All I can say is yessssss, even though it's past 2am and my eyes have big black bags under them.

I just finished my midterm assignment for photography which is due today at 11.20. The only thing left to do is pick up the prints from the local Fuji store when he opens at 10.00.

Today I spent an hour at Wat Po shooting things that would fit into the assignments "Contradiction" theme. I already had a shot of the drink vendor at Wat Arun and needed a vertical from Wat Po to finish the project. These are the final two. Captions are on the Flickr pages. :)





I'll begin packing this Sunday. Moving day is Friday next week, hopefully.

My deadline for the Dr. Suthinan interview got moved up to next Friday as well. Have to do that Sunday too, I guess. In a meeting last week my editor said he really liked the environmental portraits but needed to tell me about the school paper's printing process. Every month the newsprint color changes. Purple, black, green, pink. Photos are printed in the same ink as the the articles so... my beautiful portraits of the school's dean could be printed in pink and white, depending on the May issue color scheme. He said he'll put in a request for black. I'm also supposed to get some "symbolic shots" of BUIC as small page fillers.

Loststado.

A 2000฿ deposit reserved me my new apartment today. I'll go back to sign the contract and move in on the 28th.

Moving is a lot of work and expensive too. I'll have to pay a two month deposit in addition to the first month's rent, 2000 baht charge for "wiring" in order to use the internet, and another 1000 baht? for Buddy Broadband's March special (a waved installation fee until March 30th). I'll also need to pack everything and move it across the road, and call the electrician to help remove and re-install my in-shower water heater. Call it a luxury, but that water heater is very nice in the winter and at 6am before Monday morning classes.

The new place is worth the trouble though. There's no karaoke bar downstairs to blast music at 3am, but there is a church band that practices down the hall in the afternoon. The room itself is twice as wide and three times as long as my current apartment. I've figured out that there will be enough room to setup my own mini photo studio, recording studio (the old practice studio by the uni is donating bags insulation foam), and office. Yes, office; the room has a desk. Electricity and water are only 66% of my current place, which makes up for the difference in price.

Yesterday, I completed the first stage of my article on the Dean of the international college for the May issue of the school newspaper. There's no April issue because of Summer break, so May is coming soon. The interview took about 20 minutes and was a lot of fun. Afterwards, we shot just over a hundred frames of environmental portraits in the BUIC building. Now comes the hard part: writing the article. I could do a question and answer style; easy to read for the majority of Thai students, or a bit more in-depth article.

The midterm break is over. Starting Monday, we'll have four weeks until the Songkran holiday week, then three weeks until final exams.

I need to finish my photography midterm project before next Saturday morning. The theme is Faith, Contradiction, or Release. Choose one topic and find it in two of four temples on a list. Last Wednesday, Shy, Mario, and I went to Wat Po and Wat Arun for the afternoon. Wat Arun was wonderful at sunset that day. This photo of Shy was one of only a few keepers. The lighting idea likely came from me reading the excellentStrobist.com so much. The project's topic is tough. I got one picture of two men who sit drinking in front of the temple everyday but nothing from Wat Po with "contradiction" in the photo really. Next week I may have to re-shoot.





Dany Dog, the dog with mange that I took a picture of two weeks ago, was rescued last Monday. I took the vet and catcher to the dog, and after several hours of searching, loosing it, getting the wrong dog, waiting for the rain showers to stop, and searching again, Dany was tranquilized and taken to the hospital. It's since been flown to the resort of animal hospitals on Koh Samui island.

The photos I shot of a Soi Dog in Klong Saan a week ago found their way to Baan Samui Animal Rescue who have found a sponsor for this dog.

Dan, we named the dog Dany.

Could you possibly check up on him if he is still alive? And possibly give him some food?

I am trying to have him checked up medically as soon as possible. Worst case he will be shipped to Samui. Unfortunately the lady from the rescue center in Bangkok has not answered yet and I need her to catch the dog and to ship him in a flight box to Samui with Bangkok air.

I hope that Dany holds on until then!

A sponsor for Dany's future is already found. If we are successful bringing him to Samui and he survives, he will have a happy life.

Many many thanks Ulrike

Normally I don't open spam but I couldn't resist this one. I've re-read about four times and I can't seem to find any really message in this letter. I could understand if they wanted me to send some cash, credit card numbers, confirm my password, or something, but this one just seems to be kindly informing me that someone died in Nigeria... or is it Russia? 20 Baht to anyone who can translate this.

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

Cash Processing UnitTinubu
square,Abuja-Nigeria

Attn:The Beneficiary,


Immediate Notification Report

I Am Directed To Pass This Message Base On The Sworn Affidavit Of Death Certificate That Was Sent To The Executive Boards Committees Of The Payments Monetary Funds On Your Behalf That You Are Died, But Immediate Investigation Was Carried Out About The Application/Affidavit Of Death Certificate Which Was Sent By One Madam Grace Shevchenko From Russia.

With Regards To This Information, The Executive Boards Committees Of The Payments Monetary Funds Now Directed Us To Confirm If This Affidavit Of Death Certificate Madam Grace Shevchenko Sent On Your Name That You Are A Died Person Is True Because The Boards Of Central Bank Of Nigeria Have Complete The Process Analysis For The Release Of Your Outstanding Debts Payment Before Madam Grace Shevchenko From Russia Sent This Affidavit And She Want The Funds To Be Deliver To Her.

Now, The Office Of The Presidency Advices That If Its Confirm That You Are Still Alive And Never Died As Madam Grace Said, You Should Urgently Confirm All Your Details, Including Your Total Payment Sum And Attach Your Passport Id For Identification Proof That You Are Still Alive And Never Die, Because Instructions Has Been Given To The Payment Verification Officer's To Package The Outstanding Approved Funds Into Consignment And To Convey It To Our Cargo Affiliate Handles Agents In Europe, So You Are Required To Confirm Back To Us If Really You Are Still Alive And To Make Your Arrangements Of Traveling To Europe For Immediate Collection Of Your Outstanding Funds.

We Therefore Advise That You To Know That, If After The Next Coming Five Days And We Did Not Receive Your Confirmation That You Are Still Alive We Will Now Direct The Funds To Debts Reconciliation Committee -Drc,(Chairman) To Instruct The Release Package Of The Funds To Madam Grace Shevchenko In Russia.

Treat Urgently And Be Guided By This Message.

Yours in Service,

Mohamed Bello

Mahamed Bello from Nigera seems to just want confused people to write back, confirming a valid email address. Thats all I can figure out.

i probably sound like a weirdo stalker, huh?
-yaya

Yeah, a bit. But thats ok. My records show Yaya being my only regular reader who comments too -*-. Thanks Yaya. A way of replying or a link to your blog would be nice though. That would make your interest in my daily life seem less like a weirdo stalker.

The half-mark was my Corporate Relationship Management exam today. This leaves me with two subjects left to study for: Mass Media Law and Ethics, followed by Marketing Communication on Saturday.

Today's exam was hard in that the questions were very ambiguous. I wasn't sure if my idea of a correct answer was what my teacher's would be. I think I did OK. One thing's for sure: I would have done a lot better without the girl turning around asking her friend for answers every minute.

First year students always seem to assume the only way to pass an exam is to copy off of the friend that studied. "It's just so hard." they'll whine when asked why they don't try reading a bit before the exam. This particular girl had worked out a winning technique. She would turn her head and lay her chin over her right shoulder while keeping her short and plump body still. It looked like she was sneezing every minute, only she would sneeze "What's 32?" then "33?" followed by "Isn't 34 B?" To a male friend sitting next to me. I don't mind people peering over each other once in a while. It's part of the culture. Copying every single multiple choice question on a 50+ questions exam is just... dumb. Not as dumb, however, as the professors proctoring the exam. Male prof. #1 was busy using his cupped hand to chat on his cell phone. Male prof. #2 had iPod headphones in his ears the whole period, silently rocking out at the front of the room. Or maybe it was jazz he was listening to. Either way he seemed relaxed and unconcerned.

Did I snitch on them? Nah. Almost. About 10 minutes before students were allowed to leave they began passing answers on an eraser. I was pretty annoyed but didn't fancy making a scene.

I finished my last answer 1 hour 30 minutes into the exam. I picked up my bag and walked outside, chatting with friends about the questions. I was leaning against the railing when I saw it. The cheating girl had forgotten her bag of pens, pencils, erasers, and student ID card in front of the exam room. Life's surprises are just great.

My friends and I had lunch as I told them about this first year couple. The eraser still had answers and messages in blue ink. Instead of returning it to the office, we decided to have a little fun. Paula had the best handwriting so we had her write on a small piece of paper in Thai "Cheating or any form of academic dishonesty during university exams will result in immediate six month suspension, an 'F' grade in all subjects during that term, and possible expulsion." I put the slip inside the bag and headed up to see if I could find the girl. Instead I walked past the male student, her partner in crime. I held up her I ID. "Do you know this girl?" I wasn't sure it was the same kid, good to check. The look on his face said he knew her quite well. "Yes. Is she in trouble?" I gave him the ID and told him the bag belonged to her. He took the bait. hehe. I walked back to the table and watched as the kid took the bag back to his friend's in the cafeteria, within eyesight. We all kept from laughing as the whole group read the letter aloud. They were noticeably tense. He actually came over to our table and asked if a teacher had said anything when they gave me the bag. I said I found it in front of the exam room. I'm pretty sure they think they were caught but the administration is giving them "a second chance" to straighten up. Study more, cheat less.

Last night I was looking through graduate schools again. Between daydreams of interesting classes and jobs after college, I noticed that almost all the schools I was considering required 3-10 pages of scholarly and/or published writing. I've only had one writing class at BU. Although Prof. Kibor taught me a lot of useful tips for writing leads and using correct punctuation; I haven't had any practice writing scholarly.

I went back to reading books until I noticed a copy of the university newspaper laying on the floor. Within minutes I had the names of all the writers and editors using the school website's search function. I couldn't believe it. Bangkok University, the number one school in Thailand for Communication Arts (most journalists graduate from here), has a student paper with not one student writer for the English section. In the past some students and teachers have been asked to contribute but never wrote on a regular basis.

So... I emailed two editors and the head of the Comm. Arts. dept.

Hi,

I've always enjoyed BU News and wondered how our school newspaper works.

Major Thai universities such as Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, ABAC, Mahidol, and most large schools around the world have student-run newspapers, written and edited by students to inform other students of news and interesting features of the school.

I would like to know how I can become a part of BU News. As a third year student in BUIC's Communication Arts major I would like to gain journalism experience before going on to study at the graduate level next year. I would be happy researching and writing about any assigned topics and have a background in photojournalism.

How can become a part of my school's newspaper? :)

Sincerely,
Dan

The next morning I received a reply from the International Affairs Office:

Hi Dan:

Thank you for your email. We are happy to know that you are interested to participate in the English section of the BU News magazine. The English section is produced for our foreign students and faculty and for Thai students and faculty interested in reading English.

We do invite students and faculty to contribute, however, so far not many have shown interest to write articles. You must have read the articles from mostly BUIC students on their student exchange experience, and there have been only few teachers writing articles.

Normally we focus on Thai culture and the culture of this region, education and universal topics in general.

The English section is produced every month by staff of International Affairs Office. You are welcome to pass by to discuss your possible contribution in detail. It is good to know that you like to expand your journalism experience by contributing to BU News.

If you would like to come this week, our office is open from 9 to 5 with lunchtime during 12 - 1.

Best regards,
August

August Timmermans
Staff, International Affairs Office

After teasing the cheating freshman I walked up to building 9 a few minutes before five o'clock. On the 11th floor I met with August and we sat down and talked about the paper. August is a nice man from Holland who has been single-handedly writing the English section of the paper. He told me he had once tried to get the BUIC students, administration, and dean involved but nobody ever wanted to be involved.

Enter -- me. I hope to be writing monthly, as the only student writer/photographer/editor for BU News. August will be the senior editor and help me with layout issues. March is a post-exam break, with students returning mid-month. Because of this March and April are lumped into one issue which prints this week. My first article will be in the next issue, the May issue, and will feature something the paper has never done before. It will be a two page interview with the dean of the International College. I picked the dean because he's seen by students as such a mysterious and powerful man who spends most of his time tucked away in a corner office of the BUIC building. Hopefully, I will be able to learn a bit more him and give people an idea of who their dean is. He and I have scheduled a meeting tomorrow morning to talk about scheduling.

This also gets me a model for my digital photography homework due Sunday by midnight: a portrait using fill flash.

I have Mass Media Law to study tonight so I'm at the library again, enjoying it's silence and the university's blazingly fast and free wireless connection.

Saturday night I found a Thai Flickr Meet group on Flickr. Sunday morning I was waiting at the Taksin Bridge docks to go on a photography trip. It's a neat once a month gathering of Bangkok photographers. Sunday we went to the other side of the water and visited the temples and small streets of Klong San. Poor animals.

Oh..about the landlord with the crappy "one-year or loose half your deposit rule"... the old lady downstairs mentioned this morning that the he graduated from... Chula, in the Faculty of Political Science's Master of Arts International Development Studies, or MAIDS. The program only accept 20 applicants a year and it's top on my list at the moment. Small world?

I'm in the middle of midterm exams right now and feeling pretty good about them. Besides only having four exams, versus the normal six, I'm not exactly sure what has me in such a good mood.

The library has been a great remedy for my boredom of being an apartment dweller. Wednesday and Thursday I found a table there and studied with Lek, until the 21.00 closing time. I think I was the last person there. The change of location seemed to help though; my Special Topics on Communication exam seemed relatively easy. The Bangkok University library is particularly quiet or well-equipped so I think the reason for me reading so well is probably just from changing things around a bit.

Last week the band had two auditions at two night venues in town. We decided we need more practice before doing any more.

This got me thinking a lot about grad school applications which will be coming up in a year. Ohio University and Columbia both have great journalism programs... but Chula's MA International Delevopment, or MAIDS program, is most interesting to me. It's a really cool program, would be really interesting and fun, has the best professors in the country, and would only take a few years to pay off after graduation. Why is researching colleges so much fun? Is it the excitement of planning that I like so much?

I think I'm gonna move again. Last night, an 80-year old woman repeatedly informed me how dumb I was for forgetting my key inside my room (Yes, again), and reminded me that moving out before the one-year contract (unsigned, still in my closet) ends, the owner will keep half my deposit if I decide to leave. There's no arguing this one because he has the money and theres only one month left on the calender. Last month my electric bill was a 2300฿ almost twice a normal bill, meaning something isn't right in the accounting department. The Karaoke/bar girl rental place on the first floor has always been an annoyance too. They're supposed to close at midnight but the cops are usually drinking and singing there until 2 or 3am. Not sure where I'll go... deal with that later next month.

Today the nice old lady sent up a maintenance crew for a yearly air-conditioner cleaning. I filmed a timelapse video while the three men: cleaned, fixed, broke, and re-fixed the AC. It's very cool (temperature) now but I'm afraid to turn it on in fear of my upcoming power bill next week.



Speaking of movies: The Life of Henry Gale with Kevin Spacey was really good, as was Runaway Jury staring John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman.

That's all for now folks. Corporate Relationship Management on Wednesday, Mass Media Law on Thursday, and Marketing Communication on Saturday.

Oh, and... props to Washington Mutual for giving back my overdraft fee.