My Host Family
October 11, 2008
Namphone and Nampung being silly
Okay, now that I finally took some pictures of my host family, I want to post them. These girls are so silly, and it has been a joy to realize in the last few weeks that I feel so much more comfortable living with this family than I did near the beginning.
With Peng and Nampung
Namphone and Nampung absolutely LOVE Dutch Blitz. Every day they beg, “Lin (play) game Bliss?” I’m usually happy to oblige. I’ve also taught them Egyptian Ratscrew, another fast card game that they also love. Nampung is learning English in school, and is very sweet with translating something for me when I need it. I try to only communicate in Lao as much as possible, though. Almost every night she checks over my Lao homework. The first time I read something in Lao for her she was really excited!
visiting That Luang with my family
One Saturday recently we had a marathon day of shopping at Lao-ITECC (the mall that’s only open at the end of the month when people get their paychecks), visiting the beautiful golden stupa of That Luang, and climbing up the Patuxay monument for the view. Another Saturday was my host mom’s birthday, so we spent most of the day cooking delicious food for the party later in the day. I can’t remember the Lao names of things, but I helped to make fried veggie balls and Vietnamese bundles of meat, egg, carrot, and cilantro wrapped up in lettuce and tied with a green onion. Sep lai! (Very delicious!)
I don't THINK my host mom was actually angry about this picture
Peng and me outside our house
Well, this post is a little short on words, but I think the pictures pretty much say it all anyway. I’m sad that I’ll be leaving my host family in a few weeks.
Hey, Sis! Lovely post (I for one enjoy lots of pictures that say a thousand words). Peng is precious (I’ve seen all of her tongue, I think). And Nampung’s tie is awesome. I wish I had to wear a tie to school. I don’t know how SHE feels about it, but it looks very cool.
It must be such a comfort to feel comfortable with your host family. I’m glad that that’s happened. Speaking of “That,” which Luang did you visit with your family? “That Luang,” I guess. ; )
Love you, sissy!
glad to hear/see you’re doing well…you look happy!
i think peng is my favorite.
this post made me so happy – especially to see you so happy and settled and comfortable. and then i read your last sentence, and got sad. it’s a bummer you have to leave. i hope that transition goes smooth for you. and i’m so proud of you for learning Lao! that’s awesome! i wish i picked up arabic better. ah well…it’s now one of my goals in life. 
no news on the job front. emu was a no. now i’m applying for a manager position at gift&thrift. we’ll see what happens!
fall is absolutely glorious here, and the weather has been so warm recently – almost hot! i went on a drive the other week and found my favorite road of all time. don’t worry – i’ll show you someday.
i love you!
Ariel! It’s so good to finally ‘catch up’ on your life! (we happen to have internet at our house right now) Your family looks wonderful, and your time interesting and learning-ful. Thanks for the blog, and I’m praying for you
peace, love and adventure
Dutch Blitz has amazing universal appeal! We’ve had fun times with it here, too. I enjoyed catching up on what’s happening in your life. I hope the transition to “independent living” is going well.