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What's In A Name?

I like my name. Not sure if everyone likes the name they were given at birth. Plenty of folks have even gone to legal lengths to change theirs. Being in Thailand, I am learning all kinds of new names I’ve never heard before, and frankly, some are pretty hard for me to pronounce. I know, I am such a farang. The shorter ones are easy, like Pom or Nok. But other first names, like Charoenrasamee, Khemkhaeng, or Xuwicha, well, I’m just glad Thai folks mostly go by their nicknames, like Apple or Boy.  I have not been to many foreign countries, but I’m sure each one has first names (and last names, for that matter) that are different, interesting, beautiful, fun, and confusing to an outsider. I heard the Russian name, Gvozdika, the other day and thought the guy was ordering a Vodka tonic. Anyway. No matter where you are from, you may or may not like yours, but basically, all names are equal.  Except for one.  Maybe you guessed it, but that name is Jesus.   The...
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The Ocean Has No Memory

Like many people, I love the ocean. There is something so calming and peaceful about it.   Sure, the ocean can get quite chaotic and dangerous in times of stormy and windy conditions.   But my experience with the ocean is always around sitting on the beach and looking out into the ocean.   Listening to the waves crash and the tides coming in and out.   Sunrise, sunset, or even mid-day, the effect is the same.   Peaceful. Calm.   Relaxed.   Sometimes I imagine the ocean tide coming in and taking away all my cares and troubles.   The wave crashes and comes into shore, grabbing those memories and carrying them back out into the ocean. Gone. I’m left with peaceful bliss. Sometimes when I’ve been on a boat far out in the ocean, I look out and see nothing but water in all directions.   The water on the surface moving this way and that with no real direction, though the tide underneath carries the water forward.   Or backwards for that matt...
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Faith and Fruit

Wh at’s your favorite food group?   Are you more of a meat person? Fish, pork, cow or chicken? Or how about some lamb? If you’re a vegetarian, that doesn't narrow things down. Vegetables, legumes, potatoes, and all their variations?   I do enjoy a nice, juicy steak with some scalloped potatoes and stir-fried veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, or asparagus (though this last gives me gas). No, I haven’t forgotten fruit which is probably my favorite food group (though that juicy New York steak, medium-rare, does compete very closely).   I normally would have said something like cherries, oranges, and watermelon were my top fruit choices.   Strawberries and blueberries (oh, yes, blackberries and mulberries, too) also are in the top contenders.   But now that I’m out of the United States and living overseas, I have discovered so many more fruits (and vegetables) that are delicious.   I can honestly say I finally have a top, no-contender fruit t...
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Hot, Hotter, Hottest

Since we’re on the topic of weather from the last blog entry, I can’t help but notice that it’s always hot in Thailand (at least in the mid-part of Thailand.   Think the greater Bangkok area). Basically, there are three temperatures here – hot, hotter, and hottest.   But not just the heat, it’s also the humidity which can be so thick and heavy.   I’m used to a dry heat and while I like that the heavy humidity makes my skin softer and has made my eczema disappear, this kind of heat is stifling to me.   Thank the Lord for air conditioning! The year-round temperature in Thailand is always in the 80’s (Fahrenheit) and above and in a few rare occasions (like after a rainstorm) it can dip into the high 70’s.   So yeah, it’s always hot, at least to me. But hey, I love it here.   It’s really just all about endurance and making up your mind that no matter what the temperature is today, I can handle it and be content (did I mention air conditioning?).   Life...
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Stormy Days? Awesome! Halal God!

I don’t know about you, but I love a good storm. Flashes of lightning brightening the night sky like strobe lights, followed by the crackles and deep booming thunder echoing everywhere in full stereo. As I kid living on the East coast, I got my fair share of storms.  Sometimes they would get bad enough that mom and dad would shuffle us downstairs into the basement, much to my chagrin.  I would love to watch the lighting flash, and it was even better when I saw the actual lightning bolts crawl over the sky like fingers. Don’t get me wrong, I am well aware of the destructive nature of storms and don’t wish that part of a storm on anyone.   But there is also something beautiful about watching nature in full action. I was never any storm chaser, but I do understand the thrill of chasing down a wild tornado.   Talk about nature gone wild! I think I’ve seen the movies “Twister” and “Twisters” at least ten times each.   When I see a good ol’ thunder and lightning ...
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Taller in Thailand

I never considered myself tall.  I am an average sized dude.  Growing up in the United States of America, there were plenty of people, girls and boys, who were taller than me but also plenty who were shorter or at least around my same height, which is five foot, ten inches. But once I came to Thailand, I felt like a giant.  The majority of native Thai folk are five-ish feet or lower in height.  As I walk through crowds, I can usually see over most of the heads around me.  I am also fatter, ‘er, heavier here but would not say I’m fat, by American or any standard.   I hover around 155 to 160.   Sure, I could also shed a few pounds here and there, but for the most part I am an average size…in America at least.   However, when I go shopping in Thailand, I always need to buy the EXTRA Large shirt, or even XXL.   Pants, too.   I’ve NEVER had to buy anything in an “Extra” but hey, never say never I guess.   Of course, to put it in pers...
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Why Farang get charged more

If you’ve spent any time in Thailand, you’ve probably heard the term “Farang” which basically means "foreigner." It is not meant to be a derogatory term but like any word it can be used negatively by the person saying it (perhaps in an angry tone).  But typically, it’s spoken in a neutral or sometimes even affectionate way. It's a common way to refer to tourists or expatriates, mostly of European or American heritage.  Honestly, I go back and forth on my opinion.   I, myself, am a Farang and often use the term.   Such as, “Look at that Farang trying to ride a motorcycle and almost causing an accident.” But either way you look at it, the word “Farang” is a label to differentiate one type of person from another.   Isn’t that a form of discrimination, even if the intention is not meant in any way to be negative? There is one undeniable way that Farang’s are discriminated against – charging them more money.   When I visit a public park in Thailand...
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