Delineating Des

Glitter Graphics - GlitterLive.com That's it! We are about to conclude 2009. I am thrilled to have finally begun something I have been curious about for awhile: blogging, and that it turned out to be a wonderful experience. The friends I found and the interaction with them are the highlights of my online social life this year and I intend to have the same or more next year and next.... There are beautiful bloggers to whom I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation through this given to me by Mommy Moments host Chris at the Mommy Journey: Thom, whose playground Thom's Place 4 Well Whatever is a very interesting read; for becoming my no. 1 bloggy friend, always leaving me comments that are guaranteed to put a smile on my face if not make me fall off my chair laughing Lisa of Lisa Notes for her significantly inspiring posts, always well-written and lovingly hits where it is reasonably necessary. I feel blessed every time I visit her blog Anya of KARELTJE en ikke!!!

Built in 1666, King Narai's Palace was the home of Ayutthya ruler King Narai the Great. Lopburi, where the palace stands, was the second capital of the Ayutthya Kingdom. When the King died in 1688 both palace and capital were abandoned . It was closing time when friends and I arrived but staff allowed us a stroll on the outer grounds where most of the ruins are. Palace Gate 1 Royal Storage area near the outer gate ruins opposite the preceding photo MyWorld Tuesday is brought to you by Klaus, and the MyWorld Team members Wren, Sandy, Sylvia, Louis, Fishing Guy and Klaus

My papers were sorted and I sat waiting for my turn at the Immigration Department on Thursday last week. A black guy approached me, made friendly talk about the foreign job market in Thailand and I responded accordingly. Only a few minutes into the conversation he asked for my number. I gave it to him. Then he disappeared into the crowd of visa applicants. I was relieved. But there he was again when I emerged from the Government Complex. I began to get annoyed. He said, 'the number you gave me - it ...' he smiled and shook his head. I replied, 'it's the number of my company-issued phone. 'Could you give me your number?' he pressed. It was my turn to shake my head and as I hailed a taxi, I went frank, 'I don't think so.' About 17 years ago on an island paradise I listened to Dennis de Young belt out this very song while looking out the ocean from a veranda one starlit night. The guy with me was one I would have wanted to ask for and keep my number. I

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Nik Dirga at the blog Spatula Forum. Nik is an American journalist who now lives in New Zealand with his kiwi wife and son. He does not say where he found the meme. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing! 1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before? researched scholarships 2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't do new year's resolutions because I never keep them 3. How will you be spending New Year's Eve? by dining on seafood at a floating restaurant in Thailand's summer capital 4. Did anyone close to you die? nope 5. What countries did you visit? none 6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? more determination not to procrastinate 7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory,

With just a handful of natural exceptions, i.e. an exotic wedding, a nasty divorce and a son to live for, my twelve-year stay in Thailand has been routinely work - home - work - home - repeat . I have had enough. That said I am making some changes. From a bachelor's degree in Education to a master's in Communication, I mull over a doctorate in Anthropology. Midlife crisis or a tap on the concept of self-reinvention: either way I'm still too keen on the holidays to determine it yet. Seriously I only want something that is NOT boring. A few years of it then I'm ready to get back to the grind. So... things I am looking forward to in 2010 -- I. Positive application result from a university of my choice II. Securing a plausible research methodology III. Systematic data-gathering, hopefully a painless process of analyzing finds IV. Fulfilling my Disneyland promise to my five-year old, and V. Getting him home to my mother for better care VI. Executing plans I, II, III, I

"Sanct'akaus!" "reindeer" "Bethlehem," Cj repeats after me. We have been identifying every christmas object we see on available media since December 1st. But recording these moments is the same as the past weeks. He decided to be shy around the camera. I decided to steal shots. We explored the Emporium snowmen he is convinced this snowman is Pinocchio Last week I was told Cj was having classes on christmas day. I was like "are you kidding me?" There is understandably no trace of christmas in his buddhist Dad's house. I am appalled anyway and pulled him out of there as fast as I could, still in his school clothes. We had christmas dinner at a Japanese restaurant where I managed to steal another shot and another along a parade of poinsettias Merry Christmas! Chris at the Mommy Journey hosts

Following someone's midsjudgment of moves on what was supposed to be intense ass-kicking in an Austrian divorce court, I am staying put in Thailand for the rest of 2009. To make up for the cancelled Europe trip, I made sure I had fun right where I was. And I had it in abundance. This week's T13 is a summary of activities that tie up my year: 1 - socialized at a wedding 2 - rode on a submarine 3 - checked out my son's school 4 - discovered that there's more to Sin City Pattaya than just bars and whores 5 - dreamed about making wishes come true (Disney on Ice) 6 - braved a macabre showroom filled with mummified bodies of AIDS patients 7 - travelled back in time (ruins of the French ambassador's mansion in Lopburi) 8 - welcomed the birth of a cousin's daughter 9 - visited an arts and culture centre 10 - threw a party for my son's 5th birthday but bought the wrong cake; he sulked and I ended up promising him Disneyland next year 11 - accomplished requireme

photosource My pick for this week's TCP theme, a merry christmas movie , is Miracle on 34th Street . Here's the plot summary: A little girl discovers dreams do come true if you really believe. Six-year-old Susan has doubts about childhood's most enduring miracle - Santa Claus. Her mother told her the "secret" about Santa a long time ago, so Susan doesn't expect to receive the most important gifts on her Christmas list. But after meeting a special department store Santa who's convinced he's the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all - something to believe in . Robert Lynch Kikamz hosts ~ more christmas movies at Just About Anything ~

This is the third time that I'm posting about the Hallelujah Chorus , and I promise this will be the last. Today's version is something lighter from the serious tone that the first two carried. Journeywoman , led me to, according to her, 'a neat link' of HC and it is what I am sharing with you today. You may have seen it around already but what's wrong with laughing again and releasing toxins off the body? Besides we're supposed to be merry this season, aren't we? Diane hosts ~ Head over to Good Mourning, Glory! for more music ~ *************************** Who did you see kissing where? Here comes Thom, yehey! :-) Thom's Holiday Fill in the Blanks Meme: I saw __ Bad Boy __ kissing __ Regine Mae __ Underneath the _ bamboo bed _ last night They didn't see me __ toot ___ Down the __ cracks __ to have a __ woot __ They thought that I was __ drinking __ in my __ lil' bar __ fast __ chilling __ Then I saw __ Bad Boy __ kissing __ Regine Mae __ Under