While Waiting for Ice Cream and Bua Loy

ระหว่างรอไอติมกับบัวลอยถ่ายรูปเล่นดีกว่า ทั่งสองคนหน้าตุ้ยนุ้ยมากกกก ตอนกลับมาไทยใหม่ๆผอมโซ ตอนนี้ไม่รู้ขึ้นมากี่กิโลแล้วไม่กล้าชั่งเลย  ตั้งแต่กลับมา ทั้งชาเย็นวันละ 3-4 แก้ว โรตีรอบเที่ยงคืนไอติมและบัวลอยเกือบทุกวัน 555เดี่ยวค่อยชั่งก่อนกลับก็แล้วกันเนอะ

While waiting for ice cream and bua loy (บัวลอย Bua Loi is a traditional Thai dessert made from glutinous rice flour, shaped into small, round dumplings.), let’s take some pictures. Both of us look so chubby cute hehe ! Mt first day back to Thailandใ Since coming back, I've been having 3-4 milk tea a day, plus roti at midnight, and ice cream  almost every day, haha. I’ll just weigh myself before going back instead. Let's "Enjoy" eating!

Medan vi väntar på glass och bua loy (บัวลอย Bua Loi är en traditionell thailändsk efterrätt gjord av klibbigt rismjöl, format till små, runda dumplings), låt oss ta några bilder. Vi ser båda så gulligt knubbiga ut hehe! Min första dag tillbaka i Thailand. Sedan jag kom tillbaka har jag druckit 3-4 milk tea om dagen, plus roti vid midnatt, och nästan glass varje dag, haha. Jag får väga mig innan jag åker tillbaka istället. Låt oss 'njuta' av att äta!

A Festive Evening of Spanish Delights: A Warm Holiday Celebration with Pepe

The festive season is all about spreading joy and creating lasting memories, and this holiday season was no exception. I had the pleasure of spending a delightful evening with my good old friend Pepe, immersing ourselves in the rich flavours of a Spanish dinner that left a lasting impression on my taste buds.

The star of the evening was undoubtedly the seafood feast that his family had prepared. As a lover of exquisite dishes, I was in for a treat with a variety of tantalising options laid out before us. Among them, the standout was the gooseneck barnacle – a culinary masterpiece that had my taste buds dancing with delight. Its exquisite taste and texture made it an instant favorite.

Beyond the delectable dishes, what made the evening truly special was the warm hospitality extended by Pepe and his family. From the moment I stepped through the door, I felt a genuine sense of welcome that instantly put me at ease. The ambiance of the dinner brought back fond memories of holiday celebrations back home in Thailand, where the emphasis on family and spending time with loved ones reigns supreme.

Surprisingly, I couldn't help but draw parallels between the Chinese culture and the Spanish culture, especially in terms of family values and the reverence shown towards the elderly. It was heartening to witness the similarities that transcended geographical boundaries, highlighting the universal importance of family bonds.

Amidst the lively chatter and laughter, I couldn't help but notice the kindness and warmth exhibited by everyone present.

In reflection, I would rate the entire evening a resounding five stars. Pepe, thank you for opening your home to me, and for curating a dining experience that was nothing short of exceptional. Your family's hospitality and the joyous atmosphere truly made it a celebration to remember.

It warms my heart to see that my brother is enjoying a splendid life here in Spain, certainly an improvement from your time in Sweden, wouldn't you agree? Hehe...

La temporada festiva trata sobre compartir alegría y crear recuerdos duraderos, y esta temporada navideña no fue una excepción. Tuve el placer de pasar una velada encantadora con mi buen amigo Pepe, sumergiéndonos en los ricos sabores de una cena española que dejó una impresión duradera en mis papilas gustativas.

La estrella de la noche fue, sin duda, el festín de mariscos que su familia había preparado. Como amante de platos exquisitos, tuve la suerte de disfrutar de una variedad de opciones tentadoras dispuestas ante nosotros. Entre ellas, lo más destacado fue el percebe, una obra maestra culinaria que hizo que mis papilas gustativas bailaran de alegría. Su sabor y textura exquisitos lo convirtieron en un favorito instantáneo. Más allá de los deliciosos platos, lo que hizo que la noche fuera realmente especial fue la cálida hospitalidad ofrecida por Pepe y su familia. Desde el momento en que crucé la puerta, sentí una auténtica sensación de bienvenida que me tranquilizó de inmediato. El ambiente de la cena me trajo gratos recuerdos de celebraciones navideñas en casa, en Tailandia, donde se enfatiza la importancia de la familia y pasar tiempo con seres queridos.

Sorprendentemente, no pude evitar encontrar similitudes entre la cultura china y la española, especialmente en cuanto a los valores familiares y el respeto mostrado hacia los mayores. Fue alentador presenciar las similitudes que trascendieron las fronteras geográficas, destacando la importancia universal de los lazos familiares.

En medio del bullicio y las risas, no pude dejar de notar la amabilidad y calidez mostradas por todos los presentes.

En reflexión, calificaría toda la velada con un rotundo cinco estrellas. Pepe, gracias por abrirme las puertas de tu hogar y por crear una experiencia gastronómica que fue simplemente excepcional. La hospitalidad de tu familia y la atmósfera alegre realmente la convirtieron en una celebración inolvidable.

Me alegra ver que mi hermano está disfrutando de una vida espléndida aquí en España, ciertamente una mejora desde su tiempo en Suecia, ¿no crees? Jeje...

แวะมาเยี่ยมสตูดิโอของเพื่อนที่บาร์เซโลน่า (Visit a friend's recording music studio in Barcelona!)

เพื่อนเปิดสตูดิโอบันทึกเสียงในบาร์เซโลน่าเมื่อเร็ว ๆ นี้ ตั้งอยู่ในที่ตั้งที่ยอดเยี่ยมและมีบรรยากาศเงียบสงบ เมื่อคุณกำลังมองหาพื้นที่ในการบันทึกเพลง พอดแคสต์ หรือรายการวิทยุ อย่าลังเลที่จะติดต่อ CAMBOYA I สตูดิโอนี้: https://www.instagram.com/camboyastudiobcn/

A friend of mine recently opened a record studio in Barcelona. Situated in a fantastic prime location, it offers a tranquil atmosphere. If you're in search of a space for recording music, podcasts, or radio shows, don't hesitate to reach out to CAMBOYA I the studio : https://www.instagram.com/camboyastudiobcn/

En vän till mig har nyligen öppnat en skivstudio i Barcelona. Beläget på en fantastiskt bra plats, erbjuder det en lugn atmosfär. Om du letar efter en plats för inspelning av musik, podcasts eller radioprogram, tveka inte att kontakta CAMBOYA I studion: https://www.instagram.com/camboyastudiobcn/

Spanish Holiday - During Christmas

Hey, guys, gather 'round for a festive tale that involves Christmas, family, and a touch of Spanish charm. So, this year, my brother Pepe threw out an invite for me to join his Christmas bash with the fam. Now, it's been a whopping six years since I last caught up with Pepe, and with my recent move to Spain, it seemed like the perfect chance to reconnect with him.

Our holiday hideaway? None other than Llanars, this adorable spot tucked away in the Pyrenean comarca of Ripollès in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Just a breezy two-hour drive from Barcelona, and let me tell you, we lucked out with the weather. Clear skies and a warmth that went beyond the temperature. His family rolled out the welcome mat. A big thanks to them and, of course, to Pepe for making the whole stay happen.

Having holidays in Spain has been brilliant! It's not like being a normal tourist – it's more like being part of the local scene. Staying with people you know in the country is like finding a secret passage to how they live. It makes a big difference, believe me!

Wishing everyone a fantastic holiday season filled with joy and festive cheer! May your celebrations be merry and bright. Cheers to spreading love and happiness during this wonderful time of the year.

Hugs/Anne

Hola, chicos, reuníos para una historia festiva que involucra Navidad, familia y un toque español encantador. Este año, mi hermano Pepe me hizo una invitación para unirme a su celebración navideña con la familia. Han pasado seis años desde la última vez que me encontré con Pepe, y con mi reciente traslado a España, parecía la oportunidad perfecta para volver a conectarme con él.

¿Nuestro refugio navideño? Nada menos que Llanars, este lugar adorable escondido en la comarca pirenaica de Ripollès en Girona, Cataluña, España. A solo dos horas en coche de Barcelona, y déjenme decirles, tuvimos suerte con el clima. Cielos despejados y un calor que iba más allá de lo que me hubiera esperado . Su familia nos abrió las puertas con una gran bienvenida. Un gran agradecimiento a ellos y, por supuesto, a Pepe por hacer que toda la estancia fuera posible.

¡Tener vacaciones en España ha sido genial! No es como ser un turista normal, es más como ser parte de la escena local. Quedarse con personas que conoces en el país es como encontrar un pasaje secreto de cómo viven. ¡Hace una gran diferencia, créanme!

¡Les deseo a todos unas fantásticas fiestas llenas de alegría y espíritu festivo! Que sus celebraciones sean alegres y brillantes. Brindemos por esparcir amor y felicidad durante esta maravillosa época del año.

Abrazos/Anne

Project: DIY Office Makeover on a Budget

Hey there!

Guess what's on my agenda today? We're diving headfirst into the mission of transforming our office into a sleek, stylish space before this coming spring blossoms in. Now, before you picture a team of professionals armed with power tools, let me spill the beans – it's just us, a can-do attitude, and a sprinkle of determination hehehe :)

Well, let's just say my Spanish isn't exactly top-notch, and hiring skilled labour could cost a pretty penny. So, what's a budget-savvy, language-challenged individual to do? Roll up those sleeves, grab some tools, and channel the inner handyman!

I'm ready to give our office the glow-up it deserves.

Stay tuned for this office makeover, it is about to become a masterpiece hehe, thanks to a little bit of elbow grease and a whole lot of heart.

Catch you on the flip side! Anne

วันนี้เป็นวันแรกที่เริ่มรีโนเวทออฟฟิศ มาเริ่มทำธุรกิจที่นี่ก็ต้องทำอะไรให้เป็นทุกอย่างเพราะค่าจ้างแพงและอีกอย่างก็พูดภาษาสเปนไม่ได้เก่งขนาดนั้นก็เลยตัดสินใจรีโนเวทออฟฟิศเองค่ะ ส่วนของอะไรที่ใช้ได้ก็ใช้ไปก่อนอย่างเช่นบันได เจ้าของเก่าทิ้งไว้ เบี้ยวมากแถมโยกเยกอีก ขึ้นแต่ละทีก็กลัวหล่น 555 ส่วนไม้อัดแผ่นที่นี่ค่อนข้างถูกมากเลย ซื้อมาใช้ได้ ดูดีด้วย สู้ๆแอนนี่ ให้กำลังใจตัวเอง 555

What a sketchy ladder hehe...

Embracing My Body Journey: Overcoming Body Dysmorphia

 

Hello lovelies,

I've been on a bit of a personal journey lately that I wanted to share with you all. For a while, I shied away from the camera because, truth be told, I wasn't too confident about my body.

I often found myself receiving comments from people, especially when I went back to Thailand. It's as if everyone there remembered the younger version of myself—the one who could devour snacks around the clock, guzzle a liter of Coke daily without a care, and still be very slim. But guess what? Times change, and so do our bodies. I'm not getting any younger, and my body has undergone its own transformations.

From a young age, I've been subjected to conflicting views. When I was slim, I faced criticism for being too thin. Yet, when I gained weight and achieved what society considers a standard size, the narrative shifted to labeling me as overweight. It's a perplexing paradox that has left me feeling as though I can never meet the elusive standards set by societal expectations.

Living in Sweden has been a game-changer in this regard. Here, people rarely comment on others' appearances; it's almost a taboo subject. In contrast, my experiences back in Thailand, and I'd wager in many other Asian countries, have been quite different. It's almost second nature for people to discuss and comment on each other's bodies, especially during greetings. I understand it's a cultural thing, and most of the time, they don't mean any harm. But the impact can be surprisingly profound. It took me many years to truly embrace and love my body again.

In the circles of those close to me, it's likely that they've heard me complain countless times about my perceived weight issues. Strangely, the truth is, I am not overweight at all. The source of this self-critique lies in the comments I encountered while growing up, which, regrettably, have left an indelible mark on my psyche. The constant bombardment of opinions about my body has created a distorted self-image, making it seem impossible for me to ever feel content with my appearance.

Admittedly, it's been a bit of a struggle. Body dysmorphia can be a tough nut to crack. However, I'm making a conscious effort to love my body as it is right now. It's not about conforming to societal ideals or succumbing to external pressures—it's about accepting and appreciating myself.

So, here I am, sharing a piece of my journey with you all. Let's remember that our bodies are incredible vessels that change with time. It's okay to evolve, and it's okay to love yourself at every stage. If I can overcome my body dysmorphia, so can you. Let's celebrate ourselves, our uniqueness, and the beauty in every form.

Love and body positivity, Anne