Samui

P.Ou and I went to Samui for 3 days from July 19-21, 2008. It was because Noon planed to meet her friends there and P.Ou did not want her to go alone so I had a vacation in Samui. We used package of a credit to book flight and hotel which was quite a good deal. We stayed in Imperial Boat Houses and mostly were in the hotel since transportation cost on the island is rather high, and I rarely met Thai tourist in the hotel.


At present, Samui Airport is boutique and well-organized.

Searching Satellite Signal

I did not intend to write anything today because I am watching CSI:Miami on Ture Vision. But rain and thunder storm make UBC fail to broadcast its programs and the word "searching satellite signal" appears on screen. It always happens when it is going to rain or raining. My friend told me that it was cause from the satellite they use does not directly cover Thailand. I do not know exact reason, however, if it is not in Thailand , they may have been sued.

Inflation and Survive

How do you do to survive in this high inflation and stagnant economy? My quick though is living economically, spending less, and saving more. Lately, I stay home, work by internet, phone and fax, shop at fresh market rather than supermarket, chat with friends via MSN instead of going to meet them, and eat at home more often. However, in this high inflation circumstance, I believe these do not make you survive in long term because your money in your saving account will keep devaluing, therefore, I have been told to do many things, as follows,
a) Find ways to increase incomes - I have tried to sell anything that I do not use and can sell.
b) Hold incurring huge expenses – I have postponed buy a new car, an expensive mobile phone, and high-cost trip.
c) Invest in high-yield instruments – I choose to invest in property funds and some good performance stocks which provide return more than inflation.
d) Consider other forms of investments that does not affect by inflation such as gold – I haven’t studied it, I may be too complicated to me.
e) Cut down spending – I have already done some.
I have no idea when the situation will be recover, but hope that it will not be worse.

Friends Visit

Orn, Pan, Pad, and Nong Pye came to my house on Sunday June 29, 2008. We had Nam Nuang and Ka Nom Gene for lunch. We enjoyed eating and playing Wii.

I was with Nong Pye while her parents were enjoying Wii Golf. Her parents said she liked someone to carry around.

Rabieng ta-le

We chose Rabieng ta-le for the place to first meet and dine with Noon’s friend, Tom. The place faces Bang Poo Beach with nice sunset view. We went there on Saturday June 14, 2008. We ordered some recommended dishes such as prawn in tamarind sauce, crispy shrimp salad, seafood in spicy sauce, shrimp rolls, crispy herb and snapper with mango spicy sauce, and tom ka la-le. It was so windy that it blew away mosquitoes, and it also blew away soup we ate too. Anyway, we had a great time and nice to meet you, Tom.

New York - Boston - Washington, D.C.

We went to the USA during May 19 to June 2, 2008. The itinerary started from New York, Boston, to Washington, D.C. plus cordially visited P.Ou’s Dad in Denton, Texas. We had a great time there with slightly exhausted since each city has so many interesting things to see. Please visit the Link at http://annieb-itinerary.blogspot.com/ and see photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/arthivon/USA2008

Paris 2007

During Songkarn 2007, P.Ou and I went to Paris, France.
I wrote about top 11 places I visited in "My Notable Itinerary" and posted some pictures in "My Photo Albums", please visit the link at http://annieb-itinerary.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html
and http://picasaweb.google.com/arthivon/Paris2007

Songkarn 2008

On 2008 Songkarn Holidays, we went to Hua Hin and stayed in Baan Kai Muk. Hua Hin was packed with locals and tourists on their pick-up trucks throwing water to each other, some standing on the roadside splashing water over people riding in vehicles or stopping motorcyclists to brush din-saw-pong on their faces. That's the reason that we mostly stayed in the condo, we ate almost delivery food provided, Pizza Co., KFC, Burger King. We enjoyed relaxing, massage, sleeping, reading, and swimming. It was a peaceful holiday.

It was windy make P.Ou sleep during massage.

SomSong PoChaNa

Somsong Pochana is one of our favorite food shops in the Phra Sumeru area. It is quite hard to find parking space during weekday so we usually go on weekend while sending Noon to class at Thammasat University. Somsong Pochana, which has been in business for more than 34 years, is known for its delicious, small bowls of Sukhothai-style pork noodles, kanom jeen sao nam (Thai rice vermicelli with chopped fresh pineapple, dried shrimp, sliced chillies, sliced garlic and a squeeze of lime), various Thai dishes that go with steamed rice and old-style Thai desserts, which are also served with warm coconut milk.

The dry noodles (guay tiew haeng), it is already tasty, I have never put additional seasonings.

Kanom jeen sao nam of this place is one of my favorite dishes.

You can sit in front of the food shops if the sun is not too hot. The restaurant is in Soi Wat Sangvesworawiharn Alley left of Phra Sumeru Fort.

Pin has gone to Tasmania, Australia

On April 2, 2008, we went to send Pin, one of my lovely cousin, to study in Tasmania, Australia. Tasmania is an Australian and state of the same name with its estimated population of 493,000 as of June 2007. She is in Hobart, the state capital and largest city in the island, and will be there for at least 6 months. I wish she could get what she expected and is expected. And I hope I could visit her before she went back.

Gold Coast, Australia

I wrote about trip to Gold Coast, Australia which I went there in May, 2007. Please read in My Notable Itinerary and click at Blog Archive "May 2007".

Triporn (Remake)

On Thursday March 20, 2008, we went to lunch at Triporn Pochana again. I did not forget to take photos to show what we ate. I think P.Ou really like this place since it makes him recall his childhood. The following are what we ate.

Proud goes to Work and Travel

Proud has gone to the US on Work and Travel Program for 3 months. She is in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and works in supermarket. Work and travel program is recently fashionable among college students who would like to get money, language, and experience from working abroad. I wish that she would enjoy staying there and gaining what she expects.

Karaoke Farewell Party at Sea Time, close to her house.

Weird food I've ever eaten

Yesterday I had dinner with P.Ou's friends, it was weird food I've ever eaten. We had chicken feet, frog, lamb, sea eel, and tortoise. In China, it is believe that tortoise is good for you health, but I almost threw up when its image came up in my head.

No Cleaning Maid

For the last 2 years, we have 2 maids, one for cooking, washing cloths and taking care of miscellaneous things and the other one for cleaning. Because the maid called "Pa" has problem about her knee and she cannot walk or sit for long time, therefore we hire another to do all the cleaning works. My home has no cleaning maid for almost 2 weeks now. I do not know whether it affects others or not but it really affects Pa and me. Pa has to clean the first floor and I do the second floor except Noon's bedroom and bathroom, which is approx. 90 sqm. It sounds easy but it is not. I spend 2 almost hours a day to sweep and mop the floor and stairs, clean the shelves and something on them, clean mirrors and carpet, and clean bathroom. My arms and back hurt, and my hands turn rough. We are finding new maid and it is also hard to get someone do good work, be patient and honest. Anyway, no one helps me during this time and I don't think I deserve this.

Triporn Pochana

On Wednesday March 5, 2008, we went to lunch at Triporn Pochana in Ramkumhang Soi 1. The restaurant previously was at Sukhumvit 49 and a favorite eatery of P.Ou's family since 30 years ago. They called it "Rann Uan" since the father, the former and cook, was a big man. This place is run by 2 daughters of the former and the other place at Prachachuen belongs to her brother. We ate Fish with Black Pepper Sauce, Kana with Krispy Pork, Tom Yum Kung, Shrimp Pancakes, Kha Moo Phalo and Coconut Milk Ice Cream as dessert. P.Ou's Mom was surprised how P.Ou found this place; she was enjoyed the food and she will go back again with P.Ae since it is not far from her house. There was no photo since I forgot my camera. T_T

Leaf Day

February 29 is leaf day and one of my notable day and I called it Proposed Day. I have to appoint P.Ou in advance since he had very tight schedule. We enjoyed lunch at Biscotti. I asked him whether he knew why we had a date on this day. He said "Mai Bok". I think he does not remember.

Valentine

P.Ou used to give me flowers for valentine but this year we had valentine cake with my name and Noon on it at home. I also used to give him something but this year I gave him nothing. Valentine is just another ordinary day for us. We did not have special dinner since restaurant will have extra charge. Any days can be special day if we want it to be.

Limoncello and Mousses & Meringues

On Wednesday February 13, 2009, we went to have lunch at Limoncello, Sukhumvit 11. It is our favorite Italian restaurant with its specialty of several kinds of pizza and pasta. We like Pizza Zanotti and its home-made pasta. We ate too much cheese therefore we had some desserts and coffee at Mousses & Meringues, Sukhumvit 31. I was so full and it made me sleepy all afternoon.

Macau - Hong Kong

I went to Macau and Hong Kong during February 8-11, 2008. See story of this trip at My Notable Itinerary at http://annieb-itinerary.blogspot.com/

OK Shabu Shabu

I had lunch with Mom, P.Ou and Pum+ at “OK Shabu Shabu” on Monday February 4, 2008. It was the second time of me in a week to lunch there since P.Ou was addicted to its taste. The first time we went with P.Ou’s Mom but I was too busy to take any photos. Anyway, I would like to thank Pum+ for the meal; I am going to be very lucky for the incoming Chinese New Year.

Excuses

I haven't updated my blog for a few weeks. I have many excuses. I am working on P.Ou’s assignments and the housing project which I have to discuss with interior many times regarding lighting, switching positions, bathroom tiles, faucets and accessories until we see the same picture. Other spare time, I read fictions, do knitting, play computer games, chat on msn, and play Wii. Anyway, I promise myself within this year I continually write about trip to Czech and Austria, Shanghai, Hawaii, Paris and Gold Coast.

V.T. Nam Nuang

We went to lunch at V.T. Nam Nuang at Soi Baring, Bang Na on January 23, 2008. Its special dishes are Nam Nuang and Fondue. We had its recommended dished, sesame fried chicken wings, fried spring rolls, and pork steak. We were happy and enjoy the food.

Another 2008 New Year Party

We celebrated another New Year Party at my house on Saturday January 12, 2008. It was pot luck party, we had German sausage, Deep fried Pra-kra-pong with Fish Sauce, Salad, Spaghetti Pra-Salid, Mash Potato, and very tasty Yum Woon Sen, cooked by P.Pook. We had home party occasionally among friends and family. Wish that we will have a new member from Aui and P.Mee in the next New Year Party.

Yong-Li

On Wednesday January 9, 2008, we went to have lunch at Yong-Li, oldie-style restaurant in Sukhumvit 39. We ordered its recommended dished such as salad, pork chop, poo ja, and also a couple spicy dishes. Our dessert was roti from across the street. I got headache, it might cause from losing energy to digest all the food I ate at lunch.

2008 New Year Celebration

On January 1, 2008, I celebrated New Year with family at my Mom's house. It was pleasurable to meet and chat with all younger brothers and sisters. Na Noi's family always cook good food and others were her assistants. Pum+ also bought northern food from Chieng Mai as I asked for. We played a game that the last person who was not taken out would win the reward of Baht 500. Proud was the first one who was taken out and received a copy of Baht 1,000 note while Pin got the reward.

I am a PADI Certified Diver

I went to Similan Islands to learn diving during December 23-29, 2007. We stayed in Phuket for one night and left early in Tuesday morning to Tublamu pier to take a speed boat to a boat that we would stay for 3 nights. I was seasick while I was staying on the boat and I could not read anything so dive instructor had to read book for me and teach diving theory verbally. Finally, I passes the test and certified the PADI Open Water Diver. However, I need more practice since I still can not control my bouyancy well. Under the sea, I almost kicked P.Ou and a Korean guy, and I had to move forward all the time otherwise I would sink, P.Ou and Noon were so tried to swam after me. Anyway, it is an enjoyable experience. The instructor said I should dive again in a couple months to refresh all those I have learned.
We were back to Phuket on Thursday afternoon and stayed in Phuket for a night in order for the body to decompress as recommended by the PADI.

See some photos from underwater at my web albums at http://picasaweb.google.com/arthivon/SimilanDec07

At a corner on the boat, I was studying with Dive Instructor, Kru Blackie, he is a funny guy, always makes me feel relax while diving under the sea.

I was sleeping in captain room because of seasick.

During practice open water dive 2.

Fun Dive with family.

Leisure on boat after diving.

Make merits to Dad

On December 23, 2007, we went to make merits to my Dad by offering foods to monks at Wat Ta Lom, closed to Mom's house. My Dad was passed away on December 30, 2005, it was one of the worst day of my life. I was shock and did not what to do anything, however thanks to all relatives and friends, I and my Mom could pass that moment.

Talard Klong Suan 100 Pee

On Sunday December 16, 2007, we went to "Talard Klong Suan 100 Pee" which is about 40 minutes from our houses. This market is located in 2 provinces, Chachoengsao and Samutprakarn. The community was founded since 100 years ago which boats transportation was the convenient way to passage to Bangkok. We arrived at 4pm., many shops had been closed. We bought Hoi Jor, Salt Eggs, Kui Chai, mangoes, etc. We saw lots of things that we used to see, eat and play when we were kids. It was a nice place to visit.

Wat Luang Poh Sotorn

What are you doing when you feel upset?
On Thursday December 13, 2007, while I was driving home, I decided to go to temple. I went to Wat Luang Poh Sotorn to pay respect to the Buddha, make merits, and pray for many wishes. I hope that my wish will come true soon.

New cloister and Luang Poh Sotorn.