New Kid On The Block

That Apt A2 is!

After Paul left (we miss and wish him well,) I lost Randy to his new baby. Dinners have never been so insignificant.

I hope my photo does the justice.

Joe

Change is constant

We've heard about this from day one, haven't we?

Change is always there, subtle when we analyze it, obvious when we didn't expect it. The latter kind is happening to our community right now.

First of all, Paul of Apt A2 is returning to England due to family committment. He's hoping to come back within 6 months though.

Next is Mani, another dear friend who a few months ago moved to Manila, planning to spend the rest of his life there. He's returning to live in Bangkok again starting this coming Sunday.

The last change that's already happened is very obvious and yet expected. Allow me to proudly reveal the new face of Apt A5 (B & B) here.


There's good space behind the wall units. Very useful indeed. Wanna know what it's for?

Joe

What's that dark red thingy?

You're forgiven if you mistake it for red wine. But yes, the bottle used to harbor wine.

The thingy's name is roselle. If you haven't heard of it, feel free to wikipedia (gosh, I owe this site a daily good night kiss.)

In Thai, we call it "Kra-Jiab."

Kra-Jiab is very sour and therefore charged w/ Vitamine C (pls condone my logic here.) Anyway, in summary, roselle juice is uber good for you. Proof - my scurvy has never wished to see me ever again since Randy stumbled upon roselle buds in a Thai herb store in our neighborhood.

I've made this juice for some of the guests before. Some said they enjoyed the taste of it. Some even said it seemed to calm their stomach.

I promise I'll make Joe-brewed roselle part of every BangkokSong stay from now on.

Joe

Latest Link

For 3 nights from June 20 to 23, we had such a lovely family staying w/ us at A6. Nate & Krista, Tayah (8,) Max (6,) and Sera (3.) They're from Saipan Island.



Saipan is the largest island in the western Pacific Ocean, about 200 km north of Guam, and also a popular tourist destination. (www.wikipedia.org)

It was the first trip to the Big Mango for the family, and they seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. Now, they've sent us their blog http://saipanhawleys.blogspot.com/ Feel free to check it out.

Joe

p.s. the bottom of this page also hosts blogs/website of our other guests.

Hoping

Seeing Bangkoksong ads on craiglist, Califonian Jeffrey emailed us one day asking if we'd be interested in managing his apartment as a part-time vacation rental.

After a couple of emails, Jeffrey invited us over a dinner at Vincent's on Rama IV. Here's what we learned about his Bangkok's pad.

It's a two-bedroom unit located on the other side of the Chaopraya River (the Rivers of the Kings.) The building is called Life @ Tah-Phra. Jeff and his partner Bret bought it so they can divide time between the two cities. Enviable life, isn't it? The transfer is about to be finalized. Next is furnishing.

We haven't seen the unit yet, but we're hooked already. Now, we can only hope that Jeffrey likes us too!

Randall & Joe

Well done, Bangkok!

We hope it is not too late to congratulate Bangkok, our favorite city in the whole world, for the world's best city title from Travel & Leisure Magazine for 2008.

See? No more hesitation if you've only heard about but not yet seen, touched, smelled, felt or basked in this wondrous jungle.

All Bangkokians and expats hail the world's crown jewel!

Well at least for this year (and hopefully beyond!)


Randall, Ed & Joe

Taking Apt A1?

Randy talked A1 again today at the dinner. He said Ed and he would totally go for the apartment when it becomes available sometime in September.

When taking A2 in June, we all joked 'there are only 2 more apartments (A1 & A3) to go before the whole floor is ours." About 2 weeks later, A1 tenants notified their tentative moveout to Khun Bell, the manager of the building. Lovely Khun Bell passed the news to Randy almost immediately.

Neither Ed or my man has seen the inside of A1 yet, but the latter is sure he can work it and seems really excited.

As for me, I can only say I'm gonna enjoy July and August and not thinking much about September. But alas, time does fly, doesn't it?

Good night,

Joe

Mirror on the wall.......not

Here comes the time when Ed has to leave. He's leaving for Singapore and then back home which is New York and which is to change soon.

Here also comes a time when he leaves BangkokSong a gift.

It is something for everyone to reflect on. How thoughtful! Well, if everyone wants to ponder their reflection.

Ed's idea is to hang this rectangular framed mirror on the wall, above the living room couch. Randy let it hang in there for as long as 10 minutes. He said he preferred vertical.

So, while Ed's gone, the mirrow will be standing on the floor, against the opposite living room wall. To make up for the betrayal, Randy will have some things nailed on the deserted wall. Something Cambodian!

Listen Ed, Randy's really sorry!!

Cheers,

Joe

p.s. it's Apt A6 we're talking about