After a mammoth 14 hour flight to Bangkok stopping over at both Melbourne and Phuket in transit i'm here living it up in Bangkok. Did I mention that I don't want to come back to AUS? Well, the feeling is getting stronger daily!

By now i've sampled a ridiculous amount of food with only the best tour guides to show me the delights which Bangkok has made itself infamous for! Surprisingly though, it is becoming apparently clear that Jane's mum is THE best cook rivaling internationally renowned chefs. This has been one of the many thousands of things that have been on my agenda since April. Let me summaries!

1. Jumping from one BTS station to another in the most efficient transport system this has to offer. But may I also announce that I've finally been on my first motorbike ride ... EVER. This was on the back of a two stroke motorbike cab from Emporium to Sukumvit 71, Soi 26 watching Jane elegantly ride side saddle on the bike in front, shooting me a smile in between turns.

2. Living it up with the Indian community and Jane's gay Thai friend(s) in pumping Bed Supper Club on hip hop night. No rest was had from the moment we walked in. Sweat from head to toe, but all out mayhem! Why are all the gay guys I know called Josh?! Go figure!

3. I'll also be going wakeboarding with Jane's friend Chris on Sunday. SO EXCITED! ARGHH! This is something i've been wanting to do for the longest time and have been deprived of! Time to begin my journey into the world of wakeboarding! I figure if the snow isn't calling me, then the warm waters of Thailand will be infinitely more satisfying!

4. Trip to Ko Samet tomorrow for a day trip for sun, sand, and pristine waters before heading to Cambodia for a week. Eagerly anticipating the latter. To experience Cambodia in it's current condition will be a once in a lifetime opportunity before it becomes the next bustling tourist destination. Excitedly getting the camera ready, and the wallet stocked in preparation for all Abercrombie and DKNY bargains. Hehehe!

5. Meeting Jane's family who are all the sweetest and warm people. The same can be said for all her friends i've met to date and i'm lucky to be in the presence of such good company and generous/curious smiles. Seeing someone’s roots says a lot about a person. I'm glad to have discovered her other side, and getting a well rounded view of who she is. Hearing is one thing, but experiencing it is another.

6.  Cheap everything! Including the dental treatment, who gave me the clean bill of health with exception of identifying the need to remove my 2 remaining wisdom teeth and potential whitening treatment! You can never satisfy the critics! HAR!

7. Also met up with Steve and Sophia and sampled a portion of what this wonderful city has to offer! Such great friends who forever prove that friends and contacts are everything! This has been proved time and again since I landed. The world is an amazing place and I plan to continue the life long journey.

Ok! Enough for now! 6am bus to catch.

It's over! CISA is no more! Well, that is on the assumption that I managed to scape a passing grade. I've really had it with that certification though. What is the point of an exam where you spend all your time figuring out what the question is asking you (deciphering American to English), where they make you sit there for 4 hours without food and water?! The mind boggles! As of now i'm forgetting it ever happened. Pass or fail, i'm glad it's over and never to be repeated (voluntarily)!

On a separate note, my hairdresser commented that I look like this Korean actor with distinctively dark eyebrows. Not entirely sure how to take such a comment, the upside was that he's liked by many Korean women. HA! Lovely! Picked up by my hairdresser. I'm sure i'll be getting it cut somewhere else next time, right Jane?!? *wink*

So I more visit to the gym before flying off and that will be that. My transformation into a fat bastard will commence. But like my workmate says ... 'life is all about being a fat bastard when goof food's involved'. Right you are. Let the feast begin ... oh ... and travel ... broadening of the mind ... blah blah blah ...

TRANSLATION? 4 hours to check in, 6 till departure!

I AM OFFICIALLY ON LEAVE! NO MORE WORK FOR 3 WEEKS! Freedom will be mine right after my exam. Thailand + Jane + sun + FOOD + Cambodia + resorts + debaucherous fun + friends + alcohol - stress = UTOPIA!

I'll be back, but I assure you, i'm not the least bit upset to be leaving these shores. The anticipation is killing me!

2 DAYS TO GO!

Simply put, touch football is a game of who can yell the loudest! Awesome game, don't get me wrong, but there are times I have no idea what to do. I'll admit it! And for those reading it and see me each Monday night, well there you go! That's why I didn't do what I should have done, because I have NO IDEA (well not to the level of depth I should)! Is it fundamentally wrong just to like running around? Fair enough, i'm not a play maker, but i'm comfortable with that. I'm one of those strange Aussies that never really liked league, union or AFL, but decided instead to focus on my tennis pursuits with the unwavering goal that one day I may serve-volley like Edberg! However I consider myself a work in progress - eager to grow! Bygones! As a result of my trip back to SE Asia in 4 days, the learning curve will unavoidably plateau temporarily. A much more negative result will however become apparent in my mid-section!

In the midst of wrapping up all my client engagements before I head off, came an warm-fuzzy feeling as a result of work (of all things). I, Alan Au, finally made a friend of a client. Amazing achievement I felt. Not one to brag, however, they couldn't have been happier. Not only did they sing my praises, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, seemed to have added value and insight, and would happily pay them a social visit. Mind you, I AM an auditor (IT of course). It's amazing what a positive perspective and 3 years of learning to bullshit can do for you! And providing I pass my exam on Saturday, i'll even be formally accredited for it.

Love ya work people! Especially yours Joe! You're a thoughtful son-o-a-biach aren't you?! Good things come to those who bear gifts ... yours will be reciprocated in 3 weeks. Cheers!

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE IN! - 92 HOURS 

Firstly i'd just like to announce a milestone in my personal fitness program. *EH HEM* Today, I have taken that next step. The hurdle has been cleared. The mental barriers broken down. I am one step closer to achieving it. I can taste it.

For months now i've been running a consistent 4km's 3-4 times a week on top of other sporting activities, but today, I realised I can achieve more and I WILL aim higher from here on end! Today, I clocked 6km's in 30 minutes. WOO-HOO! I'm seriously excited. This may be a small achievement for some, but I for one am no runner. Aiming for 14 km's within the next few months, but i'm sure all that local Thai food will affect this routine somewhat. Bygones! Sacrifices must be made (even if it means taking a step back)! .... oh the food ... THANK YOU THAILAND!

On the same theme of milestones and culinary adventures, Jane and I celebrated our one year anniversary the other week. Still in shock that time has passed so seamlessly. A wonderful year and i'm sure there'll be more to come. So in commemoration of this landmark event we trotted off to Galileo in the Observatory Hotel. Our superb Japanese chef pulled all stops and presented us with a 9 course degustation menu to tantalise all buds with taste! This mish-mash of culture was evident as we were presented modern Australian cuisine with both French and Japanese influences. Exciting? Of course! Anything you can't cook yourself is a treat and worth paying for! Tell me i'm wrong? In  any case, two thumbs up!

 DAYS TILL DEPARTURE & EXAM?! - 8, and counting!