Exploring Bali

We tore ourselves away from the beach to explore the country side of Bali and experience a little of the culture.

This is a Barong- (the most commonly worshipped Balinese Hindu god) and us standing next to it. We went to see a cultural dance with this barong as the main character.


These pretty ladies were also part of the cultural dance. We thought they would make us look pretty- so we took a shot next to them too.

This is us in front of a Balinese temple. You can see the Barong again on each side of us.

The beautiful rice field we found!

The Mount Batur Volcano. It was beautiful!

The volano without us blocking it!

Where's waldo...i mean alicia? I am hidden there. This is a traditional open market. I am really going to miss Asian markets!

Dreamland Beach

One day, we took a road trip an hour south to Dreamland Beach. This beach was breathtaking and BEAUTIFUL. This is the beach that those who stay in the Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons go to... so we felt we were a little out of our league, BUT we COMPLETELY enjoyed ourselves. This beach was pretty dreamy. Every person I saw there looked perfect physically. It was almost kind of creepy. Every women was itty bitty and every male was built and gorgeous. It was kind of like the movie Stepford's Wives because of all the physical perfection. We were tempted to rename the beach "Stepford Beach". ha. I could've stayed there for a whole year and not got tired of the beauty that surrounded me (the beach that is- not the gorgeous men).

Because Bali is in Asia- there are a few Asian perks or annoyances- depends on how you look at it! Indonesian men and women will come find you on the beach and offer to you what they are selling. This can be a variety from bags, tattoos, sunglasses, manicures and pedicures, ugly wooden statues, and last but not least foot massages! So here we are on the beach getting foot massages. Glorious. Between all of us, we purchased sunglasses, manicures and pedicures, massages, and bags! Gotta love Asia.

Villa Baliana

Villa Baliana,

Let me count the ways I love thee. You, Villa Baliana, will always hold a special place in my heart with your beautiful garden, bright flowers (of every color), peaceful environment, and alluring accommodations ( cook, maid, and close location to the beach). Bali would not have been the same without you. For you were our own personal tourist attraction. There wasn't a day that passed where I didn't long to be in your presence and soaking up all that you had to offer me. You were perfect for relaxation, recreation, and spending time with friends! Villa Baliana, you were love at first site and I hope that one day we will be united again!!

Your summer fling,
The Bali-licious Beach Babes

Surfs Up

Daddy this post is for you! My dad used to be a "California surfer" back in his day. His passion for waves and surfing has been one of his legacies (kind of). So when I got the chance to learn how to surf- I jumped at the opportunity! I feel like I picked up the neglected surf torch and have carried it to the next generation of Divers! ha. After my two and a half hours of surfing, I can officially say... I need more lessons! I really did enjoy myself and would love to give it another try some day! This is what my Rip Curl School of Surf certificate says....

"On a beautiful day in Bali, Alicia, made a dream come true at the Rip Curl School of Surf, catching a wave and becoming one of life's true free spirits- a surfer. This certificate entitles the holder to use words like "gnarly, ripped and stoked" without fear of ridicule from lesser mortals."




This is me in the front. Impressive. Don't be jealous of my surf skilZ.

BALI -- licious

I wish I could post pictures to show you how wonderful this place it, but I am stuck using an internet cafe. This place has proven itself and I understand why it is one of the top vacation spots in the world!! We were discussing that this place must be like the Hawaii of Asia. I honestly think both have there perks.

Here are some of the perks...

1. Asian prices (everything is cheap)
2. Asian food!
3. Cheap open markets for bargaining. They have these awesome jewelry stores that completely overwhelm me.
4. Amazing weather! Yesterday, we were at the beach all day BUT we didn't sweat at all. The weather here is sooo cool, BUT we did get some great sun. Some of us got scorched. I, however, managed to get away with a small sunburn.
5. Bali has a very small town quaint feel to it! You just want to soak it all up. It doesn't have too much Western influence- its still looks like Asia.

We decided to sleep in today (i slept in till noon!) and not go to the beach. We are using this vacation to just relax and most of us needed a break from the sun because of our sun burns. Our villa is soo beautiful and relaxing that we don't even have to leave our house to enjoy Bali. There are several chairs and couches outside that are great for relaxing, talking, journaling, and sleeping! It's blissful.

There is soo much more I could say, but I will spare you. Tonight, we are going to enjoy Hard Rock Cafe and maybe some Starbucks. We thought we should check out some of the western chains too...although...indonesian food is DELICIOUS!!!

The Lord has been really sweet and faithful to us on this trip!! Thanks for all your prayers!!

We Made It

Paradise!!! I am here and I am giddy because this place is unbelievable!!! Our villa is about 400 times more impressive in person than it is in the pictures! We are impressed!! We found out too that we have a lady to cook for us and do our laundry (included in the price)!!! AMAZING!!! We are truly in Paradise. I hope to post pictures when I get back!!! Plan to see the less pasty and very tan alicia in future pictures!!!

Last Day of AGM

Today has been a little sentimental because today is the last day of AGM. I am not sure when or if I will ever come back to Chiang Mai again...so it's been a little sad to think about today. I am also forced to say MORE goodbyes. Sigh. I have to say goodbye to my South Asia family. They have been my support and encouragement and I am not sure honestly when I will see some of these people again. But I feel honored to have served along such a great cloud of witness for the past two years. I guess this is just the beginning of several goodbyes in the next couple of weeks. So anyways...here are some pictures from my day today. I remembered to take some pictures. I have more thoughts but I am too physically and emotionally tired to type more!

Some of my j-man friends.

Little girls I met at the farm two years ago...Abigail and Katy. My last time to see this prcious family. tear.

We went to this fun Thai Barbeque restaraunt. It was quite the cultural experience and a perfect place to spend my last meal in Chaing Mai.

Some of my favorites and dearest friends. tear. I have to say goodbye to these amazing ladies soon. tear.

April and I with our chopsticks!!

Tomorrow morning we leave early for Bali!!! We will spend tomorrow night in Malaysia and we are eating at Chilli's and seeing the Patrona Towers. Then we are off to Bali the next morning!! I won't have internet access in my villa...so this is me signing off for a week or so!! Peace out and pray for our travels.

Happy Fourth of July

hot dogs. suncreen. ultimate frisbee. shorts. swimming. fireworks. sweet tea. patriotism. big buses. running around on a field. fellowship. family. hamburgers. kids. friends. lemonade. potato salad. spades. late nights

Despite the fact I wasn't in America...i had a WONDERFUL fourth of July! Happy Birthday America!!

In the bus- on the way to the pool


eating with my friends.

Playing spades with the best Texas cards EVER!

To all the Moms

Sorry for my lack of blogging in the past few days, but honestly these are the only two pictures that I have taken!!!

I thought I would dedicate this post to all the Moms of my friends overseas. I hear rumor that I am causing a little trouble among my friends and their moms because of my frequent blogging. Mom's I am glad to know that you can see what your daughters are up to though my blog!

Leave me a comment if YOU are one of those moms. We love you moms!!!

Us sitting in meetings.

My friends Julie and Emily

Rockin' Girl Blogger

My friend Amanda awarded me the Rockin' Girl Blogger. She also gave me a great shout out on her blog post 'Rockin' My World'. I feel so honored because her blogging always inspires me to be a better blogger and she is a great friend!!! So I just want to say thanks Amanda...it means a lot and I love the shout out...my tank is overflowing.

Graduating Seniors

This is my fourth time to come to Thailand. Coming to Thailand in many ways is coming home. I am always greeted by my South Asia family! People who have the same love and passion for the world and who understand me, my experiences, my heart, and my location- we are all reuinited for spiritual and physical rest. Its like coming home for Christmas... but instead of gifts we get Starbucks,beef, and hugs. :)

Obviously, this is my last time in Thailand before I come home. Transition and saying goodbye is a common place, but usually it is not me. BUT this time in Thailand IT'S ME! I seriously feel like the graduating senior. Everyone is asking me, "What are you going to do next?". I am also moving away from my South Asia family and I am saying goodbye to some of my best friends...another season of transition. It is that same bittersweet experience of being sad to say goodbye, but a little excited and anxious for the future and the next season. I still can't believe it's my turn to graduate. Being here has been really helpful in preparing me to go home. It's giving me encouragement and reminds me of the reasons why God sent me here in the first place. It's is kind of like one MASSIVE pep-rally for the work going on in South Asia.

Anyways...here are some pictures from todays events....


The "Graduating Seniors of 2007" or the people going home soon.

Me and the roomie. We got dressed up for this nice dinner that was kind of in honor of some of us leaving.

The BALI-licious babes (minus steph). Just one week from today and we will be on the beach. We are also all going home by the first of August.

A group of us single folk playing Mafia late at night!!! Sigh...singleness really is a gift sometimes!!!

First Day of Meetings

Today was less eventful. We were stuck in meetings from 8-6. Pretty much the pictures in Thailand are all going to look the same from here on out.... transport, food, and a possible shot with random people. So here are some of those shots from today.

Eating Tex Mex at Miguels!

Boys on the back of the Sangtow. They don't really have rickshaws but rather trucks with a bed that has a covering over it and you slide it (does that make since). So we pretty much drive around in the back for trucks with a bench and covering!

In the inside of the sangtow.

Pampered

The first day in Thailand is always amazing because it's considered a "travel day" and there are no meetings! So we take advantage and do as much as we can- even though we are usually incredibly sleep deprived (due to overnight flight). For example, today everyone rolled in around 10 AM. We showered and met in the lobby. First place we hit was the hair salon. We were seriously there for three hours! There were like 7 of that went and we got a variation of do's from dratistic cuts, to trims, to purple highlights. Then we went straight for the beef to Mike's. It might be one of my favorite hamburger places in the world. Delicious. Then we went for pedicures and mancicures! After that it was time for dinner- followed by Starbucks. The days was pure bliss and I felt like such a female with my nails done, my hair fixed and cute American clothes (thanks to my mom and sister)!!

Julie and I before we left our hotel room. We took this picture because we felt feminine and not like gross girls that live in India!

This picture isn't all that clear, but its me getting a pedicure.

Eating at Mike's.

A reunion with a great friend i haven't seen in a long time!

Yes! My starbucks. Notice my nice pretty pink nails!!

Tomorrow is my first days of meeting. Less eventful things will happen, but I am looking forward to be united with some more friends!