“Wawawow-wee! Che bella!” My American girlfriend and I were walking through the market in Mae Sai yesterday when an older farang gentleman walking towards us on the crowded path began passionately exclaiming to us in a language we didn’t understand (that is to say, it wasn’t English, Thai or Akha). It wasn’t until after we had passed him that I realized he was speaking Italian and I did, in fact, understand what he was saying! Excitedly, I said to my friend, “That guy thought we were pretty!”

Motherhood can sure do a number on your self image. It’s not that I feel ugly, it’s just that I don’t really feel pretty! Most of the time I couldn’t tell you the last time I had proper shower. My clothes almost always have some baby related stain and now that Abi has entered an extremely “grabby” stage, it seems that every time I see myself in the mirror, my hair is no longer in a tidy and smooth pony tail, but a frazzled mess! I’m really not complaining, I’m just stating the facts: A mom’s life is not glamorous!

So, Thanks Mister Italian-guy for thinking I’m pretty; it made my day!