Return to Paradise

Getting ready for our upcoming trip, I pulled out my journal from the last time we visited Thailand.  Being that my OCD is out in full force while traveling (and the weeks leading up to it.  my poor husband), I kept a list in the back of all the things that I should and should not bring back next time and wanted to reference it.  I started to re-read through the pages and came across this entry that summarizes so many of the reasons that Thailand truly is paradise.

Saturday, February 18, 2011  Bamboo Bungalows

I just had one of the most delightful experiences of my life.  My neck has still not been completely right since my nights with the killer pillow at Payam Cottage so I wanted to make an appointment for a message.  I was really hoping that Lew and I could do one together, but there was only one lady working today.  I was a little apprehensive about navigating the language barrier all by myself, but figured there probably wouldn't be much conversing involved.  I arrived while she was finishing with another young blonde.  She tried to talk to me about "my husband (he was the one who made the appointment)"  and "time" and something else that I just wasn't understanding.  Fortunately the blonde looked at me and asked, "German or English?" signalling that she was about to translate for me.  I was so grateful. Afterwards I asked her if she spoke Thai and she chuckled and said no, but she'd just spent the last hour communicating.  Oh, I thought, how cute!  She'd used this time to practice her Thai!  Convinced that the awkward part would soon be over, I plopped my farang [Thai word for "foreigner"] feet into the foot bath and awaited bliss.

After a brief discussion over Thai vs. Oil massage, the massage lady started talking in broken segments about "oil," "skin," "Thai massage," "no good."  I was so confused and a little uncomfortable.  She kept apologizing that her "English no good," and although I was sure she wouldn't understand, I told her that I was in her country - I should be speaking Thai.  It is I that feels badly."  We continued to bump along through broken bits of conversation and I have to admit I was at first a little bit upset that so much chatter had permeated my relaxation.  She asked me if I liked my holiday so far.  I answered that I loved Thailand and the Thai people very much.  "They are so happy and smile a lot.  So nice," I said.  She answered with a wai and "Kap koon Ka" [Thank you] and proceeded to say something that will stick with me, I hope, forever.  "The Thai people, they work, work, work, not have a lot of money, but happy."  So true.  What a lesson.  She went on to ask me questions and tell me about her son at university.  She also told me how beautiful farang are when they first come here (because they are pale) then points to her skin and says "mai di [bad]" signaling the transformation to dark tan is ugly.  There were times I didn't understand her and she didn't understand me and that was ok.  As the hour progressed, the massage became secondary to me; getting a glimpse into this amazing woman's life and wisdom was the bigger treat.  She kept thanking me for the English lesson (and even gave me an extra face massage for talking to her) but it was she that had taught me so much.  We are all just people.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Happiness is yours for the taking.  Challenges whether cultural, language-based or otherwise are always worthwhile.  Oh, and I really love Thailand. 

FOLLOW-UP ENTRY A FEW DAYS LATER:

I feel at peace about making this place an integral part of our future.  This experience has also taught me how much one "needs" and how much is truly "enough."  I've actually come to tolerate my cold showers and am on the brink of finding them positively invigorating.  Thai napkins are a tease and although very grateful to have it, their version of toilet paper is not far behind.  I'm also learning that a little bit of dirt is ok.  Sharing the same spoon with others is a form of fellowship.  Every cube of ice and drop of clean water is precious and should never be wasted. ALWAYS apply bug spray before sunset. Never wear your sunglasses in the ocean even when it is extremely calm.  It will always show you who is boss and does not return things it takes (including your  most favorite pair of faux Ray-Bans). It is possible to live without power after 11pm - you do not spontaneously combust contrary to my initial belief.  While the people here are very soft-spoken, the wildlife is not.  Choir practice for Geckos is usually in full swing around 1:38 a.m.

My Cup (and my plate) Runneth Over

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.  That may be true, it very much applies to this she-man as well. When preparing for our trip home for the holidays, I found myself daydreaming about the things I was going to eat and, of course, the people I will share it with.  Many family members asked for "requests" (so sweet!).  Some, already primed from years past, just threw it out there - it went something like this:

"Hi Uncle Milan, Lewis and I are coming in town and want to make sure we see you while we're home."

"Great!  Come Tuesday around 5.  Let me know if you want smoked shrimp dip."

He Read. My. Mind.

When I worked in radio, most of the artists had what they call a "rider" where they would send their requests...ahem...demands to the radio station ahead of time.  These were to be filled prior to their arrival to the studio or concert location.  One of my favorites was a Britney Spears request that "no plastic cutlery of any kind is permitted in the dressing room."  I wonder if she'd shudder to know that the silverware we provided came out of the $0.50 bin at the nearby thrift store. I ended up inheriting the "Britney Spears flatware" after that.  In fact, I think it is still floating around here somewhere. Perhaps her diva-ness was contagious and I caught it as a result of using said silverware. Anyways, I digress...it started to occur to me just how much I associate meals with people.  When in "Germantown", I always request Kristin's cucumber and tomato salad with that magic marinade that she blesses it with, Bville - Mama Susan's Chicken and Dumplins,' Dad and Ann - grilled steaks (or smoked lamb chops if I'm feeling like a total P.I.T.A) with Ann's ratatouille or tabouleh depending on the meal, and my sweet, self-aware-that-she-is-culinarliy-challenged mama - a trip to Bacco (love ya Mo!).  I know I'm a sentimental sap.  I guess I really shouldn't be surprised that it generalizes to food. What a lucky glutton I am that my family makes all my culinary dreams come true!  I'm feeling so blessed to have these loving people as my family and so lucky to have shared these traditions of breaking bread with them. Can't wait to see ya'll soon!

At least I'm not this bad, right?

Gratitude and Edification

In 4th-grade, I had this spunky first-year teacher named Mrs. Waldrop.  She was young, full of energy and eager to put into play all of the creative ideas she'd had while preparing to become a teacher.  There was the balloon dart throwing game where you'd pop a balloon and have to write a sentence with the spelling word that fell out (which seems a bit dangerous now that I think about it - I mean really, how adept could a 4th-grader possibly be at wielding an object considered a state-of-the-art weaponry in Medieval times?), her very own version of The Price is Right that I'm sure instilled some math component, and the daily "Gratitude and Edification" segment. After the morning announcements and Pledge of Allegiance, students who chose to do so could raise their hand and share something they were thankful for or a way they had improved themselves.  Often answers involved bragging about winning a softball game or getting new Nike sneakers under the guise of being "thankful" for them - after all it was 4th grade and still very much in the "I am the center of the universe" phase of one's childhood.  However, it was a great vocabulary lesson - what 4th-grader (or 30 year-old for that matter) knows the definition of "edification?"  Edification: /ˌedəfiˈkāSHən/. n. Intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement; enlightenment.  Well done, Mrs. Waldrop and all before the days of Pinterest.  How did you do it?

So being that it's the time of year to reflect on what you are thankful for, here's a little "Gratitude and Edification" session  - adult Caroline version, and only a sample of a much larger list, in no particular order:

1.  I am thankful for my sweet furries - there is no better expression of unconditional love than that of a pet.  I saw a quote once that said, "a dog is the only thing that loves you more than he loves himself..." which brings me to #2 on the list:

2.  I am thankful for my Oreck vacuum.  Without it, we would certainly be overtaken by the pet-hair tumbleweeds that accumulate in our house daily. 

3.  I am thankful for real mail.  Nothing makes my day like seeing a letter or card from friends and family.

4.  I am thankful that my daddy taught me how to properly use a knife - an important skill for someone who finds herself in the kitchen as often as I do.  Never expose your fingers. (if only I had generalized this rule of thumb (ha!) when using The German's fancy Pampered Chef mandoline tool.  That was an unfortunate little mishap.  Thank goodness for the Colonial and his Army first aid kit)

5.  I am thankful that every time I turn on my shower or sink faucet, clean water comes directly to me.  I can't believe how much I took this for granted in years past.  Traveling to other parts of the world made me realize how much of a gift this really is.

6. I am thankful that there are people in this world with the fortitude and gumption to fight for the underdogs.  They are a source of inspiration and are selfless in their efforts to make our world a better place.

7.  I am thankful for Pumpkin Spice creamer.  Now that I can purchase an entire vat of Autumn in a bottle, I am no longer a slave to Starbucks and their cranky baristas. 

8.  As shameful as it might be to say so - I am thankful for Facebook.  It is like a portal to home and the friends and family that I miss so much.

9.  I am thankful for my new Time Card Pro app.  Before I discovered this little gem, I had to calculate monthly work hours by hand (causing smoke to spew from my ears as a result of over-loaded, non-math oriented brain).  Changed my life. 

10. I am thankful that I succeeded in "edifying" myself by passing my Board Exam.  Whew.  What a relief.  I worried poor hubsy to death when I called him crying last week.  It took a few excruciating seconds for me to squeak out the words, "I passed."  That wonderful man rushed home, opened a bottle of "the good wine," and took me out for a celebratory dinner.  Husband of the year. 

...and I'm extremely thankful that spiders can't fly.

Let's Catch Up

I'm sure you're thinking that I must have won that big house of my dreams and become a reclusive rich person swimming in my pool of gold coins. With all this new nouveau riche-ness, I couldn't possibly have time to blog. Nope. Shocking, I know.  We didn't win - but I have been busy in the time I've been away.  For one, I've gone from brunette back to my beloved blonde. I've discovered my disdain for fondant (and well, confirmed my disdain for baking), started a new job, made "brow history" at the Benefit Brow Bar, and perhaps most significantly, I finally sat for my Board Certification exam. Eeek, now I've said it out loud. Human behavior is funny - I've found myself guarding the fact that I was taking it. Because, you know, if people know, then they will ask how you did. What if I don't pass? I'll have to tell them. Oh, the shame. Will I have an invisible scarlet letter "F" for failure across my chest? Perhaps, but I'm sure it will only be self-imposed. I will find out in 45 days. So for now I'm basking in the ignorance of the impending answer and enjoying the fact that I am DONE! My life is once again my own!  Look out you bunnies of dust; Mt. Pile O' Laundry, I will soon be conquering you...and finally giving some attention my poor, neglected blog.

Buh-Bye Brown... we never were a good match for one another

Born again Blonde

Just some of the fall-out from Operation Study 24/7

My first and last attempt at cake decorating.  There is a reason why fondant is an "F" word.

The Benefit Brow Bar was trying to set a Guinness World Record for the most brows done in a day. I did my part.

annnddd...I have found a "Southern Girl Sisterhood" out here in Cali!  More on this to come...

Ticket to A Dream

Birthdays are kind of a big deal.  I am still like a 5-year old when it comes to my birthday.  My parents always made my big day pretty special. Mom would decorate the kitchen table, make a special-request breakfast, and cover the front door with one of those $0.99 plastic "Happy Birthday" cut-away banners sold in most grocery store floral departments (she sill uses the same one to this day to celebrate family birthdays. The corners are saggy and puckered - each pock mark representing another birthday gone by.  I am embarrassed to say that I scoffed at the plastic banner and its pitiful faded, tattered state last time I saw it. Shame on me.)  She once called the local radio station and had the "Light Lunch" segment dedicated to me on my birthday.  Dad would pretty much spoil me with whatever I asked for (thankfully within reason...no ponies or the 3000 GT I lusted over for my 16th birthday.)  Yeah, birthdays were a big deal.  So I'm happy to report, that my husband has picked up the gauntlet and done a pretty good job with keeping the tradition. He endures the weeks (read: months) of my pointing to things in stores and magazines, "this would be a great present for my birthday!"  or after reading a new restaurant review "How about we go to _____, for my birthday?" Somewhere in the back of his mind I know he is chanting, "for better, for worse, for better, or worse..."  I am a bit...eh...enthusiastic about the whole thing. He lets me pick where I want to eat, pretends it is the first he's heard of it when I exclaim, "THAT'S really what I want for my birthday! (secretly knowing it will change 45 times before I actually decide)"   He's a good man.  So this year, has been really no exception.  I have gone from wanting a mirror from IKEA, a gold charm for my bracelet, a food-processor, to a new pair of cowboy boots. But isn't the process part of the fun?  Was I the only kid who eagerly awaited the Toys R' Us ad in the Sunday paper so I could circle the things I wanted?  Or dog-eared pages in the Service Merchandise catalog?  I think not....it just seems like I haven't quite grown out of it yet.  So it is with a slight caveat that I reveal the latest item on the birthday wish list...this house:

"Edwardian-style residence totals over 3000 square feet, comprising a glorious 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with a gourmet chef's kitchen and sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay."  Yes, please.

The view from my future balcony.  You can see Alcatraz there on the right.

Ok, before you start thinking that I may be overshooting slightly (and feeling really sorry for poor Lew), I assure you this birthday wish, may actually come true thanks to The Fourth Annual San Francisco Dream House Raffle. I actually have a shot.  For $150, we are entered to win this dream house (or $1.5 million in cash if we so choose).  There are also four "mini-drawings" leading up to the Grand Prize raffle bringing the grand total of getting-excited potential to FIVE! Five divided by $150...$30 a pop. Not bad for the gift that keeps on giving...
until the July 14th drawing anyway.