Birthday and Mothers Day

As an August Leo I became another year older in the Chinese year of the Dragon, which is also my sign. This year I happily celebrated my auspicious 6th round... a round is calculated as one every 12 years, so that makes me 72! The first celebration was in Hong Kong with daughter Carrie, John and grandsons Aidan and Taylor who turn 8 and 5 in September. Birthday parties are great fun, especially eating the yummy cake with family!

When I returned to teaching school in Thailand we celebrated Mothers Day, which is also the Queen’s Birthday, August 12th. The whole school participated in the all day program with each grade doing some kind of performance number which the parents enjoyed. I am not sure which part is the kids favourite. I wonder if it’s the singing and dancing or the elaborate costumes?

 

 

 Then I enjoyed yet another happy birthday dinner at the beach with my Thai friends on my real birthday. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to live and work in Thailand where they value teachers and honour the elders.

 As Thailand celebrated and honoured their mothers, I now send my love to all mothers every where, to those who are with us and to those who have departed this life. Mothers truly are Gods gift as they give so much love, kindness, understanding and compassion. Thanks mom for birthing me and sacrificing so much for your family. I was truly blessed to have you for my mother. 
I know you can hear me as I say,   "I Love You."

Ten Thousand Buddhas

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never  decreases by being shared.   Buddha

Another Hong Kong Adventure...   

We were off to sightsee and a not to be missed on the list was the Temple of 10,000 Buddhas. What we did not know was that one could only get to the temples at the top of the hill by climbing the many shallow aged steps. We haphazardly counted them and there were over 400 on the way down which was easier than going uphill. That meant we climbed up and down lots of varied and uneven steps in blistering Hong Kong heat and humidity... YES it was worth it and we stopped for a nice vegetarian lunch at the top. We even tried to count the golden Buddhas but that was impossible as they were every where we looked.

 My favourite young Buddha with a rose bud and then a "posing" beautiful Buddha.
Taylor then tried his hands at posing too!
Almost to the top...

Thank goodness we made it to the top and had fun posing with the multi-armed Goddess. Hugs and Blessings from Thailand