Brad and Cooper

We have been lucky enough to spend sometime with Brad and Cooper here in Bangkok this week.  Cooper, my best friend's son is starting a two month trip here in Thailand and Brad is here for a month. In a few weeks Mandy will be joining and I am very much looking forward to that.  In fact, February is looking like a busy month for us. Tuesday they can to see the place and last night we went for dinner and then showed them one of our roof top spots.

Love the matching shirts! Last time Cooper was in Thailand with me was when Sebastian was a baby and he would not eat anything but plain pasta.  Times have certainly changed!

Sunday Funday- VR, Golf, Movie

I got home after the awards and traffic at 8:30am to Sebastian ready to be entertained for the day. All his mates were busy, so we convinced him to have a family day.  IT started by me and Sebastian going to a free VR motorbike session in a mall.  He loved it, well and me too as it was free.  Then we met Daddy for some roof top mini put.  Sebastian loves it, well when he gets the ball in he loves it!  Followed by some toy organising and then a movie before bed.  I was exhausted, so very much ready for the movie when it came down to it.  It was a busy and fun weekend for all.

Brother Beat Cancer Race

I have to make some notes for December 2026 Amanda, as December 2025 Amanda failed.  Amanda 2025 under anticipated the work load in January, the timing until final exams and also her level of fitness after a holiday.  For some reason she thought that a 12km race was reasonable, when she can barely finish 10km.  But I dragged myself up at 3am to make the 4:30am start across the city.  And much to my great surprise placed 5th and got a trophy! I was so happy.  Well not while running, I just swore under my breath the entire time.  But I was very happy when I saw I got a prize for race 1 of 2026.

New Year Dinner Get Together

I had big plans for this dinner but the week was so full and I came to the conclusion that just having a catch up was enough.  We did our usual Mexican, which I might add is so good now and the kids did the usual destroying our flat.  It is a nice group, I am so happy we met Lisa and Mark this academic year.  It is nice to talk to someone about something other than teaching.  They have two great kids and excellent company.  It was also nice to catch up with my idol (Lyndsey) as I was having with drawls.  She has entered my age bracket now in races, so might not be at the same race too often (as trying to avoid this superstar!).  Before they came over for an early dinner, I took Sebastian and his besties to see Zootopoia 2, which they did not watch at all and instead ran wild in the theatre.

New Year Goals

Almost finished the first week back at school.  It was tough.  December Amanda left an enormous amount of work for January Amanda to do.  I hope one year I manage to remember how hard it is to come back to a million reports, exams to mark etc etc.  But I have almost made it through and hopefully I have finally learnt my lesson.  I always like to write some goals I have for the year, rathe than resolutions.  I actually do not have loads this year, but I suspect to achieve the few I have it will be tough.  Most about racing, but one exciting one is about a potential life change.  Here they are:

• 30 races
• 1 full triathlon (maybe 2)
• 1 Sprint Triathlon (maybe two)
• 20 10km Races
• 4 Vertical marathons
• 1 10km Beast Spartan
• 1 5km Sprint Spartan
• 1 5km Race
• 1 12 km Race
• Starting a Masters in Psychology and Counseling (with thoughts of changing to school councillor)

And well that is it!  

    

Gio's Birthday

While in Koh Lanta Sebastian made a new friend called Gio.  Gio has an American Dad and a French Mum and sister.  They live in Bordeaux and were in Lanta for holiday. It is safe to say they have had a hard year.  When I learnt it was Gio's birthday and they would be in Bangkok today I invited them for dinner and a little birthday celebration.  I made all these plans on Thursday before they left Koh Lanta while I was in full holiday spirits.  But today when I faced work I thought I might have bitten off more than I could chew.  BUT I am so happy that we had them.  It was so lovely and Gio had such a wonderful 5th birthday celebration.  They are all so nice, and were so thankful.  But I live for entertaining so was very much my pleasure and I was so happy to see them leave full of smiles.

Back to Reality

And just like that the holiday came to an end.  I must say I was inspired by the couple we met who opened  a restaurant in Koh Lanta.  They came on holiday 8 years ago, went back to Sweden for a few months and sold everything.  They opened a restaurant and enrolled their young daughter in school on the island and have not looked back.  Watch this space! But for now, we have returned back to Bangkok and work.  These are the last few pictures of fun in the sand, my book, my lunch views.  Feeling grateful for the holiday but dreading my return to work!

The last scrambled eggs on the island, Sebastian had 4-5 portions a day.

Tuesday Morning, Sweet Soul Vegan, Fullfill

It was funny to talk to the Italians about their favourite spots over the many years they have been coming.  We had not heard of their spots and they had not heard about ours!  I never thought the island was that big to have so many places I had not heard of.  Another reason for us to keep coming back.  These are currently our few favourite places.

Tuesday Morning

I have a huge love for this place as we started going when it first opened and we loved that lady who started it.  We also love her food and all her fresh great dishes.  It has gone from strength to strength and now always full.  But she has kept the charm and all the great food.

Sweet Soul Vegan

My only Thai one on my favourite list.  I guess we just get so much Thai I love having other food on holiday.  But this is the exception.  It is vegan and great.  I love all the dishes, it's location on the beach and their wine (not so easy to get good wine in Lanta).

FullFill Cafe

Sebastian's favourite.  The only one he will go to without putting up a fuss.  In fact, the one he always wants to go.  I love it.  She has simple home made bagels , a soup and smoothie bowls.  It is vegetarian and fantastic.  We try and go often!

Yang Garden Restaurant

I cannot believe we have been coming here for almost ten years and never been to this restaurant.  I am a big trip advisor person and don’t like to eat somewhere not reviewed highly.  I guess we just found our favourite eateries and I stopped looking. But Thursday night our Italian friends invited us to dinner at their favourite spot, Yang Garden Restaurant. It is owned by a Swedish couple who have also opened a bistro called Bonnie’s that we did eat in last week. It is fabulous. A super nice atmosphere, bar, full of people and ambience. I would not say a vegetarians dream but I got by.  It was so kind of our friends to bring us there, they would not let us even split the bill.