Moving to Facebook!

Dearest friends and family! I haven't been able to keep up this site as I'd hoped, so I'm just going to push the easy button and move to Facebook. If we aren't already Facebook friends, I'm Ella Elizabeth Thompson in the app.

Here's a quick update for the last month. My daughter visited us here in central Vietnam for an amazing week. We had SO much fun! She and I had clothing made, did a ton of shopping, ate amazing food, and did a market tour and cooking class with Matt. She is such a fun traveler and I am so proud to be her mom. Big news for my son is that he knows what his job in the Marines will be now and he will be managing aircraft maintenance crews. He will go in April to Florida for a few weeks and then be sent to North Carolina. It was his 3rd choice and he's happy with it.

Big news for Matt and I is that we just decided to make central Vietnam 'home' for the next year or two and will be looking for a home to rent somewhere between Hoi An and An Bang Beach. We are going to Kampot, Cambodia the first week of May while we renew our Vietnam visas for another 3 months.

I've been helping my dearest friend, Jan, with getting a start-up off the ground (check out www.climatesolutionsintl.org) - it is literally the culmination of her life's work and it keeps me productive and feeling useful in my 'pre-tirement'. Matt and I are also now taking Vietnamese lessons, which have been super fun.

I love you all. I've never been happier in my life. Vietnam is just beautiful, the people are kind, centered, community oriented, and don't take themselves (or you!) too seriously. I love Matt with my whole heart and enjoy every moment I get to spend with him. I have my AA people and he has a lively music and open mic scene and are making friends and community here.

If you ever want to visit Hoi An, we will be getting a 2-3 bedroom place - so come stay and let us share the gorgeous area with you! There's nothing we would enjoy more. Many blessings and goodbye from this space. I hope to connect with you on Facebook!!