Bangkok

We get a newspaper every morning in our hotel. These are the headlines, starting with the first morning we were here: PRESSURE MOUNTING; KAMIKAZE; CHAOS LOOMS; COSTS MULTIPLYING.

We knew there was some political "unrest" here before we came, we just didn't know we would be staying in the heart of it. The protesters have succeeded in blocking off some major roads and intersections. Mostly the hotel and shopping districts--right around where we are, and where we want to go. The first few days, we have walked through the crowds of "Red shirts" but not felt threatened, and we've just gone about our sight seeing. It has mostly been a hassle to get a taxi willing to try to take us back to our hotel, as it is in the blocked area. But, again, it has all worked out fine.

Today was different. We left the hotel in the morning, and were met with blank stares when we asked for a taxi. Overnight our street had been completely barricaded by the "red shirts" (protesters). No taxis were coming through. The red shirts had expanded their holds, and as of this morning, huge numbers of riot police and military were everywhere. I'm sure the hotel staff have been told not to alarm the guests, or tell us we can't go out, but their eyes were saying just that.

Still, we decided to walk a little ways to the train station, only to find that it was blocked off. Someone told us it was still running, and we could probably get on, but Matt was smart enough to realize that if we got on, and went very far, we may not be able to get back home. Even under normal circumstances, it is overwhelming to be walking the streets of Bangkok with four small kids....

While we were out at the train station, we couldn't help but stare down below (it's an elevated train system here) at the swarm of people dressed in red and black all hemmed in on every side by full-on riot police (with helmets, shields, etc). The noise was chaotic to us: loudspeakers blasting a language we cannot understand with the voice of the red shirt's leader; booming and yelling and horns honking. It was very surreal for a few moments. Then we snapped out of it, and headed back to our hotel, past many hundreds of police trucks that lined the back alley path we took.

We spent the rest of the morning swimming in our hotel's 25th floor pool. We could hear the sounds coming from down below, reminding us of the turmoil. It was certainly disappointing to skip out on some sightseeing & shopping, but even more so, it was humbling to be safe and comfortable and full of gratitude that we don't live in this situation on a daily basis. There are thousands of people living and sleeping on the street right now.

Yesterday we took a boat tour around the canals (khlongs) and got a glimpse into the way some Thais live. Matt asked me if I ever wondered why I didn't come to this land; to another family. Grow up with no shoes or indoor plumbing. I have wondered, but I don't have an answer to why.

Tomorrow we leave Bangkok, and fly down to Phuket. The kids were wondering if the red shirts will be there as well. Aubrye has decided she is on their side and wants them to "win". Maybe the government really is corrupt, I don't know enough to have an opinion. I'm pretty sure Aubrye lost all trust in government from reading the Hunger Games. I told her, if I see Katniss out on the street with the Red shirts, I'll jump on board and start cheering them on too.

Moving

It seems to be taking me forever, but I think I'm going for it...

I'm moving into the mac blogoshere. It's experimental for the time-being. If you have the patience to play along as I figure out what I'm doing, here's the new site:

http://web.me.com/carrie.hall/hallsoup

ps. there are Fiji pictures there...

BULA!

Say, Boo-laaaaaah!

Everywhere you go in Fiji, this is the greeting. A couple times I heard myself say Hola by mistake. I'm pretty sure it slipped under the radar though.

We had a fantastic holiday to Fiji last week. It was exactly what we'd hoped for--hanging out together. It seems we've been going so many different directions for the past couple months. Well, mostly just Matt has been in the opposite direction from the rest of us. But, he was back in the Southern Hemisphere, and ready to reconnect.

I can honestly say, there is no better place to do so than in Fiji! We hadn't done our usual research and planning for this trip. We had it scheduled 6 months ago, and then it just kind of snuck up on us. We read the Fiji tour book on the flight, and just decided to wing it. Lots of Aussies vacation in Fiji--there are always cheap flights, plus the exchange rate works in our favor. We were warned that it can downpour for weeks at a time. We were warned that the government instability makes it an unsafe travel destination. But our experience was only positive. (Unless you count the runs we all came home with... but I just chalk that up as another souvenir.)

K. So, here's some geography & history before I get on with the trip.

Fiji is 2 large-ish islands and lots of little ones (including "Castaway Island" where Tom Hanks movie was filmed.)

Her majesty Queen Elizabeth II reigns over Fiji, but they have their own local gov't. If it weren't for the union jack on their flag, and her face all over their money, there is really no sign of the white Europeans (British Aussies) who "settled" the land. Of course, the Fijians had been living there for thousands of years prior, but some white guys went exploring and "discovered" the land, and paid off some Fijian kings debts, and therefore made claim on the land. They promptly started exporting sugar cane, and then imported lots of endangered servants (slaves) from India (another land ruled by the Commonwealth of England) to work in the fields. For this reason, there are now two dominant cultures in Fiji. The laid-back, warm and welcoming Fijians, and the more intense, born to be used car salesmen, Fijian Indians.

We stayed at the "X"--on the south side of Viti Levu (the Coral Coast), part way between Nadi and Suva. There is one road that travels between these 2 major cities. It is mostly paved, but sometimes dirt, and always best to drive it on an empty bladder... especially with Matt at the wheel. We arrived at night, and drove an hour or so to the hotel. Matt started to gun it early in our journey--he had the need to pass the slow guy in front of us. Well, turned out the slow guy was slow because the road turned to gravel, and was more like skiing moguls than driving. The kids launched a foot out of their seats (only a couple seatbelts actually worked.) We all screamed. And then laughed hysterically. It was so dark, and our headlights so dim that we really had no clue what the road was doing. The rest of the drive was slow and cautious, so don't worry mom.

The Resort life was picture perfect paradise. It looked like a back drop. We snorkeled, parasailed, swam, mini-golfed, napped, and buffet-ed. The staff were so warm and adoring toward the kids. They had babysitters and little chiefs club activities available at just about any hour of the day. I would highly recommend this spot as a family friendly holiday.

After a couple days in the Resort, we were anxious to get out and see Fiji for real. It was still "postcard" perfect: swaying palm trees and crashing waves, lush hillsides and tropical birds. But there were stark contrasts. Poverty; villages that are probably lost with every passing monsoon; barefoot hitckhikers. Boys carrying long swords--the Fijian's tool of choice. We picked up as many people as we could fit in the van. We started wanting to spend the day just giving rides to people.

On Sunday, the public busses hardly run at all, so there were more people than usual on the road. We took a boy to his church. We picked up a mom and her 2 girls. As they piled in we noticed a Book of Mormon in the girls' hand. They were able to direct us to their meetinghouse (which was an old store--everyone met in one large space which made it very hard to hear the Sunday School lesson when the Primary kids began singing!) This experience was so foreign to our kids. They were in awe. I don't think they (or I for that matter) can fully grasp what life in Fiji is truly like.

After church we drove some members home. They lived across the lagoon from our resort. They had never seen inside the bush-lined walls of the resort, so we took them in and showed them. They took us into their village, and into their tiny, dark home. They cooked us fish and potatoes and insisted we eat while they stood back and watched. The table was set with 4 plates, one fork, an open box of salt, 2 boiled potatoes and 2 fish. The fish were completely whole--eyes, fins, gaping mouth wide open. Brother Sorby had caught the fish the day before and his mother cooked them in coconut milk for us. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were eating their precious food, and that they would go hungry because of it. But, I knew it would've been much worse to reject it. Before the meal, they passed around a bowl of water to wash our hands in. I am emotional just thinking about all this.

My gratitude and awareness for my privileged life just sweeps over me. Why do I whine? Why do I waste? I want to stop. My new friends have so little, and yet they are so happy and filled with purpose. They cannot even imagine my kitchen cupboard. It is a very different existence we lead. One not superior to the other. I learn from this experience, and pray that my kids do as well.

(to be continued...)

Autumn Proof

I swear it was fall for less than a week here. Luckily I snapped these pics to remind me... Now that the radio guy tells me we are in for a week of "tops of 13" (celcius--not sure on the conversion, but just know it's c-c-c-cold) I am forgetting what those delightful fall days felt like.

It was one of those days when Taylor and I were out on a walk and I happened to bring the camera along. I'm glad I did because I have spent the past year and a half wishing I had the camera handy whenever I see a postman.

They make me smile in a smirk/laughing way; not so much a joyful happy way. In my opinion they are the Aussie James Bond. They race around with no concern for traffic; no concern for anything for that matter. Their helmet-sun-protection-veil flapping in the wind, making them appear to be traveling faster than they probably are. They drive across yards, jumping curbs, weaving into and out of traffic... It is awesome. I wonder what the job interview process is like.
I was literally running at top speed (while maneuvering Taylor's stroller and the camera) to try to keep up enough to get some photos.
I realized after I finally gave up that he/she (you never know!) was probably getting a kick out of watching me in his/her rear view mirrors! They definitely entertain me. And I'm just glad if I could return the favor.

Reconciliation Week

Using Truscott Street students' hands to create the Aboriginal Flag

Every year in May, the schools in New South Wales spend a week learning more about "Reconciliation." This is the word used to describe the relationship between Indiginous Australians (Aboriginals) and Immigrants (all other Aussies). Everyone is required to prepare a speech: the younger grades speak on a simple assigned topic while the older grades (3-6) choose from a list of topics that pertain to reconciliation: racism, discrimination, political views, social rights... etc. Not my forte... Last year when we prepared the speeches we were totally clueless. This year we knew more of what to expect.

The kids each practiced at home and then presented in their classrooms. Two kids from each class were then selected to present their speech to the school. Well, last year Bryson was selected to speak to the school. This year all 3 kids were chosen! I was so proud of them. Of course, they were not that happy... I will admit, I wouldn't think that speaking in front of the school is a very good reward for giving a good speech in class. (more of a dis-incentive if you ask me, but I didn't tell them that!) So, I bribed them.

Two new lego sets and one pair of ears RE pierced (for the 3rd time... don't get me started...)

It turns out, Aubs and Zach ended up winning! What does that mean?

I guess Aubs is supposed to go on to the next level... but she is conveniently not telling me any details in

hopes that I will just forget about it.

For the grandparents, here are their speeches on youtube...

Aubrye

Bryson

Zach

No photo left behind

May is slipping by... but not without mention of a few notable memories:

Holy Cross Soccer Club--Zach w/ Ethan Nicol 

Zach takes home the "Man of the Match" trophy after his first game. He didn't score a goal, but he did defend his own goal four or five times! (and he did it all with his eyes shut! j-k)

Celebrity Disco

As always, the kids' school is raising money for something, so they put on a disco--come as your favorite celebrity. Well, my kids don't know who their favorite celebrity is, but with the help of some friends here's who they decided to be: Taylor Swift (Aubrye), Tom Cruise (Bryson), and David Beckham (Zach).

The Prekpenarat Family was sealed in the Sydney Temple

What a privilege to experience this day with them. They immigrated to Australia from Thailand soon after joining the church. In Sydney they didn't know where to find an LDS church, so they just went to an Anglican one that was on their street. About a year after, an LDS Chinese lady (far left) moved into the Prekpenarats apt building, and somehow she met them and gave them the info for our Ward. We have loved getting to know this family!

Mother's Day

Rubs galore!

Zach & Lizzy's Wedding Day

After a week of sunshine, the big wedding day was stormy and cold. In fact, Matt & I hoped we'd be able to find our way to the Draper Temple just by driving toward it. But, the clouds were so low and thick we couldn't see it! Thankfully Lisa helped us make it...

But, it didn't even matter what the weather was doing outside as Zach & Lizzy's smiles were so big and bright. I love that pure joy of a bride and groom. Then, just as the sealing ceremony was ending, the sun broke through the clouds and shone in through the windows. It was really gorgeous.

During the afternoon, we got everyone dressed and ready for the reception, and then decided to go to Carrabas for our "final meal". No, we weren't planning to be executed the next day. But we were going to be headed back to Sydney, and just didn't want to have to wait another year for the deliciousness of the bread and Mezzaluna Ravioli...mmmmm. The kids were just happy to have the free refills on their rootbeer. Oh the things we have to live without!

K. Back to more important things... 

The little girls just loved being near Lizzy! 

(l-r Elle, Summer, Brynley, Bailey, Aubrye & Olivia)

The reception was held in the BYU Skyroom. It turned out beautiful. We took more pictures, and just wandered around until the guests started to arrive. Come to think of it, even after the guests started to arrive we just continued wandering around :) I felt so nervous that the cake was going to get knocked over by one of the grandkids (just please don't let it be one of my children!) Taylor napped in his stroller for the first half of the reception, so that was a huge load off my shoulders (25 lbs, to be exact.) The cake was delicious, the cousins all kept each other entertained and mostly happy, Zach & Lizzy kept their smiles up & did a great job welcoming all their guests. It was a perfect night!

The cake was perched on a very very narrow pillar. I was sure it was going to have an "AFV" moment at some point. Thankfully it didn't!

(l-r: Elle, Bryson, Summer, Aubrye, Parker, Olivia, Finn, Shae)

Zach & Zach

They simply could not keep their hands off Liz...

Linda makes sure the flowers get onto all the right people. Liz's dad and his wife in the background.

Brynley, Parker and Jenni enjoy the view of Y mountain

Zach, Bryson & Ethan looking suspiciously innocent...

Dads and their babies helping each other cope :)

Taylor chugs his bottle after he & I share a piece of yummy wedding cake. Full tummies & ready for bed!

Congrats Zach & Liz! We love you guys!