Retrospect

Does anyone else feel that life is moving at hyper speed? Probably most of us. It's good for life to be full of endeavor that gives glory to God, and it's good to slow down and savor. Our weeks have been in the overly full category of late, and we are all looking forward to a day to rest and give thanks on Thursday. As a bonus, though, we've been given a Thanksgiving break for the rest of the week (also known as a shutdown of the elementary school due to a widespread outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease). While our middle schooler soldiers on, the boys and I are enjoying a slower pace that includes two handsome boys doing schoolwork at the table again, then running off to play. Just like the good old days. I'll take it. And in the vein of slowing down and savoring, a catch up session on the life and times of this little family for the last month or so:

Starting with the most recent news...

Our Asa received his taekwando green belt yesterday! His test included breaking a board, and we were all very impressed.

With his best buddy in second grade this year

As if that weren't enough excitement for one week, Emmy had a big weekend of performing in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night'. The show was smashing and she attended Olivia beautifully. Her director said to me afterward, "I'm looking forward to many years ahead with this young lady!" She will gladly comply, as she has been bitten by the theater bug and is already planning her audition for the the Spring performance of 'The Wizard of Oz'.

On the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar (which usually falls in November on the western calendar), people come to a body of water with their krathong (กระทง), a boat of sorts, and loi (ลอย), or float it away, symbolizing a floating away of sins and repentance for mistreatment of the resource of water. Loi Krathong is a bright and festive holiday, and it's great fun to observe, even as we long for redemption for this culture we have come to deeply love.

This year we simply walked across the street to enjoy these sights (and sounds- wish you could hear it!)

Khrathong sellers

Loud music and ladies dancing, always

A short khrathong explanation from Wikipedia:

The traditional krathong are made from a slice of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. Modern krathongs are more often made of bread or styrofoam. A bread krathong will disintegrate after a few days and can be eaten by fish. Banana stalk krathong are also biodegradable, but styrofoam krathongs are sometimes banned, as they pollute the rivers and may take years to decompose. A krathong is decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, incense sticks, and a candle. A small coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits.

In the realm of wacky western traditions, we dressed up and greeted some of our neighbors on Halloween, and a good time was had by all.

Statue of Liberty, footballer and Mommy Bee

And finally, we had the chance to spend a few days at the beach earlier in October for a school break- a much appreciated time of kite flying, sand castle building and hammock lounging (see above:).