From: matmcinn@nuscc.nus.sg (MAWENZI lieutenant of Kibo)
Subject: Re: American Boy marries Thai Girl
Organization: National University of Singapore
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 03:15:12 GMT

tstil@Auspex.COM (Tim Stilwell) writes:
: 
:     Sawasdee Khrup Tuk Kon.
: 
:  Next week, I will be traveling to Thailand to marry my sweetheart of two
:  years.  If you can find the time, I would appreciate any offerings of
:  good luck!  :-)   I am very superstitious.  I have my good luck string
:  already.  And I received the New Year's blessing.  And I asked her to
:  think it over twice before agreeing not to wait any longer.  BUT, I am
:  still very nervous.  Excited too, but also nervous.  What if she changes
:  her mind...
: 
:  I know that it is NOT necessary, but I would like to mention why I am
:  marrying her.  After all, most s.c.t readers are my friends and this IS
:  a Thai topic.  BTW, her name is Sudarat, but her nickname is Mi+ (bear)
:  and she always refers to herself as LukMi+ (baby bear) when writing or
:  talking to me.  For some unknown reason (at least to me), most Thai
:  people find this incredibly amusing!  I like the name because I always 
:  think of her as my teddybear.  I always wanted to hug her ever since I
:  first saw her.  :-)
: 
:  		Reasons Why This American Will Marry This Thai
: 
: 	1. This Thai girl loves me.
: 	   I know this because of many things...
:            The way she treats me, the way she talks to me,
:            the way we talk about the future.
:            Most of all I know it is true because of the
:            look in her eyes!  :-)
:            (Her little sister always hangs around whenever
:             we are just sitting and staring at each other.
:             Her little sister always says the equivalent of 
:             "What's your problem? in Thai.)
: 	
: 	2. I love this Thai girl.
:            She is pretty.  She is smart.  She is talented.
:            Most of all, she is nice to me and everyone else.
:            (In America, we sometimes refer to "Generosity"
:             as the 8th deadly sin.  At last, I have found
:             someone who doesn't complain if I am generous.)
: 
: 	3. This Thai girl takes good care of her family.
:            I have met most of her relatives and family
:            friends (half the population of Ampore Phon Phisai).
:            She always visits them and she is there to help if
:            someone is sick.  I know because her letters are
:            late!  :-(  But, she tells me what has happened 
:            and apologizes more gracefully than I ever can.
: 
: 	4. Her family likes me.
:            Yes, they all do.  Well, maybe all.  I am still not
:            sure about her older sister.  The one who yelled at
:            me for a whole hour (I thought my ears would fall off)
:            because I asked if I could sleep over.  Boy was I
:            glad I did not understand most of what she said.  :-)
: 
: 	5. This Thai girl is willing to learn about America.
:            She already likes some rock'n'roll music, pizza and
:            ice-cream.  But she is skeptical.  Hamburgers really
:            aren't that great and American movies just are not as
:            good as Thai.  Anyway, this is the part about her that
:            I like best.  She is not willing to sell her soul to
:            live in America.  As she said, "Why don't you live
:            here?"  Gosh!  Thai food EVERYDAY!  Oh my poor stomach! :-)
:            
: 	6. This Thai girl is willing to teach me about Thailand.
:            She is incredibly patient.  She is polite.  Her favorite
:            words are "Mai Dai".  :-)  Anyway, she is willing to overlook
:            the facts that I have white skin, a big nose, a general lack
:            of understanding of basic Thai customs, and I mispronounce
:            every other word.  She says I am trainable.  Barely.
: 
: 	7. This Thai girl is NOT interested in American citizenship.
:            This is a big relief.  If we stay married, she has the
:            opportunity to become a U.S. citizen and transport her entire
:            family to America.  But, she is not interested and neither
:            are they (her family).  Contrast that with the average Asian
:            in America desperately searching for someone to marry his/her
:            sister, mother, niece, cousin, whatever.  Always quick to 
:            say "Well, she sounds OK, but you just can't trust Thai
:            people.  But don't worry.  Let me show you a picture of my
:            relative that would be much better for you."  :-(
:          
: 	8. This Thai girl is NOT a snob!
:            She is very beautiful.  Wherever we go, Thai boys turn to
:            look at her as she walks by.  (And she's wearing pants?)  If 
:            we were in America, we would be holding hands and I might 
:            think they are looking at me.  But we are in Thailand, and 
:            I am always walking in front (I am the man) unless as usual, 
:            I don't know where I am going and she is strolling like 
:            "time is money" so I have to run to keep up.  Anyway, she 
:            is never ever rude to anyone.  And she doesn't write and ask 
:            for money or expensive gifts.  Basically, she is affordable.  :-)
: 
: 	9. This Thai girl is NOT a robot!
:            She is able to think and act on her own.  We even date
:            without a chaperone!  Anyway, it is obvious that she is
:            not simply obeying the evil plot of an older relative that
:            desires all my money or a chance to live in America.  
: 
: 	10. This Thai girl is skilled labor.
:             Well, semi-skilled.  OK.  Some might say unskilled.  But
:             she can clean house very well.  She is the best cook of
:             any girl I have ever met (Sorry Moddie).  Also, she likes
:             children and takes care of them and her family very well.
:             I have heard that she cleans clothes very well too, but
:             I don't know that yet.  She still says "Wash your own.
:             We aren't married yet."  :-(   When I think about how
:             she persuades me to do my own laundry and always give 
:             her money, I am afraid to let her work.  She has management
:             potential for sure!  :-( 	
: 
: 	11. This Thai girl is still a virgin.
:             No fears about a part-time job as a prostitute.  Also,
:             she has saved herself for me.  I know how she feels about
:             herself and I know how she feels about me.  I am honoured!
: 	    But, this also means I have to teach her everything.
:             Boy am I glad that I took that Health class in college.  :-)
: 
:  This girl and this boy can do the unthinkable.  Learn from each other and
:  teach each other and their children to live comfortably in both worlds
:  (America and Thailand).  Why?  Because while it is true that each person
:  believes that there is only one good way to do anything (Thai way or
:  American way?), each is willing to observe a different way.  She shows
:  him a new way or he shows her a new way.  After observing these new ways,
:  nothing changes!  :-)  But, the first step has been taken.  Each is
:  willing to accept the idea that although there really is only one good
:  way to do anything, other ways are allowed.  Imagine how many wars would
:  not exist if other people were this tolerant!
: 
:  Khawp Khun Hai^ Gumlung Fung+ 
: 
:  tim
: