Little House in the Woods

I have a new house I call it “my little house of wood in the woods”… the school built it just for me because they want me to be happy and stay.

They even cut the trees that they built the house with but they saved a very sacred old tree with protective spirit ribbons tied around it.
I have a tiled bathroom, hot water to take a shower, a sink and western toilet… I did not have a sink in the other house and for those of you that have traveled in Asia, the original toilet was the stand up/squat kind.

My bedroom is painted “pink.” I am not sure I would have picked that color, but it was my surprise and everyone was sure because my name is Rose that I would want a pink bedroom!     Last weekend I made curtains for the windows, sewing them by hand. I sure could have used a sewing machine! 

It is amazing how little I have learned to live with. I have a hot pot for my kitchen, but mostly I eat my meals out as it is very inexpensive. I can have a delicious lunch or dinner meal for about $1.00 US.
The day I met my first elephant at an outdoor market was also the same day I made my first art purchase, a hand painted silk fan with Thai Elephants. YES, of course I paid to feed him … a Thai tradition for good luck in the New Year. The food was inhaled quickly and  that's why he's smiling and I have my hands behind my back!

I started teaching the teachers English after school and their first lesson was “good morning and good afternoon.” They were very happy and felt successful being able to greet each other. Now almost everyone can say "good morning" to me when I walk to school.

 In the evening I couldn't resist teaching a little American "Las Vegas Poker"