One month in Sg plan

"Feeling sleepy in the afternoon is normal. It doesn’t mean you had a big lunch, or that you’re depressed, or you’re not getting enough exercise. That’s just how animals’ cycles work — every 24 hours, we have two periods of intense sleepiness. One is typically in the wee hours of the night, from about 2am to 4am, and the other is around 10 hours later, between 1pm and 3pm. If you’re a night owl and wake up later in the morning, that afternoon sleepiness may come later; if you’re an early bird, it may come earlier. But it happens to everyone; we’re physiologically hardwired to nap"

-- 7 Simple Rules for How to Take a Nap

By the way, rule 7 reads "Quit that silly job where they don’t let you take naps during the day". I guess 90% of the working population in Singapore would have to go jobless.

Mdm here is sleeeeeeeeeepy and it's only Monday! At 12.30 a.m. last night, my hubby tried to convince me to pick a choice from his movie inventory since neither of us was feeling sleepy. We didn't cos the disciplined part of me didn't want to be a drifting soul at work on a Monday morning. But it didn't help! So this morning, we made a new pact to get to bed before 11. I really don't see why this is impossible since we knock off from work at 4.30.

My weekend was lazy as usual. At least once a week, I will feel like skipping a calories-counting meal and indulge in whatever. And yesterday was the day. P and I bought dinner that's enough to feed 4 (1 chicken rice, 1 braised pork rice, 2 bags of pork porridge, 2 pork buns, 1 bag of soy bean milk with glutinous rice balls, 1 bag of bread dip, 2 cans of Coke and 2 cans of Sprite) and we sat and munched while watching movie. It's 2 more weeks to my trip back home and I KNOW I HAVE TO STOP.

I looked at the calendar and realized how hard it is to truly enjoy my one week back in Sg. As much as I want to meet up with everyone back at home, I want to be able to enjoy my time lazing, shopping, munching and re-acquainting with the places I used to frequent. I want to know that nothing is changed (yet). It seems kinda tough for all these to be done in a week. Besides, P's with me this time round and I know he won't be that happy if he had to be dragged around for the entire week. I wouldn't be if I'm in his shoes. These days, I have been thinking of the possibilities of spending, once a year, one full month back at home. It seems to make more sense. I mean I will still make multiple trips back home but one of which (say year end), I am hoping to spend one full month in Sg. And for that month back in Sg, I would relinquish my "Madam" title, temporary. How does that sound? Hmm...

Breathing down their neck

The new haircut



By the way, Forensic Heroes 2 is on crunchyroll too and it comes with subtitle!!!

I have agreed to give supplementary Mandarin classes for my nieces an hour each on Saturday and Sunday. We started the classes a couple of weeks ago and I have a feeling that the kids are starting to dread the weekly classes. It's hard not to, I will too if I'm them. The kids have tuition classes 5 times a week, thrice on weekdays. On some days, they get home past 7.30pm.

If I haven't been here, I would have thought that only kids in Singapore are enrolled in intensive supplementary classes by their parents. My nieces/ nephews back in Singapore are attending special weekend courses and mind you, they are still babbling toddlers. Aside from the usual music, art and dance classes, there are now art and speech therapy classes. My nieces here in Thailand, are picking up golf and are attending classes 3 times a week.

I don't remember myself as a kid having to attend classes like them. In fact, my parents never really bother to send us for enrichment classes. Sometimes, I wonder if I will unconsciously become a mum who breathes down my kids' neck too.

What you see is not what you get

Just saw this here. Wah!!! I didnt know that I am actually taller than half of them. And I thought I am short. Are they midget or what?

徐熙媛　　宣称身高：163cm 实际身高：160cm

萧亚轩　　宣称身高：162cm 实际身高：158cm

孙燕姿　　宣称身高：163cm 实际身高：157cm

梁静茹　　宣称身高：156cm 实际身高：150cm

林心如　　宣称身高：167cm 实际身高：163cm

刘嘉玲　　宣称身高：168cm 实际身高：163cm

厉娜 　 宣称身高：166cm 实际身高：159cm

李宇春　　宣称身高：174cm 实际身高：170cm

宋慧乔　　宣称身高：164cm 实际身高：156cm

宝儿　　 宣称身高：161cm 实际身高：156cm

张柏芝　　宣称身高：165cm 实际身高：158cm

钟欣桐　　宣称身高：160cm 实际身高：152cm

容祖儿　　宣称身高：169cm 实际身高：166cm

陈慧琳　　宣称身高：173cm 实际身高：171cm

朱茵 　　 宣称身高：160cm 实际身高：153cm

章子怡　　宣称身高：164cm 实际身高：160cm

王心凌　　宣称身高：158cm 实际身高：156cm

杨丞琳 宣称身高：162cm 实际身高：158cm　

Mdm's first worship and encounter with farangs that speak Thai

Introducing my latest toy


I know it's only 1 kg and I hope it's enough for me to work on my triceps. We actually bought a pair and I tried lifting both using one hand but it's really too much.

We went to this hypermarket yesterday to get some stuff that P needed at work. And then right at 6 the national anthem was played. I have been here for almost a year and have gotten quite used to this daily standstill but this time, I managed to snap a picture!


p/s: MM, this lady in red looks like someone we know right? =P

It still amuses me sometimes when everyone freezes when the national anthem is played. When I was on the morning flight travelling to BKK, the national anthem was playing on the television in the boarding gate and the Thais darted out of their seats almost instantaneously.

Just this morning, the university had a formal retirement ceremony for my mentor. The ladies in our department decided to get her a bouquet of flowers and Mdm had volunteered myself since there are a couple of flower shops at the back of our house. P and I walked to the back of the house and got a really nice and big bouquet yesterday night:



And it's only 400 baht!!! That's less than S$20. I guess the cost would have easily doubled or even tripled in Sg. I guess guys who are tight on budget can plan a surprise for your other half with a nice and big bouquet of flowers while holidaying here in Thailand (come to think of it, people who are tight on budget wouldnt even be travelling).

I don't remember if I have ever mentioned that PYU is a Christian Univerisity. In fact, the predecessor of PYU was the Thailand Theological Seminary which was later integrated into the University as the McGilvary College of Divinity. This is probably the reason why there are many foreigners here in PYU who had first come as missionaries and later stayed on to serve the school. This morning, I attended my first worship in the school chapel and witnessed the most amazing thing ever. A close friend of my mentor was addressing the audience in Thai.

A farang speaking in fluent Thai.
A farang making jokes in Thai.

And the next minute, you realised that most of the farangs around were not wearing their earphones. They didn't need the translators cos they could ALL understand Thai!

By the way, attending worship for the first time was a very undescribable experience. For some unknown reason, I kept having goosebumps.

To do list back in my sunny Singapore

I saw this article in Sparkleshelf this afternoon. I havent done manicure/pedicure since I'm here in Thailand and my toes are itching for one!!! Check out this cute colour!



I think the last manicure/ pedicure I did was in my last few weeks with SLA. And that's like a year ago. >.<

And there's (endless) shopping for new clothes, bags, shoes etc. I can't wait to re-stock my wardrobe. Mdm's last splurge was on my red Coach ergo patent and that was like more than a year ago and I don't think I should be guilt-stricken to be eyeing these.




So pretty!

At least I still know where to get my stuff now. I wonder what would it be like 5 years down the road, when my favourite shops have shifted/ closed down and LTA has done so much to the road networks that I am no longer familiar with driving around.

You don't have to change your life, but some small part of it could adapt somewhat.

"Each person in a relationship should be giving and receiving. They should be willing to stay up late with you as you would do for them. You should be willing to watch your partner’s favorite movie no matter how much you don’t like it. This is not a requirement or an obligation. It's making adaptations to make up the differences in two persons.

Love and relationships are two-way streets. No one is more than the other."
___

Just want to add that this is an abstract from some article Mdm read online! LOL. Thanks, Shan. =)))

Thank God it's ... Friday!

Isn't his voice just cool.


____

I'll be making a trip to the hairdresser's tomorrow cos I have found my inspiration!



It just keeps getting shorter and shorter.

Except for my planned visit to the hairdresser's, Mdm is up to nothing this weekend. I'll just hibernate at home or catch some hk drama. Forensic Heroes II is out and it's all over D-addict now. =)))

A loss

Cocoa left us yesterday without any apparent indication of discomfort. This feeling sucks. =((

Mdm's in love with Thai rocker!

Cheap MTV I know, but the song keeps ringing in my head!

Busy first day of school!

Mdm had been busy since this morning! Walking in and out of the office, typing numerous emails etc. And now, I can finally sit down peacefully, sip my cup of roselle tea and blog! Ok, blogging at work is a crime, but it's just another 45 minutes and I'll be off from work.

It's the first day of the new semester and finally, PYU is buzzing with activities. Since joining in March, I havent seen this lot of students. Now, that's what I call a school. And even more surprising is the number of Chinese students around. I know by statistics that we have many Chinese students, but I havent seen them around as much as the Americans and Thais. And this afternoon when I saw some congregating outside my office, I was tempted to go up to them and say a friendly hello in mandarin (but I didnt).

Mdm is going back to Sg in less than a month!!! It's a short stay but I do hope I get the chance to look around for flat. I refuse to buy BTO flats cos I have an evil feeling about them.

Alone on a saturday night

P's out attending some function with FIL. Mdm being mdm, is staying at home. Since this afternoon, I've been catching lotsa shows on Youtube and in the meantime, googling on new hairdos and blogging. Speaking of multi-tasking...



Mdm's current hairdo is kinda inspired by this look.



And I am getting bored. But then... I saw the tousled look!



So cute.

Life is a miracle

Human egg makes accidental debut on camera

Play day with Cocoa the hedgehog and BKK pics

P's uber amused. He couldn't stop laying his hands on Cocoa! Our spiky friend was still rather unresponsive to our coaxing, but at least he didnt roll up like a ball in our hands. We are keeping our fingers cross that this is going to last!!!


__________

BKK with MM!!!




Lub*d!




Mr Chia


Pathetic shot of Shan's arms!!!




First ferry ride in BKK


Blogger is having some glitches and it is taking me a long long time to upload the pictures. Laterz! Arghhhhhhhhhh.

The weather in thailand

It's raining cats and dogs outside, and the weather forecast predicts that it would be raining for the whole of this week, and the next, with scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain. Just today, the Thai Meteorological Department issued a warning that there would be "heavy rain and high wave"

No. 2 (282/2551) Time Issued : June 12, 2008

Southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf is intensify during 12-15 Jun, 2008. Abundant rainfall and isolated heavy to very heavy falls in the wind ward sides or the west coast of southern and the eastern Thailand. People in the risk areas of Tak, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chanthaburi, Trat, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket and Krabi should beware of flooding conditions. The significance wave height in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand will be strength. Wave height 2-4 meters. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats in the Andaman Sea should keep ashore.

The rainy season is officially here. >,<

P hates the weather in Sg cos the humidity often drenches him in sweat. Personally I prefer the weather in Sg. Call it bias, but summer in Thailand is scorching hot and I felt like I was baking in a huge sauna for the whole of April. And now when the rainy season arrives, it's wet everywhere. Literally. There're no public shelters, roads with pits are filled with water and day/ night markets have to be suspended. We do get plenty of rain in Sg but at least activities will not be disrupted. Well, at least you can find shelter in one of the hundreds shopping centers and the madness for GSS goes on. Here in Chiangmai, less than 0.05% of the public streets are covered and when it rains, you find yourself getting trap. I haven't mentioned the (dirty) water that splashes onto your calves. I really hate that. Strangely, I don't own and umbrella here in Chiangmai.

I think the weather explains why I had fallen sick few days ago.

Design and health, or design your health

It's a shoe wheel! I love this, it looks so pretty.



Features:
20 expandable pockets.
Holds up to 30 pairs of shoes (depending on shoe type).
Fits up to men's size 11 shoe (Euro size 44).
Locking, swivel wheels for mobility.
Assembly required.

Materials:
Injected polymer frame (moulded ABS resin).
Super clear vinyl side panels and pockets.
Elastic polyester cords.
Chrome plated steel base.

By the way, I did not manage to keep my calories intake below 1200 per day. I guess it really gets harder now than before. What is going on??? ROARRRRRRRRRR. Anyways, I was browsing on the internet and I found this! Frankly speaking, it doesnt look all that bad. In fact it was rather enticing but it is just too time consuming and retarded for me to be preparing a separate set of dinner for myself while P gobbles. And I thought I knew diet coke and soda is bad for health but I didnt remember the reason for it. Now, I know why...

Diet Soda

Why is it good?
A sugar free version of the popular carbonated beverage that you can drink on the go.

Why is it bad?
OK, so soda is horrible for you, but take out the sugar and add in carcinogenic artificial sweeteners, combined with the artificial flavors and colors that are in all sodas, and you have a recipe for Tumor in a Can. Then of course you’ve got the caffeine factor, which is linked to hyperactivity, high blood pressure, and can mess with your blood sugar.

Instead choose: filtered water and the occasional glass of milk

And there's more... my beloved peanut butter is a killer too.

Reduced-Fat Peanut Butter

Why is it good?
All peanut butter provides a heart-healthy substantial quantity of monounsaturated fat.

Why is it bad?
Most commercial peanut butters are made with the same type of sugar that cake frosting is made with. Reducing the fat makes it even worse because even MORE nasty sugar is added and they contain less healthy fat. I’d rather just eat the extra calories.

Instead choose:
As with peanuts, choose almonds or all natural organic peanut butter instead. Just remember to pour off the top layer of oil and replace it with olive oil if the resulting peanut brick is too stiff. Olive oil is very low in omega-6 fats. I personally, after switching to all-natural, can no longer stomach commercial peanut butter. It tastes like sweetened lard to me now so I’d rather barf than eat it at all.

Check out the points on sushi, peanuts and soy!!!

On a sick tuesday night

I was kinda sick since last night but had to drag myself to work cos I had some meetings scheduled today. And when I did manage to endure till it was time to knock off, P called to inform that he would be an hour late. So, Mdm decided to go public. I picked up the phone and did my first cab booking. Anyhow, it was an awful experience cos the operator screwed up and sent the driver to the wrong campus. We wasted a lot of time trying to locate each other only to realize that we were in different campuses. And when he did reach the right one, he couldnt find the building. By the time I was home, I was so tired that I just slumped right onto bed and dozed off. I am feeling so much better now. At least I had the energy for this. Check out my best actor.





I received a message from MM this morning. In fact, I was still asleep when my phone beeped. She reminded me of how different my attitude had changed towards working life. Mdm is no longer dreading to go to work and moving around in the office like a soulless white collar. The strength of my will power got me surviving till the end of a sick day at work! And this was not done out of obligation. I guess in comparison to my days in SLA, I am highly underpaid here. But job being a non-monetary motivator changes everything. It makes going to work more enjoyable when you don't dread spending 8 hours at work. I reckon everyone who's unhappy in his/ her current job should just quit and look for a greener pasture.

Mummy kitchen versus thai kitchen

My mum made some rice dumplings over the weekend and MM gave her thumbs up. And now... I am craving for them!!! Frankly, my mum can really make very yummy rice dumplings. I would be back home in July but I doubt they can be kept till next month. And out of a sudden, I am missing her fried vermicelli too... and soup dumplings, lotus root soup... ROARRRRRRRRRR.

Still, Thai food is amazingly delicious and extremely tasty. It's like 9 out of 10 dishes are yummy and I usually manage to pick up one dish per week that I decide is good enough for me to consume everyday for the rest of the week. I'm currently kinda addicted to Yen Ta Fo which is like an adaptation of Yong Tau Foo. The Thai version adds the red sauce, which comes with a sour twist (as most Thai food), into the soup, making it into a red broth. IMO, many hawker style food in Thailand is being under-rated.

Forget Pad Thai.

Yen-ta-fo



Boat noodle



Suki Naam



I am missing the simplicity in home-cooked food right now. And I am kinda getting sick of thinking what to get for dinner everyday. This is when you start to realize what a blessing it is that mummy's cooking and food is all ready when you get home.

Hedgie, fashion and miscellaneous

Cocoa's virgin shower!



I guess we will have more showering sessions for Mr. Cocoa cos our hedgie is a poop machine!!!

I think most Thai ladies are all crazy over hair accessories. I'm not sure how's the fashion climate like now over in Singapore but I thought these hairbands with some blink blink factor are pretty cute. I've tried them a couple of times while at the hair accessories shop but can't seem to convince myself that such feminine look suit me. So, I chopped off my locks instead! I don't have to worry about hair rebonding, hair accessories etc for now. But I have a new struggle cos I am thinking of getting a new highlight!



The link especially for MM is here.

And... I heard from C that The Other Boleyn Girl is out in the States!!! Yuppie!!! I can't wait for it to come to Chiangmai. Scarlett Johansson is top on my favorite actress list. And there's more, Eric Bana is in this film! The last time I saw Scarlett Johansson in The Black Dahlia, I just can't stop commenting about how sexy she looked. She was born in 1984, making her only 24 this year. How can someone look like that at that age? What was I doing when I was 24?

Our four-legged untouchable hedgie

Day 3 of having Cocoa at home and he was giving us a tough time yesterday. He was playing hostile and for half of the time, he rolled up like a spiky ball! I had numerous failed attempts trying to befriend this small little creature when P's showering and for a couple of times he actually lifted his quills when I got close. Our pet is getting grumpy and having bad mood swings! ROARRRRRRRRRR. And for some unknown reason, his poop is starting to smell quite bad. It's actually smelling like human poop! We got some cat litter home yesterday and are keeping our fingers crossed that he will get litter trained.

P mentioned that we had brought home an untouchable pet. Literally. I guess having Mr Cocoa around is helpful in patience training but I wonder how many more evenings do we have to spend laying on the ground, staring and waiting for this tiny fellow to loosen up.

By the way, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is coming to the theatres!!!



Not sure when it would be screened in Thailand, but it will be out in the States this August. This meaning, it would be available for download on torrent websites very soon. I never thought they would be doing a sequel for this but since they did, I guess we would be expecting all 4 parts to be made into movies!!! =))

Visual impact

Since having the latest version of Realplayer, I have downloaded Youtube files directly from their website, stored them in P's lappie then played them while having my jogging sessions. And before yesterday, I hadnt been watching videos of any kind about the Sichuan earthquake. Most of what I had gathered were from my daily dose of online news. I had the Sg fundraising show '温情无国界-让爱川流不息' downloaded since the day after it was telecasted but I only got to watch it yesterday. Many clips from ground were played throughout the show and this particular one just kept replaying in my brain.

And today, while surfing, I stumbled upon this.




My god. Visuals are so powerful.

Meet Cocoa!!!

Cocoa in transition




Getting all defensive and curled up like a spiky ball when introduced to his new home.



And finally... getting friendly!!!






Isn't him cute =))?