This it it, guys! One more night and it's "Taiwan dzai chian! (goodbye, Taiwan!)" after having spent most of my life here. A new chapter is about to start and I'm looking forward to it. Sure, there are some uncertainties but nothing I can't handle. New beginnings mean new opportunities. All I want is to be with my family.

My son, Mapanoy "Da Dude" said that he'll take the day off from kindergarten so that he can spend all Thursday with his daddy. It was quite touching to hear him say that. Can't wait to meet Nok and Mapanoy at the Airport in Vientiane and to be back in Laos again.

It's not a goodbye to you guys, though. I value your support and friendship. Needless to say that I think very highly of you. Whether real-life friends or online friends, you're all REAL to me. One can't wish for better friends. Thank you, Russ, Chas, Bill and Ray. You're all GREAT guys!

Taike

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Bo pen nyang

We're wishing you and your family all the best.

Can't wait to here from you after the move.


Grandpa

Taike,

I'm a little late on the drawer here, but wishing you the best in what is a major change. Good luck.

Hope things are going GREAT!


Best to ALL!


Russ

Sorry for the late reply, guys. I had problems getting access but finally made it.

Nok, Mapanoy and my father-in-law where at the airport to pick me up. Mapanoy gave me a hug, said that he missed me and then asked for toys and ice cream. Good ol' Mapanoy! Wouldn't want it anyway else.

I'm really surprised that his English is so good. After all, he's mostly self-taught, watching ESL videos I had downloaded for him. Maybe he inherited a couple of daddy's language genes.;)

Perfect weather! Sunny, no humidity. Won't last forever but I'm taking full advantage of it. Had two 3-hour walks, one on Thursday and one on Friday.

Village life is so quiet apart from the regular parties the locals throw for no other reason than to have party. It's a way of life here. Who says commies can't have fun? I've always been an early riser -as is Mapanoy- (Russ can attest to that) but here I find myself exhaused by 8PM. Love it!

That's all for now. Thanks, Grandcpa Russ and Stephen.

Taike

Nok, Mapanoy and my father-in-law where at the airport...

should be: Nok, Mapanoy and my father-in-law WERE at the airport...

Nigel, can we still edit or is that option no more?

Taike

Taike ... haven't been in "The Bar" for a while ... best wishes for you and your family ...

PS ... the 'EDIT' shows up at the bottom of the writer's post after it has been submitted ... the 'Preview' allows for changes prior to submission ...

Tony-Taike-anytone: Where is the edit icon?


Russ

OH! I just found it! Thanks!

R.

Thanks, Tony! I was actually surprised to see you here in the Bar. It usually draws only the rebels, anarchists and traditionalists.;)

Russ, how're you? "Da Dude" is so cool! You''d love and want to keep him!

I may be one of the few but I prefer the orginal SZ. You didn't have to turn pages after every tenth thread. Perhaps Nigel can make some alterations to make it show like thirty or forty threads on a page. That would be a major improvement.

Taike

Hi Taike, simply go to:

My Stuff > Edit Preferences > Total Topics to show per page

The Default is 10, but you can easily change it to any number you want

In addition, the next line item down allows you to change the total number of posts you want to show on one page.