I have been on nonstop Killi duty since we left for France at the end of May. No breaks, I mean nothing. I am writing this not to complain but instead that I have had a revelation about a couple of different things as a parent.
Tag Archives: Expat
One House to Clean
Last week our nanny soap opera (get it like One Life to Live?!) concluded… well sort of. Last Friday, Pai came in to talk to Chris before he headed to work. We explained we could keep her until a new maid/nanny arrives for 1 day a week and we would pay her the same hourly rate as before. She didn’t really seem to like this although it was her idea. She asked me on the day that she quit if she could come work for 1 day a week until we found another helper, we said yes but now she is saying no I want more. She says “I wants part time!” I say “We only need you for one day, I can do everything around the house and take care of Killian.” (I just can’t iron…I’m the worst!) She doesn’t seem to really understand. Chris explains to her when she works for 1 day what her pay would be at the end of the day. She says well “I need more money. I don’t know if I work here or not.” I say “Ok you need to make up your mind. Either you work here for one day a week or you don’t, either is fine with me but I am not going to wait around and see if you come into work or not.” Not sure if the language barrier is there but she just shakes her head in agreeance. She then says she will go to Krabi with us to help with Killian if we don’t have a helper. She says “I go to Krabi. You pay salary?” “ummmm no. If you go to Krabi you can go on vacation, we will pay for everything, and you will watch Killian when he naps but no salary since you do not work for us anymore. It’s your choice.” The only reason I have offered this to her is because she quit her job with no way to pay her bills. She didn’t think one step ahead and just up and quit. Is that my problem? No!!! But I’m a nice person and will help anyway.
Breakfast at Barfly
Lady bar by night, amazing American breakfast by morning.
I had read about breakfast at barfly in the Sukhumvit magazine and what they had to offer looked amazing. I had remember seeing the bar as I walk down Soi 33, a soi known for its lady bars where you can buy a lovely lady that works at the bar a drink and negotiate a price for further entertainment as the night goes on. I was a little put off thinking about having breakfast there but at the same time the picture of the Eggs Benedict in the magazine was calling my name.
Another Awesome Afternoon
Just wanted to give a little toddler tip for the expat moms in Bangkok! Yesterday, Wednesday afternoon, Killian and I headed to Gateway Ekkami to play at Molly Fantasy and had an awesome time! We arrived around 3pm and the place was a ghost town! There might have been 5 other kids playing! This is a welcomed change of pace if you have ever visited this play place on the weekend! Killian was wiped out after an hour and half of playing and we headed home. If traveling via BTS the 3pm and 4:30pm hours were not busy so much more manageable with a toddler in tow. A fun afternoon with my kid and I didn’t walk out with a headache due to screaming kids (and I even got to play on the big slides!!)
All My Nannies
Yesterday the soap opera (get it like All My Children hahaha) that is my life with our nanny came to a close. Yesterday morning I went downstairs to our lobby to catch our 8am tuk tuk to the hospital for Killian’s dentist appointment and low and behold, I see my nanny sitting on the couch playing on her iPad. I am amazed since we didn’t know where or how she was since we had been calling her all day (the day before) and yesterday morning to see if she was ok. I say “Hey! What are you doing here!?” She just stares at me. I say “We have been trying to call you all day yesterday and this morning. Are you ok?” she says “Phone off. I sleep.” I ask “How am I supposed to get a hold of you if you keep your phone off?” I receive a blank stare. I explain I had to cancel my appointments because we didn’t know if she was coming in or not. She barks back at me “I told you I would be here today!” I said “No you didn’t. All I heard on the phone was “At doctor. Tummy hurt.” When I asked if you were coming in and/or to please call me to let me know if you would come in you hung up the phone.” She just looks at me as if I am the one with the problem. I ask if she is ok since she was at the doctor. She says “Yes. Doctor says I need to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.” My jaw drops. “You aren’t eating? (Please keep in mind as soon as she walks in the door in the morning I offer her breakfast. At lunch I offer her whatever I have in the house every single day and every day she says no I am ok. I check every day to see if she has eaten and she always says yes.) I stand up, visibly frustrated, shake my head, look down at my son in his stroller and walk away. She storms upstairs to do her work.
Hiccups
yummmmm
And no I don’t mean the good kind that are a direct result of the French wine I will be having in less than 2 days. Our preparation for this trip has been a complete comedy of errors from the start. I thought I would share this mess with you so that you might shake your head and smile but really it’s more for my mental health… I need to vent!
Asiatique Trip
Waiting on the shuttle boat to Asiatique.
Killi watching the boats on the river.
The Asiatique experience.
By the end of the night we were a hot mess… but that’s Bangkok for you.
Panoramic shot
Last night the boys and I decided we would head to Asiatique on the river. If you have ever been to the States, it is very similar to Broadway on the Beach or Barefoot Landing in Myrtle Beach, SC. They have transformed the once (a long time ago) main pier used for international trade along the Chao Phraya River into a beautiful shopping and dining experience. Asiatique The Riverfront is an evening market that is open from 5-12pm and is home to 1,500 shops and 40 restaurants. In addition to the shopping and restaurants, they host the Joe Louis Puppet Theater, which is a traditional Thai puppet show, and Calypso, a cabaret lady boy show. We did not attend either of the shows this go around but I would love to see both of these performances on the next trip over.
Cruisin’
Happy Mothers’s Day to Me!
the map of our journey
Waiting for our cruise to begin with tiger beer through a straw
and some toast 🙂
our boat
traditional thai dance
our first stop
wat kanlayanamitr
wat arun
me and wat arun
Rama 8 Bridge
cute 🙂
Rama 8 Bridge
Wat Pra Khew
Lebula: Hangover 2
tuk tuking it back to the BTS
A few weeks ago, the States celebrated Mother’s Day. Although Thailand has their own Mother’s Day, August 12, to celebrate the Queen’s birthday, I opted to celebrate the US version. It started like any other Sunday: mass, playtime with Killi, nap time, lunch, etc. Chris went out to run some errands and to “do” my Mother’s Day. I assume Killian had this awesome idea and it was dad’s job to make it happen since Killian does not get an allowance yet. After about an hour and a text message that says “dang it the place is closed!” Chris comes back with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, probably the prettiest I have ever received, and an envelope. I open the envelope to discover Killian has planned a dinner cruise down the Chaophraya River for his awesome parents. (Who knew 22 month olds could be so thoughtful!?)
Where’s the Exit? Traveling With A Toddler
a jet setting but very tired toddler
“Please note where your “Exits” are located. All “Exits” are clearly marked and are located at the front and rear of the plane.”
I have read so many articles and blog posts on how to travel with your toddler and they are great in theory but I really wish one person had given it to me straight. Chris and I have decided that traveling to the US from Asia will be awful with our toddler and if it isn’t then we are really pleasantly surprised. I am normally a glass half-full kind of person but this is one scenario I go into with a pessimistic attitude.
So for the moms out there that really want to know what is like to travel around the world with a toddler (My experience thus far has been 17-22 month old. I’m sure the older they get the easier it is.) the following “tips” are the honest truth without any sugar coating.
Scarves: A Big Thank You!!
I just wanted to thank all of my friends and family that supported this mini-fundraiser that I put together for the orphanage. It was a lot of work but it sure did pay off big! I stuffed three suitcases full of 280 scarves. My biggest worry was getting through customs without being harassed. I have said from the beginning that God has blessed this project and He took care of us every step of the way. We made it to the US, filled out our customs form stating what we were bringing back, made it to the officer at customs and he welcomed us home. A huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I figured the absolute worst thing that could happen was I would lose the initial investment if they confiscated the scarves but that was highly unlikely. The only other thing that could have happened was we would have been taxed, which would have taken away some profits from the orphanage but luckily nothing happened!
From Palmetto Pride to Pad Thai 