The Green Bean

Introducing the newest member of our family, The Green Bean!  And why may one ask do we need the Green Bean when we have super reliable Green Machine.. well Luis is now working and it was just getting too difficult with one mode of transport.  There was the option of a bike (push or scooter), but with Thailand having the second highest rate of deaths in the world coupled with the amount of accidents we have seen since we have been here we ruled that out pretty quickly.  However, we are pretty proud that both of our cars put together cost 1/6 of what other peoples have!  Plus ours have character, the Green Machine always forward thinking and the Green Bean just likes it the old time way, so no power anything.  Further more they kinda match so that is exciting in itself!

The other and obviously more exciting news, is Luis as a Spanish tutor and also helping out with the Spanish department at our school.  He has done such a great job and is super excited about it.  Who knows maybe we will end up with two teachers in the family!

All dressed up on his first day, with his school issued badge and everything!  

Casa Luchanda

What a great name for our house and I am not even bothered that my name does not come first!  This is the name that Dylan came up with during their stay.  They left this morning, and we miss them already.  It was so great to see them and especially see River and how much he is changed in two short months.  He was so cute with Chucho (his name for Luis), he definitely remembered him and was excited to see him again.  Not sure I got the same reception, but by the end of their trip he was warming to me!  I am not so worried, I step up my game once they hit 3!

Despite a few rainy days we had a great time and Friday and Saturday was mainly sunny with a few showers.  Today, of course, we dropped them at the airport and had the sunniest day ever.  But they will be back, Singapore is a hop skip and a jump from us (or a short plane ride!).

 River giving Chucho kisses, so sweet.

 Dylan had his work cut out for him, he had to help with the Green Machine who is still refusing to live in the past.

 Friday night we got a sitter and had a night out in Boat Avenue.  We got drenched, but had a great night.

The cocktails helped us through the showers :)  We are ready for our next guests, we realised a few improvements we have to make to the guest house.  Very soon it will be perfect!

Rainy Day Phuket Fun

Well the weather really has not cooperated with Dylan and Jodi's trip (although today looks promising), so we have had to make our own fun.  And we have had some serious fun, who knew rainy days could be so entertaining.

We decided to show off our hand stand skills.  It was such great fun but the best part was the Facebook responses.  People commented that I have not heard from in ages, or people who have never commented on anything before to challenge our hand stands.  Or tell us they could do that too, and I thought I was competitive!  Only a few more hours and our weekend together will finally begin!

Neighbours!

How fabulous to have our old Ecua neighbours back as our neighbours for the week!  It is so wonderful to have Jodi, Dylan and River with us.  I just wish the weather would co-operate, it has been a few days of horrible rain.  There have been a couple sunny breaks and we are of course having a great time regardless but I do hope they see a sunny day or two.
Anyways, it has been so wonderful to see them, to catch up and learn all about their time so far in Singapore.  I am so thankful that we are still kinda neighbours, just country neighbours now. 

 Tuesday arrival in very moonson weather.

 But they are such good sports and are enjoying the pool anyways.

 Yesterday afternoon it cleared up and we had a lovely evening.  

 Luis making the dark and stormies

A few friends over for a very yummy Vietnam meal :)  
We have woken up to an even rainier day, I am just hoping the weekend clears up!

Dinner, Dinner, Beach!

As predicted the house move was made and the dinner parties began.  On Friday night we entertained the Maths department and Saturday the Spanish.  The Friday night we cheated and ordered in, we just had way too much to do with moving.  Saturday we cooked Mexican (of course, what else!).  And unlike most places I have lived, ordering in was far cheaper to do than cooking!  However, it is much nicer to prepare things yourself so now that we are organised that is what we shall be doing.

Most of the team, just missing the Head of the department who came a bit later.

I missed the men in these pictures.  But there are some, the pictures just did not turn out for my liking.

 Sunday morning lounge in our pool and our new donuts!

Sunday we had a much needed family day with Lola.  She was keen to play in the sea and chase crabs.  Now we are getting ready for the big guests, cannot wait to see them tomorrow!

The Green Machine

Our car, affectionately named the Green Machine, is very forward thinking despite its age of 20 years (I feel like in people years this is over a hundred).  Most cars still live in the past, still go backwards some of the time.  But not our car, our car only sees a head of itself and refuses to go back.  I believe that most people might find this slightly irritating, but we see it as a new way of thinking and a slight challenge and we like a challenge.  So before heading out we have to plan our route, when we miss a turn we keep going forward and learn about new places.  If we cannot park the right way, well we enjoy exercise so an old fashioned push is what we do.

Here she is, The Green Machine.  We love her!

Quest Begins

And so it begins, my quest to be hostess with the mostess..

A few of the new teachers and partners went out for a Mexican.  I had to insist on having them over first though, it has been super hard not to entertain for a whole month!
A great evening, a really delicious meal and enjoyed with lovely new friends.