I feel as though each journal leads its way into the next. This journal, however, feels as if all “Little Feet” posts have led up to this post. From the first post, through our hospital trips, to her first birthday and so on…We’re here…back in the United States to give her the best possible opportunities that we have available to us.

Going back to the weeks leading up to our departure, I was trying my best to prepare myself for the gigantic change of Thailand to the USA, city life to the country life, Asians to Americans. I’m still not ready for it all. I haven’t had a day where I missed Thailand yet, but I’m sure that they will come once winter sets in. A good friend of mine, Peder recently passed away in Bangkok. I wanted to be there to say goodbye to him. Other than that, I’ve been reveling in the positives of living in the States without missing the positives of Thailand.

The biggest thing that I like so far about living here is the security I feel for my family. If something goes wrong, I know I’m not going to get some half-assed reply from a Thai official that is meant for me to shut up and be happy with getting the short end of the stick. When I go to a store to look for something, I get good and efficient answers from people who really care about their jobs. If one store doesn’t have what I’m looking for, the employee immediately knows what’s going on and gives me all reasonable options for getting it…usually recommending other competing stores. If something goes wrong with the system or operations of a company, a normal sales clerk will use common sense to override the problem without having to contact every manager there is to set up a conference on how to get this unreasonable customer to go away.

This all hit me in the face (in a good way) a couple of weeks ago when I got my social security card re-issued, a new drivers license, and new bank accounts all within about a two hour span. I realized that I had this underlying fear of government and bank offices because of Thailand. I left each office like, “That’s it? I don’t have to draw a map to my house, photocopy every page of my passport, sign every piece of paper, wait for managers to figure why I also have a middle name, only to be told that I have to come back tomorrow with a picture of me reading the newspaper from the day that my passport was issued?” Sweet.

The town in which we are living is wonderful. It’s a small town where everyone is polite and waves, strangers hold doors for you, and neighbors go out of their way to help you just because it’s the nice thing to do. It’s perfect for kids.

Work has been interesting. It’s just me and a friend of mine at the moment, and we won’t have a working office until next year. Our work so far has consisted mostly of sitting out by the river, mapping our own educational experiences, seeing what drives human nature, reeling in what the internet will be in 10 years with a focus on opening a door to making the future better for our kids. That’s it in a nutshell. It’s the perfect area to brainstorm with a clear mind.

It’s a lot quieter here than in the big city, but rarely do you run out of things to do. For now, the hardest part is getting Jeab assimilated to this new world. We have all of the Thai food products that you find in Thailand…literally everything. But over here, she doesn’t have her Thai family, friends or culture, which is very hard. I’m trying to get her into meetup groups and other different social circles, but she’s not ready for that yet. Alas, time will do its thing.

On the other side, Jasmine and Yoma have never been happier. We have a lot of great restaurants around us, so I’ve already been packing on that USA weight (I went for my first brief run this morning with Yoma). We took Jasmine to a “learning farm” the other day where she got to pet all the animals she’s been reading about while getting to interact with a lot of different kids. She’s ready to run, but hasn’t taken her first real step yet. That part is coming soon.

My family is just 3 hours from us now, so I’ve seen them twice already. They have been a huge help with transitioning us into our new lives as smoothly as possible. Albany is just 40 minutes away, and Manhattan is just over 2 hours away, so we are set up in a nice location.

The weather has been really nice. I’m typing this in a t-shirt and sweatpants in the afternoon, all the windows are open, and a nice breeze is passing through. I’m learning about all the everyday technologies that are old news around here. Most people use DVR on their HD TV’s so that you can record shows, skip commercials, pause if you have to take a shit, etc.. 4G internet is superfast where available. 3G is everywhere, but seems as old as a portable CD player.

I can’t wait for the days when Jasmine teaches me about the newest technologies. I can hear her now, “Duh, Daddy…”

Anyway, I have a lot more that I want to write, but it all needs a bit of processing. Things are good here, and I’m happy to still have my Thailand friends.

cool journal and nice pics. good to hear u and ur family r settling down to life in the US.

was a shock about Pedar .... especially when i found out he was a year younger than me !!!! scary stuff !!!

Nice blog (for a douche). Glad you guys are settling in okay. What's with the toilet paper next to the Mac? Has Rob been watching naughties again!? Lol

On a serious note. It was shocking to hear about Peder. I was in sportsman the other day, it was weird with him not there.

Thanks for the journal...

I see Jeab is settling into life in the States... Lying in bed while the house needs tidying and the husband is already out and about. I predict she'll hit 80kg within a year.

Glad to hear alls well in your relocation. The property looks beautiful. Take care!!

Gotta agree on the points about how stuff works here. It's strange not fearing the government :-)

house and area looks lovely and glad Jasmine and Yoma have settled in already. Those petting farms are amazing - I took Cerys to one when she was 2 and she was trying to climb on a Clydesdale Horse (about twice the size of a normal one). It will work out for Jeab - will just take time.

Still think your voice sounds gay though...

Oh god...I love and hate you all. Kev, your comment had me rolling...and yes Iain, my voice sounds gay...gay means happy, right?

Oh god...I love and hate you all.

that sounds so gay .... and no i don't mean happy !!!!

I like the garden arround your home:)

happy for u!!

This seems like it was at least 5 years ago, LOL.