Hide and Seek in Myanmar

Just a short ditty and an fyi - I can't view my blog from Myanmar, only work on it through the edit option, and also therefore can't read anyone's comments or follow anyone else's blog. Boo-hoo!

Home Sweet, Sweet Home - Burma Style

Here it is - the newest and latest home away from home.

My kitchen is huge, which was one of my needs when looking at the apartments and a huge part of the nerves when pulling numbers and choosing with a bunch of other teachers. I wanted a big space to have people over and cook with, much like my China days when we all cut, mashed, and drank wine together while tearing up over onions, laughing at life's jokes that day, or sharing deep stuff that can only be shared over the bonding of cooking.

I have a lot of utensils and a newly added microwave and electric teapot, but am excited about my water container that should be arriving any day now (no plastic bottles = great for the environment) and even more stoked for the eventual purchase of an oven. I have to get my bike first!

I love having so much storage space!

My favorite part about the kitchen is this little window with dark, wood shutters that opens up into the living room, a wonderful peek-a-boo from one room to the other.

My place come sans dining room, so this past weekend I called for another writing desk and two chairs. The table is perfect for one or four and provides two extra drawers to boot!

The living room (dining area on the side you enter in on) is just wonderful. It took me awhile, a week actually, to get this room together. It's a big space and I wasn't sure about the layout. It only came with the small love seat, a chair and the tables, but over the week I saw and snagged unused furniture and then asked for a few other pieces over the weekend. It took a bit to get there, but when I finally came up with this, it just felt right.

On the other side of the room, my computer and desk (where I'm at now putting this post all together).

My apartment is the only thing that is big - my bed is HUGE! A king! At first, to be honest, I was annoyed as I thought, "What do I need all that space for? I'm gonna be lonely." A few nights later, probably needless to say, I changed my mind.

The mirror, lamp, and that whole set up is a new another new addition from over the weekend. There used to be a tele on the top, but it is now in the cabinet.

The curved drawers is new too. Talk about how nice it is to have places to put things!

And then some!

My bathroom is pretty nice. I just love having a bathtub again after years. Wait! I forget that. I love having a toilet and shower that aren't within double duty of each other! And did you notice the mirror? Seriously, not an once of these simple things are being taken for granted.

My favorite part of my apartment, besides the hella cool parquet, runnin' and slidin', great to dance in your socks floor, is my balcony.

As you can see, the trees are still at tilt from the cyclone, only one small example of strong winds that tortured and tore trees, the land, and homes for both animals and people.

The plant boxes were here, but the others were my addition, all of the flowers bringing the outdoors to my outstretched and relaxed feet. The chairs, table, plants, not to mention the sounds and sights throughout the day, combine to make the most peaceful little spot in Yangon that I feel lucky enough to call my own.

Home in Yangon and Already In Love

It happened - as soon as I arrived in Yangon, stepped outside into the muggy air, I was finally excited. The streets were empty and dark as we made our way to the hotel, shops, cafes, and signs illuminating everything within distance of the glow, reminding me of a mix of Ho Chi Minh City, Nairobi, and a little bit of Panzhihua (minus the constant throng of people that can be found at what seemed to be most hours of the night, unless it was past two in the morning).

While checking in and getting my temporary room, I was given a welcome sign in Burmese from Richard, a new teacher and the only person I've kept in touch with from the school, of whom has shared hopes, nervousness, and lists of what to bring with me.

After having strewn things about in search for small and needed items, fresh fruit of the tropical yummyliciousness kind being delivered as a welcome from the hotel, I crawled into bed and fell fast and deep into unconsciousness.

There was a point or two in the middle of the night that I wondered where I was, but it was vague and let go of quick enough to go back to sleep with in seconds of pondering.

When I finally did wake up I scurried to the windows lining the end of my temporary room and threw open the curtains, unveiling my new home and life. I feel in love instantly, my heart beating, excitedness waking me faster than any alarm ever has. I looked out the windows, unable to peal myself or my fascinated eyes away.

Later, Kelli, another new teacher and my new found friend, ventured downstairs for breakfast. Windows housed us as we sat and ate, sharing who we were, sipping coffee and tea while pretending that this was all common and normal. Our smiles gave away everything.

Breakfast finished, Kelli and I headed into town, where every turn provided wow's, pinch me moments, both of us taking turns saying, "I can't believe this!" We walked for hours, till we suddenly tuckered out, and came back to our new home, both to the shaking of our heads in disbelief.