This document is a New Year's message from a family reflecting on their experiences since moving to the U.S. in 2007, including achieving permanent residency and settling in Amherst. They share updates about their children's academic progress, the addition of a new puppy, and personal achievements such as a recent graduation and ongoing research. The message expresses gratitude for friendships and overall positive experiences throughout the year.

1. Happy Holidays and
Best Wishes
for the New Year 2010
Lisa,
Fiona,
Patchanee &
Jan

2. Hi
This is our second New
Year’s message since we
moved to the US on the
Christmas Day of 2007.
We are doing fine amidst
the economic crisis, we
are still busy settling
down in Amherst. We all
received our permanent
resident visa (the so-
called Green Card) early
this year. We have made
good American and
international friends. Our
girls are making progress
with their social and
academic lives. And so are
we.

3. Our ‘home’
Since we bought a colonial
style house on Valentine’s
Day 2008, we went through
the process of getting a
building permit to build
extensions (a vestibule, a
sun room and a screened
porch) because part of our
backyard is overlooking the
woods and a conservation
wetland.
The additions were finished in
January 2009 when we
returned from Thailand.
Landscaping and stonewalls
were finished in August,
when we were in Australia.

5. Griffin
Recently we welcomed a new member in
our family. Meet our Griffin, a wire-
haired terrier puppy we adopted from
a shelter in Arkansas in mid November.
He is a hyper dog. So he keeps us
active and alert.

7. Ja, watte!
Fiona celebrated
her sweet 16
anniversary this
year and is a
junior at
Amherst
Regional High
School. Our 13
year old Lisa is
in grade 8 at
Amherst Middle
School. They are
now taller than
Pat.

8. Lisa
This year I started the
8th grade at ARMS. I
have been doing
pretty well in
school. I have made
many new friends and
enjoy school more.
Apart from school, I
have been busy with
my new puppy,
Griffin. It is quite
frustrating because
he likes biting and
hurting me, but apart
from that, he’s a
great addition to our
family. 2009 has been
a good year, but I’m
ready for 2010!

9. Fiona
The highlights of this year for me were definitely
going back to Australia to see my good friends,
starting dance, having a German exchange student
stay with us, making many new friends, and
helping to teach German at the Middle School.
With only one more year of High School left to
go, I am focusing on excelling in my school work,
keeping busy and happy at the same time. I hope
that next year will be even better than this one!
In other words: 2009 was a blast! Too bad it’s
the last.

10. Patchanee
I graduated with a Ph.D. in Sociology
from the University of Queensland
in July 2008 but went back to
Australia to attend the graduation
ceremony in July 2009. I have
worked as a researcher at the
School of Public Health, UMass
Amherst since November, 2008.
For those who are interested in
what I do, please visit my
(academic) blog:
http://pmalikhao.wordpress.com

11. Patchanee
I am also working on a book. I
hope it to be ready in 2010.
I plan to go to Thailand to
undertake research in 2010.
I have many sincere and
compassionate friends in
Amherst and I am grateful.
I strive to live my life as a
good Buddhist and that
keeps me young :). I wish
you a healthy body, mind
and spirit for the New Year
2010.

12. Jan
I have been busy as usual.
Conferences, research, editing
two journals and two book
series on top of my own
publications, teaching, and
community engagement. I
became the Director of a new
SBS Center ‘Communication
for Social Change (CSSC)’,
joined the Board of Directors
of ORBICOM, the UNESCO
Network of Communication
Chairs, Amherst Community
TV (ACTV), and was
appointed Honorary Guest
Professor at Huazhong
University of Technology and
Science (HUST) in Wuhan,
China.
And, by the way, always look at
the bright side of life!
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo

14. Lisa, Fiona, Patchanee & Jan
freenet002@gmail.com
Find us on facebook!