Thailand Letter
October 17, 1997
Bangkok, Thailand
Dearest Family,
The neighbors we teach have gone home and we have just finished reading the conference addresses - we have enjoyed them SO much - thank you, thank you Bob. I know they have used up a lot of your computer time but we have truly loved them. The Relief Society Presidency messages were all so good and it was good for us to learn more about the change of the lessons - do I understand it right that we will be studying the teachings of Brigham Young for two years? We will be doing this along with the Priesthood which is such a good idea. How do your teachers feel about this change Claire? We are SO happy to have the references for the talks too Bob - we have looked up some of them and will more when we have time.
Claire - thank you SO much for your letter telling me about Las Vegas. I can just see Brett in Steven Spielberg's "The Game" - I don't understand how the "Wave Runners" would work but they sound fabulous. I would like that where I didn't have to actually ride them on the water - Ha!!! I definitely WOULD NOT like the roller coaster and the 240 ft. swing sounds too dangerous for me - I am grateful that I am too old to do those things anymore. I can imagine Bob being very frightened - I can't imagine Michael and Brett being so brave!!! The World Buffet REALLY appeals to me - ha!!! Did they serve rice??? I need to learn more about the FAO Schwartz because Jeannie said they had seen that in New York. I'm SO glad you had a lot of fun - that seems like another world to me!!!
Jeannie - I have re-read your letter and you REALLY packed a lot of things into your trip. I have always wanted to see some of the television shows where they are produced - is Katie Couric as darling in person as she is on the show? What a great experience for your children - they will watch "The Today Show" with more interest from now on. I'll bet the Autumn leaves were gorgeous - just a perfect time to see them. I'm thrilled that you took time to see the Hill Cumorah, David Whitmer's Home and the Sacred Grove - it makes church history really come alive doesn't it?
We were honored again today as we left the school. I am getting so I don't like to go that last day - they do WAY TOO MUCH!!! They gave us beautiful bouquets of "money flowers", some rice and banana desserts and books about Thailand. It is SO funny - the first day we meet with them, they are very reluctant to take part and seem quite aloof but by the last day it is as if we have known them all our lives. One of the teachers came up to me the first of the week and said, "Oh, I have missed you SO much" - she had been in one of the schools where we have taught before. I feel bad because I can't remember all their names - they have very long, hard names to say. They get so they all look alike to me too - a few of them stand out but for the most part they are all alike. They are VERY sweet people and want so much to learn English.
I showed a picture of some Halloween Pumpkins today at school. The teachers don't know very much about our holiday. I have with me a picture of the jack-o-lanterns that Emily, Timothy and Jesse had carved last year - the picture was taken on their front porch - I passed that around and they loved seeing it.
I feel bad that Susanna didn't go to Wyoming with her family over the UEA vacation. I know how conscientious she is and I hope she doesn't get "bogged" down with too much school work. I think being a beautician is a good idea - Ha!!! How is Bev doing? I hope she is feeling good.
I'm SO glad that Julianna doesn't have to drive to Salt Lake to teach. The "Point of the Mountain" can be very, very dangerous during blizzards. John - how are all my ATM withdrawals coming? Are they charging me a lot when I use them. I still don't have any cash from a check I wrote out the 10th of September - has that check cleared? I REALLY appreciate your handling all that for me. I love you all so very, very much. PLEASE BE CAREFUL. Grandma B