Got your attention didn't I?
Now don't get too excited - it's not like I am coming home within the next month or anything, but I am happy to report I will be coming home a few weeks earlier then planned.
My school term ends July 9th and originally I had decided to stay a few extra weeks to lay on the beach, scuba dive and get really tan before I came home (not to mention travel with two of my good friends from home who would be in Thailand at this time), but due to visa issues and a change in Natanya and Julie's itinerary, I will be coming home early July instead of mid/late July.
I went back and forth on what to do: Should I still head South to the beaches by myself? Do I overstay my visa and risk getting in trouble with the Thai law? Do I let my already booked and paid for airfare go to waste? Do I take a trip out of the country just to change my visa back to a tourist visa for a few days? Etc.
After plenty of debating I have finally come to the conclusion as weird as it may sound that it would be a waste of money to stay those extra few weeks. Sure I would enjoy it, but I have a feeling I will be ready to come home once school is out (especially since most of my friends move home in June).
Looks like my ticket to Phuket will go down the drain, but it was really cheap so I can't complain too much.
Anyway, keep your eyes open on good deals from Bangkok to Seattle July 9-11th.
See you soon-ish :)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Girls Night x3
This past week I was invited to join three different girls nights.
Tuesday I met with 8 girls from my condo complex for a homemade salad and clothing swap. Although I had no clothes to exchange b/c I didn't pack enough for a week's worth, let alone extra to give away, I was still invited to come. We ate like queens and laughed A LOT! We had fruit salad, pasta salad, Greek salad, pumpkin salad (by far my favorite of the night), feta salad, barely salad and many others I am forgetting. I am so thankful for the group of girls in my condos - they are amazing!
Wednesday night I went over to a teacher's house from school along with two others from Ascot. We ordered in from this cute little cafe in the village called Murrah. Eating my favorite pumpkin soup and chicken caesar salad while watching the latest auditions from American Idol, I almost felt like I was home. It was pure bliss.
Friday night was the perfect ending to the world's longest week. I ventured downtown to where a few girls from school live to have a "Sex in the City" night. We made cosmos and cheese and cracker platters to enjoy on the roof - the view of Bangkok was AMAZING! We then caught up on all the latest celebrity gossip via magazines from home (and Australia) then watched Season 1 of Sex in the City. So fun!
I don't know where I would be without the girls in my life here. Actually that's a lie - I'd be on the next plane home. I am so thankful for each and every one of them for various reasons. None of them could be any different from one another, but that's what makes it fun and unique.
Don't worry ladies back home - you're just temporarily being replaced ;) I miss you more than you can imagine. I look forward to many coffee dates, Greenlake dates, cupcake dates, football dates and more come August.
Tuesday I met with 8 girls from my condo complex for a homemade salad and clothing swap. Although I had no clothes to exchange b/c I didn't pack enough for a week's worth, let alone extra to give away, I was still invited to come. We ate like queens and laughed A LOT! We had fruit salad, pasta salad, Greek salad, pumpkin salad (by far my favorite of the night), feta salad, barely salad and many others I am forgetting. I am so thankful for the group of girls in my condos - they are amazing!
Wednesday night I went over to a teacher's house from school along with two others from Ascot. We ordered in from this cute little cafe in the village called Murrah. Eating my favorite pumpkin soup and chicken caesar salad while watching the latest auditions from American Idol, I almost felt like I was home. It was pure bliss.
Friday night was the perfect ending to the world's longest week. I ventured downtown to where a few girls from school live to have a "Sex in the City" night. We made cosmos and cheese and cracker platters to enjoy on the roof - the view of Bangkok was AMAZING! We then caught up on all the latest celebrity gossip via magazines from home (and Australia) then watched Season 1 of Sex in the City. So fun!
I don't know where I would be without the girls in my life here. Actually that's a lie - I'd be on the next plane home. I am so thankful for each and every one of them for various reasons. None of them could be any different from one another, but that's what makes it fun and unique.
Don't worry ladies back home - you're just temporarily being replaced ;) I miss you more than you can imagine. I look forward to many coffee dates, Greenlake dates, cupcake dates, football dates and more come August.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
My Body Aches...
and this time it's not from the flu!
I had the brilliant idea to join 4 female friends downtown for a training session in Muay Thai at a little place called "Bangkok Fight Club" - I should have known by the name I was in for it.
For those of you who have never heard of Muay Thai, it's basically the most intense form of boxing there is. Muay Thai is referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs" because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes. In Muay Thai eight points of contact are used as opposed to just two points (fists) in Western boxing and four points (hands and feet) used in sport-oriented martial arts. The art of Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country's national sport. Like most competitive full contact fighting sports, Muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning. Muay Thai is specifically designed to promote the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition. Training regimens include running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises and weight training.
It is clear I am no where near the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition, but after my first completed training session I am well on my way...sike! Seriously, I have never done anything so brutal in my life. Here I thought I was signing up for a 45 min to an hour session since it was only a trial run, but instead it was a 2 hour, non stop, intense fighting session. I kicked, punched, ran and sweated longer than I have in my entire life. It was an amazing work out, but every muscle in my body aches (a good thing though right?) I am trying to decide which is worse: the muscle pain or the nasty bruises I have on my shins and top of my feet from kicking the crap out of a punching bag.
I am glad I went, but I think I'll stick to my regular gym routine next week. I cannot wait to take Kes to a match when he is here in April - he is going to love it!
I had the brilliant idea to join 4 female friends downtown for a training session in Muay Thai at a little place called "Bangkok Fight Club" - I should have known by the name I was in for it.
For those of you who have never heard of Muay Thai, it's basically the most intense form of boxing there is. Muay Thai is referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs" because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes. In Muay Thai eight points of contact are used as opposed to just two points (fists) in Western boxing and four points (hands and feet) used in sport-oriented martial arts. The art of Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country's national sport. Like most competitive full contact fighting sports, Muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning. Muay Thai is specifically designed to promote the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition. Training regimens include running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises and weight training.
It is clear I am no where near the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition, but after my first completed training session I am well on my way...sike! Seriously, I have never done anything so brutal in my life. Here I thought I was signing up for a 45 min to an hour session since it was only a trial run, but instead it was a 2 hour, non stop, intense fighting session. I kicked, punched, ran and sweated longer than I have in my entire life. It was an amazing work out, but every muscle in my body aches (a good thing though right?) I am trying to decide which is worse: the muscle pain or the nasty bruises I have on my shins and top of my feet from kicking the crap out of a punching bag.
I am glad I went, but I think I'll stick to my regular gym routine next week. I cannot wait to take Kes to a match when he is here in April - he is going to love it!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sickness Strikes Again
Its true.
I am sick again.
Boo.
For those of you who read my blog entry about my first go around with the flu, I will spare you from having to hear the symptoms a second time (no one needs to hear about those horrific issues EVER again). Sadly let's just say I was dealing with the same issues I experienced 2 weeks ago - minus the whole crapping of the bed part, thank God!
Anyway, after a very fun New Years celebration I was left in bed for 3 days straight. Then, just when I thought I was getting better, wham, the sickness continued on.
Being stubborn for long enough, I finally decided to go to the hospital (don't freak out, everyone goes to hospitals here: a kid goes home from school w/ a runny nose and their parents say "don't worry, we'll take them to the hospital - a little extreme if you ask me, but it's what they do here, very odd).
This was my second run-in with a Thai hospital. My first was for a physical for my work visa. All the other teachers at my school went together, didn't have pay, nor did they have to pee in a cup or get x-rays. Me on the other hand, well, I had to do it all. I was poked, prodded, x-rayed and more. And on top of it all, I had to pay for it, lucky me.
I wish I could say my second hospital experience went better, but it didn't. After protesting for 4 days, I finally gave in and went. I got on my work out clothes and headed on bike to the mooban's hospital - don't worry, by the time I got there I was covered in sweat and looking mighty fine - now the Thais are really going to stare at me. Since this was my second visit I figured the hospital had all my paperwork on file, so all I brought with me was my issued hospital card from last time and my insurance card from school - that should be enough right? Wrong. Apparently I needed my passport as well. Back on the bike I go.
By the time I reached home I was beyond sweaty and exhausted and refused to go back. This lasted only a few hours. Thanks to Kes' persistence and a newly discovered issue, I headed back on bike to the hospital once again, passport in hand of course.
There I sat waiting for Miss Salah Ealp (Thais pronounce "r's" like "l's") to be called. Finally I was called in and the first thing to doctor asked me was "Do you speak Thai"? Uh-oh, we're in trouble now I thought. Do I look like someone who speaks Thai? Unfortunately not. I wish I did, but all I can say to you doc is hi, bye, turn left, turn right, here, ask how much and count from 1 to 100 - none of which will help explain how I'm feeling. Well, here goes nothing I think to myself.
I explain to the cute, old, fragile man that I have had the same flu like symptoms twice in the span of 3 weeks and that this time around I am getting much worse stomach cramping and bowel issues. Awkward I know. Out of nowhere, he asks me to lift my shirt and tells me "your liver is fine" - great, I never thought it wasn't. Then he tells me "and your intestines and stomach seem inflamed" - well duh, that's why I am here isn't it? He also told me I still have a fever - something I thought I had kicked, but I guess not. That was the extent to what he told me was wrong then handed me a list of prescriptions I was to take to the pharmacy.
I didn't get answers, but I now have in hand a number of drugs that I have no idea what they are for or what they do. All I know is I hope they work!
I started this vacation with the flu and I am now ending it with the flu. School starts tomorrow and I would REALLY like to feel like myself again.
I am giving the meds 3-5 days and if after that I still do not feel 100% looks like I'll be heading downtown to find a better doctor.
Here's to better health in 2010!
I am sick again.
Boo.
For those of you who read my blog entry about my first go around with the flu, I will spare you from having to hear the symptoms a second time (no one needs to hear about those horrific issues EVER again). Sadly let's just say I was dealing with the same issues I experienced 2 weeks ago - minus the whole crapping of the bed part, thank God!
Anyway, after a very fun New Years celebration I was left in bed for 3 days straight. Then, just when I thought I was getting better, wham, the sickness continued on.
Being stubborn for long enough, I finally decided to go to the hospital (don't freak out, everyone goes to hospitals here: a kid goes home from school w/ a runny nose and their parents say "don't worry, we'll take them to the hospital - a little extreme if you ask me, but it's what they do here, very odd).
This was my second run-in with a Thai hospital. My first was for a physical for my work visa. All the other teachers at my school went together, didn't have pay, nor did they have to pee in a cup or get x-rays. Me on the other hand, well, I had to do it all. I was poked, prodded, x-rayed and more. And on top of it all, I had to pay for it, lucky me.
I wish I could say my second hospital experience went better, but it didn't. After protesting for 4 days, I finally gave in and went. I got on my work out clothes and headed on bike to the mooban's hospital - don't worry, by the time I got there I was covered in sweat and looking mighty fine - now the Thais are really going to stare at me. Since this was my second visit I figured the hospital had all my paperwork on file, so all I brought with me was my issued hospital card from last time and my insurance card from school - that should be enough right? Wrong. Apparently I needed my passport as well. Back on the bike I go.
By the time I reached home I was beyond sweaty and exhausted and refused to go back. This lasted only a few hours. Thanks to Kes' persistence and a newly discovered issue, I headed back on bike to the hospital once again, passport in hand of course.
There I sat waiting for Miss Salah Ealp (Thais pronounce "r's" like "l's") to be called. Finally I was called in and the first thing to doctor asked me was "Do you speak Thai"? Uh-oh, we're in trouble now I thought. Do I look like someone who speaks Thai? Unfortunately not. I wish I did, but all I can say to you doc is hi, bye, turn left, turn right, here, ask how much and count from 1 to 100 - none of which will help explain how I'm feeling. Well, here goes nothing I think to myself.
I explain to the cute, old, fragile man that I have had the same flu like symptoms twice in the span of 3 weeks and that this time around I am getting much worse stomach cramping and bowel issues. Awkward I know. Out of nowhere, he asks me to lift my shirt and tells me "your liver is fine" - great, I never thought it wasn't. Then he tells me "and your intestines and stomach seem inflamed" - well duh, that's why I am here isn't it? He also told me I still have a fever - something I thought I had kicked, but I guess not. That was the extent to what he told me was wrong then handed me a list of prescriptions I was to take to the pharmacy.
I didn't get answers, but I now have in hand a number of drugs that I have no idea what they are for or what they do. All I know is I hope they work!
I started this vacation with the flu and I am now ending it with the flu. School starts tomorrow and I would REALLY like to feel like myself again.
I am giving the meds 3-5 days and if after that I still do not feel 100% looks like I'll be heading downtown to find a better doctor.
Here's to better health in 2010!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year
This year I rang in the new year Bangkok style - it was complete with free food, free drinks and lots and lots of entertainment. I am proud to say I even made it up past 12am - for those of you who know me well know this doesn't happen very often, even on New Years Eve.
2009 brought many great things into my life and I look forward to what 2010 has in store.
For nearly 8 out of the 12 months this year I will be living abroad and plan to take every opportunity I can to live it up and explore what's around me.
2010...its going to be a good, good year!
See you all back home THIS year - woo hoo!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas in Thailand
Christmas came and went in Koh Tao without me hardly noticing. I've always wondered what it would feel like to celebrate Christmas in a tropical place and well, it simply didn't feel like Christmas at all. Sure the beach and restaurants were littered with decorations and holiday cheer, but something was missing: maybe it was my family and friends who were many miles away, the constant sweat I had dripping down my face, the fact that everyone around me (except for the Brits) told me the day before (the 24th) was actually Christmas day, or the fact that I did not have a single present to open or traditional Christmas dinner to eat...whatever the reason, Christmas felt like just another day here in Koh Tao.
Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful walk along the beach in the am, a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, hours of relaxation on the beach, a traditional Thai massage (who knew something could hurt so good) and a Christmas movie rented off iTunes to finish the evening...all in all I had a good "Christmas". I have however decided no one should be alone Christmas day, it's a bit depressing no matter where you are in the world.
I am very thankful for technology these days! I was able to talk/see many of my favorite people back home on their Christmas evening. It was so fun to see my nephew's excitement for his new toys, my cousin's family gathering and of course Kes' cute face. Where would I be without Skype?
Here are a few pictures of what Christmas looks like in Thailand...
My Christmas tree which by the way cost less than $3 (decorations and all):
.JPG)
Some of the KG class getting ready to preform the "12 Days of Christmas":
Christmas cheer on the beach:
Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful walk along the beach in the am, a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, hours of relaxation on the beach, a traditional Thai massage (who knew something could hurt so good) and a Christmas movie rented off iTunes to finish the evening...all in all I had a good "Christmas". I have however decided no one should be alone Christmas day, it's a bit depressing no matter where you are in the world.
I am very thankful for technology these days! I was able to talk/see many of my favorite people back home on their Christmas evening. It was so fun to see my nephew's excitement for his new toys, my cousin's family gathering and of course Kes' cute face. Where would I be without Skype?
Here are a few pictures of what Christmas looks like in Thailand...
My Christmas tree which by the way cost less than $3 (decorations and all):
.JPG)
Some of the KG class getting ready to preform the "12 Days of Christmas":
Christmas cheer on the beach:
Friday, December 25, 2009
I'm A Scuba Diver
After four days of reading, training, testing and diving I am officially a certified scuba diver.
I am so glad I decided to get my certification - it was a great experience and I cannot wait to explore more of the underwater world.
Not going to lie, at first I was a little freaked out, but once I got used to the fact I was breathing underwater and figured out how to "clear my mask" my nerves were calmed.
Our first day in the water consisted of learning all the technical things one needs to know if they ever run into problems underwater: running out of air, breathing off your buddy's air, flooding/clearing your mask, buoyancy control, emergency ascents, etc.
Once we covered the basics, the following two days we got to go on four fun dives.
The first two dives were to 12m and the following two were to 18m (this is the deepest one is allowed to go w/ the open water certification - which is what I have).
We saw blue spotted sting ray, clown fish aka Nemo, eels, angelfish, juvenile barracuda schools, various types of coral and sea anemone...some were even lucky (or unlucky enough) to run into 12 bull sharks.
The beauty underwater is incredible and I look forward to exploring more in future visits!
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