Luk On Canada

Sawasdee Ka
I don’t write the article for a while. I was very busy lately. On February 29,2008 I had a chance to perform the Northern Thai Dance on A Multicultural Event “Pamojo". This event celebrated the Black History Month, the people from different place and culture on the Sunshine Coast. That was the great experience. Thanks Embers and Jean Pierre that invited me.

After I practiced to dance very hard. I had to read the Look At Canada Book for my Canadian Citizenship test. I was so excited and waited for the test day on March 21. My husband, Aran and I got up early in the morning because we have to catch the 6.00 am ferry. We had breakfast at White Spot and we tried to find the immigration office near the BC place stadium. Marty got lost about 30 minute and drove around on one way street. At last we found it and we almost the first people there. They told me we should come back on 10.30 am. So Marty took Aran and I walk to the Thai consulate because I need some Thai brochure and poster for my ESL class event. Marty did not realize it was very far from immigration place. When we came back, it is almost 10.30 am and many people stand in line already. I gave the immigration the Notice paper. We waited for the officer called my name for the interview and check the documents. I sat down about 1 hour and tried to concentrated my name because the room it was a bit noisy and cavernous. I think the officer should use the microphone to call the name. My poor husband had to look after Aran. Aran ran around and sometime make noise but we are lucky because the immigration officer is so kind and understand that he get up early and it was a long day for him. However I hear my name and immigration officer interview me and check BCID card and permanent resident card. After that I was in the hurry mode because I think I almost the last person. It had about 60-70 people in the testing room already. I was a bit nervous because I am afraid I don’t have time to fill out the answering sheet and make up my mind. But it seem to be have 10 more people come after me. The test was beginning, I read the question and answer it very carefully. I think I can do all 20 questions. We had time 30 minute but some people left the room in 10 minute. My first question is What is the animal symbol of Canada ? Last week I got the letter that I have to take the Oath of Canadian Citizenship. Yeah!!! My hard work is well done.(hehehe)

Last Saturday May 24, Marty and I taught Thai cooking course at Community kitchen in Sechelt. Our dish is Tod Mun Pla(Thai Fish cake) also my Thai friend Fon do Panang Kai. It was very successful because we have 12 students.

On Sunday May 25, we had Pamojo Event again Fon and I performed Thai dance and share our Thai food with everybody. Again the Event was successful because our teacher Sandy and my friends at ESl Class work very hard. I have to thanks everybody who support me especially my husband. I was very proud of myself that i could do something new. I am glad that i don’t turn down my opportunity. See you next time

Today was the long day for me. I got up early because I went to my English Conversation class. Then I went to work at my friend’s house. Also it is my mother in law’s Birthday. Marty, Aran, his grandma and I had dinner at Vietnamese restaurant. Aran can say “Happy Birthday Grandma” and makes grandma happy a lot.

I remember the Thai saying “The eyes are the window of your heart". It is the real thing but I think we need same language that we can communicate too. That’s why I try to improve my English. At least I can complain to my husband. I understand when he talks, more than 4-5 years ago. Now when he opens his mouth I can see his uvula.(Thai saying: It means you will know what the people say before they say anything)

Tag:- Thailand Canada Family

Sawasdee ka…

Yesterday Aran had a lot of fun. He thought Santa Claus gave him many Christmas gifts. Today is Boxing day. Marty, Aran and I walked to Sechelt. Our house is about 1 km from town. It was sunny but cold. We walked past the sewage plant. It seems to be more stinking every year.

I think about our new fancy city pool here. Marty said the city people see the luxury pool as more important than the rotten sewage plant. I am in agreement with him because I have smelled this since I lived here, for 4 years and it never been rectified. I would like you to think about a beautiful house that has a gorgeous living room but it has dirty bathroom. I think the house-owner will be ashamed. I hope the city will be doing something about it, at least before Winter Olympic 2010. We don’t know who will want to visit our city but we want them to be impressed with our community. I don’t want them to say Sechelt is nice little community but smell like dead fish.

Thailand had the election already. I am waiting for the new government and brand new Nayok(prime minister). I said brand new Nayok because Samak from People Power Party and Apisit from Democrat Party has not ever been Nayok before. I hope it will be happy ending soap opera.

Marty told me Canada can set up minority government. I think they can do here but Thailand can not do it because some groups of people does not respect the law and the rule. That does not mean Thai law is not strict or strong but Thai law can change or break all the time. I hope Thai people will have a Happy New Year and Happy New Government.

Tag:- Thailand Family politics

Sawasdee ka

This week is a bit busy. We did a lot of Christmas shopping. Marty just bought Ham and Roast Beef for Christmas dinner. Aran hasn’t destroyed the Christmas Tree because he is afraid Santa Claus will not give him any cars or trucks.

Marty wrote about Thai election and he is interest in Thai political a lot. I think it is boring and it looks like a Thai old style soap opera. Even though I get bored or indifferent to Thai political like many Thai people, I am still Thai. So I voted by mail as a good Thai citizen already. I am glad that I can vote outside Thailand. I think on December 23 rd the Thai people will have new Prime Minister. I hope we will have good looking Nayok.(Prime Minister)hahaha I am kidding. )My dream government will Think and Do for Thai people more than themselves.

Tag:- Thailand Family politics

Sawasdee ka

Yesterday we got ready for Christmas. We decorated the Christmas tree and put the lights in the sun-room. Aran and his grandma had fun but I had a bit of headache because I am not a good decorator. My husband said he is not big on Christmas but however he has to give me a big present. (hehehe) Aran knows more about Christmas and he will get the big surprise this year. I didn’t celebrate Christmas in Thailand but I will have the new year party with my friends every year. I don’t like the end of the year because it will mean I will get older; but I like the Christmas and New Year environment.

It looks like everybody is happy and looks forward to doing something for their love ones or anybody else. Beautiful lights everywhere. Shopping festival that’s Christmas include New Year. I think it is not different.

Tag:- Thailand education holiday

After we were married in Phayao, we traveled to Chiang Rai by bus. The trip from Phayao to Chiang Rai is about 30 bath/person. The bus is not air condition similar to the western city bus.

The trip is very interesting because travel to each community on the way. We decide to stay at Saenphu Hotel in Chiang Rai city. The room is nice, air condition, hot and cold water, refrigerator and TV. The room is 500 bath/night. After we checked in. we rode the motorcycle that my sister loaned us around the city. We did the Wat tour in the afternoon. We went to Wat Phra Sing , Wat Phra Keaw, this temple has the Jade Buddha, Wat Phratat Doitong, Koo Phraya Mengrai and a few small Wats. These Wats are very old and spectacular. We almost has an accident when we went to Koo Phraya Mengrai because I can’t ride the bike up the hill. So Marty have to jump off the motorcycle. I think the weight of him make the too heavy for me.

Tag:- Thailand Chiang Rai lifestyle travel

Sawasdee ka.

I am very excited about our new website. So I will write another article.

It is His Majesty the King’s birthday on the fifth of December and also Father?s Day. I miss my father a lot and Aran and I called him. He was very glad that Aran can say Happy father?s day to him. I think my family want to meet Aran. May be we can go back to visit them soon.

Congratulation to Paradorn Srichaphan, ATP Tennis Player of Thailand and Natalie Glebova, a former Miss Universe of Canada , married in Bangkok Thailand. I think they are the very perfect couple. Although somebody will think this is beauty and the beast couple.(hehehe) I watch Paradorn play tennis on television when I am in Thailand 4 or 5 years ago. He is Thai hero and farang knows more about Thailand.

Tag:- Thailand entertainment lifestyle travel

Canada is cold again. Summer is gone so fast. Last Sunday we just had a huge storm. So we could not go anywhere. Aran played in the living room all day until the room got affected from the storm outside. May be he was bored. I think the kids in Thailand can play outside more than Canadian kids. Sometime I get depressed when i have to sit in the house all day long. You can’t imagine it is rainy, dark, no sun, and especially cold. We like to go for walk to Sechelt very often and we can’t do that much anymore. In summer we will go to the beach, play ground, shopping, gardening, sitting under the sun.

It is very fun this year because Aran can run around. He will make me and Marty a bit tired.(hehehe) However, Sechelt has a new swimming pool. Our family had a lot of fun. The swimming pool is very big. It has competition pool, kid’s pool with lazy river, sauna room, steam room, fitness and aerobic room. I think we will use the pool more in winter. Although it is very strange when you go swim in the cold season.

Tag:- canada lifestyle travel

I am back after I have a very new heavy job in my life.

Time goes by quickly. My baby is 2 years old and he is a big boy now. I thought about the day when I was in labor pain sometime because i can’t manage my labor good enough. [NOTE:- Luk went through childbirth with no medications, only 2 Tylenol]

August 3 2005, I has a little bleeding after i had gone for a walk to sechelt with my husband. I didn’t know what is going on but we prepared for the hospital that night. Around 4 am. I started to have labor pain and nausea vomiting. I tried to get some rest but it is very painful. Marty helped me take a bath and talked to me. I can’t stand it and i don’t know that is true labor or not. So Marty and i went to the hospital at 6 am. I was admitted to St Mary hospital and the nurses here are very nice and helpful. The doctor came and checked the dilatation and she said i can not push the baby yet.

Tag:- Thailand Canada lifestyle

7/23/05

At last Canada has good weather in the summer. Today it is about 25 Celsius and hot. This year the weather is strange and have too much rain, so the vegetable in our garden don’t do well. Last week I watched the movie about the Indian people and woman have to pay the dowry for the men for wedding. My husband said he should get married to Indian woman so he will get the new car. But it is too late.(hahaha)

If you are falling in love with Thai woman , may be you have to think about the dowry too. For the dowry it is customary to offer cash or land. The popular dowry for Thai family is GOLD and MONEY.

I think some farang don’t understand about dowry. Because here you don’t have this custom. Nowadays the dowry is still necessary for some families. Especially if you are farang man. I think almost Thai people think farang is rich. [NOTE:- Luk’s sister jokingly calls us Mr and Mrs ATM] May be the value of money is different. I know that they will change their mind if they come and live here in Canada. Everything is so expensive.

6/9/05

Today is cold and chilly. I don’t see the sun, it makes me a bit sad. Our house still has blooming flowers. I just cut a white flower ( it smells like jasmine or Mali flower in Thailand very much) and put in the vase. The vegetables in the garden are growing well. Yesterday we made stir-fry from Pak -Choi and I think in the summer we will have enough to sell. The corn is doing well too but my husband tells me the corn will be very cheap in the summer. However we will have the fresh corn soon. Now I have fresh strawberries from our garden everyday. Here we don’t have a fresh market all year like in Thailand so sometime we have to buy the frozen food or freeze some stuff. I now know we can freeze many kind of food, meat, berry, lemon grass, vegetable etc.

In Thailand we just go to the fresh market, you will get fresh food for cheap prices. I was a little upset when I was pregnant about 2-3 month because that time I miss Thai food very much. May be I had morning sickness so I was bored with farang food very much, I did not like broccoli ( Marty’s favorite vegetable). Now that I am 7-8 month pregnant I can eat everything really. Especially sweet things and meat.

6/1/05

This is my first article on this website. I am married to Martin for 2 years. We now live in Sechelt, Canada and we are having our first baby. We are very excited. We want to move back to Thailand once I get citizenship here. My husband likes Thailand very much and he wants to build a Thai style house in Chiang Mai. We already own a house in Phayao. I think Canada is a beautiful country but everything is expensive for me especially food. I miss Thai food and Thai fruit even though we have a Thai kitchen and Martin grows many chili for me. I make spicy food for Martin almost everyday so I think he is farang who can eat most spicy and hot chili. Today I put 15 dried chili in my Thai soup and he ate it.

If Canada can grow rice and have many kind of vegetable I will be happy very much. I learn a lot about the culture here. It is wonderful experience that happened in my life. I wear the shoes around the house, eat potato for dinner, say hi or hello to everybody when I go for walk with my husband, vacuum the carpet, learn how to open the heater, that I can do sometimes. The good stuff from garage sales and thrift stores I like very much. I think here have 10 months for cold weather and just about 2 months for summer because I wear sweater all the time. The people will be happy when summer is coming every house will grow the flower, wait for the blooming flower. But In Thailand you can see flower all year. My husband told me Canada has 4 seasons but I don’t believe him for sure. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter or Wet, hot, cool and cold.

Thailand has 3 seasons. Summer, Rain, Cold and I think he don’t believe me because now Thailand have Little Hot, Mild Hot and Too Hot so no sweater anymore. When you go to Thailand i think you should drink enough water; but don’t drink the Tap water because it is not pure. Here the fast food is hamburger or sandwich but Thailand we have noodle and fast rice for 20 bath (66 cents ) and you will find the noodle shop everywhere. I think Thai fast food is more delicious, more nutritious and a lot cheaper. I hope you will enjoy with Thai food.

I think I should finish my first article. Thank you for the interest in my article too. I hope something will be useful for you..