Hello everyone,
Here we are again. Some minor hiccups but now back in the saddle. I had a few questions last week and they were interesting indeed. Such as "is it possible to make long term-friends in Thailand as an expat".
The answers were varied, some people were pretty cynical, some offered helpful hints like finding like-minded individuals, a hobby, etc. An ability to speak Thai was a common thread if you wanted 'local' friends.
In that vein, what would be your top recommendations for Thai-language learning materials? I'm sure many new and even long term expats would be open to suggestions!
Another topic I'd like to touch on is superstitions. I would absolutely love to hear from people about exactly what you believe in. Ghosts? Fortune Tellers? Sacred Trees? Bad luck and lucky lotto numbers? Personally, I've been to one fortune teller before in Japan and he was so dead on it was spooky. He named the months that things would happen and they did. Totally blew my mind. I would really like to try out a Thai fortune teller and see if they are just as accurate.
I've heard from friends that their friends/girlfriends/boyfriends/BF&GF's families believe in all sorts of stuff, even black magic or blood magic. I really find this topic fascinating. As a person who doesn't hold really any religious beliefs, I'm always interested in the faith of others.
So, write in to the comments, or on Twitter, what do you think? Share your feedback with me.
Have a good one,
FarangGeisha
Wednesday 5 August 2015
Tuesday 21 July 2015
Hey everyone,
Feeling better since this morning..thanks for the outpouring of support from my BKK, and my virtual family!
I have a question for you all. Actually two.
Two great questions so let me know what you all think!
Cheers,
FarangGeisha
Feeling better since this morning..thanks for the outpouring of support from my BKK, and my virtual family!
I have a question for you all. Actually two.
- What's worse, a Japanese Mother In Law? Or a Chinese-Thai Mother In Law?.....whoo boy
- Intercultural realtionships - do they work? Why or why not? Specifically Asian/Western mix. Which dynamic is better...Western Man/Asian Woman or Western Woman/Asian Man?
Two great questions so let me know what you all think!
Cheers,
FarangGeisha
Monday 20 July 2015
Musings
Morning from Bangkok everyone.
Now I'm not setting out to make this one of those 'weepy girly blogs' or my own personal diary. I'd be much more interested in hearing about your problems and your questions!
That being said, today seems like its going to be a tough one. Did you ever have one of those days where all you want to do is get a big hug? Then maybe lay down and listen to sad songs and cry your face off? Today seems to be that day.
I know I'll be ok...because everything usually works out in the end. I guess its just loneliness. Bangkok is a huge city, its easy to feel disconnected from people inside the maelstrom. It's chaotic, it's loud, it's oh so superficial....and I still love it. Sometimes, it just doesn't love me back. It can also be hard to be away from family...even when that family is a whole other level of crazy. :) I really, really admire Thais in that way. The family is first and it seems like most get together often and the connection is strong. Man, do I envy that.
In Japan, mostly Tokyo to be precise, they have 'hugging cafes', or 'napping cafes'. These are for patrons to visit and literally lay down with another human being and just be held. That honestly breaks my heart, but I can understand the need. I think the disconnect in a city like Tokyo is pretty pronounced. Most of us can feel lonely surrounded by people.
I don't believe that we need other people to make us happy, but that sometimes we all just need to be reminded that we are loved. So if you love somebody, partner, friend, family, lover, your pet, go give them a hug or give them a call. Drop them a line to let them know you're thinking of them. It will make you feel good and will make them feel good and thats win-win. Me? I'm going to go and cuddle my little one while she still thinks I'm perfect. That's the truest love right there, between a mother and child.
What do you all do to combat loneliness? Do you ever feel like it's too much sometimes? Let me know your coping strategies. Let's aim to make this blog interactive!
XO
FarangGeisha
Now I'm not setting out to make this one of those 'weepy girly blogs' or my own personal diary. I'd be much more interested in hearing about your problems and your questions!
That being said, today seems like its going to be a tough one. Did you ever have one of those days where all you want to do is get a big hug? Then maybe lay down and listen to sad songs and cry your face off? Today seems to be that day.
I know I'll be ok...because everything usually works out in the end. I guess its just loneliness. Bangkok is a huge city, its easy to feel disconnected from people inside the maelstrom. It's chaotic, it's loud, it's oh so superficial....and I still love it. Sometimes, it just doesn't love me back. It can also be hard to be away from family...even when that family is a whole other level of crazy. :) I really, really admire Thais in that way. The family is first and it seems like most get together often and the connection is strong. Man, do I envy that.
In Japan, mostly Tokyo to be precise, they have 'hugging cafes', or 'napping cafes'. These are for patrons to visit and literally lay down with another human being and just be held. That honestly breaks my heart, but I can understand the need. I think the disconnect in a city like Tokyo is pretty pronounced. Most of us can feel lonely surrounded by people.
I don't believe that we need other people to make us happy, but that sometimes we all just need to be reminded that we are loved. So if you love somebody, partner, friend, family, lover, your pet, go give them a hug or give them a call. Drop them a line to let them know you're thinking of them. It will make you feel good and will make them feel good and thats win-win. Me? I'm going to go and cuddle my little one while she still thinks I'm perfect. That's the truest love right there, between a mother and child.
What do you all do to combat loneliness? Do you ever feel like it's too much sometimes? Let me know your coping strategies. Let's aim to make this blog interactive!
XO
FarangGeisha
Hey everyone!
If you don't know who I am, its @TakenakaLaura from Twitter. I'm based in Bangkok by way of Japan and Canada. I'm a mom and soon to be a student (again)! My life isn't perfect (FAR from it), and I have a messy and kinda awesome time most days...haha. I'm struggling to cope with being a mom and looking for work and embarking on a whole new phase of my life.
I've been noticing lately that a lot of people were coming to me with their problems or if they just needed a sympathetic ear to listen to their problems. So I decided to create a blog and put it out there almost like an "I'm listening" type of thing. So go ahead, ask me anything, advice, gripes, questions, whatever you feel.
I will keep everyones name anonymous (unless otherwise indicated). Depending on popularity, it should come out once a week or so. It all depends on how many submissions I get.
You can contact me on twitter at @TakenakaLaura or at laurawt4444@gmail.com.
I look forward to hearing from all of you very soon.
FarangGeisha
If you don't know who I am, its @TakenakaLaura from Twitter. I'm based in Bangkok by way of Japan and Canada. I'm a mom and soon to be a student (again)! My life isn't perfect (FAR from it), and I have a messy and kinda awesome time most days...haha. I'm struggling to cope with being a mom and looking for work and embarking on a whole new phase of my life.
I've been noticing lately that a lot of people were coming to me with their problems or if they just needed a sympathetic ear to listen to their problems. So I decided to create a blog and put it out there almost like an "I'm listening" type of thing. So go ahead, ask me anything, advice, gripes, questions, whatever you feel.
I will keep everyones name anonymous (unless otherwise indicated). Depending on popularity, it should come out once a week or so. It all depends on how many submissions I get.
You can contact me on twitter at @TakenakaLaura or at laurawt4444@gmail.com.
I look forward to hearing from all of you very soon.
FarangGeisha
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