Fuzzy Thoughts on losing Ashes.

A little housekeeping to start us off today.  I mentioned that I was bearding it up this year and that Kiddo wants me to shave, but J gave me the grow ahead (haha) to keep it, so until Xmas the beard is here to stay.  It’s got a nice Santa*ish quality to it.  I like it.  Next year, in the cold of Shanghai, it would be more apropos, but it’s here for another 2 weeks or thereabout.  Honestly, I would have shaved it down a week ago if not for J and the Kiddo, but I’ll keep it until Xmas.  I’ve always loved a good thick grown in beard, but when the cool days are 30ish degrees (86-88F) and lows are only 25ish (78-80F), it’s not exactly Santa beard weather.  

J got a few pics last night, so photo credit to her.

Speaking of J and photos, we had her friend Ash over on Monday for dinner.  We’ve had Ash a few times over the course of this year and last.  She’s interesting to speak with, fun, funny, gets along with Kiddo and chats with her, and is always good company.  On top of that, she loves Mac n Cheese and I found that I like making Mac n Cheese.  The final candle on the cake that is Ash is that she’s become an almost sister type person in my life.  Her and J hang and chat and climb and all that, going out occasionally for a show or otherwise, or her just hanging out at night having a beer as we chat and they chat and I fall into gaming.  She has become a friend, to the whole family, and she is leaving BKK to return home due to family and life/medical situations.  We wish her well and will miss her greatly.  She is one of those people that will always be welcomed wherever we are in the world and we would always make a place at our table for her.  J had a moment the other day and I like how she put it; “I’m not losing a friend, I’m just having a friend move to another place in the world.”  That’s kind of the theme of the expat life.

Monday, however, Ash and J went to climb after dinner and the wonderful and Elfie author note writer Becksters came with.  I’d have found a way to have them all for dinner, but Becksters is lactose intolerant and so I will have to create a dinner for her one of these day.  

Anyway; The ladies went climbing.  The gym was in holiday spirits, as you can see. The three ladies had a blast… and a moment of feelings.  They were able to get a few pics of them together.  I just want to give all three of them a hug.  J, for obvious reasons.  Ash for just being Ash and Becks for Elfie notes and being Becks.  These are J’s people and, by extension, my people and I smile at this pic and the little moments I’ve had with all of them, either individually or with J.  

Ash, we hope to see you this summer, next year or the year after in Shanghai, or wherever the adventure takes us next.  Becksters, Merry Xmas to you and when you are back from your Xmas travels, we will need to have you for dinner.  J, love you. 

Let’s go, Kiddo… It’s almost Xmas and that means 3 weeks with me and Mumma, but then, coming back, we are on the downhill side of BKK.  Soon, we will celebrate CNY, your Bday, and move.  We need you to be our best leader and our bravest learner and our funnest travel partner.  We love you and can’t wait to have Christmas with you this year.