Had no major plans for this weekend. Worked on Saturday. Sunday - go shopping for a gift at Chatuchak again. This time with Jo (Phillipine colleague). She attended the church service at the Assumption Cathedral at 10am while I roamed around the area (aka 'Old Farang Quarter').

The Assumption Cathedral is an attraction itself. Built in 1910, the interior has those stained glass that looked so beautiful from the morning light that shines on it.

The service was for an hour so I decided to explore the surroundings. My only interest would be the Oriental Hotel nearby.

The Oriental Hotel is repeatedly voted as the world's best hotel for its excellent service. I wanted to take a peek at its lobby as I had a picture of it in my guide book.

Unfortunately there was a guard booth at the entrance and a sign which doesn't allow backpackers, slippers or sleeveless top/shorts. Seems like it's meant only for hotel guests. I hesitated to go in so I walked pass the booth. But I heard my own voice saying 'Come on Li Li, you're here already. Just enquire to go in - the worst that could happen is only a 'NO'. At least you've tried'. I think that little voice was also driven from the inspiring words - Carpe Diem from which I saw Dead Poets Society the evening before.

So I turned and approached the guard. After describing my intentions, the guard told me normally it's not their policy to allow outsiders in. But since I was nicely dressed (I was actually wearing a long skirt - no, not trying to be feminine, just that I thought skirts are more cooling than jeans in the hot weather), I could go in and act as one of their guests.

So I got to see the big decorative wooden bells at their lobby. Mission accomplished!

Next to the Oriental Hotel is the China House - one of Bangkok's most expensive restaurants. It looked like a small wooden mansion.

Moving on is the Chareon Krung Road where gem and jewellery shops occupy most of the shoplots. I returned to the cathedral as I thought there wasn't much to explore anymore.

I studied the area in my guide book again and surprise, surprise! There was suppose to be some coin and stamp stalls set up in front of the General Post Office (GPO) off the Chareon Krung road. My heart lept with joy! Was off to my treasure hunt immediately.

Didn't know exactly where the GPO was so I kept my eye out for the brown building description.

I nearly had to turn back because I still couldn't find it after walking for about 10 minutes and needed to meet Jo later. Like I said, the creator is very good to me when it comes to travelling. The GPO was actually situated at the CAT Telecoms Tower building. I could see the colourful canopy for the stamp stalls.

There were only a few stalls actually but I managed to get a number of Thai stamps featuring flowers. They don't have those containers with stamps like at the flea market in Amcorp Mall, PJ. Their stamps are packaged nicely instead and not really that cheap. About RM0.30 to RM0.40 for a stamp.

I also walked to the GPO to witness its operations. It was very spacious and even opens on Sundays from 10am to 1pm.

Funny thing - I was walking to the Saphan Taksin station with Jo and my eyes happened to roaming at a low level because of the many interesting food on display by the streetside vendors when I came upon a case display of cakes and tit-bits. As I moved on, I suddenly saw 'roti canai' on one of the shelves. I was like ????. I looked up and found my answer. It was actually an Indian coffee shop!

I was pretty happy about my weekend already - productive work on Saturday, a chance to watch Dead Poets Society again but with dedicated attention, a chance to walk into the Oriental Hotel and visit the stamp stalls in front of the GPO. Life is good to me.

While on the skytrain to Mo Chit, saw a nice park with a big lake near the Sala Daeng station. Saw boats for rent too. Mmm... another idea for a weekend outing. I believed that place is the Lumphini Park.

As for the Chatuchak outing, bought lots of stuff - future gifts for my friends.

9.9.2000 - Dead Poets Society
--------------------------------------------

It was work for the Saturday - actually I just came in to check some program specifications, housekeep my emails and surf the net for SAP information. Somehow, I really like to work on Saturdays when it's quiet. I'm more productive that way. Come to think of it, if possible I would like to work at nights and sleep in the day.

I had a swim when I came back from work. Never tried the swimming pool here even after staying for two months. Not a big pool but adequate enough for some exercise. Lots of trees - I like the settings - it's like a jungle pond in the middle of the apartment area.

Yeah, back to the Dead Poets Society movie... I'd once 'saw' it on video but I don't think I 'watched' it. All I remembered was that Robin Williams was great as a teacher and that there was a sad ending (someone committed suicide). I think I was studying at that time so I didn't pay too much attention. Actually I didn't even finish the ending because the video was incomplete. The show was on again on TV and I had to miss it that time. I tried to borrow it on video again but the video store doesn't have it. So I ended up not really watching a great show.

With nothing interesting on the other channels, I watched the show with the same dedication I had for the movie L.A. Confidential (whereby I watched the movie alone in my hometown cinema).

It was good drama indeed. The acting was superb. The cinematrophy was fantastic. And the best part was that I could relate to the main characters so well especially the 'Neil' character - the guy who had strict parents and who later committed suicide. I can relate to how he felt when he actually found something that he wanted to do badly and wanted to try it out. I can relate to how crushed he felt when his dad dismiss his ambitions altogether and told him how much sacrifice was done for his education. I can relate to his intention to commit suicide. The only difference was probably that I didn't have the guts to do it.

I think I cried a lot for this movie. Yep, the best part about watching a show alone is that I could just allow my emotions to flow freely. It was a good cry - haven't cried for ages.

I could also relate to Mr. Keating's passion to educate his students about taking stride in one's life and seizing the day. Make your life 'extraordinary'!

Weight incident
----------------------

There was a weighing machine at one of the building's toilet at my client's place. One day I decided to try it just to see whether I was still maintaining my weight after all that yummy Thai food.

It was shocking news indeed. I normally weigh around 53kg and I looked in disbelief at the arrow which pointed to ..... 50kg! I haven't been at that weight since 10 years ago.

I felt good 'coz that means I could eat more Thai food!

Still in disbelief, I weighed myself back at home. And another shocking discovery. This time I weighed.... 57kg! Huh?!!

Called my mom and brother to check on their weights and they said it was their normal weight. But... but? 57kg for me? I don't feel like 57kg. Is it the fresh milk that I almost have every morning at breakfast in Bangkok? I had no idea.

After 1 week of joking about weight, I decided to go for the mall's 20 cents weighing machine with my hometown friends. And u know what? The reader says ..... 52kg! Tell me which one's right?

BTW, I immediately celebrated with a Snickers bar.

Regards,
Li Li