Once again, I have a list of to do's that you could wrap around a Thai elephant. Only this time it's on this side of the pond.

I had to call in some favors to get things accomplished . I asked Seamus to take me to the post office on campus with the 2 boxes that I had stuffed and taped with 2 rolls of packaging tape. When I got there, I started to tape my address papers that I had printed out onto the boxes and the sirl (surly + girl) informed me that I could not mail these boxes - I had to either buy mini sized boxes from the post office or cover them in brown paper. Now, these boxes came over here without brown paper, but apparently the USPS standards are different here. It didn't help that I had just lugged them to the car and out of the car and now back into the car in 100+ degree heat

Then I asked almost anybody with a pulse where was either a Fed Ex, UPS, DHL, or as a last resort, brown paper. None of this is available in Mahasarakham. One of the students actually offers to go and get me brown paper, which he does and once again I am (moderately) happy.

Ajarn Guy (who is a little pipsqueak of a Thai but very sensible) has agreed to take me 1- to my condo office to ask them about my security deposit (in Thai) 2- to the bank to change my ATM card to a Visa/ATM so I can drain the last little bit out in America, and 3- to the post office (again) this time downtown where they may be a tad more personable .

All was accomplished with ease. How easy it must be when you speak the language! Except that they need to check with the owner about my security deposit so we'll find out about that tomorrow.

It cost 90US to send about 10$ worth of rinky tinky souvenirs, but I wanted them. The students gave me a few gifts that I just couldn't part with or carry long distances, so I was stuck.

Now to pack. I wish I could get someone to clean this room for me, I've forgotten how. Wait- did I ever know?

It is so hot! If you go out in the daytime, it's like the sun is pressing a searing hot iron on your skin. You would think a breeze would be a welcome relief, but when the wind blows, it feels like someone opened the door to the blast furnace. I took off my tshirt when I entered my room and when I went to put it back on a half hour later, it was still soaking wet. I am pouring down large cokes (3 today alone.) I may develop a serious drinking problem here.

But I'll take it over your snow any day.

I pass these chickens on my way to work every day. The owners live in a corragated steel shanty and have the most beautiful roosters you ever saw, plus about at least 3 different age groups of peeps. These are the newest ones.