48 hours in Bangkok...

It has been forever since I last wrote a post... But life has been busy! Before I talk about the last 48 hours I'll give a brief summary of the last 48 days...


Finished in Beijing, arrived in Vancouver, visited my family, went on a mini-break to Tofino, learned to surf, back to Vancouver, ran a 10K in sub 60 minutes, attended my sister's wedding reception, flew to Toronto the next day, did a 4 days a week/4week course on the Junior Learner, went to the cottage on the weekend, paddled my wedding canoe with George, took George swimming and finally made our way to Bangkok! Phew... It was a very busy and fast summer - actually didn't feel like summer at all, but it was nice to get to the cottage on the weekend and spend time there with Murray's family and it was awesome staying with Dave and Ruth during the week. But I am happy to be where I am at the moment... but that too has been an absolute whirlwind...


So...back to the last 48 or so hours...


We were set to leave Toronto on the 1:50 am flight to Hong Kong, but I got an email earlier in the day stating that our flight was delayed 12 HOURS! Yep and it kept getting pushed back... so a little stressful and a little overwhelming but it ended up all good and we arrived here at about 2am Sunday (the 29th). Mom's flight was outright cancelled, but she managed to arrive 12 hours after us so that was all good... Sunday we chilled out a bit, tried to get over the jet lag then the fun begins...


Our shipment arrived on Monday - that was a pretty intense day. Then it was non-stop unpacking and putting everything away. Our Mae Bahn - Noy is here and George calls her "my new ayi" and she's been cleaning and settling and we're get set up for our first dinner cooked by her...


Murray went to Ikea this morning... which is an adventure in itself as it is clear across the other side of town! And that stuff should arrive tonight... so hopefully we'll be all settled in to our place in the first couple of days before we even start working. It's a good feeling, but it has been exhausting. The bedroom still needs to be organized, but we are pretty much there...


The heat is something for me to get used to... lots of sweating happening... this is not desert heat - it is humid heat! But it is all good... the windows are open and the fan is going. I feel sticky all the time, but that will be dealt with many trips to the pool and quick showers... I haven't tried to run yet... hopefully that will happen sometime in the morning or when I can... So waking up at 4 am might not be a bad thing so far.


But we're excited to be here... there is green, foliage and just a good feeling around us... so far it is working out well...

Vegan, vegetarian, or meatless?

The other night I just had the yummiest vegetarian dinners with an old friend. He told me he has become vegetarian and the reasons for it. There are lots of pros for going meatless (especially red and white meat) and this dinner just got mer thinking of cutting back my meat intake... I guess part of this blog was to document how I felt about the food that I was eating and how it made me feel. I know I feel much better after I have eaten something fulfilling but light... Vegetables fall into that category... I feel better, healthier and just more satisfied that I didn't eat the heavy food... Plus vegetarian burgers can taste just as good! So do I make that step? Well I don't think it will be a cold turkey kind of thing, but more of a gradual decision making process. Much like the choice to not eat fried food... Well I do still a bit (yam fries are just yummy that way) but I am not opting for the fried spring rolls and such... Same thing for my love of burgers... I will eat them but only fresh made ones and not ones for the fast food place... Sandwiches and salads are key especially when topped with roasted veggies... So maybe it will be a gradual reduction of meat... I don't eat much red meat anyways and chicken can be reduced too... So this might not be a bad plan too... I don't think I will go totally vegan... I'm far too dependent on cheese and eggs... And seafood is still on the menu... But I think going meatless is a good step in the right direction... And if you happen to be in Toronto and want some yummy food, Fresh on Bloor just before Spadina has some good options that will make you think about going meatless...

Many wanderings...

So it's been a while since I have posted anything, but that is a good thing as it has been pretty busy as of late... Tofino... Awesome! My little family and I headed to the far west to experience trees, rainforests and a very long beach. It was a great family break and an attempt to unplug... We weren't too bad - but we had a lot of fun watching the little man play on the beach and run into the ocean. I learned how to surf and got up on my board a couple of times... Loved it enough that I want to do more of it when I have the chance. But it was just great to be outside! There was only one day when we were rained it, but that didn't stop the little man and me from running on the beach and dipping our feet in the ocean. The best part was just being outside and enjoying it - it was amazing. Last Days In Vancouver... A little crazy with the last minute things that we needed to do and my sisters wedding reception. Lots of family time especially with my mom. The reception was nice and the highlight of it all (besides George tearing it up on the dance floor) flash the beautiful dress that my other sister made for me. But it was a good visit and always good to be home. Now I am in Toronto taking my 4 week course so I can complete the requirements to get my teaching certification transferred to Ontario from Arizona. I'm staying with my brother-in-law and his wife who are two of my favorite people in the world. I did the commute in from Oakville to Downtown Toronto yesterday and that was an experience. It really is everything that you think it is going to be if you've heard about it. But I survived it and it isn't so bad. I probably feel that way because I know that I only have to do it for 16 days - EVER... Well we'll see... So with me being here that means that I am away from my boys and I don't like that none too much. I don't mind the freedom, i am keeping busy, but nothing beats seeing the little man and the boyfriend and hanging out with them. What is worse is that they are at the cottage and I'm in the city... So I'll commute out there to see them on the weekends... But I really miss them. So the only thing to do now is to shop (a little), workout and eat well. The nice thing about this arrangement is that I have the time and leisure to cook, but to cook simple healthy meals. I've also been good at avoiding the temptations... I've gone to the mall twice now and avoided the A&W teen burger in lieu of salad rolls and sandwiches and felt much better for it! Yay! Exercise-wise it has been good... Been getting out for runs after getting back from Tofino. I ran a 10k on the 30th and did my best time ever! 57 minutes and I am very proud of myself for doing that! Since getting to Ontario I've gotten out for a run so far and done some yoga... The yoga was definitely a good thing I need to stretch!!! So all around good so far even if a little busy...