Author Archives:
It Is Possible to Find Calm in Everyday Bangkok Craziness
If you’re stressed out and don’t even have time for a manicure, you have to create a haven of tranquility in the places where you spend the most time. According to Lisa Earle McLeod, author of Finding Grace When You Can’t Even Find Clean Underwear, you need to find your peace wherever you’re at. For [...]
Thinking Positive Thoughts and Live Longer
Every time I encounter a situation outside my control and I’m baffled or frustrated, I try to breath deeply and think positive thoughts. I used to count to about 50, not 10 like most people, and in different languages so to delay reaching 50. Evidently, there’s research to show that positive thinking may help to [...]
Plane Crash in Phuket, Thailand
A plane carrying 130 passengers bound for the popular tourist destination of Phuket, Thailand skidded on the runway, broke in half and bursted into flames as it came to a stop. Of the 130 passengers on board, there are at least 42 survivors and some with serious burns covering 60 percent of their body. Survivors [...]
Bangkok: Six Months Later
Six months on and it seems much longer. The noise no longer a painful nuisance, the uneven pavement now a quaint charm to the city, and the language no longer seems fatuous. It is starting to feel like home (gasp!!!). Hubby unnaturally enjoys his technology job, especially the extensive social obligations attached to it on [...]
The Oriental in Bangkok, Fine Dining at Sala Rim Naam Restaurant
This is a fantastic venue to take your family and friends to if they are passing through Bangkok, Thailand and want to sample some exquisite Thai dining while watcing a Thai dance. The Oriental has a long history of providing the hi-so of Bangkok with fine cuisines, incomparable services and hospitality, so their latest refurbishment [...]
R. Kelly’s Trial Delayed (5 yrs and counting!!)
R. Kelly’s trial has been delayed, again. This would mark five years since charges were brought agains the rap artist for child pornography and a slew of other child related charges. In the more than five years since he was charged, Kelly’s career and popularity have soared. He has produced several hit CDs, gone on [...]
Depression
Feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. People feel this way regardless of their economic disposition, biological makeup, and extraordinary possessions. Every once in a while… Being down. Not sure how to get up and change your disposition, or whether there’s enough inclination to succeed in the minute of tasks. Unhappy with the sublime endowment of true [...]
Haggling: Is it worth it?
Local: This sucker here, we can make alot of money ripping her off! Sucker: Did I mention that I understand your language and I have no intention of paying you triple the going rate for a 20 minute car ride to my hotel? Local: Only $10 and I can drive you the 5 blocks to [...]
Karl Rove – Is it the end or just the beginning??
Bloggers worldwide are rejoicing with the latest news from the Oval office that Karl Rove’s resignation will be effective August 31, 2007. Rove is a political genius, but what makes him this revered and villified, is the notorious and underhanded way that he manipulates U.S. domestic politics. Nonetheless, the past few months Rove was defeated [...]
Taking a Stand Against Celebrity News
On Wednesday MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski decided to take a stand and refused to report on the latest Paris Hilton news story. Brzezinski told her producers and viewers that it was not newsworthy and the lead-in story when there are real news to report. Bravo! This position has prompted attention on the web, particularly Youtube, from [...]
Lost in Thai translation
My Thai tutor attempted to teach me conversations normally used at a restaurant, or any food related circumstances. It was not looking well for me as I’ve not studied and the only meaningful time I’ve spent reviewing is when I sit before her with my notebook open, three times a week. Review, review, review. My [...]
Conversation heard in a cafe in Bangkok
After walking nearly a mile in wildly humid weather and navigating through exhaustive traffic, I was keen to reach my destination and relax with a cup of coffee before my Thai tutor berate me for not studying, again. This was the conversation I overheard while sipping my coffee. Intro: Male in mid forties, semi balding, [...]
Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the USA
In the news, the Strive Act has made some headway, but against the interests of undocumented immigrants. Congress agreed to a “bargain” agreement and basically gutted the Act from its original platform so to better serve the interests of corporate clients. If passed in its current proposition, it would expose millions of immigrants in the [...]
Legal Myth: Anna Nicole Smith’s Baby May Inherit Millions
Many Americans tuned in to the story about the mysterious death of reality star Anna Nicole Smith. Now that her autopsy has been made public, the media reports are moving on to the next tidbit of tabloid, Anna Nicole Smith’s baby’s father and the legal battle to determine who has custody, visitations, guardianship, and inevitably, [...]
Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
This enchanting book is poignant in its storytelling ability and the compelling lessons in truth, religion, and love. Pi is an extraordinary sixteen year old boy who survived a sinking ship while on his way to Canada to start a new life with his family. He was saved by a lifeboat and in it he [...]
Massacre at Virginia Tech campus
The past couple of days has been inundated with media reports and coverage of the latest school shooting at Virginia Tech, a small town with a virtually unknown college. It was until two days ago when South Korean born Hui Seung Cho pillaged the student campus and left 32 dead and killed himself in the [...]
Evil has a name.. Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin – a hypocritical, raving lunatic of the next neo-conservative generation and contributor to the campaign of spewing blatant lies and twisted truths. If you haven’t heard about Malkin, you will soon. There’s a website dedicated to her, and you can look at it here. Here’s a bio of Malkin, in case you want [...]
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See
See’s book, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, depicts the depth and enduring love of two women bound by culture and social circumstances. It’s an emotional account of a relationship that survived marriage, childbirth, and death, infused with the turmoil and tribulations of eighteen century China and the era of foot-binding. It’s based in an [...]
On A Personal Note
Ever since starting this blog, there’s been apprehension and anxiety about the content and the prose inserted into each post. Words can convey soft images, sentiments, and forgotten memories that are personal and unique to each reader. The selective use of words is a litmus test for the writer’s vocabulary and ultimately, his/her intelligence. Since [...]
Media Treatment
If you perform an Internet search of people who buy and read glossy magazines, people who subscribe to the Oprah fan club, and people who are opinionated and up to date with celebrity gossip you will find that the majority of them are women. Women speak fondly of Oprah and all the wonderful charity work [...]
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