DDED

Today was Daddy Elder Daughter Day (DEDD), which as usual was pretty fabulous (bar a fairly frustrating Western Union experience).  I meant to take pictures of every where we went as even chores are pretty entertaining when it is me and Dad.   But I only got a couple as was too caught up in the moment.

 One of the first stops was the bank where I meet some of Dads ladies.  They seemed so helpful and he is clearly pretty well known and some may say famous there.  Possibly because of how he withdraws money, but all I can say without divulging secrets is I am definitely his daughter.  We then enjoyed a coffee, some shopping and hours at Western Union.  This was extremely frustrating and after three hours I got no where, so I do not want to go on about it as it could have spoilt a lovely day (but please never ever ever go there again in solidarity to me!).

We had an average lunch at what use to be one of my favourite lunch spots.  I thought I remembered some veggie dishes here but I got that wrong, but it did make choosing easy, veggie burger or well nothing.  Despite these few challenges, it was an amazing day as always.  I cannot say enough how lucky I am to call this man Dad. 

Freda, Freda, Pizza

When I am deciding which pictures to post it is hard to choose any others when Freda is in the mix.  She really steals the show, she is so funny and sweet, and just makes you laugh.  Not only that but she is also super intelligent, which is not really a huge surprise surrounded by all these super clever people.

 Super man, super clever Dad and Freda.  

 She is always awake and looking for something or someone new to play with.

Freda and her new Lola dog, sent from Lola all the way from Thailand.

Although, Freda clearly steals the show, I was pretty impressed about my home made pizzas I made today.  Although to be fair we have not cooked them yet so this might be slightly premature. 

Dad and Freda

Well the doctor said I needed time to heal and that I could fly and do the healing where ever I wanted too.  And there is only one place I wanted to be, so arrived in Toronto yesterday afternoon to see Dad and of course meet Freda.

 The first meeting, playing with my face, trying to work the new gal out.

Dad, looking good!  The only down side is that it is a wee bit colder than I anticipated, it might even snow!

Back to Real Life

I am not generally one for rest and relaxation.  I think I can do it and then after one day I am usually crawling the walls.  This time it has been different, I enjoyed every minute of our three day get away of doing nothing but reading, sleeping and watching horrible films.  The place where we stayed is so lovely, and is really just what the doctor ordered.  It certainly helped that the weather was fantastic and my L's were by my side.  Every time I think Lola cannot get any cuter, she just does.  And Luis has just been wonderful, as he also gets over the loss. 

 Our final day there for this trip was just spectacular.  I must admit I am slightly annoyed that this rainy season has been so fantastic.  It seems a bit unfair, as all the new teachers think we have been exaggerating last year's rain as at least half this month has been beautiful weather.  Last year we had about two days of sunshine in two months.  But guess I will take it as would be complaining much more if it was pouring rain.

 So back at home to resume real life. 

Rest and Relaxation

Out of the hospital now and on the mend both mentally and physically.  I cannot begin to express in how many ways this experience has changed me.  I went back and forth about posting why I had an operation and then after the amount of women that poured their souls out to me, I thought that actually it is important that I do.  Maybe just for my own heeling process.  On Tuesday I found out the pregnancy (that I had not announced yet) was ectopic and therefore not viable.  This of course was devastating news to both me and Luis, our families and close friends but it also felt like a fairly lonely spot to be in.  However, I was quick to learn that this is not the case.  The amount of women that I know, sort of know, met once or twice who have shared their story with me is amazing.  The most common theme is that they felt very lonely with no one to talk to about it. Why is it that society makes women feel like they need to keep these events bottled up, especially when it is so common and sharing experiences could help themselves or others?  I am not sure of the answer to this, but it should not be this way (of course, if someone wishes to keep it private that is one thing but people should not suffer in silence).

Anyways, I have decided not to suffer in silence.

Besides the obvious reason for being upset about this situation, I am also now unable to fly to see my father, meet my niece and see my sister and brother in law.  I will be going there at Christmas but was so looking forward to the next ten days with them.  Luckily they are still only a phone call away and I will try to speak to them as much as I can as always.

Okay, well, the good news is I am out of hospital and my two L's have taken me off the island for some much needed rest and relaxation.  There is no doubt that I am one extremely lucky lady, I have been showered with love this week and now have time away with Luis and Lola.  We have come to our favourite place and spent a day looking for crabs, reading, and resting.  Just what the doctor ordered.

 On our way on a beautiful day.

 I think Lola did this just to cheer me up.

 A detox delicious ginger and pineapple drinks

Relaxing on the beach, there is nothing better for my soul then this.  So happy to be here with my L's.

Feeling Loved

Very sadly, yesterday I had to have a bit of an emergency operation, which was a bit of a shock to my system and also means I can also not travel to Canada this weekend.  Luis is also away getting his work Visa in Singapore, so was altogether not the best timing (not that it ever would have been a good time).  But lucky for me I have my Phuket family looking after me and they have been fabulous.  They have not left me alone for a minute and I have had so many visitors and treats.  Even the kids sent my posters from school.  I feel so lucky to have them, they have really made a very hard time a little bit easier.

And also loads and loads of nurses.  I am feeling much better today and tomorrow should be going home.  It is a sad and painful time but all these people are making it that much better and tomorrow I will be back with my two L's, so that is bound to help the recovery.

Long Rainy Weekend

This is possibly the only long weekend where I have gone away and not been bothered one bit that it poured with rain the entire time.  The places we stayed were so nice that I was quite happy to chill and not worry with the weather.  On Thursday night we stayed in a hotel in Kata, South of the island and then Friday we drove off the island to a place about an hour and a half North of Phuket, Khao Lak.

 The place we stayed in Kata, I had won at a charity event back in March.  It was a lovely hotel, with the best pillows I have ever slept on (I kinda wished I had brought my own pillows and made a switch, how awful!).  I also cashed in one of my Christmas presents, dinner at a place called Kata Rocks.

 Luis had birthday cake number three, quite the wife he has I would say..

 So Kata Rocks, is meant to be one of the nicest restaurants on the island.. Nope, it was quite horrible, especially for the price.  So we will stick to our non posh favourites and never again spend a crazy amount on food (not crazy in other places, but for Phuket, yes).

 Then we drove North, picking up Lola Cola on route to what is now our favourite place ever.  The place we stayed in Kata was about seven times the price (had we paid for it), and not even on the beach.  The place I found in Khao Lak, was just amazing at $30 a night.  The restaurant food was amazing, about one tenth the price of Kata Rocks and about ten times the quality.  

 Even in the rain we enjoyed the huge empty beach.  It went on for miles and miles with no other hostel/hotels in sight.

This was our little home.  Huge patio, kitchen, lovely room, downstairs seating, the value for money was ridiculous, we will definitely be back.  We then came home to a home theatre night.  It was a pretty perfect weekend despite the monsoon conditions, now hoping for some sun today, as I cannot go to Canada next week with no tan at all!

Birthday Celebrations

Last night was birthday celebration night, we went to dinner with loads of friends and then Luis hit the town and I went home for some much needed sleep.  We went to our favourite restaurant with some of our favourite people.  

 I was so excited about his cake, but so disappointed when I picked it up.  It was meant to be of Lola and the flag of Ecuador.  Somehow that translated into a picture of me (I sent loads of pictures of Lola from different angles) and no Ecuador flag.  Luis loved it, so I guess that is what matters, but I hated the picture of me on his cake.

It was a lovely celebration and I think he had a pretty good birthday.  Next in line for birthday treats is Lola Cola.

Happiest of Birthdays

Yesterday was Luis' birthday and also parents evening so I had not a minute to post happy birthday wishes to my fabulous husband.  But actually his birthday is two days long this year (actually it is at least this long every year) as he had to work in boarding last night.  However, we did manage a lovely morning celebration and he made it a special night for the boys in the boarding house.

 Birthday breakfast and presents

 I wen to boarding after parents evening.  Luis is amazing with the boys and they clearly love him.  It was so nice to watch him in action, I think I would love to live there too. Seems like a lot of fun!  But no Lola allowed, so no boarding for me.

The muffin cake. Luis also bought all the kids snacks and dips and they were all so happy and excited.

 So that was birthday number one, tonight we have a great group coming out to celebrate at our favourite restaurant.  I cannot wait to properly celebrate this wonderful man.  Luis, I hope you had the best birthday yet and I promise they will only get better! Love you :)

Lunch, Sun and Almost Vegan

What a wonderful Sunday, lunch with friends and then a beautiful beach day with empty beach and super warm water.  It is only October 8th and we have had more sunny days then the whole of October last year which is definitely a relief.  There is still rain but nothing like last year and Phuket is just a wonderful place to be in the sunshine.

 One of my favourites.  I was aiming to be vegan from today, was so careful and did not even realise what I was doing when I put  tzatziki on my vegan burger.  So will try again tomorrow!

 We had a such a lovely walk and swim together.  Lola is just the happiest at the beach, well I guess I am too.  We of course missed Luis, who was with the boarders in the shopping centre.  I could not bring myself to miss this sunny day!