Asian Vacation, part 3

From Siem Reap we flew through Bangkok and on to Chiang Mai. We spent quite a bit of time at the Bangkok airport (we passed through it four times)and it is incredible. It is spacious and airy and fairly quiet. Even though the airport is huge it is easy to navigate, and so well designed. Here are a couple pictures:




Josh's parents met us in Chiang Mai and we spent some time at their lovely house before heading back out to the airport to pick up Ben, Josh's older brother. We then promptly headed to McDonald's for a cheeseburger.

Our time in Chiang Mai was divided between meeting people that Josh's parents are working with, eating every pizza in town to find the best (the winner will be revealed in the following paragraphs since I know you are all on the edge of your seat to know...), napping, watching Animal Planet, and sight seeing. It was really rough.

Josh's parents are working with two children's homes in Chiang Dao, which is north of Chiang Mai. It was really special to be able to meet some of the kids and the adults who work there. The first home we visited held a church service and cooked a meal for us. So delicious- squash, pork, vegetables, and fruit dishes. They had recently moved to a new facility, and were excited to show it off to us. The facility is really nice and has lots of room, all the kids have beds, and there is land nearby that they can farm. The second home is run by a family, and functions more like a foster home. This is the model that Josh's parents are hoping to move toward (less like institutions and more like homes).







Chiang Mai is a town with a lot of historical significance, and it was nice to see it with great tour guides. It used to be a walled city, and parts of the wall, gates, and moat are still there. We went to a couple markets- in Chiang Mai there are markets for literally everything, and Josh bought me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers for about a dollar.





On our last night in Chiang Mai we went on a river boat cruise (good one, Josh!). The boat was moored at a restaurant, so after being seated we ordered food and ate dinner while going up and down the river. So pretty! During our two weeks in Thailand I tried about 50 mozzarella and pineapple pizzas so I can confidently say this was the best one. YUM.

Asian Vacation, part 2

From Phuket we flew to Bangkok where we switched flights then headed on to Siem Reap, Cambodia. When we landed in Siem Reap we were ushered into a line that lead to a huge desk running the length of the room. When we got to the front of the line we found out we had to pay $20US each for a tourist visa. Then about 50 workers took our money, looked at our passports, stamped our passports, entered our info into their system, and gave us back our passports at the end of the desk by calling out our names. Awesome. A shuttle from our hotel picked us up at the airport and drove us about 10 minutes to the hotel.

Our shuttle driver was also our hotel checker-inner and our bell boy and our tuk tuk driver hirer our tour guide and our our restaurant guide. He was so nice that I kept whispering to Josh that we were probably getting scammed. Our hotel was old and gorgeous and run down. Lots of big windows, a formal dining room, huge rooms and baths, really pretty ceiling molding, and a great staff. It was very strange to be in such a fancy place that was mostly empty.

Anyway, Siem Reap was somewhat confusing because everyone we met was helpful, kind, and generous. On the other hand Cambodia has had such a violent and tragic history, and human trafficking is a huge problem there.

Regardless, we only had 2 days so we only focused on Angkor. There were so many temples and ruins that it could probably take weeks or months to really see all of them. Our tuk tuk driver, Mr. Sarth, was very helpful and helped us decide where to go.

It's hard to describe Angkor. Imagine driving through the city, past rice fields, and into the jungle. The road curves and there are huge ruins made of cut rock and carvings, and being held up by trees and vines. It really is that amazing and mysterious.

Asian Vacation, part 1

The posts covering our trip to Asia will be broken up into 6 parts- 1 for each of the main stops we made.

Part 1- Phuket
Part 2- Siem Reap
Part 3- Chiang Mai and Chiang Dao
Part 4- Kyoto
Part 5- Shimonoseki
Part 6- Tokyo


Coral Island beach- we went snorkeling here.

So, first up is the beach! After travelling for about two days and staying the night in Bangkok we arrived in Phuket, Thailand. Josh's parents met us at the airport and did a superhuman job of driving on the wrong side of the road and navigating us to our hotel. We stayed at the Nin Apartments on Karon Beach. The hotel is owned by an ex-pat couple and is composed of about 5 suites. I highly recommend it =).

Boat ride to Coral Island.

Here's an example of a daily schedule in Phuket:

5am wake up because we're jet lagged
6am walk around town and find some place that is open for strawberry jam toast and coffee
7:30am go back to bed for a nap
9am meet Josh's parents for breakfast
10am go on a boat ride to an island or go to the beach
1pm eat lunch
2pm go to the beach again
4pm get a massage
5pm take a nap
6pm eat dinner
8pm go to bed (still jet lagged!)

Yep, life is hard on the beach.


T-Rex! This was a miniature golf course we went to.


Josh and the Phuket coast line.

Unfortunately, the days we were in Phuket were part of the rainiest week in about a decade! It was warm enough that the rain did not slow us down, but I was a little disappointed that the sun was not burning me up while I lay in the sand listening to the ocean.... Moving on, Phuket was lovely and a great way to unwind and get into "vacation mode" before travelling more.


Josh's mom feeding an elephant!

Shit the Girls Say

"Jen, give me my snack! I thick. I need to keep this figure."

"Um, hello? Is this Taco Bell? Yeah, this is [girl's name] and I turned in an application and you guys never called me back. I need a job REAL BAD! So can you hire me?"

"Jen, take me to Popeye's. I need some fried chicken today! I'm fina make you take me to Popeye's in the hoop d Jen!!!"

"Jen, he's hella fine. I don't care if he is staff, maybe he can get me out of this program..."

"Jen, I need to get my hair did. You better let me get my hair did- I'm going whether you let me or not so you choose if you want to deal with all the paperwork of getting me in trouble or if you'd rather just say yes."

Travel Tips!

I don't want to blog about our trip until I get a chance to upload our pictures, so for now, here are some travel tips I've learned, borrowed, or improvised throughout the years. And I threw in some photos from past travels =).

1. Only use a carry-on- this saves time (no waiting to check or pick up bags, and you can walk faster with fewer belongings!), space (especially when travelling abroad), and money (no extra fees on airplanes, trains, or buses)

2. How to pack all those products you'll need into a carry on sized bag? Skip the blow dryer and/or straightener. Some hotels and hostels will provide a blow dryer, and if not, let it go- you are on vacation! Instead of packing loads of hair, skin, and make up products, choose a couple you really care about and transfer them to 3oz bottles. If you skip bringing hair products altogether, a tiny amount of conditioner applied to your hair instantly smoothes and shines it. Conditioner also makes a great shaving cream.



3. Roll your clothes. I do not understand how or why, but rolling your clothes definitely saves space in your bag.

4. Leave the electronics at home. You can always use computers at an internet cafe, and most hotels and hostels have computers and internet free for guests. And, who needs a phone when you're escaping real life?



5. Save money by staying in dorm style hostels. Remember that most everyone there is in the same situation as you, and want it to be a safe, good place.

6. Ask locals for help! I do not know a lick of Japanese, Bengali, or Thai, but in all these places if I say "excuse me" then the name of the place I am trying to go, a local is more than happy to point in the right direction.

7. Pack some comfy clothes, some make-you-feel-pretty-clothes, and some practical clothes. At some point during your trip you will want all of these.



8. Before you go shopping, know what you want to buy- this will save you time if you are on a schedule, space in your bag, and money.

9. Have at least 1 day at the beginning and end of your vacation dedicated to rest and relaxation- I need this to unwind and it really helps bring your mind to the present and enjoy your time traveling!



10. Pack a water bottle, headlamp, journal, and pen. Water bottle for hydration, headlamp for early morning or late night extra light (especially courteous if you're sharing a room with other people), journal for note taking (helpful if you're using a train or bus system), and pen so you can write in the journal (duh!).

11. If you're not sure what or where to eat, your best bet is to go somewhere that already has patrons.



12. Don't forget to plan some spontaneity! After all, you are on vacation. I say "plan" because if you allow yourself a couple extra hours, or days, of flexible time you are able to do some exploring when you see something intriguing or off the beaten path. For me, some of these unexpected adventures have been the most fun.

No Trip to Asia is Complete Without...

Getting sick! That's right, folks. This current round of illness does not even compare to the near death India disease experience, but it has not been pleasant.

I will spare you the gruesome details, but I am very grateful to Josh and his parents for helping me get better. After about 30 hours of sleep, a couple rounds of cipro, and a call to an advice nurse in Iowa my symptoms are now pared down to an upset stomach, nausea, and a sprained finger (from falling over on the train while trying to not puke my guts out- I know).

Moving on, we made it to Shimonoseki, Japan around noon today and just finished an excellent Japanese dinner with Beth and Matt. I think we're going to watch some Arrested Development next, since it is the best show. Ever.

Asia Travels Part 1

Hello Dear Readers,

Well, this blog almost died before it even got going, but I am rescuing it right now!

I only have 10 minutes so here's a quick recap of our trip so far. While this narrative would be much better with photos, I unfortunately cannot access them yet.

So, we started out in Portland, drove to Seattle, and were dropped off at SeaTac by my lovely aunt Cherry. We boarded our plane and flew for about eleven hours to Tokyo. It was cute and pink and affirmed all my Japanese stereotypes. Just kidding, kind of.

After a layover in Tokyo we hopped on another plane and landed in Bangkok, where we were picked up and driven to a hotel near the airport. I popped a sleeping pill and enjoyed some rest, and in the morning it was back to the airport for a quick flight to Phuket.

Josh's parents met us in Phuket and we had a fantastic time on the beach with them. More details will come later when I can post photos. After a few days on the beach, eating ourselves silly, and daily massages we drug ourselves back to the airport to fly to Siem Reap.

Siem Reap was amazing. I was not prepared for the kindness we were shown nor for the absolute unbelievable-ness of the ruins there. Any country that sends its girls to high school, educates tourists about human trafficking, and doesn't rob the shit out of you gets an A+ from me.

It is almost 8pm here on Friday, and we are settling in to Josh's folks' house in Chiang Mai. I will try to get some photos posted, but they may have to wait until we come back to Portland.

Thank you for reading!

Creamy, Delicious Chicken Recipe day!

I don't remember where I got this recipe, so it's mine now! Unfortunately, I do not have a picture to show you how amazing this dish is; just know that everyone who has tried it loves it!

Tarragon Chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted (use the low sodium type)

1 cup half-and-half (use milk to reduce fat)

2 teaspoons dried tarragon

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 (8 ounces) package linguine or spaghetti, cooked and drained

2 cubed, cooked chicken breasts

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Paprika

In a large bowl, combine soup, cream, tarragon and pepper. Stir in the linguine and chicken. Transfer to an ungreased 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Opposite Action

Opposite action is a little strategy I like to use to change my mood. All it means is to do something that makes you feel different than your current mood. I'm feeling down, tired, discouraged, crabby tonight, so you get to be the recipient of a list of things I love!

1 Josh

2 Bubbie

3 My parents

4 My sister

5 My friends

6 Josh's family

7 Portland

8 My car (I know I know)

9 Tia

10 My bed

11 Being outside

12 Music

13 Justice

14 Very troubled teenagers

15 Sassy pants teenagers

16 Cooking

17 Parks

18 Reading

19 Good food

20 Massages

Whew! I feel better already =).

Time for a story. Tonight was Youth Progress' annual Soup Smackdown event- chefs from local restaurants create a soup inspired by one our kiddos and compete with each other to get the most votes for best soup!

The event was hosted by Hotel Lucia, which was lovely, and the children were adorable and did a great job. I was so impressed by the chefs' generosity and graciousness towards our kids.

Thank you to the following restaurants:

50 Plates

Souper Natural

Typhoon

Ned Ludd

The Portland Soup Company

SoupCycle

And the pursuit of happiness.

Around this time last year, with Josh's prompting, I decided to exercise my right to happiness. Since then, I've exercised the shit out of that right! Just kidding. It's been a journey filled with ups and downs, and I've learned about myself.

In no way am I advocating for the idea that "it's all about you" or that happiness is the most important thing in life, but sometimes doing a couple little things a day can really improve your mood and outlook. For me, it also helps keep things in perspective.

Here's my list of ways I pursue happiness (and pictures of some of my favorite things):

1. Greet and pet Tia first thing when I get home

2. When Josh gets home, I stop what I'm doing and hug him and make eye contact

3. Sit on my porch and drink a glass of wine when I get home from work

4. Buy fancy cheese and eat a small piece a day (especially good with that glass of wine!)

5. See Bubbie, even if it means cancelling plans with humans

6. Read a book in the park before the sun goes down

7. Call or get together with a friend

8. Write a thank you note

9. Organize something

10. Take a long time to cook something extra special

11. Take a day long road trip

12. Get outside and sit somewhere quiet

13. Draw or write a poem

14. Pick or buy flowers and put them on my table

What about you? In what small ways do you pause and enjoy something?

Social Justice Saturday

Tonight' s post is a somber subject, and one that is close to my heart: advocacy for women who are prostitutes and the myriad of criminal activity that surrounds them including human trafficking and drugs.

This story starts when I was 17 years old and visiting Trinity Western University with my parents to check out the school. While we're there my dad introduces himself to a student and then introduces me to her. We chit chat for a few minutes and I agree to let her know if I decide to attend TWU.

Fast forward a couple years and this young woman is my mentor; we meet every couple weeks, and we're both involved in our own campus outreaches. Mine is to girls who are in detention (often for prostituting), hers is to prostitutes on the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver, BC. We spend hours talking about social justice, the church's role in it, how to end the exploitation of women, why men purchase women, etc.

During this time my mentor had formed a friendship with a woman who was prostituting, and they came to the TWU campus a couple of times and spoke to the student body about these issues.

Today my former mentor continues to work for those whose voices are not heard, and she continues to inspire me with her overflowing love and drive. The woman whom she helped get off the streets is an amazing and inspiring advocate for prostitutes. Here is her website: http://www.honourconsulting.com/. Please take a few moments to read how to help end the lies about prostitution- she has a fantastic list of things you can do.

Here's my list of steps you can take here in Portland:

1. Attend meetings or support the Coalition of Advocates for Equal Access for Girls- they are a great organization of women from all walks who are working on many projects that will benefit girls, including addressing human trafficking and prostitution

http://www.equalaccessforgirls.org/

2. Fill out this quick and easy form to contact Senator Wyden and thank him for his work against human trafficking- http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/

3. Volunteer- http://www.scarletcordpdx.org/scord_whoweare.htm, http://www.newavenues.org/volunteer

4. Watch this documentary following the lives of young prostitutes- http://www.gems-girls.org/get-involved/very-young-girls

5. Educate yourself! notforsalecampaign.org, honourconsulting.com

Thank you for reading!

Foodie Friday!

I was a little intimidated by this recipe, but it came out perfect and delicious on my first try. Bon appetit!

Mango Curry

ingredients:

3 boned and skinned chicken breasts

2 tablespoons oil

1 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon chilli powder

curry sauce:

1/2 tablespoon oil

1/2 onion, finely chopped

1 teaspoon mild curry powder

1 1/2 teaspoons plain flour

2/3 cups milk

3 teaspoons mango chutney

salt & pepper

Cut chicken into 2cm pieces and mix with oil, paprika and chilli powder.

Place chicken on a serving plate. to make curry sauce, heat oil in a saucepan, add onion and cook until soft. Stir in curry powder and cook for 2 minutes, then stir in flour.

Gradually stir in milk and bring slowly to a boil, stirring all the time. Continue to cook until sauce thickens. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add chutney and season with salt and pepper. For fondue, serve hot with the chicken cooked in the hot oil (if you don't have a fondue pot just cook the chicken in a skillet).

Book Worm Wednesday

Today is the first installation of... Book Worm Wednesday!

This summer I made a point to read as many books as I could, and I found the whole experience to be very rewarding; like crossing things off a list combined with going on adventures. What could be better? This exercise also reminded me of the Book-It days! Does anyone else remember getting free pizza as a reward for reading?

If forced, I would choose Love in the Time of Cholera as my favorite read this summer. It is lyrical, cyclical, beautiful, and haunting. More than a love story, Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote a book that is equally relatable and mystical. Marquez is a master of inviting the reader into worlds that are so mundane and so transcendent that it is easy (and delightful) to get lost in them. Love in the Time of Cholera follows a couple characters closely and many more not-so-closely although at times it is difficult to tell who are the main characters- he is such a good story teller that at the end of the book I felt each of his characters were absolutely necessary. In this way Marquez delicately unfolds a rich, textured story of love and how people learn to connect and live with each other.

A small excerpt that may give you an idea of the writing style:

"Together they had overcome the daily incomprehension, the instantaneous hatred, the reciprocal nastiness, and fabulous flashes of glory in the conjugal conspiracy. It was the time when they both loved each other best, without hurry or excess, when both were most conscious of and grateful for their incredible victories over adversity. Life would still present them with other mortal trials, of course, but that no longer mattered: they were on the other shore."

The days are getting shorter, dark is coming earlier, and it's a great season to pick up a book!

Testing, testing

Hello, and welcome to my blog! Inspired by Lauren at http://thelittlethingswedo.blogspot.com/, Dana at http://www.mylittlecelebration.com/, and Megan at http://www.bohomeme.blogspot.com/ I have decided to start a blog of my own.

We'll see how it goes!

I love the idea of themed days, and I want to focus on recipes, books, ideas, and day to day happenings (if I deem them worthy to share!).

To begin, let me introduce our family.

Our horse, Bubbie:

Our cat, Tia:
Josh and I:

Thanks for stopping by, and please send me ideas or suggestions for my brand spanking new blog!