India: The first 24 hours

We made it.  16+ hours on a plane, but we are here.  We arrived at our apartment about 9pm and marveled at how big this place it.  (Pictures tomorrow)

Becky, being Becky, started unpacking in the van between the airport and our apartment.  I like to take a little more deliberate approach.  I am finding however, that the deliberateness of a husband is greatly influenced by the will of his spouse.  I am happy to report that as of now, less than 24 hours of being in country, all of my bags are completely unpacked. Thank you Becky!

We tried to get some sleep around midnight, but that only lasted until about 4am when we both realized we were awake.  I told Becky about a nightmare I had...I dreamed that we had three sets of identical twins, one set were girls, and in my dream, I couldn't remember the first three years of their lives.  I felt like Harrison Ford in regarding Henry.  At one point in the dream, I was weeping while Becky told me, "Do you know how many people have been in this situation before us?"  Thanks Dream Becky for the words of encouragement!

After getting that off my chest, I went back to sleep whilst Becky laid restlessly next to me. She got up to workout while I mounted an offensive on my jet-lag.

At 7:45, we got picked up and headed to the school for our first day of 'work'. We started with an awesome breakfast at our Director's house.  The energy in the room was wonderful and we can already tell that the community at AES is going to be fantastic.

After breakfast, we had a few meetings.  One to get laptops and a tech introduction.  Then on to our section meetings.  I went with middle school while Becky headed off with the high school.  It is almost hard to contain our giddiness when we talk to each other about work. It is that good.

After lunch, we walked around the campus for a bit.  The campus has an incredibly natural feel.  The buildings really blend with the landscape.  It is a gorgeous school.

To finish off the day, we went on a shopping tour to Khan Market. Of course, it is monsoon season in Delhi, so the skies opened up as we arrived.  First stop, get an umbrella.  The rain made things considerably more difficult, but we grabbed a few needed items and returned home.

Some initial thoughts:

Delhi has a lot of green space.  We have a park across the street from our apartment and there is a huge park area just down the road from us.

The park view from our balcony.

The holy cows are definitely out and about.  I went onto our balcony to take a picture of the park across the street when I saw this guy.

Our school is awesome.  Our fridge was stocked with brownies, lasagna and beer (among other things).

Very nice to walk into the apartment and find some food.

That is all for now.  We will post some apartment pictures tomorrow and hopefully share a few funny stories and less boring blog summaries.

Love,

iBeck

Wai We'll Miss Thailand

This is our last week in Thailand, and that means that this is a time of reflection for us.  Thailand has been my home for the last two years and Becky's for the last three.  This is where we started our lives together, so it will always have a special place in our hearts.  Here are some of the things we will miss.

The Wai

Everyone knows that the eastern equivalent of the handshake is the bow.  This is true in Thailand, but with a very cool twist.  Thai's wai as a sign of respect, the higher the hands, the more respect.

SAT analagy - Handshake : Bow :: Hug : Wai

Corn Ice-Cream! Yum.

Thai Food

Kra Pow Gai, Lap Moo, Yam Moo Yang, Gai Pad Med Mamuang (cashew chicken), Som Tam, Morning Glory, Gang Kia Wan (green curry), Moo Yang and so many more.  Not to mention great mangos, lychee, dragonfruit, longan, and mangosteen.

Thai Massage

When and hour massage costs between $7 and $15, you make sure to get one weekly.  Massage is, of course, available in India, but it will probably be more expensive and probably not a good.  I guess we will have to take up yoga.

This picture is from Justin Strickland's visit earlier this year.  We are getting some good 'ol fashioned foot massages.



Golf and Caddies

There are a plethora of reasons to love golfing in Thailand: it's year-round, interesting animals like monkeys and cobras greet you on the course, you get the country club treatment every time you go (I especially enjoy showering after 18 holes for some reason now).  But my favorite piece is the caddies.  She will give you putting advice and then accept your admonishing when it's wrong or scold you if you decline and miss.  She holds your beverage of choice while you hit.  She marks and cleans your ball after every putt (like that really helps me). She looks for your ball in the trees and often finds it.  Sure, I've had some atrocious caddies, but that just makes the banter with your golf buddies that much more interesting.

Beaches

Thailand is voted as having some of the worlds best beaches for good reason.  We will miss being able to leave work at three-o-clock on a Friday and drinking a Singha on the beach by six.

Softball

Jakarta Bangkok Team

I wrote about the greatest comeback in sports history in a blog last month. (Miami and Dallas had some nice comebacks earlier this month too, but those were not for a championship).  Because of that and many other reasons, I will miss the BISL (Bangkok International Softball League).  I will miss my friends and teammates.  I was just getting to know some of the guys from other teams thanks to being able to join them in Jakarta last weekend for an international tournament.  (We took 4th, after getting hosed in the semi-final game).

Sabai Sabai and Mai Pen Rai

OK, so I won't miss this one all that much.  Sabai Sabai basically means relax and Mai Pen Rai, no worries.  Thailand is very chill and that permeates throughout pretty much every aspect of the culture.  You should NOT be in a hurry in Thailand, and if you are, prepare to be frustrated.  That being said, it is a great attitude for vacation!

Friends

The hardest part of living overseas is that people move.  There is constant change and just when you've made a lifelong friend, one of you decides it's time for a change.

Becky's blurb about friends: 

Sorry, I just wanted an excuse to word "blurb". It sounds gross! All kidding aside, it has been so great to meet such wonderful friends here in Thailand and it's always hard to say goodbye to people that you've grown close to.......physically!  ;)  Just kidding, although Erin and I did share a bed several times.  Thanks for being big spoon Erin!  You make me feel so safe!  There's something special about people who understand how rediculous living overseas is and who also speak English! I will miss all of my "Thai" friends very much and This is a tribute to them!




Thanks for picking a picture where I look obese honey! 



Everyone looks cooler in a cowboy hat!  Especially Emily!  Not that you don't look amazing ALL The time Em!  :)

All the single ladies, All the single ladies!  Oh wait.....I'm married...... Some of the single ladies!  Some of the single ladies!  oh oh ohhhhh oh oh ohhhhhhh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!

Don't worry friends, this isn't goodbye!  You can't keep me from finding you!  Even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees on a dirty bar floor in Krabi!  creepy! 



Great costume, Erin! 





I heart Erin!



I love the Be-aaaatch!