She's Here...(The Birth Story) Part 1

At week 38 I thought she was coming. I had a day of pre-labor craziness. Body cleaning itself out, intense contractions, although they were 9-10min apart, and contractions for a long period of time-7hrs. I was stunned when after 7hrs...it suddenly stopped! And after that...nothing much was happening...

At week 39 I was starting to show signs of Pre-eclampsia - a disease/disorder that basically tells your body that the baby doesn't belong and it should rid itself of it. Nice, I know. So, I did a bunch of tests and had to pee in a jug for 24hrs so they could determine if it was serious enough to have to induce.

Now, I have been convincing myself for over a month now that this baby needs to stay in the cooker for as long as possible because ultrasounds were showing that she was very small and my weight gain was so low. Now I might have this pre-eclampsia and there would be no way they would let me go past my due date.

I got the tests back and they showed I was stable again and not showing signs of the pre-eclampsia. Whew! The midwife was still concerned it might reappear, so she stripped my membranes to see if things might get moving on their own. (this should get labor going within 24-48hrs if your body is ready) Now every day was a waiting game. I felt good though, definitely in the nesting mood. I wanted to get everything ready, cleaning, vacuuming, scrubbing toilets...haha, everything. This was an awesome feeling after months of barely being able to make it off the couch.

My due date past and I was back in the doctor's office. My body hadn't been quite ready for labor just yet. My midwife walked in and apparently, the pre-eclampsia signs were back. Yuck. The thing I dreaded most about this was peeing in a jug again...haha...no really I know this can be very serious stuff, so the midwife decided to check my dilation and asked if she could strip my membranes again, and I said why not, if it was going to get things moving before induction was the only answer, then I was for it. So, she did her thing and all of a sudden, a warm, wet feeling came over me. Yup, my water broke. I never imagined what that would really be like, but it doesn't stop. It just keeps coming and coming, although it does slow down,  until you deliver. To the hospital we would go!

I left the office wrapped in what I call "puppy pads," cause they look like those puppy training pads you use in your house. I had 4-5 on and could barely walk. I imagine it is a similar feeling for sumo wrestlers with those huge diaper things on. Now, I knew once I checked into the hospital they weren't going to allow me to eat anything. I was already starving, so we swung by taco bell...yeah interesting choice for labor, I know... and I got a couple things and ate quickly before checking into the labor and delivery floor. I walked in with "water" running down my legs and all the ladies near the registration desk were looking me up and down and turning to the receptionist saying "Oh!, baby coming, baby coming." I wanted to laugh because other than having my water broken, I couldn't feel much. I was having a few contractions, but nothing serious, so I knew she wasn't coming too soon.

They rushed my into my room and set me to filling out my paperwork, while Marcus ran home and got the dogs situated and grabbed a few more things for us. Once he returned and all the paperwork was done, we set to work trying to get this baby to come. I did squats, walked stairs, walked hallways, sat on the yoga ball, did more squats, and after 6 hours, I had progressed one more centimeter...making a total of 2...who hoo(very sarcastic)... My midwife came in and laid out the dilemma for us. I could keep trying on my own and most likely go another 24 hours without too much progress and then a c-section, I could start on Pitocin, a hormone that the body releases naturally in labor to get things moving, and really move things along, or I could wait a few more hours and see how far I progressed and re-asess the situation. I was already bored of the hospital, so I opted to get things moving. Pitocin was hooked into my IV and gradually increased over the next 3 hours.

By the 3rd hour I was finally starting to feel the contractions. I would hold onto Marcus, or sit on the yoga ball, or brace myself on the wall. My midwife came in and checked how things were progressing. I was almost to 4cm. Ugh. She informed me that getting to 4 is sometimes the hardest part. Unfortunately, I was going to have to stay on the Pitocin and the dosage was going to need to be upped even more. She told me I was looking at another 6-7hours of double the pain I was already experiencing. I also was still experiencing what they call "back labor" meaning the baby's head is facing the tailbone instead of to the front and side like it needs to be to get the shoulders through, so I was going to have to lay down and switch from side to side every hour. She encouraged me to try a painkiller or the epidural, but said that she had seen women get through the Pitocin-induced pain with no painkillers. She left us to decide what we wanted to do...

(to be continued)

9 months later...

It's funny, popping on my blog after 9 months reading my last post about how I would keep everyone updated on my life. I have done a great job of that, now haven't I!

My world has been turned upside down since I last wrote. Marcus and I finally had a wedding (almost a yr and a half after our marriage) and an amazing one at that. We got to celebrate with our friends and family in Colorado. God blessed us with a beautiful day! I couldn't have asked for a more fun, joy-filled day...and right after the wedding we found out we were expecting! What crazy timing! 

We were both excited, but nervous and decided to tell only a few people since we were so early in the first trimester at that time. 

We left Colorado and returned home to Kentucky to settle in for job hunting and pregnancy and man, it was rough. Marcus filled out hundreds of applications only to find that no one was hiring at the time or they just wouldn't respond period. I on the other hand found a couple jobs and realized quickly I wouldn't be able to keep them. I was so sick all the time. The nausea and the vomiting of the first trimester, along with two UTIs and Kidney infections brought my emotional state and my physical state to an all time low. I lost 13 lbs the first four months and couldn't keep anything down. People everywhere tried to boost me up...tell me it would be over soon, give me tips and tricks, even the doctor thought it would all be over soon. As I got past the 5 month mark I realized that it wasn't going to get any better and being hopeful that it would, was only bringing me down, I needed to start living again and learning to deal with the symptoms I'd been given. The doctor finally diagnosed me with severe acid reflux and heartburn and got me on some perscriptions. Once again I was hopeful they would solve the problem, but six perscriptions later, and well, there's been a little taming.

Finding out we were expecting a little girl helped more than anything. I no longer viewed our child as a parasite, but a little girl with tons of girly hormones that could be a major reason I was so sick. Whatever the case, it made it easier to deal with all of it. I kept pressing on with Marcus's amazing support and here we are less than two weeks from the due date. 

I've gained a whole 15lbs, about half of that in the last month alone...crazy! I still get sick most days, but I've learned that pepsi helps the acid reflux as well as sleeping in as late as possible. I have eaten over 350 grilled cheese sandwiches in the last four months. It's the only thing that almost always stays down, and my doctor recently put me on a steady diet of Dairy Queen Blizzards. haha. If only I could eat more than a few bites without heartburn. The only craving I have really had is for Krispy Kreme doughnuts. It might have been because during my birthing and breastfeeding classes I could smell them frying next door. Marcus took all my good symptoms...he craves all the good unhealthy stuff. haha. 

We're still working on a name, but I'm sure that will come once we meet her. 

Hopefully, now that I am getting closer, I will update more often. I don't mean to be such a slacker, I have just struggled to update everyone on how terrible I have been feeling most of these last 9months. My prayer is that once she is here the symptoms with subside and I can eat and feel good again! 

Laura

The Past Year

I left off telling you about my husband's proposal to me.

Since then, a lot has happened...

1. Planned a quick wedding set to happen just before Marcus deployed to Afghanistan.

2. Two weeks before the wedding we got word that Marcus would be deploying early on an emergency deployment to help the people of Pakistan with their, at the time, recent flooding.

3. He was set to leave 3 days before our wedding...UGH!!!

4. In a blur of tears and disappointment we had to cancel our wedding ceremony and concentrate on getting him ready for deployment. (My amazing mom contacted everyone to let them know--a lot of hard work)

5. We eloped and got all our paperwork and military stuff in order

6. Visited Marcus's family in a hurry (4 states in 4 days)

7. Packed him up and sent him off

Deployment: supposed to be 7months, ended up 9 1/2months:

1. First month was tough

2. Found out Pakistan was canceled and they were going to be doing training missions in Africa and the Middle East.

3. Second month, I went home to Colorado for a month to be with my family and for some encouragement.

4. Marcus and I exchanged emails a few times during the first 2 months then communication was cut off.

5. In 4 months only 3 phone calls, 1 of which we actually made it to the end of the call and got to say goodbye (the other two calls were dropped partway through)

6. Christmas got to skype with each other almost everyday for a week and a half. It was so encouraging for me. Made me feel like I could make it!

7. Last 5 months: Not much communication from here. A couple more phone calls, one to two months in between.

8. last month got connected with a marine wife of the same deployment and found out when they thought he'd be home. It changed 5-6 times, it was very discouraging. It started off March then April, then May, then maybe June or July, then June, then finally May. They let us know the week before the exact date. Talk about crazy!

9. May 5th he arrived home! I had gotten us an apartment near the Marine base and moved in the day before. It was a bit hectic, but I unpacked just enough that he didn't have to come home to chaos.

10. It was an exciting night, but we knew the weeks ahead would be a tough transition.

We did alright. Excited to be together, but he needed time and space to adjust back to "civilian life." I had been prepped a little by a couple of girlfriends, and that made it easier.

After two months, he finally started to feel more at home and relaxed. After 3 months he was completely home...he was sleeping better, eating better, feeling better. "He was present" is the best way to describe it. It was nice to see him doing well, feeling loved, and fully loving back without much effort. I don't know if that makes sense, but that's how it is for a lot guys after returning from war.

Now here we are. It's his last week in the military. He'll be discharged on Friday. Next week, we'll be moving to Kentucky near some of his family and a great church that he's been part of for years. We just got two older puppies, Rocky(1yr. old golden retriever/lab mix) and Daisy(6month old german shepherd). A cute little family!

And...We are finally having a wedding ceremony the end of November in Colorado.

We're excited to be done with military life, especially Marcus, and ready to start living life as civilians again! A lot of changes, good ones, and we'll keep you updated!

Laura

...And he slipped the ring on her finger...

I think every girl thinks about how her man will propose. I imagined it would be a rush of emotions. First of all, a surprise, cause what girl really knows all the details of when, where, how, what time, what words will be said? I don't think so....and I would know! I almost ruined all of Marcus's surprises to his proposals!!!

I would say I am a fairly patient person. I don't normally get too uptight about much. Of course, I have my moments, but I am fairly easy-going.

On this fair occasion, I mean, huge event, I seemed to have turned into an impatient, crazy person.

It all started because we knew that we were going to get married before his Deployment. Neither of us wanted to leave the other without that solid commitment intact. It's such an intense reality, deployment, I mean. It could either be a quiet, and by quiet I mean no real threat or sure danger, or it could be diffusing land mines in Afghanistan (this might be the most real danger I could imagine. Marcus might have a different opinion, but I haven't been part of the military long enough). I was imagining the worst. He could die! He could come back missing a limb, more than one, paralyzed, his mind gone, who knows! What was more important was that he knew that without a doubt I would be there waiting for him, whatever his condition, to take him into my arms. To love him, care for him, and support him, come what may.

He had made his decision on marrying me long before I came to my own conclusion, so he was ready and willing to move forward quickly to solidify our commitment before he shipped out.

So, back to impatience...

Marcus and I had been able to journey across the country once a month to see each other. We traded off. I would take one month, he the next, and one time we met down in Louisiana for a wedding. He surprised me on May 1st with a one day visit. It was so fun to see him and as we were growing closer, I hated when either of us had to say goodbye.

Although I was sad to see him come and go so quickly, I thought I would be seeing him again in just a few weeks for memorial day. As soon as he returned he starting talking about how he wouldn't be able to see me again for another month and a half. I was starting to panic, I mean, I was in love with this man, I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could before he left on deployment. And now, he wanted me to wait a month and a half! ;) Not to mention, when on earth were we going to get engaged so I could start planning this wedding that would be in the next few months? All the while, Marcus had a master plan set in motion to surprise me on my birthday (only a few weeks away) and propose in front of my good friends.

So, of course, why wouldn't I be the girl to rush things. I have an incredibly romantic boyfriend who is perfectly capable of having a plan and I go and mess with it.

He let it slip, a week or so before my birthday, that he would be getting memorial day weekend off and I nearly threw the phone in excitement. I immediately started searching for plane tickets out to see him. He was giving me all kinds of excuses on why he still couldn't see me. Oblivious is my middle name, so I would go see him. I spent half an hour convincing him on why it would be best for me to come see him. He finally gave in.

So, I journeyed to North Carolina to be picked up from the airport on a motorcycle, ride 3 hours to his family's home and meet the family that I would soon call mine. We spent 2 days hanging out, hiking, horseback riding, enjoying nature and getting to know his family. We would hang out, each night, on the back porch couch. It was a perfect spot for a view of his mom's garden and late night talks. This particular night, May 30th-May 31st (my birthday), I had gazed at the stars until I fell asleep on his shoulder. I remember him saying "happy birthday," so it had to have been past midnight. I woke up startled because something had been put on my finger. I felt at it. It was so dark...midnight and all.

I had told Marcus awhile back that I thought it would be amazing if he used his incredible artistic talents and designed a ring instead of just buying one out of a store. Not that that is a bad idea, I just like uniqueness and it would be a little piece of him i would get to keep with me at all times.

It was a ring. Oh my gosh! "Marcus?....Marcus?" He looked me in the eyes and told me all about the love he had for me, how he wanted to prove it to me through this commitment, and then asked me for my hand in marriage.

I, of course, said yes, absolutely, I would!

I had ruined his plan and he still managed to surprise me. To sweep me off my feet and set out to be a man that, not only, loved the Lord, but also wanted to love me with the meaning that Christ represented to us continuously throughout the Bibe.

I am a very lucky woman!

A Look Into the Past Year

This year has gone by so fast. I don't know if it is because of all the happenings in my life, or just the fact that I haven't paid enough attention to the time. I am going to go with the busy life excuse....

I have been horrible at keeping up with this blog. It's funny because I actually love to write. I have just chosen to be my typical self instead...procrastinating in everything I do.

Although most of you know, I think it is about time I write a post on everything that has happened in my life this past year.

I met an awesome guy, got engaged, and got married. All in time for him to deploy to Pakistan to hopefully get to help the people there that have been devastated by flooding.

So, let's start with the first part...Met an Awesome Guy:

Marcus and I met when we were about 8 years old. Family friends introduced us. (The Covington's) Well, introduced us as far as introductions go when your 8. haha

He was a wild child. Always flirting with me and trying to knock me out of the canoe. Apparently, I thought he was hysterical, or so I was told. Now I don't remember this...I thought boys were icky at 8, so I'm not so sure I believe this statement. ;)

Of course, now I am in love with the man, so I can't really say otherwise, even for when I was 8.

After years of putting up with his relentless flirting and silliness, I moved to Colorado with my mom and little brother. Each summer we would return and visit the Covington's, the family that connected us, and he would show up. We would always end up canoeing down the New River, and of course, he would jump out and swim up to my part of the canoe to try and pull me in. I would get so irritated, which I hoped would make him stop, but I'm pretty sure that only spurred him on more.

I never remember feeling anything for him other than annoyance, but I think every teenage girl convinces herself that she doesn't like boys for some reason or another.

I came back the year before last for a week and spent time with the Covington's, but this time, Marcus didn't come around. I asked Angi, the mom, where he was and why I hadn't seen him and she told me he had joined the Marines. Now, Marcus was an artzy child. Always painting on everything. I even remember the day he showed me the paintings on his ceiling. He was amazingly talented! I just couldn't believe that he had joined the Marines. She gave me his facebook name and told me I should write him. So, I did.

He responded about a month later. I was in Thailand by that time, and it was exciting to hear from another English speaker. When he first wrote, he wrote me about how he wanted to marry me. It was hysterical. We hadn't seen each other in 4 years. I wrote him back questioning him on why he would want to marry me. I played around with him a little in the following messages, but still wondered why he would make such comments.

I thought I would let him get to know me, and then see what he thought. We ended up writing each other pages upon pages of messages back and forth. I opened myself up to him, more than I had to anyone before. I guess I just felt I had nothing to lose. It was an internet relationship. The worst that could happen was he knew a lot about my emotions and my past and he wouldn't want to be with me. Marcus was different though. My openness interested him. He wanted to know more and more. I enjoyed getting to know him too. He loved Disney and music, theatre and writing, movies and hiking, kids and romance. Many of the things I loved. Most importantly, he loved Christ and was seeking to know Him and His word better each day. He was more stubborn than me, more strong-willed and a leader. He was a man that could challenge me and push me towards Christ. A man that I could love and encourage and support in all that he would become.

After Thailand, we spent each month flying to see each other. Skyping and talking on the phone. We talked more than I have talked to anyone, ever!

I fell in Love with him.

Second: We got engaged: Coming soon!!!.......

It's about time....

Well, I think I have put it off long enough....I was just glancing over my last message. All about how I struggled to get it together and write that last message. I laughed a little thinking about how hard this one has been. That last one's struggles were nothing like this one. Of course, I am home. I am back in my little comfortable world, jumping full force into hanging out with friends and family. I am a busy body. That has always been a given, but this blog's struggles come from me just filling my time with other, what I seem to view as: "more important things". This is equally important though. You all have supported me on this trip and my adventure and you would probably like to know the end result. So, I figured it is about time......

The last week was a rush of emotions and time restraints and scrambling to buy gifts for my family. Yes, I am a procrastinator! When you have more than 10 family members back home wanting stuff though, well, you probably shouldn't put that off till the last minute.

I knew that I would be leaving my ladies soon and that was the hardest part for me. They became family. I had learned their stories, spent time with them, seen the love they have for each other, and I wanted to stay. I wanted to see where they will end up. To see what life will bring them.

It did end with a bang though. Up until the last hour I was patiently trying to figure out if my hair show was going to happen. Sure, we all knew about it and a day was set and a rough estimate of a time, but when I remembered I was in Thailand and things just don't really happened as scheduled, I started to doubt. Lunch time came and went on my last day of work and I might have started to panic a little. You see, I wanted this to happen. I felt like these girls needed some fun and to show off what they had learned. To build extra confidence in not only the girls doing the hair, but also the ones that got to have their hair done. I felt this would be an opportunity that may not present itself again! But I forced myself to be patient and remember that I was there to serve them, not them, me.

It happened though. It was a rush getting it started, but once everyone was working, I realized this would be fun no matter how it turned out.

At the beginning of the show, I informed the girls that I wouldn't be helping them. If they had questions I would be happy to answer them or give suggestions, but I wanted this to be their own creation. To dig deep within themselves and create what they wanted to do. It was so cool seeing how well they did. To see the progress from 3 months earlier until now. It was so rewarding in my eyes.

They each proudly finished their models, looking over their styles from each angle, making sure that we were going to see what they wanted us to see, and they prepared them for a fun catwalk. We blasted the music and they all took turns coming down the runway, trying their hardest to walk like the models do that they see on TV. It was so funny and so amazing at the same time. I was so proud of all of them. Even the ladies that got to be models were radiating. I have never seen so much confidence from them. They were absolutely beautiful! And even better, they felt it!

I am so grateful that God used me in their lives. Whether it was just to give them skills so they could do better in the world than they could have before I came along, or just the fact that they grew so much in their confidence and self-esteem. It was such a gift and blessing to see them change.

I presented each of them with a new pair of shears and thinning shears....hair scissors, for those of you that are staring at the page going "what is she talking about." I told them those were for the future. To move forward and to encourage them that they can make it on their own. They are there. I also made each of them photo books with all of the hair styles we learned and pictures of each of them doing it. These were reminders of not only how to do the styles they had learned if they ever forgot, but also to remind them of how far they had come. Nothing is impossible! They can do anything they set their minds to! Especially with God and the Rahab community by their side.

The hair show was my favorite moment of the trip. Thailand was amazing. I experienced so many new and exciting things. Used a squatty potty for 3 months...haha well, there were some real bathrooms, but the point is...I just got to experience an incredible adventure. I was challenged in almost every way. Lonely at times, constantly fighting with communication barriers, and completely out of my element, but I loved every minute of it. I grew so much, changed a lot, and came back knowing that adventures are so crucial to our lives.

I would say that the most important thing I learned was that we need people in our lives. Not just the physical beings, but people that know us and love us and want to be with us even when we are thousands of miles away! God created us to rely on him and hoped that He would be enough for us, but he also created relationships, so that people could be the tangible representation of just a piece of the love he has for us. Of course people let us down, relationships come and go, but have people in your life. Allow them to be part of your adventures. Allow them to speak into your life and encourage you to be an even better version of yourself.

Through all of this adventure I learned to balance this aspect I spoke of above and giving 100% of myself to what I was doing. Each day I woke up and I completely and fully gave myself to Rahab. That doesn't mean I neglected my relationships at home, absolutely not, but I was able to concentrate on my work, learn some of the language, and build relationships with the people of Thailand, Patpong, and Rahab. I gave enough of myself that I wouldn't want to leave, but I knew that it was time. I think that is how it is supposed to be. To love and give yourself to where you are. Don't constantly be focusing on the future and what is coming next, but be present. Enjoy what is put infront of you, but find the balance and allow the people from where you come from to be a part of the adventure and to encourage you along the way! It's ok!

Thank you all for being part of my adventure. I am sorry that I couldn't post many pictures on the blog or on facebook. A lot of them, I just can't....it would jeopardize the identities of the women that I worked with. If you would like to see some....let's go to coffee or if you live far away feel free to write me and email laura.butterworth@yahoo.com and I will create a cd or something so you can see more!

Thank you so much for reading...I hope to write about more adventures and life....I love to write if you can't tell!!! I will keep writing, so keep reading if you like...

Until we meet again!

Laura

Ayuttyha...Temples....ruins....wats...oh my...

I have been fighting writing this week. I guess, maybe, well....maybe, it is because I am leaving in less than a week! Maybe, I am just busier than normal. hah! Maybe I am just being lazy!

This past week was a short one. I got back from hiking Phukradueng on Monday, so I didn't work. I ended up catching up on sleep and enjoying an afternoon with an American friend I have made here. We submersed ourselves in the world of Starbucks and A Christmas Carol in 3D, of course. It is funny how a mall here can make you feel like you are back in the states.

They freeze the theatres here, so the chill mixed with the 3D falling snow made me feel like I was back in Colorado. Unfortunately, the second we walked out of the mall the wall of 90+ degrees hit us with a fierce blow. Sometimes, I feel like I can't catch my breath; the heat is intense. Lucky for me...I'll be home in a few days in the frigid cold. Then, I can complain about that. Haha...well, I honestly have enjoyed the summer feel of Thailand. It has been a nice change from the usual Colorado cold. Bet you all wish you were here!

The bars this week were again a bit hard on me. Of course, entering that environment is always rough; I think sometimes I just assume it will be different. We went to a bar and chatted with 3 girls we have met before. It is always neat seeing familiar faces, especially in the bars. The lack of communication is overcome by smiles and giggles. You realize that they are beginning to see that you aren't there for what they can give, but to give. We just want them to feel special. To feel a little hope. Realize that someone cares. Sometimes a smile can do that. Amazingly, a little laughter really can brighten someone's day.

They ended up telling us that one of the ladies at Rahab had been working there at night to make extra money. Of course, non of us knew this, so the stunned look of shock was plastered all over our faces. We pulled ourselves together and finished the conversation just as the girls were called up for their shift to dance. We bowed in gratitude for their time (typical Thai fashion) and left for the evening.

You know...it's funny how hard it is to see someone after you just learned their big secret. They of course, rarely know that you know, but the intensity of the moment makes it feel like they do. Like their just waiting for you to call them out on their big mistake, secret, whatever you want to call it. But really, they have no idea.

We ended up leaving the news in the hands of the bosses and I honestly don't know if I'll know what will happen from the situation. I hope and pray that she will see that the money from the bars isn't worth it. It isn't hopeful, isn't loving, isn't anything that we need.

If I find out...well, I will update you if I hear anything.

My hair classes were interrupted by preparations for the upcoming Christmas party. Not to worry though, it was fun watching the ladies get excited about reaching out to the women in the bars. We hold a Christmas party annually to invite all the bar girls to. They don't even get Christmas off, so we hope to give them a night to eat, get presents, and feel loved in a real way! It is a really neat opportunity to reach the women in the bars and allow them to see what it can be like to leave the bars. We have a tree, wreaths, and crazy color tinsel everywhere around Rahab. The girls are busily preparing skits and dance routines to share with the bar girls. They even have a dance where they wear clown wigs and white gloves. Michael Jackson, anyone? haha I am not going to lie, I have had my share of giggling and teasing while trying to figure out what the wigs and the gloves have to do with the song. This is Thailand...that is the only logical reasoning! haha

On Thursday we headed off to a nearby town called Ayuttyha. It is the former capital of Thailand. I honestly don't know when, but it is filled with temples and old ruins of temples. The ruins were amazing. The architecture of each of them was so unique. You could see the different decades as they were forming into what they now call temples (wats). We even got to see a Camia style ruin. It is the same style that is found in Cambodia. The style that was used in the Jungle Book for the monkey temples. Each detail probably took hours to create and they built miles and miles of ruins in Ayuttyha.

We went to a balloon festival and watched the hot air balloons lift off into the sunset. They even did a night glow where I learned how to take night pictures with Alex's photography tips. I've posted some pics on Facebook.

There was also a concert in the ruins that evening. They had an orchestra and a "diva" or singer. She sung Thai songs and English songs with the orchestra as her accompaniment. It was pretty incredible. The evening wrapped up with Thai dancing by three different groups of women. It is a unique form of dancing where they use their hands and feet to portray the majority of the dance. I found out they spend years bending and stretching their hands and feet so they bend back in ways that I have never seen before. Apparently, the farther you can bend back your fingers and toes, the more beautiful. Interesting definition of beautiful if you ask me. I tried. Failed miserably. Although my fingers can bend a good way back...my wrists didn't even come close. It is an awful feeling. I can't imagine training your hands and feet to do the things they do.

The weekend ended with the King's Birthday. This is bigger than America's Independence Day. Fireworks for almost an hour. Partying in the streets. Markets open everywhere all day and all night long. Food everywhere you look. Dancing and shows on stages in every city in Thailand. All for their King. It is fascinating, the dedication and almost worship-like response they have for him. It is a bit strange, in a way, but I guess if you have ruled over a buddhist country for over 60years. Well, you become like one of their gods...just a theory of course. They all even wore his color. I guess he was wearing a pink shirt on the day of his release from the hospital (he is very ill now) and well, the whole country was wearing pink for days surrounding his birthday. It was crazy! Sarah, Alex and I were the only people in Ayuttyha not wearing pink. I almost felt disrespectful, but if you are a foreigner...you just get away with things...haha.

I can't believe I leave in less than a week. It is crazy! I'll be seeing some of you soon. It will be good to be back in the states...even though I will freeze!!!

Until next week!...

Laura