Spelling out my 2015

To start, it has been ages since I've written. As my life, I think I have been confused and lost direction. Many times I have forced myself to come up with specific plans but I just counldn't and still can't. There were multiple things I wanted to do and to happen but those things that were essential for the desires were never on my side which left me hanging and frankly frustrated.

I knew from the start that I would be in trouble and there are millions of things that I couldn't control.....except myself. From then, I tried to discipline my cognitive abilities to keep my support and not totally feeling down. It was and is the only thing that kept and is keeping me standing still.  There were moments that I almost gave up but my mind was telling me that everything will pass and I will be okay, not may be sooner but will be fine by time.

Have you ever come to a point of just not knowing what to do and where to go? I never thought that I'd be in such a dilemma but for time and I think it's been quite long that I have been feeling that "kink". I never like the situation and for one to take 'steps', one needs to 'know' and of me not knowing what to do, just leaves me desolate. But then, life is beautiful I believe and these 'darks' make it in someway meaningful and prove its beauty. I probably understand that we do in some point have this challenge, I just pray for more strength that I can still handle things and remain firm.

'See the bright side, be thankful, be grateful, have faith and believe.' These keep me strong and go on. Focusing on moments also help me feeling a lot better than thinking ahead that never fails to give me nothing but disappointments and distress. It's the best move I can think of  and is effective for now.

And speaking of positivity and focusing on blessings, I'll sum up my 2015 that way! I've finally travelled to Cambodia that I've feared of visiting for years. I had a great time in the many ancient temples though I lost some shoppings along the way. For me, the experience was great, exotic, and worth the memory. Towards the middle of this year,  I visited Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam which turned out to be really surprising. The tours I took were excellent and I met very nice people along the way and later this month, I finally saw the biggest flower in the world - Rafflesia in Cameron, Highlands in Malaysia.  I also had a quick trip in Vientiane, Laos which again gave me sights of beautiful experiences and meeting new friends.

Those were great, could be of status quo and necessity - I'm still very grateful. Some may be dreaming of travelling to the places but couldn't make it for some reasons. But I did for 2015.  I just hope that I can find a full-time job by 2016 and that one I absolutely need.

Hope everyone sees the good things in bad and hope despite the challenges 2015 gave us, we may have the courage to see the light ahead and next year is going to be awesome. Happy New Year, all. :)

Getting rid of cauliflower's nasty smell

I've enjoyed making my own meals in months now, which is very helpful for me as I can control my intake and I can definitely select what I want to eat specially to being healthy. Most of the time, I stay away from meats and carbs and so to speak, vegetables are the best option.  This time, cauliflowers and brocollis.


I know cauliflowers and brocollis are really rich in Vitamin C and that I need to include both in my meals once in a while. The problem is, I terribly hate the smell of cauliflower!  Yes, the veg is lovely from afar but getting near to  is just horrendous. But then, whether I like it or not, I need to get it cooked and finally, taken in.

I was glad I made the cook totally smelly-free! I've heard there are many ways, and how did I do it? Simply by just adding chili sauce, Sriracha to be exact and scrambled eggs. I stir-fried the vegetables, then added scrambled eggs while I kept the stir and boom, chili sauce in the end.

 

I was pleased not just because it tasted well and yes, I cooked it..hehehe!...it is really that I totally cleared away the smell. It was certainly both a delicious and nutritious meal! So worry no more on cauliflowers, the smell can be totally removed while keeping the crunch.  Here are the photos.

Tenth on the 5th of March here in Thailand

Oh my god, it's been ten, the tenth!....10th! A decade ago we first flew here in Bangkok with two other friends. We had a great time though.... oh well, I snoozed the whole trip which made me missed the bottomless drink on Thai Airways. Believe me, I didn't even have a glass of water I was so tired I didn't sleep the night before as a result, I had my nap at full length. Not ranting but hmm...time flies, that was ten years ago.

And of course, I thought of celebrating it yesterday, the 5th though I was pretty on my own here in Bangkok. I had a dessert and because I felt it was too much and full of guilt, I had a meal after. Hmm..talking about proper order, dessert then meal! :D

Anyway, 'After You Dessert Cafe' is special. The cafe offers a variety of beautiful ..yes, beau-ti-ful sweets which of course attract a massive crowd. I think, in today's world, the presentation matters and yes, those desserts aren't done easily at home plus yes, they are really mouth watering which everyone would really love to try. As for me, the first bites are heavenly but then who wants a huge dessert? None. We all want a small portion of sweets specially those who are in weight control and the cafe isn't for the kind. It is best to get a serve and have at least two people share it to enjoy the experience otherwise the rest will be in waste. Much as the both the desserts and drinks aren't cheap.

And considering the guilt taking in more sweets than I usually do, I decided to go to my favourite Japanese Restaurant,  KOBUNE. I love the restaurant apart from the massive space and nice interior, I also love the quality of the food. And yes, the price. The restaurant despite the luxurious look is very economical and has a  complimentary green tea jelly as well. I love green tea and so jellies! :)

Well that's the tenth. Sometimes I get to ask why we do EAT when we celebrate. Or if not eating,  drinking. Why?  We probably do for a feast and have it shared with the rest, but as I get older I think it is still festive to celebrate any special event alone as long as one is in the crowd. I just did and still got the same fun. The most important thing is there is an occasion which one recognizes as significant and paying attention to it and I mean not letting it pass through is vital. For a celebration is rejoicing and the fruit of REJOICE is JOY whatever and wherever it is. After all, it's  one of those once in a lifetime moments we shouldn't miss.

:D

Oh Stop!

Before any reaction, it's a day more and January is over. Gosh, time really flies fast and this time, I'm kinda not liking it. Not that I'm getting older maybe it's because I am just unsure of what this year brings hahaha. I was pretty certain with things and I'm very accurate in implemeting time frames, but for now, I can't have anything to implement as there's no list to do hahaha.

Anyway, months from now will mark my decade here in Th. That is indeed looonnnggggg! I must have enjoyed my stay here or was detoured due to some circumstances.  2015, please be good to me, I don't know what you have ahead but I just trust you. :D

Two weeks ago, I had my first trip of the year. It took long for me to visit Angkor in Cambodia as it was stuck in my head that it was unsafe to visit the place. So, I never had it in my travel plans until I came across some documentaries on Angkor Wat.  And there, I decided to finally take the trip on my list months ago.

I love Angkor, I mean, not just Angkor Wat but all the temples of Angkor. I never expected it would be that huge! I knew the place was big but didn't realize how big it was until I got there. Loved the feeling as well being in Angkor. It was like time travel that I was on a journey hundreds of years ago, most specially of standing and walking in areas where used to be exclusive to the royals. Not that I desire to be one, it's just that it is beyond belief that an ancient megastucture is still present and reachable in this modern time.  

All in all, my travel was great, loved the silk farm visit of Angkor Artisan and I can guarantee that tuktuk drivers are great and yes, Cambodians speak English well..and yes, better than the Thais.

I just didn't like that Nattakan Bus I took. Going there from Bangkok was okay despite the whole day travel but taking the same bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok was a total nightmare!  Yes, bus that turned out to be a van as we were told the bus was under repair. It was a hassle changing from a van to the other plus that annoying stop we had at a dirty toilet which after use I was asked to pay about  2,000 Riel! I was irritated of course as it was the dirtiest I had and I wasn't told about it. It's one of the things that I really hate, when I am not told of things I am supposed to know! I felt so being tricked! The amount is not the issue, it is the act which is never acceptable.

Another instance, we were told to pull out our bags at the border and leave the things as they would take care of our things for us which we would see again right after the immigration. I had two shopping bags, but I opted to bring the other one with me despite the weight (imagine the hassle!). So to speak, the other bag I left which had my shopping of souvenirs such as coffees, crackers and more were GONE - LOST! I asked the person in charge for it and he just didn't know..I was really, really annoyed. To make the matter worst, we spent two hours and a half at the immigration so we finished the  stamps at half past two and we didn't even have any lunch! And to think, that supposedly bus trip that turned to van was more expensive. That ended my trip just the worst ever. Not of the destination but the means of going back. So if ever one has plans to visit Siem Reap from Thailand, better take the plane. Bus? NO, never..... just stop thinking about it.