Entries this day: Thailand!! go_go_go welcome_to_bangkok zzzzzzzz

Thailand!!

Thailand!!

Hello world!

I've been working as a programmer in Tokyo for the past couple of years, with a bit
of time off to make cash in clinical drug trials. I recently finished a contract,
and have some time available for my next adventure / educational experience,
studying Thai massage in Thailand! Since high school, I've enjoyed giving massages
at least as much as receiving them, and have just "recently" gotten into the idea
that I could actually earn some money doing something that I love to do. I have
often used "lack of credentials" (e.g. diploma/certificate) as a reason I couldn't
do it, so I'm going to get that now, just like a feather for Dumbo. hahaha!!

My tickets are for 7 May to 7 August, and I plan to remain in Japan at least long
enough to meet Colleenie Beanie in the fall! (There; I've told the whole world, so
you *have* to come!!)

I've been in Japan just over 7 years now, and though I don't want to "stay
forever," I can't help but notice that if I stay just 3 more years, I can get
permanent residency and have a choice of either country, with going through the
hassle of getting visas and stuff! Interesting motivation, to say the least. :-)

For the past year, I've been living in Chez Soness, home of my friend Soness down
by the beach. It's certainly a nice area, though a bit far (1 hour and 950 yen) to
get to my favorite hangout (The Pink Cow in Shibuya). In the past year, Soness has
been working super hard to get her businesses going, and I'm beginning to see what
it might take for me to do the same. But can I? Really? Me???

And so I'm going to Thailand to get some training in a new aspect of massage. 9
weeks of classes are planned, though the school (Sunshine Massage School in Chiang
Mai) seems quite flexible, with instruction given to individual students at a
higher or lower level, as needed.

Last year saw me study Shiatsu for 10 hours of instruction, which I use a little
bit when doing my "freestyle healing" Two years ago I learned reiki, which I use a
lot, especially when giving people massages.

I wrote the above 3 weeks ago, and but now I'm leaving in 4 minutes!

   Love and Light
     xoxoxoxoxo
      - Rob! 

go go go

4:12pm JST Friday 7 May 2010 (day 14653)

Souper-duper thanks to Soness for cute little notes in my bags, pocket and wallet!! I've been discovering them since we hugged and waved bye in Shinagawa. She and Nino took Tokaido line with me after I locked TJ Bike up in the bike parking lot in his own special spot and four locks plus blessing for safe sleep until I get back on 7 August.

Plenty of time to get trains on time, and even time for soup (thank you Soness!!) and everything is cooool. Just a bit ago I was in line for more food and realized I had exchanged *all* my yen for Thai Bhat. hahahahaaha!!! I guess I'll just wait for food on the plane.

Reading A Course In Miracles now, after Lisa suggested it. It's dense with information.

welcome to bangkok

11:44pm ICT Friday 7 May 2010 (day 14653)

It's not like I'm *reallllly* in Bangkok yet, as I'm still in the airport, but I've gone through customs and found a nice spot on the third floor next CIP ROOM 4 (and also next to an electrical outlet, though it doesn't seem to work).

I plan to write a couple of journal entries, pop out my contacts (as they've reached their two week suggested life span), and conk out for the night. Tomorrow I'll get a ticket for Chiang Mai and *then* leave that airport and say I've made it to Thailand.

Funny how, because this is my first time to the country, I just called Chiang Mai "Thailand," like the time I said to Bryn, "oh, one of my teachers is from Australia." and she goes, "where in Australia?" and I go, "I don't know; Australia!!"

Fortunately, Thailand is smaller than some states in Australia, so I'm getting more focused with my imprecise geographic naming practices.

Even *more* fortunately, it's 30 degrees C, and I'm realllllly happy about that. I'm prolly gonna sleep without even needing janette's quilt over me. I'll just sleep with it under me.

zzzzzzzz

12:56am ICT Saturday 8 May 2010 (day 14654)

In Bangkok airport, about to go to sleep next to CIM ROOM 4, wrapped in janette's lovely quilt. Thank you janette.