February 14, 2008

Birthday and Valentine's Day Activities

For my birthday, Joey had a few things planned throughout the day. He made me breakfast and had a few treats waiting for me for lunch. He bought strawberries from a market and then melted chocolate to dip them in. Based on my nose, the first attempt to melt chocolate over the stove didn't go so well. The gas stove we use doesn't have “low” heat. The second attempt using the microwave was better. In addition to strawberries he had a lemon shake waiting for me, which was delicious.

As for presents, I got a lot of great things. The biggest gift however didn't work. Joey got me a larger memory card for my digital camera, but my camera is so old that it won't accept a memory card larger than what I already have. Unfortunately, the store he bought it from won't take it back. But I think he can get most of his money back by selling it online through eBay. Let's hope so! In addition to the memory card, I got The Economist, some oatmeal cookie mix to mix with my chocolate chips, candy, cookies, and the book Emma. Now, I have many good things to read and eat!

In addition to Joey's presents, school had some pizza for me and everyone wished me a good day. The people staying in our guesthouse for a long time and our landlady also wished me happy birthday. Our landlady even gave me a small cake. It was quite delicious. Speaking of our landlady, she has been wonderful. If we need anything for the kitchen, she will either bring down her own utensils or buy them for us. She also bought a small electric oven for me to use instead of the large gas oven, which is very nice. Needless to say, she has been very accommodating.

For dinner, Joey took me up to a restaurant in the nearby National Park. The restaurant didn't have the best food, but the scenery and view were amazing. The restaurant itself was mostly outside. It was similar to a tree house with trees and branches coming through the porch floor. Orchids adorned the trees trunks and candles were scattered throughout the restaurant. There was a waterfall right beside the restaurant and below the restaurant was a large reservoir. The best part though was the view. The lake created a clearing allowing clients to have a spectacular view of Chiang Mai. The lights of the city from the forested restaurant area were stunning.

To get to the restaurant, we went by the zoo and up into the mountains. I felt like I was being taken into the middle of nowhere. But that was not the case; we arrived to a very enjoyable place. To get down from this isolated place, we asked some restaurant patrons leaving to give us a lift. They were obliging and let us ride in the back of their truck. They dropped us off at the outskirts of town and then caught a bus to the middle of town where our bikes were waiting for us.

Joey had one more present for me that night. It was a flying lantern like we saw in Koh Phi Phi. But he personalized mine with writing and pictures. These lanterns are similar to a miniature hot air balloon. There is a wooden ring with rice paper connected to it that forms a large cylinder with the bottom open. The open bottom has an X going across it made of wire that is connected to the wooden hoop. You attach a large round fuel source to the metal X by more thin pieces wire. You then light the fuel source and let the balloon fill up with hot air. Eventually, the balloon floats away into the sky. These lanterns are gorgeous as they fly away. The fire doesn't destroy the balloon and goes out on its own. If someone finds the lantern, they can reuse it by buying more fuel.