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Thai New Years Food
Let me be honest with you: As much as I love Japanese food, I hate osechi ryori. It is – oh, how diplomatically can I put this – really boring…
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Bangkok Bombings
Just a quick note: We came back from Bangkok a day early and are back safe in Isan, so were fortunate enough to avoid the bombings. I got a touch…
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Weather Revelation
I am shocked. It’s COLD outside. I’m in Thailand, and it’s COLD outside. Granted, I was standing on my veranda in my boxers, but it’s genuinely cold! In Thailand! I’m…
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Calling Overseas from Thailand
Until now, for calling overseas from my cellphone, I have been dialing with one of these two prefixes: – A plus sign (+) – 001 It had occurred to me…
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car shopping
So I’m looking for a car. I’ve been to nearly all the dealers in town, and nothing inspires me – it’s all rather depressing, really. On top of the fact…
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Papers
It took just over three weeks for my box of documents to get here from Japan via surface mail. Inside were my international and California driver’s licenses, where I had…
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Panasonic VS6
So I’ve been watching the price of things, all kinds of things, here in Thailand. One of the bargains I noticed early on was for Japanese-made mobile phones other than…
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New Job: Bring me apples, yo
So here’s the deal: I got the university job and started yesterday, I’ve taught three classes so far and will be teaching Tuesday through Friday, 18 hours a week. I…
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Cows in my backyard
I woke to the sound of bells and a desultory “moo.” Like my bro said, now I’m in the inaka. I like it.
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Broom Man
We live in a gated community near Mahasarakham University (where Nam is heading up the Japanese Studies department). Every day a few vendors are let in to peddle their wares/offer…
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the buy
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House Mods and Maintenance, Thai Prices
I’m overseeing a 4-man crew of electricians today. They’ve come to add outlets to my bedroom, bathroom, and balcony, as well as enhance security around the house by adding two…
