I swear if I keep a record of the dreams I have, I will have a blog entirely for them. Its amazing that some people do not dream at all (or maybe they do, just forgotten), while yours truly dream almost every night! Although I am unable to predict when I'll dream, I've come to realize that the more excited/happy/eventful the day was, the higher the chance of dreaming. Something to do with brain activity I guess. Also, the more I imagine/ponder upon someone, the higher the probability of him/her appearing (not 100% accurate though). This also applies to the things/person in my subconscious mind. That said, however, its still not possible to tune to the dreams I hoped for.

Sooo anyway, last night's dream was really a bizarre one. I dreamt that I was unable to lock my wooden door. I had to twist and turn the key (made of metal!) in the keyhole such that it broke. I blamed it for the inferior quality of the key and took my dad's key to try to lock the door again. However, the same thing occurred. Even when I managed to turn the latch to the lock position, the door was still able to open with some force. At that time, I was actually in a hurry to somewhere (can't remember) and my parents were waiting in the car. I was so anxious about not being able to lock the door and also fear that my house will be burgled. Probably reflecting on my fear and anxiety towards something in real life? Come to think of it, I realized that I just had a discussion with my friends regarding locking the metal gate or door the day before! Funny that I wasn't thinking about it in the conscious mind but it made it to my dreams!

 Mum - Excited to see clouds from above, like marshmallow.

 This is really a hair band/wig. Adds some curls to your hair.

 The legendary mango sticky rice that is oh-so-yummy!

 The lotus flower near our hotel

 P2 Boutique Hotel on the right with the green signboard.

 Mum adjusting her newly bought scarf.

 Tadaah! Looking young and pretty!

Lotus flower blooms!

In this new academic year, I am entrust to supervise an FYP student! Excited or not I don't know. I don't know if I'm cut-out to be a good teacher and I guess now its the time to find out! Knowing myself, I'm not the most patient kind of person around. I dislike explaining because it makes me feel so long-winded. But at the same time, I feel a sense of satisfaction when my students understood what I taught them and its so meaningful when I'm able to impart my skills and knowledge to them. Lol so contradicting! But, quoting  the top phrase of my boss, 'it'll be fun...!'
;)

Have you ever tried the street/roadside food stall in Bangkok? Well, I know that for some people, it takes a little courage for them to do that. But for me? I think it comes all naturally! The hygiene of the food was never on my worry list. I trust the hawkers and the fact that many people are enjoying their food is an indication that its safe right? I feel that the way to really experience the life of the locals will be to immerse in their lifestyle and culture. Although through my Thai friend, I learnt that only people of the lower class dine at roadside stalls, while the middle class dine at stalls that at least have a roof; for Thai people themselves also worry about food hygiene! Hahaha. But nonetheless,  I still enjoy roadside stalls and the taste of the wanton noodles is unforgettable!

I know I have made the right decision dragging  my Mum to Bangkok when she suggested going back again in Oct! :)

Weather was good throughout our 5 days in Bangkok, except for the short downpour during the afternoons. It was sunny but not humid, which was still acceptable and comfortable. We started our days on average around 8am (Thai time) with breakfast either at the hotel/food street outside or the loot we brought back. After breakfast, mummy would insist that we drink a cup of warm water and wait for the magical toilet moment. Yup, I swear I was much more healthy (in this context) during these days than back home! Hahaha.

Anyways, we then set off with a 10 minutes morning walk to Bangkok's main shopping district. The thing I like about this trip was the unexpected places we went and things/clothes that I didn't expect to be found in that place. (Yes, my whole mind was only at platinum mall because everyone has been telling me how big and well-equipped it is.) The first day was spent at platinum mall zone 3, which was the newest building with Novotel above it. It is a 6 storeys mall full of clothes, bags, shoes and accessories. As with many parts of the world, Bangkok was also hit by the Korean fashion which is kind of a bad thing for me because I'm not inclined towards Korean style! I'm sure my friends would be disappointed that my biggest loot wasn't from the legendary platinum mall. =P However,  I managed to buy this brownish-orange Korean styled pants which I really love a lot! As usual, it was no trying and I took a gamble by buying the 'M' size. And guess what, I wasn't able to fit into that pants! Big hips and butt! And adding on to it, my mum was able to fit it in more comfortably than me! Time to slim down my butts and get my waistline back! So anyways, luckily we had a super easy time exchanging to 'L' size and the shop keeper even suggested to try on the pants at the toilet. Super like! 

Other shopping malls with unexpected findings was the Palladium mall, diagonally opposite platinum mall. According to the shop tenants there, palladium mall should be a mall associated with a hotel. However, 2 years into the construction, only the 1st 3 levels are furnished. Levels 4-6 are still under construction. This resulted in a large number of tenants backing out and thus palladium mall is not popular among the tourist. But anyway, since palladium mall is the first mall we will walk past from our hotel, mummy and I decided to take a look. As expected, the mall was much empty and lifeless. However, when we took a closer look, there were actually shops that sell good quality and pretty stuff! We manage to find a shop selling jeans for 299B (~S$12) and better still, there was a fitting room! Shop owner was very nice and funny, literally taking out all his jeans for us to try. While I was trying on the jeans, mum was practicing her Thai language with the uncle, like a chicken talking to a duck. Hehe. In the end, I managed to get 2 pair and mum 1 pair of jeans! So happy!

Next, we chance upon a shoe shop run by this old lady who knows a little of Teochew. This shop sells shoes by the brand girlie, which is surprisingly rarely found in platinum mall. I bought 2 pairs of girlie shoes because they are just so beautiful, soft and comfortable! Happy again! 

We then had lunch at the foodcourt. We tried the braised pork rice, fried morning glory (kang kong) and lemon grass soup noodles. Although Thailand is famous for its fragrant jasmine rice, they do not seem to use it in the foodcourt. Most of the rice I've tasted are very rough and not fragrant at all. Very disappointed with that. Having eaten braise pork rice from both the foodcourt and roadside hawker, I vote the roadside one to be more tasty! This is also true for the noodles. The roadside stall wonton noodles was really awesome!! 

After filling our stomach, we continued walking the mall and came across this shop that sells sports attire and t-shirts. The shop lady was very nice and friendly. The sports attire was really of good material and very comfortable, such that mummy and I returned the next day to get more of it. The friendly lady even remembered us! I also bought 2 other Thailand t-shirts with colourful elephants on it. Very pretty! 

Just as we decided to make our way to platinum mall, it rained and we did not have any umbrella. Hence, we decided to have a coffee break and went to the foodcourt again. Mum tried the blue mountain coffee and I tried the cappuccino. The coffees turned out to be awesome for the very basic reason that the beans were grind on the spot! So it was really fresh and fragrant coffee! I like the blue mountain for its after taste, although I cannot describe it. 

After the coffee break, as we make our way to the exit, again, we chance upon a shop that sells bright coloured lycra type shirts. We were attracted by the good looking colours, nice coloour and good quality of the shirts that mum and I each bought a number of them! 

Finally, we left palladium mall with so many unexpected and surprised findings. Much as I wanted to continue shopping in platinum mall, it was already near evening and we were carrying so many things, which was a hassle to lug along to platinum mall. In the end, mummy and I decided to make our make back to the hotel  to rest before heading out again later at night to the night market. 

Awesome day 1! ;)