Finding Our New "Normal"

I started blogging about our time here back in 2009 during our first 6-month stay. As life got in the way posts became non-existent. When we spent the summer here in 2011 I had hoped to document our family time here but spent most of my writing time helping the students get their blogs up. This time around I feel a duty to my children to document the time here. This blog will be primarily devoted to the personal side of what happens here.

We have been back in Bangkok 3 weeks as of today. There is something amazing about landing in the Suvarnabhumi airport and having the same feeling that I do when I land in Kansas City...it's a homecoming. These first weeks have been consumed mostly with the settling in tasks. These are things that don't seem like they should take much time but somehow "eat up" an entire day or week, depending on the task. We are living in Bangkok this time, as opposed to Salaya (suburb near the university, northwest-ish of the city by about 40 min.) so that we have easier access to Luke's school. We are about a half a block from the nearest BTS Skytrain stop and a little farther walk (5 minutes?) from the bus stop for the Salaya link. Both allow us inexpensive, easy access to the places that we need to be on a regular basis.

We're in a small but sufficient apartment, 2 bedroom/1bath, in a building that has a pool and workout facility. The kids are sharing a room and I'm thankful that Lexi will learn to be mobile in a space without stairs! Here a couple of pictures of the front of our building. I'm not at all disappointed that we are missing the winter weather at home. I do try to resist gloating when I open Facebook and read about the single digit temperatures that most of our friends are contending with. It is fantastic to be among the lush green tropical foliage that I miss from my years in Florida.

We are all learning a lot about city living. Shopping occurs in short, frequent trips and is usually for very specific items. Luke is starting to notice that we pass the same people in the neighborhood and on our way to school. We are entertaining a lot of questions about the people that we pass who have their cup out for money. There are many "teachable moments."

I'm not sure how often the posts will go up but there are already lots of stories and pictures to share. I'll get them up as frequently as I can. Sawasdee ka!