Our First Week

Our First Week

Posted on 12. May, 2009 by April in Thailand

It’s hard to believe that we’ve already been in Bangkok for a week! Obviously a lot has been happening and we’ve had all kinds of new experiences we want to share with you. In fact, we’re always saying to each other, “We need to write a blog post about that.” But where do we begin? So rather than get too detailed about one topic at this time, I’m just going to give you a quick overview of what we’ve been up to since we arrived last Monday…

Right away we signed the paperwork and moved into our new apartment. This has also involved several trips to a huge Walmart-type store to buy necessary things to keep house. The big purchase was a refrigerator. We also needed cleaning supplies, a fan, and so on. I think we’ve been shopping more this week than we would go on an average week.

And I’ve gotten right into teaching. Starting with an adult class on Thursday morning. The plan was to have more time to ease into the teaching schedule, but Tina had to leave early to be at her grandmother’s funeral. So I’m right into it. But, since I’ve been subbing the last 3 years, and taught in Korea before that, it hasn’t been hard to jump into. It’s just a different accent to get used to, and I need to re-learn to really slow down what I’m saying.

Jason has been helping out at the University, promoting the English Clinic (sort of a campus club) our ministry puts on there as well as an English camp we have coming up in July. It involves being outside in the hot sun, but it’s also a lot of fun. And as we learn about the ministries happening around here, he is working on ideas of how to best showcase it in a video, as well as how his skills will be useful in other ways here.

We haven’t done much grocery shopping yet, so every lunch and dinner we’ve been eating out. Sometimes in restaurants, sometimes at a street vendor. And our new Thai friends have been great about introducing us to new foods. There are also a certain amount of foods we knew from our local Thai restaurants in Fort Wayne. They just taste better here. :)

Another important thing we’ve been doing is getting to know others around here. This includes the other foreign missionaries and the Thai who work at the center. Everyone has been very helpful and nice. We are being well taken care of.

I’m going to leave it at that for now. We will take more pictures and post more detailed stories soon!

10 Responses to “Our First Week”

  1. Cherith

    12. May, 2009

    I’m so glad you gave a brief update! I have to admit I erally enjoy reading about your adventures, and it still feels like you are minutes away :)

    I’ll make sure everyone at small group reads your blog for the updates, cause I’m sure they’ll ask!!

    love you guys,
    Cherith

    Cherith´s last blog post..Here I am Lord… Send Me

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  2. Jason

    12. May, 2009

    Good to hear from you Cherith! I have to admit that I really enjoy knowing that you enjoy reading about our adventures! :)

    We miss you guys! Wish you could all come for small group to our house one week….

    -A

    Reply to this comment

  3. Sara Sarver

    12. May, 2009

    I am compulsively checking in on you guys now… :) I can’t wait til we’re moved over there and can hear about everything new and fresh for you guys. Trust me, I still remember the excitement!

    Reply to this comment

  4. Dad and Mom Ruggles

    13. May, 2009

    Like your pigtails. Looks like you are trying to stay cool. We all enjoyed the tour of your apartment and talking with you.Skyp makes it seem like you two were right next door.
    Seeing and talking with you made for a wonderful Mothers Day.

    We miss you and love you

    Dad and Mom

    Reply to this comment

  5. Cecily

    14. May, 2009

    Hey guys! Glad to hear things are going well. Hey, I’ve tried to subscribe to the posts, but it’s not working? Maybe I’m doing something wrong. Does Jay have any suggestions?

    Reply to this comment

  6. Jason

    15. May, 2009

    Hey Cecily-

    If you want posts to come to your email, click the spot that says “email” in the top right hand corner. If you’re using Google Reader, you should be able to click subscribe to posts…. if that doesn’t work, directly in Google Reader you can click “Add new subscription” and then just type in http://www.jasonruggles.com. Let us know if this doesn’t work!

    Reply to this comment

  7. Nancy Hinton

    15. May, 2009

    Hey April and Jason, We miss you so much!!! The whirlwind hasn’t stopped since you left. Heidi and Jon left on Tuesday for their new “adventure” of buying their first home, new jobs, new puppy, yada, yada. Kati goes to prom tonorrow, Jessi is home from college but gone for the weekend…A dear friend of mine died the day you left FW; she is making heaven better now. We’ve had so much rain. I have our garden planted and flowers are very happy. Sending hundreds of angels your way. LOVE!!!

    Nancy Hinton´s last blog post..A Shift is on the way and it is good.

    Reply to this comment

  8. Cheryl

    19. May, 2009

    I have really enjoyed reading about your adventures. I am happy that people there are making you feel welcome and that things have gone smoothly. You both look great.
    Love to you both, Cheryl

    Reply to this comment

  9. Courtney Hoerger

    20. May, 2009

    Miss you guys :( It’s a bummer to think that you’re gone for so long but it seems like you are having a great time in Thailand so far! Wanted to let you know I am mentioning you guys (and your website) on church news this week. Jay I really miss you as my co-anchor but Tim is really picking it up and doing a great job. See you all in a year (but don’t worry I will talk to you before then hehe)!

    Reply to this comment

    • Jason

      21. May, 2009

      Thanks for the shout out Courtney :). We’ll have to work on getting you a video to add…
      You guys should totally come and visit us!
      Or, at least get Skype set up….

      Reply to this comment

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