My Trip to Paris

In July 2008, before joining my parents in Verona Italy for a family's friend's wedding, I headed to Paris to travel by myself.  Chris didn't join me this time, as you have read from his blog, he was on a seperate trip to the US.

I arrived in Paris on Saturday morning and spent four days there before taking an overnight train to Italy.  Paris is always my dream city, I could imagine how life would be like to live here.

On the plane, I made a list of what I wanted to see and taste.  Since my trip was short, I planed to walk and absorb Paris on foot as much as I could.    

(Picture above: beautiful photos displaying in front of a gallary in St. Germain des Pres)  

On my to-do list:

* Visiting only one museum (the Musee of Arts Decoratifs)

* Eating macarons at Laduree sweet shop

* Buying Marco Polo tea at Mariag Freres (Chris's favorite)

* Having a nice and memorable meal

* Looking at the Eiffel tower

* Spening time at Marais and St. Germain

* Visiting an antique market

* And the most important: shopping

 W/C at Charles de Gaulle: my first impression on the city of style.

A cute cafe I found soon after getting off at a metro station.  A view of a Seine river on a cloudy day.

My first meal in Paris at Angelina's: quiche lorraine and salad with mustard vinaigrette 

 Cute macarons and dessert at Angelina's.

My first look at the Eiffle tower

Brunch at a cafe, I didn't know why I ordered Italian, but it went well with this simple bottle of rose.

Sipping a glass of wine and people watching.

Visiting the base of the tower.

This guy was parking his bike to text message.  I took this on a walk along St. Germain.

late afternoon at Jardin de Luxembourg.

Beautiful flowers on the street and on a women undergarment.

A bike parking in front of Laduree at St Germain location.

Me: on the train leaving Paris for Italy.

I Guess We Have to Keep it

Following up two entries ago, when I wasn't sure whather or not to keep the gold mirror for the bathroom.  Well, it took me too long to make the decision, and it is now too late to return (the designer bought for us).  I guess we have no choice but to keep it. And now I think it is growing on me.  I like it more and more.  Even better to know that the same mirror selling at a high-end furniture store is four times more expensive than what we spent.  Here how it looks on the bathroom wall.

Magazine Writing and a Pain in The Neck

It’s about time for me to update my blog.  Many things have happened over the last few weeks, here are the updates.

Writing for Elle Magazine

My first magazine column has finally been published in Elle Thailand.  A couple of months ago, I was approached by a senior editor at Elle, with whom I had worked on some PR projects, to contribute to the Elle Opinion column.  This column features guest writers on subjects that are of interest to Elle readers, such as relationships, self improvement and things like that.  I told her that I wanted to write about how to find happiness, and she liked the idea.  After many revisions, my piece came out in the January issue.

I wrote that happiness is a choice that one needs to make in life.  Self evaluation and self realization are important tools in seeking happiness.  I gave examples from people that find happiness from ordinary things that happen in their lives.  To sum up, I encourage people to think more positively.     

There was a little surprise: my original title was unexpectedly changed from “I Create My Own Happiness” to “Think Happily, Live Happily”.  I know they have the right to change things in the piece, but I just expected advance notice. 

Anyhow, many friends gave positive comments.  The editor was happy with it.  She said I have potential to write a longer story.  Maybe I will have more opportunities to write for Elle in the future.        

A Pain in the Neck

I started the New Year in an auspicious manner with a visit to the hospital.  In the morning I woke up with a severe pain in the neck, and couldn’t move.  Chris had to gently roll me out of the bed and brought me to the hospital.  The doctor diagnosed me with neck muscle spasms that caused my vertebrae to lose their natural healthy curve.   

Actually the problem with my neck began about six months ago; I went to see a doctor once before.  He said that my neck and shoulder muscles had become tight from stress and poor working posture.  He said there was nothing wrong with my vertebrae, and I was supposed to get better from correcting the posture and some muscle relaxing pills.  It didn’t go the way as he had expected.

 This time, the new doctor adjusted my neck, used acupuncture, and placed me on a physical therapy machines.  I was surprised to see a medical doctor apply this ancient technique with modern physical therapy.  When he put two needles in me, one on the side of my left palm and another one on the back of my neck, I could feel the energy spreading around.  Especially on my neck, I felt a deep push, much deeper than a masseuse could do.   

Even though I went for some follow-up visits and series of physical therapies, the pain is still occurred.  Now I am seeking a third opinion from a western chiropractor.  This time I hope the pain will disappear soon.   

(Pictures show, I was in a wheelchair and rolled to see a doctor.  My Mom stppoed by after a visit to the doctor to cheer me up.)

Holidays Gratitude

It has been a quite holiday for me.  Today Dec 27, only two days left at work for this year.  I am sitting in a quite office, less than half of the people show up for work.  My two bosses are out of town and most of my international clients are on their holiday breaks.  Not much going on in the PR business. 

My time has been occupied with family matters and home renovation.  Last Sunday, I stopped by my parents’ to take them out to case their vote (National Election Day) after that we went to SC Park Hotel for Dim Sum lunch. 

The Chinese restaurant at this hotel has been my Dad’s choice every times we eat out.  He eats here at least 3 times a month.  I had many birthday celebrations and graduation celebration here.  According to my Dad, since he is the one who pays all family meal he has the right to choose.  My Dad hardly let me pay for food.  “Keep your money for your own things” that’s what he says on my attempt to pay.    

In my family culture, paying for meal highly regards as the symbol of family leadership, especially for a father and son relationship (among the siblings it might be a different).  My Dad paid for everything in the house, and as a child I saw this as a regular thing and I took it for granted.  I don’t remember expressing any gratitude to him.  One time, we were out for shopping and a family friend (foreigner) tagged along.  My Dad bought me a jacket, and I just took it from the check out without saying anything to him.  The friend asked why I didn’t say thank you to my Dad. 

Since then, I try to express my thank to him, every time he do things for me, help Chris and I with home payment, renovation and etc.       

One of next New Year resolutions (besides back to yoga and ballet class regularly), I will express my feeling more to my own family, my partner and my in-laws.  In my culture, we believe that we don’t need to say how we feel to the love ones because it is already there.  But I see no harm to reinforce the good feelings.  And to my Dad, I will keep saying that, I am sure that he is listening.

The mirror

Our designer stopped by last night to check whether or not the mirror had picked for the bathroom was fit to the space.  Chris and I have mix feeling about it, I like the frame, but not the color.  Chris is thinking about something square for the space.  We will keep it for a while, until we find a better option, maybe it will grow on us.