Wishful Wednesday: The Secret

I've just watched The Secret, which is basically describing The Law of Attraction. If you're unfamiliar then in a nutshell "if you visualise you materialise", so technically if you think about one thing every day and really imagine it coming into your life then technically it should.

According to this documentary the original genie offers unlimited wishes, not just 3. And there is enough good for everyone. We can all live abundant lives, if we stop focusing on the negative and bad things (wars, etc) then we can manifest a good life.

So without further do let me get onto what I wish for...

I wish that one day we all live in abundance. Lots of joy, fruit, peace, calm and love for each other.

I see it now. A beautiful blue sky (obviously I'm not in the UK!) in a luscious park with green grass and fruit trees everywhere. Children are playing, adults are foraging and everyone is helping each other. There's nothing but sunshine and big smiles. Then a bit of wind picks up and everyone grabs a kite and moves to the open field.

How wonderful.

What will your try to manifest?

Jennifer x

Thai Flowers

I have always loved flowers and I have always loved photographing flowers. I love the patterns, the colours, the different shapes and sizes. I especially love rain drops on leaves. If there is something that I should do more of, it is taking photographs of flowers.

Here is a quick board I made of some of the flowers I photographed in Thailand. 

One of the regrets I have about my time in Thailand is not stopping to smell the flowers! I was so busy rushing here and there that I forgot to appreciate the beauty of the natural world. I won't make the same mistake twice, I will purposely seek out the flower fields and enjoy both smell and scenery.

Jennifer x

Subliminal Saturday

Now I know I was only away for 2 months, but since I got back to the UK I seriously feel like I am being brainwashed to buy any shit from any where. I am more conscious to it.

Let me tell you something about Thailand. They do it on a BIGGER scale!

I think that because I spent a lot of time in Bangkok (more than the average tourist probably) witnessing first hand the large scale advertising, it is hard to switch off to the fact that we are all being brainwashed to buy, to consume, to want to dedicate our lives to working in a mediocre job just to buy shit that we really deep down don't need or want just because a poster says we should, or an advert on TV says it'll make us feel better.

I was too cautious to take photos or videos in Bangkok to capture this, mainly on the Skytrain (BTS) because there were signs everywhere saying no photos. Well let me tell you. As soon as you walk up the stairs you're greeted with food stands, magazine stands and clothes shops, when you reach the platform there are MASSIVE bill boards plastered with cars, food, computers. Even the barriers that stop you jumping onto the tracks have digital screens that advertise one thing or another. Then once you're on the train there are posters everywhere and the worst thing are the TV advertisements.

What is it about Asian women being airbrushed to look like Western women?

Why do already petite Asian women need to jump around in skimpy bathing suits (looking Western again) chewing weight loss pills?

WHY ARE ASIANS OBSESSED WITH WEIRD SAUSAGE "MEAT"??

Seriously, everywhere I went there were weird sausages, and you know that the "meat" content will be 0.01% and the rest is something unspeakable.

What disheartened me about Bangkok so much was the need to consume. Huge malls everywhere, shops, stands, everything is about spending money. I got so disheartened by it that I fell out of love with Bangkok, we had a very quick love affair and the only reason I returned was for food - but even then I was part of what made me dislike it!

I never want to fall back into a "normal" life. I don't want to get a 9-5 job just to stay alive. I don't want to own a home and I also don't want to be spending money on a car. From now on it is just me and my bike and whatever public transport I decide to use (mainly a plane out of here again - eventually!), but I want to pledge that no matter how magical things appear I will do my best to avoid being sucked back into the consumerists lifestyle.

If you are struggling to quit consumerism then ask yourself this question

Who is benefiting?

I hope that one day soon everyone wakes up and really sees this matrix we are living in.

Jennifer x

Think Thursday

The last fortnight has given me a lot to think about, mainly because I came down with a fever that turned into tonsillitis, which then developed into swollen gums and an infection on my face (herpes simplex aka cold sores).

As you all know I am following a raw vegan lifestyle and I have become one of the "extremists" who has basically decided from the start no prescription/over the counter pills, no tap water, no products, nothing except fruit, veg and air.

Well after coming down with all of these things and going against the advice of every doctor I've seen I have to think about this.

Despite getting over tonsillitis without antibiotics, do I take the antibiotics that have been prescribed to me today for the swollen gums? My mouth is in so much pain that I don't want to eat anymore (and by eat I mean drink a smoothie) and every time I move my jaw I damage the skin on the inside of my mouth even more. I suppose I should mention that I started using Corsodyl mouthwash, a product containing many chemicals that are no doubt bad.

However, I am at breaking point today.

Part of me is saying "take the pills" but another part is saying "you've come this far without pills, don't cave on this one".

Part of me is wondering if I refused pills in the first place because I am stubborn and want to prove that I don't need western medicine to cure these illnesses, or was it because I believe in the raw vegan diet?

I have a lot to think about but I am just so fed up. The questions now aren't "should I take the pills", but rather "why am I doing this?". Am I trying to prove a point? Am I being stubborn? Am I being cautious? 

I think that once I determine my motive, I will be able to decide what the best action is for me and my fucking mouth.

I hope no one ever experiences this.

Jennifer x

Thai Massages

I think I've had enough massages to give my thoughts and opinions of them.

It took me nearly 2 weeks of being here in Thailand before I had my first massage. I was nervous and apprehensive that I'd leave feeling worse than I went in, so it was a good job I met Anne Sophie. We both needed some TLC and I felt brave being in her company. I opted for a 1 hour Thai massage, whilst Anne Sophie had a back, shoulder and neck massage.

A Thai massage should really last 2 hours long for an authentic experience. One hour was fine, but it really isn't enough time for them to work your muscles and pop your joints! I did enjoy the first massage, but the masseuse pushed a little too hard on my back. I still left feeling like I had taken off a 10kg bag!

My second massage was 2 hours long. I had it after cycling up Doi Suthep. My body has not had that sort of exercise for well over a year (if ever), so I was in a lot of pain! Funny thing about this massage is the fact that it was my best and worst so far.

The reasons for being the worst is because I was in agony! Don't be fooled by tiny Thai women, they're strong! She prodded, kneeled, pushed and shoved me, causing bruises on my legs and bottom. An unforgettable experience that almost caused me to cry!

On the other hand it was the best massage because she bent me in all weird positions that really opened me up and released the tension I'd been holding for a long time. Also, my spine cracked all the way down and I felt like I was reborn! No one has managed to live up to this.

I have had an oil massage, which was pleasant but not effective. I hold tension in my shoulders and upper back and no masseuse has managed to get the knots out.

Today I had another 2 hour Thai massage and I actually fell asleep! It was so relaxing, perhaps I should have requested it to be hard and bendy like the earlier one because I'm pretty sure you're not meant to fall asleep!

I have also had a reflexology foot massage, which was second best massage in my life. I may treat myself again when I go back to Bangkok next week. It is at the Rasayana retreat (where I stuff my face with raw vegan food).

So, after having a few massages I can report that my favourite body parts to be massaged are my feet, calves, hands, shoulders, neck and head. I think I'll avoid the Thai massages in future and get ones that focus on what I like instead.

Thailand is so cheap for massages that you must budget them into your trip, definitely not to be missed!

Jennifer x

What a day looks like in pictures (sort of!)

Fruit for breakfast 

On the bus

Quick selfie

Go sightseeing / do touristy things

Eat raw food at Rasayana
Pesto pasta

Caesar salad

Taco cups

Visit a hospital!
My friend fell the day before and needed her bandage changing

So this obviously isn't everything I do because I missed lunch, which was papaya, and we were also sat in a taxi for 1 hour not going very far or very fast!

I'm going to try making a vlog every day so my YouTube channel can see some action and I can make some dollars!

Hugs and kisses, especially to Steven! 

Jennifer x

Airline review - going to Thailand

Norwegian air review

When I got to the airport I went to check in and found that it is all done by machine, so I had to scan my document and choose my seats. This was great because I got to select a seat on my own row with a window! Bonus point 1. Also, no one checked my hand luggage either, it wasn't weighed (10kg allowance) nor were the dimensions checked.

After check in I received a text message from Norwegian air asking people to volunteer to change flights for 200€ compensation due to a technical issue. It wasn't the greatest thing to ask someone getting a connecting flight, but I just ignored it. 

When I got to the gate I overheard someone mention that a lot of people were being put on standby, so they either overbooked the flight or had to down size the plane due to this technical issue they mentioned. The plane left on time despite this.

The flight arrived on time in Stockholm and I had to make my way though security again, which was not ideal for my water situation. I ended spending £10 on about 3 litres of water.

Unfortunately the flight to Bangkok was delayed by 1.5 hours, which isn't really too bad considering I've waited 4 hours many times flying to/from Turkey. The bonus for this is that when I boarded the flight I still had 3 seats to myself! On a 10 hour flight that was the best thing that could have happened. 

I got to fly on one of the new dreamliners and I absolutely recommend getting on one of these planes.

The great features of these planes are:

☆ big windows with dimming facilities

☆ TV, films and music in the back of the seat in front. Easy to operate and good to watch the planes location as you're flying.

☆ toilet facilities were good

☆ mood lighting to allow for a relaxing sleep

☆ I didn't get jet lag at all, this is supposed to be down to the improved air system

I personally don't have any negatives towards the plane or the service provided by Norwegian air. I wouldn't hesitate to fly with them again despite them having some negative reviews.

Overall I paid just shy of £200 for a one way ticket from London Gatwick to Bangkok via Stockholm. I took my own food and didn't check in a bag. I got a bargain!

I definitely recommend catching a flight with this company, but it has to be on a dreamliner!

Jennifer x