Why I am so Happy

Why I am so happy this morning I don’t know.   Perhaps it is because I woke up feeling great or may be it is because I did all I could yesterday.   Yesterday I went for another walk up the mountain with a backpack.   The walk really helped my legs.   After the walk I felt so good.   I felt that I walked lighter and faster.  It was amazing how this sort of thing works.    My weekend was filled with excitement, I drove all over the place starting since Friday night.  On Friday night I paid a visit to cousin Air’s.  She was preparing for a house’s tak baht (given of alms).  Her mom loves doing that at her house every now and then.  Tak Baht at the house is tum boon (build merit) by raising and giving money to the temple.  The monks were expected at her house Saturday morning.  I couldn’t possibly make it I got so many things I need to get done.  Dropping in giving money the night before was the right thing to do.   

At cousin Air’s, I felt at home.   They are the only relatives my mom has.  Air’s mom’s sister married to my uncle.  In America the two considered each other families.  So Air would then be my relative.  Her kids call me uncle.   I saw a few usual faces there.  They are her friends and her husband’s friends.  Air’s mom was making the money tree.  She sat next to it, waiting for people to come and donate.  I made my way to her and give my piece and received a blessing.  I always get a hard lecture everytime I see her.  It was more like an instruction to me.  But it was also a good luck wishes.  I took it to the heart and wish for them all to come true.  The men were outside hanging around the food table.  The meat was fresh from the farm.  I joined them for larb dip (beef salad) and sticky rice, B B Q and b sauce.  It was great eating with them again.  I took a shot of a whisky from Air’s husband as he handed over.  I had half a beer.   It was good seeing the tradition kept in such a manner.  Economy is bad.  People seem to keep a low profile.   Seeing people hosting such a gathering at home is a good sign.  A few people looked over and cast their judgement eyes.  I talked to a few I know.  I talked with Joy whom I know a long time but never hang out.  She was the one who got the beef for Air.  Ironic sometime, my people skip Kroger for mea.  She also make authentic Lao food to sell at the temple festival and what not.  I got the number so I will call to order cin savanh (sweet beef jerky) from her.  We’ll see.  Som pak cien (cien vegetable pickled) is always hard to find.   Joy practically can cook up anything your heart desire.

In the Lao community, you got to stay in and remain in.  If you stay out too long, you are out.  I felt that way that night.   Air and her friends have their little circle or group of friends that would always be there day and night, hot or cold.  No matter what the weather is, they are there for each other.  Those days are moving away fast.  The next generation do not operate that way.   It’s part of the degeneration I suppose.   I know this because it’s happening to my generation.  We bond very differently.  We mix and mingle very differently.   I know the old ways.  I can reconnect whenever I want.  I can go get those beef like Joy.  I can make that bitter b sauce.  Make that beef salad.  I can invite people over and host a good Laotian party.   I was lucky that I caught on to the Laotian tradition and custom.  If I was just a few years younger, I would have missed it all.   I love this dual culture stuff.  I enjoy the best of both world.   A few more years I might be lucky enough to get me that wife, that house so I can host a Laotian party, host  a tak baht at the house, and a baci ceremony when it’s due.  All this just like the way it has been carrying on for generations.