I may have left you wondering what happened with T and her pregnancy. As I had mentioned a few posts ago, T was 6 months pregnant and needed to terminate her pregnancy and was refused by local hospitals because she was in her third semester. T had ordered some sort of pregnancy termination kit from the internet and when it arrived T and P (her boyfriend) put it to use.
From what I gather the kit initiates early labour with the usual delivery pain and events. I do not know whether the baby was born alive and I do not want to know. I do know that P made it disappear and I suspect the dumpster.
Am I shocked ... no ... I understand T and P and what choices they were faced with ... Do I agree with what they did? Of course not! Do I think less of them? Yes, I do ... I have a 8 month baby and I believe all life is sacred and can't imagine doing what they did but I do not walk in their shoes and never will ... or will ever have to.
So I do not judge and will continue to associate with T. It is Easter Monday and easy to not judge but try to understand.
P is off to join the army and T will go back to the bar as it is all she knows. There are many T's in Bangkok and I believe the answer is some form of shelter for moms to deliver their babies in a supportive environment. The babies would have to be offered up for international adoption as there is no shortage of babies in S.E. Asia.
It will never happen ... how do you vet the people who want to adopt? Human trafficking is a major problem in the region. It is indeed ... between a rock and a hard place ... global economics is also at play here.
I have previously mentioned that the minimum wage in Thailand was recently raised to 300 Baht a day. That is about $10 US and it is often a 12 hour day. Many international companies have factories located in Thailand because of this cheap labor force. Most of the world's pickup trucks and many of the world's motorcycles are made in Thailand. Most of the hard drives in your computer are also made here. Thais really want these jobs because it beats working in the rice paddy all day and pays better, but still poorly by western standards.
There is always major construction going on in downtown Bangkok and it is usually large mega malls with stores I can not afford to shop in, or luxurious condos for expats to retire to or simply buy for investment purposes. These buildings are not built by Thai workers. Workers from Myanmar are brought in to do the work because the companies doing the construction do not have to pay them the minimum Thai wage. There is no shortage of Myanmar workers to take these jobs. These workers live communally in corrugated steel shacks commonly referred to as saunas because of how hot there are.
Some would argue that we stop purchasing iPhones, pickup trucks, ad cheap hard drives. Apparently Apple has the more cash in the bank than they can spend. It is interesting that the phone of choice for bar girls in Bangkok is the iPhone. It is a status symbol for them ... but it is also a symbol of what is wrong with this world.
Your comments are welcome ...
Monday, April 6, 2015
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Justice
There is justice in the world. I was awake by 6 am anxious to get to a local bar called the Sportsman that was showing the Kentucky - Wisconsin game live at 7:30 am. I enjoyed a coffee, toast and peanut butter, and showered and was out the door at 6:45 for my 45 minute walk to the bar.
It turned out that about 20 farangs showed up to watch the game and guess what? They were all cheering for Wisconsin who won the game defeating the Kentucky undefeated (previously) '1 and Dones' 71-64.
It just goes to show a veteran team of student athletes working together for 4 years can defeat the top 10 recruits that Kentucky parachuted in for a run at the national championship.
It turned out that about 20 farangs showed up to watch the game and guess what? They were all cheering for Wisconsin who won the game defeating the Kentucky undefeated (previously) '1 and Dones' 71-64.
It just goes to show a veteran team of student athletes working together for 4 years can defeat the top 10 recruits that Kentucky parachuted in for a run at the national championship.
Great accomplishment Wisconsin!
One on One
One on Three
Kaminsky was Kaminsky - solid.
Decker played well.
Done!
and Won!
Friday, April 3, 2015
When in Rome ... or Bangkok
Well, I have been to Rome (full of pick pockets) and Bangkok and I much prefer Bangkok. However, I have a confession to make. At 8 months of age, Jaidan had his first motorcycle taxi ride.
Warp backwards about 28 years when Jaime was born. In Canada you can not take your new born home from the hospital without first presenting your CSA approved car seat. You must install it with the baby facing backwards in a seat without an air bag or you can be stopped and fined by the police. Not only that, you are considered a bad parent.
Warp back 60 years and yours truly is in the back seat of a car without seat belts bouncing all over the place. If we misbehaved (too much whining or noise), Dad would loop one arm over the seat and cuff us ... without straying over the middle line on the road (I think). Were my Mom and Dad bad parents? I think not. They were a product of a different place and a different time.
Am I bad parent? The jury is still out on that one. However, I, like 90% of Thais, do not own a car or truck never mind a car seat.
Just putting 3 live human beings on a motorcycle in Canada will get you a ticket. Without helmets with an 8 month old ... you are probably also getting reported to the Children's Aid Society and charged with negligence. Not to worry ... there is no CAS in Thailand and my personal record for viewing humans on a 125 cc motorcycle is a family of 7 in Cambodia. Mom, Pop, 8 year old standing in front holding a 2 year old. A 5 year old holding a new born and mom holding its twin (I am guessing). No helmets of course but big smiles for the camera as I took multiple shots. That pic is on my previous blog if you don't believe me. I would love to be present if a police officer in Canada made that stop.
Did I feel some guilt about taking Jaidan on the motorcycle taxi? A little bit but not too much.
Jaidan will have the best of both worlds ... the developed world, due to his Canadian Citizenship and passport ... the developing world due to his Thai citizenship and passport. He has already been exposed to more germs and allergens than a typically Canadian child gets exposed to in their first 10 years of life. Do you know that peanut allergies are almost unheard of in Thailand? I think the sterile environment we raise our kids in prevents them from developing resistance to the various allergens and bugs that are out there. I even know some wacky females who carry wet wipes around in their purses to clean off door knobs before using them in certain places. Like Songkran, you can run but you can't hide :-)
So, Jaidan will take the same risks that Thai babies get exposed to but he will also benefit from a farang life style. I think it will all equal out in the end. No guilt imposed by the politically leaning left of the world that presume to know better than the common folk.
TTYL
Warp backwards about 28 years when Jaime was born. In Canada you can not take your new born home from the hospital without first presenting your CSA approved car seat. You must install it with the baby facing backwards in a seat without an air bag or you can be stopped and fined by the police. Not only that, you are considered a bad parent.
Warp back 60 years and yours truly is in the back seat of a car without seat belts bouncing all over the place. If we misbehaved (too much whining or noise), Dad would loop one arm over the seat and cuff us ... without straying over the middle line on the road (I think). Were my Mom and Dad bad parents? I think not. They were a product of a different place and a different time.
Am I bad parent? The jury is still out on that one. However, I, like 90% of Thais, do not own a car or truck never mind a car seat.
Just putting 3 live human beings on a motorcycle in Canada will get you a ticket. Without helmets with an 8 month old ... you are probably also getting reported to the Children's Aid Society and charged with negligence. Not to worry ... there is no CAS in Thailand and my personal record for viewing humans on a 125 cc motorcycle is a family of 7 in Cambodia. Mom, Pop, 8 year old standing in front holding a 2 year old. A 5 year old holding a new born and mom holding its twin (I am guessing). No helmets of course but big smiles for the camera as I took multiple shots. That pic is on my previous blog if you don't believe me. I would love to be present if a police officer in Canada made that stop.
Did I feel some guilt about taking Jaidan on the motorcycle taxi? A little bit but not too much.
Jaidan will have the best of both worlds ... the developed world, due to his Canadian Citizenship and passport ... the developing world due to his Thai citizenship and passport. He has already been exposed to more germs and allergens than a typically Canadian child gets exposed to in their first 10 years of life. Do you know that peanut allergies are almost unheard of in Thailand? I think the sterile environment we raise our kids in prevents them from developing resistance to the various allergens and bugs that are out there. I even know some wacky females who carry wet wipes around in their purses to clean off door knobs before using them in certain places. Like Songkran, you can run but you can't hide :-)
So, Jaidan will take the same risks that Thai babies get exposed to but he will also benefit from a farang life style. I think it will all equal out in the end. No guilt imposed by the politically leaning left of the world that presume to know better than the common folk.
TTYL
Songkran Soon
The Songkran Festival is also known as the Thai New year or Thailand Water Festival, originally celebrated as a way for the Thai people to sprinkle water on their family members and elders for good fortune and pay their respects to images of the beloved Buddha. Today, the festival has transitioned into 3 days of water play fun, splashing locals and visitors alike with buckets of water, water hoses and super soakers as they gather in the streets.
The above paragraph is the politically correct method of describing the world's largest 3 day water fight. Down in Pattaya it is actually 5 days long. In Bangkok the city swells to 12 million people and you can run but you can't hide. You will be found and soaked. There is no escape!
Some tourists arrive in Bangkok unaware of the soaking they will get. You must prepare. Put your phone in a baggie as well as your passport and wallet. You must be prepared for a bucket of ice water to be poured over your head when you least expect it.
I must admit the Thais know how to have a fun time. Unfortunately the death toll is usually around 500 for the 3 day holiday. Motorcycles crashes, people fall out of or off pickup trucks. It is utter mayhem for 72 hours! Alcohol plays a huge role in the party atmosphere.
The above paragraph is the politically correct method of describing the world's largest 3 day water fight. Down in Pattaya it is actually 5 days long. In Bangkok the city swells to 12 million people and you can run but you can't hide. You will be found and soaked. There is no escape!
Some tourists arrive in Bangkok unaware of the soaking they will get. You must prepare. Put your phone in a baggie as well as your passport and wallet. You must be prepared for a bucket of ice water to be poured over your head when you least expect it.
I must admit the Thais know how to have a fun time. Unfortunately the death toll is usually around 500 for the 3 day holiday. Motorcycles crashes, people fall out of or off pickup trucks. It is utter mayhem for 72 hours! Alcohol plays a huge role in the party atmosphere.
Here are some pics of the typical action during Songkran (April 13-15 in 2015).
Poor unfortunate did not expect the water drenchin.
A free for all drenching
Weapon of mass destruction.
Farang friendly
Armed and dangerous - and lovely.
Young boys being boys with no limits.
Somebody had it coming.
Add a little detergent.
The fire department likes to play as well.
What can I say?
Resistance can be futile.
Grin and bear it ... with a pint or two or three.
Farang couple under gunned.
You will be in her sights!
March Madness Rant
Is it just me or has college basketball sold its soul. I just read an editorial on USA Sports today that debated whether '1 and Done' players should have their jersey's retired. For those of you who do not follow NCAA basketball, '1 and Done' refers to players recruited on a scholarship and then leave after their first year to go to the NBA. They don't even attend classes 2nd term and it's my guess they finish with zero credits.
So what do I consider wrong about this? A couple of things.
Why would you celebrate the career of a College drop out?
What don't they get about the concept of student athlete?
Why should these '1 and Done' players take the place of bona fide student athletes?
Do they even understand the meaning of bona fide?
There is a simple answer and that is the NCAA has sold its soul for the money that winning teams bring to their institution bottom lines.
There is the age old argument that players that stay the whole 4 years are taken advantage of because few of them make the NBA and therefore one can make the argument that the university is milking them for all they're worth. The answer to that is 'not true' if they graduate. They get a free degree and at a place like Duke, that is worth at least a quarter of a million dollars. If they don't get a degree out of it and do not make the NBA then they have squandered the chance to get a degree.
So, how would I fix this sad situation where a great 'Programs' like Wisconsin and Gonzaga get beat out by the Kentucky's of the NCAA. BTW, it was great to see Connecticut win it all last year! It even encouraged a few '1 and Done' Wildcats to stay on for another year.
The fix is to award a scholarship to an incoming student athlete for 4 years. Tie it up for the full 4 years and if the player bolts for the NBA then that scholarship money is not available to a new recruit for another 3 years. When college coaches went recruiting they would then be looking for players who would stay the course, play at a high level, and show a little loyalty, and graduate.
A league for those athletes that do not want to put in the 4 years at college should be created. That is the way hockey players are developed in Canada. There is a junior league, where players up to the age of 21 hone their skills and get ready for the NHL draft. There is also a college/university league where student athletes also develop their skills and earn a degree. The NHL receives talent from both of these venues.
It is time to celebrate the student athlete, not to reward the '1 and Done's' by retiring their jersey!
So what do I consider wrong about this? A couple of things.
Why would you celebrate the career of a College drop out?
What don't they get about the concept of student athlete?
Why should these '1 and Done' players take the place of bona fide student athletes?
Do they even understand the meaning of bona fide?
There is a simple answer and that is the NCAA has sold its soul for the money that winning teams bring to their institution bottom lines.
There is the age old argument that players that stay the whole 4 years are taken advantage of because few of them make the NBA and therefore one can make the argument that the university is milking them for all they're worth. The answer to that is 'not true' if they graduate. They get a free degree and at a place like Duke, that is worth at least a quarter of a million dollars. If they don't get a degree out of it and do not make the NBA then they have squandered the chance to get a degree.
So, how would I fix this sad situation where a great 'Programs' like Wisconsin and Gonzaga get beat out by the Kentucky's of the NCAA. BTW, it was great to see Connecticut win it all last year! It even encouraged a few '1 and Done' Wildcats to stay on for another year.
The fix is to award a scholarship to an incoming student athlete for 4 years. Tie it up for the full 4 years and if the player bolts for the NBA then that scholarship money is not available to a new recruit for another 3 years. When college coaches went recruiting they would then be looking for players who would stay the course, play at a high level, and show a little loyalty, and graduate.
A league for those athletes that do not want to put in the 4 years at college should be created. That is the way hockey players are developed in Canada. There is a junior league, where players up to the age of 21 hone their skills and get ready for the NHL draft. There is also a college/university league where student athletes also develop their skills and earn a degree. The NHL receives talent from both of these venues.
It is time to celebrate the student athlete, not to reward the '1 and Done's' by retiring their jersey!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Pics of New Apartment
My new prized possession - a bathtub!
Queen sized bed is okay - note dirty diaper on bed.
Jaidan's crib and staging area.
Mirror and closet area.
Bathroom sink and mirror.
Thavorn feeding Jaidan at kitchen table.
My second prized possession - Ilea chair.
My programming area.
Moving Day
I started off living in Thailand by couch surfing with friends. I then moved to a studio apartment for a year and that was cheap and cozy at 12,000 Baht a month. I then acquired a full time GF and I acquired a 2 bedroom apartment at 24,000 Baht with the hope of some visitors dropping by. Shaun did drop by as he was in the vicinity but no one ventured halfway around the world to visit me.
I really liked the building I live in. It is semi modern, having been constructed in 2005 and has a nice pool, but lacks a gym. What to do?
I asked the building management, which are great people (Thai Chinese) and they said they had some similar size apartments with one bedroom. I decided to take a look and was immediately impressed with a bright well appointed unit with, wonders of wonders, a bathtub.
Now that Jaidan is here I really wanted to start up my old routine of taking a bath with the kid for 20 minutes every night. Well, today we moved, and tonight Jaidan and I enjoyed our 20 mins in the tub! The new apartment is cheaper at 22,000 Baht and I plan to use the 2,000 savings a month to get gym memberships for both Thavorn and myself.
I will shoot some pics tomorrow in daylight and add them to this post. That, and buy a rubber ducky for the tub!
For those of you who did not visit last year, I have a great couch that easily sleeps 2 for couch surfing :-)
There are also 5 studio apartments that I can rent by the month. They rent for 17,000 Baht and are the equivalent of a very large hotel room. So, I save 24,000 a Baht a year and when family (Jaime, Jordan, Ann, and Elaine) and friends come to visit, I can put them in their own studio apartment for a month and still be saving money. It's all good!
After a day moving, I am bagged so, TTYL ...
I really liked the building I live in. It is semi modern, having been constructed in 2005 and has a nice pool, but lacks a gym. What to do?
I asked the building management, which are great people (Thai Chinese) and they said they had some similar size apartments with one bedroom. I decided to take a look and was immediately impressed with a bright well appointed unit with, wonders of wonders, a bathtub.
Now that Jaidan is here I really wanted to start up my old routine of taking a bath with the kid for 20 minutes every night. Well, today we moved, and tonight Jaidan and I enjoyed our 20 mins in the tub! The new apartment is cheaper at 22,000 Baht and I plan to use the 2,000 savings a month to get gym memberships for both Thavorn and myself.
I will shoot some pics tomorrow in daylight and add them to this post. That, and buy a rubber ducky for the tub!
For those of you who did not visit last year, I have a great couch that easily sleeps 2 for couch surfing :-)
There are also 5 studio apartments that I can rent by the month. They rent for 17,000 Baht and are the equivalent of a very large hotel room. So, I save 24,000 a Baht a year and when family (Jaime, Jordan, Ann, and Elaine) and friends come to visit, I can put them in their own studio apartment for a month and still be saving money. It's all good!
After a day moving, I am bagged so, TTYL ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)