended to do the 5k as I had no one to watch the kids for me, but had planned to have Conrad and Vivi do the 100m Kids' Dash. When we arrived, however, Conrad paired up with his buddy Noah and decided he wanted to try to run it.
The boys discuss their pre-race strategy.

Unfortunately the strategy was not successful: against the Mommies' advice the boys pushed to the front for the start. At the gun, Conrad got knocked and fell down, getting a bad case of road rash on his arm and leg, and was a bit overwhelmed by the crush of the crowd. He ended up sitting it out with the father of a friend, at their sponsor booth.
Meanwhile, I did not expect Viv to be able to walk it but figured we could do it as a team. So I loaded her up and off we went. We were unofficially part of the walking rucksack division, we joked. Five kilometers later, we crossed the finish line together, with Conrad joining us for the last few hundred meters.

I had piggybacked Vivienne for the distance simply for the challenge of it, just to see if I could. I was free to put her down whenever I wanted to. But it was quite sobering to think of all the refugees who have their children on their backs, running through the jungle, without the option to stop, or probably even slow down. A little perspective always goes a long way.

Our last awesome activity this week is something the kids have been wanting to do for awhile. The school offers riding lessons at a nearby stable as part of an afterschool activity program, but only for students in second year and above. Conrad was so disappointed to be left out so we contacted the stable and arranged our own lessons. Their first one was today.
Starting off right, learning to groom.

Conrad got to go first.

Cowgirl up!

Taking Mario back to the barn after a great ride.

 The kids had so much fun, and they are so excited about it. Which makes me so happy. It's also really great that their lessons are completely in German! They can't wait until their next one. Neither could I, so I made an appointment for one for myself for next week! Rider up! (Did I mention that Mario's Daddy is a champion jumper on the Thai circuit?)
Happy trails, my friends! Hope to see you along the way~

The Normalcy of Surreality

It can be hard to describe to non-expats how you reach a point in your foreign-culture living where the surreal becomes commonplace and the previously normal becomes, well, surreal. I had a moment like that just last week.

I am an American, a Westerner, living in Thailand, the Far East. It is understandable that the cultural and language differences go a long way to keeping me always a bit wrong-footed but I have to admit that having the kids in the German school, yet a third culture into the mix, heightens the feeling for me that I will really never quite fit in. Always a bit of a square peg, I am. So in it's way that constant imbalance has sort of become my new normal. I'm learning to find my footing in spite of it but often it feels like it will never quite go away. I had to chuckle last week when I found myself at a an event that in the States would be truly commonplace, something I would under non-expat circumstances take completely for granted. I realized that this seldom-felt comfort of familiarity now felt surreal. I've gotten so used to living without it that now that I had it, I didn't know what to do with it! At first. I thought to myself "Normal people back home get to do stuff like this all the time, and not think twice about it. Today I get to do it, too." So I sat back and enjoyed it. And so did Conrad as it was his Annual Sports Field Day. Surrounded by sports: now there is someplace I can truly feel at home.

The event took place at one of the International schools, about a 40 minute drive from our house. After a few days of ugly, smelly smoke and haze due to the burning of the rice fields that happens every year, the day began surprisingly clear and blue, not too warm yet, but no longer cold. (I know, I know, how dare I say 52 degrees F is cold when all over the States it has barely been above 0 for weeks at a time?) It was a very enjoyable drive. The view of Doi Suthep, the mountain east of the city, was lovely behind the buildings of the campus lining the athletic field.

It was Conrad's first ever Field Day and he participated in 4 events, 3 races and the high jump.
Starting off with the 60M Relay. On your mark, get set...

 Go!

In the bullpen, studying the schedule.

On to the next one. Ready?

GO! (So fast his feet don't even touch the ground!)

Finishing his heat in the lead, and finishing 8th out of 13.

Discussing high-jump strategy with Coach Tetzel.

 The CDSC Lions take a break in the shade after a long, fun day.

 Conrad's relay team took 5th place in the 60M relay. Go Lions!

Proud Momma, giving my boy a hug!

Meanwhile, on the artistic side, a few days later Vivienne's class put on a performance of "Der Regenbogenfisch", (The Rainbow Fish).

 Vivienne provided the soundtrack.

Bunny-dog helped with the xylophone

Take a bow, everyone!

Refreshments were served afterward. "Rainbowfish" carrot cake, made by the cast and crew. (Someone had to explain that to me, I couldn't figure it out for myself...)

We always have our fingers crossed that one day you can celebrate some of these events with us, in person!
Love to you all~

Catching Up But Keeping the Title

It's so hard for me to wrap my mind around how quickly time passes, but over 3 years ago I wrote the following description for this blog:
18 months ago my husband began working on a contract in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For a period of one year, the kids and I joined him in KL and I chronicled our adventures in these pages. Our journey has continued and we are now settling in Shanghai, China for 2, possibly 3 years. I hope you will join us often to share in the coming chapters. Cheers~       Jackie

It's equally difficult for me to accept that it has been nearly a year now that the above description has been obsolete (getting around to it Mel!). Some days it still feels like we just moved here but I feel silly every time I write a new post about living in Thailand next to a description of our move to China. So, I'm finally taking care of a bit of housekeeping. Behold the updated version:

In 2009 my husband accepted a one year contract working with a previous employer in their office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With 2 1/2 year old and 6 month old in tow, I left Indianapolis and joined him there for a period of 6 months, hence the title of this blog which was started as letters home to all our loved ones. 6 months evolved into a 15 month stay, a phenomenon familiar to many expats. Living part-time in Malaysia soon morphed into living full time in China, with Heinz working in the Shanghai office for at least 2 years. Over 2 years later, with the challenges of living in China well-documented in the pages of this blog, we could sustain a full-time life in Shanghai no longer. As business in Asia was still good for my husband, we knew we had to find a place nearby. Luckily for us we found the best of both worlds in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The kids and I live here full time, in the the sun in the Land of Smiles, and Heinz commutes as necessary, while working in many other areas of the region. For the time being, everyone wins! Follow along with us as the saga continues...

Come swim with us! (No blog is complete without a shameless request for visitors!)

Love to you all~

Kicking off the Party Season

December is a month full of birthdays at our house, both near and far. (Sending love and hugs to Uncle Gerry and Cousin Wendy!) We started the festivities this year with Daddy's birthday on the 11th. An extra birthday present for him this year: he was not scheduled to return to Chiang Mai until the 15th but his travel schedule changed and he took advantage of an opportunity to escape the noxious smog in Shanghai and celebrate with us here. The kids were so excited to have him back home!

We let Heinz choose the restaurant and he decided on the very lovely River Market Cafe, east of the old city, on the Ping River. 

We enjoyed some delicious local dishes, thirst quenching juices and a beautiful view of the river.

After dinner we explored the grounds a bit, getting a closer look at the beautifully-lit Iron Bridge nearby.

We floated a lantern in place of candles on a cake. Make a wish, Daddy!

The kids played on the "elephants" by the river and then we headed back home.

The festivities continued the next day with the "Adventsbasar und Weihnachtsfeier" at the School the following evening. 

We are still trying to wrap our minds around attending Christmas activities, surrounded by trees, lights and Santa hats while wearing shorts and short sleeve shirts. The kids ate bretzels and wurst and played a few games. 

Nice shot, Conrad!

After evening fell, the students put on their Annual Christmas Show. The first graders sang a German version of Jingle Bells.

As usual, the Christmas songs made me very nostalgic and melancholy, but the joy of the children and the season in general does help to soothe, a bit, my longing for those I love who are far away.
We continued the next day with the Kindergarten festivities, a coffee breakfast with the Mums and Dads.

The parents were serenaded by the kiddos with "In Der Weihnachtsbackerei" and then we were all presented with gifts made by the kids, delivered earlier that morning by the resident Swiss Santa, Vivienne's friend Elias.

Vivienne celebrates the last day of the term with her friends Ylvie and Elena and an uncharacteristically shy Santa.

You know you are not partying in the west when the Christmas tree sugar cookies and coffee cake are nestled next to satay, sticky rice, speckled eggs and banana leaves! (That satay certainly did not last long!It was delicious!)

After 3 days of partying, we took a break to welcome Grosi to Chiang Mai and settle into the kids' first week of school break.

We capped that week off with one final soiree, the annual Swiss Lanna Society Christmas Party. For the kids, the best part of that event was the swag they got from the Balloon Man!

We still have one very important party to host, a certain 7 year-old's birthday fest, but as most of his friends are away for the 4-week break, we have had to postpone it into the New Year so they can come as well. In the meantime he celebrated with some other friends by doing 7 burpees that morning at his CrossFit Kids workout!

We've enjoyed our holiday season and hope you have enjoyed yours as well. We continue to hope that one day soon we can celebrate with you, too.

Love to you all~

Saint Nicholas, 2013

Setting up for Saint Nicholas' Day last year was pretty simple as we lived in a climate where the children had already long since been wearing their winter boots. How does one celebrate in a country where the children only wear flip flops? I considered this option:

Then I remembered that, although they have been in the closet for weeks as the rainy season has passed, the children do still have boots! So I went with a more traditional solution.

Thanks Saint Nick! Conrad and Vivienne are very happy with their treats! We enjoyed the morning and then headed off to tackle some errands, which began with a stop at the fish store. Funny how a free fish, won at a Christmas carnival the night before, turns into a 20 dollar tank and 9 fish friends to keep him company!

No fish, free or otherwise, is dying on my watch! Now we just need to remember to feed them all the time. We finished all of our shopping and headed out to enjoy some of the local Christmas decorations. With all the reports of vicious smog in Shanghai and record ice and snow in Dallas, we're happy to say that the sun is so bright today in Thailand that Conrad could have worn shades!

Elephants in Santa hats; does it get any better than that??

Hope you all are enjoying the Christmas decorations in your part of the world~