I don't have much time so I will direct you to check out our other blog: walkingtogether.tumblr.com

Take care! God Bless!

Saw Wha De Kah

So I made it to Thailand. Overall the country is beautiful, the people so very friendly, and so far knock on wood I have not gotten sick. I finally arrived in Bangkok a few minutes after midnight. I picked up my bag and just walked straight out. Missy and Chad (Missy's boyfriend whom is half Thai) met me and we got a cab back to Chad's family's condo. On the way there we were stopped at a red light and I looked over to my left to see a truck filled with what appeared to be cut up raw chicken pieces. Mind you it filled the whole bed of the truck and no there was no ice on it. I thought, it's late, that can't be right... but sure enough it was chicken. With that being said- the food is delicious! You just can't think about it. When we got to the condo, we all immediately went to bed. Once we woke up Chad took us to a local place for breakfast. Only they don't really have breakfast food, so we had chicken, rice, and iced coffee for brekkie. After a delicious "breakfast?" we went and got Thai massages. I can not even explain how amazing these things are!!! For only $12 US dollars including tip we had a foot to head massage for 2 hours!! The main difference between Thai massage and stateside massages is these people really get into their massages. They use their whole bodies and position themselves on you to get the best placement for pressure points and stretches. It was seriously one of the best things I've experienced in my life. Slightly painful at times but when it was over I felt like I had worked out, been stretched out and then massaged all over! My lady teased me that I was really tight in the shoulders- I laughed... after last week, I'm not surprised.
To speed up what we have done so far, we've been to several markets, seen the royal palaces, taken lots of photos, learned the game of foot volley, ate lots, rested lots, walked lots, and are preparing for our trip up north to the Mae Sot. We have our bus tickets and will leave Saturday night for a ten hour bus ride up. Overall life is great here! People are wonderful! Chad and Missy have been amazing! And I'm excited for what's in store! Miss and love you all but seriously could live here for ever! Missy and I are already planning our next trip back to get certified in Thai massages!

Almost There.. hello from Japan

So quick note to say I have made it to Japan! The flights have been decent except I can not sleep! I did get in 2 movies, a few TV shows, half a book read, and a few TV shows, half a book read, and how to say "excuse me, do you understand english?" in thai! So successful! Once I got to Japan, I of course was that American girl that got lost and went the wrong way ending up going through customs then back through check-in, security check point and to where I was suppose to be. It's all good. Okay signing off for now! I have to go catch my flight to Bangkok and this keyboard is driving me crazy!!!

And I'm off...

Whew~ what a week! I still don't believe I am leaving in a few hours! I have one full bag of donation stuff and medical supplies that Missy and I might need. For my stuff I fit it all in a carry-on camping sack!! You'd be impressed and you should! LOL, I never thought I could pack lighter for a month than I have for a weekend getaway. I pretty much have 5 days of clothes for work and 3 days of "off day" clothes. Supposedly, there is some ladies in the village that will do our laundry for ~ 5 cents/piece. Can't beat that! Plus, once we leave all the supplies- I will have more room for souvenirs! 

The travel itinerary is NOT the best but it will let me catch up on the sleep I have not gotten over the last week. I leave from Charlotte EARLY tomorrow morning (take-off is at 6:45am). I go first to Dallas, then to LA, then to Tokyo (with a 4 hr layover), then on to Bangkok! I will be on a plane for 24 hours and that does not count layover time! I'm scheduled to land at 11:40 PM the following day! Missy and Chad will be meeting me at the airport. My directions from Missy were "When you get off the plane, make a right, we'll be there!" The first 2-3 days I will be staying in Bangkok as Chad and Missy show me around and introduce me to the Thai culture. Then on Friday night or Saturday night, Missy and I will take the overnight bus up to Mae Sot. It is supposedly an 8hr trip where they blast the AC! Then the real journey begins!  We have a sweet Burmese refugee that will be housing us in a supposed house. All we've been told is it has a communal bathroom! :) We will also be greeted by El Thwa, one of the workers at the clinic. From there I don't know exactly when we will be doing what! 

Like I mentioned earlier, I can not believe this day is FINALLY here! I am excited for what awaits and the opportunity to use the skills I've learned to help those that really need it. I'm not sure how much internet access I will have over there but I'll try to keep you all posted. Please continue to pray for Missy and I and those we will be working with. I will miss you all! Shower and eat "American" and Mexican food for me! 

back of race shirt

picture from the race

2 Weeks til Departure

I can't believe I leave 2 weeks from tomorrow! So much to do between now and then so I'm going to keep it short. First, Missy left yesterday to spend time with Chad and his family before we begin our journey. She and Chad will pick me up from the Bangkok airport on the 1st! It will be so great to see them as soon as I land from that flight! Second, I'm trying to keep my head calm and straight as I study (CRAM) for comps, pack up my house, recruit and run subjects and get ready for Thailand! Yeah, I have all this going on and must get done within the next 2 wks. So prayers are welcome! One step at a time! 

  Third, there has been some increased violence in Burma. I received a newsletter updating me on  some of the situation which was very sad, eye-opening yet real! The newsletter basically explained increased violence in and near the border. Parents have sent their children to cross the border via a boat thus increasing the number of children going into the orphanage just north of the refugee camp we will be working in. There was also some violence that broke out in Burma resulting in some towns including the schools and orphanage over there to be held captive and destroyed. Parents are risking their lives to help their kids get to safety. As the number of kids in the orphanage increases it also coincides with the start of the rainy season. I'll be working with another NGO to get some rain tarps and basic necessities to the children. Thanks again to everyone for their support. You are helping to make a difference in so many lives. Thank you! Please keep the children and how we can help in your thoughts and prayers.