A day gone wonk

On my way out to the mud bath
Sneek peak at whats to come... (notice the fingernails? Yes that is MY HAND!)

TADA!!!

Things

The beautiful center of Mae Hong Son, though you wouldn't know it from this pic I took on my just camera. I was enjoying the view when I though I heard gunshots--it was fireworks. haha. AMAZING!

Funny story, probably a 'you had to be there' though. On the bus out to this beautiful town I was squished in the back between a thai man and a korean man. Both men fell asleep instantly, darn. Their previously conscious attempts not to transgress further into my spacial boundaries (beyond what was already unavoidable) were gone to the wind! And the road--was anything but straight, I mean windiest of windy mountain roads. The thai man, who's name I later found out was Mr. Choiasjflskdjlkjetwioi, succumbed to the kind of sleep that rendered him akin to a rag-doll made out of noodles. Every time that minibus swerved left I would watch his head swing ever closer to my shoulder. The idea of that event actually occurring was both quite unwanted and really really funny to think about. So I giggled through my prayers that the bus would only make right hand turns for the next 2 hours.

hey all! quick update!

I am still here in Chiang Mai. It has been a great time overall, but I've also experienced some hard times mentally and physically.

I've got a virus of some sort, just the common sore throat stuff and tired etc. People here say sickness always come with the rain.

Anways in terms of actual things ive been doing:

Working for a great organization called Garden of Hope. They have a wonderful program that is really changing lives and providing hope and a future for young people in Chiang Mai. The program runs Tuesday to Friday after school, and often Saturdays as well. Kids ages 5 to 18 come and learn, sing, dance, colour, get homework help, eat supper and have community. It is great to see the spread of ages involved in the program, the younger ones learn from the older, and the older keep the younger in line. You can tell the kids are grateful for the program and take pride in the building, keeping it clean, and listening well to the leaders. Many of these kids wouldn't be able to go to school if not for the Garden of Hope. P'Ning says there are at least 100 more kids she would like to see in the program, but there aren't enough financial resources. This is a program that is doing such great things but are really in need of support financially and otherwise. People skilled in marketing and business are also on the prayer list. Feel free to check out their website!

http://www.thegardenofhope.org/