The Power of the Exchange Rate

The DOLLAR has seen a huge drop in the past 13 months:
Feb 2006 $1 = 39.34 THB
Mar 2007 $1 = 32.34 THB

This means that it costs about 20% more for me to live here NOW than it did in February of last year. Let me give you some real-life examples:

ITEM	Feb 2006	March 2007
Fried Rice	$__.51	$__.61
Bus to Bangkok	__8.90	_10.72
Rent	216.07	260.42
Motorbike	737.16	888.48

That's pretty incredible. A this rate, I'll need DOUBLE the amount of money to live on by about May 2010!

WAI-nald McDonald

To WAI someone, press your hands together at your chest or chin (the higher your hands, the more respect you are showing) and nod slightly. This is the polite way to greet people in Thailand.


Even Ronald McDonald knows how to be culturally senstive, hey?

ECLIPSE

I love that word. How it looks, how it sounds... like I want to drink it down and savor the sparkling goodness.

And, I like real eclipses, too. They're so mysterious and strange.

I came to work yesterday, and Pii Bua (the housekeeper) pointed out to me the last minute of a partial solar eclipse visible here in Thailand.

It was really great, but I was a bit disappointed that I didn't know ahead of time, so I could watch the whole thing.

By the way, anyone remember that total solar eclipse in the US in... 1994? It was incredible!

Anyway, so as not to miss another astronomical wonder, I'm saving this website on my Favorites and sharing it with all of you:

NASA Eclipse Page

Happy eclipsilating!

Birthday Photo

Blowing out the candles on my Birthday Apple Pie (thanks, Ruth!).

And no, I didn't get a tattoo. It was henna, and it already washed off.

I did really like it, though!

Today in History

1973. I was born. (Thanks, Mom & Dad!)
And yes, I was bald until I was 2 years old.


Remembering the title of my blog, I resolve to ENJOY THE SCENERY of my life. Many things have turned out differently than what I imagined. It has been too easy at times to focus on the Don't-Haves:

• NOT married


• NO kids


• NOT an astronaut, lawyer, or even a professional musician


• NOT sure what the next year or two will bring


• NOT a lot of close friends after being in Chiang Mai for 1 year

But, the more I think about it, there are lots of things That I HAVE experienced, things I DO have, and, even the "bad" things are worthy of thanksgiving.

• I speak 3 languages


• I have lived in many places, met many wonderful people


• I have many good friends in the world


• I have learned to depend on Jesus more because I don't have anyone else who goes everywhere with me


• I love living in Chiang Mai


• Email keeps me connected to my family and friends


• I have witnessed the good works of the LORD in various places and in many people's lives, including mine


• I have been spared the pain of a bad marriage


• I can go rock climbing


• All the beauy of nature is mine to behold and enjoy


• Difficulties help me to relate to others and to know Jesus better


• I have everything I need

I want to embrace my life and go forward hand in hand with Christ Jesus, my Savior and Lord.