Date and Euchre Night

School has finally calmed down, reports are in and current batch of examinations marked.  It means I have been out twice this week.  So exciting!  Wednesday was regular date night, we went to a sushi place I usually love.  Well a Japanese restaurant to be exact, it is super cute and usually a win. But our choices were poor and I was slightly disappointed.  Still nice to be out of the house and catching up.  Yesterday I went for the first time to a monthly Euchre tournament.  I usually avoid to my competitive nature.  I should really only play games with people who know and love me and will forgive the competitiveness.  Instead I played opposite the Head of School and could not rubbing in our win.  Trying to learn to tune it down!  It was a fun night and to be fair their was a lot of heckling within the tournament.  No winner yet as it is a combination of many nights, but I came out with all wins, so a good start.

Soffiel Garden 10.5km Run and Cycling

Sunday I had a 10km race.  It was a fairly competitive one and I cannot say I was not disappointed to not take home a medal.  At the same time I was thrilled though as knocked about four minutes off my best time.  That was definitely something I was proud of and in most other races I would have placed.  This one I just had to look at my time and not get down about it.  I then went home and somehow convinced Sebastian to go on a bike ride with Lyndsey and family.  We had an amazing afternoon and we were both thrilled that we ended up going.  It was truly a perfect day.

We actually ended up in the same park that me and Lyndsey race in early this morning.  I think we have to time this better that they all come meet us after a race.

Kerri and Sebastian Day

That title makes it sound as though they were on the same day.  They were not. Friday I celebrated Kerry's birthday after work, nothing big, just a few ladies getting together.  Saturday I then had a Mummy and Sebastian Day.  It was nice to catch up with some ladies that I had not really spoken to since we returned to work in 2026.  And then Saturday our building had no electricity and I spent the day keeping Sebastian occupied and I hope happy.   We went to school and played, then to lunch, next to buy a watch and finally ended up at our pool to have an afternoon with his best buddies.

Mark Dinner

This week we had our monthly meet up.  My choice and sushi it was.  I love this near by place.  Even though not veggie speciality, the avocado roll is beyond delicious.  I am so thankful to have Mark here and we had a great catch up.

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.