What's in a name?

I have been sleeping in my new flat for what will be my fourth night tonight, and I can't help but wonder... are the people who live on floor 12A really convinced that they live on 12A? I mean seriously between 12 and 14 comes 13 no matter which way you look at it. But in my new building, 13 does not exist, but 12A does. Luckily, I do not live on 12A. I live on the 15th floor. No superstitions to be worried about.

So, I have a new flat - all to myself. No flatmates. It's good though. I like it. It feels like home. Moving was a pain, but I am basically done. I will make one final stop tomorrow to pick up the last few things. Photos are to come including the semi-view that the 15th floor provides.

I have been back at school in this past week preparing for children on Monday. The thought sends shivers up my spine. Not ready... but I have to be. Seven children are in my future, plus a school filled with music students and a handful of students with English as an additional language. I'm in for a busy year.

Summer has come to an end all to quickly. 9 weeks of teaching before we get a break. I think we will create a weekend away. Or two... or.. many. Sanity is needed.

Q-Tips

Things I miss about Canada... (note the word 'things'....allow me to be vain and selfish. All you people out there know that I miss you too.)

• John Frieda Shampoo and Conditioner
• Aveda hair straightening serum
• Aveda hair serum for curly hair (don't ask)
• Shoppers Drug Mart
• Peanut Butter M&Ms (thanks mom for helping me with this one)
• Fuzzy Peaches (thank you Amy for your contribution)
• Swedish Berries
• Not having to check labels for chemicals that help whiten your skin
• The Body Shop (they have it here... it's just not very big)
• Vancouver
• Montreal
• Toronto
• Terrace *note... these cities are not necessarily listed in order*
• Chocolate
• Sheet sets that come with a sheet to fit over your mattress and a top sheet
• Clothes Dryers
• The walk left, stand right rule on escalators
• Q-Tips

Now, I'm sure there are many things I have left off this list, but let me tell you about Q-Tips. First of all, nobody knows what Q-Tips are. Apparently they are called "Cotton Buds." I came to Thailand almost exacly one year ago... August 30th I think) and I came with a full box of Q-Tips... and I ran out last week. So I went hunting. What I found will not suffice. I am in mourning over my loss of Q-Tips.

Which city do I live in again?

It's really strange how cities, regardless of the province, country, or even continent... can have pieces that make you feel right at home. You feel like you are going to walk around the corner and see a certain building. Or get on the bus at the end of the day and go for pizza with your friends.

Today I went to Suan Siam. Yes... that probably meansy nothing to anybody reading this, and I failed to take any pictures even though I had my camera. To clarify... I am in Bangkok, but there were moments today where I thought I was in Toronto, or then Vancouver, then even Montreal. (Terrace didn't really make the list) Suan Siam is like Canada's Wonderland, or La Ronde, or Playland. (the travelling carnival that comes to Terrace doesn't hold the same memories) It's amazing though... some of the roller coasters are even the same. And the set up is so familiar. Now... what should have been a cotton candy stand, was selling som tam (papaya salad) and instead of mini donoughts, you had phad thai. But that's to be expected in Thailand.

This evening I went out to the cinema. Only the second time I have been since being in Thailand. I saw the new Batman movie. Really enjoyed it, by the way. That too, was like being anywhere else. No, I take that back. The cinemas here are really clean. And really comfortable. And really cheap. And before the film starts everyone stands to watch a tribute to the King. It's really quite beautiful.

I have never really understood the power the King has in this country. I know that everyone loves the King and everyone from children, to the elderly wear bracelets saying "Long live the King." It was explained to me in some way today. Thai people as a whole believe in past lives - and what you do in your past life leads to what and who you will be in your next life. So being born a King is pretty amazing. He must have been an amazing person to come back as a King. He has been this country's King for 60 years. The King was born on a Monday. Yellow is the colour of Monday. So the streets are flooded with people wearing yellow on Mondays. I think next Monday I'll wear yellow too.