Flight Booked/Pin Out/Pictures

I did a video blog about a week ago, but didn't post it for reasons unknown (still on my youtube channel for those that just can't get enough robbyd).  A lot has happened recently, so it's about that time to update.

I booked my flight to Chicago a couple weeks ago.  I'll be in the U.S August 30th, and probably stick around for a while.  I'm not too happy about going home, but you can't always have things your way (so i'm told).  The ticket was fairly expensive, but I did manage to get the same airline which I'm happy about.  Decent amount of leg room, wide selection of movie/tv options, and usb port for charging my devices.  I still have no idea what I'm going to do when I go back.

I got my pin successfully removed from my shoulder which was nice.  However, I had to be in a sling again, and had some pain.  It's feeling a little better now, but will still be a while til I'm 100% (maybe a couple months).  I get the stitches out on July 24th, then I can start doing some rehab (not for drugs, but my shoulder).  My rehab coach is me and youtube, I think that's good enough.

the pin

I saw The Dark Knight Rises yesterday which was way before anyone else I know.  In Thailand it came out July 19th instead of the 20th and it's also 12hrs ahead here.  I won't ruin it in case you haven't seen it, I just like how I can see big movies before everyone else out here (was the same with Avengers).

That's about it really, just been getting out and about trying to enjoy my last days of freedom.  I'll leave you with a few pics from Doi Suthep, which is a temple up on a mountain here, as well as a nice sunset photo.

stairs on the way up to the temple

inside the temple

view from the top

sunset by the Ping River, on my way back from dinner

Back To Blogging/Isarn Trip w/ Pics

Hi, it's been a while.  This will actually be my first written blog in a long time.  I've been able to type for a while, but haven't done too much new.  I think doing video blogs about which tv shows I was watching were starting to get old (i'm on Soprano's now, in case you were interested).  Anyways, I'm back in blogville, and will try to do something exciting once in a while so I have something to write about.

A little over a week ago I went to Isarn.  I stayed in a little town called Phon Thong which is near Roi Et (which is near pretty much nowhere).  The town I was staying in was fairly small.  It had a handful of restaurants, a couple banks, repair shops, and a 7/11.  I went to a village nearby and learned about rice farming among other things.  The people were very friendly and welcoming.  

getting on the bus from Chiang Mai, 14hrs

just relaxing on a hammock

 some rice fields, lil shelter to the right

 driving back from the village, lil doggy chilling on the sidecar

they use this machine for fishing, not sure exactly how it works, but i guess it makes the fish come up and then they grab it and throw it in a net

 little eel or worm looking thing that was caught while i was watching.  yes they eat this stuff, saw piles of them at the local market among other fish i didn't try.

It was a neat experience, very different from the city life or even the short time I saw the island life.  It seemed very slow paced and relaxing.... then again that's because I didn't have to do any farming :p.  I never knew what day it was, what time it was, and never seemed to care.  Although I experience that a little bit in Chiang Mai, i occasionally still think about it.

I get my pin taken out in 1 week.  I don't have any immediate plans other than that.  I will likely go for a ride in the mountains soon because I really miss doing that.  I will wear a helmet and drive safe, so don't worry ;)

Update/Answering Survey

I update on my shoulder, talk about how good I look, and my hair looks a bit fun

Vlog May 2nd

This time I talk about what TV shows I'm watching and go off on a tangent about how people don't think sometimes.

Motorbike Crash Update

Birthday Pai And Other Updates

I decided to go to Pai for my birthday.  It's been a weird few months and I just wanted to get away for a while. I also thought going to Pai would get me out of the smog, but it is even more smoggy. It wasn't the best of timing because my friends Matt and Jordan were leaving on April 4th, and I was going to be gone until the 3rd.  I was able to say goodbye to them at least.  They were 2 of my best friends out here and will definitely be missed.

I still had a lot of fun though.  I got a place right on the river and it was excellent.  I left my computer at home so I would be forced to go out and do stuff.  I revisited Pai Canyon and the waterfall, but I also went to the hot springs which was fun.  Most of the time I spent just lounging outside by the river, or walking around town eating ice cream (somehow still managed to lose 3lbs).  It was very relaxing and I'm glad I went.

backyard of my room

 did a lot of this

 up close and personal

 Hot Springs, sat in there for a good 30min

 176 degrees Fahrenheit.... pretty hot (apologies to Matt, i know it's not the best picture, but wanted to show how hot it was)

When I came back I started going over my finances and figuring out when I should go back to America.  It makes me sad to know that I have to leave soon.  It will be nice to see friends, family, and good pizza again, but I've lived an amazing life the last seven months and don't want to let that go.  I'm not sure what will happen in the future, but it seems likely I will visit here again.  They're many other places on my list as well, it just seems stupid that I can't do whatever I want ALL the time.  They say money doesn't buy happiness, but I strongly disagree.  They obviously did it wrong and should hang out with me.  I'm sure I'll figure something out, money is always laying around somewhere.

I'd say it's about 95% that I'll be home in May, and a good chance that will be in the first half of May.  I still haven't booked a ticket yet because I'm still holding on for a miracle :) .  Right now I'm just laying low.  I'm downloading everything I can since my connection is much faster here.  My goal is to fill up my 1TB hard drive, but it's hard to do.  So far  I've only got 350GB.  That's really all I have to say, will update again when I feel like it ;)

Vlog: March 19th

In my video blog debut I talk about St Patrik's Day, upcoming plans/events, and other random things.