Tim had a fun experience today. She was live on a popular FM radio station this afternoon talking about her business.
When she left this morning, she told me that she had to deliver holiday baskets to some people. For the New Year's holiday, Thais deliver gift baskets to friends, family and business contacts. The baskets are usually purchased at a grocery store and are filled with a variety of products.
Until very recently, they would also include a bottle of whiskey. Johnny Walker Black Label and Red Label were often popular choices. A new law this year prohibited the inclusion of alcohol in the basket on the grounds that it "forced" people to buy alcohol. Of course, its their law and the Thais are certainly free to make whatever silly laws they want and ignore the fact that there were always baskets available that didn't contain alcohol.
Tim has had a lot of baskets to deliver over the last few weeks. It is a good way to get face time and build relationships with important clients, business partners and government officials. Today she was delivering a basket to someone in the radio business. They chatted a bit and then the recipient told her that he had to go to be on the radio. He asked her if she wanted to join and she did. So she spent a few minutes on the air talking about her company. A little free advertising for the price of a basket is not too bad.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Part of the Job
Today Aleena had her first swimming lesson. She can already doggie paddle, and is not afraid of jumping right into the water. We wanted to have her take a class with her friend on Monday, but the instructors wanted to see her level first.
When we got to the pool, Aleena just didn't want to get in. I think that she was a bit afraid. When her brother or sister are around, she had little fear. This time, however, she was there by herself (not including me). For the first half of the lesson, she sat outside the pool. Then the instructor moved over to the smaller pool and played a game with some coins. Aleena started laughing and enjoying herself at that point, actually participating.
Finally, before we left, she agreed to get in the pool and show the instructor how she can swim if I would get in. Of course I had not worn my swimming suit. I had planned on spending the lesson listening to my ipod and relaxing. So I stripped down to my shorts and hopped in. The water was a bit cooler than I would have preferred, but honestly, I've swam in colder weather in Cincinnati in July and August. Aleena surprised me a bit by jumping in, going under water, then surfacing and swam to me.
When we got to the pool, Aleena just didn't want to get in. I think that she was a bit afraid. When her brother or sister are around, she had little fear. This time, however, she was there by herself (not including me). For the first half of the lesson, she sat outside the pool. Then the instructor moved over to the smaller pool and played a game with some coins. Aleena started laughing and enjoying herself at that point, actually participating.
Finally, before we left, she agreed to get in the pool and show the instructor how she can swim if I would get in. Of course I had not worn my swimming suit. I had planned on spending the lesson listening to my ipod and relaxing. So I stripped down to my shorts and hopped in. The water was a bit cooler than I would have preferred, but honestly, I've swam in colder weather in Cincinnati in July and August. Aleena surprised me a bit by jumping in, going under water, then surfacing and swam to me.
Hopefully the next lesson will be better. I think I'll bring my swim suit though, just in case.
A Bit Chilly and No Rain
This morning was actually a bit chilly. With great trepidation, I actually donned a long sleeve shirt to take the kids to school. Its a bit chillier riding the bike than walking around, so I shamefully covered my forearms. The blow to my self esteem at having wore a long sleeve shirt in Bangkok due to cold was somewhat mitigated by the fact that I still wore shorts.
Of course, I actually like this weather better than the summer and rainy seasons. We haven't had rain here for several months, and its really quite nice.
Of course, I actually like this weather better than the summer and rainy seasons. We haven't had rain here for several months, and its really quite nice.
Maid Me Mad
Things have been going pretty well with the maid until the other day. At 5:00 p.m., I sent her to fetch Aleena from her play date at her friend McKayla's house.
McKayla spent most of the winter break in the United States. For the first two weeks, each day Aleena asked me "Is McKayla home yet?" It was cute for the first three or four days, but you can only be amused by trying to explain that we had ten (or how many ever) days left.
In any case, I asked Nalin to send Aleena up to my room when she returned. I wanted to read to her and have her work on her reading workbook. Nalin came up and told me that the maid was back, but Aleena was not. A bit puzzled, I looked for the maid who was in the kitchen, working on dinner. I asked the maid what happened. She told me that Aleena didn't want to come home, and fussed a bit, so she had returned without her.
Soon the look of utter bewilderment on my face was replaced by severe annoyance. While I did not raise my voice, I let the maid know in no uncertain terms that I was angry with her. I explained (again) that the children were not her bosses. If I told her to do something, and they refused to cooperate, at a minimum she had to call me.
Not only did she not do what she was sent to do, but she didn't even tell me that she had failed. If not for Nalin, I wouldn't have known Aleena wasn't home until thirty minutes later.
So fresh off of yesterday's poor performance, the maid outdid herself today. Around nine this morning I was going out on my bike. She said that she was going to the market that morning. I told her that I didn't have my key. She said "don't close the door". I told her that she could close the door, but not to lock the door. Then I asked her in Thai if she understood. She nodded yes.
On my way back home I passed her about 3 or 4 minutes from the house. When I got home, I discovered that she had locked the door. At this point I wasn't annoyed or angry, I was just plain pissed off. I tore off after her to see if I could catch up with her and get the key, but it was too late.
Fortunately for both the maid and myself, I was able to climb through a kitchen window to enter the house. I was fortunate because I didn't have to wait outside for an hour and a half until she returned. She was also lucky that I didn't have to wait outside for an hour and a half, because I would have fired her on the spot.
By the time that I returned, I had calmed down a lot. I explained to her that she had locked the door on me. She said that I told her that she could close the door. I agreed, but reminded her that I explicitly told her not to lock it and she said that she understood.
I think that my new way of dealing with her is going to be to make her explicitly repeat all instructions until she repeats them. Sometimes I think that people here think "do you understand" (spoken in either Thai or English) means, "would you like me to stop bothering you?"
McKayla spent most of the winter break in the United States. For the first two weeks, each day Aleena asked me "Is McKayla home yet?" It was cute for the first three or four days, but you can only be amused by trying to explain that we had ten (or how many ever) days left.
In any case, I asked Nalin to send Aleena up to my room when she returned. I wanted to read to her and have her work on her reading workbook. Nalin came up and told me that the maid was back, but Aleena was not. A bit puzzled, I looked for the maid who was in the kitchen, working on dinner. I asked the maid what happened. She told me that Aleena didn't want to come home, and fussed a bit, so she had returned without her.
Soon the look of utter bewilderment on my face was replaced by severe annoyance. While I did not raise my voice, I let the maid know in no uncertain terms that I was angry with her. I explained (again) that the children were not her bosses. If I told her to do something, and they refused to cooperate, at a minimum she had to call me.
Not only did she not do what she was sent to do, but she didn't even tell me that she had failed. If not for Nalin, I wouldn't have known Aleena wasn't home until thirty minutes later.
So fresh off of yesterday's poor performance, the maid outdid herself today. Around nine this morning I was going out on my bike. She said that she was going to the market that morning. I told her that I didn't have my key. She said "don't close the door". I told her that she could close the door, but not to lock the door. Then I asked her in Thai if she understood. She nodded yes.
On my way back home I passed her about 3 or 4 minutes from the house. When I got home, I discovered that she had locked the door. At this point I wasn't annoyed or angry, I was just plain pissed off. I tore off after her to see if I could catch up with her and get the key, but it was too late.
Fortunately for both the maid and myself, I was able to climb through a kitchen window to enter the house. I was fortunate because I didn't have to wait outside for an hour and a half until she returned. She was also lucky that I didn't have to wait outside for an hour and a half, because I would have fired her on the spot.
By the time that I returned, I had calmed down a lot. I explained to her that she had locked the door on me. She said that I told her that she could close the door. I agreed, but reminded her that I explicitly told her not to lock it and she said that she understood.
I think that my new way of dealing with her is going to be to make her explicitly repeat all instructions until she repeats them. Sometimes I think that people here think "do you understand" (spoken in either Thai or English) means, "would you like me to stop bothering you?"
Monday, January 12, 2009
Fantastic Weather
The weather here this winter has really been fantastic. We've had an extended period with the highs in the mid-80's, and dipping down to the mid-60's during the nights.
I think I've only had the air conditioning running a handful of times over the past two months. The weather is partly responsible, as is the design of the new house. This house allows much better air flow than our townhouse. Tim is undoubtedly happy with the reduced electricity bills. She never complains when I run the air, but its nice not to need it.
I think I've only had the air conditioning running a handful of times over the past two months. The weather is partly responsible, as is the design of the new house. This house allows much better air flow than our townhouse. Tim is undoubtedly happy with the reduced electricity bills. She never complains when I run the air, but its nice not to need it.
Back to School
The kids started back to school today after a three week holiday break. Last year's break didn't seem quite as long as this year's. I think that this is in part because last year we took a vacation a little later in the break than we did this year. I think it broke up the break a little better.
In any case, I'm glad that the kids are back. Not only do I get a break from the little darlings, but this puts me back into a more regular routine. This will give me time to work on some projects.
Tim has asked me to resurrect the customer tracking program that I wrote for her last year. I finished version one last January, but it never got deployed. Now we are looking to relaunch, and it should keep me fairly busy. The nice thing is that I can work at home on my own schedule for most of the time. I also enjoy the mental challenge, so it should work out well.
In any case, I'm glad that the kids are back. Not only do I get a break from the little darlings, but this puts me back into a more regular routine. This will give me time to work on some projects.
Tim has asked me to resurrect the customer tracking program that I wrote for her last year. I finished version one last January, but it never got deployed. Now we are looking to relaunch, and it should keep me fairly busy. The nice thing is that I can work at home on my own schedule for most of the time. I also enjoy the mental challenge, so it should work out well.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Day in the Life of Christmas Break
Today was a pretty relaxed day. Only a few more days of Christmas break are left, and after yesterday's visit to Dream World, everyone kind of did their own thing.
Nalin went over to her friend Hannah's for a play date and a sleep over tonight. Last year Hannah and Nalin were in the same class and played together a lot. This year they are not in the same class and haven't spent as much time together. I had the maid pack a bag for the sleep over, but when Nalin stopped by to pick it up, she insisted on repacking it.
Aleena had her friend Anook over for a play date. Anook lived next door to us before we moved, but the girls are still good friends. Another former neighbor, Kiara also stopped by for a bit. After her play dates, Aleena fell asleep on the couch. Sometimes playing with friends is an exhausing endeavor. When she awoke at 4:30 p.m., Booah took her to ISB for a picnic with Anook and Kiara.
Jacob went to his friend John's house today. They typically play video games and hang out indoors. Today, however, John's dad took them to the driving range for an hour. From Jacob's rendition of the day's events, it sounded like they had fun.
Tim worked from home in the morning. She has a desk setup in the upstairs hall that has worked out really well. She left for work in the afternoon to attend a meeting.
I ran to the IT Mall today to have the DVD player in my laptop changed. I'm getting the laptop ready to give to Tim, because I have a new computer and the laptop that she has is pretty antiquated. While I was there, I got a foot massage. This was only memorable because it was the first time the masseuse was a guy. It was only a foot massage, but still I didn't like it. I'm also working on a photo album of some pictures.
Ordered pizza tonight, since Aleena's picnic meant that the maid hadn't even started on dinner at 6:00 p.m. Afterwards, Jacob and Aleena got ready for bed, and then watched some TV. Tim got home around 8:00 p.m., which is actually pretty earlier for her schedule.
Nalin went over to her friend Hannah's for a play date and a sleep over tonight. Last year Hannah and Nalin were in the same class and played together a lot. This year they are not in the same class and haven't spent as much time together. I had the maid pack a bag for the sleep over, but when Nalin stopped by to pick it up, she insisted on repacking it.
Aleena had her friend Anook over for a play date. Anook lived next door to us before we moved, but the girls are still good friends. Another former neighbor, Kiara also stopped by for a bit. After her play dates, Aleena fell asleep on the couch. Sometimes playing with friends is an exhausing endeavor. When she awoke at 4:30 p.m., Booah took her to ISB for a picnic with Anook and Kiara.
Jacob went to his friend John's house today. They typically play video games and hang out indoors. Today, however, John's dad took them to the driving range for an hour. From Jacob's rendition of the day's events, it sounded like they had fun.
Tim worked from home in the morning. She has a desk setup in the upstairs hall that has worked out really well. She left for work in the afternoon to attend a meeting.
I ran to the IT Mall today to have the DVD player in my laptop changed. I'm getting the laptop ready to give to Tim, because I have a new computer and the laptop that she has is pretty antiquated. While I was there, I got a foot massage. This was only memorable because it was the first time the masseuse was a guy. It was only a foot massage, but still I didn't like it. I'm also working on a photo album of some pictures.
Ordered pizza tonight, since Aleena's picnic meant that the maid hadn't even started on dinner at 6:00 p.m. Afterwards, Jacob and Aleena got ready for bed, and then watched some TV. Tim got home around 8:00 p.m., which is actually pretty earlier for her schedule.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Amusement Park
The children's Christmas break from school is rapidly coming to a conclusion. Yesterday I took them to one of their favorite places in Bangkok; an amusement park named Dream World. I've mentioned Dream World before. As far as amusement parks go, its hardly spectacular, but it is inexpensive and the kids enjoy it.
Tim had to work,so I drove the kids and nanny myself. Tim wrote out some basic directions, and I used my Garmin GPS system. Actually it was good that I had Tim's input, because the name of the sign sometimes didn't match the name on the navigation system.
The way back was a bit more challenging. The navigation system planned out a route using the expressway, which was fine with me. The problem is that in most places, the expressway here is raised and built over another road. So while I got on the expressway, the navigation system detected that I was on the road below. For the most part, this did not cause an issue. However, it didn't tell me to exit at the right time, so we ended up having to turn around and backtrack later on.
Here are a few pictures.
Tim had to work,so I drove the kids and nanny myself. Tim wrote out some basic directions, and I used my Garmin GPS system. Actually it was good that I had Tim's input, because the name of the sign sometimes didn't match the name on the navigation system.
The way back was a bit more challenging. The navigation system planned out a route using the expressway, which was fine with me. The problem is that in most places, the expressway here is raised and built over another road. So while I got on the expressway, the navigation system detected that I was on the road below. For the most part, this did not cause an issue. However, it didn't tell me to exit at the right time, so we ended up having to turn around and backtrack later on.
Here are a few pictures.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
30 Day Extension
Ah, the joys of immigration. Today we completed the application for a one year extension of my visa. In thirty days, I will have an interview and find out the results.
This is pretty much the same process as last year. This year, of course, we brought the correct documents the first time. The sole exception was my pictures, which I had to have retaken at a nearby shop. I brought the same picture as I used last year, which they saw when they pulled my file.
Interestingly, there is a change for next year. Currently, and in the past, we needed to demonstrate a household income of at least 50,000 baht per month. The new rule will instead require proof of at least 400,000 baht in an account in my name for at least two months prior to the application. I imagine that this could cause problems for some couples.
Once again, Tim's contact made the entire process much less painful than is typical. I think we were only there about an hour and a half. Believe me, the normal process is a lot longer.
This is pretty much the same process as last year. This year, of course, we brought the correct documents the first time. The sole exception was my pictures, which I had to have retaken at a nearby shop. I brought the same picture as I used last year, which they saw when they pulled my file.
Interestingly, there is a change for next year. Currently, and in the past, we needed to demonstrate a household income of at least 50,000 baht per month. The new rule will instead require proof of at least 400,000 baht in an account in my name for at least two months prior to the application. I imagine that this could cause problems for some couples.
Once again, Tim's contact made the entire process much less painful than is typical. I think we were only there about an hour and a half. Believe me, the normal process is a lot longer.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Pictures
I was looking at some of the pictures from last year, and found one that I really liked but don't think that I every "published".
Immigration Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Tim and I have to go down to the Thai Immigration offices in order to renew my visa. Its always just a joyful experience. This time we are leaving at 6:30 am in order to beat the traffic and be there when they open at 8:30 am.
Hopefully Tim's contact can help us get to the front of the line.
Hopefully Tim's contact can help us get to the front of the line.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Burning Down the House
Last night 61 people died in an upscale dance club in Bangkok. It was certainly tragic, although I wonder if it could have been somewhat avoided.
A few years back there was a fire in a Thai hotel that claimed the lives of many guests. A disproportionate number of Western guests were able to survive that fire by taking basic precautions such as putting wet towels under doors to reduce smoke. I must have been visiting Thailand at the time, because I remember reading the Bangkok Post and that some Thai's were amazed that the Western guests knew to take such measures. It really is a different world here.
A few years back there was a fire in a Thai hotel that claimed the lives of many guests. A disproportionate number of Western guests were able to survive that fire by taking basic precautions such as putting wet towels under doors to reduce smoke. I must have been visiting Thailand at the time, because I remember reading the Bangkok Post and that some Thai's were amazed that the Western guests knew to take such measures. It really is a different world here.
Pictures - Tim
For some odd reason, I end up without a lot of pictures of Tim or I. Well, its really not that surpising, as to take my own picture, I have to setup the tripod, and to take my wife's picture, I have to face her wrath.
On our trip to Chiang Mai, however, my lovely wife solicited me to take some photographs of her lovely visage. Here are some of the results. Please remember, the album contains more than just those images posted here.
My Lovely Wife
On our trip to Chiang Mai, however, my lovely wife solicited me to take some photographs of her lovely visage. Here are some of the results. Please remember, the album contains more than just those images posted here.
My Lovely Wife
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