skin

I've decided that I am at the worst age for skin care.  How is it fair, that at 30, I have to worry about preventing breakouts and wrinkles all at the same time?  This occurred to me as I detected what has to be the first pimple I've had since soon after delivering Judah.  I wasn't so worried about pregnancy and post pregnancy breakouts considering the vast fluctuation of hormones that accompany both.  But seriously.  He's 7 months old, that can't be an excuse any more.

To top off the application of 'blemish' cream I feel compelled to apply anti wrinkle cream around my eyes and tinted sunscreen all over my face.  I'm not showing signs of crows feet or aging spots now, but I do get dry patches around my eyes and want to do my part in warding off skin cancer.  The vain part of me wants to be wrinkle free for many years to come, yet I will welcome them as they come.  And maybe I won't greet them with a full arsenal of creams and potions.

So here I am.  Well past puberty and not quite to middle age but feeling the effects of them both.  And yes, I'm still heading fast toward 30 with a big smile on my face...without 'laugh lines' just yet.

did i ever tell you about...

...my 18th birthday?

As I'm approaching the big 3-0 I have started thinking back on my 29 previous birthdays.  OK, not really all 29 seeing as how I don't remember the first few in any way, shape or form (however, I'm pretty sure I remember my 3rd or 4th birthday party at Chuckie Cheese's) but you get what I mean.  So I was remembering some other monumental birthdays.  Growing up I think different ages mean different things to people but there were a few that really hit me, and turning 18 was one of them.

It was a Saturday and I was a Senior in High School and working at Old Navy at that time.  I took the day off--which was kinda a big deal cause I normally worked every Saturday--and had a few fun things planned for the day.  I'm pretty sure I slept in, cause I was a teenager and I could.  My mom and I went to lunch (that part I don't remember exactly) and then we went to see Grease.  It was rereleased right about that time and it's one of my favorite movies.  We sang and danced and had ourselves a good ole time.  I don't remember dinner, I know...old age, but I do remember that my SW took me out for a fabulous dessert and hang out time.  I can't remember where we went but I remember sitting with them at a candle lit table and having a blast laughing and carrying on.  Somewhere in there my current boyfriend was involved, I remember he came by to give me a gift but we had starting dating like a week before so I had already had plans.  He may have had something to do with dinner, or taken me out the night before, seriously can't remember that part.

But let me tell you the most memorable part of the whole day.  Right before I was going out to meet my friends my mom and stepdad called me into the living room and had me sit down on the couch.  They then gave me a 'mini' talk about how now that I was 18 I was responsible for my own actions.  I was technically an adult and not to call them if I got myself into trouble.  Now, I do realize this was half joking since I wasn't known to get myself arrested or anything but I always took it with some seriousness.  I realized at that moment that whatever I did, I would have to answer for it.  Good or bad.  

Whew...good thing I haven't thought about that whole responsibility thing since!  Haha!  

Well it may not sound like much to you but it was a fun and memorable day to me.  Family and friends are what make the best memories and that day was full of them.  There were other celebrations for my birthday (I know I celebrated with my Dad and other family) but that wasn't on my actual birthday.  At least I think, gosh, my memory is so bad.

What was a memorable birthday for you? 

date night

Our friends D and E have challenged us to date through the alphabet.  Each date night we will choose activities that begin with a letter of the alphabet going A-Z.  Last night was our 'B' date--we had an 'A' date a few weeks ago but our attempt to do A activities was really pathetic, so it wasn't blog worthy at all.  This week we decided we really wanted to give it a try.  We needed a good challenge to try new things during our dates so we don't end up doing the same thing we always do--either go to Old Town or et at a local restaurant and go to Walmart.

For our 'B' date we first walked to the Bird and Flower market.  I really want to get a few house plants to liven things up so I just wanted to see what they had to offer.  Then we walked to the Bai restaurant beside the Bridge--the restaurant has an actual name but since we can rarely remember actual restaurant names we give them our own--and had some wonderful food while over looking the river.  Next we went to a little dessert place called Bread Party.  We enjoyed a little something sweet and had thought to play a board game but since it had to fit in my purse we took cards.  I thought about taking Skip-Bo, but the boys have lost several cards from that set so instead we played Canasta Caliente.  Maybe we can use that as a bridge to our next date when we go for 'C'...?

I challenge you all to date through the alphabet.  It will have you thinking about different and new things to do on your dates.  If you are like us and usually get a date every other week then it will take you through a whole year of dating.  If you get one a month you could always combine and do a couple of letters each time.  Anybody want to join in?  I can't wait to see what we come up with for our 'C' date!

春节快乐！

Which is...

 Chun Jie Kuai Le!

 or

Happy Spring Festival!

This is what we have been hearing for the past several days as those we meet are wishing us a Happy Chinese New Year.  Let me first say that this is a holiday unlike any other.  It is definitely not something I find hugely enjoyable.  It's really difficult to explain.  For my MC girls it's kinda like Cornhuskin' (for the non-MC girls, sorry can't explain that either) you just have to experience it.  Usually we are in Thailand having meetings during Chinese New Year.  However, this year our meetings got cancelled due to budget stuff.  So those of us that opted out of taking an out of country vacation got to experience our first Chun Jie.

It started off on Saturday which was New Year's Eve.  My tutor invited us over to her families' home to enjoy the traditional meal.  This meal consists of at least one dish each of fish, beef, pork and chicken in addition to loads of vegetables.  This family also served a type of lamb jerky (which was really good).  All of this is for good luck, I guess to show the past year was prosperous and that with luck the next will be as well.  I don't really know.  But the whole afternoon and evening we began to hear almost a constant crack and pop of fireworks starting.  When the meal was ready my tutor's brother took out their 10 foot long strand of firecrackers to set off.  When the evening meal is ready each family will announce they are about to feast by setting off firecrackers.  The meal was wonderful, filled with delicious traditional dishes.  Let me tell you, your local Red Dragon/Jade Garden/Fortune Palace doesn't do justice to real chinese food.

After dinner it was time to 'play'.  Play=go outside and shoot off fireworks.  Our friends did really well and bought a lot of sparklers and the little fire free things you throw down that spark so the boys would be able to play.  They bought a few roman candle type things and some huge things that can only be described as mini bombs.  So take into account that we were not the only people out there setting off fireworks in this apartment complex courtyard.  So there are things flying all around (and shooting under cars and seemingly into apartment windows) like crazy.  The boys loved it at first but I was so thankful after a while they got scared and had ringing ears and wanted to go inside.  Not to mention it was bedtime.  Usually the party is just beginning but they were kind enough to cut it short cause the boys were getting really tired.  The tradition is at midnight they shoot off the big dog fireworks (think professional grade--sold on the street, no joke) and eat dumplings.  They cooked a few dumplings early so we could eat a few before going home.  They were again delicious but I was so full I could only eat a couple and they are one of my fav things so it's probably a good thing they were brought out last.  We were sent home with the warning that even if we went to bed we wouldn't sleep through midnight.

We got home about 9:30 and got the boys down, they are usually in bed between 7:30 and 8:00.  There was no fighting, playing in bed until drifting to sleep or begging for one million stories.  Three very sleepy little boys crashed instantly.  Stan and I were pretty tired too so we weren't far behind them.  I'm sure I was sound asleep by 10:30, until about 10 minutes till midnight when the heavy artillery began.  It was so loud I had to get up and make sure someone wasn't in our little yard or even in our downstairs.  Only a video could do it justice but we just didn't know to be prepared to video.  We are on a corner and can see a small parking lot from our little balcony.  Beside the parking lot someone set off a strand of firecrackers that was at least 25 feet long, which takes no less than 5 minutes to finish exploding in case you are wondering.  Almost as soon as that was finished a house down the other side starting setting some off.  All the while huge fireworks or going off in the sky in at least 5 different directions--well that I could see at least.  Other families are setting off firecrackers around us too.  All of this happening in a span of about 15 minutes.  It was flashing so bright and constant outside that it was lit up like daytime.  We finally gave up watching and got back in bed and just laughed as our windows blinked bright lights and it sounded like a war zone outside.  It lasted off and on through the night.  I remember waking up once and hearing silence and wondering if all of China had used up every last firework and firecracker already.  One huge blessing for us was that the boys were so exhausted and their rooms are at the back of the house, which faces a small alley and another building, so we didn't even hear a peep out of them till the morning.

We were awakened by yet more firecrackers early the next morning cause, you guessed it, they start out the morning of New Years Day with breakfast time firecrackers.  Kirby came into my room and asked, 'What is that noise?'  When I told him it was firecrackers he said 'Again?' and Bennett said 'But it's not dark outside.'  Even they didn't get it.  When we got to Sunday morning group later on we all looked like a bunch of zombies.  Our friends were not so lucky in the fact that their 9 month old did not make it through the midnight celebration and really freaked out.  I really think if we had older children it would be different but it was a consensus that we will all be on vacation during New Years next year if we are once again without meetings.  We continued to hear cracks and pops from near and far throughout the day.  Most stores and food markets have shut down, some still today.  Luckily Walmart has stayed open, but since that is one of the only places to buy stuff and everyone is still off work it is packed out.  Poor Stan is there now picking up a few things.  He just text me to say it was quite busy.

We have decided that the reason they are still setting off fireworks is because they are bored.  This is the only time most people get off from work all year and I really think they just don't know what to do with themselves.  It has been a experience, for sure.  I truly think it has helped us understand a little bit more about this culture, and compared to the torch festival (the one where they all walk around holding giant flaming torches) it didn't seem as dangerous but definitely not family fun for the family with small children.  I look forward to firework/firecracker free nights coming soon!

did i ever tell you about...

...my typical week living overseas?

(Be ready, it's a long one!)

I was going to write about my typical day, but each day during the week is almost totally different so I'm going to do a little week overview.  I have kind of a weekly schedule, mostly because I have certain things that have to be worked around...like tutoring and now adding in school for Kirby--which by the way I heard someone call home educating instead of home schooling and I must say, I like that so much better.  It has much less of a denim jumper, birkenstock and awkward children sound to it.  Anyway, back to my week.  Here's a basic schedule of what I do as of now...

Monday:

 In the morning I take my weekly trip to the market, a 5-8 minute bus ride or 20 minute walk away, to buy fresh meat, fruit and vegetables.  When I get back all fruits and vegetables must be specially washed (there is no regulation on the kinds of pesticides used and if they aren't used we usually have to wash away pests).  Also the meat usually has to be rinsed.  The small market I normally use only sells chicken (no I don't buy them live, although that is an option) and pork.  My helper helps with this because the shopping, washing and then prepping (we do a little then to make meals go quicker later on) could take about 4-5 hours total.  With her help it takes more like 2 and a half.  I also usually cook my chicken at this point since I do it in the pressure cooker.  I'll put in on, let it cook and then it's ready to be dealt with later.

Usually this all takes until lunch time.  I use the afternoon to catch up on kitchen tasks such as making baby food, granola, apple sauce, etc.  This keeps me pretty busy all day.  It's rare that there isn't anything that needs to be made.

I wash the bed and bathroom linens.

Bible study with some ladies after the boys go to bed.

Tuesday:

  In the morning I make my weekly trip to Walmart.  This is where I can buy all paper products, dry goods, toiletries and such.  If I need ground beef I can usually get it here, otherwise I have to go to the large market.  Side note: The large market is also where the small import store is, where we can buy cream cheese, whipping cream, mozzarella and a few other random things--I usually only try to go there once a month. Walmart takes most of the morning.

Stan and I now share a tutor and we both tutor on Tusday afternoons.  He from 1-3 and me from 3-5.  I plan to take my two hours of the boys napping and Stan tutoring for a little me time. :)

Wednesday:


Wednesday has no set schedule but this is the day Stan usually leaves to go out traveling and I also use it to run errands.  I'm hoping to start meeting and studying the Bible with a local friend in the afternoons.

I wash the boys clothes (usually 3 loads).

Thursday and Friday:


Each of these days I only have tutoring in the afternoons.
I wash my and Stan's clothes and any extras from the boys (usually 2 loads each day).


So you can see that my Monday and Tuesday are when I try to get most of the time intensive shopping done.  This is mostly because with Stan leaving on Wednesdays most weeks I like to have everything I need for meals already set.  It makes it so much easier on me when I'm on my own.  Well I'm not completely on my own since I do have a helper.  She does most of the household cleaning and helps me with meals.  And she helps with the boys a lot.  They love for her to sit outside with them while they play.  Even though we have a courtyard that is locked and they could not get out of on their own, I do feel much better with her out there making sure they aren't playing chicken on their bikes and stuff.  I really don't know what I would do with out her.  The shopping and cooking process takes so long that it's great to have a hand in that and it's nice to have help in cleaning.  I know if I was to try to do it all on my own there would be no time to spend with the boys, study language or get out to meet people. (I've seen this with other mothers here.)

So soon I will need to work into the week at least three days of school for Kirby (in September we will start 5 days a week).  Also, my quiet time and any exercise I want to get in must be done before 8 am, when the boys wake up.  Plus there are a few things that are done as needed, ordering/picking up milk at the milk store and baking bread (I have a bread machine so it's not much work on my part) just to give examples.

It's important to me to have at least twice a week where I steal a couple of hours for myself.  Also, I try to get out beyond my usual shopping places to just interact with people for language practice.  So there you go.  A lot of what I do isn't much different from if I were living in America.  The shopping process is different and longer and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be learning a new language but other than that things are pretty much the same.

culinary arts

Since moving here just over a year and a half ago my kitchen skills have at least quadrupled.  I am what I like to refer to as a 'lazy girl'.  I have always depended on convenience items to get dinner on the table.  I think most of us do, with the exception of those out there that have a real love and talent for cooking.  But for me I'm great at following a recipe but not so great at being inventive or making things my own.  So when I moved here I had to make some changes.

I buy all fresh meat, vegetables and fruit at a local market.  As far as for food items that we would want, Walmart only sells snacky stuff, a few ingredients and most of the dry goods I use but I think the only convenience type thing I can buy there is spaghetti sauce.  I was buying bread but it was sweetened and just didn't taste right.  Luckily they do sell condiments so that makes cooking a little bit easier but no condensed soups, or frozen anything...well ok, they do sell frozen chicken feet.  Basically chicken feet in a tub of ice.  And they had frozen whole chickens.  Whole=head, feet and insides.  And also thanks to wonderful friends and family (church and blood) we have a stash of some seasoning packets like Ranch, Onion soup and pasta sauces.

Now I have learned to make things like sour cream, sauces for casseroles, bread (with the help of a bread machine), a variety of soups, some of the best granola ever and some other things I can't think of right now.  Today I tried my hand at making baby food.  Seriously, not hard at all.  I've been making apple sauce and it's just like doing that with other fruits and vegetables.  I may have done it in the States if I had known how easy it was.  I say may, remember I'm a lazy girl.  And once baby food is no longer needed I might even try my hand at making my own spaghetti and marinara sauce.  We'll see.  For now I'm just not sure I can add anything additional.

I never thought I would enjoy anything more than baking--let's face it, the best part of baking is the end result.  But really I have begun to enjoy my time in the kitchen.  Got any great recipes?  Pass them on!

joy

This morning as I was finding joy in my first sips of coffee it occurred to me that I don't express much joy over the little things.  So I decided to make a list of the small joys I get to experience each day.  Simple pleasures, if you will.

-Coffee drinking while Bible reading.

-Those first sleepy faced hugs and kissed I get from the boys in the morning.

-The equally sleepy pleas for one more story at bed time.

-10 minutes in the shower where I hear nothing but running water.

-Judah 'talking', squealing with delight and laughing with his brothers.

-Spiderman and/or Superman coming downstairs to visit.

-Praise music on my ipod.

-Magazines sent to us by people in the States, even if they are a year old (or older).

-That first instant when I lay my head on my pillow at night and I get to completely relax and knowing I have a whole night of sleep ahead of me.

So many more but that is good for today.  What do you find joy in?

working toward growth

Yesterday I started a 'did i ever tell you about...' post but the day was just too busy to finish it.  So I will get back to that next week.  For now I just wanted to share a little about what God is doing in my heart right now.  It's not profound but it will definitely make my day to day look different.

A couple of weeks ago my wise friend E (yes, the same E that helped me out with a hair cut) shared something and ever since then it's been heavy on my heart.  Not heavy in a bad way but heavy in a way that I have been pondering it.  Basically it came down to me realizing that my time with the Lord had been put on the back burner to everything else.  It happened without me really realizing it.  Slowly but surely quiet times got shorter, fewer and some days missing all together.  I have been once again trying to do it all on my own.  I think this had a lot to do with the frustration I would begin to feel about small things.  While I was away I was still pondering in my heart all that E had said and how it SO applied to me.  So I began to see some need for change.  So here are a few changes to come for me...

-p90x is going to be way scaled down.  I really enjoy many of the workouts and still hope to use them but there is just no way I can keep up the pace to do it full out.  A wise friend of mine had in a way warned me of this, she also has three small children.  It's not that it would be impossible to continue full out but when other things are sacrificed I must prioritize.  So my hope is to still have at least 4 days a week of exercise and continue eating well.  I am not giving up on my 30 by 30.  But I have to tell you if I wake up later than I intend and I must choose exercise or time with the Lord I will no longer be tying up my tennis shoes but opening His word.  If this choice slows down my weight loss and I don't make my goal I'm certain it is still absolutely the best choice.   

-I'm starting the Beth Moore study on Esther.  That woman has been given a gift and her studies have been a blessing in my life in the past.  I am starting this with E and M and let me tell you I am pumped.  I am ready to dig deep into the word and let Him teach  and change me!

-I'm going to have to do a bit better on scheduling my time.  I don't mean a rigid schedule that will tie me to a clock and lose flexibility in my days but I'm about to take on a little more and the only way that can happen is to get a little bit more organized.  I need to pick up a little more language study time.  Stan and I both plan to try to reach our required proficiency level by this time next year.  He is closer than I am.  So that means I need to kick it up a notch.  Also, Kirby is ready to start some school.  We still won't officially begin Kindergarten until the Fall but he definitely wants to start before then.  We will 'practice' school time starting in March probably.  March is when Stan will start back to classes and I will pick up my extra tutoring hours.  So in order for me to continue with what my days currently consist of and add in a couple of extra things I will be evaluating my time, all that I want/need to accomplish each week and make a realistic flex plan.  I had this when we first moved here but as time went on I let it get too relaxed and I frequently get overwhelmed.

So little by little I might begin to figure all this out.  With all that day to day life requires ultimately I desire to be in a constant state of growth in my walk with the Lord, my relationship with my husband and my boys.  There are things I need to let go of and things I need to grasp tighter.  I know I'm not the only one that struggles with this so as I'm making these changes if you need prayer in doing some of the same things let me know.   

i did it

I made it to Bangkok and back, with Judah, without any trouble.  Even though I had the computer with me and I had fully intended to blog I just didn't get to it.  We were certainly on the go almost the whole time I was gone and when we got back to our hotel at night and Judah passed out I was too interested in watching real TV (can we say Discovery Channel!) since that isn't something I can do at home.

The trip was both productive and refreshing.  I had two friends, K and K--same name spelled differently, that were also there and we had some wonderful ladies time.  K had her fourth child (third son) just a couple of months after I had Judah and she is from our home church.  Even though we live in the same country we live at opposite parts so we rarely get to see each other.  Well actually they will be in the States when we are so even though we live on the same side of the world we have to travel to America (or Thailand) to see each other.  The other K is pregnant with number four (and also her third son) and lives just a couple of hours from us.  Both have adorable blond little girls at home but, just like me, have a brood of boys too!  All three of us were less two children so it was weird, like something was missing, but great for getting to have adult conversation!  I'm telling you, God knew just what I needed.  Since we all have so much in common with cross culture living and having small children we were able to understand each other's struggles and encourage one another.  It did this heart good!  Thank you K and K.  I was a great few days!

Judah and I also got to see the Dr.  I had a good visit and we were able to address some of Judah's past respiratory issues.  Not to mention bring back immunizations for the whole family, except Bennett who isn't due for any...lucky dog!  I have to get the Rabies series (yes, seriously) and I'm due for a Hep A.  Also, it's time for all of Kirby's 'before school' boosters.  Since we are homeschooling and I'm not going through Kindergarten registration it hadn't truly hit me--of course his big birthday is fast approaching--but realizing that it was time for those shots made it all too real.

 Anyway, I made it there and back, got all the medical stuff done, had wonderful fellowship with two wonderful ladies, ate some yummy food and shopped it up.  I owe my husband a huge thank you for not complaining (too much) and playing Mr. Mom to Kirby and Bennett so I could take Judah to the Dr. and have some fun. Thank you Stan! 

Now back to the real world...