Headaches, headaches, and more headaches!
This morning, Cat and I went to Mochit bus terminal to pick up two of my friends. They had called and is coming back to Bangkok. They are going back home tomorrow. We took a motorcycle taxi to catch the sky train at Phrom Phong station which is located directly across from the Emporium, a luxury shopping mall.
When we arrived at the bus terminal, we spent an hour looking for them but didn't find them. We came back home at 9 am.
The rest of the day, I helped Cat organized and moved things upstairs to the rooms. The upstairs bedrooms of their house is now finished.
My friends called several times, they are at a hotel now. One of them might stop by to pick up a few things from me later tonight.
Muang Boran
Saturday, April 21, 2001
We had to get up early today because Cat's aunt came to take us to Muang Boran. It is an outdoor museum in Samut Prakan outside of Bangkok. It has replica models of ancient city ruins and historical monuments from various parts of Thailand.
We reached Muang Boran at noon, drove and walked around the whole museum taking pictures. It was really cool to see replicas of some of the models since I won't be able to see the real ones. We had noodles for lunch at this wooded shop that represented the Damnoen Saduak floating market.
We got back home at 3:30 pm. One of my friend who had gone up north called and wanted Cat and I to pick her from the bus station on Monday morning. The three other friends had already returned to Wat Thamkrabok and they will come to Bangkok on the 23rd by themselves. Cat's mom's house is almost done except for one of the bathrooms and to put new floors in the room where her mom will sleep. Tomorrow I will assist them with moving things upstairs.
Around 10:30 pm, Cat and I went with her mom and Uncle Q to Tesco Lotus to buy new pillows.
By the way, Cat found her small earring that we've lost in the seat of her car that day we were waiting for the movie theater to open. Yay!
We reached Muang Boran at noon, drove and walked around the whole museum taking pictures. It was really cool to see replicas of some of the models since I won't be able to see the real ones. We had noodles for lunch at this wooded shop that represented the Damnoen Saduak floating market.
We got back home at 3:30 pm. One of my friend who had gone up north called and wanted Cat and I to pick her from the bus station on Monday morning. The three other friends had already returned to Wat Thamkrabok and they will come to Bangkok on the 23rd by themselves. Cat's mom's house is almost done except for one of the bathrooms and to put new floors in the room where her mom will sleep. Tomorrow I will assist them with moving things upstairs.
Around 10:30 pm, Cat and I went with her mom and Uncle Q to Tesco Lotus to buy new pillows.
By the way, Cat found her small earring that we've lost in the seat of her car that day we were waiting for the movie theater to open. Yay!
An ordinary day
Friday, April 20, 2001
Today was quite. We woke up at 9:05 am, did the usual morning routine, then took her dog Aiwon (which means fat) to get a hair cut. I also got a hair cut and dyed it a different color. And of course it wasn't the same salon where her dog went.
We went on the internet after we got home and she chatted online with a few people. One of Cat's brother told us that the Hmong boy from Chiang Rai called. He will call again tomorrow. I think my friends are coming back to Bangkok because they are going home in a few days.
We went on the internet after we got home and she chatted online with a few people. One of Cat's brother told us that the Hmong boy from Chiang Rai called. He will call again tomorrow. I think my friends are coming back to Bangkok because they are going home in a few days.
A bad day
Thursday, April 19, 2001
It is now 9.30 pm and today has been a very long and tiring day!
Today is also my little brother's birthday. He is 8 years old. I miss him and my family a lot. Sometimes I want to go home and sometimes I wish I could live two lives at once.
Cat and I was upset at each other all day along. It was mainly my fault, I don't blame her. We were staying at her mom's work and got upset at something. After that I wanted to go back home but she wouldn't let me because she was afraid I would call the airline and shorten my time with her. She apparently held on to my shirt and wouldn't let me off her sight. Once she stood leaning against her moped waiting for me to go on an errand with her. I could see sadness and tears in the corner of her eyes. I wanted to forget whatever we were upset at and hug her tight but I couldn't. I hate myself for being stubborn and to see her like that.
Today is also my little brother's birthday. He is 8 years old. I miss him and my family a lot. Sometimes I want to go home and sometimes I wish I could live two lives at once.
Cat and I was upset at each other all day along. It was mainly my fault, I don't blame her. We were staying at her mom's work and got upset at something. After that I wanted to go back home but she wouldn't let me because she was afraid I would call the airline and shorten my time with her. She apparently held on to my shirt and wouldn't let me off her sight. Once she stood leaning against her moped waiting for me to go on an errand with her. I could see sadness and tears in the corner of her eyes. I wanted to forget whatever we were upset at and hug her tight but I couldn't. I hate myself for being stubborn and to see her like that.
Not so well
Wednesday, April 18, 2001
Cat didn't feel good at all today. We were supposed to go to school in the morning but when we woke up, it was already 11 am. Her first class starts at 11:30 and we wouldn't make it on time.
We went to Klongtoey Market and I bought two backpacks. Then we took a tuk tuk taxi to an office building where she paid her mom's bills.
When we got home, she felt very tired and weak because she didn't eat anything since morning. She curled up and napped on the tile floor next to me while I watched TV. Her mom brought some medicine for her later on during the day.
Around 5:30 pm, I went out to eat with her sister. When we got back home, she was a little upset with me because I left her sleeping on the floor and didn't tell her where I was going. I thought I'd let her rest but she didn't like it that way. I didn't know she wanted to be with me every minute of the day. Haha...
We went to Klongtoey Market and I bought two backpacks. Then we took a tuk tuk taxi to an office building where she paid her mom's bills.
When we got home, she felt very tired and weak because she didn't eat anything since morning. She curled up and napped on the tile floor next to me while I watched TV. Her mom brought some medicine for her later on during the day.
Around 5:30 pm, I went out to eat with her sister. When we got back home, she was a little upset with me because I left her sleeping on the floor and didn't tell her where I was going. I thought I'd let her rest but she didn't like it that way. I didn't know she wanted to be with me every minute of the day. Haha...
"The Mexican"
Tuesday, April 17, 2001
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| Wikipedia |
We ate breakfast at the cafeteria, then went to Major Cineplex because she didn't want to wait all day for that one class. It was only 10 am, and the theater wasn't open yet, so we sat in her car and waited. She asked me to remove her earrings because she wanted to try on the new ones her cousin gave her. It was really small and when I tried to detach it, I dropped it under the seat. We couldn't find it and she got upset at me. For a good ten minutes, we were silent!
It was getting really hot in the car so we got out and walked to Central Tower shopping center which was a block away. I bought three VCDs from Manpong. Manpong is a media store like Fye in the U.S.
We walked back to the theatre at 11 am and bought tickets to see "The Mexican."
For dinner, Cat ordered two pizzas. One seafood and one Hawaiian style with pork and pineapple. I had two slices of pizza and chicken wings. She had two slices and one chicken wing.
Wat Thamkrabok & Ayutthaya
Sunday, April 15, 2001
Last night we slept at Aunt Jim's home. For the first time since I've been here, Cat and I finally got a whole room to ourselves. Before we went to bed, she was talking on the phone with one of her friends. When she hung up the phone, she told me that she told her friend she can't talk long because she has homework to do. I hope you know what I mean by this?
Her mom, Uncle Q, and his nephew came to get us in the morning to go to Wat Thamkrabok. Uncle Q's nephew wants to marry a Hmong girl. He thinks Hmong girls are not lazy. The last time Cat and them came to pick me from there, they met this girl, named Mee. They spoke with her briefly and asked if she would like to marry a Thai man and move to live in Bangkok. I'm guessing at the time, she was being kind and responded "yes," and they mistakenly took her seriously.
We got to Wat Thamkrabok around noon. I guided them to Mee's house because I remembered the way. When we reached the house, her father was right outside the door, so I asked if we could speak with him. Cat's mom and Uncle Q did the talking then asked if he could call for Mee to come. Mee came shortly and sat with us. Mom and Uncle Q politely asked her if she wants to marry his nephew. She said she doesn't know if she wants to or not and she repeatedly gave them the same answer each time they asked her a question. I understood what she was trying to do and I knew she didn't want to marry him because he was too fat but she couldn't say it. I didn't want to tell mom and Uncle Q what I knew. Mee could have made things so much easier if she could just tell the truth because Cat's mom and Uncle Q are two of the most generous and understanding persons I've met in my life. They will not pressure anyone into doings. Mee stood up and walked away when mom and Uncle Q went back to talk with her father. We asked her mom where she went but she said she didn't know where. I knew she lied to us because I saw and heard her whispered to Mee to run away.
It was useless with Mee gone and her father being dishonest with us, so mom and Uncle Q gave up. I asked to stop at my uncle's house to pick up my bracelets that I sent back to him for resizing. When I got to their house, no one was there, they had moved. A little girl showed me to their new house which was only a few houses away. My uncle didn't start on the bracelets yet! I'm pretty sure he'll just keep them along with the money I paid him too. I took pictures of their family and their house to bring back to my mom's mother to see.
We left Wat Thamkrabok around 1 pm and drove to Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Thailand located 90 km from Bangkok. Ayutthaya was completely burned and destroyed in 1767 when the Burmese invaded the city. Today some of the monuments are restored and still standing.
We toured the ancient city which is now a historical park. We stayed about an hour.
Cat -"I hope I am not dreaming"
Her mom, Uncle Q, and his nephew came to get us in the morning to go to Wat Thamkrabok. Uncle Q's nephew wants to marry a Hmong girl. He thinks Hmong girls are not lazy. The last time Cat and them came to pick me from there, they met this girl, named Mee. They spoke with her briefly and asked if she would like to marry a Thai man and move to live in Bangkok. I'm guessing at the time, she was being kind and responded "yes," and they mistakenly took her seriously.
We got to Wat Thamkrabok around noon. I guided them to Mee's house because I remembered the way. When we reached the house, her father was right outside the door, so I asked if we could speak with him. Cat's mom and Uncle Q did the talking then asked if he could call for Mee to come. Mee came shortly and sat with us. Mom and Uncle Q politely asked her if she wants to marry his nephew. She said she doesn't know if she wants to or not and she repeatedly gave them the same answer each time they asked her a question. I understood what she was trying to do and I knew she didn't want to marry him because he was too fat but she couldn't say it. I didn't want to tell mom and Uncle Q what I knew. Mee could have made things so much easier if she could just tell the truth because Cat's mom and Uncle Q are two of the most generous and understanding persons I've met in my life. They will not pressure anyone into doings. Mee stood up and walked away when mom and Uncle Q went back to talk with her father. We asked her mom where she went but she said she didn't know where. I knew she lied to us because I saw and heard her whispered to Mee to run away.
It was useless with Mee gone and her father being dishonest with us, so mom and Uncle Q gave up. I asked to stop at my uncle's house to pick up my bracelets that I sent back to him for resizing. When I got to their house, no one was there, they had moved. A little girl showed me to their new house which was only a few houses away. My uncle didn't start on the bracelets yet! I'm pretty sure he'll just keep them along with the money I paid him too. I took pictures of their family and their house to bring back to my mom's mother to see.
We left Wat Thamkrabok around 1 pm and drove to Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Thailand located 90 km from Bangkok. Ayutthaya was completely burned and destroyed in 1767 when the Burmese invaded the city. Today some of the monuments are restored and still standing.
We toured the ancient city which is now a historical park. We stayed about an hour.
Cat -"I hope I am not dreaming"
Tired
Saturday, April 14, 2001
When I woke up to use the bathroom at 7:30 am this morning, I was really tired. I went back to bed and slept until 10:30 am. I ate pork noodles for breakfast then took a warm shower.
In the early afternoon, Cat and I went with her mom and Uncle Q to Wat Yang. I'm not sure how to spell it. We prayed as usual but only stayed about half an hour. On the way back home, we stopped at a local restaurant to have noodles for lunch. It seems all I eat is noodles these days but it is so good too, and I'm not even tired of it yet!
We stayed home the rest of the afternoon and watched TV. I did some cross-stitching with Cat's sister. She gave me a kit with a design of a mother cat and three kittens. Aunt Jim, the one my friends and I stayed with in Bang Na came to visit. She asked Cat and I to go sleep at her house tonight because her husband and son will be away.
In the early afternoon, Cat and I went with her mom and Uncle Q to Wat Yang. I'm not sure how to spell it. We prayed as usual but only stayed about half an hour. On the way back home, we stopped at a local restaurant to have noodles for lunch. It seems all I eat is noodles these days but it is so good too, and I'm not even tired of it yet!
We stayed home the rest of the afternoon and watched TV. I did some cross-stitching with Cat's sister. She gave me a kit with a design of a mother cat and three kittens. Aunt Jim, the one my friends and I stayed with in Bang Na came to visit. She asked Cat and I to go sleep at her house tonight because her husband and son will be away.
Songkran - สงกรานต์
Friday, April 13, 2001
I woke up this morning at 6 am to use the bathroom and went back to sleep. I heard Cat up at 8:30 am and went downstairs to buy food. I slept until 9:30 am, then got up, and went downstairs. I read one chapter from the Danielle Steel book, "Malice" that I bought yesterday. I ate breakfast alone, took a shower, then went to meet Cat at her mom's work.
One of Cat's friend came to visit her. I think it was one of her ex-girlfriend. I went back home to stay with her sister.
At 3 pm, Cat and I went by taxi to Khaosan Road to meet her friends and celebrate the Songkran Festival. Songkran Festival is the Thai New Year and is celebrate every year from April 13 to April 15. Thais celebrate it by throwing water at one another, or they may go to wats, and pray and give food to monks. Khaosan Road is a short road about 1 km north of the Grand Palace. There are a lot of tourists on this road because there are many cheap accommodations and travel agents that can arrange visas and transport to all other destinations in Thailand.
Today, there were hundreds of people roaming on Khaosan Road with containers of waters and water guns splashing water at passerbys. I don't even know why we went there. We didn't do anything except tried to squeeze our way through the crowds and I have no idea why we were doing that too! We got wet from the water people threw at others and hit us. Our faces and hair were painted with white powders too.
After we got out, we took a tuk tuk taxi with two of her friends to go home. The four of us squeezed together in the back. Cat put one of her arms around me and hold me tight next to her friends.
One of Cat's friend came to visit her. I think it was one of her ex-girlfriend. I went back home to stay with her sister.
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| Songkran Festival Tourism Thailand Blog |
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| Songkran Festival Northern Virginia Mag |
After we got out, we took a tuk tuk taxi with two of her friends to go home. The four of us squeezed together in the back. Cat put one of her arms around me and hold me tight next to her friends.
"Behind the Painting"
Thursday, April 12, 2001
Last night, Cat's mom took us to wai and eat. I ordered a fried noodle and Cat had a chicken salad. We got home at 1 am.
This morning I got up two times to use the bathroom, and Cat was planning to go to school at 6:30 am but we were too lazy to get up.
We went downstairs at 10 am and had breakfast. We ate chicken with rice or khao man gai. It is my absolute favorite, I could eat it every day.
After breakfast, we took showers and went to the movie theater. We watched a Thai movie called, “Behind the Painting.”
They gave us a free CD soundtrack of the movie. To think of it, Thailand is a third country but they are always giving free things away to promote their products. This is something you don't see every day in the U.S. They also have a variety of popcorn flavors and fountain drinks, and are way better than anywhere else. I also like the fact that when you purchased your movie tickets, they will ask you to select where you want to sit. And before every movie can begin, there is a video clip with the Thai national anthem depicting Thailand's king, his life and accomplishments. Everyone is ask to stand and pay their respect.
After the movie, we went to the Mall Bangkapi to find something to eat. We walked around the food court once but didn’t see anything tasty; so we drove to Tesco Lotus, and ordered papaya salad, pad thai, and pork fried rice. It cost 95 Baht, about 2 USD.
We then went to a book store inside Lotus, and I bought a book by Danielle Steel for 327 Baht. We had ice cream at Baskin Robbins too.
This morning I got up two times to use the bathroom, and Cat was planning to go to school at 6:30 am but we were too lazy to get up.
We went downstairs at 10 am and had breakfast. We ate chicken with rice or khao man gai. It is my absolute favorite, I could eat it every day.
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| Khao Man Gai |
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| Behind the Painting Demonoid |
This movie is about a young man who falls in love with an older married woman. It is his first true love and he refuses to give up on it, but things don’t always work out as planned. And many years later, they meet again with another chance to love again.
They gave us a free CD soundtrack of the movie. To think of it, Thailand is a third country but they are always giving free things away to promote their products. This is something you don't see every day in the U.S. They also have a variety of popcorn flavors and fountain drinks, and are way better than anywhere else. I also like the fact that when you purchased your movie tickets, they will ask you to select where you want to sit. And before every movie can begin, there is a video clip with the Thai national anthem depicting Thailand's king, his life and accomplishments. Everyone is ask to stand and pay their respect.
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| Mall Bangkapi Life Style Asia |
We then went to a book store inside Lotus, and I bought a book by Danielle Steel for 327 Baht. We had ice cream at Baskin Robbins too.