Goal goalie

Mommy Moments is where Moms muse about motherhood and show off their kids. Joys, worries, disappointments, hopes, challenges and successes are shared. Chris hosts this meme every Friday at The Mommy Journey.

Goals. What are those?... Seriously that crossed my mind. For the life of me I am probably too benign with goals. If I didn't accomplish one, I could get so hard on myself. But goals. I play them by ear and you can bet your apron strings this will be simpler than putting on lipstick in the steering wheel while the light flashes red.

* Home school or something else
In May this year, CJ's developmental pediatrician suggested normal schooling. I had that followed. But my learner forms his own ideas of how he acquires education. I need to sort this out.

* Budget
Gone are the days of sitting pretty knowing money is not an issue. Four years have flown by since I signed those divorce papers and CJ got wiped out of his Dad's bank account. There's my appetite for travel, household name concerts, and luxury dining over dwindling cash. Last year I breezed through 5 major cities in 3 countries. No debts and I am proud of that. The goal here is to be willing to give up expensive tastes if the budget threatens to keel over.

* Emotional stability
Has life taught me anything yet? Excitement, terror, optimism, boredom are quite a handful of mix to manage. Now where is that useful thing called presence of mind?

No sense, no sensibility

I usually try not to begin my very first sentence with I. In blogging. The title of this post is borrowed. Now isn't that desultory? Today I ramble.

1. Burlesque is coming up on the big screen. A genius integrated my idol into the trailer.

2. I frequent this cafe in front of my workplace because of its English magazines. Beside my iced mocha, a recent Reader's Digest issue features the best universities in Asia (University of Hong Kong is top) and quotes the Microsoft chairman, "Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose."

3. "We are two of a kind, Hazel - ying and yang, but beautifully blended into one," wrote someone to me an hour ago.

4. Youtube user Niva20011 commented on a Khmer Rouge clip, "can you smoke (Pol) Pot?"

5. You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one. Yoko Ono's husband's voice plays in my head when I remembered that I have forgotten to review The Killing Fields.

6. Last week I watched one sunrise at the world's largest religious site, Cambodia's Angkor Wat.
7. To a travel companion I mentioned one of the reasons why I divorced my husband: he didn't care that I wanted to date history with him by my side.

8. Little things, little moments when ignored could have disastrous consequences.

9. New year's eve: a friend and I were riding the skytrain when the clock struck 12. The plan was to witness countdown 2011 at Central World. At least the air was still smoking from the fireworks.

10. Both the Grand Hyatt and Intercontinental have closed for drinks. My consolation was going home to chat with someone I have not seen in 22 years. God I miss him.

11. On 1.1.11, single ladies at beachfront Hilton Huahin were treated to a night of lovely music.


12. That and then an asian kiwi drifted to our table. An old maid was pissed.

13. I drink to a good balance of sense and sensibility. Happy new year!

Megan and Janet host Thursday Thirteen

HAPPY 2011!

Happy New Year Glitter Pictures

Technoperfect Christmas

Mommy Moments is where Moms muse about motherhood and show off their kids. Joys, worries, disappointments, hopes, challenges and successes are shared. Chris hosts this meme every Friday at The Mommy Journey.

With the way things are going for me I know I will not be celebrating Christmas normally. This year though I got a wonderful surprise. People at home did something they rarely do and I was ecstatic! Cj did not face the camera long enough but it was okay. A boy's got to go play I know, I know :)

"I am eating mani (peanut)," Cj stressed when I asked him what was he doing. He swayed his glossy hair muttering quietly 'Mommy, Mommy...' before he went out of the bedroom to play with cousins. My mother then took over the keyboard. Blimey! my 69-year old mother finally chatting with me online? Do I really get a rest now from expensive overseas calls? I hope Cj's computer gets a rest too from the dust or cobweb.

Technology does a perfect job of bringing us closer to loved ones. I appreciate it more than ever.

glitterlive

Merry Christmas Glitter Graphics - Glitterlive.com

And that's my perfect Christmas!

Christmas in Buddhist Land

December is when Thailand almost does not look like a Buddhist country especially in commercial areas. You just have to go out and see how business works with a Christian tradition.

This is a tree inside Central Mall, Bangna

Sky rail tracks on the right and Siam Paragon on the left. Christmas arches in the middle are abuzz with picture-taking.

Inside Siam Paragon. That star rubs shoulders with Emporio Armani.


All ready for the Countdown. Merry Christmas from Bangkok!

My World Tuesday is brought to you by Klaus and the My World Team Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Sylvia

That time of year

Musical Monday: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, EHSS
Scroll down for Monday Mayhem

Right. Good-looking. Talented. Cute. And I'm supposed to believe life is fair? *Kidding* Take note of the final score - powerful thoracic diaphragms belting on. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Ernie Haase & Signature Sound.

Amanda @ Bloggin with Amanda hosts Musical Monday

XmasDolly of XmasDolly, Lori of Shewbridges of Central Florida, Larry of Cakeblast, and Callie of JAmerican Spice host Monday's Music Moves Me

Denise @ Run DMT hosts Music Monday Blog Hop

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Monday Mayhem: The Return of Lola's Holiday Meme

1. What is your favorite holiday show/animated show? I know there are so many out there, but my life is riddled with work right now. It also is no help that this country I am in does not recognize Christmas except for commercial purposes.

2. What holiday character do you think you're most like? -pass-

3. What holiday character does your spouse think you're most like? Spouseless me. Even if I had any most probably he'd be too frozen to think of this stuff this time

4. Favorite Christmas/holiday song? 'Although it's been said many times, many ways Merry Christmas to you!'

5. Most hated Christmas/holiday song? I may not like some but I don't hate any

6. If you have an all holiday music radio station when do you start listening to it? As soon as the music is available in the airwaves

7. If you have an all holiday music radio station do you love it or hate it? I would love to love it

8. Have you ever wrapped yourself as a Christmas/holiday present? Come on...you can tell!Nice idea... but DHL will probably not ship me

9. Who is Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer's father? No idea

10. Do you drive your neighborhood or one near you at night to look at other people's holiday decorations? If I had time I would do it

11. When you see a heavily decorated house do you think, 'oh that's lovely'? Or do you think, 'oh criminy, that looks like Christmas threw up all over their lawn'? I prefer the first reaction.

12. Are you counting the days to Christmas/Holidays with excited anticipation or dread? Anticipation if there were plans. I make no room for dread.

13. When was the last time you had your photo taken with Santa? Did you sit on his lap? I may try this kind of photo shoot one of these Christmases.

14. Do you make a Christmas/Holiday list for your spouse or significant other or do you rely on them to pick your gift(s) without a clue from you? I used to drop hints... until I gave up.

15. When do you put up your tree and/or menorah/and or anything else? Four Decembers ago I put up one and once about two weeks before Christmas. That tree was packaged to me from the other side of the world.

16. If tree- Real or fake? Real

17. When do you take your tree/decorations down? At home the week after New Year's day

18. Do you shop the day after Christmas sales? What do you shop for? After Christmas I am usually too lazy to shop

19. Is your work/office having a holiday party this year? Will you attend? Yes and no

20. Do you have your New Year's Eve Plans set yet? Not yet but the plan is taking shape

Harriet hosts Monday Mayhem

Chili commerce

Mai sai prik na ka, (no chili, please) is what I always say when I buy a short-order meal. Sometimes the instruction is followed; sometimes I just have to sip ice cold Coke all the way. Chili is major in Thailand. Where fruit chunks are what you normally see on your blender, it is chili here. You have to watch what you sniff or look at if you pass by street food cooking or you sneeze and tear up as some aroma finds its way to your eyes and nostrils.

Biting red and dry, these quiet chilis are practically harmless... until they are stir frying in the wok. What could be next...

Ingredients beyond what makes up ketchup or mustard are on display too.
It is early Sunday market in Saraburi. This tent finally sets me in the mood for commerce.

My World Tuesday is brought to you by Klaus and the My World Team Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Sylvia