It’s going on Week 3 since my move into my new apartment.
I’ve been searching for a more permanent place since January. I needed a new residence, one that would hold all my Covid-abandoned “stuff” that is still in China. My Australian friend (Geoff) and his Chinese wife (Snow, in a wheelchair after a debilitating stroke) continue to hold it all in a spare bedroom. I’ve been told it’s called “Connie’s Room,” as well it should be since it is literally stacked with over 30-years of overseas’ belongings (Yes, I’ve been doing this for 30 years now.)
My eventual hope is to return to China for a week to sort through everything, make “keep”, “discard” and “give-away” piles, hire a shipping company and have it all sent to Laos. I plan to do that this summer, after the Center’s term ends and I am freed up from my teaching duties. I’m finding as a director, there is less freedom to up and go whenever I want than there was when I was merely a teacher.
Ah, the responsibilities of being an administrator!
My apartment/house search took me to quite a few interesting places in the city. There are entire houses to rent, apartments and small rooms as well. I looked into houses but they were so palatial. Two stories, 3 or 4 bedrooms, several bathrooms, dining room, big kitchens, gates and walls, huge grassy, tree-filled yards. . . . I certainly didn’t need all that room. Plus many came with a lot of big furniture located in every room.
Most of the owners were not willing to empty out any rooms for my China things so that pretty much nixed that rental.
And I needed something near the Center, not a distant drive away.
I will say I almost was taken in by one house, down a dirt road with a mess of a yard and a nice porch area. It was too tiny for me and very rustic, with an outdoor kitchen (!) . . . . . .
BUT . . . . it came with a puppy. That was almost the selling point. (Ah, Connie and her love of strays.)
The Win-Over
In the end, I wound up at a place I had passed numerous times to and from the Center. It had been advertised on a flimsy, faded plastic sign, dangling for over 3 months while I zipped by on my motorbike. I didn’t think much about heading down the paved alleyway to get there until I decided might as well take a look. My other searches were coming to no fruition. What could it hurt, a 30 second detour from work on my way home?
Detour I did and, after talking to a few of the expats who lived there, I learned from them the owner not only spoke fluent English but was very accommodating. I next contacted owner Sulisak for a walk-through of one of the 1st floor units.
What I found was excellent space, a completely empty bedroom (good for the China stuff), nice furnishings for living room and second bedroom, a very nifty enclosed wooden-floored garden area, washing machine and included was Wi-Fi, electricity and some cleaning if needed.
Nor did it take me long to make a decision. Sulisak told me he only had two apartments not yet taken. One on the 3rd floor (no elevator) and the one he was showing me. Hauling over 100 boxes of things from China to the third floor would be quite an undertaking for my movers, plus climbing myself 3 flights after a long day at work (in 100 degree weather) didn’t sound too pleasant to me. So I snatched up that 1st floor unit ASAP.
Here I am, giving Sulisak the “thumbs up” right before signing the contract.
Check this out below and tell me what you think! Jackpot or not?
I’ve been working on the small garden area with plants I “borrowed” from the Center. We have hundreds of potted ones in the courtyard. Might as well give them a proper home with me.
My New Neighbors: A World Community
Aside from the Laos apartment staff, who know me well for my overly friendly nature and pitiful Laos greetings, I have gotten to know families from all over the world: Sweden, Denmark, Korea, Japan, New Guinea . . . I’m the only American, which suits me just fine.
Today’s new addition to our outer area was this sweet gesture on behalf of two Swedish girls that I met the other day. We have a scroungy, thin, overly friendly kitty that hangs out with our gate keeper in the evenings. He meows his way around, including flopping in the entrance or winding his way around your legs when you disembark from your motorbike.
I parked my beloved blue Scoopy this afternoon and made sure to take the kids up on their offer to leave a little something for our resident stray: water and chicken bits.
With such thoughtful young neighbors, how can one go wrong in living here?
This is Connie in Laos, enjoying her new home (yes, air-conditioned!) with a grateful heart. (Below: My sign outside my apartment door)
connie's space 
Connie,
Congratulations on your new living space! And, it comes with a cat. Shared.
I’m glad you are so enthusiastic about your new home in Laos. I know you were disappointed when you could not return to your home, school and friends in China. A new adventure from time to time is a good thing! Keeps us on our toes in so many ways and gives us more to think about.
I know pastors in the UMC have a mandatory retirement age, so I wonder if there is one for your area of work as well. 72 years for pastors, I think.
I have so many friends in their 90’s. Of course they are no longer employed, but they are still active as their circumstances allow. One woman still mows her own yard! Two others have mobility issues, but are still sharp-minded. One makes it a point to notice who is lonely or treated unkindly at a care facility and makes sure to go out of her way to include them and make them feel welcome at her table. There is so much one can do for good, regardless of circumstances. We need more people like that! I think there are probably more than we hear about. We need to remember that in our daily lives.
Perhaps you checked on the outcomes of the General Conference. There were significant changes made. One was that diaconal ministers can now perform the sacrament of communion. Last Sunday, our pastor did the first part of communion and then turned it over to our choir director (a diaconal minister) to continue with the communion liturgy. It was a very special and joyous moment for me.
There has been so much control and opposition in the church by those who have now left and moved on to form their own denomination (GMC) for so many years, that it has been a relief at the annual conference in 2023, and now the 2020 GC in 2024. We have lost many churches in our conference, We are in the process of unification of three conferences in Texas, and that should be complete by the end of December. Many are putting their time, talents, efforts and prayers into this process. We’ve been in turmoil for years–first COVID and then two years of disaffiliations. Now, this year of working toward the unification of these three conferences. Not that this will guarantee peace, but it is so much more peaceful and welcoming than before. So thankful!
I can’t imagine learning the language of Laos! The letters are so different and I’m sure the rules of language are also so different. I do Duolingo on an app. I do Spanish, Korean and Hawaiian. After seven years (this month) I’m still at the beginning. I keep repeating the first lessons and make little progress. When I try to say something to a friend whose daughter-in-law is Korean, my friend always corrects me. Oh, well. Spanish, same there, although I don’t try to use it. The Spanish is Castilian, not what is used here. As for Hawaiian, it’s just interesting. They all have their difficulties, structures, rules, etc. Anyway, it keeps my brain active, so there is that! That is mostly why I do it anyway. And, I love the little surprises! Esperar means “to wait” and “to hope.” If you hope, then you wait! I like finding those little connections in language!
It is good to think of you settling in your place that will accommodate your things. I look forward to hearing about your visit to China and your ongoing adventures in Laos.
May God continue to bless you and your efforts wherever you are.
Peace, Jean in Texas