Loving Both Worlds

The question we’ve heard the most in the last 3 months has been, “What do you enjoy most about the USA and Thailand.” The most obvious answer is, of course, people. I wish we could transport our US relatives and adopted Thai family wherever we go. But beyond that, here are a few things more superficial things we love about each culture:

Around Town...

USA: Drivers who stay in their lanes, stop at traffic lights, and use lights at night.
THAILAND: The convenience of going the wrong way down a one-way street after I miss my turn.

USA: Understanding every written and spoken word at Walmart.
THAILAND: Being oblivious if every other word turns out to be a swear word.

Food...

The rice aisle at our grocery

USA: An entire grocery aisle dedicated to cereal. (Almost as big as Thailand’s rice aisle.)
THAILAND: Fresh papaya and mango smoothies for breakfast.

USA: Flavorful Mexican restaurants and real ice cream.
THAILAND: $1 plates of Thai food.

Climate…

K's first time going out in the snow

USA: Not waking up in a puddle of sweat every night.
THAILAND: Never needing to make the bed. (It’s way too hot for sheets and blankets.)  

USA: It’s cool enough to play outside for more than 30 min periods.
THAILAND: No need for hats, coats, gloves, or even long sleeves.

Parenting…

THAILAND: Warm air and sun to bleach cloth diapers.
USA: Disposable diapers that don’t leak.

THAILAND: A trip to the doctor only cost $10.
USA: I actually understand what the doctor is trying to tell me.

Ultimately we find that Thais and Americans live life very differently, but at the core, we are all the same--people created by God in need of a Savior. We love the USA, but look forward to returning to our other "home."