Sometimes it really sucks being a girl...

It's 4:40am and i can't sleep. It feels like millions of spiders are laying eggs in my stomach while 1/2 of them are trying to eat their way out. Oh, and add the lovely urge to vomit to my late night cause of insomnia. Disgusted? Well...currently it sucks to be me. I've been tossing and turning for the past 3 hours so i figured i'd give up and surf the net instead.

Hopefully this feeling goes away soon...it's not pleasant.

So sleepy =(

Update

It's been due time for an update...so this is for you, Irene! =P

What's happened since July...well, I've been to Asia and back. It was a blast. I visited 4 countries: Thailand, Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia. People keep asking me which country was my favorite but honestly, it's a tough question to answer. Each country has its own unique quality that will definitely have me going back for more! Here's just a little taste:

Thailand
Absolutely chill! This is where i was introduced to the infamous BAGGED DRINKS!!! People think i'm joking but really, it's fantastic...it's like having 2 drinks in one. Plus, it saves having to wash a cup or waste one. The tuk-tuk drivers were overbearing at first but by the end of the trip...if a tuk-tuk driver didn't ask me for a ride i got worried haha. I really enjoyed Chiang Mai though...it's got so much culture and a ton of stuff to do as well at 1/2 the price! ie: cooking class, treks, muay thai boxing, sunday night market (HUGE!), spas, wats, etc.


Lao
Gorgeous landscape! We visited Vietiane, Louang Proubang, and Vang Vieng (yes, i probably spelled the names wrong...shuttup haha). Lao is slowly becoming more touristy but for those who plan on visiting SE Asia anytime soon...i definitely recommend not leaving this country out of your itinerary! The atmosphere is really chill. But be warned, do not wear provocative clothing (and by provocative i mean "skin-showing") cuz it is a very conservative country. In Vientiane i was wearing a tank top and fisherman pants and i got soooo many stares...it's not a pleasant feeling. And when my sis went, she got proposed to on several occasions! But i absolutely fell in love with Lao!!! If i could hug the country...i would =)

Vietnam
This is where i experienced the most culture shock because we went from a slow-moving country (Lao) to a faster paced Vietnam. Plus, we got scammed on the first night we got there! I admit i disliked Vietnam from my first impressions but after spending some time in it...it's quite nice...just different. Crossing the roads takes getting used to...and if you're not careful, you can get stuck waiting for a gap in the cars for DAYS! Don't be afraid, just cross! It's bad though cuz after Vietnam we just kept J-walking everywhere! haha. This is a country that needed more time...2 weeks was not enough at all. It's such a huge country with such history and culture that i believe i shall visit again! Plus i got sick here...it was not cool at all! But all is well now so yesyes.

Cambodia
I can't say too much because i only went to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Angkor Wat was gorgeous and HUGE! Most people rent a motor for a couple days but there were some people riding bikes! And yes, they had the hugest sweat marks and looked like death. Oh and the food is DELICIOUS! *stomach growls* yummy. There aren't as many children as i suspected in Siem Reap but the ones that we saw were sooooooo cute!!! They're clever little buggers who don't target other Asians as much as they do Caucasian folk. Oh dear...and you hear horror stories of the bus ride from Siem Reap to the Thai border (through Poipet) but until you experience it...you don't know anything. We had to ride a bus suited for about 25 people which managed to squish about 30 PLUS bags...they just kept bringing more and more people on the bus. It had no A/C, there were mosquitoes EVERYWHERE, the road was basically made of dirt so if you opened the window, your face feels like you rubbed it against the floor...it was about a 5-7 hour ride...blech. Next time i'm plane-ing it haha.

There's so much more to say about the trip but not enough time.

Since then i've been hanging out with friends and working. Soon to start Kickboxing classes (the cardio kind) which i'm excited for cuz i need to start working out again. Hurray.

And for those who know me know i'm absolutely stoked for the upcoming premiere of THE OFFICE!!! Seriously, no one should be this excited! It's 60 mins of pure joy...haha. yesyes.

Thailand - Week 1.5

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

Bangkok --> Ko Phan Ngan --> Krabi

Been here for 1.5 weeks and it's smoltering hot! I'm already a few shades darker...so when i get back i will be darkness. It's taking some time adjusting to the heat (and humidity) as well.

Since arriving in Southern Thailand, we've been pretty lucky with the weather. It's monsoon season here, yet it's only rained a few times and it usually only lasts an hour or so. There aren't many tourists either which is a good thing because the streets (and beaches) aren't tainted with bobbing heads. There are ants everywhere and mosquitoes!!! I'm using DEET like candy...it's become my new best friend, along with sunscreen.

Full Moon Party
It's everything it's made out to be. There are tourists everywhere! Music bumping. Sand is so fine! The buckets are delicious. It's composed of a mickey of vodka + can of pop + energy drink. It looks like it would taste deadly but it tastes like melted slushy and goes down like water. This is not always a good thing because 2 buckets later (shared between 2 people) i woke up with a slight feeling of crapness. This plus a 4 hour ferry ride to Surat Thani + sun = a not so happy andrea. Other than that, the Full Moon was a cool experience. The fire ninjas are pretty awesome...we watched them for hours! And my dream of partying on the beach has been fulfilled.

Ao Nang
Is the beach visited today...interestingly enough, we saw monkeys. Just like the Lonely Planet states, the beach is right next to the main road and situated right by the touristy shops and food.

Food tried thus far:
- green/red/mushroom soup-like curry *so delicious!
- fried rice
- rice soup (like congee but not as soft)
- lots of slushies
- american breakfast (eggs, toast, crepe, etc)

Things learned:
- the coffee is super strong and sweet
- it's pronounced Ko-Pan-Nan (not nyan)
- i love thai clothing (very bohemian)
- 7-11s everywhere and sell everything
- when people say "you can buy anything you forget" ...they're not kidding and it's cheaper here than in BC!
- food is so yummy

Next up...
More beach and Northern Thailand

Bowling and a Movie

Bowling
The other night i went to the Commodore Lanes (5-pin bowling) on Granville Street. I never knew the place existed (thanks Mike for introducing it to me) and it's one of the oldest bowling alleys still open in BC! And one of the few left in Canada that uses manual score-keeping! Some people may dislike it but i think it's such a charming little place in Vancouver with a chill atmosphere. It's got character!!! And pool tables (lots of em). The bathroom's a little smelly but poo smells! I can't wait to go back!

Movie
About a serial killer (played by Kevin Costner) with a conscious and the detective (played by Demi Moore) trying to catch him. First, i must say this movie is well-written and acted brilliantly, therefore, believably. I'm usually able to guess the ending or where the plot's going but this one had so many twists and turns! I loved it! It reminds me of the surprise-filled scripts like Primal Fear, The Usual Suspects, and Shawshank Redemption...although I still can't put it on the same caliber as these classics. But be warned, Mr. Brooks is a disturbing film! There were moments i felt really uncomfortable and unsafe. But i guess that's part of the film's intrigue.

Addictions can involve alcohol...cigarettes...eating...murder? If you start to think really hard...it's kinda scary. I just hope my future significant other and those of my friends, don't enjoy murdering people on the side. Yesyes. But WATCH IT!

Movies i'm stoked for:
- Superbad
- Penelope

OK...i lied...

I'm bored so here i am. Finding things to do is pretty exhausting.

Over the weekend i...

Friday
Hung out at Surbhi's for her Coastal NLDC Reintegration fun. The usual 30 mins drive took me 1 hour cuz I kept getting lost. Seriously, my sense of direction is the crappers. Thank goodness for maps!

Saturday
Went to Howie's for Gracey's going away. It was like a highschool reunion again! It was awesome to see people i haven't seen in such a long time like Justin, Mike and Kay! Grace is nuts for having a party on the day before her flight! What a crazy girl! After, they went to The Standard in New Westminster but a few of us went for BBT instead. But of course, word of advice: Burnaby BBT close early! So we went home instead.

I've been so tired these days that i pass out on the bus immediately and don't wake up until i'm at my stop...30mins later. I've perfected the best position on the bus to maximize sleep comfort...it's pretty awesome.

Other than that, i've just been preparing for my trip and planning a beach day this week...i hope it stays sunny! Spanish Banks, here i come!!! Oh how i heart thee...you've been in hibernation for too long! Wow, i'm drooling at the thought right now...

Future Happenings:
- Animal Rights Film Festival
- Dragonboat Festival
- Les/Mike Bday festivities (HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACQUI!)
- Hiking - can't wait!
- Grouse Grind...my motivation is the view on top!
- Start operation: Tread Water
- BEACH!!!
- Night Market

Lots o fun! I'm super excited. Just 2 more days of waking up at 5am. Work is chill and all its just...5 AM?!? ....i love morning air but i'm a night owl.

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Coastal, aka last conference =(

So Coastal was fun. Officially the last conference. It's great to see all the newbies having fun and enjoying themselves. I'm gonna miss NLDC and all the super cool @ers =( But i know i'll see everyone again.

Coastal was nowhere nearly as sad as NC cuz these peoples i could see whenever...man, i could walk 5mins and see a few of them haha...but people in Alberta...Toba...East Canada...i can't just step outside and see them =( I guess that's part of the @XP haha.

Other than that...there's just been Turnover...2 WEEKS TILL DONE ahhhhhhhhhh...i don't know what i'm goin to do with all that free time!!! Maybe steal some babies?

So in the upcoming months i plan to...

- Run the Sun Run (hurray!)

- Las Vegas with the girls (maybe...girls do have more fun)

- Asia

- See the lovely @ers that are visiting Vandizzle! Rainbow...Henry...Marcy...yesyes.

- Arts County Fair...and so tradition lives on (for my friends Grading)