16 Feb 2008

This was the week after the exam. I set a new-house party today. I cooked ‘rice noodle stewed fried with chicken and basil’ [ก๋วยเตี๋ยวผัดขี้เมาไก่] and ‘stewed fried rice noodle with vegetarian soup’ [เส้นใหญ่ราดหน้ามังสวิรัติ] for this occasion.

Making an appointment at 6 pm., however, Thai students were late as usual, ha ha ha. Anyway, at least they came [around 7 pm.]. I had more time for cooking even I started cooking at 3 pm. Actually, I had to wait for about 1 hr. in order to make fresh cook for them.

Finally, there were 15 people coming. That’s a lot!!! I didn’t expect this much so food was a bit too little. I was so sorry for that …. T_T.

The party was over around 10 pm. N’Imron was so nice cleaning pots for me. J

25 Feb 2008

This week was the spring break and I had no plan to go anywhere. N’Fon invited me to go to Thai temple in Tilburg with her. I had nothing to do anyway so I decided to go.

We met at Centraal station at 9am. [they came at 9.10 am., anyway … I thought I remembered the wrong date ha ha ha]. Then, we arrived Tilburg around 10 and took bus to the temple and arrive there around 11.30 am. It was very long way.

N’Fon and N’Nang took some food for monk. I didn’t expect to have lunch there actually, but people there, including monks, invited us to have lunch. So, we, as younger, could not refuse … ha ha ha ha. And we eat a lot. We also had a little chit-chat with monks there.

Before we went out, monks gave us lot of snack and instant noodle people brought for donation!!! [As Thai student studying abroad, we received so much of generosity]. Generosity is a very distinct characteristic of Thai culture.

We went out from the temple and took a walk in centrum of Tilbury. Finally I got one table ha ha ha …. It is handy table advertised in bestofshopping.nl and also on TV shopping program. It was sold for more than 80 EUR though, but the shop, Blockker had sold for only 10 EUR … WOW!!!!

Then, to go back to the station, we took a bus ….. BUT!!!! We took the wrong direction!!! The right bus, bus going to the wrong direction. And we took a long time to realize that [about 20 mins].

So, we have to go back to the centrum again. We waited for the next bus for about 10 mins. Since it was just the time student finished their school, the traffic was jam. It took about 30 mins for us to go back to station.

Finally, we got back to Rotterdam around 5 pm. I spent 8 hours outside room today.

3 Mar 2008

I went to Antwerpen today, as Herre invited us to his house in Antwerpen, Belgium. I and few friends departed Rotterdam around 4 pm. and arrived Antwerpen around 5 pm. it is not very far.

The train Station of Antwerpen is really beautiful and elegant, has old architecture but the modern feeling. I like it. Herre came to pick up us at the station and we walked to his house. The city, at the centrum, was quite crowded and lively; a little bit busy, but it is better than quiet city, isn’t it?

Herre’s house is quite big, I think; bigger than any houses in Netherlands I have seen. Ploy told me that one thing is that the housing tax in Belgium is very much cheaper than in the Netherlands. Herre told us that it used to be the mansion, and then his father renovated it. He first moved here during X’Mas, 2007.

Herre let us stay in the room on the top floor, under the roof. It gave me a feeling like Harry Potter … ha ha ha ha. … we need an owl then. Then we meet Herre’s father and younger brother. His father is still looked young and his brother is looked very lively and funny; he is looked handsome too … a little bit more than Herre I think, ha ha ha

In the evening we went dinning at Italian restaurant. We ate a lot and I think the taste is different from restaurants in Italy I ate. I had pizza and we drank 2 bottles of wine [there were 6 persons, anyway]. It was a big meal costing €25 each !!!!! *o*

We went to cocktail bar before going back home around midnight. We had chit-chat till 1.30 am., then went to bed.

This was the heaviest day I had in Europe; I had 1 bottle of beer and 1 glass of Champagne before getting out. I had 3 or 4 glasses of wine during dinner and 1 Tequila at cocktail bar. Finally, I drank another bottle of beer before going to bed. Everything was crashing each other inside my head … ha ha ha

It was fun and Herre was very nice host.

The day after, 4 Mar 08, we [at Herre’s house] got up around 10 am. and went to see the city … it was really the shopping city I think. My brothers would like it. Then, we joined the class in the afternoon to go to Coke Distribution Center … there was nothing much about it. We went back to Rotterdam at 8.30 pm.

11 Mar 08

There was graduate ceremony at RBS today. It was set for Master student [Sep 06] and Pre-Master [Sep 07]. There were many of Pre-Master students, but only 5 Master students. That made me nervous a bit that there were Master graduates that little!! Although, it was explained later that that also depended on the thesis defence schedule; as each student defended thesis at different time and had to wait for supervisor’s approval before submitting the thesis and other conditions, I still felt a bit nervous.

About the ceremony, to be honest, I think it was really informal and SMALL. It just set in a big classroom and students was wearing just normal dress. There was noting to present that “memorial” time. It was good that there was a little drinking party afterward at the school’s café [from 3.30 pm till 4.30 pm … or after teachers went back!!!]; that there was a section for chit-chat and personally congratulate. But still, it was just a little event and not special as I perceived.

However, the good thing was that I met Thai student graduated for Master in Logistics there. He is P’Kwang. I met him the first time, but he reminded me that I used to send him and email asking about RBS once … ha ha ha  myself had forgot. There were also about 10 Thai Bachelor students went to congratulate him … the party became a little Thai party then … ha ha ha.

2 Feb 2008

I, N’Imron and P’Noon went to Den Haag. Thai Ambassador at The Netherlands invited Thai students to have a party at her official residence as a thankful party for helping in Thailand Grand Festival in Sep 2007. There is only 3 of us from Rotterdam because the other juniors wanted to prepare for the exam on Mon. I also had an exam on Mon. for Statistic. However, I am not a stat person [i.e. for me, it is really hard to make statistic sense] and teacher allowed us to bring books, notes, calculator and everything … So, I think it was no use to read even more!!! Ha ha ha ha ….

The party started at 10 am but Imron suggested us to meet at 11 am then arrived there around noon. It was a very smart advice!!! We didn’t have to play sport and it was exactly lunch time as we arrived … ha ha ha

The lunch menus were;

• ข้าวสวย                        [Streamed rice]
• พะโล้หมู กับหน่อไม้         [Streaky pork stewed in gravy]
• ส้มตำ                           [Spicy papaya salad]
• แกงเผ็ดเป็ดย่าง              [red curry with grilled duck]
• น้ำพริกปลาย่าง กับผักสด  [Grilled-fish chilli paste served with fresh veg.]

Later, the cookers served;

• ผัดถั่วลันเตา หมูกรอบ      [pea stewed fried with crispy pork]
• แพนงเนื้อ                      [beef curry]

There also were desserts;

• ข้าวเหนียวถั่วดำ                     [black bean and sweet sticky rice in coconut soup]
• ข้าวเหนียวดำ                 [black sticky rice with coconut and taro in sweet soup]

Also with other beverages.

Oh!!! It was so fun and full party …. I thought I could eat no more.

After lunch, there was an election of President of Thai Student Association in The Netherlands [TSAN]. The result was really predictable, I thought. Anyway, it was great to have such seemingly dedicated woman to be president. Her name is Euiy [อิ๋ว]. She was the same age as me. She has a Dutch boyfriend. Her project is really interesting and tangible; to make like a ‘Year book’ of Thai student studying in Netherlands. It could make a valuable information and network. I said to her that I had an experience of managing the ‘Year Book’ project for Bachelor degree [BE] so I might be able to help her. And I am really intended and voluntary to help her in this project.

Then, at 4 pm [only 2 hours after lunch], Mrs Ambassador prepare Thai noodle [ก๋วยเตี๋ยวหมู – เนื้อ] for us …. Eat again!!! … I was still full …. But eat … ha ha ha

Well, it was all eat and eat … really good!!! We went back at 8 pm and I was really, really full.

4 Feb 2008

We have Statistic exam this day [well, it is under the module of research methodology, but I think it is just statistic]. The exam is not that hard. It was very alike the example Mr Geilenkirchen gave us actually. Moreover, he was so generous and so realistic to allow bringing everything even laptop into the exam. So I could finish it within 1 hour.

What the F**k!?!?!? A second that I finished the exam, V.D.B. came in and announced that the exam was cancelled since, they claimed that, there were [3] students using laptop, connecting internet and using MSN to communicate with each other. They claimed that there were ‘some teachers’ witnessing this behaviour so “school have to make this tough decision”!!!!

Many of us tried to convince that it was unfair to cancel the exam as the school [V.D.B.] knew [was informed] that there were 3 students did that. However, V.D.B. claimed that they could not check or find evidence so the exam must be cancelled. … What!?!? It is your problem, not mine!!! I went to do the exam, that’s my task. To make the examination justified, it is school’s task … Don’t throw your problem to us!!

What the hell!!!! It was really non-sense. If, as they claimed that, the inappropriate behaviour was communication via MSN but they could not prove there was message sending among them … Bull Shit!!! Liar!!! This is IT era, there are thousands of way to track for evidence; e.g. checking the school network, hacking the computers’ memory, …. Several ways to investigate the case. But they don’t do that. They might say “ well, it is hard for us to take investigation, so just throw the burden to those students and do the new examination” …

9 Jan 08

Here I am in NL again!!! It was so surprise that Imron, Fon and Pui came picking me up at Schiphol. I was so touching. I arrived at 6.30 am and went back directly to Rotterdam. I quickly packed things and went to class … I was 1 hour late though.

Another thing was that I just noticed that the room, especially the Kitchen area was so dirtyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! The Chinese roommate didn’t clean and keep tidy at all. On my God!!!

10 Jan 08

I had to come to new room today for checking and paying for the first payment. Erik, the room owner, would go exchange for 6 months. He kept the room clean.

11 Jan 08

I packed most of the stuff in the big luggage and bring to new room today. Since all things were in one luggage, it was not so hard to move. For the rest, I would formally move on 12 Jan 08. Since it was Sat., there was fair market at Blaak, so I bought some fresh vegetable and fruit to the new room.

12 Jan 08

Oh God!!! I packed the rest of my stuff. They were unbelievable that there were this much …. 6 big bags … very much more than I expected!!! Fortunately, I already asked Imron and Nut for help. Firstly, Nut seemed not to come. After a series of influencing [ha ha ha], he [said] felt guilty then came. Fon also came to help clean up the old room before we left.

Finally, we [I, Imron and Nut] arrived the new room around 6 pm. No shops opened, we supposed. As nothing ready to eat, so we ate from the restaurant in the front building. This was the first time I had some kind of Turkish food … a fried potato with some meat and cheese … VERY UNHEALTHY!!!!

15 Jan 08

I, Amanda and Chi had to go the Compass Group in AMS area A … something … for IPD project. The weather was so bad!!! Cloudy, Windy and Rainy … All in one!!! Moreover, since we had to get there at 9 am, I had to get up before 6 am and meet Amanda and Chi before 7.30 am in order to get on the right train. Otherwise, we would be late. However, the guy at Compass was so friendly and helpful. Finally, we got the assignment. It was not that hard and that tough like someone trying to convince us that it would be a real hard task!!!

28 Jan 08

I went back to the old room [Robert Baelde Hall] in order to clean up toilet and shower room as I and the Chinese roommate agree upon [I clean the 2 rooms and he clean the kitchen area]. It was still so dirty!!! I was quite upset that he still didn’t do anything. Only 3 day left before the next inspection!!!

Anyway, I did my job. The toilet’s floor is so dirty so I had to wash it … so stinky!!! L .  The shower room is even worse. Although the floor was OK, the problem was the drain. It was stuck, the water is flow so slow … EEEEEEEEEEh!!!! The problem was hair!!! It blocked the drain and I supposed it was cumulated for years!!! I tried so hard to get them out … so loathed!!!! L

It took too much time than I expected … I didn’t study for the exam as much as I planned … Oh!!! And the room was so nice so I felt lazy … Oh!!! What could I do???

8 Dec 2007

P’ Louis [“friend” of P’ Noon, who studies about public sector at Erasmus] is going back to Thailand on 11 Dec. Therefore, we set a trip to Brussels on this day. It is very fortunate for me because, at first I wanted to go to Belgium before I go back on Christmas Holiday but N’N’ said that they are very poor at this moment. I thought I would have to postpone the Belgium trip to after New Year or even in Block 3. So, the P’ Louis situation is very fortunate for me.

We met at Rotterdam Centraal Station at 9 am. We departed at 9.25 am and we arrived Brussels Centraal at 11.25 am. The station is not in a good condition; it is under construction or renovation, I think.

We then find the City Tour. N’ Imron is very good at in negotiation. We had got € 3 discount from his buffing … ha ha ha !!! we took city tour operated by Golden city tour, or something.

The tour is very similar to what I took in Italy. The city of Brussels is also very similar; the architecture, the building and so on. The coach we took is not in the good condition, the sound of engine was so loud and the audio guide did not work promptly.

After 1 hour tour, we got off at somewhere look like city center. There was a grand building and there were shopping booths surrounding it. I had tried Belgium waffle, original Belgium chocolate truffle …. They are really delicious!!! After a while, we had realized that there was ‘Winter Festival’ [something like that] from 3 Nov 07 – 1 Jan 08. we were lucky!!! Then, we walked through the festival, looking around and have launch [Hotdog!!! … well, it tasted like one in Holland … no different, except the size is bigger].

In the festival, I saw for the first time ‘THIS’ carousel. It is not a simple one like in Thailand. For instead, it consisted of many kinds of animal including insects, there are balloons, train, plane and everything, which have some mechanism inside themselves to move. For example, the Chameleon can move its head and its eyes. It amazed me!!

I tried “warm wine” and I had to tell you that its taste is really bad for me!!! Very hard to drink … stronger than normal wine. Wine, drink cool is the best.

Unfortunately, it was raining all day starting from around 1.30 pm. That is why we cannot take another city tour in order to get off at some interesting points. Very pity!!

Partly because of raining, we decided to go back to Rotterdam at 4.30 pm. unfortunately (AGAIN), we just missed the train!!! So we have to wait 1 hour for another train.

When I asked about the schedule of the train, the officer said “well, MAYBE at 5.39” … and it was, it really was!!! The train was late for almost half an hour!!!

Well, in conclusion, the trip is OK … we just get upset by rain and delayed train. However, the chocolate and waffle is really, really delicious!!

Oh! Almost forgot!!! I have to note that the weather is so cold. In Brussels, it was 2 -3 degree lower than Rotterdam [it was 6 degree c.]. Moreover, as it was raining, the temperature dropped to 4 degree!!! 

13 Dec 2007

We, IPD student, had a party at Mr Asselbergs’ house today. Amanda and Simon arrange the party [Again, THANX mates!!!]. Every one was supposed to do something; prepare the place, cleaning up or prepare food.  Of cause, since I am a good [skilful!?!?] chef, I prepared some food.

I buy 10 pieces of chicken hip the day before [12 Dec 2007], seasoning them with Thai favour and Thai spicy. I had to adjust the recipe making it not too hot otherwise any body [DUTCH!!!] would eat my stuff. Ha ha ha. Anyway, then I left them for 1 night. [One night only, one night only … !?!?!?] [it is a song, please laugh … ha ha ha]

Well then, I had to cook them since 2.30 pm.

Since I didn’t know the place, I call Ploy and Ram. So, I went with Ram, Gaston [and his wife], and Herre together. We go by Metro to Masshaven, then by tram number 2.

The party was really, really fun. We ate a lot of food and also drank beer and wine. Ernest and another Chinese guy [sorry, I don’t remember your name] played guitar for us. Jason also played piano for us. And I also had a nice discussion with Ferdinand.  At the end, there were 2 small pieces [out of 40] of my grill chicken left. That was great!!!

I took pictures that you can see in the photo album. I tried to ask Mr Asselbergs taking photo with me, but he refuse [not directly, he just changed the topic and let me take his picture with girls instead!!! T_T]

All in all, it was really good party. Thanks a lot for Amanda and Simon.

30 Sep 07

I went to Sunday Mass as usual but I had to be surprised!!! Female led the Mass today and not even in a priest dress (some dress like a reader in Mass in Thailand). So I asked her after the Mass and she said she came from some Reformed Church … I didn’t know what it is??? … Anyway, she said she came from there and Here, in Netherlands, not only priest can do the Mass but there are some kind of Reformed Church or Organization that the officers there, both male and female, can do Mass!!!

Quite interesting, isn’t it???

By the way, the music during the Mass is gorgeous. They play “real” organ!!! Very powerful! The choir was so-so, though, our choir of St. Louis Church is very much gorgeous…. 5555

4 Oct 07

In IPD group meeting today, I have learned something that is quite different!!! ‘Team’ here is quite strange in my mind.

In Thailand, our ‘team’ is supposed to have ‘team leader’, especially for project team, there should be ‘project leader’. The main function of the leader is to be a axis of the team; to be a pole holding ‘team members’ together.

Here, in Netherlands, thing is quite different. Every team members are supposed to take responsibility in ‘being with the team’; that is normal and natural, I think. But, the difference is there is no leader!!! Every member is supposed to individually drive team’s goal and team’s direction. However, there is no need to make consensus or collective direction, decision or action on work project!!!

In term of Organizational Behavior theory, the concept of ‘Team’ here seems to evaluate to the stage of Self-managed Team; further than what is in Thailand.

But, when it comes to the issue of conflict (raising from personal conflict, in my case), ‘TEAM’ calls for collective behavior!?!?!?

I am confusing!!!

18 Oct 07

Today is 18 Oct 07. First thing I have to make complaint here is about my Bank Account. 4 weeks ago, the GR&SS Office said to me that it would take 3 more weeks to arrange me the bank account, it was how it works here … so please wait!?!?

OK, then … I waited

A week before (3 weeks had passed – so the deal date!!), I still didn’t get my Bank account. The office said (after 2 days of complaining) that this was unusual (OF CAUSE, DARE SAY “it is usual” si!!!) but we sent all document, I really didn’t know why (this words again!!) you had to wait …. AGAIN!!!

This week, after a couple of complaining, there is an announcement (just today) that “ONLY FOR CHINESE STUDENT, Please blab la bla … to get the Bank Account (the process in the announcement would take a few weeks more)” … WHAT!?!?!? Then, I go to the office again, asking them what do they mean, so what do I “THAI STUDENT” have to do … they said OK OK let we check first and we will call you …. WHAT THE HELL!?!?!?

Fortunately that I gave them wrong number, so I had to go back to them in the afternoon.

They said “We are really sorry but the bank lose your document so I will sent it to the bank and let them contact to your email as soon as possible” … WHAT THE FUCK!?!?!? I don’t believe her bull-shit … It must be the Office who lose the document, not the bank

And then it was. How do I know? Because just after the Office sent my document to the bank, they make the appointment for me to go getting my bank account on the coming Monday … That’s proved!!! It is the Office who is slow and late and careless!!!

Anyway, let talk about my trip;

I will have trip to Munich – Germany and Italy (Rome, Florence and Milan) during the Autumn break. I plan to visit Castle and BMW Museum in Munich. Going to Italy, I just go to see the city, not specific plan yet. But especially in Rome, I intend to visit Vatican… The Holy Roman Catholic Church … God Bless Me!!!

16 Sep 07

This day is Travel Day, I went to many places around Rotterdam.

First, we (Me and N’Nut) went to Utrecht, departing from Rotterdam Centraal around 12 o’clock (in fact I asked him to guide me to Delft but he asked to change to Utrecht). It took about 45 minutes from Rotterdam to Utrecht, by (intercity) train. When we arrived, it almost the empty city!!! No shop opened, except food shops at Centraal (refer to Central Station, in Dutch) and food shops nearby Centrum. However, we took the chance to walk around city centrum (city center, in Dutch). It is a pretty city, I think. Small rock road and block building, it gives a feeling of old city.

Then, we came back but took a stop at Guoda, the Cheese City of Netherlands. Here, it was also almost the empty city!!! No shop opened, except food shops around city centrum. Fortunately, the weather is very good and very sun shine today, so many Ditches came out, otherwise we would see a real empty city. However, even the shops closed, we also saw the being of Cheese City; there are cheese sign everywhere and there is Cheese Museum too. The city centrum here is very pretty and very cool; there is a city hall or ancient church or something like that in the middle and surrounded by the old buildings, which are adjusted into shops.

When we came back, coincidently we met group of N’Imron going to Euromast, the sky tower for sight seeing Rotterdam city. The height we going on is around 170 meters. Very cool!!!

Though, this day was Zondag and I intended to go to church, the Catholic church this time … 5555. When I get in, I doubted why the ceremony was still unfamiliar!!!

Finally, I found out that, unfortunately, this day they had some kind of seminar for religious coordination between Christ, Jewish and Muslim. So, I have to come out … Oh! Poor OAK .. T_T … God doesn’t let me to see thy yet.

18 Sep 07

I got mad at GR&SS Office that until now I have not got my internet access yet!!! The ICT department said my name and student number wasn’t on the system yet. Only thing GR&SS Office said was “We already send your profile to the right department, we really don’t know what is going on, you have to wait” !!! … What’s the FUCK!?!?!?

They didn’t have just a bit of helpful face and tone. What is SS mean?? Student Support??? … I think no, it would rather be “Student Self-support”. And it should be renamed SO instead, stand for Student Obstacle.

That reminded me what Dr Karen (professor of Organizational Behavior course) said the day before. Her classroom was cancelled and we had to move to study in Auditorium. She found out about half an hour later that the administrative office (which GR&SS office is one division in it) cancelled her classroom because they “thought” that Dr Karen would be in India. She said, “How come!? I will go to India next week in fact, but I will go on Tuesday anyway so no class will be missed” … So, she continued, “this is a concrete example that there is no link between the verb “to organize” and word “organization” …. 5555 the whole class laughing.

Anyway, in the afternoon, I and groups of Thai student in Rotterdam went to Den Haag to help the Embassy’s Event, “Khon” Show for Sala Chalermkrung as “to celebrate the 80^th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand”. Guess what!? We were late again 5555

Though, we went there in order to help them check tickets. It was not necessary in fact, since they handed out the tickets for free and over the number of seat, but the real comers appeared to be less than the seats though. So, just let them in and make the event looked good!!! That’s easy 5555

But the point was …. I just knew that the embassy gave us 40 € each for “work” and free dinner too …. WOW!!! Such a good deal, wasn’t it?

We watched the show and it finished around 11 pm. Then I arrived dorm around 1 am of 19 Sep 07. Such a long day.

And I have to go to the University tomorrow even I have no class in order to fight with the GR&SS Office for the internet again. …. L

4 Sep 07

It was raining this day!!!! Since I arrived, I have told and saw that most of Rotterdamer wear clothes with hood or jacket with hood. I had been told that here, in Rotterdam, it can rain any moment so people wear clothes with hood. This day, I met raining myself!!!! It is pity that I took off 2 hooded clothes when I packed … T_T … Poor Oak (AGAIN).

I have to buy an umbrella, then. 

6 Sep 07

11 Days arrived Rotterdam and I didn’t get my internet access yet!!! How non-managed they are!!! Just said “I didn’t get the name of Master Programme yet, we have only IBMS” …. Suck!!!

This day was an official start of 1^st Block though and we suddenly got homework!!

I think (6 Sep 07) the Dutch are very rush to make a decision heavily based on opinion. Very curious !?!?!?

7 Sep 07

This day was 11^th day I arrived The Netherlands and I didn’t get my internet access yet!!! SO I started to clamour for the reason and solution. A big woman totally ignored me (She always said go to this, go to that, it’s very chaotic here!!! …. HER response is very chaotic to me too … DAMN!!!). However, eventually, there was a helpful woman came to me and ask. Finally, she helped me find out that the Office still needed a few documents from me to process my name into the school’s system.

Very curious!!! It took 10 working days for them to find out what was missing!?!?!?!?

OK, now I started 4 subjects. It is very interesting that from 4 subjects I got started, I have teachers from 4 Nationalities; Canada, Columbia, England and America. Maybe, what they mean by “International Programme” mean the multinational of the lecturers.

Oh …. This day I met a new guy from Taiwan and he is major in Consultancy and Entrepreneurship too …. Aha! Not only one Asia in class anymore.

8 Sep 07

There was the Thailand Grand Festival this day at Amsterdam. I went as a staff though.

We met at Imron’s house (Thai guy, he came from Pattanee) and went to Rotterdam Centraal Station at 12 pm. Lucky, Imron has a discount card so we can buy train ticket at 40% discount; the transportation cost can be taken from the Thai Embassy anyway.

Train here is very great, very nice!!! It took about 1 hour to go to Amsterdam.

Well, my first impression of Amsterdam is it is definitely more crowded and nosier than Rotterdam. The building are more classic (most old building in Rotterdam was bombed during WW II so they built the new city) with very western style.

The Thailand Grand Festival was not as grand as I thought. It was like a small “Temple Fair” (งานวัด) without playthings; i.e. roundabout or Big Wheel. There was only shows and food booths. And there was also a small exhibition about our King and Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Chaipattana Foundation.

The food were very expensive; 5 euro for food and 2 euro for drink => a plat of rice and curry, it will be around 25 – 30 Bath => They sold for 5 euro ==è that’s about 240 bath!!!!! 10 times, Man; 10 times!!!

I was a Bin Boy, though; looking for the full bin and replacing garbage bag. However, there was very little work to do, so we just walked around and get free food (Staff can asked free food and drink from booth, that’s the point) …. About 2 hours later, I was really full 55555

I will go again tomorrow. J

Free food and Free beer … That’s the whole point!!!

9 Sep 07

This day, we ha an appointment to prompt at Rotterdam Central Station at 10 am. However, N’ Imron just tell when I arrived his apartment that it was changed to be 11 (OK, That’s all right, I will use his internet longer then)

Finally, with the waiting, with the miscommunication, we ended up departing from Rotterdam at 12.11 o’ clock!!!! Almost the same time!!! … I knew how they work now.

As we had arrived the event, this time they just told us to have lunch from whatever booth we wanted … J WOW!!! I got the rice with sour/sweet fried fish (ปลาผัดเปรี้ยวหวาน) … very good one

I worked at deep fried booth this day. There were fish cake (ทอดมันปลา), Spring roll (ปอเปี๊ยะ – in Dutch they call Ru-pier รูเปีย), Chicken Sate (ไก่สะเต๊ะ) and Chicken legs (น่องบนไก่ทอด).

It was a very busy crazy booth …. Farang are very favour in deep fried things … I have rarely a rest!!!! Very little to eat today …. T_T. Even worse, there was a “Pa” (ป้า) (and I mean a man) coming just when I took the position. She (or he) was very bossy and fussy. Everything was never as fast as she wanted, so she came to take over. And She (he) kept saying “the child are not ready, not fast and not able to catch up with the flood of order” (Partly true, but what is the point of keep saying that????).

Work was very tired this day.

However, still worth for Free food and Free beer …. J

I’ve got really fun.

And N’N’ also said that we would have been invited for Thank you Party at The Embassy of Thailand in Den Haag a few week later …. Yaaaa!!! Free food and Free beer, AGAIN!!!

10 Sep 07

This day was a real suck!!!

I had to get up so early, going to Stadhuis (the City Hall) to get the “GBA” thing that the GR&SS office ask (to fulfil my student status, then I could get my ID and internet access). But, just to find out, after waiting for half an hour, that it was that form I already filled at the 1^st day of general introduction (28/8/07) WITH THEIR SUPERVISION!!!! So how come they ask that form from me again!?!?!? … And that made me 10 mins. Late for class this day …. DAMN IT!!!

Then, at noon, I went to ask GR&SS office. Guess!!! They said “Oh!, OK. But we think your Dipolma don’t work. We need it with SEAL” …. But They just told me it was OK on Fri. !!!!! and I already told P’Morn, didn’t need to send it. I have to make an urgent call to P’Morn and N’Earn to send it APSP with the fastest possible way… DAMN IT!!! 

After OBR class, we had a IPD meeting again to see the Power Point Presentation, Mr. H did. It was a fine, nice presentation, though. But without any info. I gave him , … That’s  still fine. But, suddenly, he started to snap “someone” who he think was not so contributed by giving useless information to him (what is “useful” information he meant??? He said “I want information that is a key point only, one that I can just simply cut and paste, if you please”… !?!?!?)

After a meeting, I, then, tried to cut information that he “didn’t need”, shot to the point and resent to the group. What did he say??

Oak,

Your question is to show a already well based relation between China and Holland.

So, can you please show us why we have a already well based relation with China, so far you haven't convinced me/us.

WHAT!?!?!? … DAMN IT!!!

Lastly, I went out from the school quite late and it was raining …. Oh, GOD … please has a mercy on me!!!! 

26 Aug 07 @ Suwannaboohm, Thailand

Only Family, AC friends and Friends from Choir at St. Louis church came to farewell me at Suwannaboohm. No sign of BE friends … T_T …. Just a few calls … Poor Oak!!!

26 Aug 07 @ Amsterdam, Netherlands

The school sent Chinese girl to pick me up. Anyway, she is a good girl, tell me many precautions I should know (she is chubby … so not my type !!!). I came to the dormitory and had to be very surprised …. I have to buy bed stuff (e.g pillow, blanket, bed sheet, sort of things)!!!

I discovered later that the Chinese at this dorm brought everything from home, bed stuff, electronic rice cooking pot, someone with pan and chopper!!! … I should have listened to my aunt to bring one … T_T … Poor Oak!!!

The sky here is very weird. Even 8 pm., it is still bring like 4-5 pm in Thailand.

28 Aug 07 @ RBS, Rotterdam Hogeschool

This was the first day of introduction for foreign student. A lot of document stuff. They also feasted us. The course was a burger with 2 pieces of cheese, a bottle of water, one bar of MARS and a sweet bun!!! That’s it !!! (Know later that it is a traditional Dutch meal … how poor!!!)

29 Aug 07 @ Rotterdam

Hah!!! Finally, I met Thai students; most of them study bachelor degree though. They also gave me a welcoming feast. Rice, sour and sweet chicken, fried morning glory and deep fried meat ball. Very nice!!

They said there will be Grand Thai Festival in Amsterdam on 8-9 Sep and convinced me to go as a staff … I said yes. To be friendly, right???

Oh!! This day, the school also brought us to outing at lake somewhere north. It is quite good anyway. They set us in groups to build raft and to row to another side of the lake. It was good that no one fell into the water. Our group is the winner, though. 5555

30 Aug 07

There was school tour today. Here, in Rotterdam (or in Netherlands), if you don’t have Bank account, it is almost impossible to by things!!! Here, we must have bank account and bank card, transfer the money from bank account into the card (They call chipkaart or PIN card) and use it as a credit to buy things.

Till this day, I didn’t get the internet access yet!!!! So, I asked to use the account of N’ kon Thai at Erasmus instead. Finally, can get the contact to the world.

1 Sep 07

I went to market fair at Blaak today. There is market fair at Blaak every Dinsdag and Zaterdag (Tue and Sat in Dutch). It was very crowded and there were lots of things. The Chinese friends said that things are relatively cheap here.

Also went to supper market in China town. There is Mama (มาม่า) too. It is 0.4 euro (about 20 bath … 4 times more expensive than Thailand!!!).

2 Sep 07

This day was Zondag (Sunday). So, as a good roman catholic guy, I intended to went to church. There is one big and gorgeous church in Blaak, can see from the market square. I thought “Oh this fantastic and old-looking church must be catholic church since we, the Roman Catholic, had a tradition to build extravagantly gorgeous church” so I went in and attend the ceremony. It is a unfamiliar ceremony though, I though “there might be a cultural difference though”. Then, after the ceremony, I asked “is this a catholic church??”, and they answered “No, this is a christain church” !!!!!!!!!!! …. T_T …. Shame to me … Poor Oak again!!!

So, I came out walk a bit further and see the cross over one simple build. I went in, it is a very simple room though but with the very familiar alter table. So, I asked “is this a catholic church??”, and they answered “Yes, this is a chatolic church” … Ah, Finally, My Holy Father, I found your home…. Dear Oak, don’t make a mistake, going to the wrong place again!!!

I took a tour to see Rotterdam harbour today. It is claimed to be a largest harbour in Europe and (used to be) biggest in the world. And it is, it really is, due to how large area it covers. It can support 300 million tons of containers a day!!! Very good inventory and logistic management too.

3 Sep 07

At Introduction to Graduate Student today, I finally met my classmate. 2 Thai (inc. me), about 10 Dutch, 2 Russian, and about 20-25 of Cinese!!!!

When we split by major though, I am only one Asian in the Consultancy and Entrepreneurship (CE) major. …. It should be cool or what !?!?!? … Wait and See