20 minute shampoo? Yes, please!

The last time I attempted getting my hair done in Asia, was when I was living in Shanghai in October 2003.  My hair was a mess, and I needed serious color and a cut.  My roommates and I went to a very expensive salon, and expected, well, a fairly good outcome.  My roommates did ok.  I, however, ended up coming out looking like a banana- the skin of a banana.  At first, they tried to give me highlights, but somehow they bleached me in such big chunks and so badly, that when they combed my hair out afterward, it literally looked STRIPED (horizontally, not vertically!).  And the color was awful.  The only answer was to simply bleach it all- which is what they did.  But somehow it still ended up yellow, instead of, say, blond.  It was AWFUL.  I wish I had a picture... I just spent a few minutes scouring my files, but I don't have one.  The next time I had my hair done was back in the States at Christmas 2003, and although they did their best, for some reason, after whatever they did, when I went back to China, my hair turned orange in parts!  I did find a picture of that... you can notice the orange along the side of my forehead on the left of the picture, and at my ends on both sides of my hair.  It was weird. 

Eventually I got all that orange cut off, or colored out, and I spent a few more years very blond- until I had a baby.  Well, actually, I went darker before that, but when Beni was 6 mos old, I decided I was done with coloring my hair for the meantime.  It's just not maintenance I want to deal with!  

So fast forward, because I'm getting lost in the point of my story... oh yes.  So here I am, now, in Laos, and it had been about 6 mos since my last haircut.  Now, I pretty much get a bob of some sort every time I cut my hair, so, letting it grow out for 6 mos doesn't necessarily look horrible.  But my hair is very thin, and the longer it gets the more useless it is.  So, I was dying for a haircut.  It was just driving me crazy! 

So I asked my SIL for a recommendation on where to go, and I booked an appointment, hoping for the best!

Now, when I was living in Shanghai, I remember people always saying that they would go get their hair washed and dried just for the massage.  I don't recall getting any massage at that expensive salon in Shanghai, and since I never dared set foot in another salon while I lived there, I never experienced this.  

Well, today, I had a 20 minute shampoo.  I got to lay down on this almost fully reclined chair- like a leather office chair, except, it's reclined, and has a foot rest- and rest my head on a slightly slanted back headrest, while the shampooer soaped me up twice, massaged with the shampoo in my hair for a good 10-15 minutes, and then did a conditioner as well, and massaged a while longer.  I love head massages, and she got my neck too, so it was WONDERFUL.  

After that, I went and sat in the chair, and the stylist asked what I wanted.  I said, about chin length, a bit longer in front than in back, and slightly layered, just to add some oomph.  And this is what I got: 

  Chin length, slightly longer in front than back, a slightly layered around the bottom for oomph! 

Of course, I didn't have any color done, and I am happy with that- I'm enjoying the ease of being natural in that sense these days, not having to worry about roots and whatnot.  Skipping the color definitely took a lot of the fear out of this experience.  But, I tend to be a weenie about my hair.  It's very thin and not that impressive, so I like to keep things simple and easy.  I'm NOT a do my hair every day kind of person, and I need a haircut that looks good without having to be "done".  So, I'm always a little anxious going into a haircut, especially with a new stylist, and even more so when language might be an issue.  But alas, it wasn't.  

And the best part?   It only cost me $15!  

So I'm thinking, I won't be shy about going to get my hair cut anymore here!  Between the head massage and how well she cut it... I'm in! :)

Have you ever had a haircut or color nightmare?     

Past due... October break, part II

It happened so long ago, you might not even remember that I forgot to write the second part of this report.  I covered our first three days at the resort on the lake, and then left it.  Well, there is a good reason for this.  Mamma is pregnant.  Yes, yes, it's all very exciting. I'm far enough along and we've seen the baby doing well.  So why did being pregnant stop me from posting about the rest of this trip?  

The truth is, the whole trip was colored by early pregnancy for me.  For those of you that haven't been pregnant before, the first trimester can have all kinds of sucky symptoms- from the best known morning sickness to fatigue, food cravings and aversions, and a whole slew of other things too.  For most of this trip, I have to say, I felt pretty crappy.  I couldn't get my hands on food that made me feel good.  While pregnant I really like to eat a big breakfast, preferably with a few eggs to get a good dose of protein in.  But all the eggs we had on this trip were heavily overcooked, over-salted and drenched in oil.  It did not make for a good start to the day for me.  I spent a lot of time laying around with stomach aches, feeling sleepy, just wanting to sleep for days.  I also read a lot.  

But the city of Vang Vieng was an interesting little place.  A back-packer, tourist town, it was full of roadside shops selling the same stuff (t-shirts, hats, sunglasses and flip flops plus other souvenir-type crap) one after another, restaurants serving the same food (some Lao food, and then bad renditions of sandwiches, pizzas, and a few other "western" dishes), and sweaty, under-dressed, drunk or hungover young travelers planning or recovering from a tubing trip down the river (you float the river in inner-tubes, and river-front bars pull you in and serve you strong drinks along the way).  One thing that I enjoyed was the fact that for some reason- who knows why!- almost all the restaurants in Vang Vieng play FRIENDS (on their TVs).  We also saw quite a few playing American Dad or Family Guy, but almost 80% had FRIENDS going on a non-stop loop.  Since I always loved FRIENDS (and since we don't get any American sitcom re-runs on TV here), it was a nice to just sit one afternoon and watch a few episodes over lunch.  

Our time in Vang Vieng wasn't too exciting... we mostly spent our days walking around town, finding food, planning naps, going for another walk, and then taking another nap, or picking up the next meal.  Except on the first afternoon, when we just arrived.  We arrived in Vang Vieng on the day of boat racing.  And our hotel was hosting a big ole party.  And it was LOUD.  And it was stinky (lots of meat cooking on open fires, plus so many people, and other random smells- also, hi, I'm pregnant, everything stinks).  And there were SO MANY PEOPLE.  And, we had the little bungalow closest to the river, which means closest to the people and the most of the noise (well, actually, my BIL/SIL were originally put in the bungalow that had the band's speakers on the porch- they requested a room change!).  So, the few pictures I took in Vang Vieng were all taken on that first afternoon, before I escaped it all to get a massage. :) So here they are, finally!       

People watching race watching

So many people, on both sides of the river- boat racing is a BIG deal for the Lao! 

The backdrop was beautiful.  The change of scenery was one
thing I definitely appreciated about Vang Vieng. 

Stinky meat smoke blowing right onto our porch.  Awesome. 

Little guy enjoying meat on a stick.  He was drooling all over himself. 

Beni holding court.  Once we arrived quite a few people gave up watching
 the races and watched us instead.  Also, see the pool in the background?
  This pic was taken before the kids decided they were allowed to jump in.
  By the end of the day, the water was literally BROWN from all the kids
 swimming in their clothes.  We never did go in, as it never cleared
 in the three days we were there.  :(

So, that's it.  Being pregnant, and tired and nauseous and stomach-achy definitely made me not take pictures. :)  Sorry about that.  Maybe now that the news is out though, I'll start posting more often again now!

Gardening fail

On the left, bok choy, on the right sweet peas

A closer look at the rows of peas

On the left, some cilantro and basil, on the right tomatoes

So, you might say to yourself.... "FAIL?  That doesn't look like a fail!"  Well, I admit the truth- *I* failed completely as the gardener.  I would forget to go out there to water.  I didn't even know how often I should be watering.  I wasn't using enough or the right kind of fertilizer.  And ultimately, I just didn't care enough.

So why is the garden full of beautiful plants?  Because of our guard.  When we went away for October break, I asked him to look after the garden while we were gone.  He not only took on looking after it, but he cleaned up the beds, planted more plants and basically, made the whole thing thrive.  Everything would be dead if it had been left up to me.

So... I don't know... maybe I need to face the fact that I am more of a farmer's market girl.  Even back in the old days, I would have been the school teacher, or the local doula or something and people would have paid me in food- and that is how I would have stayed fed.  Cause this gardening thing- just doesn't seem to come naturally to me.  But thankfully, the guard, he's into it.  I'm going to pick some of that bok choy soon- I think it's looking ready to eat.  And I'll make sure to tell him he can help himself to what he's growing as well.  If he clears it all out, he deserves it!

Stylish Blogger Award!

Liene over at Femme au Foyer awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award for my parenting style!  What an honor!  Thanks, Liene!

Now, I've never thought of myself as stylish (in any way!), and I feel like I'm still fairly new to this parenting thing, but, I'll let you know what has gotten me where I am... My seven points of parenting style!

1. Parenting style has got to come down, first and foremost, to doing what feels right, and doing it with confidence.  I don't know where I got this confidence- maybe it grew out of wanting to be a mother for such a long time.  Whatever it was that built my confidence to mother, I have to credit said confidence with giving me any style I might have!

2. Beyond confidence there are some tools that lend to my style of parenting.  One of my favorite parenting tools, which helps keep my kid close, helps my kid experience the world from a nicer perspective, and keeps my hands free to get stuff done while still being close to my kid- it's the Ergo!  We got our Ergo as a hand me down, so we didn't have the choice in color (ours is black and maroon)- but ooooh....if I did... they have some lovely colors and patterns out now!  Go check it out! :)

3. A big part of my parenting style is about keeping my kid close- during the day and night.  Beni sleeps in a toddler bed next to our bed these days at the beginning of the night, and ends up in our bed at some point.  To keep your kid close at night, I highly recommend, first off all, getting a kind sized bed (yes, for real!), and also, maybe a co-sleeper.  We had the Original Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper when Beni was tiny.  I'll admit I wasn't actually that good about using it, because I liked her to be *right* next to me... but if you can't see yourself having your kid in your bed- get a co-sleeper.

4. A major reason to keep your kid close day and night?  To make breastfeeding easier!  For me, breastfeeding is far more than a way to feed my child- it is a parenting choice.  It is a promise to my child that I will be there for her, that I will offer her comfort, that she can count on me- that she can indeed depend on me- for nourishment, for love, for safety.  I was lucky enough to have an amazingly easy time of breastfeeding (still am!), and didn't need many props or aides.  But, a good nursing bra (Bravado Body Silk Seamless is my fave!) and some reusable nursing pads (Bamboobies are far more absorbent and invisible under clothes than any other pad I tried!) are great things to have!

5. An absolutely invaluable part of my parenting style (and probably something that contributes to my confidence) is surrounding myself with a supportive community.  I do this online (especially considering living abroad!), in person and through books.  Online I have joined several message boards, places where I can ask for help, offer help, and share stories of parenting in general.  In person, I have gone to La Leche League meetings (click the link, find a meeting near you!) and to a local natural birth/natural parenting group in my home town.  Through books I have found my greatest source of support, like-mindedness and good information in the Dr. Sears Library.  The Baby Book was my first Dr. Sears book, and where I fell in love.  The Vaccine Book gave me insight and helped me make informed decisions about which vaccines to get and when.  The Discipline Book and The Baby Sleep Book are helping me through some rough spots along the way.  Parenting can be a tough gig, and having people you can turn to to ask for help goes a long way- whether it is in person, online or in a book.

6.  I would not be able to do what I do, any of it, without the support of my husband.  We don't always agree on parenting paths- though we usually agree on the goal.  But, more often than not, he supports the choices I make, and walks along with me on whatever path I've chosen- even when it doesn't seem like the easiest way to go.

7.  The last piece of my parenting style can be none other than love.  I try in every decision I make, to keep love at the center of it.  When my 18 mos old is throwing a tantrum, or not sleeping, or not eating, or climbing on me for the 10th time in 10 minutes, I try (and honestly don't always succeed, I'm only human) to keep love in sight.  I try to remember that she is a little person, trying to find her way in a big world that can be scary, intimidating, and confusing.  When she's taken a seat on my last nerve, I try to pull back, turn some love on myself, and remember, that I too am only a person, not always able to stay in control.  When it feels like she needs more of me than I can give, or when I just don't know if I have what she needs.... I try to remember love.  Because in the end, at the heart of it all, love is probably what will get us through.                

Now... in the spirit of love... I pass on the Stylish Blogger Award to just one blogger whose style I admire!

Mook at Hello Latvia has got style (not just parenting, but like, for real).  I admire her strong sense of style, which is obvious and constant in her clothes, her home, her writing.  Here's to you, Mook!
 

October Break, part 1

OK, I know this is long overdue, and the truth is, I just don't have that much energy to put into doing these posts any justice.  So they will be mostly pictures.  

I will tell you- driving a few hours north in Lao was interesting.  I guess I'm just too used to good roads.  The roads between here and there were basically like the roads all over Vientiane- at times drive-able, at times, you feel like you might as well be off-roading.  I had to drive the whole way because there is no other way to do this drive other than a very jerky, start stop, go, go, slow down, brake hard for hidden potholes, etc... I get car sick, and it's especially the stop-start thing that gets me.  There was no hope for me on this ride, unless I was behind the wheel.  On the way home, Joel and I decided that our car would be just fine for a road trip "back home", but it is not cut out to road trip in Lao.  I can't even tell you how many times we bottomed out the car, how many times the shocks, or suspension, or whatever it is that is supposed to keep your ride smooth slammed loudly against itself, and seriously left me wondering if, like in a cartoon, our tires weren't just going to go rolling off in every direction.  But we made it, in one piece, without any issues- well, except a leaking air conditioner and a wet purse, but we handled that! 

Our first stop was a resort on a lake.  It's a new place, only open about 6 months.  This was evident in how nice and new the little bungalows were.  It was also evident in a few things that seemed just a touch lacking.  But, overall, it was a wonderful, peaceful, quiet place to be.  We enjoyed three days and nights seriously just chilling out.  It was good.   

So here is the story in pictures.  Enjoy! 

The view from our balcony.  Can't complain.  The terrain around Vientiane is very flat,
but we were sort of in the mountains where we were.  It was beautiful! 

More beautiful landscape

One of the big draws of this place was that they offered water sports including
jet-skis, wake boarding behind the jet-ski, and kite surfing.  This is a view of the town
from the jet-ski.  Joel and I took a sunset cruise around the lake that was very nice!

It was like a tropical Venice... 

The Blue Lagoon resort (where we stayed)

On the right is the restaurant/bar, and eating areas, on the left the bungalows

View of our bungalow from eating area.  

Gorgeous girl had a lovely time.  

The only complaint- the resort sits between the village and a main port the locals use.
This means lots of local boats went by in front of the resort every day- and they have VERY loud motors.
So loud the bungalows would vibrate and the babies would cry.  The resort is planning on fixing this. 

The eating area and dock from our balcony. 

See those shades in the distance.  That was the resort's beach.  It was ok.  Only problem?
No access to the water!  The beach had a wall of rocks surrounding it, which pretty much
dropped off within a few feet.  Worst part for us?  No easy water access for water babies!

Joel was in heaven getting to go wake boarding a couple times a day! 

My BIL and SIL going for a cruise on the jet-ski

The water was ok... except as I said, no area with a clean/sandy bottom.  I went in
once, and then got attacked by a tree/roots, and because we watch too many
cop shows, I was sure the tree would also be a dead body, and it cut me, so that was enough
for me.  Beni went swimming a couple times though, which was ok, because Joel held her the whole time. :) 

So, that is it!  That was the best of our three days there!  

The worst was the breakfast.  The resort (owned and run by French guys) only had a local cook who knew how to cook eggs one way- overcooked, fried in deep oil, with lots of salt.  As someone who likes to eat a big breakfast (and likes my eggs slightly under-cooked), I struggled for three days.  They did have a few other good dishes for lunch and dinner, even veggie dishes which made me happy....but even so, after three days, I was feeling rough.  The worst part I guess was that the resort was on an island in the middle of the lake, so there was no other option other than to eat the food they served.  But, at least I could eat.  So really, it was ok.  Except I also spent a lot of time in the bathroom, so maybe it wasn't so ok.  Eh....next time we go, we'll bring more snacks. :)    

The things we're missing out on...

OK, yes, I have pictures to share of our trip to Vang Vieng, but, I have been extremely lazy about getting down to business and writing that post!  Sorry!  I will do it soon!

But for now, I'm moved to write about something else.  There is something that comes over me nearly every autumn.  It has a lot to do with facebook.  I see pictures of my friends and their kids at pumpkin patches, dressed up for Halloween, carving pumpkins, outside with rosy cheeks running around in piles of leaves... I'm not going to lie, it makes me nostalgic, and it makes me miss home.

And now that Beni is here, it makes me wonder what we're missing out on by not being there.

Growing up in Michigan, as I did, means life revolves around the seasons because it can't not.  Maybe not quite to the extent that it did 100 years ago, because heating and housing and cars make a big difference, but....when it's summer and hot and the land is producing juicy fruits, and the water is warm you go swimming and you indulge in fresh food straight from the garden (or farmer's market)- you make the most of it, because you know it won't last.  Autumn comes and you enjoy the changing leaves, the pumpkins and apples, going for walks wearing a sweatshirt and a scarf around your neck.  Winter arrives, and it's time to play in the snow... whether sledding, or skiing or building a snowman- and enjoying thawing out when you come inside with a cup of hot chocolate.  And when spring finally arrives (after what seems like a lifetime of freezing temps) you watch nature come back to life- flowers bloom, trees bud and eventually sprout leaves, the grass turns lush and green again, you head outside for walks, maybe carrying an umbrella just in case, waiting for the day you can plant your garden, or when the farmer's market finally opens again.  When the seasons change so drastically, you can't ignore them.  And you can't not make the most of every season, because you know they only last so long.

Now, don't get me wrong- I could stand a place that had a proper winter with snow and all, but I would like it much better if it only last like 2 months- December and January- plenty for me! Alas, I don't know of any places that have a true winter which is that short.  Ah well. Until now, avoiding winter has been reason enough for me to choose warm places to live, even if it means no real seasons.  And even if it means missing out on traditions, and enjoying the special things that come with each season.

But kids change everything, don't they?  I'm sad now that Beni is missing out on pumpkin patches and hay rides, carving pumpkins, and maybe even Halloween (haven't been a big fan of Halloween since I was a kid myself- but Beni would be really cute dressed up, wouldn't she?).

I've seen some people try to recreate these traditions while living abroad- but sometimes it just doesn't work out.  I mean, Halloween in one compound with a handful of kids and a handful of houses to go to is ok.... but not the same as wandering a neighborhood all night surrounded by hundreds of other kids running around in costumes dragging pillow cases full of candy with them.  We could potentially pick up some pumpkins here, although I haven't seen any big orange ones (they are kind of squat and greenish), and we could even carve it- but it's just not quite the same when we'd be the only house as far as we know that had a pumpkin on the front stoop.  What's missing is the sense of community.... the chill in the air... the turning leaves... the hot apple cider and warm donuts!

That said, I have organized a couple very successful Thanksgivings while living abroad.  But, that is because Thanksgiving (the modern version of it) is the best holiday- it only takes being surrounded by people you love and care for, and some good food.  It helps if you can get your hands on some of the traditional ones- and in most places finding meat and potatoes isn't that hard.

It's October 24th today (Beni's 18 mos birthday, by the way!), and we spent the afternoon in the pool.  We had to wait until afternoon because midday was TOO HOT to be outside.  So thoughts of pumpkins and hot apple cider are far from my mind (until I see those darn pictures on facebook!).

Now I realize, one might argue, that even though Beni is missing out on such traditions from back home, she's gaining a lot of other knowledge and experience where she is.  I can't deny that, but I also don't think it's quite the same.  Sure, she's going to have a completely different perspective on the world someday if she remembers all of this- but, I don't know, there is no personal connection to any of it here.  We have no investment in Lao or its culture and tradition.  Even if we do embrace and join in while we're here (which I can't say we've done)- when we leave, in all likelihood, we'll leave it all behind.  And that is probably because so much of it is so very foreign to us, based in principles we don't know or identify with.  So does that mean we're all missing out in the end after all?



What's your favorite tradition for this time of year???          

Hitting the wall

There's a thing that happens when you move to a new place- in my case I'm talking about moving to a new country, but, I'm sure this might also happen just moving to a new city in your same country.  My guess though, is that you would at least have to move to a new region, a place that has a new/different culture.  

When you first arrive, you're excited, and everything is new and interesting.  You find things you like right away, and things that maybe you don't, but you find appreciation for almost everything (whether you like it or not).  Like in a new relationship, you find the little quirks of your new home endearing.

After about a month, or three, or six (generally) however, something happens.  All these little things start to wear on you a bit.  Again, like in a relationship, suddenly, that quirky little habit you used to find so endearing starts to make you absolutely crazy.  You hit the wall.

I've hit the wall.

I really like living in Lao.  I love our house.  I like our little neighborhood.  I love living down the street from family.  I enjoy Vientiane as a city.  I'm still quite happy with the shopping and food situation.

But the dogs, the driving and the "falang" have pushed me not over the edge, but into the wall.  Hard.

The dog situation is just out of control here.  The stupid beasts are everywhere.  And they are fricking stupid. They lay in the middle of the road, and watch your car approaching as though you were driving straight through the living room into their dog bed.  They bark at you and chase you for no reason.  They are just stupid dogs.  And they are stupid looking.  There are so many dogs here that have a normal sized body, and a normal sized head, but have like 2 in legs.  My SIL told me that apparently the locals don't believe in spaying and neutering because they believe it takes away the dog's spirit- and everything here revolves around pleasing the spirits.  We had a poisonous snake in our yard, and our guard didn't kill it, he threw it into the empty lot across the street.  Sigh.  So anyway...the locals don't believe in fixing dogs, or leashes or fences, so the stupid inbred dogs are everywhere being stupid, looking stupid and acting stupid.

I know I wrote about the driving already, but honestly it's like people set out to drive with the littlest amount of common sense possible.  I mean, they're not just driving fast or being assholes on the road just for fun or personal gain....they are just being STUPID.  I almost got in a car accident the other day because of a car that sat watching me approach for hours (ok, seconds), and then pulled out in front of me just as I was near enough to hit her.  I had to slam on my brakes and because it was raining, I screeched and skidded along, but thankfully stopped in time.  Driving here can be fun in that video game kind of way, but, right now, it's just pushed me to the wall.

Falang means foreigner.  When Beni and I go for walks, we hear falang being called out by pretty much every child old enough to speak, and at least every fifth adult as well.  I really want to go for walks because I want to be healthy and get out of the house and not just sit on my butt all day... but I'm getting kind of tired of feeling like a freak show.  And it stinks because, in town, there are loads of foreigners, and no one says anything, besides to offer you a tuk-tuk.  But out here, in our neighborhood, we're three of only a few foreigners, and therefore we attract attention.  And people are not mean about it.  They yell out "falang" to let everyone know that there is something to look at- and then they all stare.  And most of the time they will also smile and say hi, so they are being friendly.  But there is something about the being watched part of it all that has just pushed me straight into the wall.

The good news is, tomorrow we go on a road trip.  We're headed north about 3-4 hours to a town called Vang Vieng.  We'll spend three days and nights at a resort outside the city on a lake that offers water sports (yay for my husband getting to do something he loves!), and then we'll head into Vang Vieng itself for a few days there as well.

Usually when one hits the wall, it's a good idea to get out of the country, and to some place that feels more like home, although it doesn't have to be home.  We are not choosing that route this time, but hopefully just the change of pace, the fact that we'll be together all week, and relaxing will be enough to get me past this wall.  Because that is the other good news- the wall just has to be gotten over or around, and things move forward and ones gets to go back to loving their new home.  I know I'll be feeling fully happy about being here again soon, especially since I mostly really am still happy.  But hopefully the dogs and the driving and the falang will start rolling off my back again soon.

We'll be back in a week, hopefully with a few pictures of a different part of Lao to share!

Local, easy, healthy, yummy lunch

OK, so I won't be winning any awards for photography or food styling...but I was HUNGRY when I took this picture, so it was a quick snap so I could EAT! :)

I just wanted to share what is one of my favorite lunches recently.  I find myself making it quite often, because it's quick, easy, reasonably healthy and delicious!

I finally gave in and we bought a rice cooker- mostly because of the burners that can't be controlled to go low enough not to burn my rice when cooking in a pot.  So, first step when making this lunch- rinse rice and through it in the cooker.

Next I tear apart and rinse the bok choy.  I do make sure to separately rinse each leaf, because they are often dirty at the bottom, and I missed that one caterpillar that one time... ew.  This is the probably the step of making this meal that takes the most time.

While I'm rinsing, I rinse off my tomato (or tomatoes, in the case of using the cherry tomatoes today- usually I just use one whole one), and then dice it (or cut into halves today).

When I'm ready to cook I throw the tomatoes on a pan with a touch of sesame oil and some other taste-less oil.  I throw the bok choy in the wok with a couple crushed garlic cloves and some oil.  I throw the bok choy in wet, as it adds some moisture to the whole thing.  Once the greens start reducing I throw in a shot of soy sauce and about a tsp of sugar as well.  I let it cook for another few seconds, and then it's done.  As for the tomatoes- once they've sort of melted in the pan, I push them to one side and throw in my one or two eggs (depending on my appetite that day).  Sometimes I scrambled them first, and sometimes I scramble them in the pan with chopsticks.  Once the egg cooks, I mix it all up together, and throw some soy sauce on there too- just a little bit.

That's it!  It's all done!

As far as I know this is Chinese food (which I say because I first ate it, and learned to cook it while living in Shanghai)- but, given what simple dishes they are, I'm guessing they might be common throughout Asia just because of available ingredients.  I really like that I can get all these ingredients locally, cheaply, and like I said before..... all delicious!

Oh, and Beni has never actually eaten egg before.  I've tried to give it to her, but she's always spit it out.  Well today, she was eating just the rice from this meal, but I decided to offer her some egg, and she was gobbling it up!  It's probably because it had the soy sauce on it, and she loves salty things... but either way, I'm glad for her being willing to gobble up some protein!  (Beni = total carbaholic!)

What's you fave quick, easy, local food recently?    

Why driving in Vientiane is EXCITING

Disclaimer: Understand that I may be using exciting as a substitute for scary, dangerous, and nerve-wracking...and sometimes I actually mean exciting! :)

 The Roads
The roads in Vientiane are unpredictable.  One minute they are smooth and drive-able, and the next they are full of potholes craters, some of which seem big enough to swallow my little car.  What's worse is, because of the ever present rain (in the rainy season) and the fairly poor manner in which the roads are constructed, potholes are formed literally over night.  One night of storms leaves 50 new holes in a what was a smooth road yesterday.  This includes both dirt roads and paved roads.  Sometimes, the ground beneath the concrete just gives out, and boom- pothole.

The Dogs
Stupid frickety-frakkin dogs.  This country (ok, this city, at least) is over-run with dogs.  I don't think they are all stray, in fact, I think most of them might have owners- BUT most of them are "free-range."  Dogs wander the streets like they own them.  They are cheeky and confident.  They stand in the middle of the road watching you approach, and you must swerve around them (never mind oncoming traffic!).  If you were to hit one, believe me, especially as a foreigner, you'd be expected to take care of it, pay the vet's bills, etc.  So it's not worth playing chicken with them- but let's just say, I've already wondered aloud what eats dogs, because this city could use a few dog-eaters on the streets.  There are cows too, but, so far I have never seen a cow IN THE ROAD, only grazing on the side of the road, so so far, I'm ok with the cows.

The Drivers
I don't know what it takes to get a Lao driver's license if you're Lao.  I'm assuming you might have to take classes or pass a test.  I'm not sure if most driver's have licenses or not.  But in any case, the basic rule of the road seems to be, "Do as you like, react to that which is in front of you, don't look back."  Drivers drive as fast or slow as they like, sometimes they drive on the wrong side of the road (often to avoid potholes), they stop to do road-side shopping by parking their car in the right lane of traffic *maybe* half pulled off the road.  The only thing you can count on from any driver here, is that you cannot count on anything.  

Stupid rules
There are a few roundabouts in town, which, most people will agree are useful traffic aids.  They help traffic move along at a generally faster clip than lights do.  BUT, the rule for roundabouts here is that you have the right of way to ENTER the roundabout, but once you are IN IT, you have to yield to those cars entering from the next entrance!  Yes, I know.  Really.  Yeah.  STUPID.  Basically, completely defeats the point of a roundabout.

Also, most main roads in Vientiane are 4 lanes- two headed in one direction, two going the other way.  All along these roads though, instead of having left turn lanes (except at a couple lights) they just have openings in the medians where you can either turn or do a u-turn- so you end up stopping or slowing down all traffic as you turn.  Also, because as far as I can tell, these spots are used to do u-turns more often than not, and the roads are not that wide, the car turning has to make a wide turn, thereby blocking their whole side of the road.

Because the general attitude on the road is a bit everyone for themselves, turning in general can be tricky.  To turn left across traffic, or to turn left onto a road from another road, you won't generally get any kind of assisted opening to do so.  What you have to do is slowly inch your way out, pushing the nose of your car further and further out, until the oncoming traffic has no choice but to stop and let you turn (as they react to what is in front of them, and don't look back).  But, if you perhaps are being slightly more cautious and looking for an actual break in the traffic (so sue me, I'm just not used to driving that aggressively, and I'm not opposed to sitting for 30 seconds waiting for a break in traffic!) people will just turn right behind you!  That is, they'll come up your left side, and just snake you- so of course, it always happens that you've just spotted that break in traffic, but the person behind you had to be impatient, so right as you are turning left, you almost turn into them!  Not cool!!!!

Lack of signage
They are quite a number of fairly busy intersections in Vientiane that simply don't have ANY traffic control on them! No stops signs, no yield signs, no lights, no NOTHING.  You just have to approach them slowly, evaluate, do the whole inch your nose out slowly, and then go and hope other cars yield to you.  I have to admit, my stomach always does a little clench when I get to these spots!

Parking and road-side shops
The curbs in Vientiane are painted all sorts of ways- red and black blocks, black and white blocks, solid yellow, solid red (I think).  I honestly don't know what they mean.  But mostly, it seems to me like people park wherever the heck they want.  On some roads people will just park on a busy road taking it from a two lane road, down to a one-laner.  But also what often happens is that shops either set up their merchandise all the way out on to the sidewalk, or sometimes they just set up right on the side of the road... so in spots where there used to be parking, there is now a store, so parking is pushed into traffic again, and roads are minimized down to one lane.  You get the picture.

Variety of vehicles/other things on the road
There are cars, trucks, semi-trucks, mopeds/motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, stupid freaking dogs, tuk-tuks, converted tractors and other farm equipment, and ice-cream carts as well as the local version of hot dog carts (I don't know what they sell exactly, but it's a moving food vendor) all on the road at the same time.  Add in the potholes, and OH BOY!  Add in again the amount of these drivers that choose to drive in the wrong direction and OH BOY OH BOY!  There is more to look out for than you can imagine.  

Lighting  
It gets dark in Vientiane between 6 and 7, so, inevitably, sometimes you have to drive in the dark.  I think most main roads have street lights, but, they vary in quality and brightness and being burnt out.  Smaller roads (like our road) have no street lights.  But that is what headlights are for right?  Well, yes, except add in all those various vehicles and pedestrians I mentioned before, many of whom don't have lights on their body/vehicle, and driving in the dark can often feel like.... well, driving in the dark, hoping you spot other road occupants before you hit them. Also, a lot of people here drive big trucks (whether pick up trucks or like heavy duty dump trucks and stuff) because of either the work they are doing or just because they handle the roads better, and because those cars sit higher, their headlights just shine RIGHT into my eyes while driving.  I am much like a deer in that I cannot look away and get blinded.  It is stupid.  The extra attention I have to pay to keeping my eyes on the road instead of staring into the light is stupid, and certainly makes for more dangerous driving!

Given all of these issues that make driving exciting, I'm nonetheless, glad to be doing it.  Driving yourself around has a sense of freedom that you can't get any other way in a city that doesn't have public transportation.  So I'm adjusting to driving a little crazier than I ever have- because believe it or not, this is the first foreign country I've ever driven in (well, except Canada, but that doesn't really count!).  I never had the opportunity to get behind the wheel in any of my other foreign posts- mostly because I never had a car available (especially because I don't know how to drive a stick).  So it's pretty cool for me to be a driver here.  I even have a Lao license.  All I had to do was turn in my American license for a day, and I got it plus the Lao one back the next day.  So I'm enjoying it, and every successful trip out boosts my confidence a bit more.  Finding my way around, not getting lost, and not getting in accidents are all highlights of most days. :)

What's the craziest place you've ever driven???

The peas are winning!

Here they are!  Lovely peas growing right in a row.  They are winning the growing race right now for sure.  The plants are tall- they look healthy and green and strong.

Peas!

There are some other sprouts coming up- but I'm not 100% sure it's all things I WANT to have sprouting.  I had to do some weeding today, pulling out new grass shoots.  Those puppies have LONG roots!
So anyway... one thing I didn't pull up were these....but I have no idea if I should have or not.  Anyone in the know able to tell me if these are baby tomatoes or not??? (The sprout I'm talking about is right in the MIDDLE of the photo- two longish thin leaves)

Tomato? Or weed? 

The bok choy seems to be coming up easily, though the leaves are already discolouring.  I think maybe they need more water.  I haven't actually watered in a lot of days, because it's been raining/storming heavily pretty much every day.  But, maybe they need even MORE water than that?  All my seed packets are in Thai you see, so I don't really know! I guess I should do some more research.  I know I have way too many little plants all together right here, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do about that- will they kill each other off?  Goodness, am I the most uninformed gardener there ever was?  I will be so excited if these actually grow into real life bok choy though, cause I love that stuff.  Bought two big bunches at the market again today!

Bok choy! 

All in all, I'm very happy with the growing so far!  Tonight I planted cilantro, lettuce (Grand Rapids lettuce!) and basil in the second bed.  I hope they grow fast too.  :)

Beni was amused for like 2 minutes when I let her splash in the watering can, and then she was like, "I'm outta here" and went to the front of the house totally unsupervised (ok, someone followed her...).

Mamma's little non-helper

Even though our soil seems incredibly rich, we have these bags of soil that we bought, so we have been turning a couple bags into the beds.  Joel is hard at work here...

Willing to do the back-breaking work for me. Thanks, Joel! 

Hopefully I'll have another good update soon!  Oh, good news- I have bought spinach twice in the last week, so, it obviously can grow here....but, where to get seeds?????  

Also... we have ANTS.  Lots of ants.  They are all over the beds.  Some are small and black.  Some are smallish and red.  Some are LARGE and red, and they scare me the most.  I've been spreading my coffee grounds on the beds, because supposedly, ants don't like coffee.  But, the ants are still there.  I read about making tobacco tea and pouring it over the beds... as ants also don't like tobacco... but, is this safe/good for for my plants?  The most common suggestion I have read about getting rid of ants is to use the borax/sugar mix, but, I can't find borax here.  Also, I still don't really get if that is safe to use directly on the bed/around the plants.  Apparently ants also don't like mint. I'm sure you can get mint here... but again... I need seeds.  Don't know where to look for them!  So... yeah... that's the good news and the bad news I guess!   

Failing or par for the course?

Who wants to write about their failure as a parent?  Not me really.  I've tried three times to start this post and then thought I shouldn't write it here, and then decided it should just be an email to my mom, and then maybe a post on my other blog, and now I'm back here.  And I'm still not convinced I should write it, but, here goes nothing....

Today was a shitty parenting day.  My daughter made me crazy, and I found myself wanting to just get away from her before I did something I knew I would regret- like spank her, or really yell at her.  Who wants to admit that?  Not me.

But I guess, it feels necessary to get out, because it is such an ugly feeling.  And maybe it feels necessary to get out because I need to know I am not alone in sometimes feeling like I am obviously totally failing my child.

Because today was the kind of day that made me question all of the parenting choices I hold dear.  The parenting choices that I believe in 100% because I believe in what they give my child now and for the future.

But there I was, and I realize now, what made me feel crazy, was the feeling of total loss of control.  Beni is no longer an infant that passes out at the mere scent of breast milk.  She is no longer the baby that drifts off to sleep no matter how much she doesn't want to just because she's in a carrier.  She is a toddler, and she may be transitioning to one nap, and she is definitely exploring the whole concept of being an independent entity from her mother- something admittedly, that feels new (and totally scary?) to both of us.

My sweet baby, who used to be happy as long as she was near me, as long as she was in my arms, no question if she was nursing, now sometimes chooses to scream and bite and kick and hit and claw (you should have seen the scratch I had under my eye last week!) for what seems like no reason!  Today it was nap time, and I nursed her, I laid with her, I cuddled her, and still, she chose to react by screaming at me, kicking me and generally being completely nasty.  She was so clearly tired, but just wouldn't sleep, and I was out of control.  There was nothing I could do, except walk away, and let her father deal with her.

And then I cried, about how I'm obviously no good at this, how it seems to all be for naught and my ungrateful child hates me, even though she's not even two yet, and I have never done anything but love her and do everything in her best interest.

And then of course, I step back and realize how silly that sounds, but how real it feels.    

I don't know if every parent feels these things.  It seems like I have some friends and acquaintances who never seem to have issues like this- maybe they just keep them behind closed doors.  But I think it adds to the feeling badly about myself, when it feels like other parents don't go through this.  Especially, because many of the parenting choices I make may not be exactly mainstream.  So undoubtedly, I find myself wondering if she is the way she is because of me- or is she just going through something, developing her own personality, would she even still be the way she is if she was bottle fed, slept in a crib and spent her days at day-care?

The thing is of course, that I'll never know the answers to those questions.  You don't get do-overs in parenting.  So I just have to keep parenting in a way that feels right to me, which for me, doesn't include bottles or cribs or day care.  And I suppose if every once in a while I get a disapproving look or a "you asked for this" kind of comment from someone who does things differently, I just have to let it roll off my back, because I can't change who I am as a parent, just to fit the modern mold if it doesn't feel right.  And of course, I have to hope that it'll all pay off in the long run.  That Beni will grow out of the phase she's in right now- that she will learn to assert her separateness by sleeping through the night, rather than kicking me when she should be napping!

Ah.... I already feel better.  I'm pretty sure this whole thing today has been par for the course... that these things will happen again in the future, and that the issues will be bigger, more serious, etc, etc... like just wait til she's a teenager, right???

I'm not really sure how to wrap this one up... I've bared my parenting soul, which can be a scary thing to do, but I feel better for having done it, because it has brought me back to my center, back to a small confidence that even if my path isn't always the easiest, it's the one that is right for me and my child.

So that's the end of my bad day...maybe a small failure, maybe par for the course...certainly full of hope that the next day this bad, doesn't come for a while!

Trying our luck at growing our own

I've started a few seeds of each plant in pots.
They are lined up on the back porch in case of rain or wind. 

We know we grow beautiful babies- just look at Beni!  But neither Joel nor I have ever had much luck growing anything else.  Our indoor plants have mostly died fairly quick deaths, and the only time I tried to garden outdoors was in Angola in pots, and that failed too.  But, we're giving it another go here in Laos!  Wish us luck!   

I picked up some seeds at the market yesterday.  I got cherry tomatoes, bok choy, cilantro, sweet peas, lettuce (which I had to buy cause it's called Grand Rapids lettuce!), and basil. I really want to grow my own spinach, but, I couldn't find any spinach seeds. I may have to try to bring them in at some point.  

The two beds we dug up today. 

This whole digging up garden beds is HARD WORK.  I already can barely sit at the computer tonight- my fingers don't want to type anymore, because holy heck...my arms are like jello!  I dug the outer edges of both beds, and then Joel took up the top layer in the middles.  I broke one shovel along the way.  But, in my own defense, the shovels we bought today came with BAMBOO handles...no solid wood or metal, oh no.  Bamboo!  So as I was trying to push down on the handle to push dirt up, the handle just cracked down the middle.  Grr.  Funny how you find out some little things that are obviously hard to come by here by not being able to get them... like a solid wood handle for a shovel, a rake and a back hoe.

Little helper wanted to be in on all the action- here you can see she's using
the screwdriver to help drive the stake of the fence into the ground.  

We were happy to see such dark rich soil as we started digging though.  I suppose our spot right on the river makes a difference, but the soil is very moist too.  Also, absolutely EXPLODING with worms.  I didn't really like coming across them, but there were so many, I kind of got over it.  Plus, worms like to live in good soil right, so it's a good sign that they are here.  So I am going to learn to love worms.

They just look like graves right now, don't they?  But I hope not for long! 

So we waited until Joel knew for sure that Essendon was losing the AFL match today, and then headed out to the nursery, followed by several road-side tool/building/hardware stores to find everything else we needed.  By the time we got home, it was already 2:30.  I had to put Beni down, and so by the time we both got to work it was 3.  We busted our butts until 6, and then we were all getting hungry, we were all incredibly stinky and the mozzies were coming out.  So we packed it in.  But, we managed to get one bed seeded, and Joel built two sides of the chicken fence.  No, we don't have our own chickens (though it is also a thought we're considering...) but there are some chickens that come into our yard from the river's edge and spend most of their days here.  If I see them out pecking out my seeds or worms in the morning, I'll be screaming at them!  So yeah, that is why we're building a fence (just with chicken wire) around the garden.

Joel sawing the ends off the wood to make the stakes...Beni using
 the screwdriver to imitate the motion. 

Both Joel and I have done a little bit of research here and there about this whole gardening business.  I started collecting egg shells, coffee grounds and veggie peels for compost.  Joel researched raised beds, and then we decided we didn't need that.  Joel also talked to his brother, who said something along the lines of, "Just stick some seeds in the ground, anything grows here!"  So, let's hope he's kind of right.  Cause really, we don't know nothing about nothing...but I think we're doing fairly well so far. :)  I'll keep you updated!

I know gardening can be very different depending on where you are... but, anyone out there have advice for us???

I stopped wearing make-up

My younger brother got married on July 3 this past summer, and that was the last time I wore make-up.  For a girl who used to sneak her mom's make-up from a very young age, and started wearing it full time in middle school, this has been a very long time make-up free.  Three months- very long time for the girl who basically used to not go out of the house without AT LEAST mascara.

I'm heading you off right away for thinking this is about having a baby.  No. It's not.  I don't subscribe to the notion that having a baby stands in the way of hygiene or self-care.  Ok, yes, in those first few weeks you're covered in spit-up and poop, and drooling on yourself because you're pretty tired.  But after that- I just don't buy it.  We all make time for things in our day.  I make time for showering and putting on clean clothes.  And I used to for the first 14 mos of Beni's life, also make time to put on make-up, even if it was just my mascara.  It was part of my routine, like brushing my teeth, and I just did it.  While I'm sure it won't be as easy once baby #2 comes along (hypothetical baby, no announcements here!), I am confident that I will continue to make time for it, because as I've mentioned before, I am a person who likes to be clean.  And my babies won't die from sitting in the bouncy seat for 10 minutes while I shower. :) 

So why did I stop wearing make-up?  It was a step along my journey of self-love.  And let me be very clear- this is about me- I'm not advocating that anyone else give up their make-up.  

For years I have dealt with poor body image, (over-)weight issues, disordered eating and a whole slew of other personal, internal struggles.  Whether it stemmed from my parents divorce when I was 6, or a few choice comments some men in my life have made along the way, whether I am a cliche of a woman affected to the max by the media chock full of size 0 women and a very narrow definition of beauty- regardless of how I got here, this is where I was.  A woman, 31 years old, unable to see myself beyond a comparison to someone else, a dress size, a bra size.  Unable to love myself in almost any way. 

Make-up factors into this because for me it was one of the few things that made me acceptable.  At least if I wore make-up, I was a little spruced up, making a step in the right direction of "beautiful".  I used to say that if I wasn't wearing mascara, you couldn't even see my eyes.  I thought I looked, and often felt, invisible. 

Something struck me back in July- maybe even late June- and I decided, enough.  My "morning routine" was being cut down to shower, comb hair, put on deodorant, go.  

My hope was that if I stopped wearing make-up long enough, I might start to see myself differently.  I might start to see some of what other people say they see when they look at me- a beautiful woman, a woman with worth beyond her looks.  

It wasn't easy at first. In fact, at times it was hard.  My brother's wedding a perfect example... it just didn't seem right to me to go to such an important, dressed-up event with a bare face.  But that is because in my head, getting dressed up goes along with a face full of make-up.  It's just all part of putting myself together.  So I wore make-up for the wedding.  But I haven't worn any on any day since. 

Actually, even though my make-up really only took a couple minutes at most, it's been really nice to be able to be "out the door" almost as fast as my husband.  It's a weight off my shoulders not having to worry about it. 

Another hard part?  We came to Laos only shortly after I made this choice to stop wearing make-up.  Of course my BIL and SIL knew me, and knew what I looked like, but, all these people at school... this whole new community... I would be meeting them with a bare face, not hiding anything (at least not with make-up)- my first impression would be JUST ME.  This was, I'm not going to lie, quite scary for me!  But of course, I did it, and in most of the moments I was actually meeting people, I didn't even think about the fact that I wasn't wearing make-up. 

And the best news?  I have eyes.  I mean, I see them.  It worked.  When I look at myself in the mirror now, I see something totally different than I did 4 or 5 months ago.  Features that I never was able to see, now stand out for me.  I have eyes, eye brows, lashes, freckles. Even my cheekbones, blushless, make an appearance now and then.  

Stopping wearing make-up improved my self-image.  I learned to appreciate who I am, just me, by myself.  Part of it came down to accepting what's so... it was the step before being able to love it.  Stopping wearing make-up made it possible for me to see what was really there.  And for me, because I was at the point where I was, seeing it every day, over months was necessary.  

Now, I'm not saying that I have reached a point of total self-love.  But, for someone who has struggled like I have, being able to look in the mirror, and not think nasty thoughts is a huge step forward.  Being able to look in the mirror and think, "I'm doing OK... I AM OK" is a leap beyond what I might have once thought possible.  

As a mother, of course, I wonder how this all might effect my daughter, now or later.  It's been almost a year since I colored my hair as well- that however, was mostly a laziness decision- I'm just sick of the maintenance!  I still wear nail polish almost always- but nail polish to me, has always been about fun, not a necessary measure toward beauty (the way I qualified make-up).  The other day, my daughter picked up my toe separators (used when painting toenails) and tried to put it on her foot.  She knew what it was for.   No doubt she is watching, and she is picking up messages about all kinds of things every day.  I find myself torn between indulging her obvious desire to somehow take part in the activity when I paint my nails... is it too soon to paint her toes?  Would she understand that it was just fun, unnecessary and doesn't make her "better"?  

I have always loved being a girly girl, and I don't necessarily want to give that up- make-up is and can be fun, getting dressed up in pretty dresses and high heels- or any clothes that make you feel gorgeous- is a blast.  But I do, very much, want Beni to know that she is worthy, and gorgeous and absolutely the most perfect her that anyone ever will be, just as she is, forever and always.  Hopefully, getting myself back on a path of caring for and about myself will help to pass this message on to Beni. 

Will I not wear make-up forever?  Nah.  I think I am one of those people that reserves it for a special occasion, or for when I feel like it.  But am I glad I took the plunge, and gave it up even for at least these three months?  Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes! 

What have you done to take care of yourself lately, mamma???          

                  

Kitchen Snob

The last two summers I have spent in the States- having my baby, attending my brother's wedding- doing important stuff State-side.  My primary residence both summers has been at one of my mother's and step-father's rental houses.  This means that my mom and step-dad have gotten to know how I live, and what it takes for me to be comfortable.  Long story short, my step-dad labeled me a kitchen snob.  :)

Now, I share this with you because I'm actually a-ok with the label.  I love my step-dad, and he's allowed to call me such things. :)

So I thought I would do a post about how and why I earned the label...  Obviously this starts with knowing that I love the kitchen.  It's definitely MY room in the house, and above all others, I have to have complete say over where everything lives, how it's set up, etc. I love to cook- for myself, for others, for my kid, for my family, for friends.  I love to cook.  I also like to try new recipes and new techniques.  I love eating something at a restaurant or someone's house and then trying to make it at home.  So the base for earning the label kitchen snob has to be my love of food and cooking.

As someone who loves to cook, I want to be able to make the best food I can without having my tools stand in my way.  I am definitely not a person who wants to buy the most expensive anything just because.  Sometimes I want the most expensive thing because it's the best, and because you can't get the same result with anything less.  Sometimes, I really don't care.  Here are some examples...

Skillets and fry pans...  Now, I don't have Le Creuset pans... but I wouldn't mind if I did.  But this is one thing that I don't NEED the best, but I can't stand the worst.  Why?  A cheap pan is a thin pan.  A thin pan equals burnt food no matter what you do.  If the pan is too thin, the heat just penetrates right through, rather than spreading around and cooking food evenly.  Cheap pans are just not worth it.  My in-laws got me two fry pans for my birthday this year and I LOVE THEM.  They are a lovely heavy weight, they are non-stick, and haven't burned a single thing in them, even with my stove top burners that have two settings- off and high. This same argument can be made for pots, although it's not quite as important to me.  I often use pots just to boil water, most often for steaming vegetables.  But, if you're cooking a sauce or soup or something, you want a pot that heats evenly as well, instead of just burning right through the thin metal.

Speaking of cook-tops and ovens... you've seen what I have right?  Look closely... ok sorry, I realize it's too small to really see anything...but I'll tell ya.  It has THREE burners, which as I said can be either off or on high- maybe medium if you're lucky, and it only has three burners!  Did I mention, three burners? Also, the oven has on, off and a dial that ranges from big flames to little flames.  That's right, you can't set the temperature! Thankfully, because I realize that even ovens that have temperature gauges aren't always accurate, I brought an oven thermometer with me.  But let me tell you- the guessing game necessary to find the right temperature means having to turn the oven on about an hour before you need it to have time to turn it up and down as needed, until you find the right temp!  So anyway... here's what I'd like:
 Oh yeah, baby.  6, yes you read that right, 6 burners!  Not only would that be nice for being able to cook many things, but it also means that even when you want to use only a few burners, you can use large pots and/or pans and they all fit.  Because that drives me crazy about our current stove.  I can really only use two of the burners at once, because I don't have small enough pots and pans for three to fit at once.  And a large oven... ah.  I brought a nice cookie sheet all the way from the States only to find that it doesn't even FIT in our oven.  So it's useless. Big- big is definitely better when it comes to ovens and cook-tops!

Nothing compares to a Vita-Mix that I know of. I got my mom a Vita-Mix for Christmas two years ago and she loves it, and I loved it when I lived with her.  A Vita-Mix will easily run you about $500, but as I said, nothing compares.  It obliterates anything you put inside of it.  Smoothies are COMPLETELY smooth.  You can even make your own flour from grains.  Unfortunately, not only are Vita-Mixes not available here, but, as I said they cost $500.  That's not an amount we can spend on a blender right now.  So I got a $100 blender, and it's pretty good.  It is a "professional grade" so it has a big strong motor, but, it has left a few chunks in my smoothies.  But, it'll do.

Now, for my coffee, I just got a cute little $40 maker (the cheapest the store had).  Cause when it comes to coffee, I'm pretty sure it's the actual coffee itself that matters.  Of course it would be nice if my coffee maker talked to me, or turned on by itself or something, but, mostly I just need it to make coffee without grounds in it.  And it does that.  So I'm happy.

A few more little things...

I got this awesome little tool for my birthday when some of my in-laws got me an Amazon gift certificate (Thanks again J, J, L and G!).  I love avocados and this little slicer just makes it so easy to get nice even slices, and to scrape all the fruit out of the peel.  Just makes life easier. Not a necessity, but, for only like $7, it's worth it!

Stainless steel measuring spoons!  They don't have to be expensive (some are, some aren't), but, when you use your measuring spoons as much as I do, if you have plastic ones that have the amounts printed on them in ink, the ink wears off!  And then you're left guessing, or trying to remember what is what!  These stainless steel measuring spoons have the measurement engraved on the arms of the spoons.  No washing away or wearing off.  Same goes for measuring cups.  Also, these things can be dunked in hot stuff, withstand a flame, etc... I mean, stuff happens sometimes in the kitchen.  Plastic melts.

One thing I don't think I have ever had is a very, very nice knife.  But so far, I have done ok with the knives I have as long as I have a good knife sharpener!!!  Probably if I ever got a truly nice knife, I would never turn back, but, for now, as long as my knives are sharp, I make do.  Sharp to me means you can slice a tomato without squishing it.  I almost lost my mind when someone in Angola told me they just use serrated knives to slice tomatoes.  So not right.  When I couldn't find a knife sharpener in Angola, that was one thing my in-laws had to send us.  I was thankful!  Also, must have a bread knife.  Nothing worse than having your bread squish down because you're using the wrong kind of knife to cut it!

Another thing I'm particular about is cutting boards.  I like to have several.  One is a designated meat board.  It is the only board meat gets cut on, and it is a plastic board, not wood.  Because, ew, germs.  I like to have a small one for cutting things like onions, garlic and other strong foods.  Because what is worse than digging in to the mango you just sliced up only to taste onion on it?  Ew.  So yes, I like to have a few boards, and I make sure that my husband knows which one is the meat board.

I have to have some wooden spoons in addition to other cooking utensils.  They don't have to be expensive or special, but I have to have them.

I really love my metal steamer basket.  It's simple and easy to use and cheap and fits in most pots.  And yum for steamed veggies.

This is the actual one I have, and I love
that the bowl comes off.  Means you can wash
it easily, or use something else in its place. 

My kitchen scales have become very important to me.  The set I have are electronic and can handle more than a kilo of weight (I'm not sure on the max weight, but my point is that it's not just for spices, etc).  Being able to measure food by mass, instead of volume is a relatively new concept for me, as I grew up using only measuring cups and spoons.  But there are some times when the scales are so much easier, so much more accurate. So I love them too.

Now, just in case there is anyone out there looking for gift ideas or something...


I don't have and really, really want a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer.  
This is the kind of thing that I want desperately, but, I will refrain from buying, or asking for as a present until we settle down.  It's a big piece of machinery, and I couldn't bear the thought of the cost of shipping or having it and then selling it when I was going to move.  Someday.  This puppy lives in my dreams for now.

One thing that I would like, and I think could be attainable here is a Crock Pot.
 A cool piece of machinery, I'm intrigued by the one pot meals that are possible as they slow cook... and I like the idea of not burning stuff on a too hot burner, etc.

So there you go... now you can decide for yourself whether or not you think I'm a kitchen snob.  As I said, I don't need expensive just for the sake of being expensive.  I think people who get the most expensive just because are people who have more money than they know what to do with.  But these are the things I like and want in my kitchen because they make a difference to what you can achieve in the kitchen.  Of course, this stuff is all in addition to the local, organic raw ingredients that I'd prefer to cook with as well! :)

What about you?  What's a gotta-have item for your kitchen?  Does it have to be the best?

ETA: I've just been informed that there exists such a thing as a tomato knife and it has a serrated edge.  I've googled and confirmed, but I'm not convinced that such a thing is necessary if you have sharp knives.  Hmmm... I know one person who loves hers... anyone else???