Updates: Erm.. update!?

Two months have passed and my blog is screaming out for a bit of attention ;-) I guess Facebook is partly to blame as I am now having more regular contact and updates with people there. The downside of course is that in later years, if I ever get the urge to reread my ramblings, there will be a unfortunate gap.
So, bearing that in mind I am going to summarise some of the highlights.

Certainly the most memorable thing was staying one week at the Destination Spa resort on Naka Island in Phuket. This is a new Six Senses concept with only a few of its kind in the world.. a thorough focus on wellbeing .. a consultation upon arrival to discuss objectives (anything from weightloss, alleviating stress, relationship counselling, depression, pre pregnancy to treating modern diseases such as allergies, migranes) in order to create a tailor made schedule of at least 3 hours of personalised treatments per day. Treatments blend holistic fitness, innovative spa therapies, integrated healing using Ayurvedic, Chinese, Accupunture, Homeopathic treatment combined with Nutrional support (no meat/alcohol in the organic fishetarian restaurant) and counselling, Reiki, Shakra sessions. Well.. needless to say my days involved getting up early to Yoga/Kenesis gym session/Thai Chi before having a healthy breakfast, then off for an alternative therapy session, followed by lunch and a two or three hour spa treatment. The highlight for me was a signature treatment which involved a vigorating body exfoliation and scrub. I was then taken to a dome shaped steam room with a large stone table enveloped in steam as the centre-piece. The next 40 minutes was spent lying naked on this table, the masseuse rubbing a ginger scrub and oil over my body. I have to say that the combination of sweat and oil, not being able to see much and the overwhelming heat was all quite erotic. I did have difficulty in breathing, often avoiding steam rooms as I tend to feel claustrophobic in them.. but just having to overcome that fear, focusing on steady breathing added to the experience for me. I actually don't know how the therapist managed it... A welcome freezing cold shower followed by an energetic and powerful Thai massage left me in a total state of euphoria - my blood pumping!
Another treatment I loved was two therapists doing a Hawaian dance (in costume)message - carefully coreographed moves and pressure in sync with each other.. running their hands from my toes to the top of my head. The theory behind this lies in the positive energy generated from dancing. Pity I had an eye mask most of the time - though I guess I would have been focusing more on their moves than the actual massage ;-) The programme was pretty full and at times I did feel like screaming.. no more treatments.. I just wanna lie by the pool and read!!! I know!! As Amandio says.. it is like giving pearls to pigs! LOL! Well, after 8 days of this pampering, healthy food, body stretching, re-evaluating and regenerating, self exploration and expression and switching off from the world (no TVs, internet) .. I felt like a whole new person and physically and mentally prepared for my upcoming IVF (my personal goal). Amandio was lucky and got to spend the first four days 'sampling the product' but then he had quite a lot on his plate finding it very difficult to move in and out of the work mindset under such relaxing conditions.

On returning to Bangkok I almost developed an allergy to work, electronic noise, and the city. Old habits die hard though.. after a week all was back to normal - busy at work (teaching 30hours per week and annoyingly another 20 hours per week marking essays!!), summer sales shopping, sight-seeing, watching movies, late nights and surfing the net. Which reminds me, I went to see the new Batman - Dark Knight movie and not really being a big fan of this genre was pleasantly surprised. Heath Ledger playing The Joker was out of this world!! I haven't been so impressed in ages.. if you haven't seen it - go! I've been doing a lot with my friend G who I met in Thai lessons lately. Her man has gone back to England, my man is away for three weeks.. so us ladies have been enjoying long girlie chats and laughs over dinners, some retail therapy, cinema going, sight-seeing trips around Bangkok etc. We have really bonded and it is such a shame that she is leaving... I will miss her! Damn..

Seeing as Amandio is away for most of this month, we have postponed IVF until August (this time nothing will get in the way ;-). He is in Oman.. his last trip before he leaves Six Senses (September 1st). Yes, a change on the horizon. The past few months have been a whirlwind of headhunters (great to be in popular demand!) contacting him with offers here and there. Paris was on the cards for a while, or Dubai again.. but the position in both wasn't really all that great or the conditions weren't really favourable. Besides, timing to leave BKK wasn't really right seeing as we have our hearts set on IVF, don't need the extra stress of moving etc. The ideal solution landed on our laps when Amandio was contacted by a VP of Sofitel on a Sunday for an interview. On completing it he was told that they would get into touch two weeks later for more interviews. Imagine the surprise when he got a phone call with a job offer the very next day! My Amandio, I am so proud of him!! It is a great position, Revenue and Distribution Director for Sofitel, South-east Asia, a pay rise (which will cover my salary when I can't work as much) and Maternity and Dental insurance (rare in expat packages in Asia). The job is also very interesting as he will be working on a project to make Sofitel a luxury brand for Accor (new standards, degrading some which aren't up to scratch, implementing new policies, opening new resorts etc). It'll be exciting to travel to the hotels.. Vietname, Cambodia, India, Bali, Malaysia, Philipines to name a few. Delighted too that we don't have to move for a while, no more set up costs (stabilising). It is a three year contract but with the possibility of moving within the chain much sooner than that if we wish. Opportunites to relocate to other continents (or back to Europe) are much better with Accor (also friends and family rates can be taken advantage of - just ask!)Having said that I will miss the 'intelligent eco-friendly relaxed luxury of the private villas and exotic locations of Six Senses. However, leaving on excellent terms leaves doors open for a return one day should the right position arise.

There are loads of birthdays this month.... Leos rule!! LOL! Have a great day all of you and may next year be better than last but not half as good as the following year. All my love ;-)