THAILAND: A Walk Down Memory Lane

In 2006, while living in Houston, Texas, we hosted an exchange student for a year. 

It was a new experience for us to be "parents" and we jumped right in with an 18-year-old teenage girl from Thailand. 

It was also a new experience for young Nang to be living away from her family, freinds and the country and customs she grew up with. 

It was a year of a lot of firsts for all of us and it would be safe to say we learned, made mistakes and figured it out as we went along.

After 17 years apart we had the pleasure of reuniting, and this time in Bangkok, Nang's home town. 

Indulge me as I do a little walk down Memory Lane.

Nang and Dawson shared a sweet bond and they melted their way into each other's hearts and lives.

I think John and I might have just been a package deal that came with Dawson.

We loved it when Nang cooked us Thai dinners! I don't think we qualified as sous-chefs, but we were the clean-up crew.

One of the many highlights was exploring New Mexico, the Grand Canyon and Sedona together.

We hiked some pretty challenging trails.

Nang didn't think she could do this one, but with a little coaching, she was proud she accomplished it!

And another.....

The rewards of hiking are the views and feelings of accomplishment.

We took Nang up to Ottawa, Canada for a family Christmas and so she could experience snow. Ottawa ALWAYS has snow at Christmas. Except for 2006. On our last morning it FINALLY showed.

Nang had the pleasure of shovelling before we left to catch our (delayed) flight.

Nang went to her high school prom.

John got to be the nervous father making sure the curfew hour was perfectly clear.

When it was time for Nang to return to Thailand, she went home with a lot of memories, AND, extra luggage!

Out of all the things we did together, all the memories and all the photos, this is my favourite. 

It is of our little family of 4 in the Texas bluebonnets in the spring of 2007.