February, 25,1989
Chiangmai, Thailand

Dear Mom,

It was sad to see you and Dad leaving to go back to America, but I'm glad that you could have a chance to see some of Thailand. Dao and I walked back from the airport, stopped off for some dinner, and returned to an empty house. We were both feeling depressed that you were suddenly gone, so we feel asleep at 11 PM.

Today I returned to the jacket shop and custom ordered five hilltribe jackets by choosing the color of the handmade embroidery. They will take 5-10 days to make up, and I may even order five more because I'm feeling lucky! She has one more buyer from Japan, so I have an idea on which things are popular. I'm getting excited and feel confident that I may be able to make some good extra money. I'm still interested in getting a school of the ground in California. I think it's a good idea, and I can organize things both in Japan and California. The excitement is finally coming back to me ... thanks to both you and Dad!

February 27, 1989

Yesterday Dao and I motorcycled back to that Hmong village that we visited on the way to Changrai. I talked to the man who lives in Long Beach, and apparently the embroidery on the jackets is being done in a Hmong refugee camp in Thailand. One jacket takes one person one month the embroider! He will visit the camp on March 1st, and will try to arrange to have people embroider jackets for me. Now I can make the jackets myself! It's not going to be easy to arrange, but it would be great. I feel these jackets will be collector items someday and will increase in value because younger people will not be doing this kind of work in the future.

I'm trying to get a confirmation to fly United to Tokyo on March 8 for a ten day trip. I've got lots of work to do. Today I designed business cards (a must for Japan), which will be ready on Monday. There is a logo of the moon, sun, and the stars, and, and it reads:

Sperling International
Original Chiangmai Designs

The coffee maker and toaster work well. Thanks! The toaster is not broken. The bread first it pops up halfway, and a minute later it completely pops up, making perfect toast! I ate all of the trail mix and cookies, and half of the beef jerkey. The tuna is next!

I'm now reading Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises." Good book.

Write.

Love,

David