SURPRISE!!

There's nothing I love more than surprises, for myself, and especially for others.  I love being involved in the planning (or scheming, if I may) of great surprises.  To me, every aspect about a surprise just makes life that much more enjoyable.  That being said, a surprise has to be done in good taste.  And you have to know the person or people that the surprise is intended for.  First, you need to know whether or not the intended (however many) have enough of a sense of humor that they could sincerely enjoy such things.  Second, you need to know the circumstance (i.e., birthday, wedding, graduation, etc.) and that what you do is appropriate for the occasion and others that may be involved and/or present. 

Take for example my latest, most successful surprise to date.  I flew back from Augusta, GA to Bangkok, Thailand without many of my friends' knowing just in time to surprise them all for New Year.  I had schemed it all along with a friend of mine (who could not make it to the gathering) and had him be my liaison to find out where my friends would be meeting up to celebrate the new year.  He led them to believe that he had nothing to do for the night and was interested in joining them for a fun evening of eating, drinking, and countdown.  All evening, he was in constant correspondence with my gal/organizer friend, Kippe, to keep a close "ear" on their whereabouts. 

When I felt that the time was just ripe, I made my way over to the restaurant where they were sitting down to a dinner and just on the verge of finishing.  I walked in on the gang deep in conversation and threw my arms up in the air as I yelled "Happy New Year!!!"

All further talk was intervened with screams and "Oh my God!", "What are you doing here?", and "How or when did you get here?"  Let's just say, we had the whole establishment looking at us trying to figure out what had just happened.  It was pure delight!

After a few more vocally expressed glee and lots of hugs, we all sat down to an interrogation of how was it that I was there.  Basically, the long story-short, I got a new job and made it back just in time to celebrate New Year's Eve in my favorite city.  I hadn't told anyone, partly because it was kind of sudden and partly because I wanted to surprise everyone and I had my friend/liaison to thank in helping me make it so successful.  :oD

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!

Another year has successfully come to an end.  Reflecting back on it, there was nothing particularly special about 2010.  At least, nothing that I felt had any real significance other than the fact that my mother opened another restaurant.  I mean, I met some really cool people (as I often do, wherever I am) and I dated some guys here and there.  I traveled and attended some weddings (one of them being the most elaborate I’ve ever been to in all my life).  That was about it.  Actually, much of 2010 went by in a blur simply because I spent the latter half of it back in Georgia in a little town called Thomson.  Not a place you would want to be stuck in, ever.  Trust me. 

Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to 2011.  I have a feeling that it is going to be a good year for me.  Somehow, I’m entering into this year feeling rather lucky.  I’m not exactly sure why.  Let’s just say it’s a hunch.  :o)

I could elaborate a bit, I suppose.  For one, I’m back in my most favorite city in the world, Bangkok. I’m finally getting the opportunity to tap into my creativity a bit (even if it’s through indirect means) thanks to my brother-in-law and my sister.  I think just having the opportunity to be involved and to be around a bunch of creative people will be enough to steer me in the direction I’ve been trying so desperately to get to.  Although I may still be unclear as to what exactly it is that I want to really sink myself into, I know that I’m headed there.  Professionally, I think this could very well be a good year for me.

Now, as for my personal life, I think that I will continue to meet great people from all around the world and from all walks of life.  Being that I am quite an extrovert, it’s pretty much inevitable.  However, if we are talking about finding that special someone, I wouldn’t exactly knock the idea.  I’m pretty optimistic that this could be my year.  I guess only time will tell, so stay tuned!  :o)

A White Christmas

This year was the first time that I was home for Christmas since moving to Thailand 3 years ago.  I was very excited about it (although I could've done without the freezing weather).  You see, even though an abundance of Christmas decoration and music could be found all over Thailand and especially in Bangkok, the spirit of the season is very much lacking.  I've tried putting up a miniature tree and celebrating with friends at my place, but it just isn't the same. 

This year, what made Christmas extra special was not the mere fact that I was home with my mom for the first time in a few years, but also that we had a white Christmas.  The snow might not have fallen til later in the evening, but it was on Christmas nonetheless.

My mother and I, along with some family friends, went to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.  We visited their butterfly garden and the Christmas village and then we rode a trolley through the estate to view the many themed Christmas decorations in complete awe (and complete cold!).  Luckily for us, the snow did not begin to fall until just the end of our trolley ride. 

Check out some of the beautiful moments of our Christmas trip that I was able to capture.