GSE D.3350 to D.5950 USA

Friday May the 11th is the day that we suppose to stay in Minnes-so-ta for the last day.  Nok makes her way to New York, even there are some delay, but things go well.  I and Khun Mam' meet with Fulada and Goong at the airport.

My flight time is 3.05 p.m.  We suppose to be on board at 2.55 p.m.

May 11th, 2007

3.00 p.m. -----> There is an anouncement, from the counter at the Gate that "We still have no report from the airplane when will it be ready for boarding".

From the Gate to the airplane !! C'm on. 30 feet away and you are waithing for thr report?

3.15 p.m. -----> NWA announcement "The plane will ready for boading at about 3.30 p.m."

3.50 p.m. -----> NW 0019 departed from the Gate and taxi to runway

3.55 p.m. -----> NW 0019 parked not far away from the Terminal

4.15 p.m. -----> Pilot announcement "We have...um...some electical problem that cannot be fixed.  To the safty of the flight we have to go back to the gate and let the technicians fix the problem."

5.15 p.m. -----> NW 0019 leave MSP airport

May 12th, 2007 (next 12 hours)

7.35 p.m. -----> Arrive at Narita airport for flight transit which HAD LEFT last hour.

8.30 p.m. -----> Transferred to Radison Narita Hotel to check-in and wait for tomorrow flight

10.00 p.m. -----> After 1 and a half hour in the lengthy (long) que, we have been told to move again to other hotel because there is no room left at Radisoon

We are moved back to the same way to Narota airport.  We have seen Holiday Inns Hotel on the right hand side. Then the bus turned left to Narita Nikko instead

10.45 p.m. -----> Finally, register a room.

That's all for my first time of compulsorily missing flight.

Artit Pinpak

I am really, really, really want to post many detail on the very last day of the GSE Program, but my flight time is coming.

Thus, see you in Thailand.

Arty

Worramon check in here...

Yesterday we had farewell picnic at the Cornelia Park. Dan Huges, my host frrom Shakopee drove me there and ho got another guy from his police department helped us with the luggages. :-)

Most of the host families were there. We were so glad to see all of them again. Gosh, we missed them so much! I was so glad to meet Pam Brimeyer from SLP and Suzanne Sem from C-NH-R.

Today morning, all of us seems to be very tired-out that we all woke up very late like almost 9am or even later. Not just that, most of us were even waked up by our host families! We all had different activities according to our need and preference. I have been again to the mall of America and then to the bank to get the check for the Rice program cashed. Then we had lunch at the Walker museum. We went to the Galleria in the afternoon and Dan brought me hom by 4pm. Then, I was brought out again to Target. I have got a set of luggages for Patty. This evening, we are going to the King& I restaurant for dinner.

Educator :) Goong

Pretty early today for Edina morningside Rotary Meeting. Foggy little bit. For educators these two days in Shakopee are impressive. We learn the differences and the similarity of School System by our wonderful hosts. We went to preschool which in Thailand 's called kindergaten and then we headed to Shakopee Senior high. At senior high we had have opportunity to be in at the corner of building and watched those young adult ppl came out of the classroom at the same time after the ring's belled as you 've seen on TV. Some looked at us as the strangers,some not tho. At that moment it seemed this place is so lively but the after a few minutes that place liked there's no human in that building. I learn something about people here in this community. They are so devoted to the children and for educational. They are going to open the brand new senior high which cost 54 millions USD. to support the community because higher number of populations here are three times higher annd they grow really fast. I had chance to tour this senior high in the morning. And I certainly believe that it worths every $ that they invest.

At noon we went to Shakopee Rotary meeting. This's again we had so warm welcome from ppl here. We did our presentation. We did real well, then each of us headed back to host's home and waiting for the fairwell picnic this evening. After picnic we have our last move to Edina. Time flies so fast. 

Take care  

We have been in the hands of Shakopee RC, MN, USA since yesterday. I got up at six in the morning to get ready for the vocational visit today.  In the morning I was taken to the University of Saint Thomas School of Law again, but there are some differences this time.  The person who took me there today is the alumnus of University of Saint Thomas School of Law, so she have someone whom she have known since she were studying at University of Saint Thomas School of Law.  We talked to someone who is in charge of the Mentor Program in Law School. It is very fascinating and interesting thing to do.

After that, we make a quick stop at Barns&Nobles bookstore. It is very quick, but I still get some journals from there. I have French Dip as the lunch at "Dangerfield" -- the restaurant where we were transferred and will have Shackopee RC Meeting.

In Hts afternoon, we went to see the museum in the house of vice-chairman of a red indian tribe, water treatment plant, and Fire fighter department,

After the reception at the District 5950's GE Tammy, I went to the Willliam Mitchell College of Law.  Only one college only one department.

And after dinner, Eric--my host family-- took me to the location of Thomsan+West.

What a fruitful and formative day !!

Arty

Worramon check in here...

Today morning after we finished packing, our host family, the Kims, brought us for brunch at the Perkins. It's an all-day restaurant that served all meals but they're very famous for breakfast. (Just like "IHOP" if someone may have been in the US, they might know this IHOP.) I had a "hearty man's breakfast" set. It's a dish consists of sausages, 2 sunny-side ups eggs and 3 pancakes! Well, I didn't finish them up. It was just too much.

Then, Mr. Dennis Kim brought us back home to get our luggages and he drove us to Shakopee. The meeting point was called "Dangerfield's."

(Oh, yeah, what a name!)

It was so funny, when we were picked up, our host family, they don't realise that our luggages were so many that couldn't fit in a car. It was mines and Nok's combined altogether. (This time, Nok and me, we stay together.)

So, he called a "Squad guard" for help. One of the Hopkins host family was shocked and amazed. She couldn't believe that there could be anyone calls a squad guard (= police) for help. At first we thought it was a joke until the police car really arrived!  

We learned later that our host is a Police Chief and the car that he called was a police car!   

The house where we stay now is in Burnsville. Actually, I know well Burnsville because Mr. John Swaney's mother is also living in Burnsville. We went to pick her up here for the Greek restaurant.

In the afternoon, we had a choice of activity we wanted to do, so we chose to go to Mall of America for the fourth time (for me.) Nok has got a new luggage because her old small green one is apparently now too small. I have got a new Nine West travel bag, well, I think it's bigger than my backpack and very suitable for my LCD projector.

For dinner we had rice, veggies and chicken. Nok discovered new seasonings called "Hot Salt" on the table and she enjoyed it very much.

Tomorrow morning, we'll leave the house at 7.30 am. We'll have vocational visits. Nok is going for food company and since they can't arrange anything for me because the hotel staff weren't co-operative, so my host, Dan, offers to let me have a chance to get on a police car for patrol! WOW! Isn't that cool? I'm so excited already!

Today is the moving day again.  My host family need to go to work, so I have to get up early and be dropped at the Theater in Hopkins area to wait for the next pick up.  The weather is so nice, so I took a little walk around that site.  On the way back, Barb (my lovely host) was there already.

After greeting, al

l team members gradually appear one by one.  i am taken to the University of Saint Thomas which is the catholic university. (I think it's named after St. Thomas Aquinas rather than St.Thomas Apostolo)

I am welcomed by Prof. Jerry (Jerome) Organ, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  After greeting, he shows mw the Dean's Suite, Adjunct Professor office, Court room, library, and so on.

The University of St. Thomas is a Catholic, comprehensive university that fosters a tradition of service to the public and an energetic, thoughtful approach to the challenges of contemporary life.

Located in Minnesota's vibrant Twin Cities area, St. Thomas offers its students a wide range of employment opportunities, cultural events and volunteer activities.

The University of St. Thomas School of Law is a close-knit community that is dedicated to integrating faith and reason in the search for truth and justice, through a focus on morality and public service. University's mission is inspired by Catholic social thought, the Catholic Church’s historical commitment to advancing social justice, particularly helping those who are most in need of assistance.

We end our nice and warm-welcome trip at the Bokkstore of the university.

After wehave lunch,  Barb knid enough to host all of the team members at he nice dwelling place.  Some of us took the happy, peaceful, two-hour long nap there.

Barb's expecting son-in-law made us the nice and soft grilled salmon with bland risotto!!

What a happy night!

Worramon check in here...

Today it's our moving day. We moves to RC Hopkins but actually we stay mostly in Minnetonka. In the morning, Ms. Jenny, who is a daughter of Mrs. Barb Westmoreland, a Rotarian of RC Hopkins, brought Nok and me to Cargill company's office. We had been inside and seen most of the chemistry labs there. I have no idea about these labs, but I could feel that it's very amazing to see and realise that all the best food products sold in the world are all started from here!

We have had no plan in the afternoon, so all of us decided to go to Mrs. Barb Westmoreland's house and take a nap. We were all so tired!

Mam and me, we stay together with a Korean family of Dr. Dennis and Mrs. Sung Sook Kim. Dr. Dennis has his own civil engineering company.

We've had Korean food for our dinner at the King's Korean restaurant in Fridley. It was about 30-minute drive from our host house. The food was so good. Khun Mam seems to enjoy very much.

Then we come back home and do some laundries.

That's all for today

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Worramon check in here..

I was staying with the family of Mrs. Christine Dokken, a Rotarian of RC Minneapolis Uptown.

Yesterday evening, we were having "authentic home-made Italian pizzas."

It was so delicious!