Bangkok, Thailand

Friday 17 November 2023

Good afternoon,

On waking up this morning, I could feel a nice fresh cooler air.  Shortly later, when I got up and stepped outside at the balcony, the bright blue sky with white fluffy clouds and rather strong breeze helped confirm my good feeling that winter did arrive here already.

In fact, the temperature this morning was just 26 degree C which is not considered cold at all for those who live in many other countries. But for people in  tropical countries like I, particularly in Bangkok, Thailand, we have been stuck in hot and very hot air all year round over the past decades.  The average  temperature of 28-37 degree C is not uncommon. Sometimes it could go up to 39-40. Thus, just a slight decrease of temperature means a lot here.

At this level of temperature, we need no winter clothes such as thick sweater, wool jacket, knitted wool hat and hand gloves to keep warm. Only sick persons, little kids and very old persons might require some more clothes to make them feel comfortable under a little lower temperature. Others who prepared to show off their winter clothes this year might have to be disappointed. But this issue can be solved easily--they just have to travel to the mountainous areas in the north or the northeast to enjoy a real cool air at around 16-20 degree C.   

Looking up at the sky above, I just want to thank Mother Nature for her kindness to us living creatures.

Gigi
 

Season changes, Memory remains

 

Bangkok, Thailand 

Friday 10 October 2023

Good morning,

Unbelievable that I haven't come to pour my thoughts into this blog for almost one whole year!  What kept me away from here that long? Let me recall that past year period of mine.

During that time, my schedule was filled with my working (to cover the bills each month ), getting an accident and serious illness twice, taking my elderly mom to see doc several times for examinations and treatments, and  taking care of my three cats, especially two  sick cats -an elderly one who, finally, was gone and the other with chronic eye illness that needs to see the vet regularly. Yes, that seems more than enough for the major reasons of my missing from the blog. 

Even now those activities still continue, but I can't help getting back on this track, keeping writing as I always love to.  And what comes on my mind this morning is the topic of "Season changes, Memory remains".

In fact, seasons in my country have already changed. We rarely see winter for more than two decades. Hot and rainy seasons are what Bangkokians and travelers in the city these days are familiar with. What's a pity for all of us. However, I still recollect my feeling of excitement about chilling air and the warmness of my thick knitted sweater every winter in my younger years.

Back then in late October each year I had to dig the cabinet to get my red knitted sweater. I never liked it because striking colours, such as red, are never my favourite for the clothes. I preferred gentler shades such as cream, white, pale blue.  But that sweater was the only thick-enough outerwear I had. I had no idea who bought it and chose the colour. Possibly my mom. I guessed she, like most parents, might think that either every kid loves bright hues, or the bright red makes the shirt not get dirty easily.  Obviously, she was wrong. . 

Despite its too striking shade, the red sweater kept me warm and comfortable enough when I had to go outside. I wore it when the winter came and and continued putting it on every day until the cold air was gone later in February. This knitted outerwear had a row of five red plastic buttons in the front and red flower-patterned along both sides of the button row. Totally, in red.  The wool was not gently soft since it was made of low priced yarn, yet this was not what I cared then. I simply hated its all red.  

That was once a bad memory of a silly kid. Now it becomes a fond memory for me. Thinking of cold winter air always reminds me of that red sweater. I do love it these days although I have no idea when was the last time I put it on or saw it.  It is more likely that my mom gave it away to her friends or younger persons who have kids. She usually did that with the clothes that became too small for my sister and me.

This year we were supposed to step in winter in the early of this month. But later according to the national Meteorological Department, winter would be delayed in coming due to the weaken force of wind and cold air from China down to the south.  Then  I just heard from TV news reports yesterday that we might not have cold air at all for this winter time. Perfect, my last hope for cold air was just blown away. 

Have a good winter, I pray. 

Gigi 😁

A Beautiful Day in December 2022

 Bangkok, Thailand

Friday 23rd December 2022

Hi there,

It is really a beautiful day today. I felt nice cool breeze when getting up this morning and saw bright, clear blue sky outside.  It  is truly  a perfect winter day this year.  I was supposed to have two English classes according to my work schedule, but both were cancel in urgency; one student was sick and the other having a job interview. 

It has already been four months since my latest writing on this blog in September.  Over the past months I have been  busy juggling between work and other activities in my daily life. Those are tutoring English language on site and on line, writing and translating documents, doing home chores, looking after my three cats, two of which need special cares due to their different illness, and coping with whatever issues that come up on daily basis, etc. Most I just mentioned are not complicated but need a lot to be better cared in detail. And the latest is that my mother has been suffered from cellulitis at her right ankle for two weeks. 

My mother told me that at first she had felt just a slight pain at her right ankle , and she could move her ankle and foot and walk as normal. However, just the next day she felt so painful that she could not move her right foot or even stand up.  Her right ankle became red and swollen.  She also had a fever. That day I took her to see a doctor  and after her physical and blood  examinations, the doc prescribed some antibiotic medicine for treatment and told us that luckily there was no sign of  infection in the joint, which if happened, it would make the treatment much more difficult. Still, we had to wait to see if  my mom's symptoms would well respond to the medicine or not.  If not within a couple of days we had to take my mom to see a specialist in bone and joints for further investigation and treatment.

After a few days of her taking antibiotic and pain killers, my mother's symptoms have got better-- the swollen ankle was almost gone and her pain was clearly reduced.  No more fever. Yet, she still could not stand up or walk by herself and had to continue staying in bed and needed special assistance for her mobility.  After one and a half week, she could fold her knee and move her leg and ankle without pain.  She could also stand up and move slowly in a short distance by herself. That recovery truly made my mother feel  less stressed and able to sleep better at night, as she told me. 

Now I feel happy for my mother's recovery and hope to see her get back to normal very soon.  She is a very active person although in her mid-80s.  Different from many others at her age, my energetic mom does not like clinging to others even her own children. She is independent and usually loves taking care of herself. Since I remembered, she prefers cooking her own meals, working in the backyard, and going outside as she is pleased. And she rarely got sick.   As my mother and I share such characters, I knows how hard for her to just have to wait for help from others. 

Now the festive time is approaching.  I wish for the best and happiness for my old lady to be in great health.  So, she can enjoy the nice weather  and bright blue sky outdoor very soon. 

Gigi

Took a stroll in Bang Rak, Bangkok

 Bangkok, Thailand

Tuesday 20 September 2022

Good evening,

Last Saturday I went to have a late lunch with my good friend at an Indian restaurant near Bang Rak.  Located just at the entrance of Soi Silom 19, the restaurant offers Indian vegetarian dishes and beverages. I had onion rava masala dosa and mango lassi. All tasted good.  After the meal, we walked to Bang Rak, a nearby old community which has been well known for trades, business and food.  Although many shophouses are already transformed to modern styles, others remain almost the same as they were once. Some are partially renovated to serve the modern day purposes such as coffee shops, restaurants or pubs, yet the old structure of those buildings are kept and presented stylishly.  However, others are in deterioration for they appeared left unattentively. And soon the latter will be abolished and, most likely, the land they sit on will be included in a compound of some luxurious department store or opulent apartment.

  

      Anyhow, it was a fun day since I had not visited this area for a few years.  I  think of going back to enjoy some delicious food available there later. 

Gigi

    

The Grand Palace in Bangkok on a wet afternoon

Saturday 3 September 2022

Bangkok, Thailand

 Hi,

Since over two- year pandemic of Covid-19, I hadn't visited the Grand Palace and the Temple of Emerald Buddha until the end of last month.  Now the situation in Thailand is getting better and like many other people, I wanted to get some air on a free day.  Thus, on that afternoon, my work schedule was free , so I simply went to catch a bus to visit one of my favourite sites in Bangkok. 

After finishing my morning home chores and routine tasks with my cats, I went to take a bus# 12 to Rajdamnoen Road near Phan Pha Bridge. During the way it passed Rama 6 Road, Vachiravut School. Wisuithikasat Road, Rajphat Dusit University, Tritosathep Temple and Bangkok Art Gallery at Phan Pha Bridge while it was raining continuously. I got off  the bus, and transferred to another bus # 59 which ended its route  shortly next to the National Museum., Bangkok. 

There were not many people on the buses or along the way because it was Wednesday afternoon, not a holiday. Most people on the streets hurried going inside the buildings to get away from the rain, but only I and a few others kept walking under the rain.  Looming over was the dark and cloudy sky and the rain was pouring like grey curtain.  Only the compact umbrella in my hand helped keeping my head and upper torso dry.

After threading through the stream of rain, I eventually arrived at the gate of the Grand Palace. And here came a part of my trip on that rainy day. 

There are many more I would love to present , but they will come later next times.

Gigi

 

 Bangkok, Thailand

Saturday 23 July 2022

Hi There,

I  stayed at home all day today because of no work in my schedule.  I spent time cooking and enjoying my homemade menus.  I had fresh red watercress that a good friend of mine recently brought for me from her own backyard. She is very good at growing vegetables, while my talent on growing any green is zero. I love plants and flowers. I wish to grow as many plants and flowers as I love to so that  I will be able to enjoy watching them around my place. But incredibly, that seems to be a tough wish for me.

Since I remembered, I  have grown several kinds of plants, but after a short while, they all died, no matter how hard I tried to save their lives. That truly discourages me but what upset me mostly is that I never want to lose any more of the green lives.  Although I never hear any of the plants cry or complain, I knew that they are living creatures, just like human.  They must have had their feelings: pain, fear, and vice versa. I feel sad every time I see plants die.  Thus, for now I just admire what others grow and  hope for their growing healthily.

Back to my kitchen today, I  cooked red water cress soup with egg tofu and steamed pork blood. I added Chinese celery and garlic to make the soup tastier.  Salt and white pepper powder were sprinkled at last before serving.   And to spice the soup a little bit, I smashed some bird chilis and mixed them with some vinegar before adding the sour mixture in the hot soup.  If  eating with rice is too heavy, you can add instant noodle into the soup instead and you will get instant noodle soup with water cress and tofu. The alternative is also delicious. 

This menu is good for my relaxing holiday. 

Gigi

Bright Sunday

Bangkok, Thailand

Sunday 13 July 2022

 

Hi There, 

I was supposed to have one afternoon class online today, yet it turned out no one but I showed up. I then  continued waiting for quite a while before giving up.  Well, I guess they might have gone somewhere for a long holiday this week.  Today is the last day of this long holiday that began on Asalha Bucha Day, an important Buddhist holiday, last Wednesday.  Many people left for holiday, especially since  they felt less afraid of covid-19 due to their having vaccination already.

According to several news reports, tourists happily flocked to several major tourist sites around the country.  They welcomed this holiday with excitement and joy since many had to keep themselves away from the crowd for months, or even years.  Not just the tourists but tourist-related businesses also looked forward to this long holiday, so their business could return healthy once again. 

The public health experts, however, warned that  while enjoying their holidays, people should continue guarding themselves by wearing masks, washing hands and avoiding crowds because new variants of corona virus are still around.  I agree with them on that warning.  Prevention is the best and it is not difficult to do that, don't you think so? 

 

Gigi