I don't want a lot for Christmas...

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There's just one thing I need

I don't care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is...

...You

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There's just one thing I need

I don't care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I don't need to hang my stocking

There upon the fireplace

Santa Claus won't make me happy

With a toy on Christmas day

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you...

...You baby

I won't ask for much this Christmas

I don't even wish for snow

I'm just gonna keep on waiting

Underneath the mistletoe

I won't make a list and send it

To the North Pole for Saint Nick

I won't even stay awake to

Hear those magic reindeers click

'Cause I just want you here tonight

Holding on to me so tight

What more can I do

Baby all I want for Christmas is you...

...Ooh baby

All the lights are shining

So brightly everywhere

And the sound of children's

Laughter fills the air

And everyone is singing

I hear those sleigh bells ringing

Santa won't you bring me the one I really need

Won't you please bring my baby to me...

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas

This is all I'm asking for

I just want to see my baby

Standing right outside my door

Oh I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

Baby all I want for Christmas is...

...You

Khunnai loves this app: MoreBeaute

There was a generation X. There was a generation Y. Now it is a generation app.

As Khunnai mentioned in the old blog when I started to become an iKhunnai, I have embodied the philosophy of "there's an app for that". So once in a while, I share my love with the fellow Khunnais that, yes, there's an app for 'that'.

A lot of people have asked me which app I use for photo editing. I use several. And there are lots. And you don't really need sophisticated photo editing skills, but you do need some skills.

Then now, there's an app for those who has no editing skills whatsoever. All you need to do is to choose the photo, then, viola, your photo will be retouched, brightened, smoothened almost like done by a pro.

And it's free!

me before & after, just a single click!

There's another neat program called MoreNoel by the same developer. Check it out. After all, we live in a generation app. So keep on apping, Khunnais!

http://www.more-thing.com/morestuff_morebeaute.php

Khunnai likes to dine: Vino di Zanotti in Khao Yai

Dear Khunnais,

I've been trying to avoid having Italian food since I left Italy. Not that I'm not fond of the food. Quite contrary, actually. But it's because I know myself. I know I'd be super critical and comparing everything to my eating experience in Italy.

I also knew that one day it'd hit me...that my life in Italy is finally over. I knew that one day I'd really miss my life there. That day came precisely 3 weeks after I left Italy, and the day I had Italian food the first time since I left...

It was Vino di Zanotti in Khao Yai. My friends wanted to dine there, mainly coz of the location. It's situation against the backdrop of Khao Yai hillside, sunflower garden and the nature green. At night, there's a 3-piece jazz band playing light jazz music. Somehow, they convinced me, and I went with them.

What did I think about the place? Like I said, at first, I was super critical, couldn't help it. I was expecting what I expected in Italy, change of plate from antipasti to primi piatti, all primi to come at the same time, etc. And I was not enjoying the moments. There and then, I started to miss my life in Italy. I started to realize that all the "Italiano" I experienced day in - day out has gone, no more, nothing, full stop.

Eventually I started to see the point of being there, which was to enjoy the time with my friends. Good that my friends are all old friends so they can bear with me being me. And even thou I behaved really annoyingly, they let me be. Well, after seeing the point, I started to enjoy Vino and all that it had to offer. Which is quite spectacular. At night, they lit up the hillside with fire and lanterns. In early December, the temperature was about 20, perfect weather to be honest. It was father's day so we enjoyed the fireworks.

We lingered there from 5 to 9 something, staying true to Italian style of slow food. Some of the dishes were actually really good (and overall it was good). Before I left, I got to speak to two Italians, Roberto, who is the manager of Vino, and Gianmaria, who Roberto introduced me as the main chef of Zanotti in Bangkok. So I learned that they are from Torino, Piemonte. And I shared with them how I love truffles (which is also from Piemonte). So they invited me to have truffle dinner at Zanotti. Maybe I should give it a try and let you guys know how that one goes.

So, yes, I miss you, Italy, a lot. For the time being, I can only catch a glimpse of you, blended nicely in my homeland. And to my surprise, I quite like the taste of it.

VINO di Zanotti
264 Moo 4, Thanarat Road
Moo Si, Pakchong
Nakorn Ratchasima 30130

RSV: +66 8 8022 9884-5
Tel & Fax: +66 4 429-7576

GPS: N 14° 32’27.12
E 101° 24’11.14

Khunnai likes to dine: Hong Seng Restaurant, Pakkred

Dear fellow khunnais,

One amazing thing about living in Bangkok (and Thailand for that matter) is the abundant parade of options when it comes to eat out. So today after an informational morning (when me & my friends went to listen to our "future" intently) in Don Mueng area, we decided to drive to the river to have lunch. The original idea is "somewhere to chill and down load the info we just got and help each other analyze our future more carefully. But once we sat down, we ate & ate & never looked back.

The restaurant is the well-known one in Pakkred. You just have to drive to Pakkred Port and park there and walk to the port you will see it. Book in advance if you want the prime location (next to the river). Today was obviously spontaneous so we ended up sitting inside.

The "must" is jumbo river prawn, so big you should eat only half. The head is full of roe, so thick, so creamy, so full-flavored, and so high-cholesterol! Then I loved also the soft fish fried with garlic. Clown knifefish or Pla Krai (ปลากราย) is another must, try either Tod Mun (ทอดมัน) or Pad Cha (ผัดฉ่า).

Another really cool menu we ordered was Thai kale stems stir fried with prawn claw meat (ก้านคะน้าผัดก้ามกุ้ง). The veggie is so crispy. Even basic plate like fried rice with crab meat was nice. We also tried another jumbo river prawn dish, this time with lots of garlic.

I know I should not eat too much prawn/ shrimp/ seafood to keep my immune system calm. I also know I should shed my extra 4 kilos. But who could resist when faced with oh-so-mouth-watering plates in front of you.

Hong Seng Pochana, Pakkred

ฮงเส็งโภชนา

280 หมู่ 2 บริเวณท่าเรือเทศบาลนครปากเกร็ด แจ้งวัฒนะ ปากเกร็ด ปากเกร็ด นนทบุรี 11120

Tel. 025837654, 025838631

Khunnai likes to shop: Small little shop for vintage dresses

Those who know me would know that I have a thing for dresses. Those who know me well would know that I have a thing or two for vintage dresses. Last Friday I was on the way back to the car from dinner + karaoke with friends, so I decided to check out the open market me & my friend used to shop so often coz it's so close to the office.

The market is located just next to Major Cineplex & Major Avenue Ratchayothin. It's outdoor so it could be challenging in terms of humidity & heat. But the need for shopping always conquers all. I have to admit that there are not a lot of great shops left. Most of them get the stuffs from Platinum, but priced higher. In many shops, the price is cheap, but so is the fabric. But there was one shop I just discovered. It's where the owner got vintage dresses from Hong Kong. So many interesting items were there that I could just spend all my money in one shop.

The great thing about vintage dresses are that none of them are the same. Each and every one of them is unique because of the fabric. The fabric quality is usually better than today's dresses, the pleating, the cutting. And thou none are the same, you can be sure that you'll look great. First fact: girls almost always look great in dresses. And to wear a dress that is unique, made with nice fabric, what more proof do you need? (Probably the right belt & high-heeled shoes)

The shop is always at Major market from Tue - Fri and at Jatujak on weekends. I should have taken the phone number. Will do next time & repost. Anyway, I ended up getting 4 dresses in one go just a little over 1,500 baht (less than 40 Euro) and I have with me 4 lovely vintage dresses. Priceless.

Khunnai likes to shop: a small but good cloth shop in Soi Ari

Dear fellow Khunnais,

It's my first weekend in Bangkok so I'd like to take it slow. But you never know when the chance to "shop" will come your way. Today it was my beloved cousin. She was kind enough to join me on my car search. Yes, today was supposed to be all about car search. But somehow shopping for dresses just crept in without me knowing it.

My cousin introduced me to her cheap-but-decent cloth shop. It's called "Nam Mon" (น้ำมนต์), a small shop in Soi Ari area close to her house. I didn't expect so much, really. But I have to say that there are many nice items and the price... oh the price... is really really great.

I wanted to take it easy, after all I just came back from Milan, the city of fashion. Well... I got 4 pieces, paying 1, 640 baht (around 41 euro). That's what I mean by taking it easy. Anyway, to substantiate my claim about this shop, here's what I got:

Left: A chiffon blouse with big bow and jump end. Right: An off-white skirt with dozens of roses.

Left: A bohemian dress in bright pink. Right: My most fav - a chiffon dress with multi-colored graphics.

It took about half an hour to get these four pieces, but it took only a brief moment to get back to the shopping mode. I guess you can't deny the Khunnai spirit deep inside of you.

Num Mon Shop (Booth 42)

Sahakorn Phranakorn (Soi Ari)

1215 Phaholyothin Road

Tel. +668 9024 1179

I hope you live a life you're proud of

I wanted to remind you
that you are cherished.
That all of the loving care directed to you,
was for your benefit.
It was to enable whatever contribution
you would choose to make
with the gift of life given to you.
I don’t know what your future holds.
I do know that you will be the sole proprietor
of whatever choices you decide to make,
and equally, for the choices you decide not to make.

However, know this,
understand it completely…

It is never too late,
to be whoever you want to be.
There is no time limit.
Start whenever you want.
You can change or stay the same.
There are no rules to this thing.
We can make the best
or the worst of it.
I hope you make the best of it.
I hope you see things that startle you.
I hope you feel things you’ve never felt before.
I hope you meet people who
have a different point of view.
I hope you live a life you’re proud of,
and if you’re not,
I hope you have the courage
to start all over again.