Things I learned yesterday...

1st- I should make time to check in with y'all more often, if only for the wit and laughs.
Sorry it's been so long sibs.

2nd- The help call I got from Paul on Friday and responded to was for frigging PRE-SCHOOL.
I guess I'd have figured that out if Scmary had called me instead of Megan. Then again, I have caller ID and probably wouldn't have answered or would've hung up on her. I agree with those of you I talked with yesterday. IF there is a legal agreement between Paul & Scmary, we may want to try and help him, or help him help himself in meeting his part of the deal. Quinn and/or I will try to tactfully discover if one does exist. IF one does NOT exist, I say tell Scmary to pound sand if she calls us again. She's got pretty big balls for not having a ~~~~.

3rd- Paul's been doing without a car for at least a couple of months now.
I imagine that job hunting on a bike has to be juuuust a bit more challenging. Anybody know what's up with his car?

A present is on the way....

Hey Megan, I just bought a book on Amazon.com and sent it to you. Don't worry; it's not your Kris Kringle present - I still have to stop off in Saudi to pick that up. It's a cool book about a guy whose.....

Actually, why don't I let it be a surprise. It is quick reading (I think - lots of pictures) so pass it on to one of other sprinkles after you read it. Keep it going round as I want to see it in November or December. Peace to all. BTW, photos from Leh are up on Facebook so bug one of your kids to see them.

Cute Picture - how about some details of the visit?

... and how was the concert?

We're off to O.C. !

But I did have a nice visit with Mom on Thursday. She was much more coherent than she had been last week when I visited although I am pretty sure that she had no idea who I was. She looked clean and smelled clean. Her room smelled very potently of floral chemicals and there was a big mop in her bathroom. (I'm assuming that there was another flood, but I didn't ask.) We "chatted" for a little while and I told her that I was going away. After a nice little walk around BG looking at decorations, we went back to the neighborhood for lunch. When I told her that I had to get home to the kiddies, she looked sad but made a face with the question on her tongue, "when are you..."? I thought that was pretty good! She remembered that I was going away. (or at least that's what I'm going to think anyway). So, all in all, a good visit where Mom seemed calm and relaxed.

Love to all and I'll see you at Quinn's next Saturday - Levelle

5 - 0 ! NEED I SAY MORE?!?!

Have a very Happy Birthday Megan!!!

Don't tell Mom until we get back but...

We leave in 36 hours or so for a fairly long and remote holiday. Several times we really will be out of contact with the world. We may have so phone and internet connections in Leh though. If possible, I will post updates. Here is the itinerary though with as much contact details as currently possible.

21 July
Singapore to Delhi
Departing: Singapore (SIN - Changi Intl) on Wed, 21 Jul 2010, 0215 hrs
Arriving: Delhi (DEL - Indira Gandhi Intl) on Wed, 21 Jul 2010, 0520 hrs
Flight: SQ406

Hotel: Hotel Waves
A-272, Mahiupalpur Ext, NH-8, Near Indira Gandhi Int.
Telephone: 91 11 26786100

22 July
Delhi to Leh
Departing: Delhi (DEL - Indira Gandhi Intl) on Thurs, 22 Jul 2010, 0630 hrs
Arriving: Leh (IXL – Kushok Bakula Airport) on Thurs, 22 Jul 2010, 0745 hrs
Flight: 9W1609

Hotel: Padma Guesthouse & Hotel
Off Fort Road, Town Centre, Leh
http://www.padmaladakh.net/
telephone: 91 1982 252630

24 July
Move Hotel: Hotel Kasden, Lower Tukcha, Leh
telephone: 01982-252700 or 9622980999

25 July Leh-Nubra (7hrs drive approx.)
After breakfast, drive to Nubra by car. Evening sightseeing Nubra Valley. Overnight at the hotel.

26 July Attend His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Teaching on “The Ornament of clear Realization by Maitreya and its Commentary by Haribadra” at Disket Phodrang, Nubra. Overnight hotel

27 July Attend His Holiness’s teaching and evening sightseeing if time allows. Overnight hotel

28 July Leh - Drive back to Leh via Khardungla pass, the world highest motorable road. Explore the famous Leh bazaar for souvenir in the evening. Also visit Leh Jokhang or Leh Mosque by walk. Overnight probably at the Hotel Kasden.

29 July Leh - After breakfast, visit Stok Palace Museum and Shey Palace. After lunch we leave for a tour of the Shanti Stupa, Built by Japanese Buddhists this Peace Pagoda is a beautiful structure with gilt panels on its sides that display episodes from the life of Buddha. It was inaugurated in 1983 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Return to your hotel to stay overnight.

30 July Leh - After Breakfast drive to Hemis Monestery and Trek to Gotsang retreat centre. (Approx 1 hour) On way back visit Hemis Monastery and Thiksey Monastery Back to Hotel.

31 July Leh - Free for Independent Activity. Overnight, probably at the Kasden.

1 August Leh-Lake Tsomoriri - Leh to Tsomoriri (240 Km) Stay at Nomadic Life Tent Camp

2 - 6 August Attend Amitabha prayer festival, cultural festivqal with song, dance, horse races, archery tournament, stay with nomads

7 August Morning drive back to Leh, en route visit Chumathang hot sulfur springs. Overnight at Hotel Kasden, Leh or move to the Stok Highland Hotel.

8 August Day at Leisure. Overnight Leh or Stok.

~9 - 18 Aug The Markha Valley trek with Bill Kite, bill@kitemandu.com.

~18 August Stay in Leh or Stok and figure out what to do until the 23rd. Recover from trek, go on another shorter one, just explore the region on our own, whatever.

Oriental Guest House, Changspa
Rps 1100, bed & breakfast, deluxe room
Will attempt to book for later portion of the trip.
Phone: (0)1982 253 153

23 August Leh to Delhi
Departing: Leh (IXL – Kushok Bakula Airport) on Mon, 23 Aug 2010, 0730 hrs
Arriving: Delhi (DEL - Indira Gandhi Intl) on Mon, 23 Aug 2010, 0850 hrs
Flight: 9W610

Hotel: probably in town but maybe the airport hotel (Waves) again

25 August Delhi to Singapore
Departing: Delhi (DEL - Indira Gandhi Intl) on Wed, 25 Aug 2010, 0755 hrs
Arriving: Singapore (SIN - Changi Intl) on Wed, 25 Aug 2010, 1605 hrs
Flight: SQ405

Happy Birthdays in July

Happy birthday America. Happy birthday Grandpa Smith (a.k.a. Danny). And belated happy birthday to Matt. And early happy birthday to Megan (I'll be out of contact when hers is but I should be back on the 11th for Lel's).