hong kong 香港

Since moving to Thailand, I've seen a lot. I worked for awhile as a travel journalist and photographer. It was my job to explore the city and document the places that tourists would like to see. This was such a terrific way to see things that maybe I wouldn't have seen on my own time. I ate at beautiful restaurants on the river, I got lost trying to find tiny Indian markets and sweated through so many clothes I was doing on the daily.

Now, I'm working at a more "regular" job. I'm the senior publicist at a public relations firm in central Bangkok called Midas PR. I have a flexible schedule and I'm enjoying it for the most part. But, I haven't traveled anywhere in a long time. It was time to see something new again. 

Hong Kong was not at the top of my list. Mostly because I knew how expensive it was and even though you may think from my extremely good looks and extravagant lifestyle (lol.) that I am made of moneys. I am not. This is not the case. My boyfriend's parents insisted - over and over - we see Hong Kong and finally pushed us to do so. And I'm so very happy. 

We visited for three short days - just enough to grab a taste of the city, enough to make me want to absolutely come back again to visit longer. It's an extremely dense - crowded city but it runs efficiently and everyone seems to speak English well. This is such a contrast from Bangkok, where I so often find myself in interactions with Thai people and we just can't communicate. It was nice to banter with people- to tell the waitress I like her ring and to ask for directions from a stranger.

Currently Series

The Currently Series is an idea that I picked up from some fellow bloggers. Its such a great tool to get yourself thinking about what's really going on in your world. I mean, I know what I'm up to and what I'm involved in, but have I really thought about it? Probably not. The Currently Series gets me thinking about things I'm loving, thinking, planning, working on, preparing for, and appreciating. Its also an aesthetically pleasing way to document & record all these seemingly mundane weeks that fly right by us. It's my in-the-moment inner-thoughts, it's my way to slow down time for a few minutes, it's my appreciation of all the (what some might call) mediocre days that make up my history... 

& I'm happy to begin sharing them.

Have you thought about putting together a Currently Series of your own? Here's my first attempt :

Loving | Damien Rice's new album My Favourite Faded Fantasy is a dream. The single My Favourite Faded Fantasy was released over a month ago and my roommate & I have been dreaming of the day the full album was released into the world. The day finally came - a week sooner than expected and it is, quite frankly, musical magic. I recommend a listen or twelve.

Thinking | SOCIAL MEDIA - to fall or not to fall, that is the question. I have been struggling with making my blog known and getting feedback from people other than my grandma and my friends (appreciate y'all). Research shows me that I need to dive head first into the social media world; tangling myself up in the Twittersphere, Facebook, Instagram... the whole nine yards. I have such a problem with keeping up with social media, not only because it's overwhelming but because I just don't care about it that much. It's a real weight on my shoulders. How much do I want this blog to be successful? How much time am I willing to spend hunched over my computer, hash-tagging and retweeting?

Planning | This leads into the things I'm planning right now. Tons of travelers will create blogs and fill the pages with photos and stories from their time while abroad...but, as soon as they unpack their bags, the blog goes unnoticed, unread and eventually falls in the deep, dark depths of the World Wide Web. I don't want that to happen to The Simple Joys! I want to thrive and keep it going. Thus, the planning phase has begun. I have so many ideas and upcoming projects that you can browse through here : projects

Working | I, like many other college-aged kids, am a server at a local restaurant. I serve huge slabs of barely cooked prime rib to customers who frequent the joint more than three times per week. I serve here a few times a week and *drum roll please* put in my 2 weeks a few days ago. Yeah, I'm quitting the service industry. This should be the last week and I promised myself that I won't work in the food industry any longer. I'm making a pact with myself and I'm sticking to it. The money is generally pretty good and it certainly pays the bills but I've had it up to here with permanently smelling like A1 sauce & meat juice.

Preparing | I'm putting the finishing touches on a travel video to be released THIS FRIDAY on The Simple Joys. It features me drinking big beers on beaches, harassing monkeys on leashes, and singing with Indonesia cooks in the kitchen. Check back in this Friday!

Appreciating | I can't go a day (let alone an hour!) without giving thanks and appreciating my person in life - Justin Pongumpai. He is certainly my soulmate & forever love-man. We have been together for almost 10 beautiful months. He is currently in Bangkok, Thailand and we are doing the long-distance thing. Soon (like 36 days soon) he will be back in America for the holidays. After a month of drinking, eating, and family time we will fly into our future together to start a new adventure in Thailand. 

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koh phi phi

My backpacking trip led me to the south of Thailand where the trip was highlighted with the experiences I took away from the island of Koh Phi Phi. To really articulate the beauty of this island, I will say I am convinced this island is where all of the Microsoft Windows beach screen savers come from.

My friend and I spent two and a half lovely days on this piece of land located in the Andaman Sea. We did the obvious must-dos like snorkeling and taking a boat tour where we made some friends who invited us to check out a hot night spot called the Blanco Beach Bar. This is the night I really discovered what this island is most known for: partying! 

To my surprise, a lot of Westerners live on this island. They "work" mostly for bars and clubs or for tourist attractions. They are hired on for their English speaking capabilities and stay put for their talent in attracting fellow Westerners to get drunk and go scuba diving.

This restaurant in Phi Phi "Papaya" is well rated by Trip Advisor & by my mouth.

I stopped to ask directions from this man getting a traditional Thai bamboo tattoo.

impromptu singapore trip

You know those things we like to call time zones? Pro travel tip here: pay attention to them, understand them and LISTEN TO THEM. While booking our flight from the south of Thailand to Bali, Indonesia, yours truly here didn't pay any attention to either one of those previously mentioned pro travel tips. That's how I took an impromptu Singapore trip that lasted less than 24 hours.

You'll be happy to know that my ability to read and understand travel itineraries has since improved.

Regardless of my total and utter idiocy, my friend and I made the most out of our 18 hours in this beautiful and intelligent country that lies in southeast Asia. 

What's the point of backpacking if shit doesn't hit the fan every now and then? Am I right?

Singapore coffee is strong, bitter, and thick.

A traditional Singapore dish: laksa

The currency is similar to the Euro