We are here, safe and unharmed. Our flight was crazy. 16 hours from Atlanta to Seoul, South Korea. We had great seats back by the bathroom and there was a walkway behind our seats for us to walk around and get circulation into our legs. The last 20 minutes of our flight, a lady came and took us to first class. We were a bit confused and were excited in hopes of us getting to fly from Seoul to Bangkok in first class. NOT! We got off the plane and a lady that could be no more than 90 pounds soaking wet was holding a sign that read BANGKOK. When all 10 of us who were going to Bangkok got there, she took off running through the airport and we took off after her. We were chasing her through the airport while she was screaming and waving her arms, Bangkok, Bangkok! We were nervous about going through customs but she ran through there screaming and moving people out of the way. We got on the plane just in time. They were holding our flight and all 10 of us were the only foreigners. No first class for us. When we got off the plane in Bangkok after 5 hours, we had two guys waiting for us. The Headmaster of the entire school and Hailley's middle school principle. We got our luggage with no problem-it was actually already off the belt and waiting for us. We then went to our first meal in Bangkok, McDonald's! My first impressions were of all the hot pink taxis and the mopeds that fly around the cars. There is no speed limit, three cars to one lane, and four people on a moped at a time. I held my breath all the way to the school. They put us in an on school appartment for three days then took us to look at a house. Right away I knew I had to have it. It is so cute! Then, we found out the dogs had been delayed and would not be coming for another week. They eventually arrived safe and sound and we were very relieved to have them with us. That was the only snaffu in the whole trip.
As we sold everything we owned, I had forgotten how stressful it is to set up house. I wanted to buy only specific things and purchase only expensive things we would take with us, but that soon flew out the window. I will never take silverware and pots and pans to wherever we go next, if we ever leave. So I decided it's cheapy cheap for everything except art, pottery and rugs. And trips. So many places we want to go here. I would say the some of the most frustrating things are, #1 the transportation. We have yet to get all of us bikes and we have to walk, take a taxi, or get a crazy moped taxi. It is very limiting to not be able to get in my car and just go where I want. The positive about that is I get plenty of excersize and the school is only a 20 minute walk from our house. There are also lots of food venders and little open air shops on the way, what they call Market Street. #2 not knowing what some of the food is. What we've been able to figure out has been great, but I just can't make myself eat things I don't know. #3 not being able to communicate with people. The first day we moved in our house, the guy pulled up on a moped with a gas tank to hook up. He installed it and wanted to get paid his 300 baht and I only had 120 baht. I ran next door to the maid and held out my money and she paid the bill for me. We immediately went to the bank and paid her back, but I tell you, that was a tense moment. The good in that is the maid was super sweet and our landlord is also. Very kind and helpful.
The craziest thing that's happened is on the night we were waiting for Mango and Sophia to arrive. We were sitting there playing cards when a man jumped over our fence(which has sharp spikes), ran through the yard and jumped over our front fence too(which also has sharp spikes). When Chris ran out there he started yelling in Thai and ran off. I am pretty sure Chris startled him. All the neighbors were running around yelling and pointing and upset. Our landlords came home from work, came over and appologized profusly like it was their fault. They had the fence raised with sharper spikes the next day. Apparently, they found out the police had busted a gambling ring and he was an escapee. Just crazy!
This week, we have been getting to know all the new teachers and doing fun things with them. It's so cool how a family of 4 can eat for 4-6 dollars here. There are some strange things, like how all the facial creams have whitning cream like toothpaste. Also, all the girls wear 5 inch heels! Crazy! The mall has 7 floors with an amusement park on top and a movie theater. There are street venders everywhere, and Chris makes fun of me because I call them vending machines. Everyone has been so nice, supportive(especially when I had a meltdown over buying wire hangers) and it just seems like a dream to be living here and working with wonderful people and their families. It is all new to us, and I am sure there will be some frustrations along the way, but so far, I have already formed a love for this place. Please continue to pray for us as we all adjust-especially the kids. It is the first time in three years we have not had a therapist, a psychologist and our beloved behavior specialist. They have done great so far and I have had just as many meltdowns as they have so we shall continue to put our faith in God and know that He has a plan. We miss you all and love you dearly.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Saying Goodbye to the South.
As I sit here in Atlanta, watching the planes fly over our hotel, I realize I am going to be on one of those in two days. It makes me wonder about the people on them. Where are they going, what are their stories? I'm about to take an adventure of a lifetime! I'm so excited, yet it's bittersweet.
In two days, I will be saying goodbye to all I've ever known. I will say goodbye to the beautiful four seasons that bring memories and favorites in themselves. I sit back and think about the summer weather all year round in Bangkok. What will the start of school be like with no colorfull leaves, fall festivals, and harvest/Halloween decorations to mark the season? What will Thanksgiving and Christmas be like with no sweaters, scarves and gloves? No football games and parties with all our coaching friends. And going an entire year without seeing my family and thinking about the sweet potato suffle, squash cassarole and having porch time with Nikki. I will miss Spring too, because life happens in the Spring. My hummingbirds come out, the butterflies, lizards, azealias, dogwoods, cherry trees, crepe mertles, and the excitement that school is almost out.
I am going to miss my friends, the people who know us and love us. The friends who give us parenting advice and love our children and us through all our parenting misshaps. The friends who love our children and help them learn the things they missed out on. The friends who know our faults and love us, not in spite of them, but because of them. I will miss my family and knowing that at any second, they would come help me if I need them. I will miss seeing my children with my parents and watching them form relationships. Hearing Hailley and Elijah scream when they see Aunt Nikki and Uncle Philip is one of my favorite things in the world.
Speaking of them, we spent last week with Nikki and Philip, just lounging around the pool, eating Uncle Philip's best grilled chicken in the world, and having the porch time with Nikki while they all went to the Air Force Museum. Basking in the friendship and love and holding on to those memories and knowing it will be a long time before I can hug her neck and be silly and cry and laugh with the only other person who understands it all.
This week we have been at a hotel in Atlanta, running around, tying up loose ends and taking care of the dogs. It is torturous, but we will be leaving them at a doggy day care and they will be flying out next week after we find our home. I will say that watching HGTV's House Hunters International has helped me alot. It helps to be reminded that people do this kind of thing everyday, just not anybody WE know. So, tomorrow, all we have to do is clean out the rental van, and repack our suitcases. This is crazy trying to fit everything you own into two suitcases and a carryon. Our flight leaves at one o'clock on Sunday. Wow! Goodbye Georgia, Goodbye everything I've ever known. I will miss you, but----WE WILL BE BACK!
Love,
The Wolski's
In two days, I will be saying goodbye to all I've ever known. I will say goodbye to the beautiful four seasons that bring memories and favorites in themselves. I sit back and think about the summer weather all year round in Bangkok. What will the start of school be like with no colorfull leaves, fall festivals, and harvest/Halloween decorations to mark the season? What will Thanksgiving and Christmas be like with no sweaters, scarves and gloves? No football games and parties with all our coaching friends. And going an entire year without seeing my family and thinking about the sweet potato suffle, squash cassarole and having porch time with Nikki. I will miss Spring too, because life happens in the Spring. My hummingbirds come out, the butterflies, lizards, azealias, dogwoods, cherry trees, crepe mertles, and the excitement that school is almost out.
I am going to miss my friends, the people who know us and love us. The friends who give us parenting advice and love our children and us through all our parenting misshaps. The friends who love our children and help them learn the things they missed out on. The friends who know our faults and love us, not in spite of them, but because of them. I will miss my family and knowing that at any second, they would come help me if I need them. I will miss seeing my children with my parents and watching them form relationships. Hearing Hailley and Elijah scream when they see Aunt Nikki and Uncle Philip is one of my favorite things in the world.
Speaking of them, we spent last week with Nikki and Philip, just lounging around the pool, eating Uncle Philip's best grilled chicken in the world, and having the porch time with Nikki while they all went to the Air Force Museum. Basking in the friendship and love and holding on to those memories and knowing it will be a long time before I can hug her neck and be silly and cry and laugh with the only other person who understands it all.
This week we have been at a hotel in Atlanta, running around, tying up loose ends and taking care of the dogs. It is torturous, but we will be leaving them at a doggy day care and they will be flying out next week after we find our home. I will say that watching HGTV's House Hunters International has helped me alot. It helps to be reminded that people do this kind of thing everyday, just not anybody WE know. So, tomorrow, all we have to do is clean out the rental van, and repack our suitcases. This is crazy trying to fit everything you own into two suitcases and a carryon. Our flight leaves at one o'clock on Sunday. Wow! Goodbye Georgia, Goodbye everything I've ever known. I will miss you, but----WE WILL BE BACK!
Love,
The Wolski's
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