Chicago Lover

Materials : 3 skeins of Four Season Chicago, a pair of 12.0 mm straight needles, a darning yarn, a scissor

Cast on 16 stitches

Then work according to this pattern till get desired length or till finish yarn

1st row : *k2p2* 3 times
2nd row : *p2k2* 3 times
3rd-177th row : odd row as same as 1st row and even row as same as 2nd row

Bind off and weave in the stray end and all loose yarn with the darning needle.

Again, not good photo to show the scarf :( but this is memorable photo when I was out with my Aussie family at Blue mountain :)

November full moon shines ^_^

November full moon shines,

Loi Krathong, Loi Krathong,

and the water's high

in the river and local klong,

Loi Loi Krathong,

Loi Loi Krathong,

Loi Krathong is here and everybody's full of cheer,

We're together at the klong,

We're together at the klong,

Each one with this krathong,

As we put away we pray,

We can see a better day.

Remark : loi [V] float; bob

                krathong [N] floating basket

                klomg [N] canal; waterway; watercourse   

Loi Krathong is a festival celebrate annually on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar (usually in November in the western calendar). On this night, the tide in the river is highest and the moon at its brightness. 

Loi literally means 'to float', while krathong refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water. Originally, the krathong was made of banana leaves or the layer of trunk of banana tree and contains food, flowers, betel nuts, 3 joss sticks, candle and coins. The making krathong is much more creative these days as many more materials available such as bread etc. A bread krathong will disintegrate in a few days and be eaten by fish and other animals. Nowadays a krathong will be decorated only with flowers, 3 incense sticks and candle. A coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits. The Loi Krathong is a simple one. One need only to light the candle and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away with the current of a river or a canal. Then watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. Altogether it is considered a romantic night for couples or lovers. Couples who make a wish together on Loi Krathong are thought to stay together in the future. 

Different legends surround the origins of Loi Krathong. The most popular version is it was an expression of gratitude to the goodness of water 'Pra Mae Khongkha' for having extensively used, and sometimes polluted, the water from the rivers and canals. It is also in part a thanksgiving for her bounty in providing water for the livelihood of the people. 

Whatever the true origin, the practice of Loi Krathong first began first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai in the 13th century. A young queen name Nang Noppamas was believed to be the one who made a small boat laden with candles and incense and floated it down to the river. The name Nang Noppamas has been associated with Loi Krathong ever since.

In addition, there are fireworks and beauty contests during the celebration of the festival. The beauty contests are known as "Noppamas Queen contests". 

My humble krathong 

I don't have much memories about Loi Krathong because I have rarely loi(ed) Krathong in childhood. When I grew up, I have no experience about Loi Krathong as young lovers :D and personally I quite don't like to go to where crowded but this year I loi krathong with my friends, Non, Nui and Erb at Thareeta resort where belong to Non. Besides us there were only Non's family and some resort's guests so it was quite private. We started making krathong in early evening. Nui and Erb concentrated their's  attention on krathong but I was just lazy ... hey ... wait for it ... finally I made my own krathong, little  and simple but chic I think :D We also tried to float Krathong Sai, krathong sai is different from a general krathong. Krathong's format depends on a material in that area. Fibrous layer on the trunk of the banana tree was used as its body and an incense stick dipped with fuel. Then we floated them away in  a line along the klong in front of the resort. To make them in a line, we had to wait current. We floated them around 9 O'clock but they were not in a line ... ha ha ha ... and it's worse that the incense was not  light a fire :( After krathong sai we floated our individual krathongs, I totally forgot to make a wish and put coin in my krathong -*- but my krathong floated smoothly and the candle was light all the way long :)  

The 2011 Loi Krathong was my first impressive Loi Krathong ^_^ Thank you all you guys, you made the night AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEE 

sources : 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_Krathong

http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_loykratong.htm

Krabi in my heart

Krabi, for me, is not only a town on the west coast of southern Thailand, or just a tourist attraction. Krabi is the first place on Thailand's Andaman seaboard I have been to in my life and there are some reasons that make it so special for me  ^_____^ 

My first trip to Krabi was on 23rd October, 2010. We departed from BKK on 22nd night by bus; it took around 12 hrs to Krabi, such a long journey !!!  We arrived at the Krabi bus station in the morning and went straight to the resort. The area we stayed is called Ao Nang. After checking in, my friend who lives in Krabi picked us up and showed us around Ao Nang.  We decided to rent a motorcycle; actually it was a scooter :). It was so much fun :D Never knew that it was so nice to sit behind the motorcycle rider ^_^ especially without a helmet (LOL I know it's not safe but it was so nice to feel free)

On the first day we rode around there, we went to Fossil Shell beach (Susaan Hoi, literally Seashell Graveyard) but unfortunately the tide was high so we couldn't see it. We rode back to Noppharat Thara beach for the first meal in Krabi. In the evening we went to walking street in the town and went back to Ao Nang for a nice dinner ^_^  

Scenery viewed from the small park at Fossil Shell beach

On the second day we went island hopping trip on a long-tail boat, starting at Phra Nang beach, then Railay beach, Koh Poda (Poda island), Koh Kai where we snorkeled :) before finishing at Thale Waek (Separated Sea). After a long sunny day on those beaches, we were so tired and my back was burnt :( so we went to the street on Ao Nang beach front, looking for a massage shop. It made me feel better but the sunburn lines on my back from the swimming suite remains until TODAY !!! :( :( :( 

Scenery taken from Phra Nang beach

The last day, we had to go back to BKK in the afternoon, so we had only a half day trip in the morning. The activity we chose was kayaking at Ao Thalane :) It was another new thing that I did first time here. We got a 2-seat kayak and of course I was not steersman. I was so lucky that Thor was my steersman. Thank you very much Thor :D We went through a few lagoons and mangrove forest, saw canyons and monkeys. I enjoyed this trip very much and felt so lucky that Thor was with me :D After kayaking we checked out of the hotel and return to the real world :(

The latest trip was last month, 8-11 September, 2011. This time we traveled by plane :) from  Suvarnabhumi international airport to Krabi international airport took only an hour approximately. We rented a car at the airport :) yessssss it was a car, not only just a scooter like the first time :D

We began this trip with kayaking at the same place but not the same time. We did it in the afternoon and this time I didn't have Thor but I had my lovely friend, Mod as my steersman :) The tide was low so we couldn't go in the lagoon :( but we saw mud-keepers and crabs. Even though it was such a hard work for 2 little girls but we did it and she didn't complain :) Lucky me !!! After kayaking we went to Tapom Klong Song Nam, I love this place ... can feel fresh air, very clear water, nice weather and green everywhere. Must go !!! 

Mod and me on kayak 

After dinner I felt so painful and traumatic all over my body, especially both of my arms :( I couldn't move them, even just for using, the TV remote control to change channel :D I couldn't stand it so had to take medicine and also sprayed some lotion. I think I understand now how paralyzed patient feels :( but after a long sleep I felt better in the morning :) and ready for a new day :)

I enjoyed myself at Railey beach 

The second day was island hopping trip, a bit different from last time. One more new destination and we started with this, Koh Hong, then Koh Poda, Koh Kai, Thale Waek, Phra Nang beach and ended up at Railey beach. It was a very nice one :) This time I could snorkel and swim better, felt more comfortable in the water than the last time :) and I saw NEMOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!! :D :D :D After the trip and took swimming class and have inspiration from ... I decide to take a scuba diving class soon :) :) :) but need to collect money first :D 

The next day we had really big breakfast, Dim sum. In southern Thailand, locals usually have dim sum as breakfast but not only dim sum are available at restaurant, they also have breakfast like Indian style, roti telur (roti with egg) served with curry because there are a lot of muslim in this part of Thailand. I tried both of breakfast styles, soooooo full tank :D :D :D We had a road trip to Phuket but the weather was not on our side :( It was raining all the way. The journey took longer than usual, we reached there around noon so we went straight ahead to the meeting point, a restaurant :D, to see my respectable uncle and his wife. Sometimes I call them dad and mom. We had a big lunch again and chit-chat time :) after that we separated, they went back to Phatthalung and we continued our road trip around the island. We dropped by at Laem Phromthep for sunset-watching but again the weather didn't allow us :( We had to run away from the storm. It was totally dark even it was just 6 o'clock and there was heavy rain all the way back :( Thank you Non for driving us home safely :)

On the last day we didn't do anything much, just enjoying ourselves in the pool and relaxing before we had to go back to the metropolis.

Well for anyone who are looking for a place for vacation :) KRABI is recommended :) and if you are looking for a company too :) you know who will be the best ;) 

Today in last year ^_^

I'm just thinking about today of the last year. I was in Sydney for my studying. Today of the last year was Sunday, bright shiny day. I was invited to be an honorable model for photo-shoot. All photographers are Thai students who study at UTS. We met at Hyde Park and shot there. Luckily that day was shiny and warm, really nice weather :) We spent all morning at Hyde Park, had a million ton of smiles and laugh together. After we satisfied with photo-shoot, we were so hungry. We had lunch together at Hugry Jack. Then we went for window shopping :D then went back home.

  

Thank you so much all you guys for the wonderful time and great experience. You made my day ^_^