Thailand

Well, we met with our wonderful travel agent today to discuss options for our honeymoon in the wake of the much hyped-up coup in Thailand. It seems that things returned to normal within hours of the military taking over, and tourists and locals alike are unconcerned. We weighed our options and have decided to continue with our honeymoon as planned. Which makes me extremely happy because the main reason for us choosing this intinerary was because of my fascination with Thailand.
So our honeymoon pictures might have tanks in them, and that's kinda cool. I've read reports that the military were very friendly to tourists and would pose for pictures, so I hope to get some good photo opportunities.

Mum and Dad, I know you're probably concerned for our safety, and rest assured that we will take any and all measures to ensure we don't get into any trouble or bad situations. Plus, you know my big strong hubby will protect me :-) Here are a few links to read that might put your mind at ease:
http://www.visiting-asia.com/asia/thailand/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293920-i5037-k798193-l4884159-Phuket.html#4884159

So YIPEEEE! We're back on!

In other news, work is still stressing me out, and one very minor health issue has arisen, but a blissful home life with the cats and hubby help keep my stress level manageable.

Amanda out.

HoneyDoom?

Brian and I are so excited about our upcoming honeymoon to Southeast Asia. However, recent developments have thrown a bit of a spanner in the works. Due to the coup in Thialand, and specifically Bangkok, which is to be our first city to visit, we might have to consider other options. Our travel agent is investigating our options now. So of course, we're still going on our trip, we just might have a different city than Bangkok on the itinerary. Travel advisories from the embassies are urging people to reconsider their travel plans, but I've been reading many news articles and tourist reports that say otherwise.
So I guess we'll wait for a few more weeks and see how this thing shakes out. I won't be too mortified if we have to spend 3 extra days in Bali, though :-)

Remembering

You never recover from the loss of a loved one. Even a pet. Things that happen around you remind you of them. For me, Onyx serves as a constant reminder of my beloved Ember. Every day I see her display a mannerism that is like Ember's and for a split second I see him. It makes me smile because he's still alive in my heart. There are other times, though, when the memory makes me cry. Like today. A friend's precious dog just lost the fight for life and she had to make an awful decision to let go. And as I followed the progress and hoped for good news, I relived every moment of Ember's last few days. And when I read the news that her sweet doggie had gone, I became a bawling, snot-covered, tear-stained mess. Crying both for her, because I know how she must be feeling, and for me because the memory is still so fresh in my mind, even after almost 2 years.
Just the other day, I was talking to my mum about pets and she still hasn't recovered from Tootsie, our first cat that we got when I was 5. Tootsie died when I was 23.
Even after 2 years, I stil can't talk about my Ember without coming dangerously close to crying. Even when I'm recalling great memories.
I sometimes wonder if it's worth opening your heart to a pet when I think about all the sadness when you lose them, but then I remeber all the joy Ember gave me, and all the joy I get from kissing the top of the sweet kitty heads and rubbing those soft kitty bellies of Nikki and Onyx every day, and I realize it's more than worth it.

Going back to my roots....

Literally. Last night I changed my hair colour from it's usual red to a brown very close to my natural colour. Semi-permanently, of course. Red is so yesterday.

In other news, I think I'm developing an ulcer. I've been pushed over the edge of my stress tolerance over the last couple of days, to the point where I feel physically sick. I am now unable to politely simmer inside while outwardly maintaining an ever so nice and patient facade, which is so very English. No, instead I'm given to short outburts of indignation, incredulousness, and then physical fury. I have become a New Yorker.

My new mantra: "Seriously! What the fuck???"

Current mood: PISSED OFF

The weeks are just flying!

It's been a rough week at work. Someone who I need to be able to rely on has let me down again. I'm not surprised, though. Just disappointed. I find myself constantly having to figure out a way out of a resource hole because the project isn't appropriately funded. It's testing my patience and my problem solving skills. Fortunately, there are some members of my team that I can always count on and that's what keeps me going to work every day :-) Anyway, enough work drivel! What have I been doing with myself over the last week or so?
Last weekend was Labour Day weekend and we had Friday and Monday off, which was much needed and ever so nice! We threw a party on Friday night for Jen, who turned 30 and fabulous! We had so much fun! we grilled fajitas, drank magaritas, and opened my special brew of Mamajuana (it's a drink from the Dominican Republic) that I've been tweaking over the last 3 months. It was perfect. Tasted exactly like we remembered it from the D.R. And despite the fact that most attendees at the party were in their 30's or approaching, we still managed to not go to bed until 4am!
Saturday was spent recovering from the night before. Not that I was majorly hung over, but I didn't get much sleep and my stomach was a bit dodgy the next day. Brian headed over to Terri and Joe's for a BBQ while I laid on the couch recovering. I did start to feel better and completely lazy around 6pm so I went for a run. Unfortunately, my stomach didn't think it was such a good idea! Saturday night, my wonderful husband took me out for a date. Dinner and a movie. Dinner was at some Mexican restaurant on I35 I've been wanting to try, then we saw the movie "Crank". It didn't have much of a plot, and I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone, but Jason Statham is hot, and there is a lot of gratuitous naked arse, and if there's one thing Jason is good for, it's a nice bum shot. Ok, so I have a crush on him. What's not to like? he's got a smokin' body, an awesome ass, and an English accent [droooooooool]. So thank you, Brian, for indulging my silly crush :-)
Since this was such a long weekend and we were in town, I felt I couldn't let an opportunity for DIY to slip by, so Brian and I replaced the flooring in the downstairs and one upstairs bathroom on Sunday and Monday. We had one small misshap when we were tiling around the toilet and Brian accidentally tried to give me a nose job with his foot! no real damage, just a little painful for a few days, and I think he actually straightened my nose out. There used to be a bump on the right side that seems to have disappeared since the incident. The bathrooms look so much better! We have one more bathroom and a small closet to do and we'll be done with our floor replacement project.
Monday evening was spent with friends in the traditional holiday weekend manner, grilling and stuffing our faces.
In other news, our new camera should have been shipped today. Brian got a great deal on it and almost $100 off the price because we used a coupon and credit card points. I'm now reading John Hedgcoe's book of photography to brush up on my mad photography skillz in preparation for our amazing honeymoon.
Even though this has been a short week at work, I'm so happy that it's friday. Today I met with Danna over lunch and we went for pedicures. My toenails look so pretty with the pink polish and little white daisies! Very much needed girly time. Now if only I could find a massage therapist to work this burning knot out of my shoulder!