2018 Where Did you Go? 2019 Ready or Not... Here We Come!

This year, I was the year I finally stopped blogging. But like any OC-pretending-to-be-organized person, I thought, I will just write a short post, to give my blog closure... so here goes...

What better way than to write my annual Year End Post, though I must say 2018 has been a bit different. I just blinked and it was over. How did that happen, right????

I had to look back on last year's post, you can read it here, because I remember that this time last year, my professional life was in limbo. There was a lot of talk about me moving to Thailand, but in my company, no contract, no move, so I wasn't really, really sure it would happen, though clearly, my last photo in that post was already a big hint.

Fast forward 12 months after.

1. I now live in Bangkok. 9 months done. 9 months to go. At least that's the plan.

April 1 2018. We arrived in our new home carrying 100 Kg of essentials.
20 or so soft  toys included.

Sofia's favorite part of our new home is the pool.

Mine is the balcony, but I realized, I only like it when I don't have to clean it.

2. Despite all the yummy food in Thailand, and believe me, every day is a feast, I managed to more or less (+/-1Kg) maintain my weight and my 80% vegetarian lifestyle.

Dec 2019 Christmas Brunch with Karl and Ralph (missing Jay)
Payat pa din ako! Woohoo!!!

3. I realized there is an Introvert in me, which makes me an Ambivert.   If you know me, this will come as a surprise, because I used to be very much of an extrovert, but the last few years have made me enjoy my own company and yes, the peace and quiet that goes with it too.

I actually like staying home. I even started meditating.

4. I have lived abroad 3 times in my life. Paris, Singapore and now Bangkok.
But this is the first time I actually used my kitchen. I can really cook now.
Though - my cleaning is still passable at best, and my laundry still gets done in Manila if I accumulate more than 1 wash load in 2-3 weeks.

I not only cook (mostly veggies though).

I make yummy bread too.

5. I finally partnered with Seek the Uniq on my passion project, and I am hoping to grow our business in the years to come.

Go to SeektheUniq.com Look for shoes, sort by Bestsellers.
The Wanderlust Athinas Sandals is number 2!!! 

What's in store for 2019? No resolutions, let's talk goals instead.

1. I need to see more of Thailand. 1 New Place a month.

I need to see more than Ayutthaya

Talad Khlong Mayon (the floating market) and
provinces where I only see stores!

2. I have a new role. It will be challenging, but I look forward to making a difference.

Looking forward to working with this Team.
Flashback to the first time I had lunch with them in May 2018.

3.  I need a real honest to goodness vacation. See 2018 - no real vacation.
I need to go somewhere with the risk of freezing to death. I hope I get a chance to do this between new role, and next role after that.

Long weekends at the beach (La Union, Bali, La Union) are great,
but they don't really count.

4. And maybe, just maybe, I'm not that ready to say goodbye to this blog yet. just saying.
 

China Town Restaurant at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Normally it's a challenge to eat well at an airport where you have no lounge access. The food is either not good, or expensive, or both, or you need to settle for the usual fast food like McDonald's, Burger King and Starbucks.

I like Chinatown Restaurant at Suvarnabhumi Airport. It's a no frills dimsum, noodles and congee place and the price is reasonable.

Salted Egg topped Pork Siomai. Quite Good.

I'm a loyal customer now. just saying.


China Town Restaurant
Departure Terminal 
After Immigration before the Boarding Gates

Angus and Foie Gras Donburi by Tanuki Raw

If you're looking for a good lunch, what won't break the bank, head over to Tanuki Raw.

They have lunch set meals where you can score an Angus Short Rib Yakiniku with Foie Gras and an Onsen Egg for SGD19.90.

Egg Porn

They also had a Matcha Salted Egg Cake that you could
add on to a meal for a discounted price.

Of course I couldn't resist, so I ate all the salted egg bits
and some cake. Quite good.

I also saw rave reviews about their rolls, so note to self, the next time I come back, I need to bring someone to share my food with. Thank you Jackie for the reco! Please join me next time. just saying.


Tanuki Raw
181 Orchard Road, 
04-01 Orchard Central, 
Singapore 238896

Museum of Me at Emporium in Bangkok

THAILAND SERIES

If you're vain or bored or both, the Museum of Me at Emporium Department Store in Bangkok, is worth a visit. Located at the lowest floor (I think), entrance is free with any purchase from Emporium or emQuartier.

Before you enter, they take your photo (one by one), and a QR code is then attached to your ticket.

To enjoy the attractions, which will all star yourself, all you need to do is insert the QR code in the slots provided and Voila! Selfie Galore!!!

There are five frames to choose from in the first area, though one was out of order during our visit.

Haunted by Ninong Tim's ghost.

Then you scan your ticket before entering a second room where you are given 1 minute to enjoy the artwork of yourself.

So this is what happens when you run out of time... (blooper video)

The Museum of Me only runs until tomorrow (oopsie!), so hurry and visit quickly if you're interested. just saying.


Emporium Bangkok
622 Sukhumvit Rd, 
Khwaeng Khlong Tan, 
Khet Khlong Toei, 
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 
10110

Our first Songkran in Bangkok (kid friendly edition)

THAILAND SERIES

We just moved to Bangkok, and the timing is absolutely perfect, because we arrived just in time to welcome the Thai New Year... and celebrate Songkran!

Songkran is also known as the water festival, coming from the practice of pouring water on Buddha as a sign of purification, washing away your sins and bad luck.  During Songkran, people wear bright colored shirts and pour water on each other. It's three days of one big water fight party, especially in the areas where Songkran is celebrated. Both local and foreigners a like walk around with huge water guns. There is sort of a code where people with water guns only shoot the other people with water guns, but you still may get wet in the cross fire. 

There are also a lot of Songkran parties at night that go on until early morning and we were lucky (or unlucky, depending on how much we love our sleep) enough to have 2 happening clubs under our balcony... so we fully enjoyed 4 long nights of Songkran parties.

It was very stressful for my OC daughter to walk around town, with the threat of getting drenched (there are some areas where locals and foreigners alike stand around to wet the passersby).

If given a choice, she would opt to stay home and play in the pool, which she did every day before we stepped out.
 

I prefer waiting in the shade.

There are Songkran events for kids, so we went to the Songkran Splash at K-Village Shopping Mall. They have an open area with a bouncy castle, and they provide water refilling stations, so all you need to do is come with your water guns.

I had to line up for Sof and I got extremely drenched.

Sof says the security guard was shooting
with Ice Cold Water.

The good thing about K Village is you don't really get shot at if you're not at the designated Songkran Splash area, so when you're done with water play, you just change into dry clothes and go your merry way.

The next day, Sof opted to stay indoors and do the dry "Pearl Pool" at EmQuartier instead.

All you need to do is register by scanning the QR code, and you can play at the pearl pool for free. 

We were very happy to have Ninong Tim visit us for Songkran. For more information on kid friendly activities for Songkran you can visit this website. You can start planning for next year. just saying.