Making life in America livable

[Juan & Nan 12]

Hey folks. I've got a few practical questions. I want to make the transition as pleasant as possible for her, so I'm looking for a few Thai amenities.

1) Thai style toilet hose. It's not a home depot item. where can I find one?

2) Good rice maker

3) Online source for Thai television programing. soaps, movies, music, etc.

4) She has a Facebook account, but all my machines have an English keyboard. What is the best way for her to type in Thai to her fiends?

5) Anything else I should have on hand when she gets here? (besides a lot of sweaters. Lol)

I'll be honest, I am very concerned she will get home sick or cold and want to go back. I want to do everything I can to ease her transition to American life.

Thanks

1. Amazon sells them and they are realy easy to install. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=toilet+hose+sprayer&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=21913984764&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14995375771643252171&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_4x2apyw48j_b

2. There are many out there. My wife bought one in Walmart and she loves it.

3. My wife doesn't like to watch Thai TV much. When she does, she uses the iphone app. You can search for it in the app store for "Thai TV". It is free.

4. Google "Thai Keybord Layout" and you can buy the stickers with english and Thai. Also change your keyboard seeting in you computer to add Thai.

5. Find Thai stores for food. We live in San Diego and there are no Thai stores here. We frequent Laos stores and other asian stores. They cary most of the stuff. We also they a trip to LA (Thai Town) everyo other month for food not carred in San Diego. Definately driver's license. My wife never drove in Thailand and it took her 5 months to get her license. Ask for the test in Thai, it maybe available.

This is advise a friend of mine gave me that helped us: "Remember that she is going to feel home sick. It is normal. Neither you or her have done nothing wrong. It is normal to feel that way. Support her, listen to her and try to do your best to make her feel at home. Eventually, she will feel at home." It was true for us. After 4-5 months, she started to realize that this is her new home and she started to doing thing to make it her own. Encourage her to decorate her house and make it her own. This is just some advise I got that worked for us. Goodl uck to the both of you.

[Darnell 8,478]

re: thai keyboard - buy one in a shop in Thailand, pack in luggage. dedicate and reconfigure one machine in yer house for her use.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Darnell

[slowlyman 118]

re: thai keyboard - buy one in a shop in Thailand, pack in luggage. dedicate and reconfigure one machine in yer house for her use.

Good idea

[Erich&Chanisa 0]

My wife has been here for about 3 years so she's not as easy to please as when she first got here but I made her very happy recently by buying her a outdoor propane cooker with a 22-inch wok: http://www.amazon.com/Eastman-Outdoors-37212-22-Inch-Carbon-Steel/dp/B0002OOMRG/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_2

Best pad thai ever comes out of that thing.

Most of the other suggestions on this thread are great, btw. One thing you can do to help her improve her english is to watch a lot of american shows and movies on Netflix. With most shows and movies on Netflix, you can turn on english subtitles which has been a great help to her as far as understanding spoken english, especially the southern accents that she often hears here in NC. Be careful about what you let her watch, though (says the guy whose wife made him sit through about 8 season's worth of Malcolm In the Middle.)

Edited June 18, 2013 by Erich&Chanisa

[ToddT 1]

Good idea - Maybe try to turn on subtitles for the Food Network and create a gourmet chef while she learns English better.

[Juan & Nan 12]

My wife has been here for about 3 years so she's not as easy to please as when she first got here but I made her very happy recently by buying her a outdoor propane cooker with a 22-inch wok: http://www.amazon.com/Eastman-Outdoors-37212-22-Inch-Carbon-Steel/dp/B0002OOMRG/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_2

Best pad thai ever comes out of that thing.

Most of the other suggestions on this thread are great, btw. One thing you can do to help her improve her english is to watch a lot of american shows and movies on Netflix. With most shows and movies on Netflix, you can turn on english subtitles which has been a great help to her as far as understanding spoken english, especially the southern accents that she often hears here in NC. Be careful about what you let her watch, though (says the guy whose wife made him sit through about 8 season's worth of Malcolm In the Middle.)

Malcolm in the Middle . LOL

[Darnell 8,478]

amazon sells that stuff? i rigged my own, getting a 1 meter wok at a chinese resturant supply place. when i'm not using it to wok with i rerig the rig to be a huge steamer - i can steam 300 venison dumplings at the same time.

but it's all outside gear. i luvs it.

[X Factor 1,112]

Hi my friends ~ how is everyone?

[joshandgigi 8]

If your wife will have a cell phone go with Boost Mobile. They have a international calling for 10 dollars a month and the shrinkage plan. I think im paying 55 dollars for my unlimited cell packet. It runs off Sprints networks so it works well. Just cant use it for areas where you would be roaming.

Josh

[joshandgigi 8]

Also its nice cause if you have a need to call home you can do it anytime and not have to worry about wifi.

[pamshusband 1]

excellent thread. thank you