Job updates

Looks like our next job is going to be state-side.... Tuscaloosa, AL for a few weeks starting 10/16. Normally we hate being state-side (just doesn't pay as good and we like the job for its INTERNATIONAL travel). However it is football season so that helps, plus we have Shannon (friend/coworker) there so that is awesome. And finally its next to Atlanta where a few other friends are. So at least there are positives in this one. I know nothing about the area though... I bet get looking.

Here we go again.

So I pretty much got pregnant and then stopped this blog :( I know I suck. But now that London is older I think Its time to bring it back. So here we go again......

New Orleans

First assignment as a road-family is New Orleans. As many of you know this is my favorite city in the USA so IF we HAD to have a USA job I'm not horribly upset about it being here. Many of you are probably wondering if we drove or flew since we now have a newborn traveling with us. Well at 14 days old London had his first plane ride and he did wonderful. He nursed during take off and landing to prevent ear issues and he slept most the flight. I have to admit I was nervous I was going to be "that" lady on the plane with a baby, but no one even knew he was on the plane really. I got many nice comments. I have to admit the BEST traveling thing with a small child has to be my wrap---I don't know how moms do it trying to drag a stroller around with them. We only added about 5 min on to our normal process and thats wasn't london's fault it was ours.

A New Journey

Well my blogging skills have dropped in the last few months. But for a good reason. Troy and I just had our first child! London Jacob was born 8/2/09 at "home" (the residence inn) in a tub. He was 6 lbs 10oz and 19.5 inches long with bright red hair!!! It was a wonderful day and now a new journey in our lives starts. But don't worry we will still be traveling and I should pick up on my blogging now. One of his first pictures-- (about 30 min old here)

Back "home"

I am trying to catch up now, but since I know if I don't do it right away I will get even farther behind I'm going to start up again then just go back and fix the last 6 months. So keep your eyes out for the rest of Cambodia, some Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Hawaii, Philadelphia, Tulsa and here. :)

We got back to Des Plaines June 26th (at which time I was no longer allowed on the plane). We are staying here until me and future baby are ok'd to travel (about 2 weeks post birth we are told, assuming all goes well). So now we are just waiting on this little bug to make their appearance.

We also need to get the little bug's passport while here. And I need a new passport also--I haven't ever changed my last name to my married name, and we think its best to have me and baby have the same last name so not to cause issues with customs.

In the mean time we will enjoy our summer in Chicago-land.

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day #1/4

Tom (another roadie) and I grabbed a plane and headed from Bangkok to Siem Reap, Cambodia today. We got a flight for about $400 on Bangkok Airways--this was only a 1 hour flight but we got a full meal that was good! A nice change from the nickle and dimming on most American airlines. When we arrived they had a big welcoming party going on. We felt kind of special till we realized we had some government officials on board the flight and it was for them. Apparently the Prime Minister is in town for something so there is tons of extra security all over.
We got a tourist visa at the airport ($20, and yes everyone uses USD here!). We stood in one line to give them our papers for the visa (got on the plane), and my picture (need a passport size photo). If you don't have a photo (like tom LOL) you can pay an extra $2 to have them copy your passport's photo and use that. We waited about 20 min to hand it in and get it back. While waiting I notice this is a really nice airport-it reminded me of the one in Honolulu Hawaii. It a indoor/outdoor one with beautiful gardens all around it, and this one the building was in traditional Cambodian style (I'll try to remember a picture on the way out!).
We are staying at the Tara Ankor Hotel, which we had pre-arranged airport pickup (which I love). The hotel is very nice-got everything we need/want.
Once we got all checked in we took a nap and planned our trip out some.
Then we headed to the Angkor National Museum. Its open from 9AM-8PM and is $12 per ticket. It was nice to learn some history about the country, hopefully we will not be as lost when it comes to the temples. It made us more excited to go also! It took about 2hrs total to walk through, and we read about everything, and watched all the little quick movies they have. I would say go see it if you have sometime before you see the temples.



Then we grabbed a moto and had it take us to the Pub Street. This is where many restaurants are and is next to the Night Market. We ate at Khmer Family Restaurant. Got some fried egg rolls, Khmer style soup, a honey baked duck (GREAT!), wide white noodle chicken dish and some sticky rice for dessert. ALL of this food plus drinks for $21.75!!! It was a great meal, and wonderful people watching location.

After dinner we headed down to the Angkor Night Market (free to walk around). This was a really nice one. Usually people are pushy salesmen and the area are just sticks and tarps put together to form a market. Here is a was an actual structure and the people wouldn't push you much, there was one lady but that was it. I shop so much better in this environment! LOL I got a new bag and a shirt. (pictures latter of them). Also we found a place down there that has Dr. Fish Pedicures, I have been wanting to try one of these since I heard about them. We didn't do it tonight but we ARE going to do it before we leave!!! I will make sure to get video of it!