Vegetables, maybe

In just one day we've come across quite a few new foodstuffs: some vegetable called "we-catch-a-ball" - or something very similar - and this thing (which, according to the ladies who were buying it and the man who was selling it is called "I don't know" or possibly "shampoo").

True

This one's for Carole

Streetside tailors everywhere: and look what they're working with!

Petchburi

It's so freaking hot here.

Foreign political sentiment: cheap-cheap, only 10 baht!

These little guys are all over Bangkok. I think they're awfully funny, in a confusing out-of-context sort of way.

The Best Bangkok House

We finally found a place to stay in Bangkok: luggage free, which is no surprise, since the boys are travelling with me and I am nothing if not a luggage losing disaster magnet. But Krishna made friends with the pretty girls at the Thai Airways baggage services office, so we should see them by tonight.

Sunrise in Hong Kong

We were in Hong Kong long enough this morning to catch the sunrise from the airport, which was exactly as you would expect sunrise in Hong Kong to be: fog clinging to the rounded hilltops with an occasional mysterious something reflecting the sunlight blindingly. But we were really too tired to notice. Seventeen hours on a single cramped smelly plane is too many.

Nepalis galore

We've met more people from Nepal in the last few weeks than we will while we're in Nepal, I think. We promised to make some nice pictures available to their families abroad, so here they are. This is Scott and our new friend Mukesh (who is going to school in Louisianna, of all places) pretending that they've known each other for more than five minutes. And doing a good job of it, I might add.

And our other friend Hari. We said, hey Hari, we can show your family nice pictures of all the messy Americans you hang out with. And here we are.

Domo arigato, Mr O-Scott-o

Scott took us out for sushi on New Year's Eve. We then promptly went home and to bed before ten. A festive time, to be sure.

Ah, cousins

Erin is a hit with the littlest cousins. Simma will pretty much forsake everybody for a good cuddle with Erin, and maybe a woodworking magazine or three.

Schuss You!

First day on the hill. Great success. There was soooooo much new snow last week, and even though it got pretty well skied off by the horrendous crowds, it was a great day on the hill. Erin starts lessons tomorrow, but she's quite the little downhiller already. It'll be fun in a few years (months?) to get her onto the more challenging terrain and see if I can still keep up with her.

... and now for some Fine Arts!

We spent an evening before Christmas being creative. It was messy, as usual, but much fun.

And see? Erin and I painted two very nice Santas and Scott painted a lovely homeless color-blind coal-miner. Right in the Christmas spirit.

Ode to Joy

Erin's Christmas concert was ages ago, and it was a terrific success.

The kids did a great job; Miss Solberg wrote some very fun songs (and there were a lot of bald heads in the crowd). The new Auditorium is quite the place.

Aww, cute kid. (And no, I can't get the picture to go the right way. My computer is still in moving limbo...I miss my Mac.)

Though not actually related to any of my family, Erin seems to be acquiring some of their less desirable traits. Here we see the Tongue Concentration Method at its finest.

Smart Apple

Erin made the honor roll this quarter! We are all so proud of how hard she's worked in school this year: it shows in her grades and in her enthusiasm. She's learning so much, and it's fun to learn it all over again with her. Way to go, kiddo!

Whippy!

Scott sold his F250. And I sold my F250. And then we realized that we are in the process of moving and require a truck. So.... Truck. (This is obviously not my truck, but a reasonable facsimile thereof. But mine's flashier because it has a hood scoop. And I'm sure it's faster.) And, of course, I had a rock through the windshield already. Heavy sigh. I guess I can let Scott drive it now.