Our First Harvest

Getting up early

Since my girlfriend has a lot to do on a daily basis, we have to get up before dawn to harvest vegetables.  There are no lights at the greenhouse, so she is picking the larger plants while I hold my cellphone up with the flashlight on.  It felt great.  Now, let's go get the kids to school!  But first, let's drop of some of these vegetables to a few food stands to sell.  Did I mention that this was only my 2nd day here?

The First Day of My Real Thai Life

Didn't start off well

My first day actually started at the BKK airport, and not getting the Visa extension.  Was it because I couldn't talk to the right person?  Did I say something wrong?  Was I wrong in thinking that I could actually get the extension?  Not sure, at this point, it doesn't matter.  But the woman working in the office was so rude to me that I wasn't about to keep pursuing it for fear I would be denied entry.  That would probably not happen, but I had little sleep in 3 days, and my problem solving skills were not at their best.

After immigration, I had to find my ride to DMK, so I can get my final flight.  I explained why and more details in my previous post on the full journey.  One last trip to get to the townhouse, and I could relax, but that didn't quite go as planned, either.

A Massive Trek to Central Thailand

40 hours of transportation

Leaving Chicago

Talk about anxious and nervous.  I am taking a massive risk and it is all starting now.  All the prep, all the planning comes to a head when I have to step out the door of my comfy little box, and head out to the other side of the world to see if my plan will even work.  At least the weather was helping convince me to get the hell out of Chicago!

The weather wasn't helping my nerves much.  I was nervous my flight wouldn't get out, they were plowing the runways as I left!  Obviously, we took off.  Once we were in the air, I was very concerned about my 50 minute layover in San Francisco heading to Japan. 

The Thai Business

The Beginning of a Greenhouse in Thailand

We had talked about many different business before we ended up here.  She has experience being an animal breeder as well as baking.  But, she wanted to do something a little different.  We looked into making kombucha, but she wasn't happy with the results.  She made some for herself, and liked it, but she thought it was a bit of a tough market to get into for her area.  After much more deliberation and researching her area more, she decided on starting up a greenhouse.  

Her family will be able to help sell the vegetables and greens in the market, and she has a few small restaurants who would buy from her.  Her uncle said she could put up a greenhouse on the land that is owned by the family, which is actually on the same spot as her childhood home.  The lot was a bit over grown, so there was much work to do.  I am quite impressed with how quick it all happened.

Packing for 3 Months in Thailand

Decisions, Decisions

I am going to be working from Thailand for 3 months, what the hell do I bring?  Not only that, but what do I NOT bring?  Number 1 thing that isn't worth brining is my massive gaming PC.  Too heavy, and too big for a temporary visit.  It would be a pain to get it there, and then get it back.  

I have a gaming livestream that I do, I have editing for a client, and I write code.  I can't do all of that on my work laptop!  I also have to be stealthy for work, so they don't know where I am for now.  Eventually I will let them know, but not right now.  It took me quite some time to figure out what to bring, and how to bring it, without having 2 large, heavy, check-in bags for the flights.  So, how am I going to do this?

The Risky Test

3 Month Live Test

After fixing many of the little issues from the 2 week test in Phuket, I am about to do a big test.  This test is a make it or break it deal.  If I fail, it could potentially mean disaster for this whole thing, and possibly get me fired.  At the very least, failure will cost me a lot of money.  Let me explain...

Initial Test - Working from Thailand

Being Cautious

Technically, I don't know if work will allow me to work from Thailand.  I am afraid to ask, as I am pretty sure I know the answer is no.  I prefer to try it out, and see how it will work.  If directly asked from anyone from work about it, I will be honest with them.  I am also not going to make it obvious in any way what I am doing.

I have been working from home since the beginning of COVID.  In that time, I have been in the office approximately 5-10 times.  I have been able to do 100% of my job without going in.  My boss is a proponent of WFH, so that helps.  Of course, there are other people who are not, luckily they are not in my chain of command.

I have to set it up to work stealthily from Thailand.  But how do I do that?  That is a secret for another day.