One Year...a month ago

Dear Asa,

You came into this world not knowing how exceptional your short life would be. You were born in a place where most people wear see-through dish-dashes and gold studded abayas; where camels and flamingos roam the sandy terrain next to 6 figure SUVs. Your eyes opened to your Indian doctor who stood no more than 4.5 feet tall and greeted your Filipino and Lebanese nurses with a scream. Your dimples confused me but you were the only white baby in the hospital so I felt relieved there were no mix ups. And even though every nurse admired your bald head, you were the only baby I gave birth to who had any hair at all.

You came to a home build on the backs of Kerala Indians in a land that they make fake islands and the tallest building in the world. You had two Indonesian nannies that came home very early from their day off just to admire and cuddle you. Your siblings awaited the moment they could squeeze you and mommy tried to keep you safe from being smothered. You were one loved baby!

Your stint in the land of arid heat was short and only two months after your birth we moved on to greener, more mountainous pastures.

Last photo of you in Dubai

Your charm, sweetness, and fussy personality surprised us all. You very quickly showed us that you are a unique child amongst the Bromley clan and yet you fit in perfectly.

In one short year of your life you have spent more time with elephants and monkeys than with dogs and cats; and you seem as comfortable with a chicken as you do with your siblings.

You answer to "ganchu" (handsome in Nepali) quicker than you do your own name, and your first solid food had daal in it.

October Tihar holiday

You've gripped on to kurtas and sarees more than denim jeans and you are often dressed in pink. You've been tikka'ed more times than you've changed diapers, and you never get exhausted with the many people who wish to rub your white skin or squeeze your cheeks. You feel comfortable bouncing from one di or didi throughout the day but you always show mom she is your favourite.

Sareta- Your best buddy

My love for you grows every day. Your sweetness and love gushes whenever you smile. Your strong hugs and open mouthed kisses are to die for; and your strong personality makes everyone notice you.

Who knew that you would have your birthday song sung in Bahasa Indonesian, and your cake would be a Balinese lemon tart?

Who knew that you would take your first steps in Thailand? And taste your first McDonalds in Bangkok?

Feb 28, 2009

You've never stepped foot in your homeland of Canada or America and who knows when that day will ever come. You are a boy from many foreign lands and you have been spoken to in many strange languages. You have more stamps in your passport than most adult Americans and you have many, many years ahead.

You are a light in our home and I cannot see the world without you in it. With all the changes that have happened and will happen in your lifetime, one thing will always remain constant-my love for you.

Happy First Birthday my baby boy!!!!

Love, Mom

Bangkok Aquarium

The Bangkok Aquarium is really worth noting. They have a fantastic display of so many water creatures and the kids had a blast.

All I could think of was how those legs would taste with melted butter...

The glass bottom boat

The cute boy in the glass bottom boat.

There is a gleam in that boy's eyes. Could he take after his father?

This reminded me of the Dubai Mall dome. This one is better.

Please don't look at the bad hair in this photo. It should be about the turtle.

This was a very impressive shark tank that could have easily been used for naughty kids; and consequently, would have given a good show. Good thing mine were on their best behaviour.

Thailand Lag

I am so ready to wrap up this trip and what a shame because Thailand deserves more than two posts. But alas, I am sick of the travel log and I am sure you are too.

By the time we made it to Thailand we were all pretty tired. We had tickets to go to Koh Samui (a small island in southern Thailand) and tickets to Phenom Penn in Cambodia. We were hoping to visit Angkor Watt, but the trip was going to be too taxing on everyone so we cashed out on both destinations and settled in Bangkok. The kids were happy to have time to sit, relax and do nothing.

Hanging out at the hotel

Swimming some more

Sareta (one of our didis in Kathmandu) joined us for the Thailand part of our trip. We were so happy we could get her a visa. She LOVED Thailand. Imagine seeing paradise through a Nepali's eyes?

Exploring the temples

Strangely, all the tailors in Thailand are Nepali. Many of them have never even been to Nepal but they all speak perfect Nepali. I find it quite funny that Axel had to go to Thailand to have a Nepali make him a suit. But really, it is a great deal, you pick the fabric, they come to your home, and you have the finished product in 24 hours. The tailor not only got the suit finished in time but also 4 custom-made shirts and 4 ties for under $300. It was better than what he could have done in Nepal, and Axel looks like a million bucks in the finished product.

Where we got the yummiest Som Tum for less than a dollar.

Purple, pink and yellow rice in the supermarket. I got busted for taking this photo. It was so worth it.

Bangkok street scenes

We ate tongue thinking it was beef. And yet, it was still seasoned soooo yummy.

Riding the skytrain. A first for Asa, ever.

A real playground without sharp metal edges! Yeah!

Daddy putting on the worst puppet show I have ever seen.

In case you need a specific kind of haircut

The sex trade in Thailand is worth noting. It really gets to you after while. There are so many different scenarios and so many gender confused people there. It was difficult to be around because there were so many middle aged, fat, American men with young girls or young boys. What is most amazing is the fact that they have no shame. In the malls, on the streets, in places you would never expect--there it is. At first you can't help but say, 'Oh my gosh! Look!' Then, after about the 20th case, you try not to look anymore. It really is the dirty secret of Thailand's thriving economy. And sadly, it isn't much of a secret.

Thailand at its finest

Roaming

Eating the yummiest food court food ever

We did ALOT of this during our trip

The time in Thailand was surprisingly relaxing. We didn't feel like we needed to do too much because we know we will be back. It is our refuge. It is just a short plane ride away. It is a place where we can feel human again. It was a great place to charge up before we left for home.

On to the aquarium...