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

Finally time to do what I love “draping”.

Finally time to do what I love “draping”. เวลาว่างๆ คิดอะไรไม่ออก สิ่งที่ relax อีกอย่างคือการจับเดรป เอาผ้ามาพันๆง่ายดีไม่ต้องเย็บก็ออกงานได้เเล้ว เราเป็นคนที่เย็บผ้าไม่ค่อยเก่ง ขอเป็นเดรปกับดีไซน์ละกันเนอะ  ฝากติดตามแบรนด์ด้วยน้าทุกคน 

During my free time, when I can't think of anything, another thing I find relaxing is DRAPING. Taking a piece of fabric and wrapping it around neatly without the need for sewing can definitely create some great results. I'm not particularly skilled at sewing, so draping and designing are more my cup of tea.  Please follow and support my brand! Thank you everyone.

Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful birthday wishes yesterday

It was my birthday yesterday, typically an unremarkable occasion for me, with little fanfare. The usual celebration involves a quiet dinner with my nearest and dearest. However, this year was different, as I am in Spain for work. 

To my pleasant surprise, I was presented with an enormous bouquet of flowers from my sister (sister from another mother). The bouquet was sent to my golf club, adding an unexpected touch of delight to the day. 

As I've mentioned before, birthdays are usually just another day for me, but receiving a gift from someone I hold dear brought tears of joy to my eyes. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you babe for consistently caring and thinking of me. Your compassionate nature extends to everyone around you, and your intentions for your loved ones are always the best. 

This year, one of my wishes is for your caring spirit to accompany us as we age gracefully

I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone for sending their good wishes. May all the good wishes be returned to you.

Love/Anne

เมื่อวานนี้เป็นวันเกิด โดยปกติแล้วไม่ได้ฉลองอะไรเป็นพิเศษ อย่างมากก็ทานข้าวเย็นกับคนสนิท  ปีนี้แตกต่าง เนื่องจากตอนนี้ทำธุรกิจอยู่สเปนเ ที่น่าประหลาดใจคือเมื่อวานมีของขวัญเป็นช่อดอกไม้จากสวีเดนจากพี่สาว Ranasha ส่งมาที่สนามกอล์ฟ 

แฮ้ปปี้มากแต่อย่างที่บอกวันเกิดสำหรับเรามักจะเป็นแค่วันธรรมดาวันนึง แต่การได้รับของขวัญจากคนที่เรารักนั้นทำให้น้ำตาของความสุขไหลล้นออกมา อยากขอบคุณนะที่คอยใส่ใจและคิดถึงแอนอยู่เสมอ

แอนยังต้องขอบคุณทุกๆ คนที่ส่งคำอวยพรดีๆ มาให้ด้วยนะ ขอให้คำอวยพรดีๆ ทั้งหลายนั้นกลับไปหาท่านทุกคนเลย