When dream tells more

I had the weirdest dream of all last night. Mdm dreamt that my dad was getting ready to be remarried and was preparing for his solemnization. He was in this really smart looking tuxedo and he must be in his seventies because he had a head of grey hair. The strangest thing of all was that after giving him a hug and telling him how much I love him, I broke down crying. It was uncontrollable and I ended up waking myself. I felt saddened but I am not sure which part of this dream was the cause. Whether it was the part that my dad would no longer be just mine, or that I haven't been telling him enough how much he meant to me and our family.

Mdm is going back to school

Mdm is taking academic Thai classes starting next Monday. Apparently, Mr. Boss wasn't happy about it since I would be gone for 3 hours in the afternoon every working day (classes from Mon-Fri, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.). Anyway, approval had been gotten from above. Besides, work is not hectic and I doubt my 3 hours absence would mean much.

And the good news is, my classes are free! I would be kinda taking the express lane and joining the module 3 classes which is like the level when you start learning to read and write in Thai (the first 2 being basic conversational modules). If Mr. Boss has not violent objection and my work load doesn't get heavy miraculously, I would complete the entire course in half a year (i.e. module 3 - 8, each lasting slightly more than a month).

Finally, it's friday! Happy weekend to all!

My life is comfortable, thank you

I've finally tuned myself back to life in Chiangmai.

Last Sunday was bad. Having arrived in Chiangmai after spending a whole 2-week with everyone back at home, I found myself missing home the moment we landed.

And then came Monday. Monday was worse. Not only that I haven't gotten over the part about being away from everyone else, I have to prepare myself for work (which is getting dreadful). I got home in the evening to a dog that looked nothing like ours back at home. Seriously, I felt like crying out loud.

I hate dealing with these emotions whenever I return from Singapore. Everything here is fine before homecoming. I have gotten used to the place, the people etc. I rant about work (occasionally) but me being me and work being work, where ever I am, rants about work will never stop. At times I thought, maybe deep inside, I am a city girl and that's the kinda life I am missing. At times I thought I am missing the people back at home more than the place. And then again, there are moments that I thought it is just the familiarity that I am missing. I don't know which is which but I do know I have made my choice and I want to enjoy my life here as much as I can. I would still be home and home will still be there for me.

There are largely 2 separate camps that people generally fall into when discussing about my life here in Chiangmai. One the "You traded the wonders of city life?" and the second being "Oh! You rich-ass Tai Tai".

The first camp pisses me ALOT. I wouldn't want to argue about this but not everyone would like to be you, if you know what I mean. If you don't, then it's the "you" who work your ass off to sustain your colourful lifestyle and thought that it is the only one wonderful thing for everyone on earth.

And for the second camp, sorry to disappoint you. First, I am NOT a Tai Tai. Second, we are not living in a mansion. Although we do live on a property that is huge and in a rather desired location in Chiangmai standards, it is old and is very run-down. And, my husband drives a very old car.

Life is actually satisfying and there is nothing much we have to worry about here. And frankly, P's family is doing well. Affordability is not an issue but my FIL happens to be a rather thrifty and modest man. And, he actually still calls the shots.

Only this is true about my life here.

My 2009

I have to constantly remind myself that resolutions and a wishlist are totally different (i.e. wishlist is afterall, a list containing of wishes ONLY). My 2009 resolutions in order of priority are

1. Getting our nest in Chiangmai
Which is something that P and I managed to sit down and discussed (along with some calculator punching) and came up with a magic number (i.e. money to save before we go house hunting).

2. Getting back in shape, meaning
a. To be on the treadmill at least 3 times a week
b. Keeping a food log to keep calories intake below 1200
I seriously have to shed off some kilos after my trips. And to be realistic, I would set the magic number at 48. I havent been on the scales since I got back but I know I've to lose at least 2-kg. Wish me good luck.

3. Start something
We have been talking for ages about starting something and Mdm would like to really get into action this year.

4. Volunteer

Post trips

The going-to-be lengthy blog post is a sign that Mdm is back at work.

We had an amazing 2 weeks break (18 days to be exact), had lotsa fun during our family trip and Mdm managed to meet up with most of my mates. In fact, this is the first time since I left 1.5 years ago that I got to meet up with mini Mindy and V girls not once but twice in a single trip. It was really nice to be able to catch up and bitch with these girls again.

Ok, some thoughts post trip.

About Taipei, I seriously am heading back there again. I don't see why anyone wouldn't enjoy this city. The food's good, city's clean and accessible, things are cheap and most importantly, people are nice (think Taiwan. Then think Hong Kong).

And about Hong Kong, Mdm is so NOT going back there again till my kid decides to see the mini Disneyland. Over the last 10 years, I have made like 3 trips to Hong Kong once every 3 years or so and I couldnt't help but enjoy less of this place each time I re-visited. The service there is HORRIBLE and, it's not just me. I heard complains from 2 separate sources who visited Hong Kong around the same period as I did. And somehow, the crowd there seems rather rowdy.

And about Singapore, Mdm is pleased that I managed to catch up with most of the changes. As in, I wasn't as stunned as I was in July when I walked down Orchard. Orchard Emerald is gone but the place is still recognizable. More time in Singapore means more time for me to re-familiarize myself with the various places that had undergone some sorta renovation works.

Mdm is happy that everyone seems to be getting on well in life. My folks are healthy, MM seems much happier and my baby recognizes me (and even looked kinda sad when we were getting our luggages out of the house).

Mdm in Chiangmai

We are back in Chiangmai. Mdm is experiencing some kinda confusion. After massive of travels made over the last 2 weeks, it felt like we have never left!

So not looking forward to Monday

After a rather hectic 2 weeks away from Chiangmai, we are amazingly not missing it! In fact, P just ranted about having to be back there again in another 15 hours.

We are all packed for our trip back to Chiangmai. Till then, more TV and local magazines!