Back to Taipei and The Happiness of Kati

A cover of The Happiness of Kati (from wikipedia)

After a short errand in the morning and saying good-bye to Aunt Larb and the kids, I took a taxi to the airport. I sent out some postcards to friends at Airport Post Office, but missed a chance to see a friend, Obb; too bad. I bought a copy of ความสุขของกะทิ (The Happiness of Kati), a novel by งามพรรณ เวชชาชีวะ (Ngarmpun Vejjajiva). This novel won 2006 Southeast Asian Writers Award and its English translated version by Prudence Borthwick won the second place of 2005 John Dryden Translation Competition. Now, it has been translated into eight languages in 11 countries (including Taiwan). The story tells about a life of a nine-year old girl who mourns her mom suffered by an incurable disease. Being beautifully written to describe this little girl in Thai rural life style, the book captured me for the whole 4-hour flight. I finished the book just prior to landing. A movie based on this novel was recently released. Ngarmpun is a sister of the current Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva.

see:
http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Kati-Jane-Vejjajiva/dp/1416917888

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In Bangkok with the kids

In Bangkok ...

For the last two days, I had been in Bangkok with my Aunt and cousins. Yesterday morning, I woke up early to prepare to buy some famous products of my hometown back to Taipei for friends to taste how good Durian is. Also, I had to catch an early bus to go to Bangkok, in which I arrived a little past noon.


After I spent more than an hour selecting some photos (a little more than 800 photos) to develop for my dad, I met with Por and Nong for dinner and chat (other friends complained that I just called them to tell that I was in Bangkok; only few people knew that I have been back home). It was great to see Por and Nong and talked to others on the phone.

For the whole day today, I spent a whole day visit a university and came back for dinner with the kids in the evening. I was tired from the morning activity, but I was relaxed and refreshed after hanging with my favorite teenagers!

Still.... no exercise for the visit to Thailand and I expect that I have been eating a lot too.... yummy...

3/11/09 - Started a new bottle of eye drops

Game enjoying MK Suki, a hotpot.

Jay and Gift

Book and my Aunt Larb

Game is having fun with a balloon in a supermarket.

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At home ...

At home ....

I did not have any exercise activity again for the past two days, but almost all of the activities I did for these two days substitued well on such a purpose. Because an exercise is a physical activity which one does with pleasure. Yesterday was the day of returning utensils and all equipments borrowed from the temple for wedding. However, I walked to visit relatives. I met my youngest nephew (second cousin) for the first time since he was born a few weeks ago. Being a cute little baby, he has given a nickname, EnDo (N-do). I had a chance to bring pineapple cakes from Taipei to my relatives and had a chance to visit their home and orchard. Expectedly, this was a good opportunity of me to snap photos.

This morning I went to Ott's school and hang out with a nephew, Boss, for almost the whole day. I brought boxes (got some yesterday and brought more today) to unpack and unpack my stuff shipped from the States last year. Well, this process has been started last night and tonight as well, while their a little party with just a group of very close relatives. Packing and unpacking was very strengous but thanks to Ott, Dad and Mom for their help. :D

Endo yawning

Endo being ready to drink some milk.

Boss savoring grilled pork slice and sticky rice in front of Ott's classroom. A photo of her in teacher uniform is posted on the day.

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Congratulations to Edd and Dew

Congratulations and Happy Marriage Life!

Mom, Aunt Larb, Dad and the bride and groom.

Everyone woke up early to prepare themselves. Well, groom and bride went out for their make-up and such since 1AM, the time I went to bed. Around 6:30A we arrived near the bride's house, and set up the groom procession. After arrived at the bride's house, the ceremony started with Buddhist ceremony and was followed by wedding ritual. Interestingly, during the Buddhist ceremony there was a heavy rain (just in that area) for 20 minutes or so. Mom said, "the gods and goddesses bless the newlyweds with auspicious rain."

Luncheon took place at Sawadichai Hall (a multipurpose hall) in my junior high school. The event was simple fun and went well (but there were so many guests... ). In the evening, another party also started at home just in a smaller size for close friends and relatives.

Some photos:

The groom at his preparation for the wedding procession. In Thailand the groom family has to make a celebratory march to the bride's house.

The procession led by "Klong Yao" (literally means long drum) brand of students in the local elementary school.

Among relatives and friends, Jay Nuch carry a pair of fish-shaped snacks. All snacks and things are prepared in a pair.

The ceremony starts with the Buddhist ceremony and Monk Blessing.

After Buddhist ceremony and Monk Blessing, a wedding ritual starts with the agreement between elders of both sides on wedding money in cash, gold and jewelries.

Blessing from relatives and guests by tying "white thread" around the left wrist of the Bride and Groom. In picture, P' Hash is tying a white thread on Dew's left hand.

The newlyweds with the bride's family.

Little Sis and I with the newlyweds.

Luncheon reception.

A young niece singing for us.

Young niece and nephew

Karaoke entertaining many after guest left.

Dance (Kra Jai...)

Little Sis also sings many songs.

Wedding token given to all guests.

Congratulations and welcome to our family!

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Wedding prep.

Activities/Actions:
The afternoon preparation for a big event. No exercise so far but I was physically tired. However, my mind was refresh and entertained. I stayed very late talking with my male cousins and cousin-in-laws (they all are called brothers in Thai). Meanwhile, the bride and groom were taking a rest for their big event tomorrow.

Jay Noi was the flower designer of this event.

Many team members helping Jay Noi out in front of my junior high school's meeting multipurpose hall, where the luncheon will be taken place!

On the stage, signs are being posted.

At home, Dad and two of his sisters (Aunt Larb in black-red and Aunt Reang in blue) are rehearsing for tomorrow's ceremony.

Plates and trays of snacks are decorated (I am one of the decorators).

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Yoong's wedding

Congratulations & Best wishes for a happy marriage life!

The bride and groom, Yoong & Wut.

Who's next? Catch the bouquet!

The newlyweds and the gang!

After a quick nap, I was ready to get up for a festivity at Yoong's house. When I arrived, I found Yoong was a western-style wedding dress. Nice nice... I met with the gang--Koy, Nan & his wife, Kob, P'Khaek & their two boys, Ying and Lek... Congratulations to my friend for her next step.

After the wedding, we went for lunch at my aunt's beach restaurant. It was very nice to catch up with the gang again.

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on my way to Thailand

On my way to Thailand

I heart Taiwan!

It had been raining since morning as I biked to lab for a lab meeting before I prepared to leave for Taoyuan around three. Unfortunately, I forgot my eye drops so I had to bike back in rain for the second round to get them. After a quick dressing-up, I caught a cab for a shuttle bus to Taoyuan Airport. Originally, I planned to be at Zhongxiao Fuxing Stop, but both cab driver and I did not know exactly where the stop was. Thus, I asked to be sent to Xinyi's Grand Hyatt Hotel, where the driver knew of the stop. I arrived at the bus stop just before 5p, just couple minutes before the next bus enrouted to Taoyuan.

When I arrived at Taoyuan (around an hour before the scheduled departure time), I was notified that my flight was delayed for 2 hours because of technical problems in Bangkok and given a free meal ticket. I had two hours to spare in the airport but I had to call home to make sure that they did not come to early.

I a quick airport touring by walking around and taking Skytrain to Terminal 1. A way to get to the Skytrain seemed to be a bit inconvineint. However, the trip on the Skytrain between the two termimals was very quick. Tonight, only one train was in service. Thai Airways counters were located in Terminal 1.

Later, I went to the gate. A 1-year-old boy with his Thai mother were going for a Thailand visit. Being a mixed Taiwanese and Thai, he understand both Thai and Mandarin but did not talk much yet. At the gate, there were many water buffaloes painted and decorated by Taoyuan school district students. These buffaloes were interesting (similar to CowParade), and visitors were urged to vote for your favorite!

During the 4-hour flight, I talked to a 40-year-old Thai lady seating next to me, whom I originally thought to be a Taiwanese as I spoke to her in my broken Mandarin asking her where she was from. She answered Thailand ... so we easily conversed in our native toung.

This is my first visit home since more than two and a half years. I saw familiar faces--Dad, Ott, Jay~ Tom and Khead--waiting at the meeting point. After that we drove back to Chanthaburi and arrived at home around 4-5 AM due to a short detour.

My free dinner provided by KLM delay flight.

Skytrain connecting the two terminals in Taoyuan.

WaterbuffaloParade in the airport.

WaterbuffaloParade in the airport.

Arrived in Suvanaphumi just around midnight.

BKK Luggage carousel

My Timbak2 awaiting for my suitcase.

Smiling faces greeting me.

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A week before a Thailand visit

Activities/Actions:
3/1 - stationary row 10 mins, 2103 meters
3/2 - stretches, weight training (bought a flight tkt to Thailand)
3/3 - stretch & strength training
3/4 - Ran 3 miles River Trail; 23.55 mins
3/5 - biked to get pineapple short cakes; stationary row 10 mins


Note and reflections:

After the tentative race date was canceled [another rest week], I am in a relative easy mode--stretching and strength training. Especially for this week I am planing to be home, Thailand, for my little brother's wedding. After just booked the ticket three days ago, I will leave tomorrow evening. Commute biking is still on, however!

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Moo Moo Biking continues to Xinyi Shopping District

I arrived in Xinyi for a dinner with Meng-shin at a Thai restaurant. After the dinner, we walked to meet with more cows. Some were taken away to the Cow Hospital and some were injured. Poor cows!

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This cow (童話牛 A Story Cow) was taken to Cow Hospital...

行走的海洋 Walking Ocean has many bruises... !!!!
Its skin is made of numerous ocean blue beads.

Short Cut is injured too!

犇 Andy Lau Dot Cow with a street vendor behind its butt.

熱線你和我 Hot Line U & Me from Chunghwa Telecom.

Nokia Touch DJ cow

A close-up of the D.J.'s eye.

"Niu"公主 Princess Niu awaiting unknown of the coming
year!

如果有一天，牛從地球上消失了? www.vanish.cow depicting that cows will be on Internet only if they extinct from the earth.

Cows created by a street artist.

台灣向前行(八家將) Taiwan Ahead to Walk

台灣向前行(八家將) Taiwan Ahead to Walk

孫悟空 The Monkey King (his hat is made of a soda can).

2357 himself is a Matador wearing a cutting-edge technology clothes and holding a victory rose in his mouth.

A small cow in a minicow parade.. (for sell).

誰是下一個 Rocking Cowboy? Who is the Next Rocking Cowboy?

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