A vist to Ikea and Fashion Island Mall.....sure go ahead and laugh

Finally, we decided it was time to head to Ikea and buy some things for the house that are not necessarily found in regular Thai stores: measuring cups/spoons, mixing bowl, pan and basically the ingredients to bake with. Oh yeah, we splurged and upped our cup/mug/glass count from 4 to 8 because we have friends coming over and well, we didn't think it would sound right to say please bring you own glass....oh, and yeh, while you're at it bring a plate too. Our whole kitchen still fits into one cupboard but we can at at least entertain. Regular knives are not that regular....so thanks, Ikea. And by the way, yes, you can fit table, two people and 8 bags in a taxi.

We headed home, dropped off our stuff, kept the taxi driver thanks to my fluent Thai (ha, ha), and took the same driver out to Fashion Island Mall where Vince had a meeting with a colleague which actually turned into a nice lunch with his family. We did the final grocery hunt for baking supplies and weird flavoured chips to feed the two preteens coming over tonight and the spent 30 min looking for the exit where the taxi's wait. Seriously, these malls are so huge that you can walk forever. Again, I fluently asked for directions and we eventually got outside, in what was now a torrential downpour. I was so proud of myself because I actually said "Ramkhamhaeng neung roy jet sip see" which is our address (174 Ramkhamhaeng) and she understood......yeah! Ramkhamhaeng is actually a long road out of the city centre and 174 is the road that we take down to our place. So, a few words and directions are needed from there...I have to find out how to say "keep going for 2 km"....need to see my Thai friend on Monday or launch ITranslate which I have heard works well.

Waiting in line for a taxi. I know it doesn't look like it but it is pouring.

The toilet in the mall. No, I am not weird but look at the arm.....it is blown up below. 

Go ahead....zoom in. The cadillac of toilets.

Finally found flour today but wondering why there is a frog on the package.

The next few pictures are of our townhouse. Our hearts are with our families and friends but this is where we lay our heads.

Living room

Eating area

Kitchen #1

and through the door to the second part of the kitchen where I very successfully cooked brownies tonight with the microwave/convection oven which is amazing and powerful. We had a few friends over and they were a big hit....North American treats are usually appreciated.

The sink very far away which is why I hope through the window to get to it.

The whole first floor....yes, as small (cozy) as it looks but perfect for us. 

Ouur walkin closet aka third bedroom.

Our bedroom. Those big things are called bolsters and are on  all beds. not really sure why.

Vince's office which will become the visitors room if any of you come and stay. Hey, it has AC and we will move the desk.

Our front hallway. Everyone takes shoes off when they go inside buildings. That's the table we fit in the taxi today. So it's really a driveway/eating area.