Just happy

Have you ever noticed just how silent the world becomes as soon as your ears are under water?

And you would think that it doesn't get better than that - a world of serene introspection, a world without misunderstandings, misconceptions, mistakes, disturbed only by the occasional cold-induced shivers...

In these last couple of months, I had moments of anger, frustration and sadness; but I also had moments of peaceful bliss, fulfillment and joy.

I witnessed the start of a new Chinese New Year - and what could have been better than to do it while having drinks in a Japanese bar? I've been to the seaside - once to spend the day at the beach, once to tease monkeys and then enjoy a seafood dinner; I hopped on the night train to Nong Khai and rediscovered just how beautiful life can be chilling by the Mekong.

Sometimes I worked hard, sometimes I didn't. Sometimes I had fun, sometimes I didn't. Sometimes I was careful, sometimes I wasn't.

But as I went back to the swimming pool and tried hard to numb my mind, numb my senses, it occurred to me that, in seeking the absence of pain, the only thing I will find is the absence of... everything. So I came out of the water and started walking. And haven't stopped since.

4, 3, 2, 1...

Since I didn't have a Christmas break, I wasn't expecting a New Year's one; so it hit me as a rather-late-yet-pleasant surprise that my school would be closed on both Dec 31st and Jan 1st - as my 'weekends' start on Wednesday, this meant that I would have four days off...

Dec 31st Spent the last day of 2012 with Ellen. We started by going for a walk in the Dusit District - we were expecting to find a park but found lots of concrete instead; it was worth it nevertheless. We treated ourselves to a foot massage in the afternoon and, in the evening, got together for dinner in a cozy restaurant not far from MBK.

Ellen had to wake up early the next day so she decided to go back to the hotel at around 11 p.m. After saying goodbye, I made my way to Central World - the place in the city where most people wait for the countdown. So at the stroke of midnight, there I was, in a not-so-bad spot, surrounded by I-don't-know-how-many-people, welcoming a brand new year.

Jan 1st The first day of 2013 was as chilled as they come. I would highlight the toast I had in the afternoon; for some reason, it was served with two scoops of pure, unadulterated... butter. I kid you not! At least it wasn't vanilla ice cream; I'm not really a fan of vanilla ice cream. If there's something an ice cream shouldn't have is... vanilla.

Jan 2nd Time to pay a visit to Siam Ocean World, the city's very own aquarium. What did I learn? That salmon is not the largest freshwater fish. There are true monsters lurking in rivers and lakes so be afraid. Be very afraid.

Jan 3rd No relaxing time is wasted time. Spent the afternoon swimming in the pool. Have you ever noticed just how silent the world becomes as soon as your ears are under water?