Thailand Day 1: I stepped off the plane...

...the air was warm and smelled of spices. It enveloped me completely. It was going to be a wonderful trip. I just knew it!

And so the adventure began...

Finally arriving at our hotel around midnight, we were each greeted with our own rooms twice the size of our Japanese apartments complete with a mini kitchen and king-sized bed. Mine also had an extra bonus of a gecko! They told me he was harmless -- I slept with a bowl beside my bed anyhow just in case I needed to capture him.

The next morning we discovered all-you-could-eat pancakes on the veranda! Pancakes -- the food of the Thai gods (unfortunately not the Japanese ones though :-( These two westerners were in heaven!!

Then it was time to explore Bangkok and its colorful public transportation system. On a side note, Bangkok has a monorail kind of like Disney's! (no photo -- sorry!)

We successfully made it to the miles and miles of the Chatuchak weekend market (but once again completely forgot to take pictures)!! Our morning was spent navigating through stall after stall of goods. The buy of the day? My $10 suit coat with long enough sleeves!!

In the afternoon, we met Danny Keasler (a former Stetson and FSU colleague, who is now a viola professor at a local Thai music school) for lunch.

The afternoon delicacies included a coconut shake and curried chicken rice in a pineapple.




Afterward, we continued to explore the market and the surrounding city where we happened upon many street restaurants. Its hard to see in the picture, but the ladies are doing the dishes in the buckets. Needless to say we didn't eat here (or any other place that maintained similar practices)
Each of the tables were covered with huge plates of vegetables. I think it was kind of like the Thai-version of Roadhouse Grill in the States except instead of eating peanuts out of buckets you could eat cucumbers and cabbage.


When the heat finally sapped all the energy from us, we discovered Swensen's ice cream. (Oh, how I love big cities that support western restaurant practices!!!!) As you can see, Sarah needed a chocolate/coffee fix! (Yes, she ordered and ate both -- she is just about as bad as me sometimes when it comes to ice cream)


I, on the other hand, discovered what happens when you order a sundae with bananas and rainbow sprinkles in Thailand. You get a sundae and bananas and sprinkles!

It was delicious, but kind of puny in comparison with Sarah's so I ordered a milkshake too! Thai prices made it all possible!! Its a good thing I don't live here permanently. I could get used to $0.60 ice creams!

My religious faith teaches me that I am just as safe in an earthquake and nuclear meltdown as in bed

I figured I should actually write something to update you on what's going on here (at least from my perspective). I'm sorry I haven't written earlier -- writing isn't usually my "go to method" when dealing with things (calling home is instead ;-) Thank you all for your calls, notes of concerns and prayers. I have really appreciated the outpouring of support!

First and foremost, I should say that I am safe (as noted in my title's parody of Stonewall Jackson's famous quote). For your reference, I have included a map to show you my location (blue dot) versus the nuclear plants (green pin). I am honestly very far away which is a blessing (sorry its in km I couldn't figure out how to create the map into miles)! However, this past week has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions. Not only have there been quite a few after-shocks, but also this past Wednesday there was another earthquake. Although it wasn't quite as strong (and only caused minimal damage) it was closer and so I felt the effects more than the first one (even more so since I live on the third floor!) As for the nuclear reactor stuff, it almost seems as if everyone is reporting something different. Because the American news is notorious for exaggerating the truth and the Japanese for not always telling the whole truth (or at least in a direct manner), its hard to know who to believe. However, today all throughout Japan the radiation levels were posted. My prefecture, Shizuoka, is currently (and expected to maintain) in the "safe" levels.

While the USA is assisting people in leaving the country, at this point I don't feel that I need to go. While saying this, I and my family are still closely monitoring all that's going on. Tomorrow, Sarah and I leave for a five day (pre-planned) trip to Thailand. I am grateful for this chance to have a little spring vacation (and pet a tiger, bathe an elephant, and be away from the media). However, I am aware that things in Japan might change and I am preparing my departure with this in mind.

I especially ask for your prayers at this time. As I have said before to my family, I just don't feel that my time her in Japan is over. I believe God has more things for me to do in this dark country. However, if it is His will for me to depart, I will accept it knowing that His plan is perfect. He has never failed me during the past 27 years of my life and I know for certain that He never will.

I can sleep at night for this very reason and because of this I feel that my adopted country needs more prayers than I do. They don't have the same comfort and peace. They desperately need God!!! Thus, I urge you to join in prayer with my three-year-old niece Clara who announced yesterday in Chick-fil-A "we need to pray for the people in Japan" and right then and there did so! Please pray for them, especially my teachers (some of whom have been directly affected by the tragedies of this past week). Pray from me, that I will be renewed and refreshed in Thailand and that I can make wise decisions regarding my return. Pray for my family -- these past few weeks have been a roller coaster for them too!

In Him Who Is All-Powerful,
Emily

Earthquake!

Just to let you know, I am safe after today's earthquake - considered to be the worst in the past 140 years. There were a lot of tremors today at school with the entire building swaying at times, but there wasn't any damage. Currently, cellphone service is down (but the internet works!) Please pray for the people in Tokyo. There has been a lot of devastation there!