Happy Tuesday everyone! If we were meeting for coffee today, you might notice I’m making a switch to tea for a while. Just weaning myself off caffeine for a bit. It actually makes for a nice change. I forget how yummy tea tastes sometimes, when I just automatically go for the coffee or the cappuccino. Of course bagged tea isn’t quite so good as the loose leaf kind I used to get from my specialty shop in the States, but it’ll do. What I do miss though is rooibos. I found one shop that sells it here, but every time I go, they’re either out or not open. (Shops in Thailand like to close randomly. Maybe for a holiday. Maybe because the shop owner just wanted a day off.) The funny thing is, I think I’ve felt more energetic the past few days than usual. I think maybe the tea doesn’t give me as much of a jittery high, just stays with me longer and doesn’t follow up with a crash.
Well, today marks 6 months of living in Thailand. Six months ago we left home. It’s such a short time, yet so much has happened in the interim. We might have left home, but in the process we’ve found home too. And life carries on. Litchees are in season now, and we’re seeing a resurgence of mangosteen. The rainy season has brought so much in bloom – which also seems to have put my allergies on high alert. They’re worse than they’ve ever been. I’m a sneezy mess right now. But it’s okay because I can soothe myself with mangoes.
We’re still on the hunt for a car. The earthquake in Japan means no parts are coming out of there. Which means new cars are on a year-long waiting list. And the used cars here in Thailand cost as much as brand new ones. We’re hemming and hawing over it, but hopefully (HOPEFULLY) we’ll have a car soon. Forget all the practical reasons we need a car, can I just tell you how excited I will be to be able to wear skirts and dresses out to dinner again? Because riding passenger on a motorbike is not conducive to skirt-wearing with modesty.
Thai women know how to sit side-saddle on a bike. I tried that once. Never again.
If we were meeting over coffee today, I’d tell you too that my thoughts are with all the people who lost their homes and other belongings, or even loved ones, in the tornadoes that ripped through this weekend. The Bigger Picture community is pulling together resources to send donations to the Salvation Army to help those who have been affected by the destruction. This Wednesday (May 25) through Friday (May 27), they will be holding an online auction, and all proceeds will go directly to relief efforts in Joplin.
This hits close to home, as one of our community, Sarah at This Heavenly Life and her family live in Joplin. While she, her husband and children are safe, others of her family and a couple of close friends have lost their homes. The items to be auctioned have been donated by several businesses, including: A Soft Landing, Gussy Sews, Discovery Channel, and many more.
The images coming from out of there are just heart-rending, aren’t they?
Anyway, the tea has long grown cold and I must be heading out. Hope you all have a lovely week. Keep your loved ones close and take a moment to soak in something wonderful about each and every one of them.
Join in for Virtual Coffee at Amy’s!
Sitting side saddle on a motorbike, yeehaw! I couldn't do it if my life depended on it, not enough coordination!!
Good luck in your car search – hopefully you guys will find one that suits both your need and budget soon!
I've also switched from drinking coffee in the morning to green tea and have noticed a huge change in my energy levels – it's wonderful – and much better for you health wise
Can't wait for coffee next week!
xoxo
Jenna
Lovely tea! I'll have some nice Ceylon tea, or my recent fave green tea with mint.
Happy six months, I hope you find a car!
I adore litchees. Maybe you can find some litchee tea. I agree with the caffeine buzz. I notice it when I get a Starbucks for work versus my days of tea at home or my own homemade designer coffees. Six months, huh? Has Aunt Flo come to visit yet? And does she really check what undies you might be wearing?! I think I've always had problems with bras. I have yet to find one that I can forget I'm wearing. And now that gravity is having its way with me, I can rarely go without one. Thanks for the chit-chat and see you next week!
Hello, there! Just visiting you for the first time via virtual coffee. I haven't read older posts from your blog yet, so not sure if your move there is temporary or permanent. But it must be nice to be in touch with people back home via the internet! I don't know what rooibos are. (And I didn't know what a few of the other things you mentioned coming into bloom were either– flowers? fruits?) Perhaps I should try tea for a change instead of coffee– sounds like it had an interesting effect. (As it is, I currently make my coffee half decaf so I won't get too jittery.) FYI– you were the only person who responded to my post who said they were a morning person– every one else was vehement about being nocturnally oriented. Interesting. Good luck with the car!
Jade — thank you SO much for blogging about the auction. I got your email, and I will respond soon. We have just been swamped with the details of the auction so far — it's taken on such a life.
Also, tea makes me a whole let less shaky, too. It was one of the best switches I've made.
And, you don't want automatic AC from riding the motorbike in a skirt? lol
Hopefully you'll find a car soon, and yes, my thought and prayer are with the tornadoes victims.