Thailand Letter
October 28, 1997
Bangkok, Thailand
Dearest Family,
I haven't written for a couple days - I worry that you think I spend too much time on the computer - Ha!!! I also knew that you were all involved in going to Layton for Bob's Fireside Presentation and wouldn't have time to read my letters or to write to me.
Jeannie - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LETTER. Virginia was up late last night and when she came to bed about midnight she said, "You have a letter from Jeannie" - I didn't come downstairs until early this morning to read it but I thought about it all night. I was thrilled to hear that Bob's presentation was so-o-o-o good. I knew it would be but I also know that sometimes things that are so "hi-tech" can get fowled up at the last minute. I am SO happy that Ann, Jimmy and John were able to go from Provo to be with you from the North!!! Jeannie said the stake center was packed even though it was the last game of the world series - wow, what competition!!! I'm proud of you Bob and I know you are relieved to have it over with.
I LOVED reading about Ricky and Barjis' plans for the Halloween Dance this Saturday. The chocolate pudding idea with headstones in it to ask for a date is SO clever - Ricky, I hope she is that much fun to be with. Barji - I simply can't imagine you being a devil (it is a girl's choice dance and Barji and her friends are going together dressed as devils and angels - boys being the angels and the girls the devils). Mary Ann - way to go - honors English class!!! Sarah is a VERY healthy little girl with an abundance of energy and I hope she doesn't wear herself out with her Nutcracker practices.
Bob - thank you SO very much for your letter today and the news about Pres. Hinckley's trip to the American Samoa, Tonga, etc. That must have been quite a scare to have an earthquake measuring 7.7 right in the very area where he was. How exciting to hear waves breaking on the shore right outside the auditorium where he was speaking. I thought it was neat that the French Polynesian Pres. would go to the airport with him to wish him a safe journey home. It is absolutely remarkable that a man 87 years old could visit 8 Islands in a week's time and speak to 52,500 people - he's cute when he says he is an old man now.
The academic freedom thing at BYU - that will always be a subject for the news won't it? What is happening to the DOW - down 550 points??? I don't believe I want to know what that has done to my portfolio but maybe I should. John, tell me if Wayne is recommending doing something with the stocks I have.
The record snowfall in Denver - I remember when we were in Montana that Denver was always having record storms so I don't believe that is too unusual. It has been cooler here the past couple days but last week I thought we would surely die. It was 95 degrees most of the week and that high of humidity. We don't have a thermometer so I don't know how hot it is now but it feels cooler.
It was SO wonderful to read some American News!!! This is a strange feeling to be so far away and not know what is going on. The lady missionaries tell us that they can't have access to e-mail - I'm SO glad the older couples are in a different category - the e-mail and hearing from you so often is my salvation!!!
We had such a fun day last Saturday - do you remember that I said I really didn't want to go shopping? I'm glad I did go. This darling teacher met us at the bus and then helped us catch two more busses and we went to the "Siam Square". When we got there and stood outside at the bus station and I looked around I said, "I have NEVER been in such a big place" - I know there is not a city in the U.S.A. that is this large. I keep thinking I have seen everything and then I go someplace like that. When you come to see me, I want you to go there to shop. The shopping stores are ultra modern and they have millions of things - it's hard to find what you want unless you can speak Thai but if you are with someone who can speak to the clerks you can find anything (that is, except Crystal Light - Ha!!!). I bought a leather belt for $6 that is so cute - it is too small for me but I can manage to make it work. You can't move for the mass of humanity but it is still fun. I would like to go all by myself and just spend the day but that will never happen while I am on my mission.
The teacher who took us has a mother who is my age. She treated me like I was "ancient" and wouldn't let me out of her sight. Every time I had a package she would grab it and say "I help you". I complained to Virginia and she said, "Barbara, she doesn't want you to get lost". They tell us here that when women turn 60 years old they just stay at home and care for grandchildren. I guess that's why my picture is taken so many times - I am a real oddity - Ha!!!
We are in a school with 22 teachers and we have taught 12 of them within the last month. It is very difficult to find enough new material to keep them interested - they must like us or they wouldn't come back. We start in a new district on Nov. 4th and I will be SO happy. I will be up late tonight marking off poster paper so they can have a "make and take" day - that keeps them busy and happy for at least half a day.
Dorothy and Dan Woods are in Chattanooga visiting with Terry. They sent me an e-mail message and told me that Roy Junior Bass died last week. They had told me he was in intensive care at Baptist Hospital but I didn't realize it was that serious. Roy - did you ever know he was in there? I hope Dorothy will tell me more about their family - David, Donald and John Robert. Our time as their neighbors seems like in another world.
Bob - thanks again so very, very much for all the news you send - we just devour it. Last Sunday we had the conference video again and it was so funny - the Elder was trying to translate Elder Hillam's talk and he kept saying something about a letter written in the late 1800's. He couldn't get it straight so when Virginia and I came home we hurried to get the conference talks so we would know what he was talking about.
I love you all so very, very much. PLEASE BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL. Grandma B