Where Are You?

Krabi, Thailand January 30, 2008. I’m in Thailand, where are you?

I apologize for being out of touch and not updating my blog for some time now.

As you can see I am now busy slaving away writing stories and organizing my photos to post for you.

Like in real estate, location is everything in my writing too. I am a master of places and am sensitive to the energies that various location on earth have. I have found that I do not write or write gloomy self-centered content when I am not in a happy high-energy location. Conversely I write profusely when I’m at a nice elevated inspiring view that includes water.

Krabi, Thailand is for me one of those peaceful, inspiring, and high-energy places. I am writing from the 6th floor rooftop café of KS Manson in Krabi city on the west coast of Thailand. This is one of my favorite views in the world and I recommend this spot.

Yesterday went Elephant riding and sea kayaking, but not at the same time. Then at night I ate at the night market, followed by a Thai deep massage. Later went out on the town with new friends I met at the noodle soup vendor stall. Later stories to follow…

Grand Palace

Home to the sacred and mysterious Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace are, well, Grand. I just can’t get enough of looking at the ornate and colorful structures in this walled in former royal residence here in Bangkok, Thailand.

January 2001 I visited here with my friend Pan. She is Thai but had never been inside the Grand Palace. The Emerald Buddha is the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. In addition, the royal associations with this Wat also made Pan nervous. Strict dress codes are enforced here. Shorts, sleeveless shirts, and open shoes are not allowed. You can get loaner gowns and shoes near the entrance, although they may be all loaned out during peak times.

The architecture is dominated by the green and orange tiled roofs and pointed spires. The pillars are encrusted with thousands of bits of colored glass. There are three spire-topped stupa representing the three eras in SE Asia Buddhist architecture, roughly the Cambodia, Burmese, and Thai styles.

An entire epic Buddhist story is depicted in the murals that cover the inside of the compound’s walls. These pictures are detailed and sensuous. They show battles, romances, chariots, elephants, tigers, palaces, village life, and the whole range of human struggles and desires.

The Emerald Buddha is supposedly really jasper or jade and is about 60 to 75 cm high. It sits in a glass case high up on its own pedestal. Photography is not allowed in this building. It is considered the symbol of Thai sovereignty. Sort of like our Declaration of Independence in the USA. Its origins are a mystery. Its style is 13th or 14th century Thai. Legend has it that it was made in India and imported to Siam. It has a history of being covered in plaster and gold leaf while in Wats in North Thailand. The Laos captured it around 1550. The Thais recaptured it 200 years later and moved it south to the new capital of Bangkok.
The Emerald Buddha has its own clothes. It has three royal robes, one for each Thai season: one for cool season, one for hot season, and one for the rainy season. The robes are changed at the beginning of each season by the king himself.

South of the Wats are large white marble building which are part European and part Thai in design. These are the former residences of prior king(s). The present king has another palace further north in the city.

Anyway, Pan and I walked around through lots of the grounds and buildings. But it gets hot in the afternoon and Pan was tired. So we left to go do a canal tour (separate story). Come in the morning when it is not so hot or crowded. The Hours are 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Entrance fee is 125 baht for foreigners and free for Thais.

Enjoy the Grand Life.

Landmark Education Bangkok Center

Bangkok, January 11, 2008. Visiting Landmark Education Thailand’s new Center I am awed and excited, then moved to tears. In 2006 Bangkok was the best and fastest growing Landmark Education center in the world. They moved to this new location in an upscale office/ mall building in 2007.

This started from a humble beginning in 2002 when Saichol Tangkeow stood for bringing the Landmark Forum to Thailand. I then arrived in November 2002 and had the honor to assist Saichol, BJ, Kenny, Dr. Pilastpong, Harry & Martina and other locals to create 1st Landmark Forum in Thailand, February 2003. Read more details on http://www.ilovepossibilities.info/

The Center itself has a fun and transformational design. Banners and displays show some of the many graduate Seminar topics available.

Rooms are named from Landmark Forum distinctions such as Racket.

Pillars in the office are named after the 4 pillars of performance: Integrity, Relationships, Existence, and Enrollment.

Teary eyed, I see a poster of Leaders in the center and realize that many of the original graduates and people I assisted with in 2003 are now leaders with Landmark Education; some are Seminar Leaders, some are Introduction Leaders, and some are Landmark Education Staff.

Deja-Vu all over again. I even get to meet some of these heroes and leaders of transformation again. Madori Tai from Japan who trained me in Registration Fulfillment was in the office, as was Landmark Forum Leader Jerome Downes who lead that 1st historic Landmark Forum in Thailand back in 2003.
I even got to assist inside the Money Seminar session #7 lead by Harry Springer. This was especially good completion for me on 2 counts: 1st- I had been Room Captain for Harry at his Home Introductions to Landmark Forum in January & February 2003. 2nd- I had assisted outside many sessions of Landmark seminars lead by Harry but never had a chance to be inside and watch him lead a whole session. I admire and love Harry and it was a real treat for me to assist at this engaging and insightful session.

Wanting more, I am planning on assisting at the February Landmark Forum Evening Session on February 5th, 2008.