2011 Recap

What a wonderful year this has been.  I didn't think that I could top 2010 with all its travel, adventure, interesting people and my incredibly fun job as an English teacher; 2011 has proven to be equally great but in a completely different way.

It all started with our move to Seattle.  At first, I thought I would end up largely dissatisfied with this city since Bangkok had really spoiled me with its warm weather, color, variety, (relative) comfort and convenience, and, of course, my job.  I never thought that Seattle would slowly creep into my system in the most satisfying and comforting way.

In this city, I landed my best job yet - working for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  I have learned so much, and my eyes have been opened up to so many issues around the world.  This was definitely a year of learning.  My job has sparked an interest inside of me that has been stagnant for years - a desire to know more about the world around me, the difficulties that less fortunate people go through, and how help can be provided.  Moreover, being around such dynamic, intelligent people has challenged me to nurture my mind a little bit more - to educate myself and become a student again - eager and curious and alive.

Seattle is also a very calming city with its mild weather, laid-back people, smaller size, beautiful nature and friendly environment.  I've noticed that I've become less restless and so much more relaxed and satisfied.  I don't feel as much of a need for external things, people or activities to stimulate me.  I'm more peaceful inside.  Something about the city just does that to you.

And, of course, 2011 is the year I got engaged to my first and only love - the man I have been with for 4 years now, my partner in crime.

Compared to 2010, 2011 may not have been as eventful, but I definitely feel happier and more complete somehow.  I'm more at ease; I feel more confident and solid.  2010 tested my boundaries and brought about the unexpected so many times.  It certainly was a wonderful, fulfilling adventure.

2011 feels like a seal that has started to solidify all the experiences of the past into something stronger and more defined.  I wish for 2012 to continue to do so.

:)

I'm Engaged!

On a recent trip to San Francisco last September, my boyfriend proposed to me after about 4 years of being together.

The city was amazing; my man was amazing.. needless to say, the trip was epic.

On our first night in San Francisco, my boyfriend's cousin invited us to a party happening the next night.  She said it would start at a room in Hotel Monaco downtown and then we'd go drinking and dancing later.  The next day, my boyfriend and I did our tourist activities and headed for the hotel at night.  As soon as we entered the hotel, my boyfriend pretended to go to the bathroom, and his cousin and I chatted for awhile before heading to the hotel room.  When the door opened, instead of seeing a group of people drinking, chatting, and having a good time, I saw a room filled with rose petals, candles, dim lighting, music playing in the background, and my boyfriend standing in the middle with a mischievous smile on his face.  I walked in, and he got down on one knee.  The rest is history... :)

A month and a half later, wedding plans are underway, and we couldn't be happier.  We'll be having the wedding on a beach in the Philippines and renting out an entire resort.  We're so ecstatic!

More importantly, I am amazed and feel eternally grateful to be experiencing this kind of love in my life and to have such a man.  He is my rock, my partner.  I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else.

More Gorgeous Bags from Pippa Middleton

It looks like Ms. Pippa has GREAT taste in handbags!  Recently, she's decided to give her favorite Modalu Bristol bags a break and carry these two beautiful Ri2k bags around in the city of London.

Portobello Shoulder Bag in Ochre

Walcot Tote in Ox Blood Red

I want them both!  

I've been loving her outfits as well - so simple, classic and wearable.  That's probably why so many people are obsessed with the Middleton sisters - because they wear a lot of items that the average girl can use despite the fact that one is the future queen of England, and both are daughters of millionaires.

Pippa Modalu Bag

Continuing with my Kate Middleton obsession, I have been drooling over Modalu's Bristol bag which has been renamed the 'Pippa' bag ever since Pippa Middleton, Kate Middleton's younger sister, was seen carrying it after the royal wedding.  The public has gone crazy over Pippa when they saw her look absolutely stunning as her sister's maid of honor.

Now I am not as much of a fan of Pippa as I am of Kate, I think Kate is much prettier, but when I saw this bag, I thought it was to die for.  It is the perfect everyday bag.  It's got a classic size and shape, and I love, LOVE, the zippers and compartments.  I am a sucker for organization in my handbags, but I don't seem to find a lot of beautiful, must have bags that have this feature.  The 'Pippa' also comes in different colors, and Pippa has been seen carrying it in shark and tan.

Now despite the shopping ban I've imposed upon myself, I am absolutely itching to buy this bag.  Thank god it's actually out of stock right now due to its immense popularity.  Modalu is accepting pre-orders right now and will be shipping bags in November.

Here are pictures of the bag in tan:

Kate Middleton

I am obsessed with Kate Middleton right now.  I never really followed her before when she was dating Prince William; she always looked kind of unkempt and sometimes haggard in my opinion (I know many people would disagree).  However, ever since her wedding, she's been nothing but absolutely stunning, elegant and simply perfect!  Her clothes have been so flattering on her already gorgeous body, and her hair and makeup have been impeccable.  I don't know what she's been doing, but she's certainly been doing something right!

I Had a Dream...

And it has come to fruition!

May I present..

the wonderful, the gorgeous, the amazing, the beautiful...

Prada Lux Saffiano Tote

This is my holy grail bag, and I had written about it on a previous blog post a few months back (Prada Lux Saffiano Tote), wishing, dreaming, but never actually believing I would ever own it.

Now it is mine, and I am head over heels in love.

*sigh*

Amazon Haul

Here are the Amazon acquisitions I've made over the past couple of weeks.  Needless to say, I've been a tad bit BOOK CRAZY!  Not to mention all the impulse purchases I've made at Barnes & Noble and secondhand bookstores.  Eek!  That's alright, books ARE food for the soul after all, so I am simply keeping my brain somewhat healthy.  I say 'somewhat' because these are all novels.  Hah!  That's okay, since there are some classics thrown in the mix. ;)  (Note: I am currently OBSESSED with the Bronte sisters.)

Left to Right:  The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, A Tale of Two Cities & Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (I've already read this book but wanted to have a copy since I read it on my Kindle.), The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Shirley & The Professor by Charlotte Bronte, Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte, Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler, Dusty Answer by Rosamond Lehman, They Were Sisters by Dorothy Whipple, Mariana by Monica Dickens, The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Oh, and of course, my handbag obsession, although largely under control due to my budget limitations, is still very much alive... I got the Aldo Cyphert bag, which I love!  It's such an adorable lady bag. :)

And there you have it!  My buys are nicely situated in my new bookcase from Target. :)

I MUST have a bookcase wherever I reside.

Upcoming Movie: Jane Eyre

I CANNOT WAIT to see this movie.  I've been a huge fan of the book for many years now and have seen a few movie and TV adaptations of it, none of which have truly satisfied me.  I hope this updated one will prove different.

Here's my review of the novel if you're interested: Book Rave: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Only Girl

This guy's version of Rihanna's Only Girl makes me wanna fly.  He's so talented!



Amazing isn't it? :)

Reading List

The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

Mariana by Monica Dickens

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Vilette by Charlotte Bronte

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Shirley by Charlotte Bronte

A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Books are a joy.  What's on your reading list?  :)

Book Rave: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights was always an intimidating book for me.  I didn't dare touch it for a really long time due to all the things I had heard about it.  I have a weak constitution when it comes to dark, emotionally draining books, and who hasn't heard about the tragic, all-consuming love between Heathcliff and Cathy that leads to the destruction of so many lives?  At the same time, however, I knew that it was a book I had to read in my lifetime simply because it's been dubbed one of the greatest romantic classics of all time, and I, being a hopeless romantic, found it my duty to finish it whether or not it gave me any pleasure.

I'm so glad I did.

Last week, I picked up my copy of Wuthering Heights which I had had for a few months, gathering dust in my bookshelf, and made the decision to plow through it as if I were in an English Literature class and had to finish it for homework by a certain deadline.  I gave myself a week.  I finished the book in two days.

Now don't get me wrong, it certainly wasn't love at first sight.  I had tried to read this book in the past, but the first two chapters always repelled me, and I couldn't go on.  The old English was difficult to get through, and the scenes were quite boring and, quite frankly, a bit weird.  This time, I forced myself to persevere, and after the first three chapters, the story picked up at a rapid pace.  Looking back, I now appreciate those initial chapters because they truly set the scene for the rest of the story.  It shows a grown up Heathcliff who has already lost his Cathy.  He is the landlord of Wuthering Heights and resides with a rough, uncivilized boy, and his daughter in law, a beautiful but haughty girl.  The house is depicted as being a dark, desolate and completely loveless residence.  The tenants all seem a bit crazed and banned from normal society.  Because of this, the reader becomes curious and desirous to know what had happened in the past for things to have turned out that way.  I certainly did.  Once Nelly Dean, the old housekeeper of Wuthering Heights starts telling the story from the very beginning, I was entranced, and I devoured the book.

I was a bit shocked that such a book could've been written and published during the Victorian era which was known for its rigidly conventional standards and etiquette.  But that's what makes it such a standout.  It certainly is one of a kind.  The hero and heroine are not your typical protagonists.  Bronte doesn't allow much sympathy for the character of Heathcliff who, especially in later years, has little to no redeeming qualities, aside from his devotion to Cathy.  Cathy, on the other hand, is haughty, saucy and quite insensitive to the feelings of others - definitely not your typical innocent, pure hearted, morally upright Victorian heroine.  They are both selfish beings consumed with their own concerns and trapped in the little world they create for themselves.

Despite all this, however, I was inspired by the relationship between Heathcliff and Cathy.  Granted, I wouldn't want it for myself (I like my share of stable, healthy relationships thank you very much.), but there was something other worldly about what they had, something beyond all the normal, everyday relationships or interactions we encounter.  They simply understood each other like nobody else; they were true soulmates.

Cathy articulated it best in the little speech she gave when she was tormented about accepting Edgar Linton's marriage proposal.  She said about her beloved, "He's more myself than I am.  Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same... My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees.  My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary.  I am Heathcliff!  He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."


I could've wept with joy from reading those exquisite words.  And I did.

Weekend Plans

Tonight, I am taking my cupcake obsession to the next level, and diving into the world of baking.  Yes, baking.  Me in the kitchen doing something other than eating or heating things up in the microwave is unimaginable I know, but I've decided it's high time I do something about this innate disability of mine - seeing as it's followed me around like a dark shadow all my life.  Baby steps!

Soo, I found a recipe online for chocolate chip cupcakes, and they're supposed to look like this:

Oh please let them be edible.. I don't ask for much really, just that they don't end up poisoning me or my boyfriend or at least turning him off completely from any other attempts I have in the future.  I'll write about this mini project later on.  Wish me luck!  

To top it off, we'll also be watching these movies at home:

Looks like a pretty good list eh?  Cupcakes and movies - Oh yes, I couldn't imagine a better way to spend a Friday night.

As for the rest of the weekend, I'm visiting a dear friend of mine to see her house for the very first time, and my boyfriend and I will be doing our usual restaurant excursions.  We have a couple that look very promising.  I'll update you on that front as well.

What are your weekend plans? :)

Movie Rave: Timer

Here's yet another surprisingly entertaining film I've seen recently.  I like writing about these kinds of movies because they don't get much exposure when they really should.  Timer is an indie romantic comedy that I had never heard of until I saw it on Netflix Watch Instantly.  It received 4.5 stars, so I decided to give it a try.  I was more than pleasantly surprised.  This movie kept me awake til the wee hours of the morning.

What really caught and kept my interest was the highly original premise of the story.  It's set in a world where a product called the 'timer' is widely in use, similar to how cellphones are right now.  A timer is a device that is installed and injected on a human's wrist.  It detects the length of time - how many days, hours and seconds - that person has until meeting his/her soulmate.  Once the two people meet, the timer beeps, indicating that they have found each other.  It is created to save people time, energy and heartache from being with someone they are ultimately not destined for.

I absolutely loved this idea.  I thought it was such an interesting concept that really makes you think.  In a world filled with timers, divorce rates would completely plummet, children wouldn't have to come from broken families, people wouldn't have to go through so much sadness, confusion and heartache, individuals and households would be much happier, and , in turn, the world in general would just be a much better place to live in.

Or would it really be that simple?  Is there really a person out there that would be the answer to everything?  A coupling of two people that would result to something close to perfection?  Is it just a formula of sorts?  If only this person were with this person, everything would be dandy.  Does this mean that all bad, mediocre, or more than imperfect relationships are the way they are because the two elements simply do not belong to each other?  And what if two people are not soulmates?  Would it still be possible for them to attain an ideal relationship?

These are the kinds of questions I found myself asking while I watched this film.  It's incredibly rare for a romantic comedy to do that to me.  So.. if you love romantic comedies like I do, but are in dire need of something different, definitely check this movie out.

Movie Rave: Evil

Oh my.

I am currently recovering from this movie.  I just saw it and thought my heart would explode from so much suspense and emotion.  I went through an endless cycle of sadness, frustration, anger, relief, happiness, and back again.  It was quite draining.. in a good way.

Evil is a Swedish drama about Erik, a rebellious teenager who is expelled from his high school for fighting, which is largely brought on by the beatings he receives from his violent stepfather.  He is then sent to a prestigious boarding school, the Stjarsnberg Academy.  Things start off fine when he begins to make good friends, especially with his bookish roommate Pierre.  However, he is soon exposed to the unjust system of the upperclassmen running the school.  These boys have been given unsupervised freedom and authority to maintain order in the institution, but Erik realizes that they are highly abusive and violent and will stop at nothing to flaunt their power and corruption.  Erik decides to resist them and fight back - but this time with non-violence, which poses to be extremely challenging.

His journey will amaze and inspire you.  I cannot recommend this movie enough.  It was astounding.

Movie Rave: Heartbreaker

Ohh.. I've just been treated to such a delightful hidden gem.  It's one of those films where you go into it with no expectations whatsoever and come out of it floating on air.  This is what the French movie Heartbreaker has done for me.  It's about a guy who is paid to break up relationships where the women are unhappy.  Even though his method is seduction, he manages to reach his goals without ever having to sleep with them.  He relies on his charm, wit and improvisation.  He is also supported by his sister and her husband (who are both a hoot!), and their powers combined make such a solid, effective, hilarious and unbeatable team.  Things change however when he ends up falling in love with one of his target women who is played by the beautiful Vanessa Paradis - Johnny Depp's wife.

I know the plot sounds quite banal but the movie managed to execute it in such a refreshing way.  I found myself glued to the characters, the dialogue, the gorgeous scenery, and the wonderful humor.  It also helps that it's French. ;)

If you're into romantic comedies, watch it!

Spending a Monday at Downton Abbey

Now that I am currently unemployed, waiting for my job to start, I spend my days doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that - some reading, some watching, some surfing, some housework - not really committed to one thing in particular since there hasn't been anything fascinating enough to obsess over.  Today was different.

I just spent the entire day completely immersed in the world of Downton Abbey.  This is a magnificent series from the UK that was shown on PBS Masterpiece Theater recently.  I've always been a total sucker for British period series, and, needless to say, I was once again entrapped and enraptured.

Downton Abbey is about an upper class estate (Downton Abbey) and the stories of the people that live in it  - the family and the servants.  The Crawleys, who own the manor, are shocked when two of the heirs to the house suddenly die when the Titanic sinks.  The family does not have any sons, and so the estate has to be passed on to a distant cousin when the Earl dies.  The family has to find a way to deal with this problem on top of worrying about their three daughters, who get into some trouble of their own.

Beyond this, the servants also have an abundance of drama going on, especially with the presence of two evil characters who keep on scheming and making things difficult for the people around them.  The servants' stories are equally compelling.  I came to really admire the way they carried themselves and lived their lives despite their limited professions.  I can only hope to be as dedicated to my future career as much as they were with theirs.

This show was addictive for me; I could not stop watching.  I found myself tearing up in many scenes because I started to really care about the characters and their plights, as well as rejoice in their successes.  It's the kind of thing I would definitely watch over and over again.

This series really made my Monday, and I was transported into a different world for a whole day.  I LOVE it when that happens.  I live for moments like that.  :)

Aldo Cyphert Bag

I NEED this bag:

It reminds me of the Hermes Kelly, and it's only $45!  It comes in 4 other colors, but this beige version is my personal pick.  Must... go... to the nearest Aldo store pronto!  I know, I know I'm on a tight budget right now... but Aldo's bags are seasonal, and once the season's over, they're gone forever!  I simply can't allow that to happen.  Oh my... I scare myself sometimes.  Haha!

Here's Blair toting a red version of it:

UPDATE: And.. I just bought it on Amazon. Me when it comes to bags? Powerless.

Movie Rave: The Last Station

I just watched this movie last night, and I cried buckets. It's a film about the last days of Leo Tolstoy's life, specifically how his personal life was affected by the Tolstoyan movement which was centered on his philosophical and spiritual ideas.  Overall, the film was wonderful, but what really drew me to it was the relationship between Tolstoy and his wife Sophia which was so incredibly passionate, tumultuous, but also touching and heart wrenching.  The actors' performances were also astounding.  Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer and James McAvoy all delivered excellent portrayals of their characters.  I highly recommend it.

Current Loves

- Seattle (the city and its surrounding areas - I am falling in love and slowly exploring this place bit by bit. It's been so easy to navigate! So glad we moved here.)
- our new townhouse (another place I am in love with! It's so nice and spacious. Oh, and the cats love the big windows. :) )
- spending the weekends with my boyfriend watching movies, TV shows and eating A LOT
- getting a job offer from the Gates Foundation!
- The Vampire Diaries picking up again
- Dan and Blair! (Gossip Girl)
- cupcakes from The Latest Crave in Geneva, IL (hands down the best cupcakes I've had in my entire life. I know I'm not in Chicago anymore, but I can't stop thinking about them. Still on the hunt for something comparable here in Seattle)
- wearing cold weather clothes again (after more than a year in SE Asia, I was dying to be reunited with my coats, boots and scarves)
- the Omega watch I received as a gift from my mom. I've been wearing it every single day. Love.
- finding the necklace my boyfriend gave me which I thought I had lost for good! :)

Love for Emily Giffin

I found this image on author Emily Giffin's official website and thought it was fabulous. Each girl is reading one of Emily's books. It just goes to show, reading CAN look glamorous. :)

I HIGHLY recommend her books. They're the most wonderful, well-written, insightful, psychologically astute chicklit novels I've ever read. My favorites are Something Blue, Love the One You're With and Heart of the Matter.

Happy reading! :)

Always Belong to You

So this is a bit overdue, but I wanted to write about my Valentines Day. My boyfriend hit a home run once again. There was something about this Valentines that was really special. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, and we didn't go too crazy with our celebration (I never really do), but there was something so satisfying about the quiet romance and unassuming way we spent it.

First, he surprised me with a dinner at Thomas St. Bistro, which is a wonderful French Mediterranean restaurant in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. It was the perfect place to celebrate. You go in, and the first thing you notice is how tiny the place is, and because it's so small, you can immediately breathe in the smells of the cooking in the kitchen. The restaurant is dimly lit, and the chairs and tables are so close to each other; you can hear everyone's conversations around you. It's a very warm and intimate atmosphere. You also get to enjoy some live music; the soothing strums of the guitar is such a great background to have while you indulge in the delicious soups, entrees and desserts.

After our satisfying dinner, we went and saw No Strings Attached with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher.  It was a funny and lighthearted movie, a good Valentines pick.  Then we went home and enjoyed each other's company. :)

The next day, when my boyfriend came back from work, he surprised me with a red rose, a cupcake and some chocolate.  I thought we were already done celebrating Valentines, so it was such an unexpected surprise.  We had dinner together and snuggled in the living room to watch an episode of Vampire Diaries.  You always appreciate a guy who's willing to watch one of your TV shows. ;)

Again, it was a very simple, understated Valentines, but it was very special because we're starting a new life here in Seattle.  New place, new beginnings.  We're starting a new phase in our lives together, and our relationship has never felt so solid. :)

Hello Seattle!

I have finally made the big move to Seattle, and now my life in the real world begins.

Farewell Thailand and your "mai pen rai" culture.
Goodbye to sleeping in til 2 in the afternoon and going to work at 5 pm to laugh and blabber with my co-workers and play, goof around and laugh and blabber some more with my students.
So long to indulging in rounds of reality TV and a good dose of Gossip Girl before going to bed at 5 am.
Goodbye to trips outside the country every 6 weeks.
See you later amazing Thai street food.  My mouth drools just reminiscing about all the moments we've shared.
Bye bye cheap everything.  I'm sorry if I decide to obliterate you from my memory.  It's too depressing to think about you.

Yes, Seattle is here, and I'm actually feeling good.  Really good.

My boyfriend and I have moved into this amazing townhouse.  It's the biggest place I've rented in my entire life, and I don't know what to do with all this space.  It makes me feel so grown up and responsible.  It makes me want to clean and cook and do the dishes. *shock* And don't even get me started on the walk-in closet.  I die.  This place has quickly turned into a sanctuary for me.  I go there, and everything is alright in the world.

Our townhouse is also situated in a great location.  It's in Lake City which is a neighborhood on the north side of Seattle.  It's definitely not the classiest, most interesting or culturally enriching area in the city; in fact, it's earned a bit of a seedy reputation because of its string of strip clubs and adult stores.  However, I still like it because it's close to the urban area but it's also far enough where it feels more secluded and peaceful.  It's more like a suburb, and rent here is so much cheaper.  The space is definitely well worth it.

I am currently busying myself with looking for a job.  I have an interview tomorrow, and I hope it goes well.  I'm quite nervous because it's my first, so we'll see how it goes.  I just want to start earning money already, so I can quickly continue being a significant driving force for the American economy.. if you get my drift. ;)

Top 10 Things I Will Miss About Living in Bangkok

Now that I'm leaving Thailand in 2 days, I've decided to compile a list of some of the best things about my newfound home, Bangkok, which I will miss dearly.

1. My job
- This has by far been the best thing that has happened to me in Thailand. I have fallen in love with my job and working at AUA Ratchayothin specifically. My students and co-workers are so easy to get along with. I have the opportunity to be creative, silly and wacky in my classes. The job is constantly changing. You work with different people all the time because the terms last only 6 weeks and then you get whole new sets of students all over again. The schedule is flexible, and the job also pays really good money for Thailand. I have lived such a comfortable life because of this.

2. Being able to travel every 7th week

3. The proximity to so many wonderful cities and countries 
- I've been lucky enough to have traveled to Laos, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, as well as a couple of destinations within Thailand since I moved to this country.

4. My apartment's proximity to my workplace
- A 5 minute walk is all it takes for me to get to work. Nuff said.

5. Cheap EVERYTHING
- Cheap food, cheap clothes, cheap rent, cheap transportation, cheap healthcare (not that I really needed it), cheap entertainment.. I can live like a princess here! Oh, and don't even get me started on the markets.. Love.

6. My co-workers 
- I work with such a great group of people. We come from different backgrounds, races, cultures, nationalities and ages, but we all seem to just get along really well. They're a very interesting and dynamic bunch. They're all so helpful and easy to talk to. We constantly bounce teaching ideas off of each other. I will definitely miss the work environment a lot.

7. The weather
- Even though it certainly isn't perfect and gets too hot most of the time, I know I'm still gonna miss it dearly when I start freezing during the cold seasons in America. On that note..

8. Clear blue skies
- I'll be moving to Seattle where it'll be overcast for most of the year. I KNOW I will be longing for Thailand's sunny, bright skies.

9. The 7 Eleven branch in front of our apartment
- It's so convenient and has all the essentials. It's also great for late night cravings. :)

10. The fruit stand in front of our apartment 
- The vendors always sell fresh fruits, and it's such easy access. We get an incredibly cheap daily supply of cantaloupe, mango, pineapple, guava and watermelon.

Farewell Bangkok. Thank you for treating me so well. Til next time! :)

2010 Recap

January:  I started my first English teaching job. I was nervous and unsure of myself, but I persevered! I also traveled to Vientiane, Laos for the first time to apply for my 1-year non-immigrant visa. I enjoyed some great and incredibly cheap French food.

February:  My boyfriend and I traveled back to Laos to get his tourist visa. We enjoyed more French food in Vientiane and also took another trip to Vang Vieng, which was really nice. We motorbiked around the area, and it was so much fun! We also moved to a new apartment so I could be closer to work. We fell in love with it, and now see it as our second home.

March:  My boyfriend's dad came to visit, and we showed him around Bangkok. It was quite nice!

April:  I traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to see the Petronas Towers. I also did some shopping and went to Sunway Lagoons, a water theme park.

May:  This was a stressful month because the protests in Bangkok reached its peak when the protesters started burning buildings around the city. Fortunately, this month also saw the end of it when the red shirts finally gave up their cause but not until they had already destroyed so much.

June:  My mom and sister came to visit me from the States. I was sooo excited! We did a lot of shopping around Bangkok, and we also spent 3 days in Singapore, which I loved!

July:  This was a life changing month for us. We met our 2 baby kitties, and fell head over heels in love. They've been part of our family ever since. :)

August: My boyfriend's friend came to visit, and we had a good time with him. This was also the first time I played paintball. I liked it more than I would like to admit.

September:  We traveled to Hong Kong and spent only 2 days there. I wish I had more time! I bought my very first Louis Vuitton bag in the Times Square area, and I was so psyched! I've been using it almost everyday ever since.

October:  My boyfriend's birthday and our 3 year anniversary - only 3 days apart. I spoiled him on his day, and he gave me a wonderful surprise on our day. :)

November:  We were shocked when my boyfriend's tourist visa request was rejected. This was when we began to re-evaluate our plans. It was very difficult, but when we finally came to a conclusion, we started to feel excited for the immediate future. My boyfriend's mom also came to visit, and we showed her around.

December:  I reached the end of my year long teaching job. I felt kind of sad to leave such a wonderful job and say goodbye to my co-workers, but I was also excited for the next step in my journey. We also visited Bali for 3 days. After that, we spent the holidays in Ko Samui and Ko Tao, beautiful islands in the south of Thailand.

I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful and life changing the year 2010 was. I CANNOT wait to see what 2011 has in store for me. Life is amazing! :D

How I Spent the Holidays

We're finally done with our mini trips before leaving Thailand for the good ol US of A. We've just come back from a week long trip to Ko Samui and Ko Tao - beautiful islands in the south of Thailand. We spent 2 days in Ko Samui and then took a ferry boat to Ko Tao for a 4 day scuba diving certification program.

Let me start by talking about Ko Samui. I had a wonderful time in this island. The 2 days we spent there were completely relaxing and just plain fun. Our hotel was in a great location by Lamai Beach which is known for being more laid back and not infested with tourists. The hotel was right by the beach and there were tons of great restaurants and shops in the area. We took a dip in one of the pools, and I got to do some reading by the water. I finished the book "One Day" by David Nicholls on my Kindle which was quite a good read. It's an unconventional love story about two best friends and how their relationship evolves throughout the years. It was a good beach read, but I wouldn't consider it as one of my favorites.

We also rode a motorbike around the island to do more exploring. We visited a waterfall which was wonderful. It was so soothing to watch the water cascading into the river.

As we motorbiked up the island, we were able to catch some very breathtaking views. It was nice to be able to stop whenever we wanted and simply sit back, take some pictures and soak all the sights in . We got to go eat at some great restaurants and found the wonderful Buddha beach which was nice, quiet and secluded. It had a very bohemian feel to it.  There was a cafe that served drinks and snacks, and there was also a tiny hut that offered massaging services. It was an absolutely great escape.

I love motorbiking with my boyfriend. We just feel so much more accomplished when we discover places by ourselves without any tour guides.

Ko Tao, on the other hand, was a different story. The trip got off to a bad start with the boat ride going to the island. Everyone on the boat got incredibly seasick because of the heavy waves. I really felt sick to my stomach and am only thankful that I didn't actually puke like some people did. The entire time, all I could think of was, "Don't throw up, don't throw up." The ride went on for an extra hour since we were going against the current. It has got to be the roughest boat ride I have ever had in my life. To top it off, almost as soon as we arrived, we had to attend the orientation session of our scuba diving course. I was still sick and the last thing I wanted to do was pay attention in a class.

The next day was a little better. I was rested so I was ready to start the scuba program. We had class in the morning and went to the pool to practice scuba diving with all our equipment. It was very challenging for me because I am a tiny person, and scuba gear is definitely not the easiest to handle. It's very heavy and bulky, but I managed. The session didn't go too well for me though. I was behind, and I couldn't accomplish the skill sets as quickly as the rest of my classmates. I'm simply not the most athletic person in the world. It was gym class all over again. Eek! Haha!!

The next morning, we had 2 dives scheduled for open water. I was nervous, but hoped that this day would be better than yesterday since this time we would get to see sea life and not focus too much on the skills we had to learn. I was wrong. I was very nervous and worried the entire time I was underwater. At one point, I even had a bit of a panic attack when I started to breathe water through my regulator. I basically forgot most of the tips and lessons we had learned the day before and focused too much on worrying and imagining the worst case scenario. Most importantly, I didn't really enjoy the view underwater since the seaworld isn't really my thing. To me, the vibe underwater is creepy and makes me incredibly uncomfortable. I don't like the taste of my regulator and the air coming from my tank. I don't like the bubbles that come out every time I exhale. I don't like the pressure in my ears every time I descend. I don't like the sounds the regulator makes whenever you breathe in and out. I don't like that it's darker in the water, that sounds come out slow and muffled, and that it feels like something bad can happen anytime, and you only have hand signals to communicate with the people you're diving with.

After this dive, I decided that I didn't want to continue on with the program. I told my instructors that scuba diving just wasn't for me. I don't find aquatic life and vegetation fascinating like my classmates do, and I only signed up for the program because of my boyfriend who was dying to do it. I wanted to give it a try, and it simply didn't live up to my expectations.

After this, I started to have a much better time. On the last day, I simply relaxed all day, and at night, my boyfriend and I hung out at the diving resort's bar/restaurant with some of our classmates. We got to eat, drink and chat. It was a great way to cap off an exhausting trip.

Ko Tao is a wonderful place, and it was too bad that we didn't really have time to explore the rest of the island since we were doing the diving program. The beach was amazing, and the sand was so fine, soft and smooth. I definitely want to go back in the future to see more of it.

 

I'm really going to miss Thailand. It is now my second home. I have such wonderful memories and experiences that I will take with me for the rest of my life.