"Born of a Woman—Atonement and the Incarnation"

That's the title of this week's Bible study guide ...

I liked how Wordle summed it up. ("Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text.")

What is prominent in the text of your life?

Artsy word compilation of my latest blog entries

Thanks to Wordle

Stroll through the Chateau de Khao Yai grounds

Infinity pool (with very nice soccer field below)

Tranquillity...

Chateau de Khao Yai

In the middle of nowhere Pak Chong, Thailand, lies this "little" Chateau... rooms in the Chateau itself go for 30,000 baht a night...dream on...

Saturday afternoon stroll..er...drive through the countryside

Places we didn't know existed...Toscana Valley...somewhere in Pak Chong, Thailand

What we were NOT driving...hehe...nevertheless, we the normally-carless were very grateful for the loaned car that made this drive possible :)

Silliness brought on by a sugar high...

This is what happens after eating sinful chocolate desserts... :) oh bliss...

Primo Posto...must go again soon!

Primo Posto...Pseudo-italian vineyard & restaurant

What was left of our glorious cakes and tea....amaaaazzzingly mouth watering, marvelous desserts...a sinful chocolate cake...and wonderful carrot cake...

Entrance to the restaurant, ice cream and coffee shop...

Dining al fresco...

Primo Posto Restaurant, on the way to Kao Yai....

Loy Kratong: Talent Show

Some people are very talented with straws...

Loy Kratong

Floating our kratongs on a peaceful Thai evening

The Miss Noppamart Contestants

Our ESL representative

The judges...

So, what is Loy Kratong?
Well, acccording to http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_loykratong.htm

"Date: On the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (usually in November)
Venue: Nationwide

Loy Kratong Highlight

On the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, the tide in the rivers is highest and the moon at its brightest, creating a romantic setting ideal for lovers. The Thai people choose this day to hold the 'Loy Kratong' festival, or the 'festival of light.' Loy Kratong is one of the two most recognized festivals in the country.

Loy Kratong is probably the most picturesque and beautiful of all Thai celebrations. 'Loy' literally means 'to float,' while 'kratong' refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water. Originally, the kratong was made of banana leaves or the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A kratong contains food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. The making of a kratong is much more creative these days as many more materials are available.

The Loy Kratong ritual is a simple one. One needs only to light the candles and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away with the current of a river or a canal.

On that day, thousands of people will gather beside the canals and rivers. With kratong in hands, they light the candle, put some coins in the kratong and silently make a wish, and carefully place their kratongs in the water and release them to the current.

They watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. Altogether it is considered a romantic night for couples or lovers. Couples who make a wish together on Loy Kratong are thought to stay together in the future."