Almost there...

It's official, Bobbi and I have booked our flights to Hanoi for a few days in October.

I'm extremely excited - I was worried that I would spend the entirety of my break here in Bangkok but it's good to know that I'll get to go away for at least a little while.

Now, all I have to do is get through proctoring final exams and a ridiculous amount of grading but it will be worth it for this...



Hanoi, Vietnam

Thoughts

The gentle breeze
Of early spring
Always rings
In the midnight air

O mother bird
Gently crows
To the morning sun
The gentle breeze

The smell of spring
So fresh and sweet
Flowers blooming
Motors booming

And early birds
Chirp and sing
Always ring
As spring passes by

With a sign.

My old middle school friend, Jonathan, sent me an email filled with poems that I had written during that early stage of life. A time when things seemed easier and I had more time to indulge in my love of writing.

Life continues to pass by easily here in Bangkok. We have begun our last week of classes as we ease into finals and then the 3 week break in October. The holiday looms on the horizon and I still remain unsure as to how best to take advantage of it. My initial plans have fallen by the wayside and the thought of such free time just spent in Bangkok seems unnerving.

Things have settled down greatly since my last blog. The PM has been removed from office and, while the protesters maintain that they will not concede until all members of his party are removed also, the air is not heavy with tension.

As we enter into the last couple of weeks of September, it strikes me that I have been here for 4 months now. Some days it feels longer. Some shorter. Bangkok and I have settled into each other like a body and a worn-out couch - some days I grow tired and restless but most days I'm content to settle in, usually with a good book these days.

Violent Mob/State of Emergency

UPDATE:

A State of emergency has been declared in Bankgok - the first use of this controversial law since it was passed last year. Taken from the Bangkok Post website:

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday imposed a state of emergency after overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters left one person dead and dozens injured. The military has full police powers effective immediately, and army commander Gen Anupong Paojinda is in charge of security.

I'll be sure to keep everyone updated once I have more information.

Dear Readers,

Although we had school on Monday (for the first time in a week), we received a call just under 30 minutes ago (5:45 am - Bangkok time) that school would be canceled today. We found out that the two opposing protest groups (one pro-government and the other anti) got into a fight earlier this morning and the results were that 1 person was killed and another 34 were injured - 4 in critical condition. The army intervened and both sides have now retreated from one another. The disturbing thing about this fight is that the person was killed with a shot to the head. This is disturbing in that the protestors were not supposed to have guns in the first place. This puts the situation in a higher level of escalation. We have been advised to stay close to the apartment and not wander off - an advice that I'm sure we will heed very well.

I'll keep you updated as soon as I have more information. I'm sure everything will be fine as the protesters are contained to one certain part of the city (which unfortunately just happens to be at the school where we teach). Neverthless, do keep us in your prayers.

Lots of love.