Oh, what a night!

Last night was wonderful. I was very nervous about Skyping with the family, but that was definitely one of my top 3 Skype experiences. The Garvey Christmas is my favorite weekend of the year, and I am very grateful that I was able to be a part of it. I spoke to my mom a few times about the idea of Skyping, but I had decided against it. I thought it would be too hard for me to see everyone together and literally be half a world away. I don't know if it was the fun day fishing, the beer I drank, or the delicious noodles and fish balls, but I am glad I spoke to everyone!

Now, as for the fishing trip I explained to everyone, here are the photos. For those of you that weren't lucky enough to talk to me, I'll give you the quick summary. Yesterday, I went fishing with a few friends. We drove in a huge cell phone promotional van filled with people, food and beer, and ended up on a farm. The people that own the farm had decided to dig themselves a small pond and stock it with fish.  We sat between two man made ponds, nearly sliding into the water anytime we moved.  Actually, two people did fall in the water, but that isn't the point.  We were there to fish.  But fishing is a loose term. The Thai men stripped down to their boxers and jumped into the water with nets, rusty metal buckets and sticks. As one person beat the water with the sticks to scare the fish, the other men attempted to trap them.  There were fishing poles, but they were used far less frequently than the nets and sticks.  It was an all around interesting day, to say the least. The men did catch quite a few fish, including a few scary ones! Some of the fish had more teeth than my students!

For those of you hooked on Skype now, my name is meaghandooley. Creative, eh? If you do not have a webcam, we can still talk as though we did last night, but I won't be able to see you. You will be able to see me, however. You can also always email me at mdooley87@gmail.com. And if you have any more questions, I will be happy to take them from all readers, new and old alike.

Oh, and one more thing! Remember when my uncles tortured me by eating chocolate chip cookies in my face? Guess what my student brought me this morning?! That's right, chocolate chip cookies! MmmmmMmmmm good.