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WELCOME TO MIKE’S 2023 BLOG
YEAR 19 AND MORE TO COME
Tay and Michelle at the Houston Galaria shopping.
Michelle playing the Thai Khim.
Tay at the Temple.
We take Michelle to one of the local Thai Buddhist temples to keep her fluent in Thai and teaching her the ABC’s of the Thailand language as well as traditional Thai customs.
Tay with Michelle in Thai traditional costume.
Michelle on stage.
Mike and Michelle.
At the Houston Zoo in the tortoise shell.
At the Houston Zoo with the - what is that?
At the Houston Zoo.
Thai beauty contest at the Temple.
At the Houston Aquarium.
At the Houston Aquarium.
At the Houston Aquarium.
Interacting with the stingrays.
Feeding the stingrays.
Houston Aquarium.
Taking a ride on the ferris wheel.
Taking train ride around the Houston Aquarium.
Stickermania.
In the park.
It is big slide.
January brought some warmer weather compared to December when it was in the teens for a couple of days - but still a lot warmer than Beaver PA.
Michelle completed kindergarten school year and is now in first grade. The school year started out a bit rough. The school is now understaffed and over populated. There are 3 kids who speak no English in the class. The teacher gives an assignment to the English speakers then gets on her phone to translate the assignment into Portuguese, Flemish and Russian. I wrote to the school administration and there is no action. As this school has dual language in Spanish some of the parents moved their kids into the dual language program. So we enrolled Michelle in an after school program to help with math and reading skills. She is responding and progressing well.
Tay signed up for some English and US Citizenship classes. Her English is improving as is her knowledge of American history. Hopefully next June she can take the US Citizenship exam and become a naturalized US citizen.
I got a text from some of my Swiss school mates. They were going to be in Houston and suggested a mini-reunion. So a group of us met over at Alexanda's house for an evening of snacks, dinner and conversation. I had a great time and had a chance to have some interesting conversations with Paul and Carl.
In August the job I am in transitioned from the home office in Houston to the work site south of Belle Chasse, Louisiana. This is in the New Orleans area and right on the Mississippi River. It is a liquified natural gas plant (LNG). We decided that Tay and Michelle would stay in Houston so Michelle can stay in the same school. It means that I am away for 2 weeks at a a time. I leave on the Sunday and go to the house I am renting in New Orleans - then work for 2 weeks then drive back to Houston for a very short weekend . I am not sure how sustainable this is going to be and would like to find a job closer to Houston - maybe I should retire.
Our lease was up in September and we decided to move to another house in the same area so Michelle can stay in the same school. The new digs are a 3 bed 2 bath affair on one level. There is a small fenced yard but no garage like the previous house. It is a bit smaller and storage space is tight.
It has been a busy year. I hope all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New and an even better 2024.
Stay safe.
Mini-Reunion
Michelle at the Temple and Magical Winter Lights
With the Monk.
Michelle and Sunday School classmates.
Magical Winter Lights exhibition at Katy Mills, TX.
Sunday School graduation.
Magical Winter Lights exhibition at Katy Mills, TX.
Magical Winter Lights exhibition at Katy Mills, TX.
Tay and Michelle Sunday School.
Tay and Michelle at Magical Winter Lights.
Magical Winter Lights exhibition at Katy Mills, TX.
This is the end of Mike’s 2023 Blog – Thanks for stopping by for a read.
Be safe in your travels and please don’t drink and drive and certainly DON’T text – nothing is worth texting when driving – please pull over if it is that darn important – remember we did very well for years and years without having smart phones. Remember that you are supposed to control the smart phone not visa-versa.
Stay safe and have a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.