Chiang Mai

The thing that struck me about Chaing Mai is that the people there are much more genteel as compared to the brash city folk in Bangkok. We did not get fleeced or bagered into buying things and the tuk-tuk man who took us places everyday was an honest guy who charged us extremely decent rates. We stayed at the Imperial Mae Ping hotel, and as suspect as the name sounds, it was a very clean and decent outfit complete with carpeted floors, hot showers and 2 complementary bottles of water everyday.
The highlight of the trip has definately got to be the ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) adventure which we went on the day before we left. Due to the threatening skies and rough and tough nature of the activity, we didn't bring our cameras, which was a real shame. We were driven about 40mins out of Chiang Mai to the hilly Chiang Dao area were the adventure was to begin. The ATVs were huge, and after being fitted with helmets and boots, we straddled the monsters, did 2 rounds of their pratice circuit and were off. We drove an hour uphill on proper roads and after that off road on rough terrain. Most of the time it was driving next to the wall of the mountain on the right and a sharp plummet down to mountainous depths on the left. We were warned of the seriousness of the issue with our guide constantly reminding us in an ominous tone "Go left... Dieeeee!". My brother had a real tough time steering on the uneven terrain and forgot to turn the wheel to compensate when he went over ditches which resulted in him almost driving off the cliff. The guide immediately stopped the convoy, got off his ATV, walked over to my brother and asked "Boy! Are you trying to be funny!?". Anyway, the initial hiccups cleared eventually and he was soon enjoying the ride and the changing temperatures. We passed through farming villages and I got to see actual vegetable patches! (It was really a sight to behold for this city girl) Our destination was the peak of the mountain, where we were rewarded with a spectacular view of green rolling hills and mountains amidst cold air and strong winds, a truly spectacular moment. From there it was an easy one hour ride back down to base. All in all the ride itself took about 4.5 hours. I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Chiang Mai.

Food was nothing to shout about, the Lanna cuisine is very healthy with alot of soups and curries sans coconut milk. I think my stomach couldn't handle the 'Lanna Special Pickled Sausage' we had on the last night, which tasted like what I would imagine sausage that had turned putrid in the sun would taste like. Going to the markets was also an experience, seeing raw meats for sale, crudely slapped on aluminum trays under no chilling system to speak of, stark and bare amidst the humidity. I saw maggots, I saw bugs. Like I said, it was an experience.

The trip was enjoyable, we were all spa-ed out spoiling ourselves with 2 massages each. My brother did one better and requested for a 30min MILK BATH! after one of his treatments. A simple quiet town for a quick lazy getaway, if you don't harbour grand plans of shopping up a storm. Lazy, being the operative word :)

I am emotionally, in a very dark place right now. After reclusing for a few days, I decided to pick myself up and channel my issues into exercise and fitness. I usually put aside exercise when mugging season rolls by, which is actually a very unhealthy practice as we all know that an active body begets an active mind. It seems that my fitness is truly congruent with moods and the ability to keep my emotions in check, on top of that, it helps me to undergo a change in mindset. Pounding away on the treadmill is emotionally cathartic, and I have to say, it is helping. Adrenaline is my friend.

Chiang Mai. I hope to be inspired and find some answers.

Screw that.

I just want to eat till buttons pop and receive massages in unhealthy amounts.

bye bye

Stop, Take Stock

The sad fact of growing up is that we all start to get very busy. More often than not, we forget to stop and take stock of the things that are important to us and stop taking the effort to maintain relationships, past and present. This fact was more jarring than ever when I very suddenly lost my housemate from Sydney days to Lupus early this year, I took it for granted that she would always be there and sometimes never gave her the time of day. I remind myself everyday now that life is transient and we should always take time out for family and friends, quite a change from 3 or 4 years ago when I was adamant that friendships were transient.

My friend Cheryl from Secondary School (we went to the same Primary school but she was cool and I was the loser wearing braces and had my fringe 2 fingers above eyebrow kind so we didn't speak) is one person that has taken tremendous effort to keep in touch after all these years. She is always capable of pulling the girls together for a catch up and some good ol' girly gossip, I must admit I took her effort for granted, but I have come to truly appreciate her of late. Caught up with Cheryl and Sharon after a 5 month hiatus, Sharon whom I am immensely proud of, runs a business on her own at 27, juggles work family and son, works 6 sometimes 7 days a week, often returning home at midnight. I am learning more and more that it is so important to choose the right life partner because both of you have to work as a team, live and maintain a family together.
Sharon and Cheryl
The busy business woman
Buying breakfast

The girls have done well for themselves and I am truly happy for them, once again, thanks Cheryl.

So turns the wheel

I stood and bade my farewells to the few that saw me through the year and a half. All juggling work and classes, some with families to feed, one with a baby on the way, all striving for something greater, all fighters in their own right. We shared our frustrations and worries, and if we were feeling particularly generous, a mention of our personal lives in passing. Only skimming the surface, we were comfortable acquaintances out of circumstance, and then some. As pleasantries drew to a close and awkward silence loomed, I shook their hands, smiled, turned round, walked and didn't look back. Perhaps we'll meet again, perhaps not, but if we do, it will be like the summer of 2007, it will be only in passing.

KK

Thank you Angie!
I think I am one of the few that have not tried the famed donuts at Raffles City, apparently it's good enough the give KK a run for their money. Strangely, the best donuts are still the ones I had as a student in Sydney, on our hour long break from the stale biochemistry lab while waiting for our proteins to run through gels. I always had 3 small donuts coated with cinnamon sugar, together with hot chocolate. They were always freshly made and served piping hot, crispy on the outside and fluffy cotton soft on the inside. Unlike alot of the donuts now, the texture was robust and substantial, not the airy fairy melt in your mouth type.

I must go back for a visit.

Soliloquy

Dear Jo,

I know this is your last paper and you are as excited as a kid who just got candy, but you really need to focus. Although this is your last paper you still need to work very hard so as to secure a distinction or better and not just scrape through. You need to stop surfing the bastard internet, remind your brother that his crossing over from marble dining room flooring onto your parquet flooring is detrimental as you are easy distracted and stop thinking of the wonderous things that await you post exam and FOCUS.

Girl, what are you even doing on the internet now?!

Elitist Shmucks

Why must good quality chocolate be so darn exxxpensive

Fetish

Pistachio has been relegated to a dank dark corner in my mother's kitchen, complete with old crummy baby shit green coloured towel covering its curves and sheen. Sometimes I go to the corner, lift up the towel, give it a good 'ol rub and apologise for the humiliation it has been subjected to.

Most days I fantasize about taking it to bed with me, so I can give it a cuddle and rub and tuck it in good night.

Dinner Pals

From Ed and Jen's BYO steak dinner party a while back, I'll spare the pictures of blood drenched slabs of steak, eh, I try I try. Halal friendly, vegan friendly, I try.

Brighton tries his luck with Ed
Hendri contemplates the mysterious workings of fantasy
Edwin is elated at the prospect of chocolate coated strawberries
Shifaa tries to carry out a diversion, without much success
In a last ditch attempt, Brighton resorts to doe eyed cuteness
Photographer assumes a nifty 'take ownself photo' pose
** Note: Guys, Dezzo has uploaded pictures onto 'Dinner Pals, more photos there!

Red as Red can be

Redder
Originally uploaded by dezzo