Young Brides in Bangkok

Sorry to have taken so long to finally put up a post. You should know that throughout my day I have an ongoing narrative in my head of what's going on as if I'm typing on my blog that very moment:

"Sawyer was so uncharacteristically angry last night..."
"...and that's when I realized I should start watching my mouth."
"He loved kiwi a month ago, then hated it, now loves it. What gives?"

Blaaah blah blah. I never sit down and type any of it and it would be very boring if I did.

Lot's of fun stuff is happening. I'm trying to tear myself away from the idea of having a baby in the next few years since my impatience might just override all logic at this point. Maybe I just miss that feeling of letting my belly all hang out when I'm bloated so I can say it's just my baby bump. And attention. That's good, too. Anyway, if I can get away from wishing I was one of the 48 people I know who are pregnant, then life is pretty nice.

Sawyer and I are going to start Bangkok Dolphins in 3 weeks. It's a pool class. Of course the babies are not expected to learn to swim at this age, but they do lots of fun activities. No, not activities that would be impossible in our own pool, but are just more fun in big groups. Plus the instructors teach you techniques to get the kids feeling more comfortable in the water and swim-ready. The pool at BD is saltwater and it's heated. Not that Sawyer would care. He really loves being in the water and forgets that he can't actually swim. He still loves walking around the pool to look at the beautiful flowers and also stares up at the sky waiting for the next airplane. One day when I was putting my hand through the air and making a buzzing sound while showing him an airplane picture, he started doing it and it is his new sign. That was a horrible sentence. Like the tantrum pic below? "Get off me woman!"


I'm taking tennis lessons. For those of you who don't know, yeah, I'm doing that. I didn't tell anyone for a long time because I didn't want people to think I was spoiled or something. It's twice a week and dirt cheap because labor is cheap. The instructor is German/Thai. Interestingly enough though, it's his dad who is Thai and not his mom. It's funny because he says, "Yah, goot," a lot when you're hitting the balls.

We had some houseguests for a few weeks who just left last week. One of the girls teaches art at my old school and she brought a friend. I didn't know her very well, but we all got along well and actually had a lot of fun. Sawyer liked trying to peep at them through the vents in the bathroom door of the guest bathroom. Also at that time I was taking an online class and that's over and done with...yay!

The real reason I'm finally off my butt (or on it) to write is that I met the president today. The President of the United States, that is. This next one deserves it's own line:

FOR REALZ!

Pat sent me to a meet and greet for embassy employees so I went. Sawyer got to stay home and eat a delicious and elaborate breakfast that his dad so lovingly prepared. Please, please, he didn't know what he missed, and it was so crowded that I don't think he would have lasted the FOUR hours of standing around that I had to do. So, please don't be mad that there's no picture of him with the president. After standing in this room for a long time, he finally came out with the ambassador and made a quick speech. Pretty typical, "I love my country and I know you do too!" You know how he sticks his face forward a little and kind of grins. It's just as amusing in real life. I expected to feel a little different when he came out, and that's what happened. Regardless of any political beliefs, he's the president and it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was standing there thinking, "This is the guy on t.v. This is who the world talks about."

What I did not expect was to be able to have an actual encounter with him. He made his way down our line after making his speech and taking a picture with the older kids. He shook hands and came down by me and my friend. At this time, you know he's getting close because you see more people in suits edging closer and the people are smooshing you against the barrier. Finally his face was right in front of ours and he's shaking hands and Denise and I push our hands out and he grabs them both. He leaned in - like inches from our faces!!! He goes, "Where do you ladies work?" We were a little surprised. It's as if you're at Disney World and one of the animatronic people in the Small World ride start asking you how the food is out there...I was kind of thinking, "HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK! Questions? I'm not prepared for this!" So finally Denise said, "Our husbands work at the embassy." Thank goodness she was able to respond. And he says,

"Great! How's this..."
[pause - I'm thinking "how's what?"] Young brides in Bangkok!"
Huh?
Then he asked, "How are you liking it? Is there a good community here?" And we just said yes or something like that he made his way down the line.

Denise and I had said it would be hilarious if he made one of those one-liners that makes ends up on calendars right there in person. And he kind of did - to us! "Young brides in Bangkok!" It was so funny! I guess he was just trying to say that it would be really fun here as a young bride, assuming we were young brides. Which we kind of are. Well he was very friendly and it was cool not to be ignored in that long line of people. I have some friends who will be disappointed that I didn't yell out, "Hey buttface!" and others who will be disappointed that I didn't bring Sawyer and hurl him over the barrier for the picture. But everything happened very fast (after hours of waiting), and I really didn't know what to expect at all. Either way, it was an experience. Pictures are on the way.