How's my Thai Language?

I've been in Thailand for 5 years already but still my Thai is worst than ever! For me, Thai is a very difficult language to learn because it's a very tonal language. Basically, the same word can have multiple meanings depending on the exact renunciation and whether you use a rising tone, falling tone, mid tone, etc.! I know some people that pick it up fairly easily. I think if on my first few years here I have decided to seriously attend a Thai language school, I might learn enough to get by within a few months and be fluent by this time...*sigh*...However, though I'm not fluent yet with my Thai, I have survived because I learn how to ask for directions, ask how much something cost, and handle some of the basic travel type of situations. I could do basic conversations like how am I,  I could talk about where I was from, where I was going, I could bargain, give the taxi driver directions, and make my way through Thailand pretty well.

Now that Hyzyd will start his pre-school on November, I think I gotta learn with him. I'm pretty sure kids could easily pick up different languages. Hyzyd could now do basic greetings accompanied with wai (Thailand's way of greetings that consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion), saying Khop Khon Khrap (thank you) and Chuay Duay (Help!). I need to buy a Lecteurs MP3 (MP3 players) to make use of the Thai Lesson series I had in MP3 format.The series could be very helpful because I can listen to the words and they are very repetitive so I don't forget them .

I'm glad my motivation to learn Thai is back again! Thailand is a great place and Thai people are the best and the more I can communicate with them in their language the better the experience!

10 Reasons why I love our place

After the flood, my co-teachers asked me if I had plans to move since our place is one of the areas that is badly damaged and where water is so high. My answer is no. Why? Because of the following reasons:

1. the rental fee is cheaper compared to other apartments. WE couldn't find another apartment with two rooms and two bathrooms , spacious backyard and garage that cost as cheap as ours.
2. kind landladies. They treat us like their children.
3. free cable TV connection (though its service is inferior compared to Bell Télé - Canada's leading digital TV provider with the best HD service, the most HD channels and the latest blockbusters On Demand)
4. quiet neighborhood
5. we got Filipino friends nearby
6. it's near to Hyzyd's babysitter's place
7. we got a wet market nearby
8. flood doesn't hit this place every year
8. we got space for hubby's plants and orchids
10. we felt at home

Good news, finally!

We stopped using the rain water coz we finally have our WATER! It was last Friday that I decided to write the landlord regarding how I badly felt about his negligence and stated our option to move and demanded him to give us back our deposit money coz it's not us who break the contract but it's HIM coz he's not taking good care of his tenants. I write it because he couldn't understand English so when it's in written form, he could bring it to his friend who knew the English language and hopefully he could translate it to him. Talking will do no good to him coz he couldn't understand me. It's soooo frustrating to get mad to somebody and you couldn't properly expressed how you felt. At least on writing, he has the chance to know how displeased I am!

I handed the letter through his helper coz he's not around and when we got home we found out that we already have water! I tried to take back the letter but I'm convinced that giving him the letter is for the better-I'm released from anger. He will also be aware how mad I got with his negligence (though he rubbed the blame to the municipality's water district, I don't care. He has responsibility to follow-up them every single minute of the day!) .

So with the WATER, no more migraine for me. I've washed all that needed to be washed, mopped the floor and wash every corner of the house. Though the house is not yet as immaculately clean as before at least my mind and heart are now resting. Maybe my inspiration to blog will be back again. No need for us to move again (for the 3rd time!).

our weekend spree at Songkhla Aquarium

Last Saturday, my family and my brother's family went out to visit Songkhla Aquarium. The place reminds me of what I used to teach before to my BS Fisheries students- parts of the fish and anything about fish! I'm just a bit disappointed because I don't have the right camera to get a better photo inside the dark aquarium (we're not allowed to use the flash) but anyway what's important is that I have time to visit this wonderful place and had the chance to appreciate the undersea life.

Entrance fee for us is 100 baht per person including my 17 months old toddler but I saw on their banner that foreigner adult's admission fee is 300 baht while children are charged 200 baht. Does this mean we're categorized as "Thai"? Not bad...we enjoyed the discount...Before we roamed around the aquarium we have the chance to watch the feeding show! Hyzyd was soooo excited that we can't stop him from running in front!

Songkhla Aquarium is more than an aquarium! If you have enough budget, you could also savor the relaxing feeling of fish spa which will cost you 200 baht per 25 minutes (I'll feature this one later) . Outside the aquarium, if you want the ultimate sightseeing experience then look no further than renting a GoCar for their speedway or the ATVs off-the-road-single or duo. Enjoy a stunning scenic cruise of Songkhla aquarium Beach aboard the paddle boat, kayak, Jetski or on a banana boat! You can also play volleyball on their beach or have your family camping if you want. There's so many options offered for you at Songkhla Aquarium. Visit www.songkhlaaquarium.com for more information.

we are checking our mental health over here in Thailand

Do you have any idea that Bangkok is undergoing political tension nowadays? Thus, the Department of Mental Health has encouraged all Thais to check their mental health via an easy test of five questions and find ways for stress reduction.

Mental Health Department Director-General, MD Chatri Banchuen, stated that Thai people should beware of their own minds and not fall as victims of stress and tension.

He then recommended all Thais to take a mini-test to see if they are prone to stress leading to violent expressions or not.

The questions ask respondents to see if they are certain with five statements or not. I tried to answer too because I'm living in Thai's land. The statements are as follows:

1) I am always frustrated upon political discussion.

2) I must argue with those having different political opinions.

3) I am engrossed in political issues more than personal ones.

4) I am always afraid of potential violent incidents in Thailand.

5) I always try to persuade others to agree with my political opinions.

Respondents will receive every two points for answering ‘yes’, one point for answering ‘uncertain’, and zero point for answering ‘no’.

Respondents scoring a total of 0-2 points can be interpreted as having normal political emotion and eligible to learn information from all sides.

Respondents with 3-5 points can be interpreted as having a moderate level of political emotion with own political stance, and able to accept different opinions.

However, they are prone to stress if they are too engrossed in politics, and so are advised to relax more.

Respondents with 6-10 points can be interpreted as having a strong level of political emotion and are at risk to high levels of stress. They are suggested to avoid any provoking situation or people and relax more.

Do you know my tendency? I score 0 so there's no problem with me.

The director-general stressed that mental health must be given priority during both normal and crisis periods. He said good mental health, serenity, and peace could be created if mental health is well managed.

MD Chatri said any people feeling uncomfortable or requiring mental health assistance can dial 1323 hotline around the clock.

to move again?

We received a letter from Hatyai Water district yesterday that they're going to start our residential water service on the 29th of March. It took almost 2 months to process the start service request (which means almost 2 months too of fetching water from the homeowner's residence which is 5-minutes drive away from us!) ! We talked to the owner of the house that if this month, the water district will not reply to his request, we need to move out from his house! This strategy works and the owner visited the water district everyday and followed up the request. Now, I'm relieved. It means no more moving for us... again !

I dreaded the idea of ever moving again. Moving is experienced by everybody but nobody really likes it (except maybe moving to a better place and a bigger house) . Are you with me? Looking for a moving company here in Hatyai is next to impossible ! Moving companies are only available in Bangkok which is 14-hour away from us by bus. In times of moving, I wish I'm in Southern California. Why? They're blessed there to have good movers like Irvine movers, Carlsbad movers, San Diego movers and many more that makes their moving a pleasant experience.

Now that it's settled that we'll stay in this house for three to five years more, I plan to purchase sofa in our living room where we could snug warmly and comfortable, a portable steel kitchen sink and some kitchen storage hardware and kitchen accessories Finally, it's now time to decorate our room.