Welcome to the United States of America

Brethren,

I have got a visa to study in the States. Yes, I am pretty happy. I had been pretty nervious about the interview. I still feel nervious every time I think about it for some reason. But so it is official that I will be going to school in Hawaii. Fortunately, the visa allows me to enter the country up to 30 days prior to my school report date. So, I am thinking about visiting the main land and places I have served as a missionary. :) It should be fun and rewarding. I love America.

I have written an email to my friends living in the US and I thought I would share it with you here too. It is called a "Rediculous email" from Art. Enjoy.... and oh, as you read please note that you are invited to invite me too if you wish ha ha ha.

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Dear Friends,

Well... like what the subject of the letter is. You are about to receive a ridiculous email from me. First of all..... I just want to let you know how happy and grateful to have all of you as friends in my life. My life is rich because of all of you. I have some news for you guys. After a long process of filling out the college application and the scary process of the US visa-interview, I made it after all. I have been accepted by BYU Hawaii and by the US Embassy to study in over there in the winter 2007 Semester. Fortunately, my grandma got the loan for my first year semester.... so I will be fine. Well... no no, don’t' get me wrong I am not asking you to pay for my education. We are not there just yet ;) Anyway, my visa indicates that I can arrive up to 30 days prior to my report date which is on Jan'10... which means I could arrive there as early as the tenth of December.

Now, this is the part that you are looking for guys..... urrrr..... Here is the thing..... I would like to visit the main land before I get stucked on the island for four years but because I am just a little yellow Asian young man, I won't have enough money to stay in the hotel or spend a lot of money on food, So...I am just wondering.... if any of you guys, would love to have this Asian boy for a couple of weeks or days: D...... Gosh, I can't believe I just said that....lol but anyhow I promise that if you have kindness toward me I would help you do some house chore everyday except on Sundays ;). I think that's a great deal to trade with shelter and food. If you are Mormons you would know this favorite hymn it is called "Because I have been given much". I love that hymn and now it has become my # 1 favorite as I write you this email. :)) I wouldn't mind going from "house to house" since I have such a fond memory of "door to door" when I served as a full-time missionary in San Francisco. I will get along great with you guys since I had as many companions as 22 of them. I worked with different kind of people.

So... that's why I email you. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you want to make such a great contribution to this guy. But I would also understand if you are you able to. I hope this email doesn't ruin our relationship. Well.... again, just to remind you... I could come as early as December the tenth. ;) So you don't have to invite me to come before that date. I would love to but I won't be able to!

Love you guys a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hooray!!!!!!!!!!

PM Taksin Chinawatra





Gen Sonthi - Oh, you are the one who revoked
the constitution!



Democracy Monument guarded by soldiers with guns (Duhh)
"Sorry for any inconvenience"

Revoking the Constitution is a criminal act!

I was sitting at my desk, chatting with some of my friends over the net and all the sudden there was a message in the chat room "COUP". I was like "stop making such stupid joke." But similar contents kept poping in the room. I decided to find out what's going on by click on the name that posted the message.

Me: So what's going on?
Him: COUP!
Me: I don't get it.
Him: Turn on the TV dude.
Me: Alright.....

So I turned on the television and sure enough, there was nothing but the message saying that there has been the revolution in BKK. I changed to different channels but they were all showing the same thing. Then I realize that this is very serious. From that time on there were "declaration" after declaration from this "Revolutionary" group. I couldn't believe it. It was liking watching a movie! Only was it real. I woke my mom up. Oh boy, she was worse..... got all nervious.

I have to say frankly that I personally do not agree with the coup. I agree with the statment given by Australian Prime Minister John Howard who described the coup as a "great disappointment," adding that it was a reminder of an element of Asia's past he had hoped would not return. "We condemn military coups," Howard said. "They are a throwback to a past I had hoped Asia had emerged from."

Now, you know what I am thinking. You're right - I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE COUP AND I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT REVOKING THE CONSTITUTION IS A CRIMINAL ACT!

Today as my friends and I went out for dinner. There were soilders every where with guns, in the tanks, in the humvees. Yes, eventough there have not been any acts of violation from this tragic event, but I dont' think I would ever feel completely comfortable with the guns and tanks around me.

US Visa Interview

Next week I am having a visa interview at the US Embassy. It's pretty much the only thing left before I could go to study in Hawaii. I had to pay $200 just to get the interview. I feel like being ripped off. I will be recovered soon. I still remember my first time for my Missionary Visa Interview. I was very scared and nervious and everything. I went to the embassy and I got turned down. So I went there for the second time and I got it just that easy. You never know the mood of the person who interviews you. If I don't pass the interview I would have to pay another $100 to the embassy. Gosh!