The perfect getaway, Phuket with Queenie!

Pristine (clean!) sandy beaches, shades of green mountains on the horizon, crystal blue waters, bassa nova soundtrack singing softly in the background, margarita in hand, trashy vampire novel baking on the chair, sand speckled toes, the rush of heat to my skin as I step into its golden sun, the low tide's baby waves rushing past my ankles, joyous laughter of babies and puppies crashing sand castles, the smell of grilled breads and fresh fry from the seafood counter teases my nostrils, and the cool cool waters penetrate my core when I duck my head under the crashing wave and touch the sandy bottom sea with my fingertips...heaven, I am in heaven.

It has been too long since I've had a proper beach day, not since Mom came for her visit and we crashed in Koh Lanta for one week...now already 4 months ago!

This is actually where Queen lives, if you can believe it! She is renting a condo in tropical paradise, a stone's throw from the beach shore and only a 5 minute motorbike ride to the public beach pictured above (Bangtao Beach.)

Queen, being the very best friend in the world she is, bought me a return flight to Phuket to come and visit her this weekend and celebrate her fabulous news: pregnant and marriage on the way! About time she's met someone willing and able to provide for the life she has always deserved...the life fit for a Queen!

This mini-getaway could not have come at a better time for me, I've been worked to the bone and while I love my life, love my work and my passions for Baan Unrak...sometimes I forget to stop and enjoy the sunsets...so here I am, right now, enjoying one of the most amazing sunsets I have seen since Mom has come to visit me all those months ago...

"Don't hurry, don't worry.You're only here for a short visit.So be sure to stop and small the flowers."Walter Hagen

The day we met Jackie Chan

It's been a while since I've updated this blog, more due to the fact that there's been nothing interesting to write about than me not having enough time to sit down and blog...Sure things have been happening, some events more exciting than others, but all in all I've been getting into a steady rhythm enjoying my life to the fullest here as a full time volunteer at the Baan Unrak Children's Home. 

The most dramatic change for me this  month has been the change of role for me here at the Home. I am now the Volunteer Coordinator of Baan Unrak, a position I neither desired nor expected during the course of my stay here...however, there was a last minute need for a replacement and I was left with little choice but to accept and assume its responsibilities. This change of role has actually turned my life upside down and I spend more hours in the day navigating through emails, volunteer task schedules, sponsor communications, project and fundraising proposals, than I ever imagined I would sitting in a cubicle working the 9-5 grunt route!  

My commitment to the children has not wavered in the least, so I still wake up first thing to send them off to school and make sure I shut down all jobs and computer work by the time they return from school. It makes for long days now, when after school I am running private tutoring sessions and homework help for those who ask, and in the evenings I'm usually spending quality time with the girls and Thar Gyi. Weekends, well they're still as busy as ever...just ask my friend Jason if you ever doubt how busy and chaotic my life has become, surrendering all of my free time to the needs of 100 + children!

This weekend was particularly exciting, as a few of our lucky kids got the opportunity to meet a living action icon, Jackie Chan! Jackie's charities have expanded to include the Dragon Hearts Foundation Thailand. Dragon Hearts wants to offer relief to orphanages, needy children and elderly in rural villages throughout Thailand; Baan Unrak may very well become a beneficiary of his good will! 

For more information about Jackie Chan's charity work visit his foundation website  and for a press release on his recent visit to Bangkok (where you can see more beautiful photos of our kids!) please visit 'Bringing Aid to Thailand.'  

Our kids survived the 7 hour heated, long journey to Bangkok, in the bed of a tired pick up truck, and never complained once. We packed 20 children, ages 6-16 years old,   and had to stop often because of motion sickness and small bladders...but it was all worth it in the end! Their beaming smiles and excited chatter when Jackie first appeared will be something we will all cherish in the years to come. 

To think, this famous action star called them, sought them out because he thought they were special, well that's just mind blowing for these kids! We spent less than 48 hours in Bangkok (the kids have school to get back to!) but we filled our time with good company, good food, 'The Amazing Spiderman' cinema experience, and best of all...free plastic Chinese fans for souvenirs. 

Thanks for the happy, Jackie!

-Stefanie