Its been over 4 months now that I've been in Thailand. So hard to believe. I'm slowly settling into my new home. Although from the outside, it doesn't look like much. I really felt like it was the place to land. Its a small 2 bedroom home with vaulted ceilings, a washing machine that does hot water washes and a full kitchen with a stove. Coming from America where some things like a stove might be standard with a home, its not here. Stoves have a tendency to move with the tenants. My gas stove came with the house so it stays. Hot water is also a luxury here as its not frequently found with tap water, just in showers and as I've discovered, in some washing machines. My machine does need help though as the hose is not quite long enough to reach the drain so it goes into a bucket and frequently the floor. But I'm glad to have it and now I don't have to locate a laundry place and save all my 10B coins. Another reason I like my new place, is location. I'm living in a totally Thai neighborhood and definitely a working class one. I like the feel of it though. Its a small soi where everyone comes out to look when someone new moves in. The arrival of the former tenant's cat also brought them out. He ran away the day she moved out and showed up 4 days later. She didn't expect to see him again so she was on a bus to Laos when I called to tell her he was here. She asked if I could take him while she was out of town. I begrudgingly said yes because I wasn't sure what else to say. He was unhappy because he doesn't know me and I was concerned because I was getting 2 kittens the following day. The first night he complained a lot and eventually went to sleep. When the kittens came the second day, he added hissing and growling. The kittens avoided him but when he meowed loudly during the night for a few hours and then proceeded to bang on the screen door, I was done. I let him go out. Hopefully he'll return next weekend. In the meantime, Ya ya and Smoky, the new kittens are adjusting to their new home. I got them from my boss' family and they are brother and sister. Originally I had planned on one kitten but glad I got two. They keep each other company and love to play. He's more hyper than she is and will initiate play by biting her til she starts playing with him. But they are cute and do everything together. They are also partners in crime and will steal stuff from me. Lily can take on the mama role whenever I can get her here. I'm still trying to figure that out. Its amazing to me that it would cost more than it costs for me to get her for Lily to come. And she gets to ride in cargo. I'm praying for miracles of the financial kind.
I've had some blog worthy moments in the food dept. I had traditional thai food that gets made on the floor. I had this at the House of Hope-one of my church's childrens home for their Christmas party. It was a most of the day affair and the kids had fun. I also enjoyed trying to converse with some of the girls while they learned a little English and me a little thai practice.
I also had this thing who's name I'm not sure of. It was a one time only deal however. It was this dough like a Roti and whip cream in the middle. You could get fruit of some kind in the middle like bananas or pineapple like I opted for with the one Mona and I shared. It was super sweet and the pineapple had this tangy stuff on it. Yep doing a different dessert next time.
