Lets Go Kiddo

Today was the first day that we’ve done school without tears.  I’d call that a win.  Kiddo is getting into the routine of things and so am I.  We can have our morning, get ready, and then head out.  The first week and a half we’ve needed to spend an extra five minutes or so to get the cries and anxieties out, but today, we just had the day with an extra five minutes to joke around and have a little bit of Kiddo fun. I have my own little routine outside of Kiddo, as well. Each morning, as we walk up to the gate where I walk Kiddo in, there is a guard that helps direct and flow traffic.  He always gives us a good morning and wishes me a good day.  I’ve been thanking him and giving him a Shaka (hang ten) hand sign as leaving.  For some reason, on Monday in the rain, as I was leaving, I held out a fist for a bump.  The first two days was a little stilted.  Today, he was waiting and looking forward to it, giving me the Shaka back.  Prett...

I awoke this morning to the sounds of J showering.  That is a normal thing in my life now and has been for almost a decade.  Anyone who has dated, lived with, or married a teacher knows the deal.  They are an early rising group, for the most part, and J falls firmly into that category.  So, a quick peek into the shower (oohlala) and a smooch before heading out to the common room, where I find Kiddo in all her morning glory; munchin’ on cereal and doing her iPad time.  I pour myself a coffee, but not before I’m show more app funness.  The sky outside looked like it was going to be an interesting day. As you can see, it was ominous looking.  It was also strange drinking coffee, since it felt like it was nearing 7pm, not starting the day and nearing 7am. I started my day with coffee and Kiddo, then we collectively kissed Mumma goodbye and we started our morning routine.  She wanted oatmeal for breakfast; The Dada kind!  Oatmeal with some cinn...

With the new school year and all the changes in life, Kiddo and I needed to change up some things as well, including our special Kiddo Dada lunch.  After a week of tears and missing Dada during the school days (even though every day coming home was “the greatest day ever….”) and the newness and courage that it takes to start something new, Kiddo and I talked and decided to make it a Sunday Funday Dada and Kiddo lunch.  J had work to do anyways, since the start of the school year is always busy, so it was also a good way to get her some free time and quiet time where she didn’t have to worry about Kiddo being underfoot.   Honestly, I liked that J was busy.  It gave Kiddo time to just sink into her Dada time.  We did some cooking and the she wanted to show me one of her apps and show me how much fun it is to play.  She showed me how the app worked and then told me it was my turn and coached me thru it.  Talk about riveting stuff.  It was great, ho...

The neighborhood continues to expand and more new is happening each day.  The train line is coming along well and once that opens it will be a game changer for us.  A five minute walk to the train and then access to most of the city.  The days of 30-45 minute cab rides to the nearest BTS station are coming to an end and how much fun is that going to be.  Plus, the night market.  We can’t quite figure out what they are pile driving, but we think it’s plots or vendor stalls. Outside of that, the school year started and its full speed ahead.  J has been busy, but she always is at the start of the year.  Kiddo, however, is the hard part.  The range of emotions.  Everyday, coming home, she’s bursting with stories and fun and friends and everything else, but we’re still having the morning tears.  I want to play with you today, Dada.  I wish Poley could come to Kindergarten with me and have you there to do talking for him.  We missed...

A long time ago, I met a girl named J.  She was cute.  Funny.  Drank black coffee and dark roasts.  Something about this person just clicked with me.  And me with her.  Years later, we marry.  Years after that, Kiddo comes into our lives.  Years after that, we move to Bangkok.  Today, our babe became our little girl, as I took her off to school.   A long time ago, I met a girl named J.  We dated and lived together.  We married.  In all of this, in the last 15 years, one of my favorite photos of J is her first day of school and walking to school.  Today, Kiddo got her turn. A long time ago, I met a girl named J.  She is now a teacher at an International School in Bangkok where our daughter is attending.   J was out of the door early today so she could get to school and set things up and get herself into teacher mode.  I was tasked with keeping Kiddo on a leash until it was time for her and I to ven...

We set out on this grand adventure not knowing what it would hold for us, but we just tried to go into it with an open mind and a willingness to experience culture and have an adventure.  Learn something, about this world we live in and the peoples and cultures of it.  Even if it was just for one contract or one year.  We wanted to have an experience, different than the American experience.   In short, we wanted to experience and realize this life we are living.  Take the most from it that we can.  Give Kiddo opportunities that we never had, never even knew were an option.  That’s ok, that we didn’t have that.  Very few people do.  But, we were in position and had the opportunity and so we did.  To quote Thornton Wilder, “Does anyone ever realize life while they live it...every, every minute?” -  "No. Saints and poets maybe...they do some.”  I’d guess that makes me a poet, because I’m self aware enough to know that I’m n...