I know that April is not quite over yet, but I will soon be on a plane, on a ship and with family, and so I thought I would post early this month, as I will be otherwise occupied once the month is actually over.
Please copy and paste the questions at the end and add your answers to the mix!
Where was I? Thailand
What country related books or documentaries did I watch?
Read: The Glass Kingdom by Lawrence Osborne. A book set in Bangkok about an American woman who steals from her boss and escapes to an expat apartment in Bangkok. She makes some friends and meets some locals but also finds some trouble along the way. I just thought it was okay.
Watched: Mysteries of the Mekong (shown on Apple TV, YouTube TV or Paramount) -- A nature documentary about the Mekong Delta. I personally like nature shows so I enjoyed it!
Did I complete any other items on this year's looking forward list?
✅New food <-- Malatang soup at Xiong Lao Han Malatang
✅ Book about country
✅ Documentary about country
✅ Fun times with the girls!
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1. What is the name of last month's chapter?
January: Devouring the Sweet Potato
February: Back in the Groove
March: Serenity Before the Storm
April: Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot
2. What did I learn last month?
I learned that elephants eat for about 16 hours per day. Then also only digest about 40% of what they eat, which means they poop roughly every 1.5 hours, which ends up being a total of about 200 pounds of dung per day.
3. What was the weather like?
It was hot. I would estimate that the lows in the evening were around 29 C / 84 F and the highs were around 39 C / 100 F, with humidity of about 50% plus. The silver lining is that it only rained a couple of times. The downside is that I only went out for real exercise a couple of times per week (I did walk to places still, but did not do dedicated runs very often).
4. What event last month was my favorite?
Having the girls visit! We had a lot of fun wandering around, eating, going to the beach, feeding elephants and more. It was really fun to see things through their eyes, and we gave them some cash so they could interact with the vendors and locals when and where they wanted, and seeing what they decided to do and how they handled new situations was interesting!
5. What was the best thing read, listened to or watched last month? My reading has been absolute crap. Between having the girls here, feeling lethargic due to the weather and spending a lot of time planning the next several months, I have not done much reading.
Book: The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion: Vol 1. It was short and sweet and about as much as I can concentrate on at the moment.
Movie/Show: The new season of Top Chef, which is set in the Carolinas.
Podcast: This episode of Acquired about Costco. (If you enjoy this, you may also like this one about TJs)
6. Tell us one funny recent story.
When the girls were here, we set up some tours for their enjoyment. Tour #1 was to an elephant sanctuary, where it was hot and there were flies. L was so bothered by the bugs, and kept asking if we brought bug spray (we didn't) and spent most of the time there scratching (PS they were not biting!) and trying to brush flies off. Tour #2 was a old train ride, a train market and a floating market. L slept through the train ride, and ate something that looked like a nut in the train market (she is deathly allergic). I am pretty sure that instead of remembering the tour events, she will remember bugs, heat and nearly dying. Kids! Side note: we had a great time staying cool by playing cards in the AC cooled apartment, so I am sure there are other memories to be had!
7. What am I looking forward to this month?
Alaska cruise, seeing family, and starting a new cycling adventure!
Your turn! To copy/paste, highlight the text below and click CTRL-C, then put the cursor in the comment box and click CTRL-V.
APRIL:
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
2. What did you learn last month?
3. What was the weather like where you are?
4. What event last month was your favorite?
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?
6. Tell us one funny recent story.
MAY:
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
Bonus question! If you have littles in your life, what thing have you done that they have totally missed the point of (in your mind) or didn't seem to care about?
1. Bleh. (what can I say, it was a very meh month for me)
ReplyDelete2. I was reminded that people can be so rude (we had a no show for a meeting during my trip to NJ. He never emailed before or after to say he wasn't going to be there. How rude!)
3. It alternated between being freezing and being summer-like. I prefer the summer-like temps. I am tired of being cold!
4. Easter was pretty nice. We went to Joan's and she did an egg hunt for theboys.
5. We are almost done w/ The Sopranos which we are really enjoying! We have one episode left! I really loved the books Strangers and Spectacular Things. I had a number of 4 star books, too! And I started Top Chef which I am enjoying!
6. Speaking of elephants, one night when I was putting Taco to bed he asked if Elephants were real. I guess he's only seen them in cartoons and as stuffed animals. I explained that they were very much real. He sleeps with a lavendar-scented stuff elephant clutched in his arms every night so it's kind of funny that he loves this stuffie so much but doesn't realize it's based on a real animal! We did see elephants at the Tucson zoo but Will was only 14 months on that trip so of course he doesn't remember that.
That is so cute that Will asked about elephants! They really are a strange animal. Actually the Thailand documentary I watched features elephants! I think you should make him watch it, or Planet Earth (I do love me some Attenborough) as the African ones are even more impressive!
DeleteI don't really want to be MN cold, but I would prefer to be cooler rather than hotter for sure. However, my next adventure features AZ, which is going to be HAH (hot as H) when I am there so I guess I can call this month "heat training."
I put Strangers on hold and am looking forward to it.
Oh how lovely, Kyria, I had no idea you were heading back to the States. I hope you enjoy your cruise and your time with family! Are you cycling in North America again or where are you heading?
ReplyDeleteWoof, I found Thailand to be quite hot and humid at the beginning of February, I can only imagine how melty it would be now. Also, with my non-stop perimenopause symptoms, I would simply be a puddle of sweat. I'm a puddle of sweat in Canada!
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? BIRTHDAY MONTH! GARDEN SEASON! FLOWERS EVERYWHERE! (yes, it all has to be capitalized)
2. What did you learn last month? I learned how to play I Dreamed A Dream on the piano, and I am currently learning about the political and economic situation in Britain in the 1970s (thanks to my fave new podcast, The Rest is History)
3. What was the weather like where you are? Gorgeous! Sunny and warm and perfect. Although I'm heading to see my parents this week and it's been snowstorm after snowstorm there, plus 90km/hr winds, so...
4. What event last month was your favorite? My birthday - shopping at the garden centre - dinner with the guys, margaritas and Mexican train with the girls.
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month? Only one five star read, which was Strangers, but I had three 4.5 stars: When The Cranes Fly South, Half His Age, Any Other Family
6. Tell us one funny recent story. Last night Rob and I went out for dinner at a local pub, and I saw several people who I "know" from the walking path. I was like "I know that old man, he has a poodle"
Yay! Birthday month! "I know that man!" I have that happen when I go to Portland to pet sit for a friend of mine. Everyone says hi to the dog so I've actually met a lot of the neighbors but I know none of their names! I am just "Emi's auntie!" Actually the same thing happens at the kids soccer games. All the parents know I am A or L's auntie but most of them don't know my name.
DeleteUg snow! Calgary right? My parents (and the Sierras) got snow recently too. I actually changed my bike trip because of it, and yes, I will be riding in North America, from Mexico to Canada again, but on a different route than last time.
I love I Dreamed a Dream and would love to be better at the piano. My Mom plays and taught me a little so I can play Chopsticks and Mary Had a Little Lamb, but I played the clarinet and trombone in HS instead.
ReplyDeleteThat will be a bit of a change in temperature going from Thailand to Alaska. Have fun!
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? - A Month at Home. I didn't go anywhere, which is unusual.
2. What did you learn last month? Piano part for Sinking Deep which was the most involved accompaniment I've done yet.
3. What was the weather like where you are? The weather was variable, but for the last week we have had summery weather.
4. What event last month was your favorite? - Having the kids and some friends over for lunch on Easter Monday
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month? - I'm watching The Testaments (part way through)
6. Tell us one funny recent story. - Normally, G misplaces our side door key, and I was giving him a hard time for doing it again. It was misplaced for about a week before it turned up in my jacket pocket—OOPS!
7. What are you looking forward to this month? - A weekend in Noosa
Have fun in Noosa! I really enjoyed that part of Australia. I can't remember if I stopped specifically in Noosa, as it was 20 years ago now. Actually basically it was exactly 20 years ago (Feb/Mar 2006)! The story about the key is funny, as I am usually the more organized one too but sometimes even we mess up, right!? Did G give you a hard time?
DeleteFunny that you also mentioned piano. I think you and Nicole (and Lisa and I think Birchie too) need to all get together and do a concert!
Yesterday at a fitness class we were doing donuts and our fitness instructor was asking us what our favorite donuts were. Then we switched to jumping jacks and my friend Gina was doing INTENSE jumping jacks while screaming "SPRINKLES" and I almost collapsed from laughter.
ReplyDeleteThat is funny both because I am sure your friend was making a scene, but also talking about fatty fried food while exercising seems like an interesting tactic!
DeleteAPRIL:
ReplyDelete1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
Chilly track meets (three girls do track at 3 different schools and our weather - not spring) or Shop till you drop (sourcing outfits for Mini's graduation)
2. What did you learn last month?
I learned that Mini's anxiety has reared its ugly head and is messing with her sleep
3. What was the weather like where you are?
too cold most of the time to be considered spring- with a few days of warm weather mixed in.
4. What event last month was your favorite?
Easter Vigil - girls received their sacraments and all our bio kids showed up
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?
Coach and I watched a thriller/suspense movie called Dead of Winter
6. Tell us one funny recent story.
Coach and I showed up at the champagne bunch to surprise Mini on her bday. We weren't gonna stay long (the group of friends were gonna do a bar crawl and end at a friend's parents' house - so we dropped off 5 x 7 baby pics of her at the house and the group's fav taco dip and rocky road fudge bars). The group was sitting at a table outside and when we walked up behind her, Mini turned to greet someone and spied us walking up. Her face fell. Not thrilled with the surprise. Bah ha ha. I assured her we weren't gonna stay the whole day. I think that helped. Brunch was fun, but we teased her about her disappointment that we showed up. She later chuckled at the pics and food at the final stop. She said they devoured everything.
MAY:
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
Oof - I forgot the last question. May: looking forward to attending Mini's college graduation. And being done babysitting!
DeleteOh I love your last story! I would have been the same as Mini if my parents showed up at a gathering unexpectedly! At least you had food to smooth over the initial shock! Hahah.
DeleteAPRIL:
ReplyDelete1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
Making Progress
2. What did you learn last month?
I *can* go without mascara and still live.
3. What was the weather like where you are?
So changeable, but great glimpses of spring and a bit of summer.
4. What event last month was your favorite?
Hanging out with my son in his hot tub, having drinks and talking, just the 2 of us.
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?
I've been listening to a podcast (!) that I greatly enjoy: Ill-Advised with Bill Nighy. Highly recommend.
MAY:
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
My birthday and its celebrations. More time at the lake. Getting the boat in the water.
Mascara is the one makeup item I sometimes wear. However, I also go without for a long time! Birthday month!?? Me too! Happy belated or future birthday to you Nance!
DeleteAPRIL:
ReplyDelete1. Booked & Busy
2. I'm learning a LOT about codependency in therapy, lollll
3. It's hot. Not as hot as Thailand, though! Eeps
4. My solo reading retreat! It was everything I could have hoped for.
5. My best book was Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke.
6. When we were playing a game called 5 Second Rule during game night, one of the categories was "things you wear when it's cold." (The point of the game is that you have 5 seconds to name three things related to the category.) And my mom started with "skis" and it just CRACKED US UP. Yes, yes, cannot ever leave home without my skis when it's cold!
MAY:
7. I'm not sure! I don't have much going on this month. Maybe Mother's Day?
Haha. Your Mom's answer is funny, but it is true!! Maybe not as a fashion accessory, but you do wear them! I lobe that this is the first thing that came to her mind!
DeleteOh, I love elephants! I like to think of them in the wild or in a sanctuary, but have mixed feelings about zoos. The Oakland Zoo has a great enclosure, the SF Zoo was horrible and depressing, I’m glad they don’t have elephants there anymore.
ReplyDeleteHere we are in May, it’s my husband’s birthday today, we had a nice party yesterday and today is chill and lovely.
We’re really enjoying watching ‘Drops of God’ on Apple+. We’re in season 2. I think you’d like it.
Happy very belated birthday to Ted! It sound like you had a good day for that! I agree about elephants in the zoo; I went to the one in Beijing a long time ago and all the animals were in little concrete boxes; it was so sad! I actually am not a big fan of zoos in general and have never been to the one in Oakland!
DeleteA new cycling adventure? I can't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDeleteSo, what I'm wondering is, who cleans up 200 pounds of elephant dung every day, per elephant, when they're in captivity? Egads.
Emma M Lion- everyone seems to be talking about that book. Apparently there are like eight of them, and they get better and better the further you read. It sounds like the perfect thing to read when your attention span is limited.
Eek- that weather would make me cranky.
Jenny, luckily these elephants were in a sanctuary so it was out in the jungle, but if they are in the zoo or something, that would definitely be a lot of dung to clean up! I did like the Emma book and will probably read the others, but this month has been a horrible reading month so far!
Delete