Exploring Thai

So we kind of have this tradition it seems to find a nice Thai restaurant where we live and go there so regularly that everyone knows not only our names but our "usual order". We've been going to this restaurant near our place called Ginseng,... even though it's technically supposed to be a Chinese restaurant they also serve some Thai dishes. But we decided to explore other Thai places one weekend. We came here.. can't remember the name because well.. that was the first and last time we went there. Nice ambiance but the food was thoroughly disappointing. I think we're going to stick with Ginseng for now :)

Like the Bike???

Papi and mami have been teaching me to ride my bike and I've really enjoyed learning. I can pedal myself and I've gotten the coordination of steering and pedaling down... but I'm still trying to work on pushing both my feet in a round circle to make the bike go... right now I lead with my right foot... hard to explain :) But anyway... like my bike? Who knew I would be a biker at heart?! I always admire the people riding motorcycles on the road, and I think I might just give my parents a heart attack one day and ask for a motorcycle instead of a car ;-) We'll see how that one goes over.

It's the Persian in Me :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE My Papi!!!

So the days of being attached to mama's hip have surely passed! I am now officially a "daddy's girl". In the mornings before he leaves for work, even if I'm still sleeping, I'll get upset if he doesn't give me a hug and kiss goodbye. Most days I'll beg to go to work with him, but since daddy's really busy at work most times we settle for meeting him for lunch at his office :) I have no more problems when mama leaves me for a few hours because then I get daddy alllllll to myself! I once told mama that I like to wear dresses because "daddy says I'm beautiful". Te amo papa!!!

Sometimes Hyperactivity Backfires!

[Note: My hair is stuck inside the curtain after twirling around like a mad woman :) and mama thought it was funny enough to take a picture during my moment of pain. I have a feeling she'll torture me with this picture later in life.]

Planning a park

We recently got involved in a project to build a park suitable to the needs of disabled children. We met with some beautiful children to get their feedback on what they would like to see and have at their ideal playground.


In the group meeting, as an ice breaker, mama taught everybody how to sing the itsy bitsy spider song... we all seemed to enjoy it (especially me! sometimes I imitate mama teaching this song when I think no one is paying attention). I've always had a special attachment to this song all my life... when I was a baby and I would cry in the car, mama would always sing me that song and I'd stop crying immediately just to listen.

Here I am making my own contribution with paints :) I'm asking papa "please, no pictures"... he was distracting me from my art work!

My 3rd Birthday!

I had a FANTASTIC birthday... how many girls can say they get TWO parties on the same day??? ME!!! First one was at my school. Mama and I brought a chocolate cake to share with my friends and teachers. And when we arrived in the morning, they made a sign out front saying "happy birthday sofia".. I felt like a rock star!!

I wore my new dress and sandals that mama and papa bought for me!
They sang me happy birthday and then I blew out my candles like a pro! No crying anymore when I hear the birthday song... that's how you know that I am definitely NOT a baby anymore! I'm a big girl :-D



Here I am at home, wearing my nifty birthday hat, waiting patiently for my second party (but let me tell ya... it was hard waiting!)

Mama bought beautiful flowers for me...
Just like the flower that I am ;-)

Doesn't my cake look soooo yummy?! I insisted on chocolate (just like my mama!)

Here I am playing with Rixt... my buddy!

She and my other buddy Lalit bought me this cool bean bag! I love jumping on it!

And Pratik got me a t-shirt with a picture of ME on it saying "My 3rd Birthday"... so nice!
And the ultimate moment of the evening.... (drum roll please!)... I got a BIKE!!!! With a bell too so I can ride Indian-style... (can't drive here without your horn ya know). How nice of Manish and his wife Harita!



I wouldn't even get off my bike for cake... so, mama fed me some :)And although I did miss my family and close friends from around the world on my big day... it was special to share my 3rd birthday in India with my friends here too. Thanks you guys!

We goa to Goa

Last month we took a trip to Goa, a renowned beach getaway. We had such a great time! Sun, sand, clean air and stunning architecture. Up until the 1960s Goa belonged to Portugal, even though it is on the Indian subcontinent. So when you come to Goa... it doesn't much feel like you're in India at all! The houses and buildings are still Portuguese Mediterranean style.. oh so beautiful!!!

This is the place where we stayed for the weekend... a random pick from a tourist handbook, and boy was it a good one. It was called Alidia... spacious and clean rooms with private balconies... a pool and a couple minutes walk to the sandy beach.
I spent a lot of time in the pool! And mama and papa were surprised to learn that I can now swim almost independently (except for the help of the water wings) ;)

When we walked to the beach... we passed by some humble little homes with livestock.
And a friendly man bringing up water from the well noticed our curiosity and let us take a look (and a picture) :)
The beach we went to was called Baga...

Here I am telling mama how old I am ...

All of us taking in the serenity of the sunset and crashing waves.
A man came by selling chai!! Now that's heaven :)
Mama didn't swim... mainly because she didn't have a swimsuit on and also the culture here is a bit conservative (basically wearing a bikini and the likes is showing way too much skin). Many local women go into the water fully clothed.. saris and all! She couldn't bring herself to swim in the ocean fully clothed, so she stationed herself on the sand and guarded everyone's valuables ;)
We took a picture with a temple elephant (although it cost us 25 rupees - about 60 cents)...
This was our ride for one full day of travelling from one tourist site to another :)

There are a LOT of churches in Goa!
It was HOT, and it's so important to keep hydrated you know... I even wore SPF 60... Can never be too careful is what I always say (I'm so wise at such a tender age, don't you think?)