A Little Late, But Worth the Wait

Hello my old friends!!! It’s Remy Doo here, writing to you from sunny, warm  (90°F...Is it really December!?!), beautiful Bangkok!! First off, I’d like to apologize for dropping off the radar!!! I’m sure you’ve all been holding your breath, waiting in suspense to hear what happens next in the life of Thai Noodle Remy. You weren’t??? Oh. Well, for those of you who are still reading, you’re really lucky because I’m back at it in BKK!!! I’ll try to fill you in and get you guys up to speed as quickly as possible.

These past couple months have been a complete blur! We’re just getting a chance to catch our breath, and the year is already coming to an end. Where did 2011 go??? Hmmmmm, let’s see….MOMMY AND DADDY GOT HITCHED!!! On September 10^th, 2011 my parents happily wed back home in California with the love and support of their closest family and friends. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend due to passport issues. Sad to say, but this wiener can’t cross the Thai border until we’re leaving for good. I was definitely there in spirit though!

Mad Photography Props to Marc Fiorito! 

Cody Rasmussen working his magic!

One of my favorites! Wish I could have been there! (Photo Credit - Marc Fiorito)

After their wedding, mommy and daddy went on an amazing honeymoon to Mauritius. Up until checkout time, the entire trip was perfect. It’s such a beautiful place with lots of wonderful memories, so it definitely deserves a post of it’s own! I’ll fill ya more in on that trip later!

When they returned home to Bangkok, it was clear their relaxing honeymoon was over! While away in Mauritius my parents didn’t quite stay on top of the news (Understandable, right??? It was their honeymoon!), so they were a little unaware a wave of floodwater was approaching Bangkok. When they went to the grocery to stock up, they were shocked to find empty shelves. No water, no rice, no noodle cups, and slim pickings’ on the canned food aisle. Lucky for them there was still plenty of Campbell’s Minestrone and Tomato Soup available. Wonder why? Apparently, not too popular with the Thais. After a few stops at various grocery stores, they were able to scrape together a decent emergency supply kit. With the high tide coming that weekend, they were as prepared as possible and ready to brace for it.

The only water left was the imported stuff. Pricey Perrier or Expensive Evian!!! 

The high tide came and went, and our house along with most of inner Bangkok remained dry and above water. It was unfortunate timing, but daddy was forced to leave on a business trip while we were still in crisis mode. With mixed signals from the media, it was hard to tell whether we were actually going to flood. For several nights I had horrible dreams that I was floating away like a tiny piece of driftwood. Did I already mention there are crocodiles in the water? Yep! Honestly, what croc wouldn’t want to take a bite out of a plump lil’ cocktail weenie?? I was definitely on alert and kept my floaties close by.

Another round of high tides was due to hit, and from what we could tell this was going to be it. Daddy came home early from his business trip to pick up mommy and me, and we evacuated Bangkok along with most of its nine million residents. Next thing I knew, I was on a flight down to Phuket. Although, unlike the flight from the U.S. I didn’t get any drugs :( Boo! I still rocked it though!

Evacuation Phuket!!!

We laid low in Phuket for a few days, wondering if we would have a dry home to return to. Even though our time there was stressful, I definitely think I could get used to beach life! Once the high tide passed, we were extremely relieved and thankful our neighborhood and home were unaffected. Unfortunately not everyone was as lucky.

For the past several weeks grocery store shelves have been a bit bare, and it has been difficult to find bottled water. Things finally seem to be returning to normal though. Except for the sandbags that appear to have taken up permanent residency. Some people even built concrete walls in front of their stores and homes, possibly as a permanent addition. The piles of sandbags almost seem less out of place than the Christmas decorations. Fake snow??? It’s 90 degrees out people! I’m headed to the pool to work on my tan!

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Relaxation!!!

In celebration of a double whammy weekend - The 4^th of July, and mommy and daddy’s engagement anniversary - my parents headed down south to Khao Lak for a relaxing beach getaway. This might be pretty obvious, but Independence Day isn’t quite the same when celebrated living abroad. In an effort to keep their mind off all the fun festivities that were going on 14 hours behind them back home, and to simply keep the all-American spirit alive, mommy and daddy decided what better than to head to the beach and start their own 4^th of July tradition. The ingredients of which included sun, sand, som tam (spicy papaya salad), and a steady flow of refreshing tropical cocktails.

Located on the azure waters of the Andaman Sea, the resort has a front-row-center seat for some of the most romantic sunsets a couple could ask for. With the Indian ocean, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and other exotic locales just over the Western horizon, my parents enjoyed spending many lazy evenings watching the golden sun retire for the night.

This picture could be a postcard!

It's all about the personal touches...a warm welcome note and bottle of bubbly from the hotel G.M.

Don't let the bed towel elephants bite! 

Unfortunately for me, I checked in to a different hotel than mommy and daddy. On the upside, occupancy was low at my pet motel so I was able to get some nice one-on-one time with my doggy sitters, and I also got upgraded to a corner suite at no additional charge. My high-tech room was even equipped with a web cam so mommy and daddy could periodically log in and see what I was up to. 

Who's this bitch?!?!

Apparently mommy and daddy made friends with a hat (beach) dog. Not sure how I feel about this.

Watch your back sweetheart! I'll always be mommy and daddy's favorite hot dog!

Life's a beach :)

The idea behind mommy and daddy’s weekend getaway was to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate. Or, what I refer to as the three R’s of life. Much more important than that Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic stuff.  My parents weekend agenda included beach yoga, sunbathing, swimming in the pool, running on the beach, taking a dip in the ocean, sipping a mai tai, reading a book in a cozy cabana, taking another dip in the ocean, enjoying a lychee martini…you get the point!

Mommy's a lobster!

I love my family!

Mai tai or mojito...that's the question!!!

Once again, we live in THE LAND OF SMILES :)

The one-eyed stinker ;)

This guy's got mad skills!!!

Cheap Sangiovese = Pricey Sangiovese in Thailand (Standard price multiplied by four to account for the 400% import duties on wine!)

Som tam (spicy papaya salad) in the making!

Gai hor bai toey (deep fried marinated chicken wrapped in Pandan leaf)

Gaeng phed ped yang (roasted duck in red curry with pineapple)

Phad kra-proaw moo rue gai rue nuea (sauteed minced beef with hot Thai basil)

Bua loi (tapioca balls in warm coconut milk)

Kaeng buat fak thong (pumpkin custard with coconut ice cream)

It turns out their relaxation recipe was a complete success! A weekend at the beach was the perfect way to unwind from busy BKK city-life, rest up, and relieve some pent up stress. You know what they say…the wind in your hair, and sand between your toes, will make you forget all your worries and woes. Actually, I guess no one really says that, it’s more of a personal motto. A pretty darn good one, if ya ask me! 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is my mommy....lovin' life!

R+N = Bow Chicka Bow Wow!!!

Konichiwa Bitches!!!

After literally years of anticipation, mommy finally got to accompany daddy on her first trip to Japan. After living in Japan for two years and studying the culture and language for nearly twelve years of his life, it undoubtedly holds a very special place in daddy’s heart and he couldn’t wait to share it with his best friend. Unfortunately this was a business trip for daddy, so it was by no means a vacation. I guess someone’s gotta work! I know I’m certainly not bringing much to the table! Even with daddy’s busy work schedule, they still managed to squeeze in a few side trips on the weekends and partied it up at night. While daddy was out working the market, mommy was busy taking solo sightseeing trips throughout the city and attempting to conquer the intricate and complicated Tokyo train systems that apparently even the Japanese get lost on!

Japanese Railways

On their first day in Tokyo they visited Meiji Jingu (Shinto Shrine) and Sensoji (Buddhist Temple) in Asakusa. They were blessed with a very good luck fortune at Meiji, but weren’t so lucky at Sensoji. They made sure to tie up their bad fortune along with all the other unlucky readings so it could be “blown away” in the wind. They strolled through Harajuku, a popular fashion district where young individuals come out every Sunday to express their creativity and unique fashion styles. Being stuck in school uniforms six days a week, many individual's clothing choices are very "unique" to say the least!

Sacred Doorway at the Meiji Shrine 

We wish for health and happiness for our friends and family :)

Sensoji Temple

Mommy's luck sucked!

While daddy was out selling wine, mommy ventured all around Tokyo. She walked the entire perimeter of the Imperial Palace hoping to get a glimpse of the Emperor, shopped till she dropped (AKA ran out of Yen) in Shibuya Square, visited Kichijoji Park where couples can rent swan paddle boats and test their love out on a cursed pond, and even took a trip to the Sapporo Factory and Yebisu Beer Museum. A beer tour by your self, mommy? Kind of pathetic to drink alone, but I probably would have done the same!

Nijubashi Bridge outside the Imperial Palace

Security guard offered to take a picture of mommy...she must have looked lonely!

SHIBUYA SQUARE!!!

Kichijoji Park

Mommy getting her Yebisu drink on!

Mommy met up with daddy after work one evening to have dinner with his local importer. The food and wine was fantastic! After dinner the whole sales crew took them out for a proper karaoke experience. They sang a duet to “Party in the USA”, mommy belted out “California Girls”, and daddy rocked out to Backstreet Boys and even serenaded mommy with a few classic love songs in Japanese!!! Luckily she got it all on camera!

Mottox Wine Dinner

PEACE!

Daddy hitting the high notes at Karaoke!

At the end of the workweek, they blasted down to Kyoto on the Shinkansen (bullet train) cruising at speeds of 300 kilometers per hour. During the day they visited Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu Temple. Both of them were absolutely breathtaking. Pictures don’t quite do them justice! At night they strolled through the streets and narrow alleyways of Gion where it’s not uncommon to see traditional Japanese Geishas all dolled up in white makeup, dressed to the nines in extravagant kimonos, and clanking down the street in wooden getas. They wandered off the beaten path dipping into small izakayas and restaurants, getting curious stares and glances when they entered the typically Japanese-only establishments. Everyone was quickly blown away when they heard daddy’s Japanese!!!

Daddy looks like a stud in his biz suit!

Eki Bento + Chu Hi = Breakfast of Champions

I LOVE GOOOOOOLLLLDD!!! Kinkaku-ji - The Temple of the Golden Pavilion!

Kiyomizu Temple 

Daddy purifying his hands and mouth before entering the temple. 

Gorgeous Geishas!

In between sightseeing mommy and daddy spent most of their time sipping sake, umeshu, and chu hi, or chugging Asahi beer while gorging on local cuisine….sushi, udon noodles, shabu shabu, gyoza, tonkatsu, okonomiyaki, soba noodles, curry ramen, a ridiculous amount of fresh seafood, daikon salad, chili tofu, basashi (Look it up! Daddy didn’t tell mommy what it was until after she ate it. He usually does this if he thinks she’ll be skeptical. The trick works every time! Surprisingly she usually likes it too!). Even the eki bentos (boxed lunches) they picked up at the train station were delicious! They probably gained a few L-B’s on this trip! I’m sure they’ll be hitting the gym hard this week!

Tonkatsu - Breaded Pork Cutlet

Dinner with Aki and his family

Sushi spread!

Tempura

The makings of Shabu Shabu

Okonomiyaki - Pancake Omelet

Soba Noodle Bowl and Shrimp Gyoza

Basashi - (psst...it's raw horse!)

Sake Box!

They made lots of wonderful memories during the nine days they visited Japan, but there are still so many beautiful places to explore. I’m sure they’ll definitely be back soon! While they were gone I stayed at our neighbor’s house who recently moved here from Tokyo. I had so much fun running around and playing with Yuki and Pal (collies) that the nine-day separation went by really fast. I heard from Yuki and Pal that Tokyo has lots of cute mini doxies, apparently since we’re good dogs for small apartments. I’m hoping maybe mommy and daddy will bring me home a girlfriend next time they visit. A guy can dream, right? Until then, I’m just happy my parents are home and I have my two new best friends next door to play with. Until next time, sayonara!

She doesn't know it yet, but she's my future lover!