Chiang Mai - Take 2

It wouldn't be fair to not include some of the pictures that Rebecca took in Chiang Mai. She often comes up with such nicer pictures than ours, and the two of Irini on her own above touched our hearts. She is growing up so fast!

By now, of course, Chiang Mai is a distant dream. Taking its place are the daily concerns about the Greek financial situation, the daily worries about school and the pressures of work. Adding to that, the humidity of the tropics practically guarantees an illness here and there. In the past week or so we've all gotten into 'sick' mode, starting with Natalia, spreading (happily only a bit) to the girls and then reaching Laurence just yesterday. Natalia and the girls are back to normal, but Laurence is sniffling away and coughing here and there. Nothing major, but just enough to be a nuisance.

Bedtime Hugs

Laurence is putting Irini to bed. She wants him to read "Too Young for Honey Cake". In the story Little Fox, the main character, gets upset with his father because he's not paying enough attention to him. In a fit of frustration he hides from him father in a broom closet under the steps, until he realizes that he's been over reactive and now he's lonely. Just then his father opens the door and announces that he's made Little Fox some honey cake. Little Fox runs out, apologetic and hugs his father very hard, asking him if he will love him forever and ever. Of course, his father says yes and they hug a long hug.

Just then, Irini sits up and moves over to daddy. She hugs him with all her might and stays there hugging him. No words are shared. None are necessary. Laurence melts. Soon Irini falls asleep and Laurence sits there, by her side, gazing at his daughter's beautiful face.... "I'll love you forever and ever" he whispers, gives her a kiss and turns off the light.

Chiang Mai

It was just two weeks ago, right? How long ago it seems, really. But we were there, walking around the 'old city', doin' the Sunday street market and the out of town trips to the 'ephants (as Irini calls them) and the tigers. It was the kind of trip we hoped for, although perhaps just a day too short. Nestled in the outskirts of Chiang Mai, the hotel (The Ayatana Hamlet and Spa, if you must know) was a wonderful, lush, small, friendly, relaxing place just beyond the university campus. Its charm outdone only in the careful attention of the staff. The place was a great starting point each and every day, and considering we were only there for three days we did a good deal of packing things into the itinerary.

The 'big' day was that of the animals. First was the visit to the Elephant sanctuary, about an hour from the city center. The last time we went to visit elephants Irini was only two, and she was 'cared or 'ephants. This time, however, she took things in stride. Despite being a little cautious at first, she slowly mustered the courage to pet a baby elephant by the time the day was over, nestled ever so carefully in Laurence's arms for good measure. She was delighted by the animals, and enjoyed watching others feeding them. Scott, Rebecca and Natalia did their share of taking care of these gentle giants' appetite! Amalia didn't seem to mind whether they were there or not. She took the whole thing in stride, looking in wonder and amazement at the oxen and elephants that walked on by. She took off after cats and dogs roaming the restaurant area and was happy to be carried when her parents become a little more concerned than she was for her safety. Smiles all the way!

There was also the visit to the Tiger Kingdom, where pictures were taken along side mostly sleeping tigers. Irini was allowed in with her mother and Scott and Rebecca, but Laurence stayed outside, doing his part to stand up to his view of unethical treatment of animals (though there was no actual evidence of maltreatment, he couldn't get over the fact that this was a largely 'twilight zone' experience and something was largely wrong with having such top-of-the-food-chain animals be so lackadaisical in their behavior. The doubt continues to this day.

Apart from that, though, there were also walks in night markets (crowded and lovely) and meals at Thai restaurants, visits to temples and the like. For two days we had a driver to drive us outside of the city, in hopes that we would make it to a natural area for which Chiang Mai in known. But somewhere between the taxi driver and the hotel staff, there was a disconnect in the 'idea' of what was wild. In each of our attempts at just getting into a natural area, we were taken time and time again to touristy temples standing to the side of roads. Needless to say it perhaps altered our originally thought experience, but none-the-less provided a great opportunity to see the cultural aspect of Thailand, of which there were many.

Along the way, small little daily learning appeared out of nowhere. Irini began to ring a bell (as she had done in KL earlier) and Amalia began to respond. Ms. Wu, Irini's teacher at ISKL, uses a bell to get the attention of her students. In growing and trying to put two and two together Irini emulates that behavior in the house, and on this trip. By playing teacher Irini rings the bell and asks us - her students - to put our hands on our shoulder and pay attention. Immediately Natalia, Scott, Rebecca and Laurence put their hands up, and their back straightens out. Their eyes slowly fixed on Irini they await further instruction. It's all fine and dandy, until Amalia, often with a few seconds delay, slowly moves her hands to her shoulders and smiles. She too awaits further instruction, it seems. But it never gets to that. The adults in the group begin to "oooh" and "aaah" all the way to a new dent in the conversation, usually with the added benefit of hugs and a kiss or two. Needless to say both the teach and the student daughters of ours are loving the attention. :-)

Snipets

Irini walks up to Natalia. "Do you have a baby in there?" she asks Natalia, pointing at her tummy. Natalia replies "no" with a smile. Irini looks back up at her and says "I want another baby". Natalia asks what she would like (meaning a little brother or a sister), to which Irini replies, without hesitation, "I want a bah bah black sheep".

Amalia is being put to bed. She knows that daddy won't take her out of the cot, so she's given up trying to get out. But as she sits there, working on her vocals, she realizes that the kissing sound is gettin a smiley response. She sends kisses. She gets some back. Slowly she stands up, pulling herself up using the side railings. She lifts her head ever so slowly above the level of the top, as if revealing her face for the first time, she sends daddy a kiss. He responds with a barrage of kisses. She falls back to the bed, head on pillow, body stretched out, a broad smile on her face.

Irini now runs to see us when we get home, and sings new songs and plays 'Duck, Duck, Goose' with everyone in the house. It doesn't matter where you are, in what position (standing, sitting, crawling) or where (bathroom, living room, swimming pool) you are bound to, at some point, feel that pat on your head and a beautiful little voice announcing "duck", or "goose". Adorable.

Amalia wants to dance. She wakes up and gets on daddy's chest. He holds her hands so as not to fall. She balances as she stands up, and then rocks back and forth, and finally picks up her feet in quick succession. Is it sprinting? Is it dancing? No matter. It brings giggles to her face.

Irini comes home with artwork that resembles things now. The faces are clear. The smiles are obvious. The nose, artistic.

Amalia has learned to say things. She says "mama" with gusto when she wakes up and no one is there to greet her to a new day. She says "this" when she shows us something. And she says "no". Oh, boy, does she ever say "no". With conviction. No questions asked. We know what she means.

First Day at ISKL!

On Monday, August 8th Irini woke up with the rest of us (at around 6:20 am). She walked around, realizing that this day was 'different'. Everyone was busily showering, brushing teeth, dressing and finally, out the door. Natalia was taking the family (Laurence, Emilia Patricia, Avi and TTimouz) to school and then coming back for Irini. Idah gave Irini a bath and put her into her new uniform which proudly announced "ISKL" on the breast. It was Irini's orientation to what ISKL refers as Prep Reception. It only lasted an hour (from 9 to 10 am) and Irini was taken and brought back by Natalia, but she was comfortable and happy there, especially since Carter (a good friend of hers) is in the same class. As of Tuesday she began her new task of going to the Elementary campus with TTmouz on the bus. It has been mostly fun, she thinks. After all, she loves buses!

And speaking of new beginnings, last week also marked the first day of the extended family at ISKL. Emilia Patricia had her first day of classes (noting how well behaved ISKL students are) and Avihurik and TTmouz went to their first day at ISKL. Though we didn't see them all day, we made a point of having dinner together to wind down and get 'the scoop'. All first reports were positive. Avihurik did note, however, that Mr. Fisher (her humanities teacher who lives across the hall from them) was more strict than she expected. But she did an experiment in science which was really cool. They filled a cup with water and put paper clips in it until it spilled. They were studying how the molecules stick together. It turns out, it took 331 paper clips to make it overflow. Can you believe it? TTmouz had his first Mandarin class, and found three friends who he likes very much. He seems to be looking forward to PE this year where they had a 'mission impossible' obstacle course set up.

Tomorrow is a new day. Slowly these days will blend into a routine, and the final vestiges of summer will become seemingly distant memories. 2011-2012 has officially begun.