And what a Christmas it was. Of course being MyTW's first Nöel, she was as excited as a three-year old and looking forward to receiving lots of gifts. After I explained that it was about giving and not receiving (after first explaining not only why we celebrate Christmas but also who Jesus was) she got into the spirit.

Being her first Christmas meant that we were able to come up with all sorts of *cough* traditions that she didn't know about and had to go along with. Such as the *cough* traditional "draw the names out of a hat to see who would play Santa on Christmas morning", not knowing that every piece of paper in the hat had her name on it.

Of course we also told her that she actually had to dress up for the part, which lead to much hilarity while she shouted out "Melly Kissmut!" over and over in her lovable Thai accent. With baby on the way she wasn't able to partake in the also-traditional all-day "get as drunk as you can" ceremony, but I think the relo's took care of that for her.

In all it was a pretty low-key affair and a relaxing break from the computer. We're well-rested and ready for what is sure to be a huge year for us.

Happy new year everyone! (Click pics below for more xmas photos)

As the title suggests, this weekend saw the first anniversary of my marriage to the blushing bride. We actually celebrated the anniversary on the 30th of November, but for all intents and purposes, the 11th/12th were the big days.

It's been a hell of a {mostly good} year, with me repatriating to oz, MYTW relocating here, getting settled and finding new friends, and of course now a baby on the way. I've got enough freelance worked booked in to see me busy through till April next year, so 2007 is shaping up to be an even bigger one. Who knows, I may even be able to afford one of these lovely new Aston Martin DB9's that I got to sit in at a promotional event a few weeks back.

Come on folks, today is your last chance to sponsor my ridiculous 'tache. It would seem that opinions are divided over whether I suit the mo' or not - on the one hand it scares young children and on the other it infuriates and enrages old ladies. Still, it's for a good cause, and if I've raised a few sheckels for charity while looking like a goose (something I normally do for free) then it's been worthwhile.

So far I've raised a paltry $65 (gracious thanks to those who have sponsored me already - Dad, Bruce, Steve, Kirk, Emma, and Marianne) but I know my loyal friends and readers can't be that stingy. So dig deep, people - the prostate gland of someone you know and love could be jeopardized by not sponsoring that tax-deductible $5.

UPDATE: Thanks to Dave and Andrew who came through with the goods to get me over the $100 mark. Big ups!

World, meet TBA. TBA, World. All looking good so far. Cute little nose courtesy of Mum, big fat belly, courtesy of...me I guess.

Not much else happened On the Ground this week. Oh yeah, there was this one incident. We had free tickets to the zoo yesterday. Beautiful weather out, too many whining 4 year-olds hopped up on red cordial and chocolate bars, but hey, the day was free.

We stopped to have a look at the cute little otters in their enclosure. You're at eye level with the water line in their tank, from behind glass so you get a good view of everything. Suddenly a wild(?) duck from a neighbouring pond flies in.

Within seconds there was feathers and tears everywhere, as all the littlies who were a minute ago cooing and ah-ing over the cute little otters had to watch as said creatures ripped the ducks head off and gnawed on its body. A truly Attenboroughsian moment. Gold.

'Tis a remorseless eating machine!" So said Captain McAlister, proprietor of the Frying Dutchman when Homer Simpson ate an entire restaurants' food during an all-you-can-eat buffet. If you wonder where I've been and why I haven't updated this blog, it's because I spend every spare minute of my day running to the shops for 2-minute noodles or to chinatown for som tum bpoo.

While we've been very fortunate that MyTW has not so far succumbed to the dreaded morning sickness, she has pretty much eaten me out of house and home - somehow without managing to put any actual weight on at all. Me? I'm still carrying about 6kgs that refuses to shift itself despite eating nothing but rice and vegetables...it just ain't fair I tells ya. Maybe it's me that's pregnant and not her.