Round 2 of 2010 visitors...

Another visitor has come and gone...Suzanne spent 8 days here in wonderful Thailand. As with all my visitors, we had a lot on our plate. First up, we headed over to the Bangkok Art and Culture Center to see a few exhibits and one in particular I had been wanting to see (Wall Art)...which was awesome. We also headed to Khao San Road (backpackers central) and met up with a few friends. Here we were invited to temple with Nui for the following day for Macha Bucha Day (a Buddhist holy day, marking a point in history when 1,250 of Buddha's followers gathered to hear his sermon. It's a day when worshippers walk three times around temples in a bid to make merit). So the next day we spent touristing it up...Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho.
Then rushed home to change into our all white attire to head to temple with Nui, his family, and Shannon.*Sidenote...Several months ago I headed to this same temple to watch Nui become a monk (absolutely one of the most beautiful, magnificent, touching, and astonishing things I have ever witnessed in my life). When we arrived to this complex, I saw just what we were in for...another amazing experience! Amongst the sea of white were monks in a sea of orange all sitting around the gigantic gold temple. And there were a million or so (okay not really) 4 feet lanterns placed in the ground with a person sitting behind each one. To start the festivities was an hour of meditation...Nui gave us the play by play, step by step instructions on how to meditate and to concentrate to find a crystal ball in the center of our stomach...needless to say, I couldn't see it, but for that hour I was in a world all of my own...listening contently to the thousands of Thai Buddhists around me chanting and meditating...a smile was firmly planted on my face and in my heart the entire time. Simply a joyous occasion. The next day we headed north to Ayutthaya to see some ruins. Then off to Ko Chang island for a few days of sun, sea, beach, and tattoo. Yup, I got a new tattoo. สุขใจ = Suk Jai...means 'happy heart, mind, and spirit'. I love love love it. After 4 glorious days at the beach we were back in BKK. We met up with friends and danced the night away at Ekamaii and had ridiculous amounts of fun. And finally Suzanne's last day...we went to JJ market to buy lots of souvenirs and goodies. And so last night I took her to the airport and today I was back running around the city preparing things for the next set of visitors that get here on Thursday! And I just spent the last 6 hours finishing all my grading to turn in tomorrow morning. Finally, at 12:30am I have finished grading! Woosh. Only a few more requirements (proctoring) and I am done done done!