3:30 pm

We made it to 3:30 pm and then the kid who claims she’s never tired serenaded me with snores. 

I tried to stay awake - I really did! We opted for the pool because the idea of my sleep-deprived brain wandering the streets of Chiang Mai with a kid in tow brought enough lucidity that I said, “to the infinity pool and beyond!”

Travel day

Since we were on the go so much last year, Viv understands what a Travel Day means. This trip, though, really outdid itself in messing with my internal clock. 

But here we are, over 24 hours after starting our adventures. Travel Day indeed. 

It seems like the photos are self-explanatory. Plus, I took Dramamine. So I don’t know if I’d do a good job recapping. 

Let me try:

We left NY via airplane and flew over the top of the world. I made bad jokes. Viv slept and kicked the guy sitting next to her (he was very gracious about the whole thing). Jealousy piped through me when I saw people sprawled over three seats. I wanted Viv to be that comfortable. Hindsight, though, proves hats it’s better she had to rough it a bit. That lack of comfort helps her learn that she has to keep her sense of fun even when tired and smelly and cramped. 

We landed in China this morning. I think. Morning? Yes? Who knows. Dramamine. 

Now we sit on a plane to go to Chiang Mai and I almost threw out my back patting myself for having arranged an airport pickup with the hotel. Our big plans include bathing and going to bed really early so we can get up and meet our ride to pal around with elephants. 

And we’re back!

It’s been a year. A year!

Vivian pointed out it’s been over a year since she was last on a plane and I shook my head, disappointed in myself.

Excuses abound. Mostly it’s that we relocated from Lehighton, Pennsylvania to Albany, New York and good chunks of time were spent figuring out the specifics, like where I’d work and where Viv would go to school and where we’d live.

As usual, things work out and life continues to be an adventure.

I accepted a job teaching at the Upper School of The Albany Academies and Viv will attend the Lower School. We found a great house to rent in the city of Albany and lots of things are in walking distance.

Rather than making this forever more be thought of as the summer I uprooted Viv, I decided we need proper adventure. Our friend Elizabeth has a conference in Bangkok and Thailand seemed like a great idea. I found an ethical elephant sanctuary, booked it, and I told Elizabeth we’d meet up with her on an island of fthe southern coast.

It fills me with glee to think of Viv feeding an elephant. I hope she loves it as much as I think she will.

After we moved into the house (The POD didn’t arrive for a week. Heat wave. That’s where the yadda, yadda, yadda comes into play.

Let’s fast forward to: Viv started camp at The Academies so she could meet some kids. It worked! I learned that Mallory knows a kid who could whistle when he was in preschool but Mallory can’t whistle.

We met the neighbors a couple houses away - both down the street and across the street. So many kids! So many potential friends! Viv already got to hang out with the kids two houses down and I’m sure will see them a lot more because they’re really nice girls and they like Minecraft.

There was a camp session called Fractured Fairy Tales - the kids write and put on a play. At one point two days ago, Viv was upset about missing the play and said she didn’t want to go to Thailand. Riiiiiiight. That Mom Card got pulled out super fast and it was wielded with strength and determination. And a wry smile as I asked if she was hungry. She was. She ate. Thailand was back on...the table... as one might say.

Do you want to see her now?



I know. 

You and I had the same reaction. 

Also:

Not Elsa. Isabella. 

I’ve been updating on Facebook because it’s fast and takes so little connection to upload a quick picture or two (or three) but I’ll try to maintain the blog as we travel. Hopefully I’ll get to post daily.