One Night in Bangkok

After a relatively painless flight compliments of Cathay Pacific, and an excellent bowl of congee in Hong Kong, I arrived in Bangkok (BKK) on Sunday night local time. I had enough time to buy a new cell phone, eat a fabulous, spicy, $3 stirfry and crash. The next morning started at 6:30 with a quick review of emails and exisiting data, before a breakfast meeting at 7:30. The rest of the day was sepnt in meetings, and power meals, until the final debrief at 11:00 pm. This was the most networking I've done in my life, but it provided several contacts both in Myanmar (MM) and in BKK, and an invitation letter to enter MM on a business visa. Currently, Tuesday morning, I am sitting in the visa queue at the MM embassy (about 3 hours long) to apply. The rest of this week will be made up of continued meetings.

BKK is a remarkable city, with public transit ranging from motorcycles and tuktuks ( a kind of motorcycle/carriage cross) to buses, good taxis and even a rapid transit line that runs above the city, and a subway. The best part about the city is that snacks are available everwhere - along every street are little stalls with satay, donuts, fresh clams, coffee, rice, fresh fruit. You just stop, grab a stool on the sidewalk, and take a abreak witha newspaper for a few coins. Or, for the truly wealthy, Pizza Hut, Subway and others provide fast food options for a few dollars...

In Transit to the Field Again

Well, I have been recalled to respond to the increasingly critical disaster in Mynamar. Currently in Hong Kong, I will arrive in Bangkok Sunday morning (EST) to sit in on a series of meetings with various agencies and funding partners. These meetings, and project proposals hammered out over the next few days will provide FH with the opportunity to support the needs of some of the likely 2 million Burmese people in need of assistance at this time. More posts to follow!

My New Old Life

Four months deserves at least a post, in case anyone is actually reading or looking to read this blog.

First, I have no internet access at home, and have been intentionally offline for the last few months, merely lurking on facebook and checking email from work. I kinda like it, although it means less connection with the real world.

Second, I have returned to the 9-5 world. I am officially the office manager for an optometric practice in my hometown, although that really means I'm the only full time employee, and just a glorified receptionist. However, I am taking a course which will, in about a year, certify me as an optometric assistant, meaning I will do the same thing I already do, get paid the same, but have letters after my name, and belong to an association.

Third, I am still chewing over my Master's program - when, where and what to take. Definitely I will take an MBA, but I may take another MA first, because it's faster, cheaper and more fun. Still not sure.

Finally, I have my own little apartment in downtown Guelph, which is great, but eats away my salary pretty quickly. Hopefully it will be ready for an open house soon.

This week's news... I may start a part time position working weekend security for a local club, and I hosted my first dinner party at my new place for my family. Thanks Mom, for basically doing all the cooking because I work so late. Oh, and had a great evening last night in celebration of a friend's b-day. Prime rib dinner, a fine Beaujolais, and showing up at e-Bar dressed to impress. A well rounded night.

That's it!