Milizlinx

Holiday Week

It began rather unforgettably. We took our mentors out for supper Sunday evening at a nice restaurant in a mall-like place. We ordered some foods we didn't know well to try them out. Near the end of the meal, Michael picked up what looked like a small greenbean and was going to give it to Grace to chew on. But being a good father, he decided he'd better try it out first. Was he ever glad he did! A few chews in and the explosion of chili heat in his mouth had him gasping, crying, and grabbing for anything that would cool his mouth down! We all had a good laugh - even Michael once the pain had receded! - and were reminded how important it will be for us to try anything we don't know befre letting Grace try it! For not warning Michael about the chilli, our mentors then treated us to icecream at a nearby fancy icecream parlour - which drowned the chili fire and topped us off with a good fix of chocolate.

We've been introduced to a new place to eat supper. It is more or less like a mall food court outside. The major difference is that you have to buy a book of coupons to use at the different stalls - individual stalls don't take cash. At this food court you can buy Indian, Chinese, Thai, semi-Western, and other types of food. It is quite cheap and not too far away. Thing is, it is part of the night market....

We passed a stall in the night market selling all kinds of beanies: lizards, frogs, girraffes, elephants, dinosaurs, etc. After a few passes we couldn't resisit buying this giant one (thankfully with polyester stuffing not beans!) to Liz's pleasure and Grace's delight. Here she copy's Geko's stance, meeting him nose to nose. Notice the tiny frog beanie to the left. The seller insisted on giving us a small one as well because we were her first sale of the evening, thus blessing her goods with good luck for many sales for the rest of the night. Also, after making the first sale, store owners take the money and flick it over all their merchandise to spread the blessing of good luck.

This is Jeremiah Htoo, Grace's playmate for this last month. Although he had a harder time adjusting to Thailand time and weather, they had good fun together at times! He is one month younger than Grace and headed to another country with his parents - unfortunately not the same one as Grace.

(She's only so clean because this picture was taken BEFORE breakfast!)

Lizards rule! Gecko sure has Grace intrugued. And, of course, she's discovered that his tail and toes are lovely for chewing on!

This week has been more and less of a holiday for us. More because we really have done very little outside our room or even on our computers! Less because Michael has spent most of it not feeling well. Now he has a cough-cold and spends alot of time sleeping, trying to improve before we leave on Saturday.
This morning we got Grace her 6 month shots. It was an interesting experience trying to sort out what she's had (we have numerous records as she's had some in NS and some in ON), what she needs according to the usual North American schedule, and fitting all that into the different system that exists here! In the end she got about $200 worth of shots - thankfully in only three jabs (one had 6 different vaccines in it!). So hopefully she is all set to remain healthy here, and will continue to charm with her vigorous exploration of her world and her delightful smile! )We have yet to see if she has any reaction to the shots as she's slept most of the afternoon!)

Grace has discovered her feet! And more precisely, her big toe. She seems to prefer sucking her big toe over her thumb or fingers...