It was a quiet summer in some ways, yet busy with planning.
My friend John and Fon were in Canada until November 1st when they planned on returing to Thailand full time with only visits every couple of years to Canada. However, that was not to be as Fon needed to get back to Thailand asap for a variety of reason. They departed Canada around the 1st of August and moved to Udon Thai where Fon has family. After 3 weeks, John returned to Canada to close that chapter of his life. Many things like enptying the apartment, terminating the lease and saying goodbyes to family and friend.
We shared some beers while he was here for 3 weeks and John looks happy in his decision. He much prefers Thailand (as do I) . They will spend some 3 months in Udon Thani and then move to Bangkok for the foreseeable future in January.
For me, I hear Bangkok calling for a personal trip in Late January to check up on the two of them. The City of Angels calls to me frequently, so what holds us back.
We tolerate Canada whereas Thailand makes us happy.
Jaidan is now in grade 7 and is achieving very well. We talk about our future and do yearly planning. It will be Jaidan's decision next year to stay for grade 8 in Canada or move to Thailand. At this moment we are leaning towards Canada for grade 8 and Thailand for grade 9.
For grade 9 we would enroll Jaidan in an Internation School at a cost of $24K a year. High school in Canada is excellent and free so why pay for an international school. Budget wise, it is a trade off. Our rent is 26K a year which would cover the tuition. Other savings are car and apartment insurance, about $1.5 K and private health insurance of $6K a year. My life insurance is over in 2 years and costs $5K a year. The savings are about $36K a year. Factor in the increases cost of living food, gas, clothing and that probably gets up to 40K a year.
What about living costs in Thailand. The 2 bedroom condo would be $12K a year and food and clothing is much cheaper at about $6K a year for a total of $20K plus the Internation school $24 K makes for about $44K which is very manageable for me.
The big advantage for us is that Jaidan will meet many hiso friends and connections that will prove beneficial for him in Thai life.
At this moment Jaidan wants to be a teacher so he would spend 5 years in Canada, after graduating H.S. to achieve his Bachelor of Education which enables him to teach in just about every country in the world.
While Jaidan goes to school in Thailand, Thavorn will start to build her house in Kok Somlan. We purshased the land about 7 years ago and we have saved $100K (2 million baht) for the house build and car to get around in while buiding the house.
Of course, all that depends on me living another 7 years (I would be 83) but we have contingency plans in place. I am in good health so the plan seems feasable. However, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
My biggest concern is that I am often bored in Canada. To alleviate the boredom I continue to coach boys basketball in Ottawa. This year I am coaching U15 boys and they are very talented so it will be fun.
Life is good and the future awaits. What more can you ask for? Maybe a get together with my Russian friends?
