At last the curtain comes to a close..

So I now officially have 2 days of my trip left. It's both sad and exciting because of all the stories I now have to tell. Also because I can't wait to catch up with my loved ones. The past few days have been very laid-back. English lessons went on as normal but I am the only volunteer here at the moment so there isn't much for me to do (seeing as all of the work is first agenda for larger team members). I don't mind this at all.

I'm glad for the many opportunities that I've been able to experience. During this week I have also been able to hangout with the Kirwan family, which is always great! They've opened their arms and included me as part of the family (which gives the perfect opportunity to pick on my American accent). Don't worry it's all in good fun!! They're so much fun to be around. They are such a lively group of people and there are never any dull moments.


Today Jenni took me to see the White Temple in Chiang Rai. It is a beautiful structure. The building itself is made with what looks like white plaster. Inlaid are millions of tiny mirrors. Unfortunately it was raining today and it was overcast when we went. I can't imagine what it would look like when the sun is fully shining on it. Today was my last English lesson. Instead of having a normal class, the kids wanted to play with me. A lot of the students were missing anyway because many went home to their villages. They have a week off because the Swine Flu infected their school. The students, Jan and Inn (our translators) and myself played Simon Says, and the Thai version of Duck-Duck-Goose. The kids had fun and I got to take home a few class pictures. Life is good. I'm sad that I have to say goodbye to them tomorrow.



For dinner, the Kirwans, a few friends and myself went to an Italian restaurant then went to the Night Bazaar for fruit shakes. The girls decided it was the perfect time to play "Honey, if you love me won't you please smile?" For those unfamiliar with this game the object is to make someone else in the group smile so they become "it." In cases like this it's helpful to know any funny faces/voices to play the game. We were all enjoying it. Tonight was a lot of fun. My flight leaves at 10:20 am on August 1. I'll be home by noon on the 2nd. Please pray for the weather and whatever else comes to mind within the next few days. Thank you all for your support these past few weeks!!

God Bless,
Cory :)

Thailand Part 2

Sorry it took me so long to post the second video, but here it is. Enjoy!

Heres the link ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2vkh_eWIjY

Fish Ponds and Bamboo Huts

This has been a very busy week. Last Tuesday and Wednesday the DTS Team and the three of us girls, went to Huay Khom to work on fish ponds. I'll post pictures later of what real fish ponds look like. :) The past few days I have been home schooling the Kirwan girls while Tony and Jenni are in Bangkok. It's been a lot of fun. Yesterday Jessi and I made very, very blue pancakes. It turns out that when you use rice flour instead of the usual flour, the pancakes will indeed turn out thin. They will also vaguely taste like fortune cookies. Georgia came up with the brilliant name of "Paper Pancakes" for our concoction. They looked rather disgusting, but the girls had fun and so did I and that's all that matters!! My two Aussie friends Amelia and Hayley are leaving tomorrow (which is very sad because we've gotten very close). Thank goodness for the internet and for skype. This weekend I'm planning on going on another outreach to a different hilltribe. I'm so excited to meet new people and to see what God is doing in another region of Thailand. It's been great over here. I can't believe August is coming so quickly! Thanks for all of your prayers and support!!

Love,
Cory

Happy Indepence Day

Happy Holiday!!! As most of you read this it will probably already be the 5th, which is weird considering that I was just on the phone talking to people while it's still the 4th. Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely holiday. Right now I am reporting from Chiang Mai. Yes, Chiang Mai! I am finally here after 9 years. You can't see it right now but I'm jumping for joy. Yesterday Hayley, Amalia (the two Aussie girls) and I took a bus from Chiang Rai. It's only about a three hour ride. Our bus had leather seats, retractable leg rests and AIR CONDITIONING!! The third is the most important of all and it was even better because it actually worked. It's the little things in life that you take for granted that seem so much more valuable after you haven't had it for a while. Anyway, we are staying at the Galare Guest House which is conveniently just a block away from the night bazaar.

It was just as great as I remember it. The sights, the sounds.. everything. It's so good to be back here. I can't wait to see what's changed over the years and what hasn't changed at all. We walked through a flower market last night and it was just amazing to smell the scents of so many oriental flowers like lotuses and orcids. Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers! I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

Love,
Cory :)