first 11 of '11: 1.7.11

we slept in this morning and it was great.  we got up about 11am and the house was crazy quiet since our friends left last night.  it was almost freaky.  we went to fatboy subs again for lunch.  it was fantastic and yes, i had the same thing---filly cheese steak sandwich.  paul walked me home and then went off to work at gloria jean's.

i washed up some dishes, tried to work on our ant problem (seems futile), had some ice cream with fanta soda (flavor not sure b/c i cannot read khmer, but it tastes like root beer) and caught up on all my blogs that i read in google reader.  i also was able to check one item off the weekend to do list too which is always nice--skype with my close friend K in seoul.  we have not caught up at all this break, so it was fabulous to do so today.  i miss her and her family dreadfully and always love that we can connect via technology.  i attempted to clean/organize our desk, but that did not get too far.  it does look better, but not great.  we are in desperate need of some sort of drawers/shelves for that space for all the paperwork/extra office like stuff one has.

i read a blog today that has me thinking about our "stuff".  the author mentions a book that i quickly added to my eBook wish list at barnes & noble.  it's called the 100 thing challenge: how i got rid of almost everything, remade my life, and regained my soul by dave bruno.  the idea intrigues me.  i might download soon and give it a browse to see what it is about.  although i am thinking we might not be able to do it since we have collectibles from our travels.  who knows?  anyone read it?

the book i am currently reading i am still unsure about.  i picked it up based on a colleague's suggestion and found it in the free pile in the staff room, so i figured why not.  i am just over half way and cannot decide if i like it, want to keep reading it, or just abandon it.  part of me keeps hoping that it will change and get better, but i am not so sure.  i have never read a book that bothers me in a way that i cannot really put words to.  it's the oddest feeling.  it's called a fine balance by rohinton mistry.

a short afternoon nap once paul got home, then we were off to dinner.  we decided to give magnolia (vietnamese) a try again because many people keep saying how much they like it and such.  so off we went....it has a nice ambiance for sure.  we chose to sit outside and unfortunately were disappointed to learn that they only serve pho at breakfast.  what?!?!  come on.  strike #1.  we finally decided what to order--spring rolls with steamed crab (off a specials menu), i ordered the grilled beef with garlic and paul ordered a beef salad cambodian style.  the spring rolls were not so wonderful.  strike #2.  my beef was ordinary, but not mind blowing or anything.  then paul's meal arrived and he began to check it out and discovered onions after ordering specifically no onions.  strike #3.  we were done.  it took us a while to track down a server who spoke english well enough to communicate he ordered no onions and indeed there were onions in the salad.  ugh.  we asked them to remake and off they went.  shortly we thought we would just be done, so again i attempted to wave down an english speaking server to explain that we wanted to cancel the salad remake and would like the bill.  confused he walked away, but brought the bill later.  magnolia is not on the nnot so great list of our food choices here in PP.  we don't get it b/c many people we know have raved over it, but we just cannot make the magic happen here.  the great thing is that there are a million other choices that we enjoy and want to try, so it's not a big loss.

we walked across the street to a place called fortune pho or pho fortune.  we are not sure to be honest.  it's a small, simple pho shop.  no frills, but has all the good pho.  the menu has mostly pho choices so paul was thrilled.  the staff is friendly and tries there best to make the most of communication with us.  a nice change from magnolia.  paul ordered beef pho and i ordered fried spring rolls.  both were quite good and we will go back.  simple and right on.  this place gets two thumbs up from us.

after dinner, we made one more stop at fresco on the riverfront for a dessert.  i got a scoop of hokey pokey ice cream (butterscotch flavor with small bits of butterscotch) and paul got some special banana, coconut smoothie.  got home and watched more episodes of big bang theory.  the current tv choice since many of our shows have been on a break for the holidays.  i think many of them start back up this week.

first 11 of '11: 1.5.11

word of the day: REST!

i did lots of it and it was awesome.  paul and i had lunch together which is always a treat since we don't get to when i am working.  we went to fatboy subs around the corner from our house.  they are super good.  simliar to subway, but SOOO much better.  subway on steroids is the description we often use.  i had a filly cheesesteak and it was so yummy.  we shared a cookie (paul got it free with his frequent buyer card) and then he walked me home.  he was off to gloria jeans to work and i had no plans for the afternoon.

i spent much of the afternoon in bed---sleeping and/or cuddling with our cat, India.  she loves to cuddle and just have attention since Sam passed away.  it's been a nice change since she usually can be quite the independent kitty.

last night we took our friends and their friends to Yumi which is easily one of our favorites here in PP.  it's a fusion Japanese place and has an unique menu.  the Yumi pork ribs are the best i have ever had.  it was fun to go with more people as we tried much more of the menu than we usually would/could.  it was such a smattering of this and that and the best part was that everything we tried was amazing.  i cannot wait until our next visit there.  such a gem in our city.

paul and i finished off the evening watching somce big bang theory after our friends went to bed.  we really have grown to love the show and always have a good laugh which is therapeutic.

another great day of holiday.........three more days before i go back to work.........

first 11 of '11: 1.3.11

today i slept in until 11am which was glorious.  india has been quite the snuggly cat since the beginning of the holidays.  when i woke up this morning she was sitting near my head, curled up and asleep.  so nice!  got up, gathered my clothes and took a shower.  then sheree and i made our way out the door for another trip to russian market.  i was armed with a list--lamp lady, silk lady, and mirror lady.  i bought some orange silk for cushion covers and a runner for our bedroom.  i also some to cover the new lamps.  i am so excited about the new look for our bedroom.  after the silk lady, we went to the lamp lady to give her the orange silk to cover the new lamps and give her my sketch of the korean lamp that is still in need of a lamp shade six months later.  :)  thrilled about this too.  last stop was to purchase the big mirror i had found a few days ago.  we bargained her down and i was thrilled with the final price.  i had asked her for the measurements so i could come home and make sure it would fit and look proportionate.  she wrapped it up and added hangers while sheree did some clothes shopping here and there.

the last stop before coming home was at the frame shop, but again they were closed.  not sure where they are or what the deal is, but they possibly might be on holiday.  who knows?!?!  we will try again tomorrow.  i bought some beautiful indigo blue fabric in laos that we cut into 5 one meter strips to be framed separately.  then i also have a piece of art made for us by our favorite cafe owner in seoul, jenny.

now back at home, we had lunch of cheese toasty sandwiches, fresh mango and bananas, and some leftover roasted veg from last night's dinner.  so good.  i think it might be time for a nap and some reading.  i love the holidays.

paul and i had dinner out together at tell restaurant.  we chose the cheese fondue and beef fondue.  it was quite tasty and we were happy with our selection.  it was nice to have dinner with him and be able to catch up and just be together.  we ordered vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce for dessert.  yum!

made a short stop at bayon for beverages and other needs before coming home to watch some tv.  we chose to watch some more big bang theory which is hilarious.  we have decided that season 2 episode 11 is the BEST show to date.  we laughed until we were crying.......great fun!

day 5, 6, and 7 of detox

sorry there has been a bit of quiet on this here blog, but it's been quite the adventure at the falgout house lately.  paul has been sick, but monday night spiked a fever again.  i put my foot down and said we are going to the doctor in the morning (tuesday).  i arranged for a sub at school and i am oh so thankful i did.  i woke up paul at 10:30 to get ready for the doctor.  he made it downstairs, but proceeded to pass out, sweat through a shirt, and hit his head/face all in one go.  stressful and i began to panic a little on the inside all the while playing it cool on the outside.  he took a shower and we slowly made it downstairs to the tuk tuk.  when we got to the clinic they offered him a bed to lay in while we waited to see the doctor.  after a few pokes and tests, it was confirmed that he has entamoeba histolytica.  basically a nasty parasite living in his tummy and bowels.  yuk!  they are very common here and everyone and anyone gets them.  no matter where you eat or how careful you are, it happens. he has to take meds for three weeks to kill the parasite and any eggs that may be dormant as well.  he was excited that it seemed cool since he had to get stuck with a needle.  he is such a little kid when it comes to the doctor and such.  his response after the tests was, "it better be something cool at least."  it made me laugh.  just like a little kid, but instead from an almost thirty year old.  he was also dehydrated too, but instead of getting IV fluids we promised that he would drink lots and lots of water.  he is feeling better, but not great.  he has done a lot of sleeping since we got home.  he has taken three doses of meds so far.  the doctor said it would take a few days to feel even remotely better.  i decided to take off another day of school to stay home to keep an eye on him.  his whole passing out episode made me nervous and i wanted to make sure he is okay before returning back to school.  family first at this house!

as for the detox, all is well on that front.  no slip ups for me.  i am still eating and drinking as per the rules and feel great.  my quality of sleep has improved which is always nice and i feel less tired in the afternoons.  usually i would be keen to take a nap in the afternoon, but not getting that feeling as of late.  yeah for that.  although i do still love to sleep and rest.  one of my gifts.  this morning paul and i both slept in (shocking i know) and i just had some organic oats with fresh apple and mangos and a dash of cinnamon, YUM!  not to mention i ate it in bed while wearing a sweater.  i love cool weather.  unfortunately, the cool weather in my bedroom is by no means natural but air conditioner induced.  :)  i am a freak, i know.

on monday evening i had my second eat, move and improve meeting.  it was good.  i learned about sugar and glycemic index.  it was interesting and really made me think about all the sugar one can eat without even realizing it.  i also got weighed again which was good.  i love 2kg which is about 4 pounds.  WOO HOO for me.  i am super proud that all this work is working for now.  it's always rewarding.

so far a success....i marked my half way point on my calendar on monday--nov 11th is the half way mark.  nov 26th is the last day of detox for me.  it's been so easy and i have been reflecting on what changes i can easily keep at after detox is finished.  it's awesome and i am so glad i made the choice to do it.

day #4 detox...

paul has been quite sick the last 24 hours.  he had a crazy fever much of the night.  we had another lazy, restful day at home.

i went out for about an hour today to get food and make a few trips to the various grocery stores to stock up on more fruit and the basics.  paul has been munching on pizza much of the day.  i got a salad at vego while i was out.  so good.  i made my own dressing when i got home and added some chicken and wild rice.  it was yummy.  we have been drinking fresh fruit smoothies too.  for dinner i had a bowl of roasted red pepper soup that we ordered in yesterday.  we took a long afternoon nap which was super nice.  paul is feeling much better now although he does have a cough and feels yuck, but the fever has gone.  dayquil is his friend.

we have been chilling on the couches this evening watching tv--lost season 6 and the office.  paul is now eating homemade salsa and chips.  the salsa is soooo good.  ming makes killer salsa.

day #4 is being written in as a success!  woo hoo!

detox day #2

today has been great.  i have felt really good which makes me happy, a bit worried, and wondering if this is working and/or i am doing it right.  maybe it just takes more time....i guess i will find out soon enough.

today's breakfast was a success--green smoothie with 2c pineapple, 2c watermelon and 2c green escaroles lettuce.  super tasty and did the trick.  snack was 1c mango.  :)  lunch was grilled chicken, 1c wild rice, 1c watermelon, and the left over veggies that ming made from the night before.  so good.  after school snack was 1c pineapple.

i had been thinking about dinner all day long.  we had planned to go to k'nyay which is a cool little place that is khmer food that has the twist of vegan & vegetarian, but they also serve meat.  the fun part about this place is that it has a great story, but more importantly almost all the food on the menu is safe for me to eat on detox.  :)  yeah for that.  i ordered chicken amok which is a traditional khmer dish.  it's like a curry and served with wild rice.  it was divine and with each bite i felt like i was breaking ALL the rules, but i wasn't.  paul ordered homemade pesto pasta with vegetables.  he said it was amazing too!  he said that when i can eat wheat/flour again that i should order it to celebrate b/c it is just that good.  oh, i forgot to mention that we had fresh spring rolls as an appy and they were awesome.  it came with some homemade peanut sauce that i now love.  i could eat it as salad dressing.  the spring rolls were fresh and full of flavor.

back at home now, drinking water and watching the last few episodes of lost season five with my hubs.  i do have to say that day #2 has been a success.  go me!