Tag Archives: Expat

Beer Goggles

I am sure that most of you know what beer goggles are but for those that do not, the basic idea is the more you drink the prettier the women/men get.  If you have beer goggles on an individual that normally is a 4 (on a 10-point scale) turns into a 11.  I truly feel that by living in the States, Americas have “beer goggles” on at all times.  Until you leave the States, you have no idea that you even had these goggles on and there is no going back to the previous state of inebriation.  We have come too far….

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Fear

I have been debating whether to write on this topic or if it is to “sensitive” but I have decided after much deliberation that I would share because I wanted to share all of my experiences, with my friends and family that were interested, when I took this journey. 

I haven’t been away from home long but I am really starting to miss the ability to be blissfully ignorant.  I don’t mean this in a cruel way by any means, so please do not take offense.  I loved living in my southern home where I didn’t really have any worries, I didn’t live in a big city therefore I only saw “bad things” happen through the media.  Let’s be honest here, if you are living in rural America there really isn’t a terror threat level that one needs to worry about.

I knew moving here would be different.  I know around the world there are many people that hate Americans and what my country stands for.  I understand that I am in a relatively safe location but one can never be too careful.  The other day I experienced fear like never before.  The feeling lasted for only a moment but it was so intense it literally stopped me in my tracks and took my breath away.

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They’re watching. They’re always watching…

You’ve heard of the CIA and MI6 but I bet you have never heard of the NMN, the Nanny Maid Network. We all know the Las Vegas motto: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. This might be true for Vegas but what you must remember about Bangkok is that what happens here might stay here but everyone is going to know about it.

Back in the South, I never really had to encounter the sex industry like you do in Vegas. I’ve been to Vegas and it’s all around but it’s what you come to expect and really it isn’t surprising; they don’t call it Sin City for nothing! In moving to Bangkok, I had a rough idea of the sex industry and I had read about “Soi Cowboy” in my research before moving here and yes I had seen Hangover 2 but it doesn’t really prepare you for what you actually see once you live in it day in and day out. Before you move here you think that the “red light district” is Nana, which is a few BTS stops away from where I live but in all reality, it is everywhere. My home is located between two sois, on one you have restaurants, salons and shops but then on the other you have brothel after brothel.

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Where’s The Cake?

the MC for the evening
the bride & groom with the MC
ready for some Chinese food!
the appetizers
shark fin soup
fried shrimp covered in mayo… :/
mushrooms
duck with peppers and onions
“chicken” soup
yup that’s a fish
some noodles
this was a chilled soup but it tasted like buttered corn (but not in a good way)
“chris I’m hungry…”
orchids for a wedding favor 🙂

First of all Chris and I have decided that nothing we see here in Thailand is “weird” but simply “different” compared with what we are familiar with.  I will be honest, I am so grateful for these “different” experiences, they are truly opening my eyes to the world and I know I will forever be changed by this experience abroad. I am going to paint you a picture of this very “different” experience that is the Thai/Chinese Wedding.

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Chatuchak Weekend Market: One of the Most Stressful Shopping Experiences EVER

We must start the morning with a gafee yen (iced coffee)!
The market is starting to pick up.
This is the clock tower. I was told to remember where this is and I wouldn’t get lost.
Clock tower in sight and Chris checking out a map (all in Thai so I’m sure it was useless).
some cute finds at the market
This sign says beware of pick pocketing gangs… Awesome.
yummm snack time!
“food court”?
it’s kinda mean to put the live ones near the ones that are ready to be eaten…
the market is slammed pack when we left

In my opinion, shopping at the Chatuchak Weekend Market (JJ Market) is comparable to shopping at the major departments stores (i.e. Macys, Belks, Dillards, Kohls) on Black Friday or any day after during the holiday season.  That is not to say that it is a bad experience just a little stressful.

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5 Tips for Dealing with Taxis in Bangkok

the line of taxis to the right all waiting for their next victim

I thought I would write about the taxis here in Bangkok with a few helpful hints to tourists or new expats.  I was thinking I would have loved for someone to have explained to me how it would work using the taxis, tuk tuks, and BTS.  Enjoy what I think is essential information on how to navigate Bangkok.

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Isn’t He So Fancy

Bangkok the land of cheap fruit, food, massages, pedicures and tailored clothing. For weeks, Chris has been going on and on about wanting a tailored suit. For Chris buying clothes isn’t so easy (being a woman I can relate); he just can’t find clothing to fit right. He is shorter than the average American but he is taller than the average Thai and not big enough for American sizes, which I think is a good thing! Like Stacy London and Clinton Kelly always say it’s imperative to have a good tailor. Last weekend we had nothing planned so we ventured out in search of a tailor that was reasonably priced. We stumbled upon one along Sukhumvit Road near our BTS stop.

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“We’re On a Mission from God”

        blues brothers

As some of you may know The Blues Brothers is one of my all time favorite movies. My brother and I (and yes even my mom and dad) could (probably between the four of us) quote that entire movie to you. With our move to Thailand and the strong calling God has placed on my heart to work at the orphanage, I can’t help but see some similarities in my adventure today and that of Jake and Elwood Blues.

The Blues Brothers synopsis: Two brothers, with a not so perfect reputation, go back to visit the orphanage where they were raised. The nun, affectionately referred to as “The Penguin” informs them that the school is going to be closed and the only way to save it is to raise $5,000 in 11 days! When they hear this, the good Lord speaks to them and they decide they “have to get the band back together” for one last show. They are convinced nothing can touch them because “they are on a mission from God.” If you haven’t seen this awesome 1980s classic, please do yourself a favor and watch it!

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Busy Bee…Becky

Just a little update. We are all moved in and settled into our new home in Bangkok. There were a few hiccups… like huge “monsters” as Pai calls them (cockroaches) and a small ant issue but luckily, that is all sorted now. I am so grateful we have Pai, every time there is an issue or we find something kind of broken she will call downstairs and tell them (not ask them) to come and fix it NOW! Every time I try to speak with the front desk there is a huge disconnect caused by the language barrier and after a while it gets frustrating so now I just ask Pai to do all the talking.

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Buddha, Spirits, and Brahma! Oh My!

I find other religions fascinating, always have and always will. It amazes me what some people can believe and make their life’s work and how it can be so different from my own beliefs, not to say their dogma is wrong or that they are bad beliefs but just different. I came to Thailand with the understanding that it is a Buddhist country, around 94%. This pleased me to hear since Buddhists are a peaceful people who believe in karma, so I feel pretty safe. The second largest religious group in Thailand at around 5% are Muslims, most live down at the southern border of the country toward Malaysia. The remaining percent are other/Christians at around 0.7%.

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