For Nathan's Friend, whoever you are :)

Well, we have made it through the "7 dangerous days of New Year", and we're all still here, safe and sound. Jaseefu has returned early, and joins us in our ad hoc class during break, which is now M-Th 10-12. The nights are just their normal somewhat noisy self, without most of the ordinance explosions, and the night sky is absent the lanterns.

Sorry to say (for those of you in N America), but the absolutely perfect weather continues day in and day out. Low 80's in daytime and low 60's at night. Dry. Full sun to a few clouds once in a while. If you only came in December/January, you would think this is the perfect place.

The flower on the right is outside the farm house near my room. It has absolutely no fragrance, and is not all that colorful.

This vine is on the wall outside the Legacy School. I ride past these flowers several times a day, and find them both unusual and beautiful. It seems that they do not actually "open up" - at least not yet, as you can see below.

A week or 2 ago, I mentioned to my wife that there was a quite powerful perfumy smell in my room several nights running. I attributed it to the vine that grows on the opposite side of the house with some gorgeous flowers on it- perhaps a breeze was blowing the smell over the roof to my side?

On Sunday, I had lunch in a restaurant a few miles north of here while I was on another bicycle jaunt checking out my surroundings. Before I left, the proprietor told me I needed to return at night...because (as he pointed out a particular plant to me) this flower has a powerful smell at night.

On came the light in my brain. That night, I went outside and, sure enough, the plant I showed above was in full open bloom, and it was the source of the powerful odor. It is somewhat like the invasive Asian dogwoods that we have in the States. Smells good, but it is so powerful that it is overwhelming and a bit unpleasant after a while.

I have much to tell. I will post some more about my Sunday adventure, and probably backdate it to Sunday, so look for it.

I promised you an update on Lal Lian's orphanage plans, and it really is coming up...soon.