Help plan Jess' bachelorette party

This was actually a lot of fun. The festivities took place in Hotlanta (because that place is HUMID), starting off with a mani-pedi, then a trip to the mall for shoes and such--the joys of estrogen-riddled pastimes... Next we dolled ourselves up for a delicious dinner at a Brazilian tapas bar. The decor had a great clean-cut Miami vibe and the waiters were very friendly. We strutted to the neighboring bakery for cupcakes, then abandoned the class act and loaded up at a liquor store to prepare for the prepartying. We all got awesome giant engagement rings that light up (so you can really bling out/find each other in the club...), drank, danced, one girl decided to sport some plastic cups over her boobs for a bit, concocted a list that Jess was to "accomplish" before night's end, then piled into a minivan (yep!) and hit the scene. The first place wanted $345 for VIP service, apparently not understanding that bachelorette parties should be comped these things. The second place did however, offering free entry and a bottle of champagne. We found a nice bachelor party that was more than willing to help Jess with her tasks. The bartender even comped the BJ shot Jess had to do. Good times. While driving to Waffle House we looked over and some old guy was honking his horn at us, smiling, and playing with his fully erect penis. Screams and speechlessness ensued. Jess' fiance's bachelor party decided to crash ours, so we stuck them with our bill and ran off, me and another bridesmaid literally sprinting back to the hotel. The night concluded with a foot soak in the hot tub. Jess had a blast, as did all the other ladies. Successful night :) If only the bridesmaids had been as behaved during the reception...!

Keeping in touch with Grandma

Since I only have one living grandparent, I should keep in touch with her as much as possible. My mom's mom is the sweetest woman in the world. The kind of person who tells me I look beautiful when I straggle into the kitchen, huge bags under my eyes, hair a hot mess, pajamas mismatched. (Or, maybe she's just getting senile?) She is kind, warm, has a wonderfully childlike curiosity and is always up for trying something new, despite only a high school education and having lived in Mississippi the whole of her 84 year life. I sent her a postcard from Thailand. She loves reading things and will be thrilled to get correspondence from abroad. This will be an enjoyable goal :)

Don't buy clothes for two months

I will admit that this goal was facilitated by a big shopping spree in April and a lack of time/appealing fashions the past two months. It actually wasn't that hard to accomplish, despite having a kickball theme party to attend and a first time trip to Asia. (Though I think that just means I seriously need to pear down my voluminous wardrobe.) I plan on doing this again. It sure saves money and also forces me to actually WEAR the clothes I have. I'm not going to take the high road about not ceding to consumerism, because I made other purchases, and that was not the intention of this goal. It was to demonstrate to myself that I have the self-control not to buy unnecessary apparel items. *pats self on back*

Go to south east Asia

I must say that having goals makes it easier to accomplish things. I was almost not going to go, my plans being truncated by work obligations and lack of travel companionship, but, as it was a goal, I bought my ticket, and that turned to to be the best personal decision I've made in a long time.

I went to Thailand, the Land of Smiles. It was AWESOME!! I flew into Bangkok, dirty, bustling, delightfully free of too much Westernization and spent two days wondering the city, getting taken by a tuk-tuk driver, but ending up on an amazing long boat ride through the back waterways of Bangkok, absorbing the daily life of the Thai people and indulging my romanticism of dilapidation, seeing the sights and walking across bridges and along the river.

Next was Krabi and Railay island, a loooong overnight bus ride from Bangkok. Seeing the rural countryside along the way was great. Parents dropping their uniformed kids off at school on scooters, red earth, green, green flora. Railay was absolutely STUNNING. Breathstopping horizons and sun rotations. Jungle covered krasts shooting up out of the warm, blue green sea, serenity abound. Went outdoor rockclimbing for the first time, cave trekking, repelling, jungle hiking. Sitting on the beach watching the sun lazily melt into the ocean was the most content I have been in a long, long, long time. Saw a live muay thai boxing match at a bar on the beach, preceeded by a fire show, punctuated by Michael Jackson songs in tribute. Almost made it to a lagoon, but tired arms and looming departure solidified my vow to return and conquer one day.

Back to Bangkok to catch a bus to Kanchanaburi. Wonderful small town. Stayed in a knarled wood bungalow on the Kwai river. Rented a bike and toured the town, attired in bright blue Thai men's pants, wristful of bangles, dark as a native and happy as a clam. Strolled the Death Railway Bridge, rented a motorbike up to Erawan falls. Simply GORGEOUS ride, peacefully following the gentle meandering of the river up through the verdant mountains. Then hiked the waterfalls and their swimming pools, scrambling gracefully over rocks and endlessly intertwined tree roots in my 40 baht flip flops, having a ball.

Another bus back to Bangkok to catch a overnight bus to Chiang Mai, including a thrilling motorcycle taxi ride through the night in Bangkok, whizzing between cars and trucks and disregarding street traffic directions. Chiang Mai was nice. It rained the whole time, dampening my enthusiasm some, but went to some markets and bazaars, went up to Doi Sutep in the mist, walked through the old city gates and saw some wats, didn't get my thai massage in the women's prison, but did find a lovely mother who gave me one that left me feeling tranquil and lightheaded. Rain detered me from going to Pai or Chiang Dao, but there is always next time. Chiang Mai wasn't my favorite, but it will forever have its mark on me :)

Back to Bangkok before home, a day side trip to Ayuthaya to make up for not getting to visit Cambodia. Ancient ruins strewn about a modern small town in a way much more charming than the ones in Rome. A striking blue sky providing a backdrop that was surreal.

Met up with Guddy on the last day and caught up. Saw some sights around the city, chilled out on Khao San Road for a bit, saw her cool HQ Hostel, which is all but across the street from the Pat Pong red light district, another deviant adventure that'll have to be saved for next time.

In short, Thailand was the perfect vacation. Two weeks is a wholly insufficient amount of time to travel there, and I must return, as well as venture into its surrounding countries. My travel bug is on fire again and I will now take a renewed interest in attempting to satiate it.