We Love Phuket

Hello! 

So after all of that crazy travelling for school and work, we headed to one of our favorite beaches in Thailand, Bang Tao.  We went to the same hotel, ate at the same restaurants, and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and sunsets.  

This time, we got a swim up room, which meant that even if the pool was closed, we could swim in our own little pool.  So each night after dinner, we went in the little pool.  

Another day over... 

Who doesn't love a hammock swing? 

Here are our two kids and two of their friends at the putt-putt golf place that is right next to the hotel.

I love this picture because it is like a mini-UN meeting every day.  Our two are from the US, but live in Korea.  The kid on the right is from France, but living in Kuala Lampur,Malaysia, and the one on the left is from the Ukraine, but living in the UK.  They all talked and got along, and made plans to meet up each day, to visit each others' schools, and to take a vacation together again next year.

I love the group of them because their world view is so different from mine growing up.
When I was in fourth grade, I had a pen-pal from Des Moines, Iowa that was set up by my teacher, Mrs. Bauersachs.  I used to look at the postage seal on the letters I received, and look at Iowa in the World Book Encyclopedia, (1976 edition).  I had no idea about life in Iowa, and the chances of actually going there (Iowa!) was about as likely as going to the moon.  Now, full disclosure, my pen-pal was black, and she sent me her school photo.  She was also in fourth grade, had a brother, and she was the only black person I had ever met... even though we had really never met, we only corresponded.  Her name was Bernadette, and I thought it was amazing that we were friends.  
So I look at these kids, who don't see boundaries, or colors, or limits, or ever feel like outsiders, and I think it is an incredible thing they have.  And that is one of the reasons that we love Thailand.  Everyone is on vacation... and every one can be friends.  

that, and the sunsets.

Is that guy peeing?

Some shots from a mid-day beach walk. 

Even during the day, the little pool is nice, and where I did all of my swimming.

The beach World Cup.

Finally a sunrise!  I get up each morning and run on the beach, but I never bring my phone to take pictures.  But the sunrise for the past few mornings had been so beautiful, on the last day I decided to bring it. 

Last day shopping at the fresh market.  This place has fruits, veggies, meats, and tons of faux items. 

And we get a tuk-tuk ride home.  

Last night at our favorite restaurant, and R-Man spots a typo.  heehee. 

We will definitely be back for another UN summit next year.  

Global Issues Network Shanghai

This post will be short and sweet.  For one weekend, our school Global Issues Network group went to a conference in Shanghai.  Here is R-Man with is friend. If you don't know about GIN, here is some info:

http://globalissuesnetwork.org/

And Pooks shopping in duty free with her friends. 

While we were in Shanghai, we visited another Lee Academy School. the American Lee Academy  in Shanghai. 

These are all of our students together. 

A view of Shanghai. 

The GIN conference was attended by schools from all over Asia.  The mission statement of GIN is

To empower young people to collaborate locally, regionally, and globally in order to create project based sustainable solutions for our shared global issues.

The kids all worked with kids from other schools to solve global issues. 

And did some shopping. 

Everyone had fun. 

Guangzhou Foreign Language School

In March, the kids and I went to Guangzhou, and Gary came a few days later.  We were there for the opening day of the school year.  

Here is R-Man with his classmate.  The kids each stayed with a student from the school, but since they were on vacation, R-Man and his friend stayed with a teacher and his wife.

Here is Pooks and her new friend, Janice. 

First day, we went to a traditional Chinese village.  

This is PeiWen, who stayed with us... see the previous post... showing us a melted sugar treat.

And this is a man making a sweet treat out of smashed peanuts and sugar. 

The whole group of us.  

This is day two, an amusement park. 

Doesn't the name say it all? I remember when I used to go on all the rides and think how boring it must be for my parents, who just sat and watched us.  Well, I was right.  It looks great, but I don't go on anymore, and other than watching the kids woosh by for about 4 seconds, the main highlights are lunch and a bench in the shade.  

One of the great 4 seconds! 

The next day was a family day for the kids where they each had their own adventure, so we headed to MY favorite place, IKEA.  Now, we didn't really plan to buy anything, because who can really carry a Henmes bed and bureau in the airport, but it is fun just to visit Ikea to see what the local take is on home decor.  

So kitchens here have teapots, chopsticks, and rice cookers.

Also, most apartments have a small porch for drying laundry and plants, so that is a prominent feature here. 

There is also an escalator for the carts.

Here is Gary, with our cart. 

Can you find me?  I am waiting to check out. 

Next day, after the school opening ceremony, we went down town.

Can you guess what this is?

While walking around, we came across a temple.  And because it was Lunar New Year, there was a lot of worshiping going on. 

I like this juxtaposition of the old temple, and the new mall.  

Here the kids are at a museum, with the Guangzhou Canton Tower in the background. 

The museum. 

Now we are heading to the top of the tower.  See that bump around the edge?  That is where we will be. 

This is the view of the ground from the top of the tower. 

The kids are standing on a glass floor. 

This is their sneakers (plus my boot) and the view through the floor. 

There is also a slingshot ride on the top of the tower. 

And bubble cars that take you around the edge. 

The tower lights up as it gets dark, so here we are at the end of the day. 

Here are some of the color variations of the tower. 

Which one is your favorite?