John is very naughty

we were out celebrating John's birthday
who know what he was whispering in my ear?

and after adopting many mums over the years - kathleen, joyful, mum tate, judith
i now have a daddy too
thanks for being a fab dad dad x

a reunion

great to have mark in town this week
we had a fab time teaching english at the temples 2 years ago with beautiful molly
it was wonderful to be reunited and spend time with people we've all taught, their english has improved heaps!
we took the 3 guys Mark sponsors, who are now ex-novies, out for dinner
and thank you mark for the christmas pudding, the vino collapso, porridge oats and vita-wheats!

Luang Prabang Film Festival

The highlights for me were the opening night party and watching the Novices' short films.

We had a few pre party drinks at mine so arrived at the red carpet event a wee bit tipsy!
It was heaps of fun, I don't remember much except slurring, great canopees and dancing like I always dance at weddings, not easy in flip-flops!

The novice monks took part in an event which screened the best short films produced by local film-makers.
The novices' films won a UK competition, best international short film, well done guys.
Novice Vanh and Somchit have agreed to make educational films for our children's hospital, will they will film-makers, doctors or both?

Happy Happy Birthday Novice Vanh

My step-son, Vanh, was 19 years old on 5th December
Novices and Monks do not celebrate birthdays
But to make the day a wee bit special I cooked pasta and we had pear tarts, yum
Hope that's ok Buddha
Happy Birthday Son!

a perfect day ....

started with yoga on the deck at utopia overlooking the river nam khan, listening to the sounds of nature and having a stretch

then a fun and relaxing trip up the river meekong to the pakou caves with 11 fantastic novice monks, loved chatting, laughing and bruno mars!

and finished by cooking dinner with luurrvvely friends - mohitos, home baked food, yummy and nattering away, ah, bliss

Lao Friends Hospital for Children update

the grand opening is 11th February 2015, 3 months to go !
the hospital building is now 75% complete
this week the clinicians are being taught by health leadership international
a charity from seatle, they are teaching practical skills with manikins.
so back in the office we have had time to prepare for the next series of lectures, tutorials and seminars
we finalised the order for the hospital's equipment
the provincial health department approved our drug formulary and it's now in Vientiane for the ministry of health's approval
and we are recruited more members of the team, a director of nursing from New Zealand, 2 Lao administrators, first round interviews for nurses, pharmacists, accountants and an expat director of administration. if anyone would like to work with us get in touch!
another busy week!

love helen and her boys

i love having visitors to share this beautiful town with,
to be part of a gorgeous family for a while,
and to see their sheer joy spending an afternoon talking and reading with the novice monks.
i love you helen, loved chatting and often saying the same thing at the same time, we are wavelengthed, love your boys.
i really enjoy watching my friends being wonderful parents
and i liked helen's concern that i might be lonely here, don'y worry i'm very happy, i've made some great friends.
and on a trivial note my chocolate store is overflowing and i have new birkenstocks, the town is a more fragrant place!
the house is so quiet now, missing you guys heaps