My list

I bought a Christmas tree! And as you can see, the space beneath it, although small due to the tree's short, 3ft stature, is empty, and needs filling. That's where those who love me come in. I have thought long and hard about what I want this Christmas, and have come to the conclusion that I pretty much have everything I need, and the few things I want for my apt(couch, bigger frying pan, new tv) are things I can get here. SO...my list consists of movies. Johnny Depp is quite possibly my favorite actor, and, to make things easier, all the following movies star, or co-star, Depp.

I do own Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, and Alice in Wonderland(my first Thai movie purchase), so those needn't be on the list.

As far as the ones I've seen:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory(saw it 5 times in theaters)
Sweeney Todd(I own the soundtrack)
Chocolat
Finding Neverland
Cry Baby(a spoof, not the greatest)
Donnie Brasco
Sleepy Hollow(love this one, his character's hilarious)
Secret Window(creepy as heck, don't watch it alone like I did)
Corpse Bride
Pirates of the Caribbean 1,2&3

The rest are ones I have yet to see and own(in no particular order):
Public Enemies
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
From Hell
Nick of Time
Blow
Before Night Falls
The Man Who Cried
The Ninth Gate
Dead Man
Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas(I've walked past this movie so many times never knowing it was Depp)
The Astronaut's Wife
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Benny and Joon
Arizona Dream
Don Juan DeMarco
Platoon
A Nightmare on Elm Street

If you feel led to help fill the space beneath my tree, my advice is to find others who would also like to fill the space, put all your offerings in one box and split the shipping. :D

Happy Hunting!


ps-I would also love to eat some Kettle Corn popcorn, and cannot find it ANYWHERE here. It simply does not exist.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Halloween comes and goes, and with no acknowledged Veteran's Day or Thanksgiving here, Christmas is in the air! The decorations range from hanging white lights along the city streets of Bangkok to the aisles of bows, wreaths and trees(fake, of course) lining the stores. I even bought Christmas lights for my apt on Sunday. They blink. I didn't know that when I bought them. :/

Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is an unusual event celebrated in Thailand and some parts of Laos. "Loy" means "to float" and a "krathong" is traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk. Originally from an ancient practice of paying respect to the river goddess, these days it is turned into a festival with float competitions, beauty contests, etc. Believers light candles and incense on krathons praying that good luck will follow them. However, we took this opportunity to be part of the fun by proclaiming that Jesus is the Light of the World and by His death our sins are removed... and also be the light of the earth. (You know, so we didn't get smited for participating in a buddhist ritual.) lol Champs joined in on the fun as well, ALL WEEKEND.


Loy Krathong @ Champs Elysees:
The pretty lights






Making fun of Rani's scarves






The most awkward photo of the night





Loy Krathong in Bangkok @ Lumphini Park:
Group shot




Placing my krathong in the water




The floating krathongs




ps-not sure why it's posting funny...couldn't figure it out.

Dare I say, I love my students?

This morning in my 5/5 class, Yod(originally my worst troublemaker) asks if he can have five minutes at the end of class to "surprise" me. Many possibilities flooded my suspicion at that moment, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and said okay. So, at the end of the lesson, he and a group of the other students had all huddled around a desk on the far end of the room, and, following lots of giggles and glances over their shoulders, turned around and presented me with a birthday cake while singing Happy Birthday to me! It was complete with a single, lit, candle, and although my first thought was "okay who brought the lighter to class cuz that is NOT allowed," I decided this was one time it would be okay to let that go. It was so sweet, and made my day, not to mention the three birthday cards that Pim, Bo, and Dream also made for me. <3

Clockwise from left to right: Bo, Dream, Petch, Loogtan, Earn, Toey, and Yod.

Koh Samet

As you all know, or should know, November 11th is Veteran's Day, and is a National Holiday in the United States; it always worked out wonderfully, because I never had to go to school or work on my birthday. In Thailand, November 11th is a Thursday. I was dreading having to go into work and teach all day on my birthday, until Tuesday, when my 5/3 students told me, "No IP Thursday Friday, Teacher. We go to camp." Music to my ears. Jesus DOES love me! So I took an "official leave day" on Thursday, and was sick (cough cough) on Friday, and headed to Koh Samet for the weekend. Got up early Thursday morning, traveled 5 hours by taxi, skytrain, bus, ferry, and pick-up truck, until finally checking into my bungalow.

What did I do all weekend? Met some interesting people, ate some good food, people-watched, and enjoyed the evening beach shows. Other than that, I did absolutely nothing. And it was wonderful.

Karaoke!

Last Friday night, our condo complex, Tiwanon Champs Elysees, held a party at the clubhouse for all the farangs. I and most of my coworkers were there, and following the delicious food, there was a karaoke contest. Seven competitors. Five men, two women. It was pretty epic. Contestant #2 won, though he certainly didn't do the best job singing with the music. I captured a taste of them all, though, so you may watch and judge for yourself. Enjoy.

Contestant #1
What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong


Contestant #2
Wherever You Will Go by The Calling


Contestant #3
Leave Me Breathless by The Corrs


Contestant #4
Follow Me by Uncle Cracker
(sorry...I love this song...and you can kinda only hear me on it haha)


Contestant #5 (Bob)
Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra


Contestant #6 (Rani)
Beat It by Michael Jackson (technical difficulties)

Rani's second attempt
More Than Words by Frankie J


Contestant #7
Dancing Queen by ABBA




And finally: OPEN MIC (Amelia)
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

ICB Retreat

Sorry this is a little delayed, but I've been trying to upload pictures to facebook, and it's taking forever and they're all mixed up, and honestly after that last post I needed a break. Nevertheless, here I am, and ready to share my last adventure with ya'll.

The weekend following my parents' departure I went on the International Church of Bangkok's first official weekend retreat to Pranburi. We stayed at the Dolphin Bay Resort right on the beach, enjoyed great food and fellowship with the orphans from Mercy House, took a half-day trip out to Monkey Island and Phraya Nakhon Cave, and had some awesome workshops with Ash Barker about "Making Poverty Personal." Great weekend, BEAUTIFUL weather, and lots of really cool people.