pic of the day

immigrant

Being an immigrant is hard. It means waiting in long, confusing lines in small, airless offices. Here they don't turn on the air conditioner for immigrants. In Spain they made us wait in the rain. Also, it's expensive. We're lucky because the school helps us with the visa process, pays the fees, even gives us rides to the immigration office.

On Friday we went to pick up our visa extensions, which is simply a piece of paper. But getting that piece of paper took a whole afternoon. We have to have these papers if we want to leave the country (but not to get back in, something I don't quite get.)

Address and passport number blocked due to creeps and identity thieves.  

Anyway, I'm saying all this to tell you that we would like to move home, live as citizens. But we're not so sure that's possible. 400 layoffs in Des Moines last year makes us the 401st and 402nd people in line. I emailed the University of Iowa educational placement office to ask about jobs. I told them we'd move anywhere in the Midwest except Nebraska. And you know what they said? NEBRASKA is the only place that is hiring. So, we have to ask ourselves, what's worse? India or Nebraska. I honestly don't know.

A note:  My dislike of Nebraska is irrational, but that doesn't diminish the feeling.  "Why do you dislike Nebraska so much?"  "I don't know, I just, I just....HATE IT!"  And if you're from Nebraska, I'm sorry, I don't dislike you, just your state.  There's a difference, believe me.

what you've all been waiting for

Sorry it took so long!  I hope it doesn't disappoint.

G.T.L.

Since getting back from vacation Brad and I have had some time to catch up on our favorite TV shows. We were most excited to see the return of Jersey Shore, an obnoxiously addictive celebration of douche-baggery in Italian American youth. This morning we watched the season two premiere, then spent the rest of the day doing The Situation's endorsed activities. Gym. Tanning. Laundry. If you watch the show, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't watch the show, good for you. Seriously. It's junk.

Last year we joined a gym at a hotel about 20 minutes from our house. Even though it's kind of a pain in the butt to get there, it's the best thing ever.

Our roof is a great place to tan, but the cast of Jersey Shore would be disappointed to learn there's no alcohol in those glasses. We're off the sauce.

This post was a lie from the beginning. I don't do laundry. I haven't for over three years. This is Subu, the woman I love.

work

First day of work today. Waking up at 7 this morning felt like waking up in the middle of the night. But we had to get back to it sometime. Gotta get some money in the bank! Now I'm just a regular girl, slave to the 9 to 5, living for the weekends, that kind of thing. Actually, though, being back makes me remember that I love my job. So, life is good. I don't know what I was so worried about.

spoke too soon: the real byebye Bangkok post

Last night we thought we'd stay in, watch Mad Men, eat carry out, take it easy, but then we were like, HEY! It's the last night of vacation! So we mustered up our energy and hit the town.

Our first stop was for drinks on the 64th floor of the State Tower.  You pay for the view, but the drinks were good too.

Brad had a Vesper (the James Bond martini).  Mine was called a Mango Tickler.  There was lavender sprinkled on top. 

After drinks we went in search of dinner.  But we got distracted by an ice bar.  An ice bar in Bangkok.  Lunacy.  The lady at the door said it'd be 500 baht per person (about 15 dollars).  So we said, no thanks.  Then she added, "that includes drinks."  So we said, "OK."

even the glasses were made of ice

Eventually we got too cold and decided OK, really, now it's time to get some food.  But at that moment, one of our wildest dreams came true.  All trip we've been lamenting the fact that we're just poor teachers and that businessmen get expense accounts and wouldn't it be nice if one of them just took pity on us and bought us dinner?  And guess what?! A businessman from Singapore wanted to reminisce about his college days in Colorado and since Iowa's close enough, I guess, he bought us drinks.  And reminisced.  It was great.  But after the second round, we still hadn't had dinner.

So, we thanked the nice businessman, and took our broke butts to McDonald's.

Now, we're packing.  And packing, and packing and packing.  We have a ton of crap!  Good thing we bought this huge bag.

Brad's in here.  

HA!

Truly sad to see this vacation end, but it is time.  For one thing we're out of money.  Another, I'm getting fat.  And probably our livers could use a little rest.

Thanks for your loyal readership on our great adventure.  And like I said before, don't worry, the adventure continues.  See you from India!