has been pretty good. I did have to go in on Saturday morning for parent/teacher meetings, and of course, the students who need to be talked about the most, their parents didn't show up. Anyway.... I was finished before noon and Golf met me and we walked to our usual market place for weekend lunches.
We came home after that and watched some episodes of Millinium, the serial that Chris Carter of X-Files fame had created. Golf bought the first season and we've really been enjoying it, but it has caused me to have some extremely weird dreams -- if you've read my pregnancy journal, you can get one example of the many different ways my brain is going haywire with these wacko hormones coursing through the body!
Then I had a dental appointment at 4:30, just a standard cleaning. I need to get some wisdom teeth pulled after the baby is born. They've been needing it for years, but I've been too chicken. I must do it before we return to the States because dental care here is fine, and it's a fraction of the cost. Fortunately it's just my two bottom teeth, my upper teeth are OK.
Right after the dental appointment, which took all of half an hour, we went to the nearby mall that has the fabric store. The dresses I had made for work are good through my sixth month, the tailor said, and he was right. They're getting tight around my belly now, so we went back to the fabric store and got some more to put a triangular panel in the skirt part to widen it and accomodate my growth. I hope it doesn't look too silly, but I almost don't care. I've felt so whumpy and unattractive with all the extra weight, and my hair is too dark and funny looking. My arms look like toothpicks stuck into a large apple. My dear sweet husband constantly reassures me that I look beautiful to him, but alas, I think this is something that every preggo woman goes through. Your body changes so much!!!
So after we bought fabric we went to dinner at BBQ Plaza which is a place where you get a large platter of raw frozen meats and fresh vegetables (mostly shredded cabbage) and you have your own personal hot plate with a surrounding trench for soup. It heats up and you grill your own meats and they pour this chicken broth in the trench and you add the veggies. It's fun! I hope to take Mother there if she comes before the baby is born. AND if she can use chopsticks, although I'm sure they'd give her a fork if she were unable.
Then we went to see a movie Golf's been wanting to see called Kung Fu Hussle. It's out of China and it's a comedy set back in 1930s Shanghai. It was dubbed in Thai with English subtitles and Golf got to enjoy it much more because there were many more things said in Thai than there were written in English. It was funny enough and I'm happy my husband got to see a show he's wanted to see for nearly a month now.
Today we're going to meet an online friend of Golf's -- she's an American from New York, and she's also a teacher here in BKK. I've seen her posts on the forum Golf and I frequent and she's very articulate, so I'm looking forward to meeting her. We're gonna go to Sizzler for salad! Woo hoo!
After that, it's bakery time, and hopefully they'll have my favorite breads in stock. They didn't last week. Then it's time to come home. I hope to get a power walk in today, because I didn't exercise Friday or yesterday due to social obligations or work obligations.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
My Valentine!
Yesterday after work as my husband was walking me home, he said he felt so bad that he didn't have anything for me for Valentine's Day. I said don't worry! We had a great time on Sunday and I've never been one to make a huge deal about little gifties. Well as soon as we walked in the door, I saw a huge bouquet of red roses, carnations and baby's breath, beautifully arranged! My sneaky husband! What a guy! I love you tii rak!
Monday, February 14, 2005
Got Baby Stuff!!
I got a new book yesterday at the English bookstore. It was a total impulse buy, but I thought it would be so beneficial. It's called Baby Play, by the people who do Gymboree in the States. I know I'm supposed to stimulate baby, but HOW besides playing peek-a-boo, rocking and silly faces?
The Big C idea worked out well yesterday. This store is huge and there were quite a few bedding options and we found the cradle we were after for about $20! We have to find a better mattress for it, and some sheets, but at least my child won't have to sleep in a box! We also bought some more little hooded blankets, some soft towels to dry him off, a rubber sheet to protect the mattress, and some grooming supplies. I felt great to finally get something for our baby!
The Big C idea worked out well yesterday. This store is huge and there were quite a few bedding options and we found the cradle we were after for about $20! We have to find a better mattress for it, and some sheets, but at least my child won't have to sleep in a box! We also bought some more little hooded blankets, some soft towels to dry him off, a rubber sheet to protect the mattress, and some grooming supplies. I felt great to finally get something for our baby!
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Celebrating V-Day with my DH
Golf and I plan to celebrate Valentine's Day today, since the real day is on Monday. One year ago he proposed to me at Saxophone Jazz Club -- who would have thought that a year later I'd be six and a half months pregnant with our first child!
We plan to go to our usual favorite mall and go to our favorite Thai restaurant there and it's the same one we took Anna and Jimmy to when they came. Then we'll go to Swenson's ice cream parlor for a big, fattening, yummy sundae. At first I just wanted some chocolates, but hey, why not chocolate ice cream? Then my wonderful husband can share with me!
He's still in bed at the moment, but I got another idea too. There is this Big C store across the street and at another Big C, (it's like Target or Walmart) Golf saw a decent baby cradle for not very much money. So I'd like to check out this one to see if they also have the cradle. I have not yet bought one thing for my baby and in about 2 1/2 weeks, I will be 7 months along. I think it's time. Last time when I planned to shop for baby and saw they had no bassinets in this country, I was so upset that I lost all heart for shopping. I hope today will be different. OH! I updated my pregnancy journal this morning too. :)
We plan to go to our usual favorite mall and go to our favorite Thai restaurant there and it's the same one we took Anna and Jimmy to when they came. Then we'll go to Swenson's ice cream parlor for a big, fattening, yummy sundae. At first I just wanted some chocolates, but hey, why not chocolate ice cream? Then my wonderful husband can share with me!
He's still in bed at the moment, but I got another idea too. There is this Big C store across the street and at another Big C, (it's like Target or Walmart) Golf saw a decent baby cradle for not very much money. So I'd like to check out this one to see if they also have the cradle. I have not yet bought one thing for my baby and in about 2 1/2 weeks, I will be 7 months along. I think it's time. Last time when I planned to shop for baby and saw they had no bassinets in this country, I was so upset that I lost all heart for shopping. I hope today will be different. OH! I updated my pregnancy journal this morning too. :)
Motivation
After the incident last Monday, (read the Thai Election entry, about half way down) all of us foreign teachers did go to this Saturday function. If our boss only told us a couple weeks in advance exactly what was going on and could we please help out, none of us would have had a problem with it. The bottom line is that the Thais do not communicate effectively with us. We thought we were going to promote his school simply by showing our farang faces, which insults us. At this meeting he called, he explained everything in a more clear matter. OK, so we'll go, and we did and it wasn't so bad. The kids were real cute, but if we walked out amongst the parents, all we got was stared at, so we hid in the teacher's room until the children arrived to the classes. This whole promotion art contest the director sponsored drew less than half the children he expected.
So this brings me to my next question to contemplate, which I did with my fellow teachers. In the US, private companies give incentives to work hard: promotions, raises, bonuses, comissions. If you work for a government enterprise, you know you aren't going to get rich, but you will trade that with more stability in your job and get good benefits. Teachers in the US resign themselves to the fact that they will never get high pay and they do what they do because they love it. And they are teachers only -- they are not expected to be sales people.
Here in Thailand, it's a hybrid. We have private schools which are, bottom line, businesses out to make a profit. The teachers still make a very low salary. The teachers are expected to do much more than just teach the kids. They are to do promotional advertising for the school and kiss ass to any potential 'customer' who might walk through. And for what? What is their motiviation? They don't get higher pay or a bonus for every new student signed up with the school! Basically they work their fingers to the bone to make the boss rich. This mentality I do not understand at all. In America we all ask, "What's in it for me?" Here, they seem to do it "For the spirit of the workplace." When these two perspectives meet, it clashes and is sometimes ugly, like it was for us. We farangs didn't get anything out of this promotional event held on our weekend. But we came in and did our minimal duty and went home.
So this brings me to my next question to contemplate, which I did with my fellow teachers. In the US, private companies give incentives to work hard: promotions, raises, bonuses, comissions. If you work for a government enterprise, you know you aren't going to get rich, but you will trade that with more stability in your job and get good benefits. Teachers in the US resign themselves to the fact that they will never get high pay and they do what they do because they love it. And they are teachers only -- they are not expected to be sales people.
Here in Thailand, it's a hybrid. We have private schools which are, bottom line, businesses out to make a profit. The teachers still make a very low salary. The teachers are expected to do much more than just teach the kids. They are to do promotional advertising for the school and kiss ass to any potential 'customer' who might walk through. And for what? What is their motiviation? They don't get higher pay or a bonus for every new student signed up with the school! Basically they work their fingers to the bone to make the boss rich. This mentality I do not understand at all. In America we all ask, "What's in it for me?" Here, they seem to do it "For the spirit of the workplace." When these two perspectives meet, it clashes and is sometimes ugly, like it was for us. We farangs didn't get anything out of this promotional event held on our weekend. But we came in and did our minimal duty and went home.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Close-up of First Offering
Just about all food offerings contain the same items. There are 5 small cups of whisky, which we fill partially before prayer. After the incense is lit and we've prayed, we fill the cups two more times. There are also two cups of tea, three different types of fruit (oranges must be there). Various deserts and cakes, peanut candies, such as that you see right next next to the cakes. There is also pork for well being, a whole fish, and a whole steamed chicken.
The First Offering
The first offerings are intended for the Gods of the Earth and the Sky. We bless all offerings with well wishes for the New Year and tell what the food and drink items are that we are giving.
House Spirit Offerings
Our second occasion for prayers is for the spirits of the house. The same sorts of food are offered.
Afterlife Necessities
These items are all made out of paper to burn. The silver tray contains items for Golf's father, and the items on the red tray are for his mother. Look at all the different sorts of things people need in the afterlife: Cell phones, jewelry and makeup! :)
Offerings to Golf's Father
Golf's father has not been passed away from us for three years yet, so until three years have passed, the family must honor him seperately from the rest of the family ancestors, whose offerings are next.
Close up of Golf's Father
Golf looks so much like his father that I thought I'd add this photo of a close up of his picture.
Ancestor Offering
The last prayers go to all the ancestors of the family going back several generations. All the same sorts of foods are offered. The beautiful lady right behind the left candle is Golf's mother.
Burning the paper afterlife necessities
At the very end of the ceremonies, all the paper necessities, such as you saw earlier, plus 'gold bars' 'money' 'clothes' and 'shoes' , even catalogues of household items are burned to go directly to the family ancestors to use.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
It's Chinese New Year!
Today is special for two reasons: One, it's my Mother's birthday -- Happy Birthday Mommy!!! and two, it's Chinese New Year. My school gave us the day off, and I went with Golf to pray to his ancestors, the Gods and his immediate family. He took some photos of the ceremonies and tomorrow morning I will upload them and explain what's going on.
Today I also had a little surprise from an online friend whom I've known for almost 5 years now. She mailed me a little gift for our baby. It's a swaddling blanket, but not just any blanket. Turns out it's a blanket I ordered for her from her baby registry when she finally got pregnant with her first child. She's since had another baby, and this blankey has the love of two babies wrapped up inside that she sent to me for my baby. I thought that was just so special. Thank you very much, Darshani! :) :)
Today I also had a little surprise from an online friend whom I've known for almost 5 years now. She mailed me a little gift for our baby. It's a swaddling blanket, but not just any blanket. Turns out it's a blanket I ordered for her from her baby registry when she finally got pregnant with her first child. She's since had another baby, and this blankey has the love of two babies wrapped up inside that she sent to me for my baby. I thought that was just so special. Thank you very much, Darshani! :) :)
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Thai Election Day
Today Thailand votes for a new PM and other various political positions. It's like a circus! Thailand has their election day on a Sunday between 8 AM and 3 PM and the night before, no alcohol is allowed to be served or sold at restaurants and grocery stores. So it was rather quiet last night. Kind of a good idea to have, since Thailand has the highest alcoholic rate in all of Asia.
Right now, as I'm writing, Golf is still asleep. I don't know if he's decided to vote today or not. He says all of the candidates are awful and that no real democracy exists after you've put your ballot in the box. In other words, once someone is elected, they care little for their constituants. So he's not exactly excited about making the trip all the way back to Saphan Kwai to vote.
If he doesn't vote, either way we plan to go to a Wal-Mart equivalent store to take a look at baby things and maybe even buy something. I want to see how much bassinettes cost and maybe get a few other things to get us started. I have not yet bought ONE thing for our little bundle of joy, and now that I've started my sixth month of pregnancy, I think it's not too early. I'm excited!
Other than that, we will stay at home because I have to finish two more final exams. I nearly finished two yesterday and they are all due on Monday, so even if I don't completely finish, I still have all day on Monday to get it done.
And Monday will certainly be interesting because on Friday afternoon, just before quitting time, all us foreign teachers (with the exception of 3 -- one of whom was sick but would have joined us) went in and told admin that we were not going to go to this Saturday function (on the 12th) of babysitting 200 little kindergarteners. See, two weeks ago we were told of this event used to promote G1 to kindergartners (or I should say, their parents) and it's this art contest. Admin said not to worry, we didn't have to come. Well last week they changed their mind and said we did have to come. First of all, the parents don't talk to us foreign teachers. They just want to see white faces there at the school, like a stage prop. So our job would be to stand around and be bored, then entertain these little tiny kids who are petrified of our big white selves as it is because we don't speak Thai either! It's utter bull crap. It's insulting that they want us there as stage props. All of us have better things to do than show up for three hours on our Saturday for no other purpose. So I proposed the idea to admin that if parents want proof of foreign staff, then show them this promotional video the school had made for TV spots. It has plenty of footage of various foreign teachers in action, including the G1 teacher. Plus we have two issues of our English language newsletter which interviews several other foreign teachers. So we not only complained, but gave solutions to the problem that we thought were reasonable.
And some of us foreign teachers who are already teaching an extra EFL class would have to work additional hours because the hours, from 9-12 are the same hours they teach and there are no extra classrooms. The weekend after that (19th) is parent-teacher meetings, on a Saturday too. So that's two Saturdays in a row that are axed. We're not happy, and the EFL teachers are even less happy. I'll be curious to see what happens. For those teachers who teach extra on Saturdays, it could mean a possible 14 day work period of no break and they are refusing. How about offering a refund to the parents who paid for the EFL classes for those two Saturdays? No, the school is too greedy for the money. And those teachers already felt like they were doing the school a favor by volunteering to teach (they get paid, but they don't like going in on Satrudays! Who does?!?) Anyway, with all of us refusing at once, we shall see what happens. Is the boss going to fire all of us? How would that look to the parents already there? To be continued on Monday....
Right now, as I'm writing, Golf is still asleep. I don't know if he's decided to vote today or not. He says all of the candidates are awful and that no real democracy exists after you've put your ballot in the box. In other words, once someone is elected, they care little for their constituants. So he's not exactly excited about making the trip all the way back to Saphan Kwai to vote.
If he doesn't vote, either way we plan to go to a Wal-Mart equivalent store to take a look at baby things and maybe even buy something. I want to see how much bassinettes cost and maybe get a few other things to get us started. I have not yet bought ONE thing for our little bundle of joy, and now that I've started my sixth month of pregnancy, I think it's not too early. I'm excited!
Other than that, we will stay at home because I have to finish two more final exams. I nearly finished two yesterday and they are all due on Monday, so even if I don't completely finish, I still have all day on Monday to get it done.
And Monday will certainly be interesting because on Friday afternoon, just before quitting time, all us foreign teachers (with the exception of 3 -- one of whom was sick but would have joined us) went in and told admin that we were not going to go to this Saturday function (on the 12th) of babysitting 200 little kindergarteners. See, two weeks ago we were told of this event used to promote G1 to kindergartners (or I should say, their parents) and it's this art contest. Admin said not to worry, we didn't have to come. Well last week they changed their mind and said we did have to come. First of all, the parents don't talk to us foreign teachers. They just want to see white faces there at the school, like a stage prop. So our job would be to stand around and be bored, then entertain these little tiny kids who are petrified of our big white selves as it is because we don't speak Thai either! It's utter bull crap. It's insulting that they want us there as stage props. All of us have better things to do than show up for three hours on our Saturday for no other purpose. So I proposed the idea to admin that if parents want proof of foreign staff, then show them this promotional video the school had made for TV spots. It has plenty of footage of various foreign teachers in action, including the G1 teacher. Plus we have two issues of our English language newsletter which interviews several other foreign teachers. So we not only complained, but gave solutions to the problem that we thought were reasonable.
And some of us foreign teachers who are already teaching an extra EFL class would have to work additional hours because the hours, from 9-12 are the same hours they teach and there are no extra classrooms. The weekend after that (19th) is parent-teacher meetings, on a Saturday too. So that's two Saturdays in a row that are axed. We're not happy, and the EFL teachers are even less happy. I'll be curious to see what happens. For those teachers who teach extra on Saturdays, it could mean a possible 14 day work period of no break and they are refusing. How about offering a refund to the parents who paid for the EFL classes for those two Saturdays? No, the school is too greedy for the money. And those teachers already felt like they were doing the school a favor by volunteering to teach (they get paid, but they don't like going in on Satrudays! Who does?!?) Anyway, with all of us refusing at once, we shall see what happens. Is the boss going to fire all of us? How would that look to the parents already there? To be continued on Monday....
Friday, February 04, 2005
We're back online!
So our problem that we had with our phone line was exactly what I thought it was: bad wiring that just needed to be tinkered with. Was it the responsibility of the building or the responsibility of the phone company? Well, Golf was the go-between for the two and he got it figured out and had the appropriate technician look at the problem and it was a real easy fix. We'd just been 'suffering' for about a month! But now Golf can get back to his work and I can enjoy my leisurely weekend mornings with internet and a cup of coffee. I'm in a better mood now!
I was thinking about our location for when we move back and I've been looking on Craigslist almost every day for areas around Lake Merritt in Oakland. Well, I took a peek at Alameda too and wow, they have apartments that cost just as much but are much bigger and they're right near the beach and also good shopping so I don't have to drive to get groceries at Trader Joe's or Safeway. So that's another option, better, even than Lake Merritt because of the bigger space. I also mentioned to Golf that if we live in an apartment complex I could offer to be a part time manager if it would knock off some rent a couple hundred bucks a month. Real easy work. I saw a two bedroom apartment in Piedmont go for $800 per month if the tenant could do PT managerial work. That would be awesome.
I'm so glad it's FRIDAY!!! It's also my easy day, only two classes, but I have to make final exams and it's certain I will need to take some of this home with me, because I also have yet to do lesson plans.
I was thinking about our location for when we move back and I've been looking on Craigslist almost every day for areas around Lake Merritt in Oakland. Well, I took a peek at Alameda too and wow, they have apartments that cost just as much but are much bigger and they're right near the beach and also good shopping so I don't have to drive to get groceries at Trader Joe's or Safeway. So that's another option, better, even than Lake Merritt because of the bigger space. I also mentioned to Golf that if we live in an apartment complex I could offer to be a part time manager if it would knock off some rent a couple hundred bucks a month. Real easy work. I saw a two bedroom apartment in Piedmont go for $800 per month if the tenant could do PT managerial work. That would be awesome.
I'm so glad it's FRIDAY!!! It's also my easy day, only two classes, but I have to make final exams and it's certain I will need to take some of this home with me, because I also have yet to do lesson plans.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Doctor visit
Yesterday's monthly checkup went just fine! You can read about it in my pregnancy journal. I also have a new picture in the photo gallery.
Today the students are celebrating Chinese New Year with activities at school this morning. We have Tuesday and Wednesday off next week because the director of our school is of Chinese heritage. My former school didn't give us days off. The reason the students are celebrating today instead of Monday the 7th is because their Chinese teacher comes in on Thursdays. It was so cute, all of us (students and teachers) dressed up in red and most of my students have on traditional Chinese dresses on and they look so adorable!
So next week, Golf's family has some things planned for Tuesday the 8th. I didn't participate with him last year because at that point we were just dating. Now I get to be a part of every family function and it's very nice to be included.
Today the students are celebrating Chinese New Year with activities at school this morning. We have Tuesday and Wednesday off next week because the director of our school is of Chinese heritage. My former school didn't give us days off. The reason the students are celebrating today instead of Monday the 7th is because their Chinese teacher comes in on Thursdays. It was so cute, all of us (students and teachers) dressed up in red and most of my students have on traditional Chinese dresses on and they look so adorable!
So next week, Golf's family has some things planned for Tuesday the 8th. I didn't participate with him last year because at that point we were just dating. Now I get to be a part of every family function and it's very nice to be included.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Petty gossip
Yesterday I was confronted by a colleague who heard I made some comments about the behavior of her child. Yes, I made some comments to some other teachers, and it's perfectly fine that another person has different standards of behavior that are acceptable than I would have for my own. I f***ing HATE gossip, because the person or people who I was talking to about this one incident twisted it in their own perception and decided it was in the best interest of my other colleague to tell her all about it. To what end? Did it make my colleague feel good about the way she raises her child? No. It's the exact opposite. So when she confronted me yesterday I had to explain myself to her.
I'm not angry with her in the least, but I am angry with the person who decided to tell her what I said. I don't know who that person is, nor do I want to know, because it would do no good for me to confront that person too! I'm being overly sensitive, but I hate situations like this just the same. Some person out there gossiped just to make trouble for two co-workers and that's what I find disturbing. And yes, I gossiped too, so you could say that I'm getting what I deserve.
So I'm finding I don't want to confide in anybody but my own husband, and I haven't even said anything about this to him yet. I want to let it go because it really is not a big deal, which is why I haven't said anything. But I do need to get my frustrations off my chest, and writing about it in my blog has helped. OK. It's done. I feel better now.
I'm not angry with her in the least, but I am angry with the person who decided to tell her what I said. I don't know who that person is, nor do I want to know, because it would do no good for me to confront that person too! I'm being overly sensitive, but I hate situations like this just the same. Some person out there gossiped just to make trouble for two co-workers and that's what I find disturbing. And yes, I gossiped too, so you could say that I'm getting what I deserve.
So I'm finding I don't want to confide in anybody but my own husband, and I haven't even said anything about this to him yet. I want to let it go because it really is not a big deal, which is why I haven't said anything. But I do need to get my frustrations off my chest, and writing about it in my blog has helped. OK. It's done. I feel better now.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Sunday Brunch on Monday
Today, Sunday Brunch is all about BOOKS
"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." -Mark Twain
1) Do you use bookmarks? Yes.
2) What is your favorite book? The Journeyer, by Gary Jennings
3) Who is your favorite author? J.K. Rowling, I think, because of her fantastic imagination. I would buy any book written by her or by Gary Jennings.
4) What is the movie you feel is the most authentic version of a book? The Harry Potter series.
5) Is there a book you wish they would make into a movie and why? Any of Gary Jennings' books. I really liked Raptor or Aztec as well. Historical fiction is always interesting.
"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." -Mark Twain
1) Do you use bookmarks? Yes.
2) What is your favorite book? The Journeyer, by Gary Jennings
3) Who is your favorite author? J.K. Rowling, I think, because of her fantastic imagination. I would buy any book written by her or by Gary Jennings.
4) What is the movie you feel is the most authentic version of a book? The Harry Potter series.
5) Is there a book you wish they would make into a movie and why? Any of Gary Jennings' books. I really liked Raptor or Aztec as well. Historical fiction is always interesting.
My weekend...
...was really relaxing and not much happened. I did, however, got my hair cut and colored yesterday. The cut is fine. The hair color is not. I've been to this salon before and the mistake is totally my fault. I wanted the same light brown color as I got last time. And I chose the color; I pointed to the swatch of hair but said the wrong number. I didn't realize that the number corresponding to the hair color was above, not below each sample, so I got the next darker shade and my hair is practically black. UGH! I look like a witch. I'll let my hair rest for a couple weeks, then I will go back to get the color I wanted. At least it didn't break the bank. The cost of a cut, color, manicure and pedicure all together was less than $35 US. Not bad.
I'm glad today is my slow day. My schedule is such that Mondays and Fridays I have only two classes to teach. However, final exams are due this Friday, so it's not like I'll be lounging around this week!
I'm glad today is my slow day. My schedule is such that Mondays and Fridays I have only two classes to teach. However, final exams are due this Friday, so it's not like I'll be lounging around this week!
Friday, January 28, 2005
Sports Day
Today is Sports Day at our school. Thais make a HUGE deal about it and the teachers look like they are having just as much fun as the students. Most of us foreign teachers don't get it. I certainly don't. It's going to be an all day thing at the fitness center next door to us. The Thai staff wanted us to teach the students some English cheers, which we did, and do the students use them now? No. EVERYTHING is in Thai and that's why it's really boring to us. Eh, nevermind. I plan to sneak out early and work on my final exams, due in one week. They won't miss me, they're having too much fun. A few of the other foreign teachers will likely do the same thing. After enduring the endless noise of constant cheering, tambourine and drum beating, we could use the respite of some quietude AND it's hot as hell too. I plan to meet my husband for some lunch at a nearby cafe. Wish me luck to get away with it! LOL!
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Rehearsals, rehearsals
On Friday, our school has what's called Sports Day, and it's an all day Olympic type event where the entire school participates. The school is divided into a white team and a blue team. Well, since Thais put a very important emphasis on presentation, the entire school is having a rehearsal of the whole thing today AND tomorrow. I get to miss out on teaching Math today because of it. LOL! And they rehearse the cheering about 10 or 15 minutes into first period every day. Oh, things are so different here. :)
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Everything's going great
Yesterday, Golf's neice came by the apartment and gave us a whole bunch of baby stuff, mostly cute little boy clothes! We are so excited, that is just awesome. We won't really need to buy any onsies, and certainly no booties or little hand covers that makes them look like little paddles! LOL! So thank you, May! :)
We also went to the lawyer yesterday to start signing all the paperwork. Whew are we glad to have him do this stuff for us. We finished in an hour and came straight home. It was different going into town this time. I had on my maternity dress that I had made and it's more muu-muu style but certainly not hideous. This time, people let me have a seat on the Skytrain. Before, when I was in pants and a tunic-type shirt, nobody offered a seat and I thought that Thai people were just incredibly rude. I guess they just look at your clothes. If you're wearing a muu-muu, then you are obviously pregnant. If you dress with any sense of style, then you're just fat. It gave me hope anyway, that Bangkok people aren't ALL ignorant, rude asses. We always take only the Skytrain and taxi. No more busses for us.
We also went to the lawyer yesterday to start signing all the paperwork. Whew are we glad to have him do this stuff for us. We finished in an hour and came straight home. It was different going into town this time. I had on my maternity dress that I had made and it's more muu-muu style but certainly not hideous. This time, people let me have a seat on the Skytrain. Before, when I was in pants and a tunic-type shirt, nobody offered a seat and I thought that Thai people were just incredibly rude. I guess they just look at your clothes. If you're wearing a muu-muu, then you are obviously pregnant. If you dress with any sense of style, then you're just fat. It gave me hope anyway, that Bangkok people aren't ALL ignorant, rude asses. We always take only the Skytrain and taxi. No more busses for us.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Sitting in a noisy place full of little boys
Yep, that's where I am on my Sunday morning. Golf and I are so frustrated. Our phone line is so awful now, we can barely use our land line to even make local calls, much less use the internet from home. The static and crackling make it very difficult to hear. So we checked two internet cafes this morning, and both were closed. This last one caters to little boys that do online gaming, so this place is extremely noisy and caotic with teenagers and younger kids shouting at each other, loud music and the sounds of video games blasting. UGH. Right after this we plan to go talk to the landlord who told us LAST WEEK that he'd call a technician about the phone line. Again, thank goodness for my internet at work, but my poor husband! What's he to do? We look forward to getting reliable service once we move back to California.
The rest of my weekend should be good. Yesterday we went to see Meet the Fockers and it was a very amusing movie. I bought my bread and some Mexican food and other western food at the big grocery store. For lunch today we plan to go to this market we always enjoy where I get either a chicken or pork pot pie. Since the bird flu is coming back, I will probably opt for the pork one. I'm so tired of eating so much pig. They eat alot of pigs in Asia. I can't wait to cook more vegetarian food when I move back home. Oh, I also regularly have shrimp Vietnamese fresh spring rolls with my pot pie. I love variety! LOL!
We meet with our lawyer tomorrow afternoon to sign a bunch of papers and get this immigration process rolling.
The rest of my weekend should be good. Yesterday we went to see Meet the Fockers and it was a very amusing movie. I bought my bread and some Mexican food and other western food at the big grocery store. For lunch today we plan to go to this market we always enjoy where I get either a chicken or pork pot pie. Since the bird flu is coming back, I will probably opt for the pork one. I'm so tired of eating so much pig. They eat alot of pigs in Asia. I can't wait to cook more vegetarian food when I move back home. Oh, I also regularly have shrimp Vietnamese fresh spring rolls with my pot pie. I love variety! LOL!
We meet with our lawyer tomorrow afternoon to sign a bunch of papers and get this immigration process rolling.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Saw the lawyer yesterday
We're finally in the immigration process! We met with our American immigration lawyer and he gave us lots more information and made us feel like we were making a very smart choice in not doing this ourselves. Factors kept popping up that we had both not even considered. The best news is that the worse case scenario for getting Golf's visa isn't too bad. In the worse case, we'd be back to the States by September, one month earlier than our first idea of coming back by October. So I'm pretty happy about that. Best case scenario is that we will be able to come at the beginning of August or even late July. The only complicated thing involves working out something with my parents, and they're on the road, enjoying their retirement somewhere in Arizona at the moment. I'll give them a call tomorrow. Wish me luck!
So now today my poor husband is going to the dentist for the first in a series of fillings. At least he's getting it done now. I plan to get a cleaning soon too, and at some point before we move back home and after the baby's born, I need to get some fillings and possibly get some wisdom teeth pulled. This is the place to do it. It's very inexpensive in comparison to the States but the quality of work is the same.
So now today my poor husband is going to the dentist for the first in a series of fillings. At least he's getting it done now. I plan to get a cleaning soon too, and at some point before we move back home and after the baby's born, I need to get some fillings and possibly get some wisdom teeth pulled. This is the place to do it. It's very inexpensive in comparison to the States but the quality of work is the same.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Got the baby registry up
I think we've got our baby registry just about completed. I have it listed on my pregnancy site. I will likely add more items as time goes on. What I will need for sure is a mattress for the crib, which BabiesRUs has a lousy selection. But Target has a good one here. So what I think I will do is make up a baby registry for Target and add it as a link to my pregnancy site as well, so the BabiesRUs will be the main Baby Registry link and the Target registry will be under my favorite links. OK? Some of the items in the registry at BabiesRUs are showing as sold out, but I think that is online only. Print out the list and bring it with you to the store, or wait a couple months down the line. When I chose these items over the weekend, they were available, so they should be restocked again. I talked to Mom and Dad over the weekend and they are going to take care of getting us the car seat. Hooray!
Monday Madness
Time for Monday Madness!
Name your favorite...
1. Family Game Pictionary
2. Piece of Jewelry wedding ring
3. Winter Activity making a snowman if I'm in the snow. Or curling up with a blanket, a cat and a cup of cocoa.
4. Hot Beverage coffee
5. Quote "If my life is for rent, and I don't learn to buy, Then I deserve nothing more than I get, cause nothing I have is truly mine." -- Dido (weird that I would choose a song from Dido, but this really struck a chord with me, no pun intended!)
6. Color on You garnet red
7. Summer Activity hiking in nature
8. Topping on Pancakes real butter with real maple syrup
9. Musician Oy, too many to name!
Name your favorite...
1. Family Game Pictionary
2. Piece of Jewelry wedding ring
3. Winter Activity making a snowman if I'm in the snow. Or curling up with a blanket, a cat and a cup of cocoa.
4. Hot Beverage coffee
5. Quote "If my life is for rent, and I don't learn to buy, Then I deserve nothing more than I get, cause nothing I have is truly mine." -- Dido (weird that I would choose a song from Dido, but this really struck a chord with me, no pun intended!)
6. Color on You garnet red
7. Summer Activity hiking in nature
8. Topping on Pancakes real butter with real maple syrup
9. Musician Oy, too many to name!
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Rain has finally arrived
It's been absolutely dry and dusty for months now. We got about two weeks of cooler weather, and the last few days have been extremely hot and humid. Lo and behold, this morning it was raining! At last, I hope it can clean the air out a little and wash some of the accumulated dirt off everything. However, it might muck up our plans to go into town today. We shall see. Golf wanted to see the movie, 'Meet the Fockers' and I wanted to replace my crap shoes and get some more bread at my favorite bakery.
I got so aggrivated this morning -- our phone line should be trashed. It took the building about three or four months to get a phone line installed because of various issues, and lately the quality has been getting worse and worse. Talking on the phone is OK, but using the internet is dismal. It took me 45 minutes to connect today at anything higher than 16 kpbs. The phone line either dropped the connection, or I got a whopping 4 kpbs. Or simply keeping the connection altogether was a feat. I tried once when it finally connected at 4, just to see, and it's actually not as slow as you'd think. But the connection dropped after about one minute. UGH. At least I get internet at school, but what about my poor husband who must use the internet for his JOBS!!! And I get extra disappointed on the weekends, because the internet is my only source of entertainment besides seeing DVDs or going to the movies. TV here is all Thai.
Well, that's all my joyous news for the day. Back again later!
I got so aggrivated this morning -- our phone line should be trashed. It took the building about three or four months to get a phone line installed because of various issues, and lately the quality has been getting worse and worse. Talking on the phone is OK, but using the internet is dismal. It took me 45 minutes to connect today at anything higher than 16 kpbs. The phone line either dropped the connection, or I got a whopping 4 kpbs. Or simply keeping the connection altogether was a feat. I tried once when it finally connected at 4, just to see, and it's actually not as slow as you'd think. But the connection dropped after about one minute. UGH. At least I get internet at school, but what about my poor husband who must use the internet for his JOBS!!! And I get extra disappointed on the weekends, because the internet is my only source of entertainment besides seeing DVDs or going to the movies. TV here is all Thai.
Well, that's all my joyous news for the day. Back again later!
Friday, January 14, 2005
An easy week
Well I haven't been very active on my blog this week, mostly cause there hasn't been much to bitch about! LOL! Kidding. My mood from a few weeks ago has gone way up, much to the relief of everyone, I'm sure. My lessons have gone well and admin hasn't demanded too many things of us lately and I've been rather organized, so the rest of my Friday today is a breeze.
Tomorrow Golf and I will go to our usual quiet mall to get me some more sandals, cause the ones I have now have fallen apart way too quickly. I'll get some in a different color this time, likely black, since that goes with everything. Then I will, of course, get my bread. I'm loving my little sandwiches I have with breakfast every morning.
Talked to Golf yesterday about the fact that once my contract ends, I won't have 3 months of unemployment, but 4. The new school year begins in May, and I'll have practically the whole month to sit around and twiddle my thumbs until the baby comes. I would like to discuss with the school some sort of part time option that I can do until I go into labor, basically, and I can come back after like two weeks and continue an hour a day or so until we are ready to vacate our apartment. Without any income, the rent becomes a big expense over four months. If I can at least make enough money to cover the rent, then that will be a big savings. I hope I can work out something, and they like me, so hopefully they can find something for me to do, especially since we are suposed to have so many more students next school year. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Tomorrow Golf and I will go to our usual quiet mall to get me some more sandals, cause the ones I have now have fallen apart way too quickly. I'll get some in a different color this time, likely black, since that goes with everything. Then I will, of course, get my bread. I'm loving my little sandwiches I have with breakfast every morning.
Talked to Golf yesterday about the fact that once my contract ends, I won't have 3 months of unemployment, but 4. The new school year begins in May, and I'll have practically the whole month to sit around and twiddle my thumbs until the baby comes. I would like to discuss with the school some sort of part time option that I can do until I go into labor, basically, and I can come back after like two weeks and continue an hour a day or so until we are ready to vacate our apartment. Without any income, the rent becomes a big expense over four months. If I can at least make enough money to cover the rent, then that will be a big savings. I hope I can work out something, and they like me, so hopefully they can find something for me to do, especially since we are suposed to have so many more students next school year. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Thank you Anna!
The other day my other wonderful sister sent me a beautiful black maternity dress and a cranberry colored maternity shirt. I have such generous and wonderful sisters. :)
Yesterday's blog entry got the attention of some friends and family wondering about putting together a party for Golf and I once we return to the States, since we won't have very much in furnishings for our apartment. I think it would be a great idea if anybody wants to help out. I'm enlisting Golf's help over the weekend to add stuff to our baby registry. For all our basic newborn supplies, I can get that all here, since it will be an immediate need. But for our return home, when baby is about 3 months old, we're gonna need stuff like a crib & bedding, a dresser for him, a carseat, and a stroller. I'll let ya'll know about our registry once it's completed. I also wish IKEA had a gift registry. I love their cheap furniture! Golf and I will have to buy a bed and mattress for ourselves, and I think that's the biggest of the furniture. And likely a bookcase or two. We'll just have to see about the rest because Mom and Dad also have furniture they're not going to be using for awhile either.
I'm getting SO excited about our move back home. I think about it about as much as the baby's arrival. Personally I love the Oakland Lake Merrit area to live and I'm going to encourage Golf to like it there too. LOL! My friend Carolyn lives nearby there and it's just real beautiful and rather peaceful. I love that lake and the views, I could walk there every day. The other area I like is the Oakland Piedmont/Montclair area. So close to many different amenities, both areas I can walk to get to the store and/or do errands without a car.
Baby's been dutifully kicking me every day, letting mommy know he's in there and growing up big and strong. It's been a pretty good day today overall.
Yesterday's blog entry got the attention of some friends and family wondering about putting together a party for Golf and I once we return to the States, since we won't have very much in furnishings for our apartment. I think it would be a great idea if anybody wants to help out. I'm enlisting Golf's help over the weekend to add stuff to our baby registry. For all our basic newborn supplies, I can get that all here, since it will be an immediate need. But for our return home, when baby is about 3 months old, we're gonna need stuff like a crib & bedding, a dresser for him, a carseat, and a stroller. I'll let ya'll know about our registry once it's completed. I also wish IKEA had a gift registry. I love their cheap furniture! Golf and I will have to buy a bed and mattress for ourselves, and I think that's the biggest of the furniture. And likely a bookcase or two. We'll just have to see about the rest because Mom and Dad also have furniture they're not going to be using for awhile either.
I'm getting SO excited about our move back home. I think about it about as much as the baby's arrival. Personally I love the Oakland Lake Merrit area to live and I'm going to encourage Golf to like it there too. LOL! My friend Carolyn lives nearby there and it's just real beautiful and rather peaceful. I love that lake and the views, I could walk there every day. The other area I like is the Oakland Piedmont/Montclair area. So close to many different amenities, both areas I can walk to get to the store and/or do errands without a car.
Baby's been dutifully kicking me every day, letting mommy know he's in there and growing up big and strong. It's been a pretty good day today overall.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Thinking about our big move
Golf and I have so much to look forward to this year, and so many big changes. One of the biggest challenges is his visa process to the States. We're going to hire a lawyer to take us through the process, to make the whole thing go smoother because we will have a load on our minds dealing with a new baby too. We just don't want to make any mistakes on such an important thing.
In the meantime, not only am I getting excited about baby, but I'm looking forward to cooking again and I've been comparison shopping online for different cookware sets. I want something good quality and right now I'm browsing around the All-Clad brand. Are there any other brands you all like out there? Next is cutlery. I want good pieces for our home, since I'm gonna cook alot. Just a couple of good knives because I know that I wouldn't use all the knives in a set, so I'd choose maybe three favorites. I'd like to order and ship all this stuff to my sisters before we arrive home, so I can have stuff to cook with once we move in. :) I haven't even considered dishware yet!
We have some big expenses to deal with while we are here, namely baby, airline tickets, and some other things, but it ain't anything compared to what we will have to spend once we get back to the States since we are practically starting over with not a whole heck of a lot.
In the meantime, not only am I getting excited about baby, but I'm looking forward to cooking again and I've been comparison shopping online for different cookware sets. I want something good quality and right now I'm browsing around the All-Clad brand. Are there any other brands you all like out there? Next is cutlery. I want good pieces for our home, since I'm gonna cook alot. Just a couple of good knives because I know that I wouldn't use all the knives in a set, so I'd choose maybe three favorites. I'd like to order and ship all this stuff to my sisters before we arrive home, so I can have stuff to cook with once we move in. :) I haven't even considered dishware yet!
We have some big expenses to deal with while we are here, namely baby, airline tickets, and some other things, but it ain't anything compared to what we will have to spend once we get back to the States since we are practically starting over with not a whole heck of a lot.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Frustrations abound!
It started last week, when I wanted to transfer the majority of my money in my Krung Thai bank account into my Bangkok Bank account because KT sucks! I had to open an account with them so I could get paid through direct deposit with my school. They don't have many ATMs and if they do have them, half the time they aren't working properly. First I tried transferring funds through the ATM. No luck, I was over the limit both times. So we went to the bank to do it in person on Monday. Closed due to observance of New Year's Day. So we try the next day after work. Closed by 4:30. OK so try #4 should work. I get off work 45 minutes early to make this transaction. They don't do transfers after 1 PM. WHY?!?!!? The worker told Golf it's because the bank's systems aren't up to par with those in the USA. Goddamn I can't wait to come back home on days like that.
Then day after day, the internet doesn't work very well. I get connected at 9.6, then 14.4, then again at 16. Right now I'm blazing through the websites at a whopping 28.8 on a 56k modem. Gotta love the antique phone lines in this country! And this is after getting disconnected about 5 times.
Today was a good day nonetheless, because it's SATURDAY. We had a family function to go to, it's Golf's sister's death anniversary, and we went to the temple to make merit on her behalf by feeding five monks their lunch, having prayers and making food and supply donations. Her picture with some of her cremains in a small urn was part of an altar and a white string connected with her cremains ran from the urn to her picture to the Buddha altar right to the Lord Buddha image himself. It was very nice and I said a prayer in her honor. I think it's a very nice way of remembering our dearly departed every year, by giving and donating on their behalf and praying on their behalf every year they are gone.
Baby's been kicking away since Wednesday! Feels like the gassy bubbles, and it's not altogether pleasant, but I hope it will become better. I like feeling it, however, knowing my little guy is getting fit and strong!
Then day after day, the internet doesn't work very well. I get connected at 9.6, then 14.4, then again at 16. Right now I'm blazing through the websites at a whopping 28.8 on a 56k modem. Gotta love the antique phone lines in this country! And this is after getting disconnected about 5 times.
Today was a good day nonetheless, because it's SATURDAY. We had a family function to go to, it's Golf's sister's death anniversary, and we went to the temple to make merit on her behalf by feeding five monks their lunch, having prayers and making food and supply donations. Her picture with some of her cremains in a small urn was part of an altar and a white string connected with her cremains ran from the urn to her picture to the Buddha altar right to the Lord Buddha image himself. It was very nice and I said a prayer in her honor. I think it's a very nice way of remembering our dearly departed every year, by giving and donating on their behalf and praying on their behalf every year they are gone.
Baby's been kicking away since Wednesday! Feels like the gassy bubbles, and it's not altogether pleasant, but I hope it will become better. I like feeling it, however, knowing my little guy is getting fit and strong!
Thursday, January 06, 2005
New Photos Uploaded
Golf took some pictures during my ultrasound and took my 20 week belly shot this morning. If you'd like to see them, please go to my pregnancy photo gallery.
Halfway there!
Today marks week 20 of my pregnancy, which means the bun is half-baked. :) See what's happening with my baby and my preggo body here. We also had our doctor's appointment yesterday with an ultrasound, and rather than post the whole thing here again, please go to my pregnancy journal to read all about what happened and the exciting news of the sex. :)
Got to talk to my mom and dad this morning, which was always very nice, they are so excited about becoming grandparents. I'm also excited about moving back home to the States, and I've been going to craigslist almost daily to look at apartments available in the areas we are interested in living.
Yesterday we also stopped at the World Trade Center and I saw a batik bedspread -- something I've wanted to get for a long time now, and we picked up a very nice king sized piece, but will keep it bagged until we move back home. Picked up some more bread, pastrami and gouda cheese from town too. YUMMY! :)
Got to talk to my mom and dad this morning, which was always very nice, they are so excited about becoming grandparents. I'm also excited about moving back home to the States, and I've been going to craigslist almost daily to look at apartments available in the areas we are interested in living.
Yesterday we also stopped at the World Trade Center and I saw a batik bedspread -- something I've wanted to get for a long time now, and we picked up a very nice king sized piece, but will keep it bagged until we move back home. Picked up some more bread, pastrami and gouda cheese from town too. YUMMY! :)
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Back at School
Yesterday was my first day back at work. More teachers than me were not ready for our vacation to be overwith! At least everyone was there, students and parents included, with nobody going to the tsunami affected south areas.
Well, we have our ultrasound today at the doctor's. Will post here and on my pregnancy journal about it and hopefully the baby will show us if this is a boy or a girl in my belly!
Well, we have our ultrasound today at the doctor's. Will post here and on my pregnancy journal about it and hopefully the baby will show us if this is a boy or a girl in my belly!
Monday, January 03, 2005
Monday Madness
It's my last day of vacation, and it's also time for Monday Madness!
Name...
1. The most exciting thing that happened in your life this past year. Getting married to my DH, the love of my life, my soulmate.
2. Three resolutions that you've thought about making. Living a more simplistic life, continuing my yoga practice, and not becoming envious of those who have more than me.
3. Your biggest accomplishment this past year. Getting pregnant, I guess. It was something DH and I wanted very much.
4. Your biggest challenge this past year. Dealing with the cultural differences of Thai society in an enormous city. It drives me crazy on many days.
5. Something you tried for the first time (whether it be food, a sport, a hobby, etc.) Hmmm, tried plum pudding for the first time at Christmas Dinner.
6. Name 3 (or however many) things that happened this year that you did not anticipate happening. The tsunami, the Bush re-election, and the Musim uprising in Southern Thailand.
And on the flip side, name 3 (or however many) things that didn't happen this year that you expected to happen. I thought the school I wanted to work at the most wouldn't hire me, I thought I wouldn't get paid what I thought was fair but I did, I thought I'd get a huge class, but got a small one instead.
7. Where do you (or WOULD you) go for inspiration when you run out of questions for a meme? The national or international newspapers online to ask opinions on current events. OR go to Oprah's website to find out what sort of topics she's discussing that could generate discussion on a meme.
8. Something you'd like to accomplish (or do) this coming year that you didn't get a chance to do last year. I'm going to get back to my normal, American life! I'm going to get to cook again, drive a car, take a walk outside when it's not too polluted or HOT. In other words, we're gonna get to move back to the good ole USA later this year! HOORAY! :)
Name...
1. The most exciting thing that happened in your life this past year. Getting married to my DH, the love of my life, my soulmate.
2. Three resolutions that you've thought about making. Living a more simplistic life, continuing my yoga practice, and not becoming envious of those who have more than me.
3. Your biggest accomplishment this past year. Getting pregnant, I guess. It was something DH and I wanted very much.
4. Your biggest challenge this past year. Dealing with the cultural differences of Thai society in an enormous city. It drives me crazy on many days.
5. Something you tried for the first time (whether it be food, a sport, a hobby, etc.) Hmmm, tried plum pudding for the first time at Christmas Dinner.
6. Name 3 (or however many) things that happened this year that you did not anticipate happening. The tsunami, the Bush re-election, and the Musim uprising in Southern Thailand.
And on the flip side, name 3 (or however many) things that didn't happen this year that you expected to happen. I thought the school I wanted to work at the most wouldn't hire me, I thought I wouldn't get paid what I thought was fair but I did, I thought I'd get a huge class, but got a small one instead.
7. Where do you (or WOULD you) go for inspiration when you run out of questions for a meme? The national or international newspapers online to ask opinions on current events. OR go to Oprah's website to find out what sort of topics she's discussing that could generate discussion on a meme.
8. Something you'd like to accomplish (or do) this coming year that you didn't get a chance to do last year. I'm going to get back to my normal, American life! I'm going to get to cook again, drive a car, take a walk outside when it's not too polluted or HOT. In other words, we're gonna get to move back to the good ole USA later this year! HOORAY! :)
Saturday, January 01, 2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Here we are, everybody, at 2005!
Yesterday Golf and I discussed our future, in 2005. I have a stamp in my passport that allows me to be here until September 10th. Now if I can stay here regardless if I'm working or not, (if I have a work permit) then I told Golf that I'd like to return to the States as soon as possible, like when the baby's 2 1/2 or 3 months old. That would give me six weeks of postpartum healing, plus a couple more weeks to get things together, pack, and get the Baby's documents in order (like getting a passport for him or her). This is, of course, assuming our baby will arrive on time and healthy. But how exciting this is for me! We could possibly return a couple months earlier than we had thought. I just have to ensure my passport situation with our admin immigration expert at school if I would be allowed to stay without a work permit. Golf will start his immigration process in mid February, because it takes about five months for a visa to be granted to let him stay in the US.
On a more grim note, last night before we went to sleep, Golf and I remembered where we were New Year's Eve last year. We had just returned from the Similan Islands and were staying at the coastal town of Khao Lak. This year, Khao Lak has been flattened and utterly devestated from the tsunami disaster six days ago. There are thousands dead and thousands still missing just in this town alone!
This morning, Golf and I are going to the temple to make merit for the new year. I will say a prayer while I'm there for all those who lost their lives or for those who are searching for missing relatives. It just keeps getting worse.
Yesterday Golf and I discussed our future, in 2005. I have a stamp in my passport that allows me to be here until September 10th. Now if I can stay here regardless if I'm working or not, (if I have a work permit) then I told Golf that I'd like to return to the States as soon as possible, like when the baby's 2 1/2 or 3 months old. That would give me six weeks of postpartum healing, plus a couple more weeks to get things together, pack, and get the Baby's documents in order (like getting a passport for him or her). This is, of course, assuming our baby will arrive on time and healthy. But how exciting this is for me! We could possibly return a couple months earlier than we had thought. I just have to ensure my passport situation with our admin immigration expert at school if I would be allowed to stay without a work permit. Golf will start his immigration process in mid February, because it takes about five months for a visa to be granted to let him stay in the US.
On a more grim note, last night before we went to sleep, Golf and I remembered where we were New Year's Eve last year. We had just returned from the Similan Islands and were staying at the coastal town of Khao Lak. This year, Khao Lak has been flattened and utterly devestated from the tsunami disaster six days ago. There are thousands dead and thousands still missing just in this town alone!
This morning, Golf and I are going to the temple to make merit for the new year. I will say a prayer while I'm there for all those who lost their lives or for those who are searching for missing relatives. It just keeps getting worse.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Enjoying my time off
So yesterday we went into town to do some errands, have lunch and see a movie. We first got to the mall that was taking donations for the tsunami victims. Golf had a bunch of clothes he was going to sort through before we moved, so he did it yesterday and donated a big bag. We also dropped some money into the collection box. I didn't feel it was a whole lot, but we did do something so I felt better about it.
After that we went out to eat at a place recommended to me by one of my colleagues. It supposedly had really great hamburgers for alot less money. Usually if I crave a really good hamburger, I'd go to Outback Steakhouse, but it's very pricey and I don't like spending that kind of money. This place, however, was a hole in the wall bar. And the hamburger was delicious!
Then we walked back to that mall and saw the movie, National Treasure. It was very good and while it wasn't Raiders of the Lost Ark quality, I still enjoyed it very much. I love treasure-seeking adventure movies and besides this one and Raiders, I also enjoyed the early 80s movie called Sphinx, based on the even better book by Robin Cook. Anyway, Golf and I are indulging ourselves in going to the movie theater here to see as many movies as we can before the baby comes. We can afford it here and we know that once we go back to the States, besides the fact that we won't be able to up and go to a movie, it's simply too expensive to go see movies in the theater.
Speaking of books, after the movie, we went to the used bookstore nearby so I could sell back about four books I had finished reading (don't want clutter!) and when I was browsing through the store to see if there was anything I'd want to trade for, out jumped the book, Your Money or Your Life, which is the Voluntary Simplicity movement's bible!!! Sometimes when you are on life's right track, the way just opens up for you. Who would have thought that the very book I had been dying to read since discovering the Simplicity movement, would be in a used book store in Bangkok?!?!? I was so thrilled and of course, I bought it immediately.
At home, we've been watching DVDs that my colleague, Michelle, lent to us. She buys a ton of them and we get to borrow them when she's finished. I just finished season 2 of Six Feet Under which I enjoyed alot, and have since started watching season 1 of The West Wing. I'm not enjoying that show. It's too fast paced, people talk so fast, and about things I don't know about and I don't know who the people are. It almost stresses me to watch it, it goes so fast and is so intense. And some of the people in it are immensely annoying. I will maybe watch one more espisode and if it doesn't get any better, I won't watch anymore. Forget about it!
Oh, last thing. Tonight for New Year's Eve, Golf and I plan to go to this little bar and grill that's right next to the grocery store. It's a five minute walk from our condo building and they serve great food and have a nice ambience. I'll see if my pregnant body can stay awake until midnight! Happy New Year everybody!
After that we went out to eat at a place recommended to me by one of my colleagues. It supposedly had really great hamburgers for alot less money. Usually if I crave a really good hamburger, I'd go to Outback Steakhouse, but it's very pricey and I don't like spending that kind of money. This place, however, was a hole in the wall bar. And the hamburger was delicious!
Then we walked back to that mall and saw the movie, National Treasure. It was very good and while it wasn't Raiders of the Lost Ark quality, I still enjoyed it very much. I love treasure-seeking adventure movies and besides this one and Raiders, I also enjoyed the early 80s movie called Sphinx, based on the even better book by Robin Cook. Anyway, Golf and I are indulging ourselves in going to the movie theater here to see as many movies as we can before the baby comes. We can afford it here and we know that once we go back to the States, besides the fact that we won't be able to up and go to a movie, it's simply too expensive to go see movies in the theater.
Speaking of books, after the movie, we went to the used bookstore nearby so I could sell back about four books I had finished reading (don't want clutter!) and when I was browsing through the store to see if there was anything I'd want to trade for, out jumped the book, Your Money or Your Life, which is the Voluntary Simplicity movement's bible!!! Sometimes when you are on life's right track, the way just opens up for you. Who would have thought that the very book I had been dying to read since discovering the Simplicity movement, would be in a used book store in Bangkok?!?!? I was so thrilled and of course, I bought it immediately.
At home, we've been watching DVDs that my colleague, Michelle, lent to us. She buys a ton of them and we get to borrow them when she's finished. I just finished season 2 of Six Feet Under which I enjoyed alot, and have since started watching season 1 of The West Wing. I'm not enjoying that show. It's too fast paced, people talk so fast, and about things I don't know about and I don't know who the people are. It almost stresses me to watch it, it goes so fast and is so intense. And some of the people in it are immensely annoying. I will maybe watch one more espisode and if it doesn't get any better, I won't watch anymore. Forget about it!
Oh, last thing. Tonight for New Year's Eve, Golf and I plan to go to this little bar and grill that's right next to the grocery store. It's a five minute walk from our condo building and they serve great food and have a nice ambience. I'll see if my pregnant body can stay awake until midnight! Happy New Year everybody!
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Spending our vacation time
My husband is a newshound. Just like me, maybe even moreso. He was watching the Thai news coverage of the tsunami devestation all day long and translating the updates for me. It's really terrible at 23,000 worldwide and currently 866 in Thailand. I feel so lucky and grateful to be safe.
We are so enjoying this time off work. Well, me especially! I feel so good just being lazy around the house. I go online after I wake up, then later in the morning I practice my prenatal yoga. Then we go out to lunch, then come home and watch movies. It's great. Today though, we plan to go see Polar Express at the nearby mall. I wish I could have seen it before Christmas, but we just didn't have time. It looks very festive!
We are so enjoying this time off work. Well, me especially! I feel so good just being lazy around the house. I go online after I wake up, then later in the morning I practice my prenatal yoga. Then we go out to lunch, then come home and watch movies. It's great. Today though, we plan to go see Polar Express at the nearby mall. I wish I could have seen it before Christmas, but we just didn't have time. It looks very festive!
Monday, December 27, 2004
Monday Madness
It's time now for Monday Madness! I love the holiday themed questions lately... :)
1) Which holiday do you celebrate this time of year? I celebrate Christmas, in a secular way.
2) Do you begin shopping for gifts earlier than Thanksgiving, looking for the perfect gift? If not, when do you begin? Yes and no. If anyone is getting a gift, I get it when I see it, if it's before Thanksgiving, then great. I try to stay away from shops and retail stores after Thanksgiving.
3) Do you only purchase gifts that you know are perfect for the recipient and if you don't find that gift, do you just get anything? I would never just get anything, that's a waste and a bit of an insult, IMO. It's now a tradition in my family NOT to get gifts and get all caught up in the consumerism that Christmas has turned into. Buy a gift at a random time of year, and really surprise them -- that's more thoughtful.
4) Did you receive or give any "obligatory" gifts this year? Only for the Santa Exchange we had for the teachers at school. And it's a gift I can't use. :(
5) Do you decorate your tree as evenly as possible or do you skip the areas that are not visible? We don't have a tree this year, since we are living in Bangkok and are trying not to buy too much stuff since we're moving back to CA next year. Next year, I will try to decorate the tree evenly! :)
6) Do you like multi-colors on your tree or do you prefer monochrome? Multicolor. I love colors.
7) Did you bake "traditional" cookies, frost them and decorate them? or did you cheat and buy the ready to bake kind? I would never cheat. I love the traditional homemade kind. My mother even did cookie exchanges when I was a girl and we had so many different kinds. I'd love to do that when I move back. Russian teacakes are my favorite Christmas cookie.
8) Are you the host of a holiday gathering? which one? family, work, friends? Not yet. And when I move back, I don't know that I will be living in an apartment with not the most amount of space. So, I HOPE I can host a holiday, just don't know yet.
9) With whom do you spend the holiday? Husband, friends and when we move back, my family.
10) How did the holiday turn out? Perfectly? funny mishaps? miss anyone? It turned out to be great fun. Scroll down for pictures and a description of all the fun we had with my co-workers. I did miss my family, though, but I did get to talk to them that night.
1) Which holiday do you celebrate this time of year? I celebrate Christmas, in a secular way.
2) Do you begin shopping for gifts earlier than Thanksgiving, looking for the perfect gift? If not, when do you begin? Yes and no. If anyone is getting a gift, I get it when I see it, if it's before Thanksgiving, then great. I try to stay away from shops and retail stores after Thanksgiving.
3) Do you only purchase gifts that you know are perfect for the recipient and if you don't find that gift, do you just get anything? I would never just get anything, that's a waste and a bit of an insult, IMO. It's now a tradition in my family NOT to get gifts and get all caught up in the consumerism that Christmas has turned into. Buy a gift at a random time of year, and really surprise them -- that's more thoughtful.
4) Did you receive or give any "obligatory" gifts this year? Only for the Santa Exchange we had for the teachers at school. And it's a gift I can't use. :(
5) Do you decorate your tree as evenly as possible or do you skip the areas that are not visible? We don't have a tree this year, since we are living in Bangkok and are trying not to buy too much stuff since we're moving back to CA next year. Next year, I will try to decorate the tree evenly! :)
6) Do you like multi-colors on your tree or do you prefer monochrome? Multicolor. I love colors.
7) Did you bake "traditional" cookies, frost them and decorate them? or did you cheat and buy the ready to bake kind? I would never cheat. I love the traditional homemade kind. My mother even did cookie exchanges when I was a girl and we had so many different kinds. I'd love to do that when I move back. Russian teacakes are my favorite Christmas cookie.
8) Are you the host of a holiday gathering? which one? family, work, friends? Not yet. And when I move back, I don't know that I will be living in an apartment with not the most amount of space. So, I HOPE I can host a holiday, just don't know yet.
9) With whom do you spend the holiday? Husband, friends and when we move back, my family.
10) How did the holiday turn out? Perfectly? funny mishaps? miss anyone? It turned out to be great fun. Scroll down for pictures and a description of all the fun we had with my co-workers. I did miss my family, though, but I did get to talk to them that night.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Day After Christmas disaster
It's front page news -- the 8.9 earthquake in Indonesia sent off a tsunami that has hit several countries, including Thailand. Golf and I were in this part of Thailand at exactly this time of year last year. It's a very busy time of year for the resort areas of Southern Thailand and it's an absolute disaster. We were in Phang Nga and I've been to Phuket, Phi-Phi and Krabi more than once. For more pictures of the Phuket area, go here. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been killed, missing or injured. And I thank god I'm safe in Bangkok this year.
Christmas Dinner
Last night's Christmas dinner party at the Dubliner Irish Pub was great fun! There were 10 of us all together, teachers with our significant others. We got there before 5 PM and had many hours of good food and conversation. Golf and I were the first to leave and we got out of there around 9 PM. Our dinner was a four course meal. First course: mushroom soup (Golf's choice) or live pate on toast with a plum sauce with orange peel. Never had that before and it was delicious. Main course: Turkey dinner or Salmon dinner. I listed what I had on my turkey dinner below the photo. Third course: plum pudding with brandy sauce (my choice) or ice cream (Golf's choice) and lastly, mince pie with coffee or tea. I had to have part of my main course packed to go and I couldn't eat the mince pie either I was so stuffed. So was everyone else and two more people gave me their mince pies, so we walked home with four of them!! The pies are very small individual sizes, so it's not like they were full size pies or anything. It was SOOO MUCH FUN! :)
The Whole Gang
From Left to Right, starting from the front: Took-taa, Michael, Arnaud, Anne, Aeid, Geoffrey, Michelle, Sue, Me, and Golf.
My turkey dinner
Holograhic snowflakes
Sunday Brunch
"A turkey never voted for an early Christmas." -Irish proverb
1) What is your favorite Christmas song? It's between Winter Wonderland and I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. Or I'll Be Home for Christmas -- I love those old 40s carols.
2) Do you send Christmas cards? Yes, but I don't have a million people I send them to. This year I had five.
3) Artificial or real Christmas trees? REAL -- nothing beats the wonderful smell.
4) What is your favorite Christmas décor? (ie, trees, snowmen, stockings, Santa) Evergreen -- the tree, the boughs and wreaths in evergreen. It's so festive.
5) Do you attend any religious services on Christmas? No, because I'm not a Christian, but I adore celebrating the secular aspect of Christmas.
1) What is your favorite Christmas song? It's between Winter Wonderland and I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. Or I'll Be Home for Christmas -- I love those old 40s carols.
2) Do you send Christmas cards? Yes, but I don't have a million people I send them to. This year I had five.
3) Artificial or real Christmas trees? REAL -- nothing beats the wonderful smell.
4) What is your favorite Christmas décor? (ie, trees, snowmen, stockings, Santa) Evergreen -- the tree, the boughs and wreaths in evergreen. It's so festive.
5) Do you attend any religious services on Christmas? No, because I'm not a Christian, but I adore celebrating the secular aspect of Christmas.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Christmas Day
Merry Christmas Everybody!
Yesterday our party was a success at school, but it was nearly a disaster. Sue, my colleague, worked incredibly hard organizing the event, since she was put in charge of it, and it was her first time doing this. She's Thai, but has lived in the States since she was very small, so she's American in her culture.
Anyway, the singing was supposed to begin at 12:50, right after lunch, and this was clearly stated in the invitations given to the parents. And it did begin, right on time the kids were up on stage, singing their carols beginning with G1. Well, many parents didn't arrive until 1:00, many of them G1 parents. So guess what we had to do???? Start the whole thing over again!!!! ONLY IN THAILAND, I tell you. Sue had the whole thing planned out, and the foreign teachers, who also helped put on this party were furious. We go by a time schedule -- there was a limited amount of time to sing the songs, play the scheduled games, and then have the Secret Santa gift exchange -- and the way the director of the school pandered to the parents was just pathetic, and a couple of the foreign teachers were rather bold about this to his face. Is it the school's fault that some parents chose to come late? Sue was so upset she lost it and was crying really hard, and I felt so bad for her. All us foreign teachers said that this is the absolute LAST time we EVER do an event at this school.
The good news is that the rest of the party went off alright. Once the games started the kids were having fun, as were the teachers, and we got through the party and it was a success, and miraculously it didn't end up running over time. I got a ton of gifts from students and their parents, and they're sitting on the couch right now waiting to be opened for Christmas morning. I'm going to have Golf help me open them. :) Then tonight we will be meeting my colleagues at the Dubliner for Christmas Dinner. It's very expensive, but this will be our last year having Christmas away from home (my home anyway) and the rest of the time after that we'll be enjoying home cooking. So we'll splurge a little!
So last night Michelle had a gathering at her apartment, and Golf ended up having so much fun talking with everybody. I did too. :) My colleagues are all very nice people. We bitched about the Christmas party and how happy we were to have until Jan. 4th off. Oh, and how at the end of the party after the teachers exchanged gifts, the Director comes up to thank everyone for such a good job, and have a good holiday and by the way in mid-January there is a special teacher's trip to go out of town together for the whole weekend. All us foreign teachers were looking at each other like, What??, I ain't goin' ANYWHERE, thank you very much. Now that I'm preggo, my husband does not leave my side, and I would rather stay at home and enjoy my time off!!! So, ah, NO THANK YOU. We also talked about Thai politics, ghosts, I mean you name it, once they had a couple of beers it was a free-for-all conversation. I just ate too much junk food and wasn't hungry for dinner. What a bad mother! I will be eating well today though!
Last but not least, the best Christmas present of all came last night just before I went to sleep with Golf. He told me how he was thinking about his strategies on how to make a living for us when we move back to the Bay Area, and that's why he sounded a little down when I called him earlier that afternoon. As he was telling me all about this, I suddenly was able to completely put myself in his shoes and I felt the burden of responsibility he has with a wife and child for him to support. I can't imagine what that must feel like -- no longer earning a living just to keep yourself in the basic necessities, but two other people. My love for my husband just suddenly filled my heart to overflowing and I just about cried. And I told him I would do whatever I can to help him, and I will always do my best. I love you so much honey!!!
Yesterday our party was a success at school, but it was nearly a disaster. Sue, my colleague, worked incredibly hard organizing the event, since she was put in charge of it, and it was her first time doing this. She's Thai, but has lived in the States since she was very small, so she's American in her culture.
Anyway, the singing was supposed to begin at 12:50, right after lunch, and this was clearly stated in the invitations given to the parents. And it did begin, right on time the kids were up on stage, singing their carols beginning with G1. Well, many parents didn't arrive until 1:00, many of them G1 parents. So guess what we had to do???? Start the whole thing over again!!!! ONLY IN THAILAND, I tell you. Sue had the whole thing planned out, and the foreign teachers, who also helped put on this party were furious. We go by a time schedule -- there was a limited amount of time to sing the songs, play the scheduled games, and then have the Secret Santa gift exchange -- and the way the director of the school pandered to the parents was just pathetic, and a couple of the foreign teachers were rather bold about this to his face. Is it the school's fault that some parents chose to come late? Sue was so upset she lost it and was crying really hard, and I felt so bad for her. All us foreign teachers said that this is the absolute LAST time we EVER do an event at this school.
The good news is that the rest of the party went off alright. Once the games started the kids were having fun, as were the teachers, and we got through the party and it was a success, and miraculously it didn't end up running over time. I got a ton of gifts from students and their parents, and they're sitting on the couch right now waiting to be opened for Christmas morning. I'm going to have Golf help me open them. :) Then tonight we will be meeting my colleagues at the Dubliner for Christmas Dinner. It's very expensive, but this will be our last year having Christmas away from home (my home anyway) and the rest of the time after that we'll be enjoying home cooking. So we'll splurge a little!
So last night Michelle had a gathering at her apartment, and Golf ended up having so much fun talking with everybody. I did too. :) My colleagues are all very nice people. We bitched about the Christmas party and how happy we were to have until Jan. 4th off. Oh, and how at the end of the party after the teachers exchanged gifts, the Director comes up to thank everyone for such a good job, and have a good holiday and by the way in mid-January there is a special teacher's trip to go out of town together for the whole weekend. All us foreign teachers were looking at each other like, What??, I ain't goin' ANYWHERE, thank you very much. Now that I'm preggo, my husband does not leave my side, and I would rather stay at home and enjoy my time off!!! So, ah, NO THANK YOU. We also talked about Thai politics, ghosts, I mean you name it, once they had a couple of beers it was a free-for-all conversation. I just ate too much junk food and wasn't hungry for dinner. What a bad mother! I will be eating well today though!
Last but not least, the best Christmas present of all came last night just before I went to sleep with Golf. He told me how he was thinking about his strategies on how to make a living for us when we move back to the Bay Area, and that's why he sounded a little down when I called him earlier that afternoon. As he was telling me all about this, I suddenly was able to completely put myself in his shoes and I felt the burden of responsibility he has with a wife and child for him to support. I can't imagine what that must feel like -- no longer earning a living just to keep yourself in the basic necessities, but two other people. My love for my husband just suddenly filled my heart to overflowing and I just about cried. And I told him I would do whatever I can to help him, and I will always do my best. I love you so much honey!!!
Friday, December 24, 2004
It's Christmas Eve!
It's been a bit of a busy week, preparing for the Christmas party at school. But the day has finally arrived and I'm just going to do fun stuff with the kids for the three periods I have them this morning. No use starting new units and chapters with them when they are about to have nearly two weeks off!
So today after work, the teachers are going to Michelle's (my colleague) for drinks (for me, a Diet Coke) and snacks. And of course, Golf's going with me. Tomorrow about 10 of us have planned to go to this Irish pub -- The Dubliner -- for Christmas dinner and it's supposedly got some really good food. I'm so excited about eating a BRITISH dinner with TURKEY! Golf and I plan to arrive a little early than our reservation which will let us both see if the pub is too smoky to enjoy our food. I hope not, but if so, we'll bow out and find a hotel buffet, there are so many along Sukhumvit Road. I'm tolerant of a little smoke, and we'll be sitting on the first floor instead of higher up, so I hope that will make a difference.
Hope you all have a good Christmas!
So today after work, the teachers are going to Michelle's (my colleague) for drinks (for me, a Diet Coke) and snacks. And of course, Golf's going with me. Tomorrow about 10 of us have planned to go to this Irish pub -- The Dubliner -- for Christmas dinner and it's supposedly got some really good food. I'm so excited about eating a BRITISH dinner with TURKEY! Golf and I plan to arrive a little early than our reservation which will let us both see if the pub is too smoky to enjoy our food. I hope not, but if so, we'll bow out and find a hotel buffet, there are so many along Sukhumvit Road. I'm tolerant of a little smoke, and we'll be sitting on the first floor instead of higher up, so I hope that will make a difference.
Hope you all have a good Christmas!
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
A disgusting article
Just read this on SFGate. I bow at the feet of teachers in the Bay Area. America is so bass ackwards and getting worse every year.
Inspired and yucky at the same time.
Turns out I've been being a bitch at work and I never even knew it until I noticed people trying to stay away from me. Damn these hormones! I even apologized to one of my colleagues today. It's just that all the small irritating things (and there are MANY of them every day) are annoying me far more than they normally do. So I need to concentrate and breathe deeply if I feel like blowing up again. SORRY EVERYBODY!!!!!
Then this morning, I had a bit of morning sickness while brushing my teeth, so I've been feeling a little bit yucky ever since then on top of these volatile hormonal surges. I just want to be left alone, I suppose.
But the good news is that I've been feeling inspired. Remember my post a few days ago about discovering that Simplicity Circle? Well, I've delved further into the topic and find that it fits me and my philosophy of life far more than I thought. I never knew that different feelings I had toward my lifestyle with regard to number of hours worked and having a life had a whole activist movement behind it. There are SOOO many resources online it's rather overwhelming. Just some interesting links for you to explore: The Simple Living Network, The Work to Live initiative to reduce working hours and have a LIFE, and various articles from the Simple Living Network, primarily from Your Money or Your Life. Check it out, if you're interested, I know I'll be exploring this much further once we move back to CA.
Then this morning, I had a bit of morning sickness while brushing my teeth, so I've been feeling a little bit yucky ever since then on top of these volatile hormonal surges. I just want to be left alone, I suppose.
But the good news is that I've been feeling inspired. Remember my post a few days ago about discovering that Simplicity Circle? Well, I've delved further into the topic and find that it fits me and my philosophy of life far more than I thought. I never knew that different feelings I had toward my lifestyle with regard to number of hours worked and having a life had a whole activist movement behind it. There are SOOO many resources online it's rather overwhelming. Just some interesting links for you to explore: The Simple Living Network, The Work to Live initiative to reduce working hours and have a LIFE, and various articles from the Simple Living Network, primarily from Your Money or Your Life. Check it out, if you're interested, I know I'll be exploring this much further once we move back to CA.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Monday Madness
It's that time again -- Monday Madness!
1. How did you learn about computers? Were you self taught? Yes and no. I learned a little in high school, but learned the GUI once I was at university taking graphic design. I learned the PC on my own, as graphic design was all on the Mac.
2. What is your favorite color and why is it your favorite color? Purple. It's very pretty.
3. What one thing going on in the world right now, has the most effect on you personally? The obscene cost of health care in the USA. I have to go through my pregnancy and birth here in Thailand because I cannot afford the cost of it in the US.
4. If you were going to develop your own meme, what kind would you create? I never gave it much thought.
5. Why do you enjoy answering memes? It's fun!
6. What is your wildest dream? To own my own house in the Bay Area, California. (My hometown, but one of the most expensive places to live in the entire country.)
7. Why do you answer these questions? It's fun!
1. How did you learn about computers? Were you self taught? Yes and no. I learned a little in high school, but learned the GUI once I was at university taking graphic design. I learned the PC on my own, as graphic design was all on the Mac.
2. What is your favorite color and why is it your favorite color? Purple. It's very pretty.
3. What one thing going on in the world right now, has the most effect on you personally? The obscene cost of health care in the USA. I have to go through my pregnancy and birth here in Thailand because I cannot afford the cost of it in the US.
4. If you were going to develop your own meme, what kind would you create? I never gave it much thought.
5. Why do you enjoy answering memes? It's fun!
6. What is your wildest dream? To own my own house in the Bay Area, California. (My hometown, but one of the most expensive places to live in the entire country.)
7. Why do you answer these questions? It's fun!
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Getting to simplicity
I was reading some online Yoga Journal articles and ran across one about simple living and the Holiday season. About 12 years ago or so when I just started college, I implored my parents and sisters not to do Christmas presents that year because I felt it was a waste of money and stressful. They agreed. My philosophy was, why break my already small bank account on presents they may not want anyway -- just to fulfill the obligation of consumerism in Christmas?!?! This was at a time when I worked at Pottery Barn in the mall and every Christmas, I saw thousands of people who were stressed to the point of breaking and obviously not enjoying this 'Season of Giving'. I thought to myself, give a spontaneous gift at another time of year and REALLY surprise them! And other thoughts like, Christmas is about being together and enjoying each other's company around some good food. NOT going shopping!
I want to limit my child's material gifts during Christmas. I would also like to give something back to the community with my child once he or she gets a little older. I mean that's what the season is all about and I want to instill that valuable moral into him or her.
Anyway, this online article cited a website, the Seeds of Simplicity, and I would like to become a member upon returning. Our world is so caught up in consumerism and materialism and it's difficult not to succomb to its seduction. I will need support. I'm already jealous that I cannot live in a house upon returning to the Bay Area, with a new family. But I am eternally greatful for my hard working husband, who is giving his all to support his family, and this is what I focus on. Our healthy home environment, no matter if it is an apartment or a house, is our family sanctuary.
If any of you have any other resources for simple living, please email me!
I want to limit my child's material gifts during Christmas. I would also like to give something back to the community with my child once he or she gets a little older. I mean that's what the season is all about and I want to instill that valuable moral into him or her.
Anyway, this online article cited a website, the Seeds of Simplicity, and I would like to become a member upon returning. Our world is so caught up in consumerism and materialism and it's difficult not to succomb to its seduction. I will need support. I'm already jealous that I cannot live in a house upon returning to the Bay Area, with a new family. But I am eternally greatful for my hard working husband, who is giving his all to support his family, and this is what I focus on. Our healthy home environment, no matter if it is an apartment or a house, is our family sanctuary.
If any of you have any other resources for simple living, please email me!
Friday, December 17, 2004
Felt exhausted and achy
Yesterday I felt so tired and I had a dull ache in my uterus all day that wouldn't stop. I was concerned about it, since the rest of my growing pains have been sharp flashes that last a second. So I called Golf and he picked me up from work a little early and we called the doctor, just to be sure. He said he was certain it was just the womb growing, and not to worry, but if I felt concerned enough by today, to come on in.
Well, after that call I felt much better and I laid on the couch and watched more of the second season of Six Feet Under (a very good series!) and then after we ate dinner at 7:30, I could not keep my eyes open! Yes, I went to bed last night at 7:30. So if the baby is on a growing spurt, he or she sure exhausted Mommy yesterday. After about 11 hours of sleep last night, I feel refreshed and better. No aches today! I'm just so ready for the week to be done, and I'm thankful it's Friday, it's been so busy!
Well, after that call I felt much better and I laid on the couch and watched more of the second season of Six Feet Under (a very good series!) and then after we ate dinner at 7:30, I could not keep my eyes open! Yes, I went to bed last night at 7:30. So if the baby is on a growing spurt, he or she sure exhausted Mommy yesterday. After about 11 hours of sleep last night, I feel refreshed and better. No aches today! I'm just so ready for the week to be done, and I'm thankful it's Friday, it's been so busy!
Monday, December 13, 2004
Monday Madness
Monday Madness questions contributed from participants:
1. From Mel... Do you have a favorite 80's song? I have so many favorite 80s songs -- I just LOVE music from that decade. But to narrow it down, I'd say anything from Duran Duran's first three albums -- I was a screaming, hysterical Durranie when I was a girl. :)
2. From Luzja... What's the biggest event in your life to date? Getting married. I'm still preggo, so birth is out of the question.
3. From Amy... What's one more thing during your lifetime you would like to learn how to do well? I'd like to learn how to cook really, really well, like a gourmet chef.
4. From Susan... what is your earliest childhood memory? One of the earliest is when I was 2 or 3 years old and I remember seeing my dad's old 50's red pickup truck.
5. From LDH... What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? Mach 4.
6. From Beverly and Rosie... Where, When and What is your most favorite memory? I have many good memories of different people and times of my life that to pick only one would belittle other important memories. Do I say getting married to my wonderful husband, or do I say that time I was held in my mother's arms as a child, all snug and secure? I just can't answer the question.
7. From Shirl...Do you fit in? Yes, of course. I normally don't get myself into situations that are over my head or that make me feel uncomfortable.
8. From Sherle... Tell me your favorite recipe then go to Recipe Swap and share it with all of us! I don't have a favorite recipe yet.... I'll get back to ya on that one!
1. From Mel... Do you have a favorite 80's song? I have so many favorite 80s songs -- I just LOVE music from that decade. But to narrow it down, I'd say anything from Duran Duran's first three albums -- I was a screaming, hysterical Durranie when I was a girl. :)
2. From Luzja... What's the biggest event in your life to date? Getting married. I'm still preggo, so birth is out of the question.
3. From Amy... What's one more thing during your lifetime you would like to learn how to do well? I'd like to learn how to cook really, really well, like a gourmet chef.
4. From Susan... what is your earliest childhood memory? One of the earliest is when I was 2 or 3 years old and I remember seeing my dad's old 50's red pickup truck.
5. From LDH... What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? Mach 4.
6. From Beverly and Rosie... Where, When and What is your most favorite memory? I have many good memories of different people and times of my life that to pick only one would belittle other important memories. Do I say getting married to my wonderful husband, or do I say that time I was held in my mother's arms as a child, all snug and secure? I just can't answer the question.
7. From Shirl...Do you fit in? Yes, of course. I normally don't get myself into situations that are over my head or that make me feel uncomfortable.
8. From Sherle... Tell me your favorite recipe then go to Recipe Swap and share it with all of us! I don't have a favorite recipe yet.... I'll get back to ya on that one!
My very happy birthday
My husband went all out yesterday for my 35th birthday! Well, I started the day, first of all, with a lovely phone call to my parents. It was real nice to get to talk to them. Later that day, right before lunch, Golf suprised me by steering me into a nearby flower shop and he got me a BEAUTIFUL bouquet of flowers: 3 vivid pink stargazer lilies with carnations, daisies and eucalyptus (sp?) all in a vase with a pink bow. It's GORGEOUS!!! I plan to post pictures of it later tonight when I get home.
That evening we went to a shopping mall where they have this Nepali arts shop and in this shop is a beautiful hand-made silver moonstone ring that I've had my eye on for more than a year. When brainstorming for what my husband could get me for my birthday, this was the only thing I could think of to get. Perhaps I'll take a picture of it and post it too.
After shopping, we went out to MEXICAN FOOD! It was a pretty good place, but of course, no place like home. I had beef enchaladas and Golf had beef chimichingas. It was pretty darn delicious! My husband went all out to make sure I had a wonderful, happy birthday. Thank you so much, sweetie! I will always remember this day.
That evening we went to a shopping mall where they have this Nepali arts shop and in this shop is a beautiful hand-made silver moonstone ring that I've had my eye on for more than a year. When brainstorming for what my husband could get me for my birthday, this was the only thing I could think of to get. Perhaps I'll take a picture of it and post it too.
After shopping, we went out to MEXICAN FOOD! It was a pretty good place, but of course, no place like home. I had beef enchaladas and Golf had beef chimichingas. It was pretty darn delicious! My husband went all out to make sure I had a wonderful, happy birthday. Thank you so much, sweetie! I will always remember this day.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
A day of thanks
On Thursday, Golf sold his condo. The process took him all day long and the way they do this here is astounding (as in it makes no sense). He came home exhausted and beaten looking. He said that he never wants to buy or sell anything in Thailand again! Poor guy. Well, thanks to the investment his parents made, he now has more means in which to start up his business and make it grow once we get back to the States. I like that feeling.
It was a holiday yesterday and I didn't have work, so in the morning, we got up early and went to the market where they set up an area to make merit to the monks who come by. There were four monks and both of us donated food for each monk. Then toward lunch time, we walked down to the nearby temple and made merit on Golf's parents behalf, thanking them for providing for us. Basically we buy a bucket filled with supplies for the monks at the temple and we add some money to an envelope, then we write on the envelope who the money is from and who we are making merit for. Golf and I then sit on the floor and a monk is on a chair in front of us. Golf tells the monk why we are making merit that day so that the intention of the blessings goes to his parents. We give the buckets with the money. Then the monk blesses us by chanting in Pali (the ancient Sanskrit-based language that Thai is derived from). Then we are done and we feel so good!
The rest of the day we lazed about the house. I'm feeling so homey and nesty, I don't want to go anywhere! We rented Troy, even though we saw it in the theater, so that we could see the Special Features DVD. Oh, the other day we went to see Alexander and the only two good things about it were the music and costumes. Oliver Stone could have done so much more with that movie, I think. I was disappointed.
It was a holiday yesterday and I didn't have work, so in the morning, we got up early and went to the market where they set up an area to make merit to the monks who come by. There were four monks and both of us donated food for each monk. Then toward lunch time, we walked down to the nearby temple and made merit on Golf's parents behalf, thanking them for providing for us. Basically we buy a bucket filled with supplies for the monks at the temple and we add some money to an envelope, then we write on the envelope who the money is from and who we are making merit for. Golf and I then sit on the floor and a monk is on a chair in front of us. Golf tells the monk why we are making merit that day so that the intention of the blessings goes to his parents. We give the buckets with the money. Then the monk blesses us by chanting in Pali (the ancient Sanskrit-based language that Thai is derived from). Then we are done and we feel so good!
The rest of the day we lazed about the house. I'm feeling so homey and nesty, I don't want to go anywhere! We rented Troy, even though we saw it in the theater, so that we could see the Special Features DVD. Oh, the other day we went to see Alexander and the only two good things about it were the music and costumes. Oliver Stone could have done so much more with that movie, I think. I was disappointed.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Cool!
The weather is FINALLY cooling down to a very comfortable temperature. It has been like that for about four days now and I am soooo happy!
It's also about 20 minutes til lunch and my tummy is rumbling since I had a smaller breakfast and snack (following my new eating regimine). I usually eat enough to where my stomach doesn't rumble at meal time, but I think you should be good and hungry once mealtime comes. Now I have to remember to eat slowly!
It's also about 20 minutes til lunch and my tummy is rumbling since I had a smaller breakfast and snack (following my new eating regimine). I usually eat enough to where my stomach doesn't rumble at meal time, but I think you should be good and hungry once mealtime comes. Now I have to remember to eat slowly!
Good news and not so good news
The good news is that today Golf is supposed to sell his condo, which will bring a nice little nest egg for our move back to the States and to be used mostly to fund Golf's business. What a relief! He should be finished with the transaction later this morning.
The not so good news is that I have simply gained way too much weight so far. We had our doctor's appointment yesterday and I gained nearly 9 pounds in one month!!! I couldn't sleep last night, I was so disturbed. There are no scales here that are accurate except at the doctor's office, so it is difficult for me to monitor my weight, or I think I weigh less than I actually do. The biggest change I made for pregnancy eating is having a nice breakfast in the morning down in the cafeteria at school. And now I think that's the main problem. So I'm going back to my fruit and yogurt prepregnancy breakfast but add in a small sandwich or crackers with a little peanutbutter -- just one more little thing to go with the fruit n yogurt. Then I will have a good snack, ONE serving at lunch with fruit and a sensible dinner. I also have to slow down my eating. I eat very fast if I am feeling hungry. I am, as of this morning, keeping a food diary for the rest of my pregnancy. See, even if I gain one pound a week until delivery, I will have gained 40 pounds total. The one-pound-a-week is the ideal guideline, so I must really, really try. I hope this new strategy works. We are also going to purchase a scale so I can monitor carefully every day. OF COURSE the main concern is for a healthy baby, and I plan to continue to eat healthily, as a matter of fact, a lot less cookies and other sweets, which I eat, but no more than before pregnancy. I need to cut back for pregnancy.
Yesterday at the doctor's I also had a blood test called the triple screen, which looks for Down's Syndrome. We will know the results on the 14th.
The not so good news is that I have simply gained way too much weight so far. We had our doctor's appointment yesterday and I gained nearly 9 pounds in one month!!! I couldn't sleep last night, I was so disturbed. There are no scales here that are accurate except at the doctor's office, so it is difficult for me to monitor my weight, or I think I weigh less than I actually do. The biggest change I made for pregnancy eating is having a nice breakfast in the morning down in the cafeteria at school. And now I think that's the main problem. So I'm going back to my fruit and yogurt prepregnancy breakfast but add in a small sandwich or crackers with a little peanutbutter -- just one more little thing to go with the fruit n yogurt. Then I will have a good snack, ONE serving at lunch with fruit and a sensible dinner. I also have to slow down my eating. I eat very fast if I am feeling hungry. I am, as of this morning, keeping a food diary for the rest of my pregnancy. See, even if I gain one pound a week until delivery, I will have gained 40 pounds total. The one-pound-a-week is the ideal guideline, so I must really, really try. I hope this new strategy works. We are also going to purchase a scale so I can monitor carefully every day. OF COURSE the main concern is for a healthy baby, and I plan to continue to eat healthily, as a matter of fact, a lot less cookies and other sweets, which I eat, but no more than before pregnancy. I need to cut back for pregnancy.
Yesterday at the doctor's I also had a blood test called the triple screen, which looks for Down's Syndrome. We will know the results on the 14th.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
New belly shot
Well this is the third time I've tried to post today but the internet connection at school is so intermintent that I lost my post both times. So I'm gonna forget about that post. I'm here to tell you that I've uploaded my new belly shot at 15 weeks 5 days that Golf took of me earlier this afternoon. I've put it on my pregnancy photo gallery. You'll see my hair is slightly different -- I took the scissors to some of my bangs, although they aren't like they were before I grew them out. I like the softer look. What do you think?
Hmmm.... it's nearly 9:30... past my bedtime!
Hmmm.... it's nearly 9:30... past my bedtime!
Monday, December 06, 2004
Sunday Brunch on Monday
Got my Sunday Brunch in my inbox this morning!
1) Which stone is your birthstone? Do you like it? Turquoise. It's OK, not my favorite. I don't own any turquoise jewelry.
2) Do you prefer silver or gold? Silver. The only gold I wear (which is not very often) is my Egyptian cartouche necklace of my name that I bought in Cairo.
3) Name the jewelry that you wear whenever you leave the house. Wedding ring, watch, various earrings and/or necklaces.
4) What is your most precious and valuable item of jewelry. My wedding band!
5) Do you carry insurance on any of your jewelry and if not, why not? No, I don't feel I need to. My wedding band is the only thing worth anything and it's not worth enough to take insurance out on!
1) Which stone is your birthstone? Do you like it? Turquoise. It's OK, not my favorite. I don't own any turquoise jewelry.
2) Do you prefer silver or gold? Silver. The only gold I wear (which is not very often) is my Egyptian cartouche necklace of my name that I bought in Cairo.
3) Name the jewelry that you wear whenever you leave the house. Wedding ring, watch, various earrings and/or necklaces.
4) What is your most precious and valuable item of jewelry. My wedding band!
5) Do you carry insurance on any of your jewelry and if not, why not? No, I don't feel I need to. My wedding band is the only thing worth anything and it's not worth enough to take insurance out on!
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Got videos!
Last night Golf and I were supposed to go see the lights for the King's Birthday, however when we got into the taxi, the driver told us that tonight was the night the King makes his annual speech and the area was blocked off and completely mobbed with people. We will still be able to go next week to take pictures, so I was relieved to know this before we attempted to go there. Worth the dollar we paid in the taxi fare for one block! :)
So instead we went to MBK center and I was pleased to see that the video store we go to often has added to their Yoga DVD library. I got *4* new videos to bring back to the States, so I won't get bored with one particular style, plus another new prenatal Yoga video, to bring some variety to the one I'm using now, which I can recite verbatum at this point. LOL! They won't arrive until probably next week since both Monday and Friday are holidays. I'm so excited!
Oh, if you see that Ko Samet photo below, never mind it. I'm trying to upload that picture to my profile, and I'm getting an error, so I'm waiting for Blogger to get back to me about it.
So instead we went to MBK center and I was pleased to see that the video store we go to often has added to their Yoga DVD library. I got *4* new videos to bring back to the States, so I won't get bored with one particular style, plus another new prenatal Yoga video, to bring some variety to the one I'm using now, which I can recite verbatum at this point. LOL! They won't arrive until probably next week since both Monday and Friday are holidays. I'm so excited!
Oh, if you see that Ko Samet photo below, never mind it. I'm trying to upload that picture to my profile, and I'm getting an error, so I'm waiting for Blogger to get back to me about it.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
10 hours or more!
My little bean is needing LOTS of rest. Let me start from the VEEERY beginning...
Last night Golf and I walked down to my bank to transfer a deposit to our landlord to pay the rent. (9,000 baht = $225 per month!) and of course the ATM was out of service. I HATE that bank and on Monday I am going to see about transferring a vast majority of my savings into my Bangkok Bank account. This one I have that sucks is the one the school uses to deposit our salaries, so I had no choice but to open an account with them.
So then we stop at this northeaster (Isaan-style) Thai food cafe where we order dinner. Golf always orders so much food. I used to eat only one entree with rice for dinner before we got married. Now between the both of us we eat 4!!! I try to make it so he eats more of it, but when it's sitting in front of my face, I pick at it even when I'm bursting full. I told him this later on as we waddled out of the cafe. I said I don't want to be fat, and I'm seriously worried and need his support. I mean Isaan food isn't particularily fattening, but too much food is too much food and I need to be moderate, especially now!
We get back home, groaning the whole walk back, and I take my shower. We planned to watch the Dodgeball DVD at about 7:30, since we both know I konk out at about 9 PM most nights. Well, it wasn't even 8 PM when I started nodding off on the couch. I couldn't believe it when Golf took me to bed at 8:00 and I actually fell fast asleep! I woke up this morning at 6, my usual time for getting up on a weekday. But I got 10 hours of sleep already, so I didn't try to go back to sleep. Instead, I went online. So that's it. Baby needs all my energy already! :)
Last night Golf and I walked down to my bank to transfer a deposit to our landlord to pay the rent. (9,000 baht = $225 per month!) and of course the ATM was out of service. I HATE that bank and on Monday I am going to see about transferring a vast majority of my savings into my Bangkok Bank account. This one I have that sucks is the one the school uses to deposit our salaries, so I had no choice but to open an account with them.
So then we stop at this northeaster (Isaan-style) Thai food cafe where we order dinner. Golf always orders so much food. I used to eat only one entree with rice for dinner before we got married. Now between the both of us we eat 4!!! I try to make it so he eats more of it, but when it's sitting in front of my face, I pick at it even when I'm bursting full. I told him this later on as we waddled out of the cafe. I said I don't want to be fat, and I'm seriously worried and need his support. I mean Isaan food isn't particularily fattening, but too much food is too much food and I need to be moderate, especially now!
We get back home, groaning the whole walk back, and I take my shower. We planned to watch the Dodgeball DVD at about 7:30, since we both know I konk out at about 9 PM most nights. Well, it wasn't even 8 PM when I started nodding off on the couch. I couldn't believe it when Golf took me to bed at 8:00 and I actually fell fast asleep! I woke up this morning at 6, my usual time for getting up on a weekday. But I got 10 hours of sleep already, so I didn't try to go back to sleep. Instead, I went online. So that's it. Baby needs all my energy already! :)
Friday, December 03, 2004
Father's Day in Thailand
Today Father's Day was celebrated at school with a show this morning. It was very nice, but some part of the ceremony involved a long period of standing and I almost started feeling dizzy because I had just stood for awhile during the flag ceremony and prayers just beforehand, so I had to sneak a chair during that part. So the best news is that the 5th of December is the King's actualy birthdate, hence Father's Day. And since that falls on a Sunday, we get to have Monday off. So YEAH for a 3 day weekend! And that's not all. A week from today, Friday the 10th, is also another Holiday. National Day, I think.
So on Saturday Golf and I will meet a friend of his who will be returning to San Fancisco next week. We plan to go into a part of town where they will have it decorated for the King's birthday. They have it decorated all beautifully and lit up like you wouldn't believe. We'd like to go to get some photos, because this is our last December here in Thailand. (woo hoo!) and want to get some shots of that beautiful area.
So on Saturday Golf and I will meet a friend of his who will be returning to San Fancisco next week. We plan to go into a part of town where they will have it decorated for the King's birthday. They have it decorated all beautifully and lit up like you wouldn't believe. We'd like to go to get some photos, because this is our last December here in Thailand. (woo hoo!) and want to get some shots of that beautiful area.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Hormones going ballistic
Gee, I don't know if this belongs in my pregnancy journal or here.... my hormonal rages have finally caught up with me. I was feeling alright my first trimester, but this trimester -- probably for the last week and a half or so -- I am irritated, mostly here at work, but never at home or with my husband. My heart is NOT in my job anymore. I do still enjoy actual classroom time with my kids, but I do get irritated with them easier too. I don't scream and make them feel bad, but my patience is shorter. With admin and everything else though, I'm like a pressure cooker. I keep it all inside, cause I don't want to be a raging bitch. I feel all this raging hormone stuff but I keep it to myself. I miss my own country more because a source of a big part of this irritation is simply stuff that is the Thai way. And it's not BAD, it's just irritating for me right now. Who knows how I'd feel or what would irritate me if I was back home anyway.... I'm sure lotsa stuff! :) I guess this is why I spend so much time cloistered in my apartment, not wanting to go out much... because it is my sanctuary and my wonderful husband is a source of comfort.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Feelin' hot hot HOT!
Well, last week a typhoon blew in from the China Sea and cooled off Thailand real good, and it felt wonderful! However, the last few days have heated up again and it's getting weary. Here it is the first of December and we have no cooler weather. I really thought that this time of year would be easier on my pregnancy, but I am mistaken. I'd love to get out and powerwalk more, but it's just too hot, even at 6 PM. Bleh!
But last night we went out to a nice Japanese restaurant around the corner. The only frustrating part was that I was planning to take birthday boy out, but when I went to two ATMs to withdraw some cash, there were communication errors with both and I didn't have enough money in my wallet to pay for dinner. So Golf ended up paying for his lovely birthday dinner. I said I'd pay for my birthday dinner in return. :) He said, don't be silly! Anyway... it was still nice.
But last night we went out to a nice Japanese restaurant around the corner. The only frustrating part was that I was planning to take birthday boy out, but when I went to two ATMs to withdraw some cash, there were communication errors with both and I didn't have enough money in my wallet to pay for dinner. So Golf ended up paying for his lovely birthday dinner. I said I'd pay for my birthday dinner in return. :) He said, don't be silly! Anyway... it was still nice.
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