I saw this video linked on Walker's Google Chat status, and I couldn't help but post it.
2007 Season Review
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Going to the market...
I want to be able to give you a taste of daily life here every now and then. So... here are some pics of our market. I love it! I love being able to shop for super-fresh fruits and vegetables on the street, for a fraction of the cost of the same not-as-fresh ones in the supermarket. It's just one of the joys of living here. Photos courtesy of our sweet friend Jaimee who visited for two weeks and captured some of our daily life on film.
Vegetable "wallas" in an alley...
Fresh flowers are everywhere!
This is our market! My favorite lady is there behind the veggies on the right (if you can see her).
Pomegranates are so good here!
My favorite fruit walla...
Vegetable "wallas" in an alley...
Fresh flowers are everywhere!
This is our market! My favorite lady is there behind the veggies on the right (if you can see her).
Pomegranates are so good here!
My favorite fruit walla...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
To Thailand We Go
Well, every year, my group meets up in Thailand for a big meeting to fellowship and get refreshed. This was my first trip to Thailand, and can I just say "Little America?" Well, after living here, it feels like a little slice of America. Burgers, steaks, Starbucks! Malls, massages, Mexican food! It was a blast. I was able to reunite with friends from "The Farm" as well as friends from Nepal...including Stefanie! We were roommates for the trip, and it felt a little like Church Hall again.
The week included teaching from the leader of First Orlando, great times to sing and worship, meetings about strategy and just good times to fellowship with like-minded folks. We had a 4th of July pool party (on the 2nd) that included grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. We went to the movies and sang karaoke. We even got to meet the most recent Heisman Trophy Winner, Tim Tebow, who came to encourage us and spend time with the young people. I know you're all thinking..."B, that's not cool. Where do your loyalties lie?" Don't worry. Once a Dawg, always a Dawg (and can I just say...lookin' good for the fall, boys). But, despite the fact that he's a Gator, he's a pretty cool guy, and he blessed a lot people by joining us in Thailand.
Here are a few pics from the trip:
me and Kacie at the night market...great shopping!
me and Stef, goofing off
packed in a red truck (local transportation)
One more note about Thailand...they love their king! His picture is all over the place. When we went to the movies, before the movie starts there is a video tribute to him with pictures of him. The national anthem is also played. It's pretty neat to see how happy Thais are with their leadership. For more info on the Thai king CLICK HERE. This is a collage of photos placed to honor him in the Bangkok airport:
The week included teaching from the leader of First Orlando, great times to sing and worship, meetings about strategy and just good times to fellowship with like-minded folks. We had a 4th of July pool party (on the 2nd) that included grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. We went to the movies and sang karaoke. We even got to meet the most recent Heisman Trophy Winner, Tim Tebow, who came to encourage us and spend time with the young people. I know you're all thinking..."B, that's not cool. Where do your loyalties lie?" Don't worry. Once a Dawg, always a Dawg (and can I just say...lookin' good for the fall, boys). But, despite the fact that he's a Gator, he's a pretty cool guy, and he blessed a lot people by joining us in Thailand.
Here are a few pics from the trip:
me and Kacie at the night market...great shopping!
me and Stef, goofing off
packed in a red truck (local transportation)
One more note about Thailand...they love their king! His picture is all over the place. When we went to the movies, before the movie starts there is a video tribute to him with pictures of him. The national anthem is also played. It's pretty neat to see how happy Thais are with their leadership. For more info on the Thai king CLICK HERE. This is a collage of photos placed to honor him in the Bangkok airport:
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Happy Birthday, Mama!
Today (July 12) is my sweet mama's birthday! I love her and miss her so much! Ain't she pretty?
I heart you, Mama!
I heart you, Mama!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Two Very Different Weddings
As I told you previously, I was able to go to two weddings in one week. Weddings here, despite the religion and even social class, are a big deal. Much planning and detail is involved as well as probably too much money (sounds a little like the good ole USA, huh?).
Well, the first wedding we went to was a 2 day event (for guests...much more for the couple and the families). The couple and their families were from the majority religion here as well as pretty well off in the money department. Boy, was it an event! It started Sunday night, with the reception (yes, odd...but we were told this was not normal). That night the couple (who were arranged to be married by their parents) invited friends, co-workers, family, etc. to come. Basically, everyone dresses to the nines and lines up in a row to give their gifts to the couple and have their picture made with them. Then, off to the dining hall where guests are served an extravagant vegetarian meal. It was good!
The next day, mostly just family (and us) came for the actual ceremony. It begins with the entrance of the groom, escorted by the bride's family. They give him gifts, wash his feet, perform a puja (worship ceremony to the family's patron god) and lead him to the stage where his bride awaits. She makes her entrance and more pujas are performed by the couple and the priests there to conduct the ceremony. Most of this involves giving offerings to the god, exchanging flower garlands and giving the bride her gold necklace (called a mangala sutra) that signifies she is a married woman. Then they are again greeted and blessed by all the guests. Some people give them rupees to bless them with wealth. Some pour milk over their joined hands. And then everyone throws a bit of uncooked rice on their heads while wishing them a happy married life. As you can imagine, they get kinda dirty. But, hey, it's tradition! Then, more delicious food is served in the dining hall.
Of course, I did not explain everything in detail fully...and maybe not even accurately. So... CLICK HERE for more info.
Here are a few pics:
the sign in front of the wedding hall
dining hall
our pic with the bride and groom and some family
the god
blessings
And here's a video of parts of the ceremony (Sorry about the first clip being sideways!):
Well, the first wedding we went to was a 2 day event (for guests...much more for the couple and the families). The couple and their families were from the majority religion here as well as pretty well off in the money department. Boy, was it an event! It started Sunday night, with the reception (yes, odd...but we were told this was not normal). That night the couple (who were arranged to be married by their parents) invited friends, co-workers, family, etc. to come. Basically, everyone dresses to the nines and lines up in a row to give their gifts to the couple and have their picture made with them. Then, off to the dining hall where guests are served an extravagant vegetarian meal. It was good!
The next day, mostly just family (and us) came for the actual ceremony. It begins with the entrance of the groom, escorted by the bride's family. They give him gifts, wash his feet, perform a puja (worship ceremony to the family's patron god) and lead him to the stage where his bride awaits. She makes her entrance and more pujas are performed by the couple and the priests there to conduct the ceremony. Most of this involves giving offerings to the god, exchanging flower garlands and giving the bride her gold necklace (called a mangala sutra) that signifies she is a married woman. Then they are again greeted and blessed by all the guests. Some people give them rupees to bless them with wealth. Some pour milk over their joined hands. And then everyone throws a bit of uncooked rice on their heads while wishing them a happy married life. As you can imagine, they get kinda dirty. But, hey, it's tradition! Then, more delicious food is served in the dining hall.
Of course, I did not explain everything in detail fully...and maybe not even accurately. So... CLICK HERE for more info.
Here are a few pics:
the sign in front of the wedding hall
dining hall
our pic with the bride and groom and some family
the god
blessings
And here's a video of parts of the ceremony (Sorry about the first clip being sideways!):
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)