Chapter 1 - "Off to a good start"

I've read through chapter one and below are some quite hilarious prose by Evelyn Millis Duvall

When Girls Take the Initiative

"There is a thin line between being available and being too forward.  The girl who gets a reputation for being a flirt finds that many of the nicer boys and girls avoid her.  Yet, when a girl acts too demure or feigns coolness or disinterest out of fear, she may chase boys away and miss out on the fun of friendship and dating."

"Custom has it that a girl may speak first when meeting a boy on the street or in the hallway at school.  She doesn't have to wait for the boy to nod or address her.  A girl gets a reputation for being "fast" not because she's friendly toward boys but because of the way she behaves when they are around."

"In Grandma's formula, it's all right for a girl to 'chase a fellow until he catches her'."

Learning Social Skills

"In general, young people like members of the other sex who are (1) careful of their personal appearance; (2) courteous and thoughtful; and (3) fun to be with. A girl doesn't have to be a beauty to get a date.  She just has to dress appropriately, be neat and well groomed, and then try to forget her appearance."

Stay tuned for some jewels of wisdom in chapter two!!

The Art of Dating

When I checked my mailbox upon returning to work there was a book titled "The Art of Dating" in it.  My friend Mark found it in his attic when he was home for the summer in Ohio.  The note on the inside cover reads, "As much as I hate to give this up Nikki, you are truly deserving.  At least I know you know how to use it.  The section on 'school affairs' is especially relevant." - AFA, Mark. 

Now this book has a copyright of 1969.  My mission dear followers is to read the above titled book and summarize its wisdom for you each week.

Chapter 1 - "Off to a good start".  Stay tuned!!

I'm baaaack!

Hello my 12.3 followers!  I apologize for my absence and I cannot honestly believe it's been four months since my last post.  I will try very hard not to let that happen again.

I've been back to Laos after a fabulous summer in Canada.  My trip, as many of you know was a surprise and I enjoyed planning and coniving behind everyone's back - especially my mother.  I don't know if you realize how difficult it is to pull a fast one over on Lori Hutchison Hunter.  But, with the help of her good friend, Lori St. Dennis, my "ta dah" was of epic proportion!!

I had been in Toronto visiting my sisters (all but Ashleigh had no idea I was coming) and set up a Skype date with my parents.  I must say it's tricky to set these up with my folks because they have a very active social calendar.  I then convinced Mom to have a quick yack with me before she headed to work.  The best part of all is while we were skyping, I was actually on my phone in the back entrance of the house.  Confused why they couldn't see me on video, I clumsily pushed buttons as I made my way into the house and said "hmmm, I don't know what's wrong with Skype - maybe if I come into the kitchen you'll see me".  They were both speechless - which is harder for Mom than Dad!

I spent some great quality time with my sister and her fiancee.  They have recently planned a Destination Wedding for April 2013 in the Mayan Riviera.  I know you'll be surprised to know that there isn't a direct flight from Laos to Mexico! 

True love...

The groom - Patrick designed these!

The invitation for the big day!

Ashleigh and I "pre-Karen" surprise

A rare occassion that we're all together

With planning a surprise, there are disappointments.  I didn't get a chance to spend as much time with my dad as I would have liked as he was in Toronto for the majority of my visit.  I did however have the opportunity to indulge in his culinary masterpieces!

My Dad - aka "God Damned Gordy" doesn't cook much - but he makes a mean breakfast!

Delicious!

I rarely order a steak anywhere but Chez Hunter.  Dad makes THE best!

A whirlwind trip into Regina had me seeing many good friends.  Here are some pictures - apologies to Corby, Sejal, Lori, Jen, Ang, Lee, Angie for not snapping photos of you and I!!

It's always great to see Nancy!  We don't get to catch up too often but she is my oldest friend.  We met playing ringette when we were only in grade 7.  Now we have a new tradition of meeting bi-annually and enjoying memories, laughs, and sushi!

Two very special former students from FWJ.  We take a self portrait every summer!

My fabulous friend Marina.  We laugh until our belly's ache.  She makes one hell of a caesar and I'm so very excited she's going to be my date for Ashleigh & Patrick's wedding!!

One of the best surprises was 'getting' my Pumpkin.  Here we are at the beginning of a Girls Night in Lethbridge.  This was taken before we found our way to the bottom of several bellinis!

Reunited with the same group of girls who took me to the Moose Jaw spa two years ago for my "farewell".  Great to see Jestina, Rhonda, and Maryanne!

Absolute blast from the past!  I haven't seen Tina since we graduated and it was such a treat to catch up.  TBL, you're on my 'hit list' every summer now.  Beware!

I spent a week in Denver at a conference for international college counselors! It was great to see familiar faces and also make some new friends!

Here was my room for 5 nights. Nothing like sleeping on a rubber mattress and pillow!

Get a group of counselors together and this is what you'll see.  What happens in Denver, stays in Denver!

800+ counselors and admissions officers took over Coors Field

Was great to see my friend Pat.  We met at Georgetown University three summers ago when we were both internationals highschool counseling virgins!

Here's the view from the plane as I was coming back into Regina

I'm now back into the swing of things with work.  Looking at my schedule for the next few months I quickly feel like I haven't had a vacation.  Thank you to all who made my trip to North America fantabulous.  See you again next year....

All you wanted to know about Pi Mai

Pi Mai is the Lao New Year and takes place from April 13 – 15. The New Year celebrations last three days. During the New Year, the Lao believe that the old spirit of Songkran leaves this plane, making way for a new one. The first day, known as Maha Songkran, is considered the last day of the old year. Lao will clean their houses and villages on this day, and prepare water, perfume, and flowers for the days ahead. The second day, the "day of no day", is neither part of the old year nor of the new year.

The third day, known as Wan Thaloeng Sok is the official start of the Lao New Year.

During the New Year, water plays a big part in the festivities - Lao bathe Buddha images in their local temples, pouring jasmine-scented water and flower petals on the sculptures. The faithful will also build sand stupas and decorate these with flowers and string. At each temple, monks will provide the water, as well as blessings for devotees flocking to the temples and the white bai sri strings, which they will tie around devotees' wrists.

People also get soaked during Bun Pi Mai - people respectfully pour water on monks and elders, and less reverently on each other! Foreigners are not exempt from this treatment - if you're in Laos during Bun Pi Mai, do expect to be soaked by passing teenagers, who'll give you the wet treatment from buckets of water, hoses, or high-pressure water guns.

That’s the cultural rundown. Here are some tips for those new to Pi Mai.

·         You will get soaked whenever you leave your house. You will not be excused.

·         Do not wear good clothes. The locals wear brightly coloured clothes. Cheap tropical attire will be sold almost everywhere.

·         People enjoy drinking and will offer you alcohol. Best to accept a little.

·         Driving is hazardous. Especially on motorbikes you - will be a target for water bombs. Walking is safer.

·         Most businesses, including banks, will be closed.

Three Babes in Bangers!!

For weeks, actually months - Carol, Katherine, and I were on the countdown to a "Girls Weekend" in Bangkok.  Work has been super stressful for this threesome and we were ready to escape VTE for some play time in BKK. 

At the airport in Udon.  Katherine still stunned that she is on a weekend without her hubby and kiddos!

It was unanimous that our first dinner would be at Charlie Brown's.  We all had a hankering for a feed of Mexican.  Chuck didn't disappoint!

Passionfruit margarita, anyone?

Stop #1 at Robinson's found Katherine updating her shoe collection.

Looks like she is attracting all sorts while donning this sexy puppies!

We stayed at the Mecure Residence Hotel - we all loved it.  We moved from the room to the pool to the beds to the shower - and managed to sneak in a bit of shopping too

Bedtime on evening number one.  I think we made it to 10:30pm.  I know, we're party animals!

Up the next morning and were on a mission for espresso.  Our dear friend Katherine has the luxury of having a husband to make them for her each day.  I counted, she averaged three a day on our mini vacay - good on ya, Kat!

An "American" style breakfast at an "Italian" restaurant.  Verdict?  Not too shabby!



Carol and I had been to Bangkok a few times this year and we tend to head back to Khao San Road each time.  This is a street that caters to backpackers where you can find cheap clothes, eats, and pampering.  We were excited to share our place with Katherine.  Result?  She liked the foot rub but wouldn't head back to "the road".

Cheap entertainment.  FYI - I'm only wearing leather chaps with these!

Our home for the next 2.5 hours.  Great place for people watching while getting a foot rub.

This is the life...

Contrary to popular belief, this wasn't strawberry pudding!

Pickles anyone?

I know, I know...I look 10 days younger now....

Smooth as a baby's bottom!

After a day of shopping and getting our hair done, we had our heart set on going out for "Indian".  We had planned that before heading to the airport on our return, we would stop by IKEA for a quick spin through the joint.  Long story short...Indian never happened - but IKEA sure did.

Looking for the phone number and address of our favourite Swedish establishment.

We've arrived!

Dinner for two?!

What do you think of my new living room?  Check out the family in the picture behind me!

Shopping is so exhausting...ZZZZZZ

Had to stop for a snack.  How fitting - Swedish meatballs!

I look exactly like my mother here - WOW!

Next stop - ground floor!

Carol needed to take a rest.  She found her zen here.

We didn't exactly have the "right" uniform on for our trip to IKEA.  It seems our shoes weren't to code.

Good news - we didn't spend too much money...so Carol won't have to live in a box.

Departure morning - a restaurant in "Honey Hotel" that reminded us of Seinfeld.

After a week back at work, the three of us concur that it's time for another weekend away.  We are planning the next getaway and will keep you posted.  Long live the Girls' Weekends!!

Toad in the hole!

The Davidson-Kent family graciously invited Carol and I over for dinner.  Now, this is not just a 'regular' dinner - it was "Toad in the hole" night!! 

(Toad in the hole is a traditional English dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with vegetables and onion gravy. The origin of the name "Toad-in-the-Hole" is often disputed. Many suggestions are that the dish's resemblance to a toad sticking its head out of a hole provides the dish with its somewhat unusual name. It is rumoured to have been called "Frog-in-the-Hole", at one time, although little if any evidence corroborates this assertion.It can also be referred to, less popularly, as "sausage toad") (Wikipedia).



I followed Jon around the kitchen trying to figure out how he was making this most popular dish.  What I concluded was:
 
     1)  Wrap sausages in bacon - A Davidson twist...not traditional
     2)  Get pan piping hot and place sausages or toads in
     3)  Place the amazingly fragrant rosemary infused Yorkshire pudding batter on top
     4)  Put in hot oven and bake for 40 minutes
     5)  If I got this wrong, Jon will have to make it again for me...shucks!!

Ruby was patiently waiting as dinner was served.  She was eager to be dining on "toads", mashed potatoes, onion gravy, and leeks! 7:00pm is awfully late for dinner she thought...

Louis could hardly contain his excitement.  Rumour had it, he was pretty thrilled to be sharing this most awesome meal with Carol and I - his favourite Canadians!!

With precision, Jon cut the Yorkshire pudding with kitchen scissors and plated this most amazing dish!



Thank goodness Carol snagged the camera.  I was so excited to dive into this culinary masterpiece that I forgot to finish taking pictures.  Onion gravy - first time trying it and it was DELISH!!



Ruby didn't have much to say as she rolled up her sleeves and got down to business.  After two helpings, Louis was proud of his empty bowl!!



While dinner digested, Carol and I read stories and got cuddles from two of our favourite kiddos. 

After the beauties were in bed, the adults finished off the evening with "Christmas Pudding".  Jon whipped up some cream and whiskey butter - all diet of course.

Dinner with Jon, Linda, Louis, and Ruby is always such a special treat.  As we were saying our good-bye's I heard rumblings that the next feast could very well be Portuguese -themed.  Luckily for me, my dance card is empty and I await the invitation!