The Passionate Blogger

It’s always a surprise when friends thought of you in a special way.  Technology has brought wonders to me. In bridging the gap between distance and friendship. 

I blog to make life more meaningful for myself and others.  Lately I’ve discovered  the pleasure of earning through this usual hobby, and it’s quite a big help.

Pretty Ragen shared to us the Passionate’s  Blogger Creed; for her contacts in multiply. And these beautiful words that touched me.  

aileen, you belong to my top Passionate Blogger’s list. you and i have met though reading one another’s post and i have been entranced with your world and the way you describe it, and how you live your life there in Thailand, and your creativity and passions shows soo much in your blog..You are a passionate blogger…no question about it and i will definitely fight that to high heavens if anyone says otherwise…you’ve got at least 3 blogs i know that you keep,although Passionate Blogger is thru what you share and how you love blogging and posting what you go through in your life, is such passion only seen through your creativity…get the badge now..its got your name on it leen=)

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(below is the explanation from the author)

-it is a badge you give yourself, to honor your passionate self. and you can invite people to do the same.
-the passionate blogger’s badge aims to spread the word, to inspire people to blog only out of passion.
-if you believe or you are already living the passionate blogger’s CREED, put the badge on your site’s sidebar or homepage.
-don’t forget to leave a message at the passionate blogger’s site with your name and
site address so they could link you up.

are you a passionate blogger? i am.  the badge is in my homepage here and in my sidebar here.

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Now it’s time to single out among the million bloggers of the world: techxplore, ideasnpink, rainydazeee, mom0811 and  coriander.

Thailand Year End Vacation

December is when most companies have their annual break. I was considering of having a vacation during this period. I was toying on the idea of having my friend Dams from UK visit us here in Thailand. Usually she celebrates a white Christmas with all the snow around covering everything. It’s a biting cold in UK during December’s and I was thinking of inviting her for a change to have a sun holidays here in Thailand.

So that she’ll have little reason to brush it off; I searched the net for some holiday service providers from UK. I came across "Holiday Hypermarket" it’s kind of a consortium of leading tour operators of UK. I find this site useful as you can build your own holiday schedule/package. You don’t have to be together with a pack of people travelling. I find this interesting as prices can be compared with another holiday package. The prices are also cheap like for a 10 day beach holiday in Thailand it only cost around 50,000 Baht or 740 Pounds. Just imagine it includes the flight and hotel accommodation. That’s really a great offer. Dams haven’t been to Thailand yet; but I guess she’ll go for it. It’s time to enjoy Christmas holiday.

Lunch at West End Park

Our usual Saturday chores started late as hubby made some blogging stuff until wee hours in the morning.  I drag myself out of bed to wash  clothes at half past nine.  Soon I was asked to make the filler by hubby here in SP and thought right away of Fr. Joe. Tony baked me some pan de sal (famous Filipino bread) for breakfast. After hanging all our clothes I was reminded that we don’t have food for lunch except for the rice.

Hubby and I agreed that we eat lunch at the park. We just brought our rice there since they only serve sticky rice with Isan (north-eastern food of Thailand) foods. No somtam (papaya salad) for now, only labp moo (minced pork with coriander and other thai herbs sprinkled with dried chilli etc.) and kai yang (grilled chicken). Yum!

The park’s site is gradually improving.  Unlike a couple of months ago, the manmade lake was all covered with thick lilies. The kiosk’s owner finally named her stall,  she called it the Swan Lake AIT resto. Tony didn’t like the idea of it since there ain’t swan around the area. Only a bunch of huge monitor lizards freely roaming to scout for left overs and swimming around the lake. =D 

Training for Combat with Benjo

My younger brother Adam is currently enrolled in a University. He took up Electronics and Communication Engineering thinking it’s interesting; a semester after he just doesn’t feel that it’s for him. He decided to shift to Computer Engineering. I don’t really know what’s next but for sure he would not be able to escape the required two (2) year cadet military training which is compulsory in the tertiary curriculum.

Tsk.. tsk.. This course was the reason why my other younger brother has difficulty in graduating from college. Thank God, he’s right now well working in the Middle East but that’s a whole different story.

To inspire Adam in taking up the military course, I thought of buying a quality combat boots for him. My friend in New York told me about Rocky Boots; it’s of good quality and affordable. But dad in Texas opined to consider Bates Boots as it’s durable also. I think, both of those brands are equally superior in quality; especially when it’s imported from US. Yeah! We’re crazy about imported goods especially when it’s free? Did I imply that my friend or dad will buy it for me instead?

For sure my brother will be happy to have this new imported pair of combat boots. Go bords !

A Beloved’s Haven

Father Joseph Maier also known as Fr. Joe by our community here in AIT has been our  beloved parish priest for more than twenty years now. The very first time I’ve witnessed this holy man celebrating the mass was such a liberating experience. He’s a mystique and a rocker combined.  Hearing his sermons makes me want to say "Hallelujah" of experiencing the joy that his enthusiasm radiates in delivering the message of our Lord. Of stories untold and the unfailing practices of Catholic tradition that makes our faith ever alive and burning.

He’s so precious to me and to many people of not just being a celebrity for his avid readers in the newspaper, appearances on CNN and local T.V., books he wrote, Vatican but for his great love for the poor.  He chose to be with our abandoned and sick brethren in the slaughter house area of Klongtoey, Bangkok.  He managed to build a shelter for this people that he calls Human Development Foundation, The Mercy Centre.  This generation needs a Fr. Joe in times of complacency. A reminder by becoming a living example, to push forward rather than sticking to the conventional way of life.  There are many things worth living for.  Our mere existence is a gift. There’s nothing impossible with faith in our hearts.  

Decorating a Bare Condo Unit

Recently, me and my hubby have a look on some condo units along the south coast of Paranaque which we can move to in the future. It’s just five minutes from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and about fifteen minutes away is the budding commercial districts in Malate and Avenida. We choose the unit on the 7th floor.

Furnishing it as it’s a bare room could be daunting. But I have already some ideas rolling on my mind. On the bedroom maybe some dark brown finish bed which features a mahogany color undertone that is perfectly complemented by the gold color tipping that accent the ornate detailing adorning the bed. I was thinking of some sofa with plush rolled set-back arms which is perfectly complemented by the skirting creating a traditional collection that fits comfortably into the living area. Vertical blinds would beautifully match on those big windows on the living room. On the dining room some country cottage getaway touch accented beautifully with natural brown colored case tops.

On the outside the condominiums post modern-styled architecture offers permanent residents a cozy ambiance amidst the refreshing panorama of the south coast. I am dreaming of it as a haven to loosen up after all the days buzz in the city.