It has been exactly two months since I've been back in the States, and I can't believe it.  It hasn't been easy adjusting back to American life, but it's good to be home with my family and baby (cat).  

When I get a chance (and time zones are aligned) I call my friends back in Thailand.  I love hearing their voices and squeals of excitement to simply talk about "what's new."  Several of my friends are coming back very soon as well.  I'm really excited for that because there is a true connection that Bangkok brings between people.  

The SDRF now has a website in English!  Here is the link to the Bangkok specific information: click here. 

I'm not sure how much I'm really going to post on this blog anymore.. but who knows!

It feels like just yesterday that I had my going away party... from America. I can't believe a year has flown by so fast, but I'm also blown away by how long I feel like I've been here with all that I experienced.

My going away party was the best going away party I've been to (a not because it was mine!). The party was planned by people who loved me and knew me well; therefore, the get-together was very personal, sentimental, and made everyone felt like it was more of a celebration rather than a sad time.

Since being in Thailand, I've gotten into wine. Because Sabastian and Donna knew this, they prepared an Italian dinner! Everything was delicious and exquisite! The Pinot was perfect and the cheese (very expensive here!) was a true luxury.













After that my friends shared "funny things about Hanah." I anticipated crickets, but the entire time was filled with laughter and tears from not being able to stop laughing! It was then opened to people sharing more from their hearts also, and I was truly humbled.















We even had impromptu worship and singing.








After the sharing, my water gates opened when we proceeded onto the "string tying ceremony." In Thai tradition, when someone goes away, a string of blessing is tied to the person. It's a very personal ceremony because you get to spend time with each other one on one and share heart felt blessings.







After the tears and hugs, we ended the night with karaoke! Since Donna and Sabastian know I love to sing they purchased six karaoke DVD’s! It was a wonderful way to end the night!

Hopefully I will most more before I go back home... stay tuned!

And... the date is set! I'll be coming home February 23rd!

Christmas in Thailand doesn't look too much like winter, but here's a few pictures that are a bit more festive...

Gingerbread house with the Huynh sons

Christmas party with Elite Staff

Winter Boot Camp

Chiang Mai

For New Years, I got to celebrate it with friends in the mountains of Chiang Mai!

The End! Koh Phi Phi pictures coming soon... 

Since I already explained most of what I wanted to say in my email update, here are the pictures of some of the happenings this past month or so:

Jr. Elite

A new program I was able to help develop and launch at our branch. The kids were awesome!

My Birthday Party

The female staff at Elite of Thailand

My mama and I

Tuan hosted the party at his apartment

I am now living with this crazy couple...

... and these super cute boys!!!

Loi Krathong Holiday

During this Thai Holiday, families and couples get together to make krathongs and launch them into the river to thank the river for all that it provided and apologize for wasting water. You're supposed to say a prayer with whomever you send the krathong with and it's actually a very touching ceremony.

Nan (the Thai Martha Stewart) making a krathong.

She made this for me and my mom!

You don't have to really have the ceremony at a river anymore so we had it at a nearby park. It was gorgeous!

Mommy and I doing it together. I asked my mom what she prayed for and she said, "For you to meet a good husband." Right after she said that, another krathong shimmied up next to mine and stuck to it! (haha)

Thanksgiving!

My mom brought almost all this food in a suitcase! She even smuggled in the plates, rolls, cream, and individual butter packets!

Time with Mom

It was really wonderful having my mom here with me. She was great with my friends, helped me move, and just wanted to be with me. Many times it felt like we weren't in Bangkok at all!

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas!

On her 2nd to the last night, I took to eat at State Tower (a hotel with the BEST view!).

The red circle was where we had dinner.

The restaurant name

We came right at sunset!

The signature Dome

Fireworks!

And I'll end this post with my absolutely divine glass of Pinot Noir. mm!