tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-171087392024-03-14T14:52:32.967+07:00SaME SaME bUT dIFFERENTCarmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-54700728759685911072011-02-09T13:16:00.003+07:002011-02-09T13:22:29.014+07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TVIx9OKrSvI/AAAAAAAAA6c/vALXRX4zn1w/s1600/mancare%2Bthai.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TVIx9OKrSvI/AAAAAAAAA6c/vALXRX4zn1w/s400/mancare%2Bthai.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571570616855382770" /></a><br />Can I just say, I gotten so good at cooking Thai food, muffins, pizza and salads that I really have to post this...I'm really really pround of my thin crust pizza (photos coming soon)...<br />I am actually thinking there may be room for a shift a careers..Once I finish my masters in ED I'm going to cooking classes...<br /><br />So to the right we have:<br /><strong><br />Tom Yam Soup</strong>...spicy but light - great for weight loss!!!<br /><strong>Basil Chicken<br />Plain Rice</strong>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-58119252337023020852011-01-04T21:16:00.002+07:002011-01-04T21:22:52.178+07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TSMsC0Rs95I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/QEbjl8LemVw/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TSMsC0Rs95I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/QEbjl8LemVw/s400/027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558334792009578386" /></a><br /><br />Feeling great about this year, guys? I do. We've got some superb trips lined up...Japan is looking good for April - we're trading the snow for cherry blossoms and our boots for trainers and flip flops...Then Romania...a 5 wks extravanganza at home...can't wait...Andrei bless him mentions Cluj every other day ..:)<br /><br />We've got a lovely lady who comes and does our dinner and it's been fabulous...had stir fried veggies and ssour soup for dinner ...that's me, cause dieting has started 2 weeks ago...yay!!! After 2 kids I'm ready to get into my old clothes:)<br /><br />Happy New Year!<br />The Bangkok GangCarmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-39653443285771297262010-11-04T20:45:00.003+07:002010-11-04T21:11:20.679+07:00<strong>Japan postponed...:(</strong><br /><br />Well, unfortunately a combination of unfortunate events(Ake's mom broke her leg...poor woman) and sky high prices for flights to Tokyo (nearly a 50% increase to travel in December) mean that we wont make it this December to Japan...<br /><br />We've initially set on a 3000/ 4000 euro budget for it, but a quick overview of travelling expenses meaning flights + train passes alone would have meant 2500...ummmmm...<br /><br />Not to despair though...Japan is still top of the list...but...will take on noodles and sashimi in April...fingers crossed there'll still be some snow left on the peaks for good snowball fight...<br /><br />Sooo...APRIL=sakura blossoms...end of November possibly a quick trip to Kuala Lumpur...<br /><br />Otherwise, life is superbly serene in our corner of the world...:)<br /><br />Photos of our Vienna trip this summer...and our castle..:)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK76yMFMEI/AAAAAAAAA6E/LbExBCiuJfU/s1600/049.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK76yMFMEI/AAAAAAAAA6E/LbExBCiuJfU/s320/049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535693510571012162" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK76tURH0I/AAAAAAAAA58/eJo18W3AoGA/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK76tURH0I/AAAAAAAAA58/eJo18W3AoGA/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535693509263171394" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK76WEKFUI/AAAAAAAAA50/KbeBkgBPCp8/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK76WEKFUI/AAAAAAAAA50/KbeBkgBPCp8/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535693503021585730" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK75xuga7I/AAAAAAAAA5s/xiRZAl71VOs/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK75xuga7I/AAAAAAAAA5s/xiRZAl71VOs/s320/028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535693493267098546" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK75qHm97I/AAAAAAAAA5k/j2WeoJ_f0Ck/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TNK75qHm97I/AAAAAAAAA5k/j2WeoJ_f0Ck/s320/IMG_0238.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535693491224901554" /></a>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-7036849576719594062010-09-21T12:32:00.003+07:002010-09-21T12:43:12.761+07:00<strong>Trips</strong><br /><br />Where to go? where to go? We've got some holidays approaching quite fast and early booking is essential... We're still not sure how December will be...but if we've got our finances sorted we'd love to go to Japan. Ski if possible...Now the only thing is Japan seems quite expensive...15 euro meals for 4 , 3 times a day...it adds up...it's a wait and see, but highly likely that will happen.<br /><br />Now October...that's manageable....I've love to take the kids to an elephant camp..but that's WAAAY up north and traveling overland with 2 kids...ummm...it's a lot of entertaining...<br /><br />or...we could just go to the beach...:)))...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TJhFclm2WeI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Zm6gdFA9zME/s1600/DSC_0953.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TJhFclm2WeI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Zm6gdFA9zME/s400/DSC_0953.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519237700776253922" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TJhFcKjHaWI/AAAAAAAAA5U/IxhlfVU3zRk/s1600/DSC_0948.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TJhFcKjHaWI/AAAAAAAAA5U/IxhlfVU3zRk/s400/DSC_0948.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519237693512837474" /></a>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-89080264886515049752010-09-14T14:05:00.000+07:002010-09-14T14:05:19.397+07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TI8erffDMhI/AAAAAAAAA5M/Sh2vVpggqN4/s1600/tati+and+Sofia.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; FLOAT: right; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TI8erffDMhI/AAAAAAAAA5M/Sh2vVpggqN4/s400/tati+and+Sofia.jpg" /></a> <br />We've moved house!!!<br /><br />Bangkok traffic - not for us thank you!!! We are now walking to school and work. We've moved into this posh condo next door from the school in the heart of Bangkok...pool, tennis courts, squash, gym, sauna, playgroung, library...ahhh, that's the life!!!!<br /><br />Coming very soon...photos of our place and views of Bangkok!<div style='clear:both; text-align:RIGHT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-56605015278570278322010-08-29T22:50:00.001+07:002010-08-29T22:50:50.733+07:00<a href='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/THqBtxwZq-I/AAAAAAAAA48/g3q3QLVi1CI/s1600/DSC_1314.JPG'><img src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/THqBtxwZq-I/AAAAAAAAA48/g3q3QLVi1CI/s400/DSC_1314.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />Waiting anxiously for my parents to get here...for another year, TOGETHER in Thailand. It cant get any better folks! Except perhaps if next year granny comes for a short visit...Granny, who's never had a pasaport has decided to visit us...<br /><br />YAY!<div style='clear:both; text-align:RIGHT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-64357364643844705092010-08-21T21:58:00.000+07:002010-08-21T21:59:09.066+07:00<a href='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TG_puhYX-JI/AAAAAAAAA4U/gvSWWEGx0Mw/s1600/DSC_0854.JPG'><img src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TG_puhYX-JI/AAAAAAAAA4U/gvSWWEGx0Mw/s400/DSC_0854.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />Back from Romania and short stop in Austria...cant quite get over how beautiful it all was...<br />We're very very excited about our own little house and the garden around which is just heaven. Lots and lots of pictures with Andrei and Sofia running around like crazy...some wild days we had...<br />Aahhh, good old European summers...:)<div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-4835413798626035422010-07-25T22:59:00.002+07:002010-07-25T23:05:38.655+07:00ok...we've done just about everything...and are now ready to take off which will happen tmrw night after a busy busy day...cant tell how beat I am after chasing 2 kids in the indoor playground at funarium and climbing up and down the stairs of our house...<br />I'm am so ready to live without stairs for a change!!! I HATE stairs in a house...I mean I can do with a flight, but that's my limit...<br /><br />still have no idea what will do in RO for 3 weeks, but plain hanging out in parks and seeing granny and friends sounds divine...I need my dose of Europe...!Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-57425707168180640162010-06-15T15:31:00.004+07:002010-06-15T15:46:34.553+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">looking forward to...</span><br /><br />Couple of weeks left of school , then we'll be doing our summer camp and testing that awesome pool equipment we got from the US. Thanks again George!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TBc9V2wku0I/AAAAAAAAA4E/o5srv14NySw/s1600/pool+slide.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/TBc9V2wku0I/AAAAAAAAA4E/o5srv14NySw/s400/pool+slide.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482918517032663874" /></a><br />Then off to sunny Romania - kinda too sunny from what I hear - but just generally looking forward to NO PLANS...waking up everyday, even if that means 5 am with Sofia :))) and not having anything lined up.<br /><br />We're flying straight to Cluj with a baby, a toddler and two bikes...YEAH...The bikes bit has been decided 2 summers ago when we were desperately looking for some decent wheels.<br /><br />Can't wait to see granny and spend at least a week with her at her mini farm...Andrei was up at 5 am everyday with her for the daily duties: milking cows, feeding the chickens...plus running around with the dogs...Granny's got two of the friendliest dogs I've ever seen.<br /><br />Then, back to Bangkok - eyeing our next two big trips for the year - October in Hong Kong and December in Japan...The only question is: Do we take Sofia skiing with us in Japan?...The kiddo is ALL EYES every time we leave the house and does extremely well outdoors...but not sure if I can leave Ake and 2 kids in the snow while I make my runs...I'm thinking: if she'll walk by the time she's 13 months (which will be in Decemeber), I'll take her! Bring on the sushi!!!Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-2239848897626197502010-06-04T12:28:00.002+07:002010-06-04T12:38:30.225+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">On kids and time off...yeap - none!</span><br /><br />Have managed to escape last night and see a movie with Ake...it was nothing amazing, but it felt good to hang out and finish a conversation for once without having to chase the kids, bfeed, or do whatever toddlers do - don't get me wrong, I love it!!...again, we felt sort nice and fresh, only to come home and find Sofia crying cause mom wasn't there to put her to bed, and poor mom didn't want to call us cause she wanted us to have a good time....awwww...I thought I could afford ONE night out...Nope!!!<br /><br />The truth is...we are absolutely loving having 2 children, but, boy...the days are VERY LONG...late late nights...It actually feels like it's not double the work, but more like 3 to 4 times.<br /><br />Can't wait for Sofia to walk though...my back is killing me!:)<br /><br />In an effort to get back in good shape I've started doing Pilates at home with Andrei...It's 2 peek-a-boos and a 100.Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-7508203809198544122010-05-19T13:32:00.005+07:002010-05-19T13:44:06.066+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />All about Sofia</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHcwv8QpI/AAAAAAAAA38/1zoNhErV1RM/s1600/DSC_0326.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHcwv8QpI/AAAAAAAAA38/1zoNhErV1RM/s400/DSC_0326.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866900377354898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHcXXPREI/AAAAAAAAA30/OGzeCxbDBy0/s1600/DSC_0304.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHcXXPREI/AAAAAAAAA30/OGzeCxbDBy0/s400/DSC_0304.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866893562856514" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sofia is 6 months old...yeiiiiii..</span><br /><br />Well folks, the world around us is falling apart..literally... but Sofia is such a doll...what can tell you: BIG LOVE!!! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHMbxb-pI/AAAAAAAAA3s/u6Zit8i0fY0/s1600/DSC_0293.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHMbxb-pI/AAAAAAAAA3s/u6Zit8i0fY0/s400/DSC_0293.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866619868576402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHL8eH_nI/AAAAAAAAA3k/FWwDLnLs-Os/s1600/carmen+and+sofi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHL8eH_nI/AAAAAAAAA3k/FWwDLnLs-Os/s400/carmen+and+sofi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866611466075762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHLZD09YI/AAAAAAAAA3c/uvrOp-HRcEg/s1600/DSC_0130.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHLZD09YI/AAAAAAAAA3c/uvrOp-HRcEg/s400/DSC_0130.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866601960535426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHLNPJ1SI/AAAAAAAAA3U/YlRFyDnmi4A/s1600/DSC_0459.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHLNPJ1SI/AAAAAAAAA3U/YlRFyDnmi4A/s400/DSC_0459.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866598786815266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHK3s2DiI/AAAAAAAAA3M/teOMzZFx3xY/s1600/DSC_0476.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OHK3s2DiI/AAAAAAAAA3M/teOMzZFx3xY/s400/DSC_0476.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866593005768226" /></a><br /><br />And...more photos from Penang...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OG0tP73BI/AAAAAAAAA3E/ai-XTv66HqY/s1600/DSC_0368.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OG0tP73BI/AAAAAAAAA3E/ai-XTv66HqY/s400/DSC_0368.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866212243037202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OG0UsDRdI/AAAAAAAAA28/AUAO6vSwlS4/s1600/DSC_0627.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OG0UsDRdI/AAAAAAAAA28/AUAO6vSwlS4/s400/DSC_0627.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866205650077138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OG0O8jr0I/AAAAAAAAA20/nsfkKV99Nhw/s1600/DSC_0785.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OG0O8jr0I/AAAAAAAAA20/nsfkKV99Nhw/s400/DSC_0785.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866204108697410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OGzpNHguI/AAAAAAAAA2s/BZulNFZGCIk/s1600/DSC_0793.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OGzpNHguI/AAAAAAAAA2s/BZulNFZGCIk/s400/DSC_0793.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866193977606882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OGzAASeFI/AAAAAAAAA2k/kLasvVpx8L4/s1600/DSC_0806.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S_OGzAASeFI/AAAAAAAAA2k/kLasvVpx8L4/s400/DSC_0806.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866182917945426" /></a>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-74221815588316054382010-04-18T13:29:00.004+07:002010-04-18T13:42:17.952+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Hola Penang!!!</span><br /><br />Loved loved loved Penang...my only complaint is that it was too hot..sizzling really at times...was on the beach for a total of 5 min - sand was BURNING.<br /><br />I'll be posting in more details in the days to come, so this is just a taste of what it was like for us...beautiful hotel, warm pool, great coffee, yummy chinese and indian food, great architectural mix...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qpq0q2I0I/AAAAAAAAA2c/g202_PjfD9U/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qpq0q2I0I/AAAAAAAAA2c/g202_PjfD9U/s400/DSC_0091.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461364051298100034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoULnRJcI/AAAAAAAAA2M/lSsNFU_EF8k/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoULnRJcI/AAAAAAAAA2M/lSsNFU_EF8k/s400/DSC_0057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461362562808489410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoTq5e9JI/AAAAAAAAA2E/N_ThHeeETAI/s1600/DSC_0380.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoTq5e9JI/AAAAAAAAA2E/N_ThHeeETAI/s400/DSC_0380.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461362554026521746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoTSBwBGI/AAAAAAAAA18/HntvRprQibo/s1600/DSC_0345.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoTSBwBGI/AAAAAAAAA18/HntvRprQibo/s400/DSC_0345.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461362547350307938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoGZ1l_PI/AAAAAAAAA10/FH5x_UafMng/s1600/DSC_0369.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoGZ1l_PI/AAAAAAAAA10/FH5x_UafMng/s400/DSC_0369.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461362326108503282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoGPZZehI/AAAAAAAAA1s/6tIDB8yyeKQ/s1600/DSC_0181.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoGPZZehI/AAAAAAAAA1s/6tIDB8yyeKQ/s400/DSC_0181.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461362323305888274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoFlDcVlI/AAAAAAAAA1k/LENOa5uNlOw/s1600/DSC_0521.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoFlDcVlI/AAAAAAAAA1k/LENOa5uNlOw/s400/DSC_0521.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461362311939511890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoFRxH0KI/AAAAAAAAA1c/bOTPF-EYkUw/s1600/DSC_0321.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoFRxH0KI/AAAAAAAAA1c/bOTPF-EYkUw/s400/DSC_0321.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461362306762395810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoE0PIeMI/AAAAAAAAA1U/yrhULrR50rI/s1600/DSC_0079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoE0PIeMI/AAAAAAAAA1U/yrhULrR50rI/s400/DSC_0079.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461362298835204290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoUuCYbAI/AAAAAAAAA2U/drGU1P_yqlg/s1600/DSC_0387.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S8qoUuCYbAI/AAAAAAAAA2U/drGU1P_yqlg/s400/DSC_0387.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461362572049017858" /></a>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-35160755355932775162010-03-25T13:49:00.004+07:002010-04-03T22:05:31.347+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Ready? Backpacks on. Kids? Yeap. 2 Grandparents? Yeap. GO! </span><br /><br />Yei...back to traveling again, now that Sofia is 4 months. Our first major trip comes beginning of April, an 8 day bonanza to Malaysia, specifically it's colonial jewel, Penang. Booked into what appears to be a very nice hotel - Traders...4 stars at the heart of the city ...<br /><br />We are all buzzing with excitement....Our general goal is simple : walk - stop at cafes - cool in the pool - off to the beach in the evenings - take the tram to the penang hill which is supposed to be very cool - more cafes - parks with the kids - massages at night - yummy food (curries are said to be GREAT)....<br /><br />Downloaded some photos from Lonely Planet - mouth watering. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S7dX0CQvzuI/AAAAAAAAA08/hW5MZ3LZuU8/s1600/penang.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S7dX0CQvzuI/AAAAAAAAA08/hW5MZ3LZuU8/s400/penang.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455926025054572258" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S7dX1acV30I/AAAAAAAAA1M/UyK48JAsx9E/s1600/man.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S7dX1acV30I/AAAAAAAAA1M/UyK48JAsx9E/s400/man.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455926048725524290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S7dX1C0h4RI/AAAAAAAAA1E/kgOllHASXGw/s1600/buddha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S7dX1C0h4RI/AAAAAAAAA1E/kgOllHASXGw/s400/buddha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455926042384523538" /></a><br /><br />Fingers crossed for decent temps - nearly 38 C yesterday in Bkk, and we're NORTH of Malaysia:)Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-29962083765208998742010-03-05T22:53:00.002+07:002010-03-05T23:05:36.726+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">What a week!!!</span><br /><br />Can't even begin to talk about how busy this week has been. It' now Friday night 11:00 pm and I'm finally feeling like I'm having a rest...after a VERY LOOONG Day.<br /><br />Did a lot though... our trips until August are sorted....YEI!!!<br /><br />We're having crazy thoughts about Japan in the winter....brrr...would love to!<br /><br />Below, photos from Sofia's swimming lesson and our trip to the Ministry of whatever to get her passport.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5Erh1NTlZI/AAAAAAAAA00/j-VeXKeqAJk/s1600-h/IMG_0007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5Erh1NTlZI/AAAAAAAAA00/j-VeXKeqAJk/s400/IMG_0007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445181284686206354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5Erhht9jUI/AAAAAAAAA0s/wTxFLq5u188/s1600-h/IMG_0012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5Erhht9jUI/AAAAAAAAA0s/wTxFLq5u188/s400/IMG_0012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445181279454465346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5ErhZuGWXI/AAAAAAAAA0k/YDD76-QE12Y/s1600-h/IMG_0018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5ErhZuGWXI/AAAAAAAAA0k/YDD76-QE12Y/s400/IMG_0018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445181277307558258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5Ergtlid5I/AAAAAAAAA0c/O66rdeNm8fU/s1600-h/IMG_0019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5Ergtlid5I/AAAAAAAAA0c/O66rdeNm8fU/s400/IMG_0019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445181265460492178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5ErgEWOwgI/AAAAAAAAA0U/qzgtZgj5cDk/s1600-h/IMG_0021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S5ErgEWOwgI/AAAAAAAAA0U/qzgtZgj5cDk/s400/IMG_0021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445181254390432258" /></a>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-11357458204652612452010-02-24T21:09:00.004+07:002010-02-24T21:43:25.841+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Work & leisureeee..</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4U1aGrhaQI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Jgb1osVMXGg/s1600-h/ake+and+andrei.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4U1aGrhaQI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Jgb1osVMXGg/s400/ake+and+andrei.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441814447333140738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4U1Z9BoIUI/AAAAAAAAA0E/Cb4jv0jML1k/s1600-h/IMG_0068.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4U1Z9BoIUI/AAAAAAAAA0E/Cb4jv0jML1k/s400/IMG_0068.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441814444741501250" /></a><br /><br />It's boiling outside guys...thankfully there're some great pool to cool of in good ol' Bangkok.<br /><br />I'm exhausted today after the Swimming Gala at school...great fun though!<br /><br />Just thought I'd post some photos of us swimming with the kids...Yei! <br /><br />Right, back to work! I've got masters paper due in one week!:(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4Uzwhsg9EI/AAAAAAAAAz8/42zDMru_tsM/s1600-h/IMG_0061.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4Uzwhsg9EI/AAAAAAAAAz8/42zDMru_tsM/s400/IMG_0061.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441812633518928962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4UzwKYXqkI/AAAAAAAAAz0/Ssp52OEX6L0/s1600-h/IMG_0060.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4UzwKYXqkI/AAAAAAAAAz0/Ssp52OEX6L0/s400/IMG_0060.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441812627260418626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4Uzvj561PI/AAAAAAAAAzs/j0cSBM21apY/s1600-h/IMG_0050.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S4Uzvj561PI/AAAAAAAAAzs/j0cSBM21apY/s400/IMG_0050.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441812616932152562" /></a>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-68112881278065513742010-02-11T11:21:00.002+07:002010-02-11T11:27:10.781+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Chomsky Talks...</span><br /><br /><blockquote>The Nobel Peace Prize, of course, is not concerned solely with reducing the threat of terminal nuclear war, but rather with war generally, and preparation for war. In this regard, the selection of Obama raised more than a few eyebrows, not least in Iran, surrounded by US occupying armies.<br /><br />US military expenditures almost match the rest of the world combined, and the US military is far more advanced technologically. Nonpartisan budget and security monitors report that the Obama administration's request for $538 billion for the Defense Department in fiscal 2010 and its stated intention to maintain a high level of funding in the coming years <span style="font-weight:bold;">put the president on track to spend more on defense, in real dollars, than any other president has in one term of office since World War II.</span> </blockquote><br /><br />taken from Noam Chomsky's <a href="http://chomsky.info/talks/20091030.htm">HOPES and PROSPETCTS</a><br /><br />Well worth reading the entire article.Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-68419158503844517232010-02-10T21:02:00.003+07:002010-02-10T21:15:56.448+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">34 C in the shade</span><br /><br />Sunny, gorgeous weather today in Bangkok for swimming! Being in the pool was so refreshing and energizing. If we ever leave Thailand, I'll know I'll miss the pools and the massage parlors...among other things.<br /><br />Meanwhile we've got the first BIG trip of the year planned out(there will be several). One word for you: <span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia!!!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S3K_AlxX5yI/AAAAAAAAAzk/j1hKaLibqd0/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S3K_AlxX5yI/AAAAAAAAAzk/j1hKaLibqd0/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436617717049714466" /></a><br />Andrei and Peppe at the pool...Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-23896266078833739312010-02-09T08:48:00.002+07:002010-02-09T08:53:45.482+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Arghhh...</span><br /><br />What a crazy couple of days...Alarm didn't work...Raced to school...Thank GOD for motorcycle taxis! JUST made it! Raced back home...there, one thing after the other...Literally crashed last night at 8pm right after the 2 pumpkins were asleep. Then again..this full on trottle is a great post pregnancy exercise.<br /><br />We're on holiday next week, so we should be able to kick back a bit and chill. Yeaah.Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-76711818661568927592010-01-31T22:01:00.004+07:002010-02-01T12:56:20.274+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Weekend</span><br /><br />We had a FULL ON weekend...park...ice cream...beach and pool on Sunday...where Sofia had her first swim at 2 1/2 months...LOVED it...we're all dog tired...kids fell asleep in a blink...yeaaaah...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcEq2d38I/AAAAAAAAAzc/81zSAblP7bs/s1600-h/IMG_0051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcEq2d38I/AAAAAAAAAzc/81zSAblP7bs/s400/IMG_0051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432920129528520642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcEL7Lm1I/AAAAAAAAAzU/L-BxiSEZGaI/s1600-h/IMG_0049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcEL7Lm1I/AAAAAAAAAzU/L-BxiSEZGaI/s400/IMG_0049.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432920121226795858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcDjPPQuI/AAAAAAAAAzM/nI-piY3hcfw/s1600-h/IMG_0038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcDjPPQuI/AAAAAAAAAzM/nI-piY3hcfw/s400/IMG_0038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432920110305067746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcDWylaFI/AAAAAAAAAzE/yQGjMNp5W9c/s1600-h/IMG_0037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcDWylaFI/AAAAAAAAAzE/yQGjMNp5W9c/s400/IMG_0037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432920106963658834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcCyuzEGI/AAAAAAAAAy8/7Oes_3QtVhk/s1600-h/IMG_0036.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S2WcCyuzEGI/AAAAAAAAAy8/7Oes_3QtVhk/s400/IMG_0036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432920097284100194" /></a><br /><br />I'm so ready for MONDAY. Bring it!Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-79642418338874137972010-01-29T13:18:00.002+07:002010-01-29T13:51:45.821+07:00<strong>there's something about Murray...</strong><br /><br />I love tennis and can honestly say...I don't generally mind whoever wins a tournament...I like Rafa's style but don't really mind whether he wins or looses...Most players that I watch, Federer, Verdasco, Tsonga, Davydenko, Del Potro, Gonzales are graceful winners or losers... <br /><br />Can't say I like Murray's style, though...he's generally way too quick to praise himself and acknowledge HIS efforts...the guy <strong>clearly</strong> has talent and has worked hard to get here - no doubt about it, but a bit of humility would truly make him a champion. So, regardless of what happens in Melbourne...there's something about Murray...Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-65161367721870665032010-01-24T17:49:00.006+07:002010-01-24T18:21:19.974+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Starting clean</span><br />Thai children usually have their head shaved within the first months of life...Ake is convinced he's got good hair because of it and insisted we go through the same ritual with our lot...No probs with me! There are some things I'll fight against - shaving is not it...When we did that to Andrei, my in laws were very reassuring...."Don't worry, dear..It grows back in a month." Poor Andrei was browless for months and barely managed to grow a decent mane in about 6 months.<br /><br />Thankfully, Sofia has inherited Ake's hair and so I was more relaxed about getting into the whole shaving . Plus Ake did it this time. His dad was sooo nervous when shaving Andrei that he basically shaved only patches of it - he he. Poor kid looked ridiculously funny until Ake got home and finished the job. Anyhow, back to Sofia..Bless, she's growing it so fast...eyebrows are back already...<br /><br />Before...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrQt0Lt6I/AAAAAAAAAy0/2PJ_hzp03T8/s1600-h/IMG_0002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrQt0Lt6I/AAAAAAAAAy0/2PJ_hzp03T8/s400/IMG_0002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430262816878344098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrC3LmSxI/AAAAAAAAAys/amOtzmE0yDI/s1600-h/IMG_0008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrC3LmSxI/AAAAAAAAAys/amOtzmE0yDI/s400/IMG_0008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430262578874305298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrCeIUlmI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Gi_zc-zVU6M/s1600-h/IMG_0011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrCeIUlmI/AAAAAAAAAyk/Gi_zc-zVU6M/s400/IMG_0011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430262572149675618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrCJXAD9I/AAAAAAAAAyc/yeR7vPyCDnA/s1600-h/IMG_0013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrCJXAD9I/AAAAAAAAAyc/yeR7vPyCDnA/s400/IMG_0013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430262566574100434" /></a><br />A week after...:)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrBTo1CAI/AAAAAAAAAyU/bPM1y--3NJ0/s1600-h/IMG_0034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrBTo1CAI/AAAAAAAAAyU/bPM1y--3NJ0/s400/IMG_0034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430262552153360386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrA_9qvGI/AAAAAAAAAyM/dmiWx8QqSu0/s1600-h/IMG_0035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S1wrA_9qvGI/AAAAAAAAAyM/dmiWx8QqSu0/s400/IMG_0035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430262546872056930" /></a><br />Hang in there, girl!:)Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-15103790568642458842010-01-19T21:29:00.002+07:002010-01-19T21:41:30.738+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Glimpses of OZ Open</span><br /><br />I'm a tennis fan. I love sports in general. I grew up watching and playing just about anything. I remember my dad's friends saying that "there's this girl playing football with the rest of the boys"...that's was me. Not that I was great at it...just very competitive.:)<br /><br />We've had couple of roller coaster weeks and it's just lovely to kick back and feel alive, feel the thrills and the ups and downs of following up a game...Vamos Rafa!:)Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-84614285355852151852010-01-13T13:54:00.002+07:002010-01-13T14:19:24.450+07:00<strong>360</strong><br /><br />It's Saturday morning. 10 days after Sofia's birth. <br /><br />The phone rings. Ake's granny's not feeling well. She was playing with Andrei then she turned pale. Ake runs over to her house to help. She has been diagnosed with cancer just a week ago, but no dares one tells her. The doctor gave her another 6 months. She's 96. She's in pain already.<br /><br />I'm starting to feed Sofia. Ake's youngest sister, Lek runs up the stairs to our living room and barely catching her breath tells me " CPR. Granny. Ake siad to come NOW."<br /><br />I pass Sofia to mom and run down with her. I'm trying desperately to remember HOW MANY CHEST COMPRESIONS. I took my CPR about 3 times and everytime they change bloody number of chest compresions...12...15 or 20?...aaarrggh. <br /><br />We get to the house. Granny lies flat on her bed. Eyes half open. Motionless. Ake has already started CPR. "Carmen, check for pulse?" There's no pulse. Her feet are cold. Her hands are still warm and so is her head...I keep checking for pulse and counting with Ake. Everyone's at home, Ake's mom and dad, all the sisters. They are literally in shock. Her hands are getting colder and still...no pulse. 15 min. Ake looks tired but very calm. CPR continues. The ambulance arrives. They take over from Ake...shock. nothing...another shock...nothing...more. Ake's mom is in tears and the rest of the women on the verge of it. There's too many people in a such a small room. Ake tells me to go back to Sofia. <br /><br />Granny was taken to the hospital...they've managed to restart her heart...a very week pulse. She died that morning.<br /><br />No comment.Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-65176907433058790262010-01-05T07:24:00.003+07:002010-01-05T07:43:02.625+07:00<strong>Pregnancy and parenting resources</strong><br /><br />Just wanted to pass on some of the info that has helped us lots so far. Many many thanks again to our friends for all the their tips and tricks.<br /><br />Best medical book about pregnancy / birth and babies in my opinion. Thanks Lois!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S0KIbYmKN7I/AAAAAAAAAxg/5xNULMiHNis/s1600-h/51EG3D0YF6L._SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S0KIbYmKN7I/AAAAAAAAAxg/5xNULMiHNis/s400/51EG3D0YF6L._SL500_AA240_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423046905347848114" /></a><br /><br />Best website for birth (loved the birth stories):<br /><a href="http://www.childbirth.org">Childbirth.org</a><br /><br />And thanks to Gina Ford we're all resting at night (worth buying the book):<br /><a href="http://www.contentedbaby.com/">The Contented Baby</a>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17108739.post-71244731589258885502010-01-03T13:50:00.003+07:002010-01-03T14:01:35.608+07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Starting work</span><br /><br />My maternity break ends tomorrow - and Tuesday school start officially, so me, Ake and Andrei are off...I'm sooo happy mom is here...a great relief to know Sofia is with her...and there's Ake's mom and dad as well who are just melting for her. <br /><br />It's always really hard going back after having a baby. I'm ready to be around people although I must say having 2 meant we were always out - so I don't feel I've really been away...and certainly not on holiday.-:)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S0BAXZWhYhI/AAAAAAAAAxY/Nr1rBJhAYw8/s1600-h/DSC_0357.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S0BAXZWhYhI/AAAAAAAAAxY/Nr1rBJhAYw8/s400/DSC_0357.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422404722040594962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S0BAW_pDHUI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/8N1OIF_BEos/s1600-h/DSC_0362.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_27y0fQttSfs/S0BAW_pDHUI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/8N1OIF_BEos/s400/DSC_0362.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422404715138981186" /></a>Carmenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16641207140547904392noreply@blogger.com1