'They have grey fluff that’s blown into their heads by mistake.' – Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)

Tonight I'm lucky to be home safe and sound. That's because I have a migraine. It hit while at work and I could easily have curled up under my desk and gone to sleep. By the time I left, the pain had reduced to a dull roar. As I got to the tram exchange, I almost went to the wrong platform because my brain wiped from memory which line number I live on. At home, after I warmed up dinner, I forgot to turn the gas burner off. As my husband said, 'I could have burnt down the house' – not really likely since we live in a brick house and the stove is properly wired. Still, it's certainly time to go to bed and fully reduce the danger of being myself with a migraine.

'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.' – Arthur C. Clarke

I'm happy to report back that the new Boeing Dreamliner is the magic use of technology, at least to a non-engineer/non-pilot like me. We flew to and from our holiday on it and it's better than other airplanes. Aside from less ear-popping during accent and descent, it was mildly quieter. Most significantly, unlike flights in the past, I didn't get nauseous and headachy during or after the flight. On the first few days of our trip I didn't get a migraine as I have on other trips. After coming home, I did get a migraine but probably mostly from the lack of sleep because of the discount airline's economy class seats. I would buy one if I could.

'So long as you have food in your mouth, you have solved all questions for the time being.' – Franz Kafka

Culture Smart Thailand
by Roger Jones

Yesterday we met some fellow gluten free travellers on an excursion and they told me about a tool they use when overseas: there are cards you can print saying that you are gluten free in almost any language. I never knew this existed, but it doesn't surprise me that this is one of the many miracles found on the internet. It means that you don't have to guess about food contents or bungle the pronunciation, possibly saying something you didn't intend. I will be using these next time we travel, but for the moment I will stick to dishes I'm pretty sure are safe and hope that I don't get a migraine.

'Fear, anxiety and neurosis: that's just in the suitcase when you're an actor.' – Laura Linney

Often when I'm on holiday I try to force myself to relax. I know that sounds silly, but I'm so determined to go home rested that I get anxious about whether we're doing too much; am I being present the whole time so that I'm experiencing it all; am I getting the most recuperation value out of this time off? (This is more proof that I'm neurotic and think too much. Maybe I should become an actor.)

I don't know what's changed, but on this holiday, so far, I've been able to do what I feel like doing, when I feel like doing it: lie on the beach reading or watching the wildlife, swim, nap in the hotel room, have a drink before dinner. Only once have the anxious thoughts tried to invade. Am I taking everything in? Look how wonderful it all is! I turned these fretful mind-ninjas back early in their advance by taking a deep breath and gently reminding myself that I'm present so it's all good.

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.' - St Augustine

Tomorrow I'm going overseas and I have mixed feelings about it. I'm excitedly looking forward to spending some time with my husband and relaxing in a warm climate. But I'm also nervous about how I will cope with the airplane, the stress and the time difference. Often when I go on a plane I end up with a migraine for several days after I land, which diminishes my ability to enjoy the destination. My geeky husband tells me that we're flying on a brand new plane that is supposed to be pressurised to a lower apparent altitude than normal planes so it makes the flight less tough on passengers. I'm also on new medication this time so it will be interesting to see how that helps me cope.

As horrible as it is to go away only to wind up with a migraine, I think it's still important to try these new experiences. This is partly because you can't let migraines stop you from living (that's how depression takes over) and partly that you never know how you will manage until you try.

'You're in pretty good shape for the shape you are in.' – Dr Seuss

I'm on day two of a persistent but not too severe migraine. Yesterday I thought the daily medication would stop it in its tracks, but that's not how it works. I thought about immediately calling up the kinesiologist to cure me. Instead I took aspirin and went to bed early. This morning I thought it was gone because I was feeling really good – as it turns out, a little too good. The migraine-derived manic energy has given way to other typical symptoms: head pain especially around my eyes, dizziness, tiredness, sadness and hopeless thoughts, and sensitivity to light and sound. Now I'm debating between watching a favourite movie with the sound turned low or going to bed and indulging in self-pity until my husband gets home in a few hours. I'm also beginning to worry that this is a beginning of another round or torrential migraines and that the new medication isn't going to work. I think I need to stay present and mindful so that I don't fall into the spiral of doomsday thinking. I'll look for the positives: yummy macaroni and cheese for dinner, snuggly cat to cuddle and cozy living room.