1) Ever since we moved to Chiang Rai, I was concerned about the lack of access to English books, as there are not as many expats here as there is in Chiang Mai. So, I decided to buy a Kindle. They are more expensive in Thailand, so I had a friend who was visiting the States bring one back. Thanks JP! Zing!
I was pleasantly surprised by how small it was (that’s what she said) and the amount of free books online available for download. Now, I’ve just started to use it, but so far I’m very happy to have access to many more books and it’s easy to read.
2) Recently I added Biblioklept to my WP reader and I love having a quicky dose of art and literature in my feed.
3) And speaking of art, my friend Eric’s latest piece is developing quite nicely. I rather enjoy seeing art in progress. I just need to convince him to show the rest of us how he does it!
4) Somehow new TV shows are something I miss (it even took me a while to get into Game of Thrones [never read the book first, eh?]) but I’ve been enjoying NBC’s Selfie. It’s really great to see a leading Asian actor in a sitcom and the show is fun, too. I agree with a review I read, “the chemistry between Cho and Gillan is worth the watch”. *Update! Selfie has been cancelled. Ug. Really? Another good show gone before its time. Boooo.
5) Everyone has their “thing,” right? For my bf, it’s global warming, and for me it’s EDUCATION. I’ve been following the good fight to keep public education alive in the US and this latest article in PolticoMagazine pretty much sums it up. I’ve been hashtaging #saveourschools (#sos) and #savepubliceducation because I believe education is everything.
6) I think the most difficult blog type to pull off are travel blogs. Most of them come off as facebragging and I don’t have the time, nor the desire to read about how much more fabulous your life is than mine. But Andrea from When In New Places strikes the right balance of sharing and caring.
I guess it’s about being accessible. Some bloggers just don’t have that “I can relate to you” vibe, but Andrea does. I particularly liked her Working the Shadows post which was simply open, honest and full of feeling.
Hmmm. How to be relateable…possible blog post.
7) I also enjoy reading Mabel Kwong’s posts. My responses for every post she has written could be their own blog posts (and sometimes they are). Seriously. I don’t know how she does it. Must be an Asian thing 🙂
And what about you? Write a roundup post about it! [Thanks to WordPress for the inspiration.]
Life, the Universe, and Lani 
Glad you’re liking your Kindle! I got one about a year ago and wasn’t sure how I’d like it, but I LOVE it! My favorite thing is to use my library card to access their whole catalog of digital books. There’s more a variety than the free books offered on apps. As long as you’re still in the system, you can use it whether you are there or not as long as you have your card number. (Or use your friend’s! )
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I know! Unfortunately, I left my library card expire ages ago since I’ve been abroad for so long. But I’m thinking what I can do for the future…I probably need to go back to the States soon anyway. Yea Kindle!
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(1) The Kindle I have access to sucks, especially without the backlight.
(3) Whoah! That’s really art!
(5) It’s always good to have an advocacy, to fight for what you think is right and just.
(6) “Most of them come off as facebragging…” LOL! True. Many times, they are ‘facebragging’, so I just choose who I actually follow and who seem credible
I’ll try to check on the links to others’ blogs later 🙂
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Hey, thanks J.Gi 🙂
No backlight for the Kindle. What? What were they thinking?
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I dunno what they were thinking AT ALL. Anyway, it’s not mine so it’s a bit okay. It wasn’t okay before because I had to read something for work and without proper lighting, it was not easy, even with my 20/20 vision.
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20/20 vision! People still have that? Show off! 😛
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Oh, you noticed? 😉
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Wow – wow – wow , Lani, I’m so incredibly appreciative to be included on your amazing share the love list. I can assure you that you most certainly did share some love today, my warmed heart and I would like to sincerely thank you and send you a ton of virtual XO’s, my friend.
I’m constantly inspired by you and your openness to share yourself on here – you’re one of the few bloggers who I feel like I’m actually getting to know through your blog. I really hope we can share a delicious meal in Thailand, or something Spam-licious, some day.
I’d really love that! 🙂
~ Andrea ❤
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Or South Korea! I want to go! And yes, SPAM must be on the menu. Thank you for your kind words and I got all of the XOs, hugs from T-land!
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There are more XO’s/hugs where that came from, my friend! 🙂
Okay, Korea it is OR we could always meet in the middle: you + me = dim sum in HONG KONG!!! 😀 (pssssssssst – I’ll still smuggle in the Spam!)
Do you have any great reads you’d recommend I download for my old school Sony E-reader (that I’m starting to loathe)? I’m really considering an upgrade to a Kindle on our upcoming trip back to the US.
I feel like I should read 50 Shades of Grey; it feels synonymous with e-readers AND I want to get a glimpse of the whole thing before the movie comes out… the trailer seems pretty interesting! 😉
~ Andrea ❤
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I can’t do 50 Shades of Grey. But I honestly haven’t even tried. Most of the free stuff are the classics, so I’m tackling them right now. It’s a good excuse to be thrifty and literary. Hahahaha.
What’s a Sony E-Reader? I’ve never read of it! Yes, get a Kindle. I like the dictionary function.
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That’s no surprise – I just checked and it looks like they’ll be selling off what’s left of their stock and not replenishing as of this year.
It’s safe to say it’s not very popular in comparison to the Kindle. The reason I chose it back in 2011 in lieu of the Kindle was because it could read any type of file – word docs, pdfs, epub – basically anything.
But yeah, no back light is hard on the eyes, and I prefer reading at night.
That’s great you’re diving into the literary classics and how great that they’re free – I’ve always wanted to read the classics as well. Maybe after I get 50 Shades of Grey out of my system!! 🙂
❤
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Let me know how it is!
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I loved this random post, Lani. You have so many interests – reading, TV, art, blogging. I don’t know where you find the time to do all of that, and juggle a romantic life 😛
Thank you, Lani, for including me in this list (and the shout on Twitter). I am touched and humbled, and I felt like a train hit me as I wasn’t expecting it. I never regretted following your blog – love your honest insights about where you are in Thailand and the humour in each post. I hope one day we can sit down for a drink and chat the day away. I really don’t know how I keep blogging the way I do. As you said, maybe it’s an Asian thing…which is what this week’s post is sort of about too, you’ll see 😉
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Nice! Looking forward to it. And thanks for making me sound way more productive than I actually feel. Hahahaha.
Yes, Australia is on my list. I’m coming to crash on your couch! Just joking. That would be weird. So, when we are all rich and fabulously famous and travel the world, we can finally meet and talk! Okay, sooner than all that. Hey, you never know!
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Well, you blog quite often and more than me. So of course you’re being productive, don’t deny it 😉 I for one need to learn how to manage my time better…
Crash on my couch? I really wonder what my parents will say about that since my couch is actually theirs 😀 Famous? Write a book Lani and you’ll be famous!
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I’m trying, but I can’t stop blogging! Hahahhaa.Hi Mom and Dad 😛
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My mum and dad tend to pop up sporadically and unannounced at my place. When they do, there’s food…but when they do, it’s always surprising 😀
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How funny. That would drive me crazy!
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Parents 😉
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My Kindle is definitely my favorite gadget – especially since that big box of books I mailed home from South Korea got “lost.” I still mourn that box. That education article looks really interesting, going to read it now!
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A lost box of books! Tragic. Ug. My fear. Nice to hear that your Kindle is your favorite gadget. I don’t think many people out there say that. Then again, I teach teenagers and I feel like all they want to do is play with their phones.
Hope you get something out of the Ed article.
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Sooo….it’s been a while. *cough* I’ve been rather absent lately, but I’m glad to get back into it now and yours is, of course, the first blog I’m visiting.
I got a kindle for the exact same reason before I left for Taiwan, and it was a real life-saver there. I’ve kept it for convenience and a portable library when I don’t want to cart books around, and I’m sure it’ll be just as valuable in Korea.
Anyway, hopefully it won’t be another month before I say hi again….
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Hello again! I know you are busy with school. No problem. You know, I’d love the idea of getting rid of my books, but I can’t bring myself to do it with all of them, you know? Even with a Kindle, I still want my books – every once in a while 😉
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A round-up of blogs idea is great. When I get the rest of the blog posts published… I actually finished my Christmas one in the line-up…on Remembrance Day.
I know what you mean about some of the travel blogs, and one red flag alert is their travel list bucket of “must” see places. I do enjoy occasional posts but if a person cannot find joy and fascination in their own local area….there is always something to see differently. Even squirrels, common in North America, don’t exist everywhere world-wide.
Like do blackberries exist in China. I bet my parent didn’t see their first raspberries unitl they immigrated to Canada.
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Good point. There is so much to see and enjoy just in your own town!
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That’s a WIP? Looks great. Will we get an “after” shot?
Thanks for the blog recommendation – clicking through now!
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Love the post. So down to earth and totally agree about travel. Of course that’s mostly what I’ve been writing about even though the blog is supposed to be an expat blog. Of course since Diane has been naturalized she’s not even an expat in the USA anymore and of course we can’t go yet
Hopefully you think of my travel posts more as relatable stories. I try to make people want to understand and enjoy without making it seem like we’ve been to some great place that others haven’t.
Of course since I started blogging it occurs to me that we haven’t really been anywhere compared to te go where you want internet generation so I really try to emphasize the story part.
I’m rambling. Sorry. Anyway great post.
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Thank you. I’ve been thinking about what is it about the travel blogs that annoys me. I suppose it comes down to its purpose. Is it to entertain? Inform? Personal recording? I think so much of the younger generation defines themselves through their social media so sometimes the blog or person seems inauthentic.
Pictures, I have decided, convey A LOT. My friend Megan was a Bangkok blogger and she was hilarious with her use of pictures. Other bloggers I’ve noticed use hyper-saturated Photoshop techniques to make their photos look more amazing than they really are.
The latter strikes me as inauthentic, you know? I don’t want to sell a place to be better than it is, nor do I want to have every picture look perfect by cheating.
The picture I used of me is unflattering, but I was like, “screw it!” I’m not without folds and flab and who cares! I hope this makes sense!
And as far as your blog goes, I think the story or journey part is how people will connect – so you are right on!
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Ah, kindle – my other wife.
Hang on, that sounds a bit creepy…er…
Education is an issue everywhere – I just don’t feel that many national systems are responding to the changes in the world. In the UK the government has just decided that all curriculum areas must respond to the concept of British values.
Other than fair play, not putting people out, quite remarkable levels of tolerance and an abiding wish to collect *all* the countries, I’m not sure what a British value looks like. It’s probably pink.
Ho hum…
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You funny man.
Thailand’s latest gov’t is implementing the same idea with its education system. Values and such.
I’m all for it, but I’d need to know more before fulling getting behind it. Blah, blah, blah.
And yes, I agree, Education is an issue everywhere which is what is so interesting about these times. I think outdated systems have finally come to a dead end and we can’t make heads or tails out of the whole thing. Joy.
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I love my kindle! And luckily for me, San Antonio has an all digital library, so I can check out books for my kindle anytime. 🙂
Education is definitely everything! I think each country has their own issues with education. The US just keeps making so many blunders when it comes to trying to improve education. They’ve removed actual history lessons from books, tried separating genders into separate classrooms, and so much more. Children are not an experiment. They need a good quality education. They don’t need to be experimented with. And that’s the end of my rant. LOL
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Yes, you are very lucky indeed! I miss English libraries the most! And loved the rant, thank you 🙂
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Hi Lani!
I’m glad you’re enjoying your Kindle. As for me, I prefer physical books. I get my English books in Orn’s secondhand/used book Shop at Soi 1,Th Jetyod. Near the Jetyod temple. He has a wide selection of English books. For now, I’m planning to go to Chiang Mai to visit a bookshop there. Are you familiar with “Backstreet Book” and “Gecko bookshop”?
Happy reading!
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I’ve seen this little sign, but I haven’t gone yet. I’ll try to find it the next time I’m over there. Yes, I love physical books, too. They are the best, but the convenience of something so portable and light is really nice for travelling. Esp. since I do not like to pack heavy.
And yes, I lived in CM for several years. Backstreet is the best 🙂 Happy reading to you, too!
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