Thailand Letter
Dearest Family, Thursday September 24, 1998 8:30 p.m.
I don't have time to write a "REAL" letter but I wanted to write a note anyway. We are being honored like royalty - last night was our BIG farewell party with the Governor and it was just simply WONDERFUL. The Thai people really know how to "throw" a party - I felt kinda' silly because I'm not going for awhile. It was held at the Marriott and I have never been to a nicer party - all of us were dressed in Thai silk. The Governor is a perfect politician except that I think he is very sincere and appreciative. I was surprised to learn last night that he spent 8 years at BYU and when he was made Governor of Bangkok the church sent some representatives over for his "taking office" or whatever it is called. He had two prepared speeches but he said he just wanted to talk from his heart and he did a super job. They had Thai music from one of the schools here and I can honestly say I don't like it - Ha!!! The dancers were excellent though.
The Governor presented each one of us with a plastic type medal that is engraved with our name and the dates we have taught here - it can be displayed on an easel. He also gave us a small porcelain jar along with garlands and corsages of flowers - it was very impressive!!! Everyone in the banquet hall joined hands in a circle and we sang Auld Lang Syne - there were at least 200 there. The volunteers sang "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" and everyone cried.
PraPa from Sai Mai had sent a taxi for Virginia, Vicky and me to go back to Teptip Village where I spent the night. This morning they came for us at 7:30 and we went by van to Ayutthaya - that is the fourth time I have been there besides the times I spent teaching there but I loved being with my friends from Sai Mai. Pra Pa took us by boat all around Ayutthaya and I saw it from a different vantage point from any other time I have been there. She took us to a place where they make "mobiles" from palm leaves and also to a fabulous place for lunch - a buffet restaurant. PraPa arranged for a taxi again tonight to bring me home - she is WONDERFUL to me. It was so much fun to be in the Village again - I will always have a warm place in my heart for that place.
I have to go to school in the morning at 7:30 and will not be home until late tomorrow night - they are having more parties tomorrow. I am tired!!!
JEANNIE - Thank you SO much for your wonderful letter. I'm glad that Barji was able to come home and be with her high school friends - THAT IS IMPORTANT!!! I'm happy that Ricky got my package - he sounds like he is doing GREAT and will do even better when he gets to El Salvador. I THINK ABOUT HIM ALL THE TIME. I can just imagine how involved you are with all the children's activities and trying to get your dream home built and your other home sold - I am SO glad you are doing that and not me - Ha!!!
BOB - Thank you SO much for your wonderful letter too. I think it is great that Katie and Claire are in California visiting her brother AND going to Disneyland too - I hope they have a wonderful time. I laughed when I read that Laura is taking good care of you with Smith's chicken - I can't think of anything better. I hope you take lots of pictures of Michael with his Prom date - what a fun time in your life and his too. I would like to see him all dressed up.
JOHN - Thank you for taking care of all the "up grades for the condo" - how can I help??? I received the ward newsletter and I loved the article "Getting To Know The Mellors" - I laughed about you being the parents of two Labrador retrievers named Moki and Tar. I hope you are both doing good - I appreciate you very much.
RUSSELL - I am worried about you. Bob said you were going to go see him on Sunday so he could make sure you were doing okay. WHAT A JOLT YOU MUST HAVE HAD - I am so sorry.
ROY AND PATRICE - I can't remember if I responded to your last letter - I hope I did because I appreciated it so much. I MISS SEEING THE CHILDREN AS THEY GO TO SCHOOL - I can close my eyes and envision them walking along your beautiful street hand in hand with their neighbor friends.
Our apartment has just gotten wild so I am going to close for now. Helen's daughter Anne is here from Salt Lake - she is a nice young woman and they are having a good time.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY, VERY MUCH. PLEASE BE SO VERY, VERY CAREFUL. Grandma B