Everyday Stuff

I really like blogging about what's going on - how cute the kids are and how much fun we're having. Ha! But, I wouldn't do this place, my life or our experience justice if I didn't write about the other stuff. I've always considered myself a positive, silver-lining, the cup-is-half full kind of a gal. But, now it's time for the other side.

1. There is always something broken, falling apart or not working. Internet, phone, computer, printer, air-con in the gym, access cards to the garage.

I know this is super-frustrating for Ryan because he is the one always working on the home electronics. The others are left to building maintenance, but it would be nice if those things worked properly!

2. At least once a day somebody in our family says:

"I'm sweating."
"what's that smell?"
"it looks like it might rain."
"don't walk on the grates!"
"don't touch that wire!"

I'll address these in order. It's always hot here. There's no getting around it. 77 in the morning, 90 during the day. It's not as hot as Houston, but when you throw in "what's that smell" it's definitely not as pleasant.

It stinks here. Literally. It smells like rain, sweat, body odor, smoke and curry. Depending on where you're at (or who you're around) these smells vary on degree of severity. I wished they'd use some Degree! There is also a really stinky fruit called durian. It smells so bad that some hotels and businesses have banned it from their buildings. I haven't tried it, but they say it has a custard-like texture and tastes delish - too bad it smells like unwashed gym-socks or rotting onions. Google it if you think I'm kidding. Apparently, we are also a few that use toilet paper. I thought everyone did! Nope, they don't. Beside every toilet is a hose that most folks here use in lieu of toilet paper. Sometimes there's not even a toilet, just a hole in the floor. Bizarre? A wet mess? Stinky? Yes, yes and yes.

At some point during the day, it looks like it might rain. It hasn't rained all day (yet) and it doesn't rain everyday, but it looks like it could. I don't know why we feel like we need to comment on it. But we do. Everyday.

The grates (on the side walks) and the live-wires are mostly safety issues for the kids, but they are everywhere and leading to who knows where. Wires sticking up out of the ground, wrapped around poles...

3. I really miss a stringent egg washing system. I didn't realize how clean US eggs are until I bought eggs with feathers and poop on them. It's amazing what we take for granted.

I'm sure there are many more, but this is what tops the list today. I even went to a wet market today and bought fresh pork and a recently clucked, I mean, plucked chicken. While it was different, it doesn't count as one of the smelliest or grossest places I've experienced.

As I circle back around to more positive things, there are a few things that have improved since we've been here. The boys have kicked their chocolate milk and fruit snack habit. I knew this would be a fresh start for all of us and we didn't need those in our lives anymore. I just told them they don't have that stuff here. They are also drinking a lot more water and less juice. Eating more fruits and vegetables and enjoying my cooking more. I guess faced with the alternatives, Mom's food isn't too bad after all.

All in all, it's not a bad place to live. The temperature is always warm, which I quite like. I'm a flip-flops and shorts kind of gal. I'm driving myself. I'm getting into a routine with the boys' school and knowing which grocery stores to go to during the week.

I do miss the conveniences of the US, but how can we expect to change, grow or experience new things when everything is simple, convenient and easy? I think we're doing a lot of that!

Mason says hi!