1 Month Update

After a delay and a missed flight we were able to spend a day like movie stars in Hollywood with Jessica Schmidt. The flight over wasn't bad at all except for the fact Matt and I didn't sleep at all. There were enough movies and excitment to get you through the flight. We landed and miraculously recieved our luggage, I obtained a visa, and we then had a taxi driver take us to Mahidol University where we spent the equivalant of a fortune at the hotel on campus. The next day we spent looking for apartments which we found a beautiful, new, and safe place. We proceeded to look for jobs and volunteer organizations while Matt was busy getting ready for school. We started working for ActionAid Thailand with their Global Action School program and Hunger Free campaign. We also have gotten involved with Goodwill here in Thailand (no not like our Goodwill). It is a women's rights organization where Matt and I aren't neccessarily allowed to participate but we are helping with the curriculum. Now I know some of you are wondering what the hell I"m doing helping a women's rights organization but with the sex trade and the forced labor they have here I thought that they may be some people that need the most help. Not to mention that it might be a good line down the road when I'm trying to pick up women "You know I used to work for a women's rights organization". :) I had an interesting night where I was locked out of my hallway and had to climb a ladder from the 5th floor down to the third floor...sounds easy but when you're a Michaud the simplest task is a prime opportunity for you to hurt yourself..."It aint easy being a Michaud" --The entire Michaud Family. I am still in contact with a couple of orphanages and am working to be able to help them out. I suppose I'm happy that it is so hard to do, there are a ton of sicko's here and I'd rather it be hard to get in to help then easy. But that is something I still really really want to do as well as get to the beach. Besides a very awkward night at PatPong I haven't had a lot to write about because I haven't visited a lot of places I wanted to get to (THE BEACH) and haven't yet made it to an orphanage. Though I did make it to a 1st-12 grade school and we talked about Peace which was probably the most fun I've had here.
I spent about $60 and 5 hours at the Immigration office today to get a 7 day extension on my visa. To put that in perspecitve I was expecting to get a 60-105 day extension, which they apparently don't do anymore. It's been hard since it seems everyone's advice or experience is outdated and when I think I have the inside track on what to do I get hit with somethign else. Never fear though, Thailand can't get rid of me that easily. I'll figure something out, be it a visa run, work permit, or I'll sack up and marry a Thai girl.
I hope things are going well for all of you out there. Please keep the e-mails and posts coming. If anyone gets Skype let me know we can talk for free if you have a speaker. I also have an interesting opportunity for some of you women out there that you may be recieving via e-mail from me our a family member.
Keep the Heads Ringing!

Here's to you,
Michaud

P.S. I am sitting on my balcony in my skivvies drinking a beer watching the palm trees sway and listening to (who else) Buffett. Thought you all should know that.