How ya goin'?
Things here are still going absolutely fantastic! We are up in Cairns now and I had the 1st day of my dive certification today. One more day in the pool and I'm off to dive the Great Barrier Reef... I've waited for this my entire trip and am so excited!

I know we've been bad about the blog lately....sorry. Steph goes home for good on May 24th so we've packed these last months full of adventures! The last weekend was spent in Melbourne partying it up for my bday! Was really strange to be away from my friends and family, but Steph made it a really special bday weekend! On top of some great girl time, we also went to a formal event at the races and the Collingwood vs. Carlton AFL game. The races are a huge deal in Melbourne... I've never seen anything like it. The footie game was really fun too because the teams are huge rivals. The game was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and was packed with screaming, chanting fans!

Before Melbourne we spent a couple of weeks in Thailand. We went back to check on the house we built and spend time with friends at the orphanage! I don't even think I can put it into words what it was like to be back. The welcome alone made us cry!!

Steph and I raised (including our contribution) over $10,000 to help Tsunami victims in Khao Lak. Not only were we able to buy land & build Bai, the most amazing woman, a house, but we were also able to sponsor 9 kids for 18 months each. We seriously can't thank all of you enough. I'm hoping to continue the fund raising when I get home so we can extend these kids' sponsorships and hopefully even sponsor more! We love that we were able to get to know each and every one and can go back to visit them any time we want!

Bai's house was almost complete when we arrived, but they ran out of money for tile, paint and a toilet. They were too ashamed or shy to ask us for the money so the woman who runs the orphanage (Ratjana) asked the foundation she works for if they would give her a loan and then deduct monthly from her paycheck! We couldn't believe it! They only needed less than $1000, but that would have taken Rotjana atleast 5 years to pay off. We slapped their hands (smile) and hired people to do the work. In just a few days they almost had it the house finished and Bai should be moving in by this weekend!

I just put up the pictures so you can see some of the kids and Bai's house! In front of the house you'll see Bai's family, Ratjana, us, and some of the kids!

Ok, better run! They are picking me up early to throw me in a pool and teach me to breathe under water :) Thank you thank you thank you again to all who donated! Miss, love and think of you so much.

xoxoxo,
Rach (and Steph of course!)