Thailand!!

Hello world!

I've been working as a programmer in Tokyo for the past couple of years, with a bit
of time off to make cash in clinical drug trials. I recently finished a contract,
and have some time available for my next adventure / educational experience,
studying Thai massage in Thailand! Since high school, I've enjoyed giving massages
at least as much as receiving them, and have just "recently" gotten into the idea
that I could actually earn some money doing something that I love to do. I have
often used "lack of credentials" (e.g. diploma/certificate) as a reason I couldn't
do it, so I'm going to get that now, just like a feather for Dumbo. hahaha!!

My tickets are for 7 May to 7 August, and I plan to remain in Japan at least long
enough to meet Colleenie Beanie in the fall! (There; I've told the whole world, so
you *have* to come!!)

I've been in Japan just over 7 years now, and though I don't want to "stay
forever," I can't help but notice that if I stay just 3 more years, I can get
permanent residency and have a choice of either country, with going through the
hassle of getting visas and stuff! Interesting motivation, to say the least. :-)

For the past year, I've been living in Chez Soness, home of my friend Soness down
by the beach. It's certainly a nice area, though a bit far (1 hour and 950 yen) to
get to my favorite hangout (The Pink Cow in Shibuya). In the past year, Soness has
been working super hard to get her businesses going, and I'm beginning to see what
it might take for me to do the same. But can I? Really? Me???

And so I'm going to Thailand to get some training in a new aspect of massage. 9
weeks of classes are planned, though the school (Sunshine Massage School in Chiang
Mai) seems quite flexible, with instruction given to individual students at a
higher or lower level, as needed.

Last year saw me study Shiatsu for 10 hours of instruction, which I use a little
bit when doing my "freestyle healing" Two years ago I learned reiki, which I use a
lot, especially when giving people massages.

I wrote the above 3 weeks ago, and but now I'm leaving in 4 minutes!

   Love and Light
     xoxoxoxoxo
      - Rob!