Dinner time

After days of being in lethargy of the deepest kind, I finally went to clear out my desk at my work place. It was a task I clearly underestimated because I only got so far as to sorting out which papers to shred and which resources belonged to which classes.

I did get paid today though. The past week, I have had to restrain myself from going on a trip to a northern province because I was running out of money. Turns out, the money had been lying in the office the whole time. Anyway, so I decided to celebrate pay-day by buying some chicken. Mina and I then went to Naviangkham market, the one close by, and bought some vegetables. I also spotted an enormous live gecko and its dismembered dearly departed on display at the market place.

I decided to cook an elaborate meal for the girls, and for myself, since for the past few days I hadn't really had a proper meal. More because of my laziness than the kitchen not being stocked. And well, 'elaborate' for my standards, considering how seldom I cook. So yea, as the girls watched one of their many Thai-dubbed Bollywood movies, I busied myself in the kitchen.

I made a jhaal sabji- the one with aloo, tomatoes, chillies, etc. I added a brinjal too. Then I marinated the chicken in some garlic, worcestershire sauce, vinegar and some salt, and then fried it after a coating of a flour and Knorr (seasoning) mixture. Sa, who is about 5 years old, Linda's younger sister who's here on a visit, was on her best behaviour and helped me fry the chicken. I made a simple salad with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions mixed with the squeezed juice of a lemon, some sugar and salt as the dressing.

On 'elaborate' dinner nights, we usually like to eat outside where out landlady has set a table and some chairs. Our house, being on a hillock, gives us a good view of the surrounding hills and a few ranges behind, and the famous Phousy Temple up on the Phousy Hill. So, we get to enjoy the meal with the lovely view of the setting sun.

We enjoyed the meal, yes. And after several days of eating, sleeping, doing things on our own timings, it felt good to eat together again. Amber's been away for over a week now and the household has been running a little differently, this being vacation time.So, it was good to have a meal together with the girls again.

It could have been my hunger talking, but as we fried the chicken, I thought that nobody should be denied the joy that fried chicken can bring. Well, tonight our household sure didn't get denied nor deny any.

Day One

I'm now officially jobless.

Work came to an end last evening with the last of our English Camp classes. I still have to clear out my desk and all, but this is it. Everyone being exhausted, teachers and students alike, it was more of an anti-climax than the usual end-of-term buzz of excitement. But well, we have had our share of outings, class parties and farewells in the past few weeks.

Day One of the holidays and I'm bored out of my wits. All my team-mates have left- some for meetings/ holidays in Bangkok, some to the States. I'm home alone, the girls having gone back to their village. I've cleaned my room, done my laundry, sorted out my wardrobe, made some fries with a mayo dip, ate them with some carrot sticks and a glass of water for lunch.

17 more days until my parents and sister arrive here. What a wait. I hate waiting.

We plan to go to a few places once they get here. A trek to a village and some sight-seeing around here and then we'll be off to Vietnam.

Vietnam excites me. Hanoi Old Town Quarters have charmed me already, reminding me of Old Delhi. I can't wait to let Ha Long Bay take my breath away. We'll then go to Cambodia.

Cambodia saddens me. The thought of Pol Pot's prison Tuol Sleng in Phnom Penh has robbed me of a night's sleep already. Siem Reap with the Ankor Wat will probably be more... serene. I'm excited that I have seen already the part of the Ankor Wat that extends into the Lao border, down south in Champasak.

I wish we could've gone back to Phuket. But Bangkok will be our last stop. I hope I won't have a fit or seizure out of excitement. It has been a long time, a really long time since I've had a shopping spree or been in a mall.

My folks will fly straight to Kolkatta on a morning flight, while I'll have a few more hours on my own before I catch my flight to Delhi.

Delhi after over a year makes me nervous. Much has changed. I haven't seen Delhi after her Commonwealth Games face-lift. And knowing that people will have changed, it is a bittersweet feeling, as much as I have been learning to embrace change.

Coming to think of it, I think it'll be a great summer. Like most good things in life, I bet it'll be worth the wait.