June 1st - My first day at work in Bangkok.

I just got back from my second day of work. This stuff is hard!!! Boy
am I glad I had my sustainability classes though cause I am doing that
exact same stuf! Who knew I would actually use that cost benefit
analysis shit and that life cycle nonsense and that same report
method. I am doing some serious things!!!!! Today home sickness is
starting to hit me a little. I feel tired. Living here and adapting to
a new environment is hard. No fridge in the room, none of my usual
comforts, you got to kill someone to get a good amount of water or a
cold drink, I only eat about 2 times a day cause its so hot i'm not
hungry, I walk about 4 miles a day and ride subways and trains every
day dressed up, sweaty and carrying my backpack. Its a pretty rough
change... I don't think many could take it. I enjoy it though because
it makes me appreciate other peoples lives, my life and makes me know
its a huge world and that I want to see so much more of it. I love
this kind of immersion stuff. I am even picking up a little Thai
language pretty fast. Thai people seem to like Americans "farangs" and
wish us well as well as being very helpful. I might move apartments at
the end of the month to a closer one to the BTS skytrain. I am
supposed to go to the beach this weekend and I am looking forward to
it. I am really watching my flow though. so yeah. Thats where i'm at.
Hot, hungry, tired.. but loving the adventure. I was a little sad
yesterday thinking about home and still get a little sad while
thinking of it. BUt stiffin up the upper lip little soldier right?
This is such an awesome experience and it will bring me so much as it
already has. Hows your day? Hows your life? I feel so detached from
everyone and everything as if my past life isn't there anymore or has
gone on without me. I almost dont know what to do about it. Celebrate
and forge on or mourn the pasts' death. Dont think of it as if I am
suffering, I mean I am a little but its only because of how good we
have it in the US. and of course my choice to embark on these kind of
things. Its just a different life style. The city of Bangkok is very
interesting though. Two nights ago we got scammed by a cabbie who took
us to the wrong place, on purpose, and left us in a pretty serious
hood. Bastard. We did a little walking and made it out good though
minus 500 baht ($15) . Life is
such an experience you know that. I tried to do laundry last night and
of course the dryer didn't work so I have clothes hanging all around
my room. I am looking pretty good though. Loosing all the fat I have
is really exposing the muscle that before didn't show, my belly stays
big though.. damn beer. hahahah. There is a park with a free
outdoor gym, kind of how they have on muscle beach in Vennis Cali, and
I will start working out there with the ripped asians next week. The
yhave these giant komodo dragon things you have to watch out for in
the park, huge lizards and I guess at night, while dodging all the
hookers, if you get too close to bushes they jump out and bite you.
crazy... Bangkok, or as it will be called on the maps in the near
future, Krung Thep, (the locals think that Bangkok is an ugly and old
sounding word) is a city with like 9,100,000 people there is still so
much wildlife in the concrete jungle. There are lotus flowers in the
planters with fish that eat off of the roots and small ecosystems
everywhere. They make excellent use of nature within the city to keep
such an urban area green. Traffic is prob the biggest danger here, one
wrong step and youll be hit by busses, motercycles, taxis and or tuk
tuks. Its quite a cluster funk here with traffic. Id go running but
the sidewalks are sooo crowded with vendors its impossible as well as
teh sidewalks are all crazy and busted up. Well, thats what I know for
know... I went to lunch with my co-workers. anywhere from 100 to 200
baht, so 3 to 6 dollars depending and that was a decent place. I
bought a bunch of stuff from the store, i am still looking for a cheep
rice maker. I need to cut spending as much as possible. Oh yeah,
lunch... I just had lunch with the entire office at a german place. It
was quite good. They were wishing one of the employees off as she is
marrying an American and going to San Francisco. It reminded me of my
going away party. tisk tisk tear tear. So My boss (mrs) Khun Malika
and (mr) Khun Kittipong paid the bill. It was very nice of them. Thai
people are so nice to each other. It is strange and somewhat
refreshing.... Maybe I'll pick up the good book of Buddhism. i see how
it has affected this nation and its a good thing. Anyhow, talk to you
soon. I'll be here.

The still living legend....R