Golf doesn't like turkey very much, so he opted for the salmon choice.
My turkey dinner which had this sausage wrapped with bacon, a 'croquette' (?) which is a sausage like thing with breading, mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, roasted vegetables and creamed cauliflower. The dark meat portion of the turkey was very tough and tasted funny.
We're all just totally digging in and enjoying a real Christmas feast.
Having fun after dinner -- Anne's mother mailed these glasses to her and when you look at any lights through them, you see holographic snowflakes. Cool!
"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.
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!!!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.