3.31.2014

A Little from March

I know it's been awhile since I've done a life lately post. Sorry family, you're probably wondering what the heck it is that we are doing over here all the time. We are, as usual, crazy busy. The good kind of busy and the bad. Some days we feel so extremely blessed with all the friendships God's given us here, all the students He's entrusted to us and all the experiences we have. Other days we feel like we want to cry or pull our hair out from getting to bed at night and it being the first time we've stopped the whole day, our kids not listening or our internet not working and Zachary having to fix it for 2 hours every 2 hours and 5 minutes. It's life, though, you know? We live real life here. We pay bills. We work 50 hours a week, no really, 50. We make dinner, clean, buy groceries, meet with friends, go to church. Anyways, more on that later. Overall, we are so thankful for the life that God has given us, the good and bad, the crazy and peaceful. 
 
Because we've been so busy, we've been trying to squeeze in set aside, just us, date nights. We have usually been really great at this and honestly most nights feel like dates, but these days, with the business, it's nice to be more intentional about them. This week we opted to stay in for some dumplings and wine & watermelon juice.
 Our favorite dumplings are kimchi and pork dumplings.
 Spring is in the air. I don't enjoy warmer weather, I know, I'm like the one person on Facebook and blog land not longing for summer. I will say though that the blooms that are starting to pop around out complex are just gorgeous and they smell so, so, so very good.
Love cherry blossoms. Aren't they just so beautiful?
 We love our time with this sweet girl and her parents every week. We try to have dinner with Amber and CJ every Sunday to catch up and connect with the Lord. They are such an encouragement to us. This past week, Jessica and Marrick came too, which of course, we were so, so very happy about.
 One of the high school students I tutored last year, Cindy, went to Canada for school and just came home for a visit on her Spring Break. She brought us some Tolberlone and these Lindt balls. Who knew those were Canadian brands?!
 I recently went over to a coworkers house for lunch. We spent the afternoon admiring the little ones while he admired his new toys.
Nicole, our new house guest and roommate, had a friend over the other night and they made Oreo cheesecake. it was amazing and has got me craving cheesecake like everyday. I'm resisting though. :)
Oreo cheesecake... the bomb diggity.
 Zachary has insistently tried to persuade me to move this shelf in the front hallway. I have insistently refused his requests. I just.. don't like it. It throws off everything. The other day I took a nap, and what do you know, the shelf magically appeared in the hallway. It's been there a week now and I haven't moved it... so I guess, it might, just maybe stay there.
He washed all the shoes that were on it in the washing machine. In the washing machine! I didn't even know you could do that. But he did. So, I couldn't complain too much. ;)
 This is currently our lunch 3 to 4 times a week. Subway salad, with extra veggies, with tuna and mustard on top.
I'm bringing back my reward system for my tutoring kids. They are getting a little cray-cray. And the office just looks so very dreary. It's in need of color and a new paint job!
 For now, these colorful pockets will work.
 Check out those gorgeous tape skid marks on the wall. Really, we need a paint job!
 One of my classes at school earned a party this past week. If I could play match maker and only had one chance to make a couple out of my kids, I'd put these two together. Really, you guys. I'm convinced they will be married in 20 years. They really would be perfect for each other. I mean I know they are only like 8, but still, I just know it. :)

Love you guys. Mosby's Out. :) 
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3.28.2014

Chiang Mai Markets

Anytime you read up on things to do in Chiang Mai, you will always read about the famous Chiang Mai Night Market or the Sunday Walking Street. Both markets are fantastic. They are filled with so much of what makes Thailand a great place to travel; delicious, cheap food, smiling faces, cheap clothing and artisan crafts. 
Markets are the place to be in Thailand to take in the sights, eats and sounds of the country. If you're craving fresh juice, Thai coffee, or cheap Pad Thai, head to the market. If you're dying to get your hands on some new elephant paintings, a cute summer dress or some comfy Thai pants, head to the market! Interesting in seeing something out of the ordinary, trying bugs for dinner or sitting in food stalls with locals? Head to the market! How about a massage? Crepes?  A cheap dinner? Your entire families Christmas presents for less than $100? Ya, you guessed it, go to the market. 
Thai markets are just....so great. Really, I wish we had markets like them in China. We would spend way less money and our weekends would probably be a lot more interesting! There is always something to do when you live or are visiting a city with a day or night market. The great thing about them too, is that they're not just filled with tourists. Of course, there are tons of tourists in the more touristy places like Chiang Mai & Bangkok, but markets are also places where locals enjoy a cheap dinner, listen to live music and enjoy a night out, too. 
 
We passed a few market squares while driving through Northern Thailand. As we past, I saw that people were crowding in to the square, steam was rising from all the food stalls, children were running around and people were laughing & talking. We drove through such small towns, that were completely quiet, until you got to the market. At these markets, it's like a city comes alive. People connect, laugh, exchange stories, eat and enjoy their countries foods and people. I love it. 
 Many areas in a city, revolve around the market, and because of this markets are human magnets. That's awesome for great deals, food and people watching, but it can also be extremely overwhelming. I can easily get overwhelmed by all the people pressing in around me and all the goods being sold. Sometimes, it's all too much to take in, while carrying bags, protecting your wallet and looking for the best food place to go to, not to mention, in the heat of South East Asia. If markets seem overwhelming to you, don't worry, you're not alone. 
Watermelon juice and vodka--delicious! And a jack and coke. After our short break and snacks, we were ready for more of the market! 

We took a break from the crowds while at the Sunday Walking Street a few times. We grabbed a beer at one place, a water at another and got some appetizers and drinks at The Corner Resturant, too. 
Next time you go to a market though, try to sit back at a food stand or find a comfortable place to sit, grab a beer, and just take in your surroundings. There is so much to see and observe about a culture at a market. Enjoy your surroundings! Don't let the hustle and bustle or the lure to buy things ruin your time there. Take your time, go slow, and relax. Trust me, that pair of shoes will be there tomorrow, or a few stalls down. I find that slowing down, sitting and observing, also has given us tons of chances to get to know and talk to the people around us. 
 
Many of the restaurants usually have brochures outside to check out other fun things to do in Chiang Mai. We had fun people watching and playing hang man on the back of a brochure! 
Read "Bee eggs" and "Ant eggs" Ya. You know what that is basically? Maggots. A Thai guy was sitting at our table and I noticed them in his egg dish. I asked what they were, because surely they must be some sort of vegetable or something, but no. Oh, no. They were maggots. I know techniquelly maggots are fly larva, but they looked exactly the same. Also, have I ever mentioned maggots are the. most. disgusting. thing to me in the entire world. Like I can't think of anything grosser that was ever created on planet Earth. Just thinking about maggots makes me cringe.
Homemade samosas. You can even get other types of cuisine in Thai markets!
Indian kebabs and chicken curry. Yum. 
These sausages were delish and super spicy!
We bought a few of these paintings for $3 each. There were so many varieties to choose from!  I can't wait to frame ours!
Remember what I said about the sights?! I mean, come on, that's a sight. Monks, in their bright orange shawls, drinking some soda and chatting on the cell phone.
As with any place in Asia, where there are huge crowds, there will also be street performers and beggars. We saw several children dressed up in their ethnic group outfit singing, dancing or posing for pictures in exchange for money. 
Her sign says, "Need Help!! My father admit at Makuraj Hostpital; Rhmateogenous Retinal attachment operation on Friday 6th dc, I must earn money for take care him. I love my father, "he is worth" for me. Please donate_"  She was also selling a CD that she made. Her CD sign says, "Enjoy my music. Khim Thai instrument. I hope you're enjoy & remember me when you listen My CD, I did it with my love. My CD only @ 100 B." 
So sweet and sad. Who knows if it's true, but these opportunities are still chances to be Jesus to suffering people, regardless of their actual circumstance. 
At Thai markets there is always great quality handy crafts available like these wood bracelets or leather journals. We found tons of high quality leather goods while at the markets!
We loved these journals! Zachary got one and every time I pick it up I ooh and ah over it. It's so soft and smells so good! Love the smell of fresh leather. Zachary enjoyed getting to know the guy who made his journal. He was so kind. He's been making leather journals, himself, for the past 12 years. His products were so beautiful.
Justin and Catherine met up with us at the Sunday Walking Street. We were excited to see them in Thailand. Now, that's 3 countries we've been together in. We met in Korea, live together in China and met up for a night in Thailand. It's fun!
Check out this fruit! I still can't remember what it was called!
How about some Herber black jally?! There we had no idea what this was but I read online later that it is Chinese herb black jelly, hence the Chinese  sign in front.
Any good market time always ensures a few animal sightings in it. 

Have you been to any great markets? What did you love about them? What wasn't so much your thing at them? Comment below!
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