Life Updates

I seem to start a lot of post with "it's been a long time since I post on here...", and this one is one of them. It's been a few weeks since the semester ended and I've been staying at home, enjoying the summer.

Being in a small town, everything seems to lessen, in many ways, such as food is a lot cheaper, the days seems to be less stressed (minus the sound of my siblings scream around the house), and everything seems to go back to simpleness.

An example that I could think of right now is seeing friends. Back in the city when you want to meet your friends back, you actually have to arrange the schedule and make sure they are free. Well, things are more simple in my small town: when you want to see your friends, you simply just go to their house and wait out. Like, I would actually yell my friend's name in front of her house to get her to come out and that is normal here in Thoen. In the same way, she would just knock the window of my room or just open the door to come inside. There's no need for politeness or anything. To other people who don't understand this Thai simpleness, it would be quiet rude to say the least. Barging  into someone else's house sounds a bit much, but when it is your friend's house, it is okay here.

Another example is when I went on a ride around town with my dad; my uncle was sick and my dad wanted to visit him. Along the way, people would yell across the street, asking my dad how he's been and what he is up to.

Here's the thing: in Thailand, there are many ways you could say hello or asking them how they are doing. Saying things such as "where you're going" implies that you are noticing them and you wanted to say hello. Saying things such as "did you eat yet" is the same thing as how are you. If they answered, "yes" or "will be eating soon" means they are doing well. If they answered "no, I haven't eat" means that they are busy. However, if they replied with, "I'm not hungry", that means something is wrong and they might be upset about something. Typically, I would go with the "will be eating soon" to let them have a peace of mind that I am happy and well-fed.

In addition, Thai people (especially those in my small town) would know how you are feeling based on your weight. That's right. In America or other places, saying that someone is fat is considered very rude whereas in Thailand. saying someone is fat means you noticed that they look healthy and they might even crack a joke by saying, "you need to loose some weight". However, if you loose some weight, they might ask if something is wrong since food is very important amongst the Thais: if you eat, that means you are healthy. If you don't, that means you are sad.

I had many people said to me, "you got a lot fatter" when I first came back from America and that really bothered me at first since I had this mindset that everyone's bodies are their own business and saying someone is fat is rude. But then I came to understand about Thai's culture more. It's not rude. It's just a way that people show you that they care.

Last thing I want to say about why I love this small town is the peacefulness. I know, it's hard to imagine when you're living with 8 siblings who are going into their teenage years and likes to blast music. But it is very peacefully here.

In the morning, when I wake up early, I could smell the fresh air as well as feeling the cool breeze flowing along my skin. The sound of bird chirping happily as they hop from trees to trees. Or the way the rain drips from the window to the dirt floor, creating this earthy aroma mixed in with the smell of wild roses that my brain would always register as the smell of home.

I don't know, college is starting in a few weeks and I'm gonna miss this. I have a semester left and the next one after that is internship. I feel like I've came a long way since the time that I started to write in this blog.

Anyways, stay inspired!!

Much...much...love,

Gemma

Q&A: Do you prefer outside or inside?

Hi, all!

So, I just downloaded an app that gives a question for you to write in your journal each day. Well, I think it would be fun to start writing more. To be honest, when I stopped blogging for so long, coming back to it was hard. I don't know. Perhaps I just don't know what to write about. This would be a good baby-steps for me. 

First question I came across: Do you prefer outside or inside?

Since I was in my middle school in Thailand, way back when my house doesn't have wifi, I use to read lots of book and just spend my time writing my novel on my laptop (that doesn't have internet). I don't go out much as Thailand was soooo hot and still is. Well, later when I went to America for my high school years, I am still that girl who prefers indoors. 

One of the conversation I remember with Jen and Josh, my American family who took me in during my years there, was "why don't I have a curfew?" I remember one of my friend saying that they have a "before the sun goes down" curfew. But why didn't I have one? Well, Jen replied with "well, you never went out." So, basically, I don't have any curfews because I never went anywhere. I was that girl who when school ends at 4:45, I would be home at 4:50 or no more than 5. I remember that I read a lot of books and spend a lot of time just painting and drawing. One of the reasons was because I had an "internet curfew", in a way. One hour of internet each day and two on the weekends. It helps a lot with making the most of my time with things other than the internet. 

Moving forward to college, I have a lot more freedom. No longer do I have limited internet time or having to be home at a certain hour, I have that right to make a choice. To choose to use all my days on the internet or to come home after midnight. However, I could honestly say that I prefer more of the indoors. For me, I still do enjoy reading books and being in my room or at least staying around the dorm. True that as I got older, I had to get around to other places such as eating out or going to the mall, I still enjoy being in the comfort of my home or at least my dorm room. 

What about you? Do you prefer outside or inside?

Alrighty, I think that's it for today. Hope you enjoy! If you have any questions for me, feel free to ask them in the comments. :)

Much...much..love,

Gemma

Behind my eyelids

           Haven't been writing in this blog in a long time. So long. Well, I don't know how to get back into it, but it has to start somewhere, right? Well, I wrote a small piece for a literature class. It was supposed to be a first draft of a travel writing. Since I have been so busy with assignments, this is quite an escape of this fast-paced world. As much as I can feel the hot sun on my neck in this hot weather of Thailand, this work is all fictional and I created it out of my own imagination. So..here goes. 

I lift up my face, accepting the hot rays of sun, and the fresh breeze that hits me in earnest. Behind my eyelids, I can hear the gentle coos of the ocean pulling in and out. I open my eyes. I see the lacework of palm trees above me, and the corner of my lips rises. Far ahead, I see miles of clear water and as I walk closer to where the wave pulls, I take my shoes off. The feeling of the warm sand reminds me of my childhood when I came here with my family a few years back. Those memories are what makes this place special in my heart. I walk on the wet sand as the cool waves lick at my feet. Spotting some sparkles in the golden shore, I bend down to pick up the varieties of seashells. Pinks, oranges, purples. The feeling of its rough shell prickles against my hand and the feeling of the soft sand between my fingers… I sigh in happiness bliss. 

Much..much..love,

Gemma

Winter (Haiku Poem)

Cold wind nipped my cheeks
Kissing the hot summer sun -
It whispered, "here comes."

A lovely surprise in the dark...

What is your fear? Is it… a strange scratching voice you hear outside the window when you’re on the second floor? Is it…a sound of heavy footsteps near your bed when you live alone? Or is it the feeling that there’s someone there, in the dark corner of the room?

I’ve never been much of a fan of the dark. You see, it makes me see things when, perhaps, there’s nothing there at all. But once in a while, I like the thrill of the dark – walking into the room with no night except for my phone. I don't know why I that because that is how most people get killed in horror movies, but I know I'll never do this again.

You know where I’m going with this, right? Well, today I woke up at 11 but it’s pretty cloudy outside…dark and gloomy. I was addicted to this show called Outlander since last night so I continue to watch it as I brush my teeth. However, through all this, I kept the light off except the luminescent of my iPad. Being so engage in the screen, I really did care much about anything else.

Alas, here’s the scary, horrifying, and disturbing moment. As I flush, there was an unknown thing in the toilet. No poop jokes here. I was not wearing glasses and the light was not on. I thought I dropped my phone like I almost did last time. Yet, I was holding nothing but my iPad so what was that thing?

The moment I turned on the light, I jumped so far back my head hit the wall. Inside toilet bowl…there was a…big…sized…rat. Yep. I said rat because it was the side of my hand. I’m getting chills just thinking back to it. Its empty eyes stared blankly at me. Ugh. I ran downstairs to tell the front desk to remove the rat from my bathroom. You know what’s worst? It was still alive, swimming causally in the water.

All right. Bring on the poop jokes but there’s nothing funny about seeing a rat trying to climb up the toilet you just sat on. So here’s the lesson of the day: pay attention to the surroundings (yes, that means putting down the electronic devices once in a while) and, mind you, don’t walk into a dark room.

Much..much..love,

Gemma.

Ps. This is not my picture as I was scared out of my mind when I saw it to take out my phone and snap a picture. So I googled 'rat in the toilet' and this guy showed up. It's super gross and apparently had happened to some people too. Oh, and as I am typing this, I turned the air-con in my office and there was a squeaking sound and a soft thump in the machine. Ew. Ew. Ew. Needless to say, I had to run fast and upload this quick. K. Bye. 

ในวันที่ฝนพรำ

         

          อากาศเป็นสิ่งที่ไม่แน่นอนเนอะ บางครั้ง แม้พยากรณ์จะบอกว่าวันนี้ ท้องฟ้าจะแจ่มใส แต่กลับมีฝนซะจนได้ ก็เหมือนชีวิตของคนเรานั้นแหละ เป็นสิ่งที่ไม่แน่นอน แต่เคยได้ยินคำคมที่ว่า ฟ้าจะใสหลังฝนไหม บางครั้ง เราต้องผ่าน 'สายฝน' ซะก่อน ถึงจะได้เห็นรุ้งที่สวยงามในชีวิต ^^

          เอาละ ในเมื่อใกล้ฤดูฝนแล้ว (อย่างน้อยก็แถวภาคเหนือน่ะนะ ฝนตกวันเว้นวันเลย) เรามาคิดวิธีไล่ความเหงาช่วงฝนตกกันเถอะ

          1. ในวันที่ฝนพรำ เป็นช่วงเวลาที่ควรอยู่บ้าน แล้วก็เปิดหนังดีๆ ซักเรื่อง ชอบหนังรัก หนังตลก หนังผีไง ก็จัดไป สำหรับพวกที่มีแฟน ก็นั่งดูด้วยกัน (น่าอิจฉาจัง) ส่วนพวกที่โสดอยู่ (อย่างตัวเราเอง เฮ้ออออ T^T) ก็ชวนเพื่อนๆ มาซะ ไม่ก็ดูหนังกับพ่อแม่พี่น้องก็ได้ จะได้มีเวลาให้ครอบครัวด้วย แล้วก็ทำป๊อปคอร์น อร่อยยยยยยย >_<

          2. ทำอาหาร ฝนตก ก็หนาวใช่ไหมละ ลองเข้าครัว ทำโจ๊ก (คือ เราทำอาหารไม่ค่อยเป็นอ่ะนะ เลยได้แค่อาหารสำเร็จรูปเนี่ยแหละ) ทำต้มจืด อาหารอะไรที่เป็นน้ำซุปอ่ะ ทำเผื่อคนอื่นด้วย เพราะเราจะไม่ได้แค่อุ่นกาย แต่อุ่นใจด้วย (กิ๊วๆ)

          3. เขียนในไดอารี่ บางครั้ง เราใช้เวลาส่วนมาก กังวนเกี่ยวกับชีวิตในอนาคตจนเกินไป หรือคิดถึงอดีตมากจนเกินไป จนลืมคิดถึงสิ่งดีๆ ในชีวิตประจำวัน งั้นลองนับสิ่งดีๆ ที่เรามี หรือที่ม่าเรียกว่า Count your blessing เช่น วันนี้ได้ทานอาหารอร่อยๆ ฝีมือคุณแม่ วันนี้รถไม่ติด วันนี้เพื่อนที่ไม่ได้คุยกันนานโทรมา เป็นต้น การที่เราเริ่มมองในด้านดีที่เกิดขึ้น จะทำให้เรากลายเป็นคนมองโลกในแง่บวกในระยะยาวด้วยนะ ลองดูๆ

          4. ทำความสะอาดห้องซะ ใช่ สิ่งที่เราทุกคน เกลียดที่จะทำ และคอยสัญญาตัวเองบ่อยๆ ว่าจะทำแต่กลับผลัดวันประกันพรุ่งน่ะ ไม่ดีๆ ลองเริ่มจากเอาดอกไม้ (สดๆ) ไม่ก็กระถางดอกไม้เล็กๆ มาวางไว้ในห้องสิ ม่าเคยลองแล้วนะ แค่เอาดอกไม้กลิ่นหอมๆ มาไว้ในห้อง ก็สามารถช่วงให้เราอยากทำความสะอาดห้องได้ ต่อจากนั้น ก็พับผ้าห่มซะ จัดเตียงให้เรียบร้อย เอาเสื้อผ้าที่ซักแล้วไปวางไว้บนเตียงแล้วก็พับ เก็บใส่ตู้ เก็บของมาวางไว้ และแบ่งเป็นกองๆ ว่า กองนี้เอาไปเก็บไว้เข้าที่ กองนี้เอาทิ้ง กองนี้เอาให้คนอื่น จากนั้นก็กวาดถู ใช้เวลาว่างให้เป็นประโยชน์นะ ^_^

          5. ถามตัวเองสิ ว่าเรารู้จักเพื่อนบ้านมากแค่ไหน ทำไมไม่ลองจัดปาร์ตี้เล็กๆ ชวนเพื่อนบ้านหรือห้องข้างๆ มาละ ไม่จำเป็นต้องเป็นงานใหญ่อะไร อาจจะมีน้ำโซดา (เช่นน้ำโค้ก น้ำสไปร์ น้ำแดง) ขนมเลย์ อาจจะมีลูกชิ้นก็ดีนะ จะได้ทำความรู้จักเพื่อนบ้านไง เผื่อเวลามีอะไรจะได้ช่วยเหลือกัน 

          6. งัดรูปเก่าๆ ออกมาดูกับครอบครัวหรือเพื่อนๆ แล้วก็ระลึกถึงวันเก่าๆ ก็สนุกดีนะ ยิ่งถามคุณตา คุณยาย ให้เขาเล่าเรื่องสมัยก่อนให้ฟัง หรือถามคุณพ่อ คุณแม่ ว่าเจอกันยังไงนิ สนุกดี เป็นการสร้างความสัมพันธ์ในครอบครัวด้วย

          7. ออกกำลังกายเช่น โยคะ โดยส่วนตัวแล้ว เป็นคนที่เกลียดการออกกำลังกายมาก แต่อยากสวยก็ต้องดูแลสุขภาพนะคะ ทำโยคะระหว่างดูทีวีก็ได้ แนะนำให้ไปดูวีดีโอของ Blogilates  เจ้แกอยู่ในยูทูป ฟรีอีกต่างหาก มีท่าต่างๆ เช่น สำหรับคนที่อยากลดหน้าท้องโดยเฉพาะ ยืดกล้ามเนื้อ ฟรุ้งฟริ้งสุดๆ

          8. เสียงฝนพรำบวกกับอากาศเย็นๆ นี่น่านอนมาก เปิดหน้าต่างให้ลมกลิ่นฝนเข้ามา แล้วก็พันตัวเองด้วยผ้าห่มซะ จากนั้นก็หายใจเข้าออกลึกๆ ให้หนังตาค่อยๆ ย่อนลง....... คร้อก ฟี้ๆ Zzzzzzzz

          9. ได้เวลาเสริมความสวยเสริมความหล่อละ อาบน้ำนานๆ หมักผมซะ แล้วก็งัดสีทาเล็บแจ่มๆ ออกมาซะ สำหรับคุณผู้ชายแล้ว ใช่ว่าจะทาสีทาเล็บไม่ได้ซะหน่อย สีใสๆ อ่ะ ดีนะ ป้องกันเล็บจากรอยขิดขูด ยิ่งพวกที่เล่นกีตาร์แล้วอ่ะ ทาแล้วดีเลย จากนั้นก็มาส์กหน้าซะหน่อย เดี๋ยวนี้เขามีให้เลือกเยอะ อยากผิวขาว ผิวชุ่มชื่น ซื้อตุนไว้ก็ดี หรือทำเองก็ได้ เพียงผสมโยเกิร์ตกับน้ำตาลทรายแดงด้วยกัน อย่างละ 2 ช้อนก็โอเคแล้ว สำหรับพวกที่อยากลบรอยสิวก็บีบมะนาวเพิ่มไปหน่อย กิ๊บเก๋มากค่ะ ^__^ 

          10. ไอเดียสุดท้ายคือ ไม่ทำอะไรเลย อยู่เฉยๆ ก็รีแลกซ์ได้นะ ฝนตกแบบนี้ ถ้าเราไม่อยากทำอะไรก็ไม่ต้องทำ เนอะ ^__^ ไม่มีใครมาสั่งเราได้ อ่า เว้นแต่เราอยู่กะพ่อแม่น่ะนะ แต่ถึงงั้นก็เถอะ เราอยากทำอะไร ไม่อยากทำอะไรซะอย่าง ห้ามมิได้หรอก หุๆ ^0^

ด้วยรักมากมาย

เจมม่า

A perfect day for me

Hmmm.... It would look like this.

8.00 AM I would wake up early from my sleep without feeling tired. Then going downstairs to make myself a cup of coffee and maybe a little breakfast with rice porridge, pad pak boong, eggs and some sausage. Yum.
9.00 AM I would spend the morning catching up on my reading with some soft music in the background.
11:00 AM Get ready by hopping into a warm shower and then do my makeup. Maybe have my hair up and wear a dress. Find those shoes that makes me taller. Or maybe just some flats would do.
12:00 PM I would have some lunch with a family member or a friend. Maybe have some noodles at that one restaurant that I love.
1:00 PM Get a little ice cream cone or maybe just a bubble green tea shake.
2:00 PM Spend the rest of the afternoon watching a movie or maybe Gossip Girl.
4:00 PM I would love to do a little yoga or some stretches.
6:00 PM Help my pa and ma cook supper. It doesn't have to be something big but maybe have some soup, rice, veggies and some kind of meat. Grilled Chicken and some homemade spicy sauce with a squeeze of lime?
7:00 PM Have dinner and then family devotion. Even though I am horrible with guitar but once in a while, it would be nice to play it with Pa. Some easy worship songs.
8:00 PM Watch a Thai drama with the fam. It's a fun family bonding time. We would critic on how the actress would have a full on make up to bed or how someone who is sick always have white lips even if it's just a fever. But because it's chessy, we like it.
10:00 PM Would love to facetime with the Family in the US. Miss them so much!
11:00 PM This is almost to the bed time. I would spend it showering. Then put on all those layered night creams and body lotion, yes! Then go on facebook, Instragram, Hotmail and Youtube. Watch Bubzvlogs. Her vlogs always brightens my day. Then finish with reading the bible on my Ipad.
12:00 PM Sleep with my puppy, Dodo, by my side :)

Much..much..love,
Gemma

ดีพอไหม

        เคยคิดว่าตัวเองไม่ดีพอไหม? เคยคิดว่าตัวเองไม่มีทางทำอะไรได้ในชีวิตไหม? เคยคิดว่าตัวเองไร้ค่าไหม? เคยคิดว่าตัวเองทำอะไรก็ไม่สำเร็จและต้องพึ่งคนอื่นไหม?
        งั้นลองฟังเรื่องของม่าไหมละ...
        มันก็ผ่านมาไม่นานอ่ะนะ ที่ม่าได้เป็นนักเรียนในรั้วมัธยม แม้ว่าม่าจะใช้เวลานั้นอยู่ที่อเมริกา แต่วัยรุ่นมันก็เหมือนกันทุกที่แหละเนอะ มานึกๆ ดูแล้ว ตอนที่ม่าอยู่ม.ต้นกะม.ปลายน่ะ มันไม่เหมือนกันเลย

        ตอนม.ต้น ม่าเรียนอยู่ที่เมืองไทย ตอนนั้น เป็นเด็กที่ไม่เหมือนคนอื่นเลย ภาษาเหนือก็พูดไม่เก่ง พูดไทยยังไม่ค่อยชัดเลย อ่ะนะ มีเพื่อนเยอะก็จริง แต่เข้ากับใครไม่ค่อยได้ เพื่อนสนิทจริงๆ น่ะ นับด้วยมือข้างเดียวยังได้เลยแหละ แถมตอนที่ได้รู้จักกับเพื่อนสนิทน่ะ ม่าแกล้งเค้ามากเลย เพื่อนคนนั้นชื่อว่าจี ตอนม.1 ม่าคบกับเพื่อนๆ ที่เคยเรียนอยู่ประถม แล้วก็ช่วยกันล้อจีกะฝาแฝดของจีที่ชื่อแจน เราชอบเรียกเขาว่า จานชาม ตลกดีนะ เราแกล้งเขาจนเขาโกธร แต่เป็นเพราะอะไรก็ไม่รู้ ที่ทำให้เรามาเป็นเพื่อนกัน อาจจะเป็นเพราะเพื่อนที่เคยรู้จัก มาบอกว่า ที่ผ่านมา ไม่เคยเห็นเราเป็นเพื่อนเลย อาจจะเป็นเพราะม่ามันเข้าคนไม่ได้ แต่สุดท้ายแล้ว จีก็รับเราเป็นเพื่อน

        ม.ต้นอ่ะ ม่าจำได้ไม่เยอะเท่าไร จับได้เป็นภาพๆ น่ะ จำตอนที่ม่านั่งร้องไห้กับจีที่หน้าห้องภาษาไทยตอนที่โดนเพื่อนแกล้ง จำตอนที่ม่าวิ่งไล่จับกับเพื่อนชื่อกอล์ฟทั้งอาคาร จำตอนที่โกธรกับจีแล้วม่าเบื่อที่จะต้องไปง้อตลอด เลยโกธรกันเป็นอาทิตย์ แต่สุดท้ายก็ต้องกลับไปง้อ จำตอนที่เพื่อนๆ ใน 'แก๊งค์' มาทำงานที่บ้าน แล้วม่าก็ทำเรื่องอันน่าอับอายที่สุดแต่ไม่มีใครรู้ยกเว้นเพื่อนสามคนนั้น จำตอนที่โดนครูเรย์ ครูที่ดุที่สุดในโรงเรียนตีเพราะแอบเอาเครื่องสำอางไปโรงเรียน จำตอนที่ไล่ยืมแบตของเพื่อนๆ ในวันสอบตีแบต จำตอนที่เล่น hi5 แล้วก็พยายามแอดคนเยอะๆ จำตอนที่เต๊ะเพื่อนในห้องคนหนึ่งเพียงเพราะมันหล่อจนหน้าหมั่นไส้แต่เราเขิน เลยเต๊ะซะ ฮ่าๆ จำตอนงานกีฬาสี ที่ม่าไปรอเขาแต่งหน้าให้ตั้งแต่เที่ยงคืนแล้วก็ต้องรอจนถึงแปดโมงเช้า ถึงได้แต่ง จำตอนที่พี่ปลาไปหาครูแทนพ่อแม่ แล้วเพื่อนในห้องกลัวกัน ฮ่าๆ จำตอนที่หลับในคาบจนครูที่สอนปล่อยให้หลับจนเลยคาบเที่ยง แล้วทุกๆ วัน ม่าก็จะกินเมนูเดิมๆ คือ ลาบ ผัดลูกชิ้น และ แคบหมูพริกเผา บางวันก็อาจจะกินก๋วยเตี๋ยวหมี่เหลือง แต่ก็มีแค่สองอย่างนี้แหละ 

        เวลาผ่านไปเร็วมากอ่ะ แปปๆ ก็ม.ปลาย ได้มีโอกาสไปเรียนที่อเมริกา ได้ทำอะไรหลายอย่างที่ไม่เคยทำ เช่น ชมรมการแสดง เรียนร้องเพลง เข้าชมรมหนังสือพิมพ์โรงเรียน เป็นกัปตันทีมฟุตบอล เข้าทีมเต้นของโรงเรียน เข้าค่ายอาสาสมัครที่ประเทศแม็คสิโกกับโดมินิกัน รีพัพริค เรียนแต่งเพลง เรียนศิลปะ เรียนเย็บจักร และ อีกหลายอย่าง ลองหมด แต่เหมือนม.ต้น ม่าก็ไม่ได้ให้การเรียนเต็มร้อย 

        ไม่ว่าจะวิชาอะไร ม่าก็หาทางทำอย่างอื่น เช่น คุยกะเพื่อน เล่นกะแฟน อ่านหนังสือ ฟังเพลง กินขนม ซึ่งผลที่ได้กลับมาคือ คะแนนที่ไม่เต็มร้อยเช่นกัน

         ได้มองย้อนกลับไปแล้ว ม่าควรทำได้ดีกว่านี้ จริงๆ ม่าก็ไม่คิดว่าตัวเองโง่ แต่ขาดการคิดว่าตัวเองทำได้มากกว่า ตัวอย่างเช่น ม่าเกลียดคณิตมาก แต่พอทำความเข้าใจแล้ว กลับคิดว่ามันสนุก ตลกไหมละ วิทยาศาสตร์ที่ม่าไม่ชอบนักหนาตอนม.ต้น กลับเป็นหนึ่งในวิชาที่ม่าชอบที่สุด วิชานั้น ม่าจะตื่นเต้นทุกครั้งที่เข้าเรียน ยิ่งวิชาที่ต้องทดลอง โอ๊ยยยย! สนุกที่สุด ถึงขนาดร้องเพลงธาตุอ่ะ คิดดู (หาฟังได้ที่อินสตาแกรมนะ ไอดี khungemma) แต่ที่ทำให้ม่าแปลกใจมากที่สุดคงเป็นวิชาศิลปะ ตอนม.ต้น ม่าจะจ้าง (ใช้) จีให้ทำงานส่งครู เพราะคิดว่าทำเองไม่ได้ แต่พอได้มาลองวาดรูป ลองจับภูกันแล้ว แม้ว่ารูปจะไม่สวยงามที่สุดแต่มันก็คือความภูมิใจอย่างหนึ่ง ที่สิ่งที่ได้จินตนาการ สามารถถ่ายทอดออกมาได้ 

        ซึ่งผลก็มาจากการที่ม่าลองเข้าชมรมต่างๆ ที่ไม่เคยลองมาก่อน แม้ว่าตอนแรกๆ ม่าคิดว่ามันอาจจะไม่ได้ผล แต่พอม่าคิดซะว่า ถ้าลองแล้วชอบมาก็ดี แต่ถ้าไม่ชอบก็ลองอย่างอื่น มันไม่ได้เกิดขึ้นเพราะคนอื่นแนะ แต่เกิดขึ้นเพราะการตัดสินใจของตัวม่าเองต่างหาก เพราะฉะนั้น อย่ารอให้มันถึง 'เวลา'

และ อย่ารอให้โอกาสมา แต่เปิดโอกาสให้ตัวเอง อย่าคิดว่าเราทำไม่ได้ เพียงเพราะเราเอาตัวเองไปเปรียบเทียบกับคนอื่น มันต้องมีสักอย่างแหละ ที่เราเก่ง ไม่ว่าจะเป็น การร้องเพลง การแสดง การเล่นดนตรี การทำอาหาร การพูด แม้แต่การฟัง ใช่ บางคนก็เป็นผู้ฟังที่ดีนะ นั้นก็เป็นความสามารถอย่างหนึ่งเหมือนกัน จริงไหม?
         ลองมองรอบๆ ตัวสิ ที่เราคิดว่าเราทำไม่ได้น่ะ มันเป็นเพราะอะไร เป็นเพราะฟังคนอื่นหรือเปล่า งั้นก็ถอยห่างจากคนๆ นั้นซะ เป็นเพราะเรามัวแต่ใช้เวลาจิ้มหน้าจอ อยู่กับอินเตอร์เน็ตหรือเปล่า งั้นก็วางลงซะ แล้วออกไปข้างนอก ไม่พึ่งคิดว่า เราทำไม่ได้หากเรายังไม่ได้ลองนะ 

         อะไรที่ผ่านมาแล้ว ก็ถือซะว่ามันเป็นอดีตแล้วก็นำประโยชน์ที่ได้กับมัน มาใช้ และ บอกต่อกับคนอื่นๆ อย่าคิด ว่าเราไม่ดีพอ คนอื่นจะสวยจะหล่อจะดีแค่ไหนก็ช่างเขา อย่าเอาเขามาเปรียบเทียบกับตนเอง แค่เราคิดว่าเราฉลาดพอ ดีพอ สวยหล่อพอ ก็ดีที่สุดแล้วละ มีความมั่นใจในตัวเองซะ 

         เราทำได้อยู่แล้ว ทำได้แน่นอน เราต้องสู้ต่อไป ลองอะไรไหมๆ ค้นหาสิ่งที่เรารักและก็ทุ่มเทกับมัน เนอะ ^^

ด้วยรักมากมาย

เจมม่า

The Powder Blue Room

     I have spend most of my summer in my bedroom. I know, I know. It's sad. Haha, but I don't know, I'm just a homie (?) person. I love to be in my own room and just chill.
     My room is small and it's connects to the living room. Which means, in the house of 11 people, they don't have to knock the door, don't need to even text - they just yell my name from across the house and I'll be able to hear it just fine.
     My room is a powder blue color with autumn pallet colors including gold, orange, light green and teal. The moment you open the door, you will be greeted by this black bookshelves. On top of it, is my "vintage" cameras that has been passed down from my father. Then there's books, lots of them. Most of it, I have read more than thrice. I didn't realized that I love books until recently. I'm mean, it does makes sense since whenever I go somewhere, I would bring at lease a book and well, my ipod of course :)
     But, staying in this room for so long, I feel like I have lost my creative side. Maybe it's just me. But waking up and being on the Internet is just isn't healthy. I recall those days when I can only be on the computer for one hour on school nights and two for weekends. Ha, those weren't fun. But it was good for me. I think that's what I should do too. Limit myself to maybe a couple hours a day and that's it.
      I should spend the rest of the time doing something outside. Maybe go visit a friend. Or go eat at some place new. Huh, sounds fun to me. Through out this summer, I have picked a new hobby which is guitar. It would be cool to bring my guitar to the park and play it. Well, that wouldn't be a good idea actually since someone died there. Sad.
      I have less than a month, less than 2 weeks even, to relax in this room before I go back to college and stay at the dorm with my new roommate whom I met a week ago. Her name is Se Ryun. She's pretty awesome :)
      Well, that's all I have to say for now. I haven't been writing in this blog a lot since I started a diary. But I will post on here more.

Much..much..love,
Gemma

It's only the beginning

     
       It seems so often that a post starting with, "it's been a while since..." comes up. Right? Well, this is another post like that.

       I just finished my first semester in college like last week. Oh my my, it was horrid to sleep for only a few hours because of study to do the test. Not wanting to go through that again. *Note to self: study a little at lease a month before exams week.

       So how's my college experience you ask? Well, you wanna hear the bad parts or the good parts first? See, when I lived with Jen and Josh, we used to do this thing at dinner called High and Lows. I usually prefer the lows first since after that comes a high, like a roller coaster, if you know what I'm mean. I think it is best to go with the bad parts first rather than telling the good parts then be sad later. Yeah?

       Here comes the bad part. It wasn't the math (which if you know me, you'll know that I hate math with a passion and I frequently say so) or the small room in the dorm that bother me. Nor was the food that everyone seems to get sick of or how there's so many astray dogs around the campus. It was me. 

       Since my Thai is not good, and my English is not perfect - sometimes I felt out of place. The very first day of college, I felt like I was in a place where I belong. But it was just my thoughts, you see. In reality, people don't really like me. It was like I was back in middle school; the girl who hid her face, her identity, her voice and even that, still gets bullied. 

       This is why I love my experience during High School at Hope Academy so much because I can be me. I can run around, sing in the hall way, eat lots of sweet, hug people and just be who I am without a care of the world and my friends accept me for who I am. 

       It's just a comparison to college, here, I get hated for being me. They don't even know me yet they already judging me. It was just a bad experience. Also, there's this culture thing too. Maybe it's because I'm not Thai enough? Or it's because I get to comfortable with others? 

      I've heard someone told me once not to let people's words get to me but it's hard because words stings. It plunge into my heart like a thousand needles. 

      As I was searching Youtube, I came across this video by the Skit Guys and it just got me thinking, why should I care what others think of me? Every time I get hurt and keep it, it's like a baggage that I carry. A small baggage but it built up each day. Whom can take away my burden except God? My heart is wounded by words from others that it is hard to think that I can just ignore it. But God says to me, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)"

     So, I have learned that whatever happens, God will give me rest if I just let down my baggage. I don't need to change myself to please others but I need to learn how to love others even those who hates me. It's difficult and I have some tearful moments for it but it will be worth the tears, that, I believe.

      Now, to the good parts, I wanna thank you those friends who take me, a silly goose who always ask too much questions and can be noisy sometimes, to be their friends. I am so so so thankful. :) Also, I learn now that I can lead on people yet I need to be able to take care of myself when it is needed too, such as laundry. Gross as it sound, sometimes it would took me two weeks to finally take my laundry to wash. Haha! 

      It's a chance to grow, I think. For this period in my life, I've face my worst fear and cried myself to sleep a couple times but I've also been able to stand up for myself, learning to say no, be myself and to not follow the "cool" crowd. 

      And this is just the first semester. I'm not even through my Freshman year yet, I'm pretty sure that I will cry more but I know that I will get more laughs too! 

      College life has just begun! 

Much..much..love,

Gemma

      

My life, my culture, my current worldview

      My name is Jemimah Sakhounna Dove Chaisuk. I was named after one of Job’s daughters in the Bible. My name has always had a special meaning to me. It’s as if it is not only who I am, but who I want to be. The Bible's translation of my name is pure, warm and beautiful. Even so, while I believe name plays a big role in our lives, my name does not sum up the whole of who I am; there is much more to me than that.

       First things first, I hate math with passion. However, I have always loved science. I like learning about minerals and stones, dinosaurs and history, clouds and stars, the way things grow and life of the living things on earth. Learning things about our world fascinate me. During an Earth Science class in high school, this one fact really impacted me, and I often think about it: everyone sees their own personal rainbows.

       Rainbows are made of light that reflects from raindrops at different spots in the atmosphere. If you have two people watching one rainbow together, each would see a “different” rainbow because they are standing at different areas from different angles. Therefore, each one sees their own rainbow from their own point-of-view. It occurred to me that this is true in every aspect of life; everyone has their own view of their own life, and everything around them – from the angle they’re standing in to the way there were raised – impacts what they see.

        My view has been impacted from being an eldest of nine, living in multiple places, experiencing different cultures – collecting “spots” of life in the atmosphere of the world. It may seem complicated, but it is quite simple, actually. My worldview is this: God is in control of everything. That’s why the word history can be read as His-story. Everything that occurs is according to His plans. Take every day and wrestle with it, and learn from it. It’s sort of like “whatever happens, happens”.

       I acquired that lesson through wanting to be a missionary. My mother took it as an advantage; food that wasn’t pleasant (and when I refused to eat it), she averred that missionaries needs to endure anything; just like my grandparents and their grandparents established before them. That reason went with everything as I grow up. When I fell off my first bicycle ride, when I first got in a fist fight with my best friend and ended up dislocating my shoulder, having instant noodles to school for 2 weeks because we ran out of money, sleeping on the floor, etc. I accepted all of those things, some more easily than others, until one day my mom popped a question. “Do you want to go to America?” It took me only a few seconds to squeak out a yes. In my childish, seven year-old mind, I imaged America as the land of candies, chocolates and unicorns. Leaving my brothers and sisters in Thailand with my parents all to myself, sounded like a dream come true.

       Unfortunately, things didn't turn out the way I had dreamt. Leaving Thailand to a sunny town in New Mexico was the easy part. Living with a friend of my mother’s for the next ten months without my parents – was not. At that point, I don’t know any English except for the alphabet song. It was hard not knowing the language and being in a new country, especially without my parents. I should have felt alone. Instead, I smiled and never shed tears (except for once when I couldn't eat those scrumptious looking rum-filled chocolate on Thanksgiving).

        Having to figure things out on my own have helped me develop the ‘cold climate’ culture of independent; being on time; speaking my mind and fight for what’s right. From a shy girl who hides her face behind her hair, to a teacher’s assistant, I became one of the leaders of my class and helped around school as much as a 1^st grader could.

        My adventure soon ended and I return to Thailand. As hard as leaving was, coming back was just as difficult. I remember not knowing how to say “dad” in Thai. I couldn't eat spicy food. I was bullied by the kids in the neighborhood for speaking English, and most of all, I had forgotten what life was before I went to America. It was like relearning a language and a new culture all over again. My teachers reeducate me of the things I have forgotten such as respecting elders in a traditional greeting, bending my back when passing someone who is sitting, stepping quietly down the stairs, and eat more slowly. Even today, I still feel like an outsider; not being fully “American” yet not being fully Thai either.

           ‘Sabai sabai’ which means being comfortable and carefree is what I would call my culture. ‘Hot climate’ culture valued taking time to enjoy things. Sure, I like to take my time in eating food, doing my makeup, walking slowly, being late sometimes and being indirect once in a while. Even though I’m part of the “hot” climate culture, I also think it’s important to be on time, keep your promises, and yes means yes and no means no.

       I was just finally getting back into my Thai culture and feeling comfortable again, when I was offered a chance to return to America. At the age of 15, I traveled back overseas and received yet another culture shock. When I returned America for High School, it was different than what I remembered. A whole new world is what I would put it. Life in Thailand and life in America is as opposite as salt and pepper. I lived with Jen, who was the kindergarten teacher at my high school, and her husband, Josh. They took me into their house and welcome me as part of their family. Not knowing that those kind gestures would start the effect of my outlook on life, family, marriage, dreams, and above all, a hope that I am valued.

       Coming from a non-touchy and less connecting culture, it came as a surprise to me that when they asked me what my highs and lows of the day were. They asked what I liked to do; encourage me to play soccer, sat there in the audience while I was dressed as Glinda the Good Witch in a school play, we decorated the Christmas tree together, visit grannies and grandpas during the weekends (they were also nice to me and I love that they cook good food, oh how I miss them so) and just talk things out when we have problems. I knew that my parents loved me, but they hardly participated as much as Jen and Josh did. I felt blessed. I felt like I could do anything because they believe in me. Jen is the model of whom I want to grow up to be, and her relationship with her husband is what I hope to see one day when I am married.      

       Another thing that altered my life is accepting Christ as my Savior. When I learn that what He did on the cross was for my sins, I repented and laid down my life into His hands. Through the Bible, He has taught me what a good life should look like and how to become not just a good person but becoming more like Him. During the time His time on earth, he never sin once. People loved him, and hated him, yet He still remained good, kind, humble and was an example of what humans should be. Through Him, I have learned that there can never be anyone as perfect as Him. I have learned to serve instead of having someone serve me. Appreciating the little things and see the beauty in the things often ignored. To be confident in what I can do, and who I can be. I learned to set my own goals, stick to it and set my own path in life, not letting people let me down. I realized that I am a dreamer but I am also realistic.

       Life is like a breath of air. One minute you’ll be breathing and the next, you could be collapsed on the floor panting your last. I learned the reality and the importance of life after a tragedy. I took my 7 years old sister, Dinah, for a ride around town one evening, my hat fell off. Being lazy, I demanded her to pick it up for me in the middle of the road. The street was empty, but as I saw her bending down to pick up the fallen hat, it was as if someone slowed down the time. She was standing there and the next think I knew, a motorcycle I couldn’t see crashed right into her causing her to fly through the air and hit the side pole with a sickening sound. I stood there like an idiot with shaky hands and short gasp of air that doesn't seem to be filling my lungs. I was in shock. Dropping my motorcycle, I came to my senses and ran toward my little sister. Every step toward her was like my feet were made out of concrete. Blood was dripping down my sister’s face, forever soaking her blue top, and in her clutched hand was my hat. “God, please don’t let my sister die. Please. Please. Please.” is all I could utter as I looked at her with tears in my eyes. That moment, I think of life, death, my parent’s face when they saw their youngest daughter dripping in blood – it blurred into one thing. I was pleading to God not to take away my sister.

       A miracle happened. My sister blinked. I couldn't fit the happiness I felt in that moment into one paper, but I felt relieved, joyful and guilty. I spend the next few days apologizing and hugging my sister, who had a minor head injury and a few cuts on her body. Beside the fact that my parents were angry at me for quiet sometimes, it was okay because she lived. I will never forget that day because I learned the important of the things in ‘everyday’ life that could affect us differently if we were to lose them.

      I discovered that life is a struggle of wants and needs. It’s a jumble of happiness mixed in with tears. There is always good and bad. Even in people. No “good” person is wholly good, and no bad person is all bad. Somewhere, everyone has both. No one is perfect and life isn't fair. But you know what? At lease we’re still alive to embrace life.

Much..much..love,

Gemma

First week of college

Ah, the very first breath of fresh freedom! Haha, just kidding. So as you might have known, I just got accepted to Payap University. It's in the second "biggest" city in Thailand! Awesome awesome. So I got the letter that says "hey, welcome to the university" like 2 days before the student orientation, which means....drum roll please.... I get to have one full night of packing! Yay! (Can you feel the sarcasm in my voice?) Fitting everything I "needed" for the next year in two big suit case was challenging. And try doing that while your eyes is slowly starting to close too. Yep. But I got through it and the next morning, I was ready to go! Pa, Ma and I went into our van with a family's friend driving for us. Payap was like 3 hours from where I live so no biggie, I'll just sleep in the van. But then half way there, someone called us and said we needed something that we need, but we left it at home soooooooooooo..... anyways, it was a very frustrating moment, but I think it was mainly because I'm hungry.

 

So I got to relax a little bit after "unpacking", yeah, I add the quote thingie because it wasn't unpacking - I stuffed everything in the closet and everything else, I lay it on the bed since Pa has a doctor appointment. But anyways....... 

My roommate was not in the room for the first couple days that's because she is a Senior so she don't need no student orientation. Oh, her name is Young and she is Korean by the way. I could tell from the Skinfood (a famous Korean makeup brand) and all the other Korean stuff including a kimchi sauce (I think, Young, please don't kick me if I'm wrong). But I got to meet these two most adorable Japanese girls name Yoko and Risako! I took them to the mall and went to get some uniform, it was awesome! 

The food at the dorm was good too! We explore around the campus and it was interesting! At lease we have a gym and there's dance club and so much more that I'll talk about in the next blog. Right now, enjoy the pics!

 

This is Risako :)

 

Remember when I said I like those picture taking machine they have in Japan? Yeah, that's what it kind of look like. 

Another cool bunch of people I get to meet: Lychee, Risako, Yoko, me (of course), Fai (she is from the Thai program but she lives in the International dorm. She is a Cali girl for 6 years, I think) and Jamyang. 

The college experience for me was not that bad, seriously, I don't know what other people were talking about but I was so blessed to have a Christian roommate! And we respect each other and yesterday I just gave her some Advil because she was getting sick so yeah! I feel like my roommate and I, we are in good terms! Haha!

 

Oh, and we got kicked out of the red bus (kind of like a Taxi in Thailand which cost 150 baht = $5) because I don't know, he was mean. So we was going to walk but this kind man said he'll drive us. Normally I wouldn't take a ride from a stranger but he looks kind soooooo, we end up getting on the motorcycle (it was the kind that sells old stuff, ya know?). It was awesome and a fun experience. 

 

Yoko shared some Japanese treats! Fai, Yoko, Risako and I had a girl's movie night watching New Girl! It was sooooo funny! We kept saying last one! But when it ends, we said more more~

 

Found some awesome mashmellows! If only there's a camp fire for us to burn these yummy snacks!

 

It says Coke Cola for a Cutie :)

Yummy~

 

Oh, and just the first week, I had 2 assignment..... I feel like I miss those late mornings but College is fun too!

Acturlly, I was gonna write more but I'm too tired. My poor brain is getting a migrain, ugh, I need a sweet big bowl of chocolate ice cream like now. I'll be updating here and there! 

Much..much..love,

Gemma

Fallin' into Autumn

Apparently, there's no Fall in Thailand. Sad, I know. Thailand only has 3 seasons: Summer, Rainy and Winter. Each goes for 4 months.
Right now, we're in Rainy season. Yep, it rains. Every. Day.

But that's not what has happen in my life so far. If you are friends with me on facebook,  you would have heard about someone trying to break into our house. Not something that would happen a lot in a quiet town but we think it's just some teenagers trying to disturb the peace, you know?

Well, that was mostly what has happen. We tried to catch the guy but couldn't. We are trying to get help from the police department and they said they will send someone to come check it out. So please pray for us Chaisuks.

Anyways, back to the talking about Fall. What do you guys love about fall? Me? I love the smell of the fall candles from Bath and Body works! They are so awesome but too bad they don't sell it here in Thailand. I also like jumping on the leaves too! It is so much fun and it  may be silly at times but who cares right?

Oh and this was a picture of me last year when I played soccer! Haha! I looked weird though, almost like those cartoon thingies. :)

Well, off to catch some burglars!

Much..much..love,
Gemma

No longer a teen

 

    

        So last week, one of the events I've not looking toward to came... my 20th birthday. Yep, now, I am officially turned 20! I feel so old but at the same time, it feels like life has just begun. I'm mean, when I was 16, I was a teen and do things I wanted but there was a limit. You know? But now that I'm 20, things that I couldn't do, I could do now. I don't know. It feels like I am now at an age to be an adult or something. Haha, maybe it's just me. :)

         So yeah :) Just a short note to thank you guys for all the birthday wishes! Here is a video from my B-day: Happy 20th B-day!

Much..much..love,

Gemma

Here lies our precious Macaroon

      If was recording a video instead of typing this, you would have seen me chocking up with tears. It is very hard for me to type. On August 14th, my Macaroon past away with canine parvovirus. A few days before his death, he became very ill and would not eat anything. He was barfing foam. It was so sad. 

      The night of his passing, I took him to the vet; his condition was getting much worst and he was not responsive. So I took him back home and have him rest. 

      Next minute, I found him dead. My heart breaks. How could he died? He was so... alive. He always howl with me. He loves biting Tuxedo's ears and playing with him. He hates bath but if I give him a cuddle after, he was okay.

      I held him there, in my arms, crying my eyes out. I remember asking God, "How could you take him away from me?" Macaroon was only with us for 6 weeks. 

      I was desperate for an answer. So I went online and came across John Piper's poem, Glorified:

'To drink eternal life, I took

A glance across the golden grass,

And saw my dog, old Blackie, fast

As she could come. She leaped the stream-

Almost-and what a happy gleam

Was in her eye.

I knelt to drink,

And knew that I was on the brink

Of endless joy. And everywhere

I turned I saw a wonder there.'

     I do believe that one day I will see Macaroon again. Even though it hurts to let him go but I believe that he is right now in heaven with God.

 

The very first day that we've met

 

Tuxedo loves cuddling this little guy

 

See.I told you he hated baths

 

When he was sick, Tuxedo was by his side

 

A day before his passing

 

We will miss you, Macaroon! 

'For every beast of the forest is mine,

    the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 

I know all the birds of the hills,

    and all that moves in the field is mine'.

-Psalm 50:10-

Much..much..love,

Gemma

Doodle time

To me, art is like a key to your mind. When you draw or paint something, it's like you're letting your imagination runs free! 
Have you ever taken a time to sit down and doodle something? When was the last time you drew because you just want to? When was the last time you picked up a brush and start dabbing colors that matches your emotions? 
I'm not the best, when it comes to drawings, and oh no, especially not painting! But I do it anyways because it makes me happy. 
I want to encouraging you guys to doodle today. Just grab a pencil and start drawing. Anything you want. Trust me, it will make you happy :)


Here are some drawings I did. And boy oh boy, it feels so relaxing and I didn't have to think about anything else ^_^




The scribble on top is just my signature, but I have no idea why it's up there. 






So yeah, keep drawing guys!


Much..much..love,
Gemma

July just flew by

      Oh hey everyone! It's been soooooo long! I swear I could add more Os if I could. Haha! Life has been a bit difficult but at the same time relaxing? I planned to go to collage this fall but that didn't worked out since I would be attending second semester. So I'm waiting to apply again this November. It's a Christian collage so I'm really happy! Can't wait to go there since it's sort of an international collage; there's Koreans, Japaneses, Americans and more ^_^

As you all might know already if you follow me on instagram or if you have not my username is Khungemma :) So yeah, I just got another puppy. It's a he and his name is Macaroon. I know, Asian people always have weird names for dogs right? Hehe! This is him. He LOVES food! And oh my gosh, he gave a very cute howl when he wants attention. Tuxedo and him gets along pretty well but you know, sometimes they can be a little boyish, aka. biting and wrestling. But all is good.  

 

He is cute when he's sleepy. See?

 

My mum recently fell in the bathroom. I guess my brothers were cleaning the floor with the wrong solution and so as my mum was scrubbing, she fell hard on the bathroom floor nearly broke her back. She's not doing so good right now but at lease she could still walk (for like 2 seconds) and she doesn't have concussions. Please pray that she will get well soon!

 

Oh, dog's first hair cut. Tuxedo does not look like this now. I told the hair dresser (for dogs) to trim a little and well, there were cut marks and the hair was very short like, he is too young for that. Sad. But I am giving him a little bit of coconut oil with his water to help the hair grow back and be healthy (according to the doctor) so yeah, it's gonna be better for this poor guy.

 

Spaghetti in Thailand is expensive, at lease compare to the US. The ingredients are also harder to find but good thing Mama Bear brought some Italian seasoning from America!

 

You want a treat huh? He always give me those puppy dogs eyes when he want something.

 

A Thai dish Mama Bear made, its like pad thai only the noodles are more... fat.

Yep, that's my life right now. Talk to you guys later! 

Much..much.. love,

Gemma

Ps. I'm having an exciting project coming up so stay tune!

It's been a while!

It's been soooooooooooo long since I've blogged! Oh my goodness, almost 2 months now! So sorry you guys! I was very busy! So what's new in my life right now?

Well, couple things happen these pass few weeks. Let me see. I got a new puppy! His name is Tuxedo! He is such a sweet heart who enjoys bath and loves mangoes! I know, pretty funny right? Every morning he would be so excited to see me and at night, he would fall asleep on my lap as I read some books. It's just so much fun and I feel like my life is much more happy with this little guy :)

 

My aunties and Grandma came to visit us from America! Had some fun with them in Chaing Mai and went shopping like cray cray! 

We went to a walking street in Chaing Mai and pass some boys (kind of, they just dress in girls clothes, it is normal here in Thailand) and took a pic :)

Last but not least, my room is almost done! Well, I said almost because the ceiling hasn't been fixed and last week it rained and there goes my room. Good thing it didn't damaged anything but I just feel like once the ceiling is fixed, I'll post some pictures :)

Yep, that's pretty much my life right now. So yeah!

Much..much..love, 

Gemma

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

        Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! I remember it was a very nice day to dress in green back in America.One of my best friends, Alyssa is part Irish so she would rock out those emerald green eye shadows and wear LOTS of green. I'm not Irish, but I do still like to wear green! It's just reminds me so much of Spring and the summer to come (which in Thailand, it feels like it is summer all year long [today it was 101 degrees]).But even though I'm no longer in America, I still wanna wear green today. So I got out my nail polish and start painting my nails. Alyssa send me those cracked nail polish (thank you so much girl! I shall send you something back), ever heard of those? It's basically you put on some matted nail polish and then put on the cracked nail polish on top once it dries and it would turned out to be like crackle and just cool. It could be found at Clair's and beauty departments. 

So here's what I've been doing...

This is called Nam Pick Ooung which is like a chili paste and a comfort food for us Northern Thais. If you ever come to Chaing Mai or Lampang (where I live) or any Northern part of Thailand, you gotta try these yummy soup! There's tomatoes, pork and vegetables in them.

We Chaisuk likes to eat vegetables. Zoon told me to put them in iced water for a couple minutes and it turned out to be very crunchy! Gotta try that for my salads!

The picture didn't turned out as well as I thought but I really love the Shamrock green which represent the color or shamrocks - the symbol of Ireland. It could also be called Irish green. I decided to have my ring finger be neon green that makes it fun with some crackle nail polish and sparkly nail polish :)

Tried to wear all green today. I had a green tank top and some green bow for my hair (which you couldn't really see, sorry my bad).

Here is my make up for today. I went with metallic brown from Cover Girl Eye Enhancers Coffee Shop 260 pallet and some Green Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye pencil in the color of Convert. Add some E.L.F Hyper-Shine Gloss in the color of Flirt and I'm ready to go! 

Until next time, everyone! Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day :)

Much..much..love,

Gemma