Diane's space

I guess it's time to update this blog as it's been a long time. I will add pictures too.

   What's been happening since April? Not a whole lot actually. I spent 2 months in the States, celebrated my sister, Debbie's 50th birthday in Tahoe w/family. Then Debbie and I drove to her home in Colorado. It's such a beautiful home and the views she has from her home is breathtaking. The Rockie Mtns.. aw.. one of God's beautiful creations. From Debbies, I flew to LA area to visit a friend from Bkk and we drove to Vegas to spend time w/2 other friends who'd moved back to the States recently. Had a great time in Henderson, Nv, playing mahjong, seeing Bette Midler and catching up. From there I headed to Oregon spending a couple weeks w/famiy and friends. Patrick and I made our annual trek north to Priest River Idaho where Jack met us and we spent our usual 2 weeks camping, fishing, relaxing and spending time w/family.

   As Jack and I made our way back to Bangkok, Jack's company mgmt were making plans regarding Jack's contract. The day after we returned, Jack's immediate supervisor paid us a visit bringing the news that as of April 1st, we would no longer be expats and the contract would not be renewed. This confused us as the contract supposedly went until June 1st and we had no idea where the April date comes from. As of this writing, we haven't seen too much official paperwork so we're still not totally clear of all the details but it's looking like we will be leaving Bangkok at the end of March. Hopefully I will add a new blog in the next week or two with the official dates etc.

   In the meantime, I made a short trip to Soule, Korea for some training w/BSF. (Bible Study Fellowship). This is a wonderful nondenominational indepth study of the Bible and I am totally committed and passionate about this new found treasure. I would recommend it to anyone who is seeking to know God and His word better. I'm also busy with church activities, choir, teaching SS and doing their monthly newsletter.

   I am still involved in AWC (American Women's Club), still the office administrator and we hired and trained a new secretary this year. That was a fun experience especially in this country and culture. I am only on the board of directors for the rest of this month as I've opted not to continue due to the uncertainty of a move. The AWC has been a great asset to my living here and I've made many lifelong friends. I will continue to stay involved w/people and activities as long as I'm here.

   Thanksgiving brought about 18 people to my house for dinner. What a fun time! Our church Bible study group has always celebrated on the Wednesday eve and this year was at our place. I'll attach a couple of pictures.

   Patrick came when school was out and spent almost 3 weeks here. We went to Koh Samui from 18-23 Dec and the weather was perfect. We went out on a fishing charter one day and Patrick caught several small fish, Jack caught some coral and I was seasick. What can I say? Wasn't the best of trips but it was an experience. The rest of the time we toured the island and relaxed. Christmas was good this year. Patrick and Jack both attended Christmas eve services with me and Christmas day brought 9 more people to out home for dinner. I find that I really enjoy entertaining! Because it is a work day for most people (being a budhist country) we didn't plan dinner until about 6 but the turkey wasn't ready til about 7:30. My, how disappointing but everything still turned out good, and being with good friends was the most important part.

   New Years eve was spent with friends. We joined them for dinner and then came home for the midnight hour. Many of our friends were meeting at a club for music, drinks, dancing etc but Jack opted out and Patrick had gone out with his friend here at our apt the night before and opted out of drinking so we came home and watched the many fireworks that Bangkok shoots off all over the city from our balcony. Tragically, one of the clubs that is behind our apt. caught fire and many people died and were injured that night. We watched the emergency vehicles try to get thru the traffic  (which is terrible here) and watched as they got the flames out. The smoke was unreal and our apt smelled of smoke for a while. The sirens and people gathered continued on most of the night but we were able to get to sleep around 3. It wasn't until the next morning that we realized just how bad it was. I was so thankful tho, that Patrick hadn't wanted to go out as he'd been to the bars and clubs around our apt before.

   I think that brings us up to the present. Patrick left on the 1st and we just finished talking to him. He is pretty cold there in the 30 degree, snowy, rainy weather. But he's gearing up for school to start up again on Monday and to look for another job. Jack and I are gearing up for a good year of new adventures and experiences as we make our way back to Hillsboro to start a new life.

   We wish you all a wonderful 2009, filled with peace, love and happiness.   xoxoox D

Well, it's been a while hasn't it? Well let's see, since I wrote last, Christmas came and went and it's now over a quarter of 2008 past. Jack and I went home for a week at Christmas. It was nice, quiet but nice. The new year brought some changes to my schedule as I'm back on the board of AWC and in charge of the clubhouse again. I've also started golf lessons and some other music lessons and am considering a painting class. I know... what more can I fit in the schedule?

The end of January/first of February, the owners of our apt. invited me to their small resort in Rayong. They have such a nice place right on the beach in the gulf and we had a very pleasant weekend. I've put some pictures on here.

Last week was the Songkhran (Thai New Year) holiday and Jack took some much needed vacation time so we went to the other side of the gulf and spent the week in Hua Hin. This town is where the king's summer palace is altho he spends most of his time there these days. It was a very relaxing time and we just laid around reading and napping and exploring the town. I read 4 books while I was there! We ran into 2 other couples that we know from Bangkok, so that was nice. I've put some of the pictures on this site as well.

I've also included some pictures I've taken of our apartment. I really love the layout, especially the kitchen and have told Jack that if we ever build a house again, I want this floor plan.

Well, that's about all I know for now. Not much new, just living day to day. Am looking forward to June as friends are coming to visit and then am headed to Tahoe for my sisters big birthday. Until next time!!! xo

Hi again.. Jack and Patrick went fishing to a fresh water lake about an hour north of Bangkok. They used the guide that Patrick found the first time he was here. They seem to have a good time with him and he likes Patrick so they get a good deal. They only caught one a piece but they're awefully strange looking fish. They told me the names of the them but I can't remember. Take a look at the pictures and enjoy.

Patrick leaves on Tuesday. I will miss him but it's been good to have him here. I don't think I nagged him too much.

Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and I'll write again soon. Bye for now.

Check out the new pictures. Patrick got here safe and sound. He hooked up with a couple buddies he'd had from prior visits and we bummed around Bangkok for the first week he was here. We went to Phuket for 4 day. 2 days we went out on the ocean fishing. I've never been before so it was a new experience for me. The first day, I just paid for the ride. I did the sunbathing thing and watched Patrick pull in a tuna and a few other things we didn't know what they were. The deckhand cooked the fish that had been caught for lunch and we parked in a pretty little bay and swam, ate, etc. It was a real touristy excursion. The second day was a real fisherman's trip. I even paid to fish and had a ball. We never stopped and just trolled for the whole day. Lunch was prepackaged rice and chicken that you ate when you were ready. But all the people on board pulled in 3 fish each. I only pulled in 2. But that was ok, I was the novice. The weather was wonderful, especially since it had been raining the week before we got there.

Since we've been back in Bangkok, Patrick has gone out with friends again  and yesterday did the sightseeing thing. Saturday he and Jack are going fishing again. Will write later.

I can't believe how fast time is going by. Patrick comes on Tues. I'm looking forward to that. We talked for a long time yesterday and sounds like he's looking forward to it also. I think he is ready to get away for abit. Altho, he fishes every weekend so it's not like he doesn't have relax time.  But it will be fun to have him around for 3 weeks.

Jack's in China right now, then goes to Malaysia and then home on Tues. afternoon. Lucky! His birthday was uneventful altho he did hear from all 3 of the kids. He was very happy about that. He misses them alot.

Well, I finished my first newsletter for my church. I really enjoy doing it. I did it for 2 1/2 years for AWC so it wasn't hard to get back into the swing of it. This issue is a big one (normally it's only about 5 pages) since we just had our 75 year celebration. So I put a photo spread into it this time. You can see it if you want on the churchs' website http://www.icbangkok.org/.

I uploaded some more pictures. Thought you might want to see some of the Bangkok skies we get to experience. Also you see the views from my windows.

Well, that's about all I know for now. I'll write again in a couple weeks and let you know how Patrick's visit is going. Bye for now.