Perfect Timing!

Last night, in Thailand, we celebrated the Inauguration of President Obama! (It was actually at midnight, so technically it was early this morning). I had the pleasant and perfectly timed opportunity to stay over with a Thai language teacher, Ajaan Porntip. Her husband is away on a business trip and she asked if I would want to come visit her house for the night. She lives about 30 minutes from Sawankhalok in the town of Si Satchanalai. Her family built their house two years ago and it is gorgeous! Beautifully landscaped and decorated, and set amidst mountains and rice fields. They have a guest room, where I stayed, and I can only compare it to a wonderfully posh hotel (and unlike anything I've been staying in since being in Thailand!). The guest bathroom had a toilet that flushed (no squat toilet!) and a shower with hot water!

And to get to the point of the story, the room had a TV with CABLE! So I actually got to watch bits and pieces of the Inauguration as it was television by "Russia Today" (the only English news channel I could find). Who knew?! I felt so fortunate and appreciative to have even just a little part of this historic moment for the United States and the world. Watching all the people celebrating on the streets in DC made me so hopeful and optimistic!

Well, I am off to teach a M.5 (11th grade class). Today we are reviewing previous lessons and it culminates in a lively game of Bingo!