Weekend Reflections

Today has been pretty chill for me. Sunday is a quiet day in Bangkok relatively speaking, and for once there is no disruptive orchestra of construction noises outside my bedroom window.

I have been feeling a tickle in my throat the last couple of days that turned into a definite scratch this morning. Combined with a busy week of volunteering, and a day-long sensory overload at the Chatuchak Weekend Market yesterday, I was feeling a little worn out, and decided to spend the day at "home", resting. I did get the chance to chat online with my parents who will be celebrating Thanksgiving with the family tomorrow. I love Thai food, but the thought of a delicious turkey dinner does get my mouth watering!

On Thursday I started my work in the sewing center at the Fatima Center, and got to know a little more about it. This is a Catholic organization run by the Good Shepherd Sisters, which strives to empower local women to gain dignity, respect, and independence. The nuns who run it are really wonderful women who are compassionate, firm, and funny. The eldest is an Irish woman likely in her late 70s or early 80s who probably told old age to go away, she was too busy to put up with it. Evidently it ran away with its tail between its legs, because this woman does not look like she will be stopping anytime soon! She also speaks Thai fluently, and no one messes with her! The other sister that I have worked closely with is a Thai woman who speaks English very well, and she coordinates all the volunteers. I have found her to be friendly, funny, and kind.

The women working at the sewing center come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some are refugees, others are elderly or disabled and have no one to look after them, some are single mothers, and others are seeking an escape from the sex trade.
At Fatima, they are provided with free childcare and an opportunity to learn skills to earn a fair wage from dignified work. They learn to sew many different high quality products, and these are sold at fair trade prices locally and overseas in countries like Australia, Ireland, and the USA.

There are quite a few women, maybe 50-60 or more, and they seem very happy at Fatima. It is quite a community, and its nice to see them laugh and joke around at lunchtime. They are so friendly, and invite me to eat with them and share their food, even though only a few can speak English, and my Thai is as bad as it ever was. After lunch sometimes they play music and do traditional Thai dancing...they even taught me how (or at least I tried to learn. I'm not very coordinated!).

I have been helping out by doing small tasks for the sewing projects like cutting, tagging, hand-sewing, trimming, etc. and I have to admit I much prefer the peaceful repetition and practical tasks to the chaos of the kindergarten classroom! Doing these small things may not seem very important, and in and of themselves they are not. But spending time with the women, having small conversations, getting to know them, and showing them that people care is a small way I can contribute to the project. I may be teaching English later on, I'm not entirely sure yet. I think I would like to, as Ithink it would give them a practical skill and also give me an opportunity to get to know them better.

I always find volunteering abroad to be so humbling. Sometimes I just feel like a guilty white person trying to make myself feel better about being born more privileged. Sometimes I am acutely aware that there is so little I can actually do to help. I am fairly useless. But I try to do what I can, and learn how I can do better. Hopefully this will make a difference to at least one person.

Hawaii Highlights

Some memorable moments from my February family vacation to Oahu...

First turtle sighting! It was huge! I thought it was a boulder.

Our first sunny morning was beautiful and so, so welcome!

Snorkeling & swimming with a sea turtle at Turtle Bay!

Locally produced coconut ice cream...the best thing I ate all week!
And that is saying something, because there was a lot of good food around.

Showing some Canadian pride when our women's hockey team
won gold at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics!

Boogie boarding...a.k.a watching my brothers get trashed by the brutal waves.

Hiking through a jungle-y rainforest! 

Non-highlight: I should also make a confession...please try to understand.
I...I forgot Regis at home. Trust me, I realize that is practically heresy. After all, the blog is named after him. He has been on practically every trip I've taken in the last 4 years. I don't have a good defense, just the fact that I was in the middle of mid-terms when we left and my brain was elsewhere! Please forgive me, Regis...

Stormy Weather

Look at these fresh, innocent faces.

Off to Hawaii for the first time. Spirits and hopes are high. 

Surf, Sand, and Sun, here we come!

Little did we know, the forecast for our week in Hawaii included a LOT of fog, wind, and rain! 

Feeling brave and venturing out of the beach house for a walk...

Returning in 10 minutes, drenched. 

The good news is that we had renewed appreciation for the sun when it finally came!

Hawaii Snapshots

Apologies for vanishing from the internet these last few weeks. What can I say except I am trying to keep on top of schoolwork, as well as look into my options for the Fall, and prepare for my quickly-approaching spring/summer job! Time management is not really my strong point, so I decided to scratch out a couple things that I know distract me, like Facebook and blogging :)

View from the top of the Hauula Loop Trail

Right now, however I needed a quick break from studying State Repression of Labour and the Left in Canada from 1914-1920, so I thought I would share a couple snapshots from my family vacation to Hawaii!

The boys loved boogie boarding at Pounders Beach!

We stayed at a great beach house in Hauula, the North point of Oahu. We had a fair amount of windy/rainy weather for the first couple of days, but it was still warm and wonderful to wear shorts and t-shirts, and go swimming in the ocean in February! Once the sun came out, we appreciated it even more!

The beach house lanai...right on the water!

The neighborhood we stayed in had that weather-worn look and laid-back feel that was totally different from the touristy South, in Waikiki or Honolulu.  We loved it because we really felt like we were in a totally different (non-North American) country, but it was still so convenient because we already knew the language, currency, etc. 

Family swim time!

 Another advantage to the north end was uncrowded beaches! We were basically the only people at this particular spot. Of course, that might be because of the waves and rocks...but it was still awesome!

I really enjoyed seeing some wildlife, including lizards hanging around outside. They were pretty cool, and super quick! At one beach we saw a huge 50 year old sea turtle (photo to come), and when we went snorkeling at Turtle Bay Resort we spotted another turtle and followed it around for a while! That was really fantastic...I even touched its' shell quickly...it was a little slimy :P

But that is all I have time for right now! Maybe I will be able to post more after exams, before I leave for PG. So soon! AHH!

The Necessary Update

I am home!

July was crazy and hectic and had unreliable internet and cell service. That is my excuse for not posting anything during that month. Maybe I will upload some photos later, and describe July adventures in more detail.

I was sad to leave, but my poor sleep-deprived body was ready for a break, so spending a week on the Shuswap Lake afterwards was THE PERFECT way to recover. We had amazing weather, the water was super warm, and it was wonderful to spend time with family! I read more books than was probably healthy for such a short time, napped whenever I felt like it, and ate delicious and easy to prepare food. I also spent time baking in the sun (I went from ghostly-white camp cook, to tanned and relaxed retiree), playing some feisty rounds of badminton, and leading the rellies in some intense games of "Mafia".

After I returned home, I could finally settle down and unpack and start to plan my summer adventures! I had aspirations to visit Vancouver Island friends, a week of cooking at the Woodsman camp, and outlet shopping in Seattle. AND THEN...I was in a car accident (yes...again), and my poor Samantha was crunched and written off. To say I am mighty tired of this sort of excitement in my life would be somewhat of an understatement.

So, instead of living the summer roadtrip dream, I have been at home...recuperating from a fresh case of whiplash, getting a few errands done, reconnecting with friends I haven't seen in months, and snuggling my Lokust! All in all, its not a completely bad way to spend a summer, just not what I had planned.

Classes begin in just over a week! I can hardly believe it. This semester I will be officially a "full time" student, although I can hardly pretend it is a very full course load. However I am excited for each of my courses...I will be taking Poli-Sci, Anthropology, and the second half of Into to Psych. I may also pick up a part time job if the right opportunity comes up. Because I'm picky like that. And I worked my butt off this summer so that I could focus more time on school this year instead of being all over the place. We'll see.

As much as I love school, I am feeling ready for a change of scene. Some Facebook friends have been posting their travel photos lately. Its making my feet itch...

The Plague of the Lokust

One significant change this year has been an additional roommate. He arrived in February, appearing to quiet, clean, and easy to get along with. Then, after he had settled in for a couple days he showed his true colors...

He is needy, aggressive, a real suck, reckless, and suffers from separation anxiety, an obsession with toes, and some kind of running water-related OCD. In a word, he is WEIRD.
One minute he'll be chillin' in his favorite spot...the most comfortable chair in the house, obviously...

And the next, he will be racing around the house, tearing the length from the front door, down the hallway, all the way back to the opposite side of the house, growling, his claws skittering across the slippery laminate flooring! He frequently skids around the corners, slamming into walls, knocking over side tables, or anything that is in his path. Nothing is safe!
The worst is when I am trying to put fresh sheets and my duvet cover on my bed. He goes absolutely BONKERS! As soon as he hears the rustling fabric, he comes speeding into my room, takes a flying leap from the door and lands with a big 'POOF' on the fluffy covers, grabs it in his teeth and claws and tried to kill it.

I call them "The Crazy Eyes". You have to watch out when they show up. He doesn't discern loving owner from mysteriously moving blanket.
 His name is Loki, named for the god of mischief in Norse mythology...not the superhero in the Marvel comics/movies.
He climbs onto everything. I've found him in impossibly high places in the house, and he has broken 2 picture frames to date, with 2 attempts on the life of a third. Not to mention the plant pot that was a casualty on one of his hallway rampages.

His hobbies include looking out the window, watching the bathroom sink in hopes that it will drip (or better yet- turn on), climbing onto counters and tables and other surfaces he knows he shouldn't climb on, "talking" loudly at all times (he makes sounds I didn't know were physically possibly for cats to make), thwacking my legs as I walk, holding onto my ankles when I try to leave the house, jumping on our shoulders for a great perch, knocking his water dish over to enjoy the spill, and enjoying the outdoors when its nice out.

You might be wondering WHY ON EARTH do we have this cat? What would make a person keep such an animal in their home? Who could love such a creature?
I have no answers. I think I might be insane. But this little guy simultaneously drives me crazy and makes me love him SO MUCH...its a weird cat person thing. I wanted a cat because I hated coming home to a quiet, dark, empty house. Well, I am guaranteed never to have a quiet, peaceful house again with Loki around! He snuggles with me whenever I sit down, always throws me a welcome home party when I get back from work, and keeps life pretty eventful. And he's dang cute.

He also keeps Regis in line. That monkey needed an older brother to beat him up now and again.

Day 1 of the Europe Adventure

I guess its time to actually start writing about my trip! At first I wasn't going to do this chronologically, but since I'm struggling with gaining some momentum, I figured Day 1 is a good place to begin.

After I drove down to the big city with my Oma and Opa, I stayed with my Aunt and Uncle in Langley. My uncle works at the Vancouver Airport as an air traffic controller, so he offered to take me up to the tower and take a look!

It was pretty cool to get a view of the whole operation, as well as a tour of the tower. He explained what he does and how the computers work, but I'm not going to lie...I glazed over after the first couple minutes! Its pretty complicated.

Thanks for letting me take your picture and embarrass you in front of all your co-workers, Uncle Bob!

I was fascinated with this button though. I was almost afraid to be around it. What if I suddenly developed a nervous twitch, or dropped my camera, or tripped and fall on it?
I used my zoom to maintain a safe distance, you know...just in case.

My flight for London left at around 1pm (uncle was already off duty by that time, so I didn't get the intercom shout-out I was hoping for :p), and it was very...very...very...veeeerrrrrryyyyy loooooonnnngggg. At least it felt really long. I'm not totally sure how long it actually was. Probably between 8-9 hours. But it felt infinitely longer. I won't get into the many annoyances and discomforts that I experienced, but I have decided I actually don't like flying as a method of travel very much. Don't get me wrong, its very fast, and I enjoy the take off and the landing, but frig is it ever uncomfortable! Maybe if I traveled first class I would feel differently.

Kings Cross Station...which is super close to St Pancras,
and always fills me with delight thanks to the Harry Potter series. 

Anyway, we actually got into London early, and my bags were one of the first out on the conveyor belt so I busted outta there pretty quick, and caught the first train to St Pancras Station. Ahhhh...I love train travel. I really do. Why doesn't Canada utilize this swift, dependable, convenient, and comfortable form of transportation more often?? The Greyhound wouldn't stand a chance.

The British Museum hadn't lost its charm

I met up with Brit at her hotel (she had just finished her nursing practicum in Lesotho, which you can read about over at her blog) and we chilled in London for while...visiting the British Museum, and catching up in a random park.

For suddenly I saw you there...and in foggy London town,
the sun was shining...everywhere!

We didn't stay in London very long. In fact we caught the Eurostar to Paris around 4pm. Another train ride! Hooray! Ahhh...I love trains :)

We arrived in Paris 4 hours later...but I've decided to save that for a separate post! I've had fun looking through the pictures again though! I'm sure I'll be updating again soon...

EDIT: that picture may or may not be the British Museum....embarrassing. That's what I get for not sorting my photos, I guess!

Dutch Roots

Visiting the Netherlands has been on my bucket list since before I knew what a bucket list was.

The quaint village of Spaarndam

Dutch culture has been a pretty big part of my life since childhood, because my maternal grandparents are from Holland. I got the inside story from them when they drove me to Vancouver before I left for Europe, which was awesome! My Opa was 19 when he emigrated in 1952 (I think), seeking better opportunities, and my Oma arrived with her family at the age of 16 the same year (I think....gee, I should pay more attention!).

Spending some QT with my Oma and Opa!

While my mom has never been to "The Motherland" (I'm working on her), she has definitely raised us to appreciate our Dutch heritage...I am thankful for that! I happen to think the Dutch are pretty cool :)

A couple months before I left on my Europe Expedition, I got in touch with my Opa's sister and her husband, who lives in a small community a half-hour from Amsterdam, and arranged to stay with them while we were in the area. I had never met them before, but I figured they would be awesome since all the rest of my family is awesome :)

My Uncle Sandy and Tante Ankie

It turned out to be a really special way to experience the country, and I'm so glad we got to meet them! They were so good to us, and showed us some beautiful places that we definitely would not have seen otherwise.

Canal in Broek Op Langedijk

One especially wonderful morning was spent visiting the teensy tiny village of Broek Op Langedijk (I want you to say that out loud), where my Opa grew up!

As we drove up, she pointed out where they would play as children, and explained what their daily lives were like. After the car was parked, we took a short walk to bring us to the old main street, and then there it was!

How cool is this??

The house is still there, as was their old school, and the post office where my Great Great (?) Grandfather would have worked. It was really cool!

Holland Highlights

Dikes and Canals...

Spaarndam neighbourhood

Krokets...

Yum!

Windmills!

History...

The Hiding Place

Family...

My Opa's Sister's Daughter and us....!

Heritage...

Opa's childhood home

Cheese...

With samples! 

Heineken Experience...

Actually SO fun!

Beaches...

Great waves

Anne Frank House...

So interesting!

Clogs...

More windmills...

Pondering the wonders of Holland

Of course Regis didn't appreciate any of this. He only went for one thing...

What a disgrace.