Happy Birihday

They laughed when I made them wait to light the candles so I could get my phone and take a picture. Note the spelling of "birthday."

Yep, that's how the candles were packaged. No "t" in sight.

Another one for #asia.

Also note the icing-free cake. Best kind.

Hold your breath

Although driving over here is totally different than in the States, as crazy as it sounds, it now feels quite normal. Driving is often compared to a river and you just have to "go with the flow" (I really don't like cliches, but this one seems to fit). Although there are no "rules" there are plenty of unwritten rules, and because everyone knows the "code," it just works.

For example:

• If a highway has more than one lane the far left lane becomes a parking lane. So if you just avoid driving in that lane you'll be much less frustrated about having to go around people who "had the nerve" to park in the middle of the road. Because, to them, they actually didn't park in the road...

• If you see an open space, it's for the taking. If there's a slight gap (meaning you think your vehicle can fit, not that it actually will) then go for it. People will stop for you. In America we'd probably say that someone pulled out in front of us and call it rude. Not here. Over here we just call it letting people into the flow of the river. 

• Know the peek and creep. If you keep inching out bit by bit and stick the nose of your vehicle out far enough, eventually, someone will let you out onto the road. In America the peek and creep would get you, at the very least, some ugly stares. Not here. Over here we call it "showing boldness," and without that you'd never get anywhere. 

• Beware the bikers. Bikers are everywhere and they think they own the roads. It's annoying because most of them don't even look when they pull out in front of you. You just pass them soon as you can, which is possible even with a car coming from the opposite direction. Then, remind yourself that without the bikers we'd have more cars, which would make the river more crowded.

And lastly, you learn to "think thin." Or, you hold your breath in tight spaces and pray that somehow you get in, out, around or whatever the situation might be. 

This is probably my closest call yet and I don't think I'm ready to repeat!

Good job, Gracie