A Brief M.I.A: In Retrospect

Not the Paper Planes MIA, but the 'missing in action' kind.

If you've thought, "How rude! She hasn't published or responded to my comment..."- I've an excuse.

I headed to the beach* for a couple of days with some family friends to escape the city and avoid being completely alone all week. And well...

I had a pretty awesome time (and avoided being on the internet).

Monday I was graced with a typical Japanese Tea Ceremony demonstration/class by a beautiful Japanese woman. 

Of Last Peeks & Sneak Peeks

It feels like I'm always catching up on and queueing up posts.

While I sort out my pictures from my Ayutthaya day trip, here's the last peek of Chiang Mai.

What are the odds that I'd find more used bookstores in one block of Chiang Mai than in a whole main street in Bangkok?
Well, I did find them. And I couldn't help but go in and come back out with full hands...
But how could I not bring back Best Cat Stories back home with me, I ask you. Cat Lady doesn't know how to say no (only Meow).

View all my Chiang Mai pictures HERE.

Here's my sneak peak of my day trip to Ayutthaya...

Granny at Heart (Or Stooge Forever?)

Ever since high school, I've been labelled a granny by my friends. I've never had a problem with that- I take full responsibility for my intermittent 'senility' and overall granny-ness.

Now, I don't knit*, I don't use dentures, my limbs are still in perfect shape (knock on wood) and I don't use a hearing aid.

I nap**, I mumble angrily (and occasionally raise my fist to the heavens), I tend to get along easily with the elders,  I have an affinity to rocking chairs and I like sleeping early.

In college I created an imaginary old man friend, who lived in the closet (literally, not metophorically- don't ask, I used to create many characters...) and I would often answer my phone with a, "Yallow".*** 

 My dear college friend, who had to put through all this craziness, recently sent me this.

It's times like these when pictures speak louder than words: all these years, Sophia (of The Golden Girls) has been alter granny ego.

Funnily enough, I'd taken this picture a year or so in a half with my granny character in mind.

North (of the) Country

"Snuggled into the foothills of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a sanctuary of sorts with a refreshing combination of city accoutrements and country sensibilities."*

I couldn't have said it better myself (which is why I didn't really bother, to be honest).
Chiang Mai really is that perfect little nook in the country- surrounded by mountains and history, it is a great escape from the city stress. It also helps that it's cooler (temperature wise) than central Thailand making exploring the Old City that much better.

First day I walked around and stooped by at the Chiang Mai City Arts & Culture Centre.

The Three Kings Monument (Anusawari Sam Kasat) is overlooking a small plaza in front of the Centre.

I wandered around and came across the Museum of Insects and Natural Wonders.