Khaobin Cave

Today we toured the province of Ratchaburi, Thailand and we discovered by accident a magnificent cave called Khaobin. There are lots of beautifully formed stalactites and stalagmites inside and some are broken by foolish tourists. The heat and humidity down the cave gave us a lot of discomfort but the trip was worth it. It was an educational experience for my son JM.

JM and dad at the cave's entrance.

JM surrounded by stalactites.

The dome of the cave brightly illuminated by artificial lights for better viewing.

A huge and magnificent stalactite formation in the cave.

Father and son together at the illuminated part of the cave. The heat and humidity inside the cave caused a lot of discomfort to visiting tourists.

He Is Risen !

But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and what he told her.

John 20:11-18

16th Wedding Anniversary

Peridot

The symbol of our sixteenth wedding anniversary.

Wedding Anniversary Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You from the bottom of our hearts for your continued blessings on our union that have enabled us to reach another anniversary. We thank You for letting our love deepen and for helping us in time of trial. We know that without your assistance we would never have remained so close as we are.We ask You to continue to watch over us, over our homes and families. Help us to renew our vows of love and loyalty and to strive to remain united with You, steadfast in our faith and in your service. Amen.

Nick and Linda were married on April 11, 1993 in Roman Catholic rites at Manila, Philippines.

Good Friday

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

Luke 23:46

Songkran Fun Day

Todays Songkran Fun Day activities was held in the school grounds in a truly festive atmosphere. The event was not in any way marred by the unrest happening on the other side of Bangkok. The kids had a lot of fun in this advanced Songkran day celebration.

The main event of the day is shooting one another with water from colorful plastic guns. The kids loved this part of Songkran Fun Day !

A fun and games booth such as the one above is all set to welcome the kids for the day's games.

A kid playing throw the rubber ring in my booth. Prizes for the winners include snacks and toys.

Holy Thursday

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well." Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all."

John 13:5-10

Summer School

What do kids in Thailand do during the summer if they are not travelling or into sports ? They attend summer school ! Learning during the summer is fun and kids get to do a lot of activities that keeps them busy during these hot and humid months. In my science class, students do coloring of worksheets, puzzles, wordsearch, laboratory work, field trips, science crafts and watching of science documentaries. Photo above shows my grade 4 science class.

One thing about the kids that I teach, they love to draw and color. My student in the photo is doing his worksheet on foods and nutrition.

Not everything is focused in the classroom. Kids get to play games and do other activities they are interested in around the school.

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

So they brought the colt to Jesus and put their cloaks over it. And he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!"

Mark 11: 7-10

The World of Crab Festival

A robotic crab on display at Central Plaza Rama II shopping mall. The World of Crab Festival exhibit was held at the park of the shopping mall. Several world landmarks made of crab shells were on display at the exhibit.

A tuk-tuk decorated with huge crab shells was on display at the festival.

JM poses in front of a huge (cute !) crab statue.

JM and dad pose near the Statue of Liberty.

A model of the Big Ben made with crab shells.

Fruit Shakes

With the summer heat wave we are experiencing at the moment, we made tropical fruit shakes a part of our daily diet. We have it anytime of the day, icy cold with plain or mixed fruits flavor. Variety of fruits are available everywhere and they are not expensive. Add to this, fruit shakes are nutritious and cholesterol free. A refeshing way to beat the summer heat. Cheers to summer !

Annunciation of the Lord

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

Luke 1:30-32

Summer Heat

We are now experiencing a really hot and humid summer afternoon here in Bangkok. Nobody can make me leave the house in this heat.

Birthday Party

We had great tasting food during JM's birthday party at Sizzler. The main dish was steak served with salads, pasta, variety of soup , fruits and yummy deserts. JM enjoyed his 11th birthday celebration and he'll surely have very good memories of this day.

Birthday Cake

JM's birthday cake viewed from the top.

Happy Birthday !

You are our pride, our joy and inspiration. You brought happiness and life to our once quiet home. We thank God for all the years that we nurtured and loved you and with this we would like to wish you a very Happy 11th Birthday. We love you JM! God Bless you on this happy occassion and always !

Birthday Boy

Looking forward to my birthday. I'm turning 11 tomorrow !

CCD Today

JM in yellow T-shirt attends todays CCD class which featured a video on the Stations of the Cross. Mrs. Hoskin, the grade 5 catechist gives an introduction about the video presentation.

Feast of Saint Joseph

Blessed Joseph, loving husband of Mary, the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God,
and foster-father of her Son, we turn to you with confidence as we pray
for the church throughout the world.
Watch over the family of God, bought by the precious Blood of Christ,
as you watched over the Holy Family of Nazareth.
You once rescued the child Jesus from danger of death:
protect now His Mystical Body from the powers of darkness
and strengthen it in every trial.
Give it your own courage in the struggle against evil,
and keep it free from sin and error.
Help us to follow your example, that we may live a Holy life,
die a Holy death and so share your joy for ever in Heaven.

Amen

Saint Patrick's Day

This day I call to me:

God's strength to direct me,

God's power to sustain me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's vision to light me,

God's ear to my hearing,

God's word to my speaking,

God's hand to uphold me,

God's pathway before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's legions to save me.

From a Retreat With Saint Patrick

Shamrock

JM with his self assembled shamrock.

The inscription on JM's shamrock.

Palm Crosses

In todays CCD class, JM practiced making crosses out of palm leaves. The first attempts were unsuccessful , but with practice, he did very well in making the finished project. The day before Palm Sunday, we'll be cutting palm leaves from coco trees growing along the canal at the back of our house. JM will then make palm leaves crosses to be blessed on Palm Sunday.

Summer is Upon Us

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer.... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Old Boats

We went to this new tourist place where Thai culture, music, food and arts are being promoted to local and foreign tourist alike. After a sumptous lunch of Thai food, we were directed to a museum made of nipa which houses old boats and other kinds of water transportation used in Thailand during the old times. I asked JM to pose between two old boats for a souvenir photo.

Stations of the Cross

Today, the second Sunday of Lent, the grade 5 CCD class participated in the Stations of the Cross. Photo shows JM in purple tunic contemplating on the 11th station, Jesus was

crucified.

First Sunday of Lent

JM before the CCD First Sunday of Lent Mass.

Photo credit : mom

Ash Wednesday

Father in Heaven, the light of your truth bestows sight to the darkness of sinful eyes. May this season of repentance bring us the blessing of Your forgiveness and the gift of Your light.Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Valentine's Photo

Photo taken on February 15, 2009 at Holy Redeemer Church, Bangkok

Photo credit : mom

Day of the Hearts

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !

Ko Kret

This Sunday we toured an island in the Chao Phraya River called Ko Kret. The island is inhabited by the descendants of Burmese families who settled here hundreds of years ago. The main industry in the island is pottery making. Have a look at the photos below.

Clay toys anyone ? These aren't really for playing, their good as souvenirs.

Father and son posing in an ancient temple grounds.

JM and dad at the reclining chedi.

JM at the clay pot market.

An ancient way of making pots.

Beautiful pots on exhibit at the museum.

An ancient Mon house.

The boat we took going to the island.

Sunday School

Waiting for his CCD class to begin.