I am dependant on many for existence... food, etc.. but in the daily moving about, what I do when I do it and even how I do it is primarily my choice.  

The other night, it an effort to share some time with my ChaingMai friend Daniel, I agreed to the movie.  It was not an easy task getting him to say which movie etc... other than meet at the box office at 5:45.   The movie he picked started at 8:50 and while we were going to have dinner (had to be there by 5:50 so he could get the early bird special....lives on $900 a month SS).  How long does it take to eat pasta and have a beer.. pouring rain so the usual rooftop garden was closed.   The rain was torrential and while I only live about 2 miles away... I was not comfortable thinking about going home when the movie was over... around 11.  I had my ticket  ($5) ... but I just said.. I want to get home.  He suggested taking a songtow.. which still would mean walking most of the way and then leaving my bike parked just off the sidewalk...    I wasn't in a panic.. but my guides said... you don't even enjoy movies about aliens coming to earth.. go home.   So I did.   In the long run.. There was no rain at 11.. but I was happy that I left.

Trying to get my life from moving down the same path is significant.  My feet have been moving in one direction so very long.. as in seeing something that needs to be done and just doing it.. and believing if I don't.. something bad will happen or nothing will get done.  I know others can do it. And even do it better...but I feel like I am the only one with the vision or passion.

This week I learned that The River Wall project which started in 2015 with the governor giving us $2mil to get the job done.. has been stalled. I have been warning about this and   I see government backroom moves to take the money and move it to other locations .. etc.  A few years ago a group got $2M for art and creative use of Genesee Park..and by the time the money got spent.. it went to the art around the new buildings (which I call legos) on the other side of the river..   Without a scream from the community other than one person who saw what was happening and tried to stop it .. things happen.  Elections happen.. and so it is.

So I sit here thinking... if I were home .. or I could write emails.. or or or.. and so I am  standing very still and holding onto my ego with all my might.. 

I am saying ...

thank you City for doing what you are doing... you are my friend.. you have given me the opportunity to make some significant changes in my life

I have been in survival mode all of my life... I survived when my parents got the shock that I was going to be arriving on earth and they were the lucky winners.. I survived being me.. and I thrived being me.   When the sun is out.. it is easier.. When it is raining... not so.    

When You have a wooden chair and a black and white tv..

                    you are a prisoner in the tv world.

If .you get success and have a lounge chair and a great high def tv..

                    you are a prisoner in the tv world but you are more comfortable.

Same same but different.

Looking at the story of your life.. and saying.. I don't like where the plot is going takes courage and energy and there will be "adjustments".

I feel good about the new direction.  It will take time to get the new habits working in place.. But in the meantime.

So

Thank you friend – who knocked me off the scooter yesterday and caused a little skin off my elbow. You have helped me be more conscious of my actions, surroundings, and the here and now.

Thank you friend ...in the banking business either letting it be disbursed or disbursing...you have helped me see how close to the surface my feeling of scarcity is located

Thank you friend ...who picked a movie at an inconvenient time in the rain ... you have helped me see that I need to listen to my spirits guide and be compassionate to myself so I can learn more compassion for others.

The concert.  There has been little music occurring in ChaingMai related to the death of the beloved King.  Last night, Jean-Pierre Kirkland, a retired Brit who worked throughout the UK as an educator and counselor.  It is his extensive knowledge of music that makes the concerts so very interesting.  He has that Rob Goodling passion for the detail and presents it in a flowing interesting manner.  Last night he spoke of on Satie writing the Gymnopedie No 1 in a little bar called The Cat in the Montmartre area near the Follies.  He and his partner Pom, a Thai motorcycle group ride leader, are concerned about bring music to the remote villages and encouraging via financing, young talented musicians.  The Santi Music School has been an active partner in the effort and last night several of the young talents, Mr. Santi and a cellist from Bangkok were the entertainment along with Jean-Pierre.  A wonderful evening of intimate music performed well by all

The cellist from the Uk and now Bangkok could not bring his cello on the plane even though he offered to by a seat for the instrument.  He played a borrowed instrument.   The sock wearing violinist was twelve and chose two American numbers ... Somewhere over the rainbow and Amerika.  The room holds about 30 people and I was in the front row on a chair without padding which was the only distraction.

This gifted 12 yr old played Beethoven and Chopin with his teacher and then three solo.

Very enjoyable evening.

Blocks

I am writing in my head and seeing many things I want to ponder, but I feel like I have not found my groove of balance.  There is time, but I find I am spending my time in a pastime mode thinking about what I want to think about and let the minutes go doing idle computer game or search.  

Sometimes when I randomly look at the past writings, I find that there were moments of life clarity and moments of humorous observations and I can see and relive the snippets.   I see the value of the verbal and physical snapshot.  What is my trouble?

Live on a scooter makes seeing the big picture and getting from here to there easier, but you miss the small things and the details of the close-up.  This applies to my photos also.  Unless I stop, get the camera out and ready….no pictures for a day and yet I am seeing hundreds of mental movie pictures and recording hours of dialogue in my head.

The balance also comes from my effort to no remunerate and be more here and now.  One now slips into the next and to be creative and capture what is flowing in my life, I have to linger at that now to express what is seen by the soul.

I have several little books and note taking systems with me.  There is a voice in my head that says a slight alteration in the pause might be to linger and reflect.   A new day.

Money

When I was younger, I often lived on the edge with little extra funds.  There were times when I was not getting my expense check and was traveling that I was actually living from the gas pump to pump on credit.   I had poor credit since I was spending much more than earning.  I bought the house with no money down... and did most of the work, with little knowledge and helpers that often knew about what I did.  Logic and guts got me through as well as my love for my best friend that drove me to finish.
Today, after 47 yrs of working - a not so big but ok pension and SS, I pay my bills and have money in my account as well as some investments.   I don't have a great deal, but my house is almost paid for as well as the car - I have a $50K line of credit, a $2K overdraft, and a money market account tied to my Summit.
When I first arrived, it took me five days to get Summit et al to know that I was in Asia.. although I had told them and they had confirmed.
Today's trauma ....with about $12 in Thai money in my pocket (I have $300 in AM as an emergency)... I go to the bank, and it says... check your account....  I check cash - $3K... I check savings---$3K... I check Money Market....$7K...  I tried again... 3-4 times.    I go to another machine... card inserted incorrectly....   I check the card... wipe the strip.... and try twice more.... same way... same direction...and finally... $$$$$  My rent is due tomorrow....5500 for everything... so I have $ for gas and dinner.
I see kids at dinner counting their coins to pay for a coffee....    I have enough total to buy the condo I looked at ... all I want is $250....  
It is the small things in the process that brings you back to really...  as to the product...I am here... it is now... I can put gas in the scooter... and all is good.
I will learn how to transfer money from Summit to Bangkok NYC at no cost and get a Bangkok Bank Credit Card so I remove myself from the mercy of the credit union.  For 5 years they were great... the last two... It is a roll of the dice.

Hmung

I have been thinking a great deal about vocation... having a passion for something.  I don't feel my eyes have led me to photo subjects.  My meditation is ok but I am getting more out of some books and recordings by great teachers about Dharma and the Sutras.  I don't even think I had a career.  I might have helped a few people along the way but I went down many streets while someone paid me.  I had a passion for basketball and skiing but that was my hobby.   I am reading a book, The Road to Character, that highlights the lives of people who developed character and also many a vocation.  I have tried to put principle before personality but it has left me questioning if I can stay attached to several organizations that are neighbor personality or principle driven.
Yesterday I stopped into an exhibit by a woman who was a violin soloist and teacher in Chicago and became interested in the music of the indigenous groups in Asia, the Hmung tribes.  I am going to buy her $65 book not so much for the book, which is very informative but for her life work and her inspiration to myself to start putting the pieces together for my vocation.   As an overall view of her work, while it focused on the music and instruments, she also spent time with their lives...the clothing, the healing, etc.    Here are a few pictures of parts of her display.

There are many rituals in the design of the stitches.  The shapes and configuration are purposeful for protection or to ward off illness

 The cloth over the baby's back has many signs circles, crosses, diamonds to confuse the evil spirits and protect the baby.  Some tribes have more stripes and some more circls

This is how they make the cloth.   the top right ball is crude hemp and the one on the left is ready for weaving.  the middle is a model of the loom ad the bottom is the shuttle used to take the string across the set up string and to add color.

Over the hump

I am going to share something very personal.  I went for a facial the other day to Nori who is a very skilled Chinese Dr who does deep muscle work with a stick.   She stuck me a bit and reminded me that my hump was getting more pronounced from sitting at the computer.   At the end of the facial, she said I should detox and gave me three brown tablets and said take them at bedtime and the next day you will be emptied of old toxins.  Fortunately, I thought I should do this on the weekend when I was not going to ChiKong.  Last night I took the pills. (pause)                  My experience with detox has been colonic, which is not easy and painful for me, but if done by a good practice person, it takes about 1.5 hrs, and you are not exhausted, and you actually get up and leave.      The brown pill method turned out to be marathon sprint to the commode or at least the commode room followed by cleaning up the half the room and a shower. I will shorten this by saying I take a shower a day and I am about seven days ahead and the very final note, why would anyone do that to themselves,  Like Tom Hanks to his son in Sleepless in Seatle... where doing ok by ourselves aren't we?  Was I that bad before....  Today I am freezing and am apprehensive about what virgin food I should put in my sparkling clean and empty body.

May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born,
May all beings be at ease!

It is hard to accept that when you feel that you are on the right path and that your step is easier that it is temporary and you just need to enjoy the moment.  Around the next bend is some piece of earth that will end up in your eye and you will have cloudy vision. 

I can feel my body being more relaxed as I go about the day.  I will be spending most of my time by myself and have more say about go here, go there, or don’t.  While my calendar looks full …today my chi gong class, breakfast with the expaits at Riverside, a

curator's tour of an art opening, it will be my pace and timing.  I will come and go when I feel I want to do so. 

Last night on my way to sit with the sangha, the road was dark and busy and I just went home after a nice meal with H&H.  I listened to a dharma talk by Penna Chodron and felt it was where I was to be on a dark night.  

Today, no rain.

The lesson for me is to be at ease in the rain and in the some and wish all well.  I rode past a man drinking the last juice from a discarded beer bottle – it is easy for me to wish him well.  Much easier to send a kind thought to him than the self-inflated ex-marine in my class or the man that will be president.  Who knows, the man with the bottle may be richer in heart and more at ease than either.

Yesterday I went to DaDa for oatmeal mango and banana....  I could have the same picture for the past three-four years.  There is great comfort in stability

Same staff... same wall signs.....same fans... same help staff... only the two German men and the american women have changed.

My laundry person is on holiday to visit her family until the 7th so I was out of underwear.   I remembered the place at the mall with the flyless men's briefs... so I now have four new pairs.  As I went by the IT shop, I saw this salesman having a rest.  I am amazed as to where and when folks can sleep.  first, I would have to lay on the floor and second... I would be fired.  Just a quick shot with the phone but I the scene gave me a smile.

 

I have been in Thailand for three weeks and while some of my life is in pattern some is still an off step.   I love the spontaneity and non-fatal risk living, but I also like order.  You might not know this since my place of living is often not a home but a landing pad.  I am working on that. 

One thing I have learned about me is that if I don’t set the day with a time for “things” I want to do, as taking care of me and learning from my  life aka Blog, I do things that push the day forward until bed time.  I have played more spades online than blogged.  In my life process, will it matter that I outplayed a 75 yr old woman from Canada etc. 

On New Year’s Eve day, I started the day in a tangle of misconnections to my home.  I had been reflecting that morning about loving someone.  My online teacher Ajahn Brahm, had given a great talk on seeing the joy in the past year and accepting a choice to love or be in suffering.   In the talk, he asked what it is to be loved and loving.  I ran through the people in my life and reflected that in most cases, I know how to act so they can accept me easier in their life rather than just coming with my bumps and knowing no matter what, I am loved.  

When you have or appear to others to have a strong personality, it takes work on both parts not to be overwhelmed nor be overwhelming.  Someone once said of me that if there is a world earth crisis, I will get out and then figure out how to make a computer out of string.  But that also has its price.  Some folks see me as competition or someone to compete against or try to control.   I see me as someone who tries to let everyone one around me live their lives until they step on mine. 

When someone yammers on about something they are not willing to change or let go of…I am ok the first round but if they are stuck on not being able to change the other person… I must move on and encourage them to do so also.   T

here are some that think the rules don’t apply to them.  We have a person who thinks she has it together but who has not dealt with some enormous and scary issues.  She buys a big dog that needs a dog park or an acre of land.  Sweet dog but bounding through a community with folks with issues about dogs is not neighborly.  Short of calling the dog warden, it will not change until the dog can’t walk

I have been loved unconditionally and have loved back.  It was a deep friendship that ended too soon by disease and death but to this day, I hold Chuck in my inner heart and think of him often.    I see a kind and loving neighbor who unconditionally loves his wife.   I don’t believe he has had many thoughts of how he might change her.  That acceptance of the bump and holes as part of the package is love and so few really have it.   In most of the relationships, it is how the other person should be  or act so that my life is easier.   Buy a blow-up doll, the humans come with bumps.

That brings me to my housemate.   I have known him for 15 years and he is who he is.  He is not unkind or mean, but he is so into his now that he really does not have a clue as to how his behavior affects another.  The list of times this has happened are numerous and some were critical and more painful.  I must love his bumps and just because he says, let's chat at a particular time and then is not there does not mean anything is wrong but that something, almost anything, has come to his attention and the promised contact is gone.   It is my life task to maintain my sanity and just say… that is Jim.

Off to start my week with Chi Kong.

Dinner Reflections

REFLECTIONS I posted on FB this past Wednesday that I sat next to a Republican etc.  I have taken a few days to push that around in my spirit to see what it was about.  Every time something unexpected is tossed in my way, I find that I revert to my patterned life.  In this case, I feel hostile and want him just to go away.  When he doesn’t, I use barbs to send angry dots at him.  The only way for me to get clarity regarding the learning lessons is to sit down and watch the movie.  Then watch it again with several editors – horror films director – he will be dead in the end, Meg Ryan early movies director – I will be loving, and the best bonny director- what would my best bonny do in this situation.

I had to watch the movie several times and particularly note the scene.   Many of the small tables for one or two were with “reservation” signs and that left very few options.  There was a nice looking 60 yr old man with a Thai woman and an English speaking older couple with the woman looking like she had gotten there early for happy hour (1/2 wine).  I chose the mixed couple and best they were on my deaf side, I had my book, and I was hungry and not intending to stay for the jazz/blues Wed night.

I sat, the waitress – “mickey mouse” knows my name and quickly came, took the order and I had my glass of wine, fresh bread with oil.  Before I could pick up my book, the man next to me had his hand on my book and off the table with “can I look at your book” and was glancing at the back cover.  As he read, his wife ( he later informed me he married the Thai girl three years ago and I will note she calls him Papa) asked what it was about.  His reply – “it is a self-help book about spirituality.”  Mmmm that was the beginning of the slippery slope.  

I turned the book over to look what was on the back cover…. “what home is supposed to be – a place that revives and nurtures you, welcomes you back each day, and invites visitors to return”…    I did not get out of my defensive self just to say….ok .. I guess you could call it a self-help spiritual book.  It is one of my favorite books right up there with Don’t Push the River and the Razor’s Edge.  I also know from Kim O that she is a vegan cook and I have purchased several of her cookbooks -Love Yourself Thin.

Ok, I could feel a small piece of ember in the gut which became a flame when he added that stuff is ok as long as you hold your Christian values.  “I am a Buddhist”… that is ok same as Christian…   “Buddha was before Christ”….  There were several more instructional comments and I began to think does he want me to call him PaPa…. But I added…  “You probably voted for Trump and don’t believe in climate change” (please bring my food)… all the time I am having to turn and face him since he was on my deaf side.   I am a life-long Republican (from Minnesota) and they have debunked the climate stuff.  He didn’t have a red hat…. But short of chewing off a foot… I needed to separate myself.  

The food came.

I centered on the old OA tactics of becoming totally aware of eating.   Up he popped…. How is your stew?  My beef was a little fatty and chewy and I was thinking of ordering the special next time.  “Next time do that…. But you will be given what you are to eat – good or bad…  Finally he realized that I did not think he was brilliant and was not interested in sharing dinner with him just because our seats were inches apart.  There were several more comments and I found my mindful eating was focused on finishing and getting out of the place.  

I will carefully select my seat and might ask to sit at the end of the bar… or just not eat.    

Whew.. feel better.

last of out of town

The trip home was much faster but the bus was full with China bike riders.  Amazing how much stuff they can get under the bus

bye bye historical park

hello bus - I don't think of corn on the cob as bus snack food, but whatever floats your boat and fills your bike pants'

This is the bike group at the rest stop

Chinese ate noodles

Farang ate ice cream

and which way to the toilet

Many of the toilets also have a western seat with no plumbing... you use a bucket of water to flush

She is attached to the ice cream eater






As we were waiting to get back on the bus,  one of the passenges had to find his backpack which lucky for him was not behind the bikes.  



He was on a mission to shave.

This is the small luggage compartment .. not a mirrow location.

Sukhothai number 2

DAY ONE  This was a day to give pause.  Can I believe that I went to a historic site without the big camera?  I did take a few photos on the phone which I posted on facebook, but sending them and getting them etc. is a bit of pain.   My travel companion scouted out a particularly nice site and was kind enough to return there the next day with me before we went off the next site.

Almost any place you could look you would see the pillars and some stone wall of a something that once was there.  The grounds were magnificently maintained. There were people clearing, mowing, and sweeping so that you were tempted to just go lay down next to the tree.

This area would have had some type of a covered meeting hall before the Buddha hall.  There are tunnels and passageways in the wall  around the building.  Many documents were found that that gave an idea of the kingdom at that time.

 I had to take several shots of the face, not to get it in focused but to not have a bird flying around the nose or eye.  If you look you can see a pigeon on the eyebrow to the right.  Most of the statues in the area have a narrow head and smaller lips like the lanna Buddha.

The hand of the Buddha was very detailed.  This is a common pose of the Buddha had and Bonnie thought it was the model for all the take home art you see at the markets.  The curve of the fingers is very much like the Thai dance hand.

The lotus grows best in pretty dirty water.  I have no idea if it smells nice but the water does not smell pleasant.  If you go in the afternoon, the flower will be closed.

Sukhothai Dawn of Happiness part 1

BACKGROUND   The area was the capital of Thailand for 120 yrs. and there is much respect for the twin cities of Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai which are now well-maintained ruins as a historical site.  The area is about 427 kilometers from Bangkok and 250 from Chaing Mai.  If you really want to “do” the area you will need more time that two full days.   There are two major areas of Si Satchanalai, I only visited one, and there are ancient kilns and several forests that could be hiked.   I will break my blog into several parts, so I am not exhausted writing and if you are following, you are not exhausted reading.

MY PATH   “Anything that inspires us to see what is true and do what is good is proper practice.”  Ajahn Chah  There was a good opportunity on the 50+ kilometer ride out to Si Satchanalai to have some time to reflect on Christmas.   Growing up Catholic and in a home lead by a father that saw most social time as a time to do things in an orderly manner.  Spontaneous and fun were not on the top of the list but get the breakfast over, make the dressing, stuff the turkey, etc..and then around noon to one, open the presents, clean up the room, put the gifts back under the tree in an orderly manner.  In the early years, there were too much and in the later years according to father, there was too little, and it was sad.  At around three or four a relative would come, and we would eat at 5:30.  Clean up, and Christmas was over.  Today I would like to think that this is the season to focus on the practice of generosity, consideration, kindness, and mutual regard.  Many times along the way, I was reminded that being more mindful of what is happening to me and about me is why I am on the Thai journey.

THE TRIP PATH There is no short cut way to get from here to there.  You board a bus, 2^nd class on the way down and better on the way home.   The bus down turned into a local bus as we got closer to the area and stopped at telephone poles to drop off packages or people.   The bus driver ate most of the way and when not eating honked at anything that was in in front of us.   There was a woman attendant that sat on a trash can the entire way.  It was here job to get people on and off.  While the bus took 7 hrs we only stopped briefly for squat toilet breaks.

I traveled to the area with the "other" Bonnie that I met at the Kristi house several trips ago.  We sat in the first seat so I had a view of the rear view mirror and the drivers station 

with his pencil holder and food bag.

The assistant sat on the metal trash can for 250+ Kilometers

There was a soda bottle

and some artifacts honoring Buddha that made the bus trip appear safe

SIMPLE LIVING - CHOICES - PRIORITIES

SIMPLE LIVING I am putting a little pencil mark on everything that I brought with me and that I have used.  When the time has come to return, this will tell me how much stuff I thought I needed that I did not need.  One thing that I always bring is a washcloth.  Like top sheets o a bed, Thailand sells them, but they are not part of the room (towels and hand towels but no face cloth).  I went to the Airport Plaza to get the sleeping mat and found a desk lamp and a facecloth.  Picture below.   In my reading I came across a great definition of living simply….having everything you need with the bonus of being able to find it.  If there were a place for my Thai stuff other than in that drawer, that box, that bag and a few other places, I would be here with my $80 air mattress that is in a box in my office and one of my home facecloths that are rolled in the bathroom

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CHOICES  I sense I am getting closer to living the way I want to live since I am more aware of not living the way I want to live.   In my exploration of clutter, I am finding that when I am at my most calm is when I am free.  My sense is that freedom is being able to choose what you want to have, do and whom you want to be spending time with, etc.  The only way to have that is not to let in everything that shows up.  On my list of items to consider while meditating is why I feel sorry when I am not included in activities that involve people, places and things that cause me to consider chewing off a foot to be out of the situation.  I am sure it has some relation to my youth, but from a distance, it appears very silly.  When you are in a “relationship” you often have to do more give and take.  In friendships, you really are only obligated to be present.

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PRIORITIES  I have been trying to start my day with identifying my MIT – the 3 most important things to accomplish for the day.  I keep it simple.   I also have a list of important things in my life or things I want to do on a regular basis….exercise, healthy eating, meditation, time with people I enjoy, pursuing my passion.  I have noticed that almost anything can take precedence over the things that are important to me.  The top of my list is Pay Attention, Be Awake, Be Alive.  This morning I jumped out of bed and realized I did not have underwear for four days…. Poof…. Out the window, exercise, and meditation.

Today ends a string of days with physical commitments.. dental, cold, massage etc. and tomorrow I leave for Sukhothai ... and a promise of less talk and more photos

SMALL CHANGE – When I went shopping for the mattress topper or an air mattress it was after a night of feeling I had been dragged behind a chariot in a B movie.   Everything hurt and particularly the hard less fat covered places that hit the Thai mattress when I roll to a side. I got up saying the old poem – there was a crooked man that walked a crooked mile.  I caught the C-shape Bonny in the and thought what are you doing in Asia and can you even get on the scooter.   I was desperate. So off I went to the Thai version of Bed and Beyond and found a fancy Topper for 4990 bhat ($145) which is only $9 less than the cost of the room.  Amazingly I was able to say there must be another answer and moved to the sporting goods store only to find they don’t carry air mattress but a 20 mil foam fold up.   This is hardly the thing you would take to climb a mountain.  I unfolded it and rested my head on the partially opened mat that I had placed on a stack of sneaker boxes.  For 620 ($18) it was worth a try.  Now every day I get up and say, no home, but I just slept 8 hrs with only one bathroom trip.   Amazing what a small change can make. 

The bed softener

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SHELTER FOR THE SPIRIT – I am a card carrying member of BBA Book Buyers Anonymous.  There are many good bookstores in the area – used, very used, new, and to swap.  I can’t leave home without having a few books in my bag.  When you have a 50 pound limit for all your essentials for 100 days, you have to think about packing paper.  I sat in my library and held each book and said… would I read this.  Would this give me joy to have with me, etc.  I selected Toni Packer’s The Work of this Moment, Joan Tollifson’s Awake in the Heartland (last year is was her Bare to the Bones), Dynamic Way of Meditation -a Vipassana book by Dhiravamsa (Thai), and Shelter for the Spirit by Victoria Moran.  I purchased this book several years ago and read it to a dog-eared level with many different shades of ink as underlines and notes.  In preparing to leave my house, I looked at the rugs rolled up and what felt like a lack of joy.  It has become that has accommodated four animals with issues and has created a lack of spirited shelter for the mortgage payer.  I love this book and what it does to my head as I go through each room, nook and corner and picking up items and saying.. does this give me joy.   I am sure by the time I get home I will have a list of things to change and cherish.   I also decided that this would be my shelter for the next many days… what would give my spirit joy… a teapot, a comfortable mug, a reading lamp and as in the last snipit.. a non-uncomfortable bed.

The Road Less Traveled

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DAY OFF Yesterday, except for Hannah’s birthday dinner with Nel and Henry and Harry, I was free just to do things.   I joined the gym across the street from my lodging for 2000 bhat ($57) for 3 months. Trainer Doug would be pleased, there are steps and kettle balls, and places for me to my walk and use the flex cords I brought with me.  [Note: my legs feel better than they did the first year I came to Thailand], I had a slow breakfast at Better than Butter, checked out the bus schedule for Sukothai and enjoyed a leisurely cup of tea.  Jasmena introduced me to the Monsoon Teahouse which is featured in this month’s City Life.  The Spaniard, who was in the tea business in Madrid discovered large tea trees in the area around DoiSutep and started this lovely tea shop.  Not cheap tea, but the flavor is bright and crisp.   When the water is added, you don’t have old leaves in the water, you have a refreshing treat for your nose and palate.  I am happy that the tea will find a home in my handmade teapot to sparkle my morning.  Today is the first day of the new crown and tomorrow my deep cleaning with some bone repair.  Not a day off.

Thursday Dec 15 - broke

I really need to rethink my banking.  It is time to go to the Bangkok Bank and transfer money.   I thought it was all corrected but today Card Cancelled.   I will talk again with the bank at 8:30.  This is more of a reminder to myself.

I have been fighting a cold and of course not getting a full nights sleep.   Today I had my first massage.  I have a set Thursday massage with Phat and so I used my funds to complete my appointment

The market that is near my place is very clean and organized.  There is even music playing. There is a curb appeal that is often not the case in Thailand.









You forget how good ripe and freshly prepared pineapple is.   Like this woman, there is a skill to cutting a pineapple and only leaving the eyes behind.  She was very intent and while she knew I was taking a photo said nothing bu just cut up the pineapple and put it in a tray for sale.

This is a papaya salad to go.   It was interesting to see that they occasionally put a crab into the mix.  A small crab but with all the legs etc.  A man who was fluid in English told me that is a Chinese custom and it gives him indigestion

It is common to use banana leaves to roll the food for easy transport

There is a skill to packaging food in plastic bags with air inside.. Folks rush in grab and go.  

The smoothies are mixed after you buy them.   They add whatever liquid.. coconut water, milk etc. and then mix and toss in a straw.    All very efficient and stop and go.

A broken clock - an opportunity to watch yourself

I got into bed around 11 Monday night and thought a few sprays of melatonin would send me to la la land. It did, but then my broken international clocks got me up around 2 AM, and I was ready to start the day. “it was the time before daybreak, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except me.” 

I was up and out to get breakfast and my scooter by 8:30. A long walk and when you walk alone and are not distracted by the conversation you observe more.  My ability to just watch without judgment and comment is getting there. I am listening to the tones of the sounds, and you can tell a 2 cylinder from a 4 scooter when you listen.  That doesn't matter but the discernment development is. I have the technique I now just need to develop the application to improve my listening skills.  Realizing that I often talk because I can’t hear, I require more one on one and fewer group experiences.

After the walk, it was not long before I began to realize that I was tired because I felt that everything appeared to have a flaw.  

They didn’t bring my 2^nd cup of coffee (they did when I was staring into space) 

The bank goofed, and my card is not working (I then remembered that you can’t take out more than $500 in 24 hrs.)  My first month of lodging with the deposit was about 300 and my three months of a scooter with deposit about $320.  Mr. Jaguar took my passport and let me pay about $75 until tomorrow.  We have known each other for four years...but very Thai to do that. 

Thank you, JoAnn, for the Thai money… it provided a great resource when I needed it.   

I have never been a napper, but I needed a nap.  Rather than tough it out… I went down for an hour.

This all was a good lesson…pay attention, check in with yourself…  I have added the look and listen to the pause.  Stop/Pause…and pay attention.

I ended the day with Indian dinner with H&H, connecting with Bonnie and Jume and swimming teacher Fred…found a gym across from where I am living that will charge me $75 for three months.

And it is all good 

up at 3am yesterday and still going at midnight next day

China Southern Air was shorter than the other trips 15 hr from NYC to China....but glad I had my slippers and water bottle.   The Indian veggie was very good.  NYC/JFK is what it is..and not the best but it is what we offer.   Change everything, take away Air Tran and don't have anyone helping you i  The connection in China was tight and I had to run after an airlines person.   no golf cart for me... when I got to the gate, I was sweating.  Made the plan and luggage got here.

I did not think about toilet paper and soap..so will be a "camper" tonight and tend to my needs tomorrow.









What does a $154 a month room look like...   This is the wardrobe
I don't bring tons of stuff  The white deal is my laundry bag.

below is the desk area.  The wifi is muh better and while there is not a flat screen the picture is adequate and I can get more news than Fox

The box under the desk was delivered by Henry from teacher Fred and had my helmet and tea suff.

You just step out on to the porch and then into the spacious luv

I am in the room at the top of the stairs... 2nd floor

happy bonnhy