languageexpress

Eating Oats is supposed to have good effect in combating high Cholesterol levels

Just out of curiosity languageexpress what are your cholesterol levels like after 40 years of eating oats?

I have an annual check up ...I haven’t got the numbers to hand, but, my doctor reckons they're good. I eat ice-cream pretty much daily. I figure the oats and ice-cream balance each other out.

I quite enjoy Mutton Momo, and Nepalese Briyani is also tasty.

Suprised the potato dish wasnt much good, my favourite Nepalese dishes are the spud based ones. Every place seems to do it differently, but they're all good. I reckon most of the "mutton" in Nepal would actually be goat, as you see loads of them about but relatively few sheep.

Mind you, there’s loads of cows and not much beef J

Thanks for the tip, I'm going to give Himalaya a try.

Things seem to have improved at swampy. I was there four times last month – didn’t see a single tout. Not even during “The Scandinavian Open Season” when the Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen planes touch down.

At Villa Supermarket on Sukhumvit Soi 11 there are up to 14 different varieties of rolled oats on the shelves. Even though I’ve eaten a bowl of oats pretty much every morning for 40 years, never have I seen such an abundance of oatmeal choices. And let’s face it each brand contains almost identical contents…plain, unadulterated, rolled oats.

My question is, “what the hel_l is going on?” Why do they stock 14 varieties of near identical products? There has to be reason, no?

I stopped buying frozen produce from my local, well known supermarket in Sukhumvit Soi 11 when I saw some of the top packages in the freezer chest were soggy and thawed, while the bottom packages were coated in ice. I could live with the fact that many of the boxes in this store's freezer are broken and re-wrapped in saran-wrap ( I assume they just drop a lot of boxes) ....but defrosted and refrozen seemed too risky, despite the fact that I've never fallen ill from food purchased there.

If your sister does decide to get a TESOL certificate she might as well get one that lets her work back home. Even better, get one that genuinely equips her to teach and doesn't raise eyebrows amongst knowledgeable educators.

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Having taught EFL in Australia since the early 1990s, I can tell you that most of the certificates offered in Thailand aren't worth a tinker's when it comes to resettling and getting a job back home.

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Nearly all ESL/EFL colleges in Australia are accredited by a regulating authority called NEAS. http://www.neas.org.au/aboutneas/index.php Teachers employed at NEAS Accredited schools must have a university degree and a recognized TESOL qualification. There is a formula for what this entails, but it basically boils down to three options:

1. Internationally known qualifications like the CELTA/DELTA

2. Post Grad Qualifications in TESOL from universities

3. AQF Qualifications like the Certificate IV in TESOL http://www.aqf.edu.au

If you sister just needs a piece of paper with the word "TESOL" written in on, there are any number of shopfront or online providers that can churn one out for her. But if she really wants to improve her teaching skills then go for one of the options mentioned above.

I honestly don't know if they'll improve her chances of getting decent employment in Thailand, opinions vary. But a decent TESOL Certificate will more than pay for itself when it comes time to set up back home – Australia has a booming ELICOS industry and with experience and the right qualifications it's fairly easy to find work in any of the capital cities.

http://www.hothousemedia.com/ltm/ltmbackissues/apr09web/apr09marketreport.htm

http://www.aei.gov.au/AEI/PublicationsAndResearch/ResearchPapers/2009_1_SIA_2010_pdf.pdf

Sprung!

Sorry, I'm curious, but which kind of drink is Dr Pepper? Kind of Coke?

Is that the one that taste like "orignal Darley Toothpaste"? I love that stuff..both the toothpastr and soft drink..smells like Dencal Rub...but tastes great.

Hard to recommend without knowing what games you've played.

Even AoE ( or great grand daddy Civilisation) could be fun if you've never had a crack at it before, right?

The 'Total War' franchise put out a new one every couple of years, and are still fun to play.

For my money the original "Shogun" is still the best, though it's got to be at least a decade old.

"Rome" isn't bad and the Napoleonic era version that came out a year ago is ok.

For Visa related medicals I use the clinic on Soi 11 (next to the Pickled Liver Pub). It's dirt cheap, but as in all things, you get what you pay for… the good doctor need merely wave his stethoscope over you to declare a clean bill of health.

If it’s simply for visa purposes this is a good deal. If you have genuine concerns, maybe not so good.

Who would have guessed that the wheels of justice turn so fast in Cambodia!

It took 30+ year to arrange trials for mass murder and genocide, but only a flash to convict this poor guy.

Still, at least the world will now expect lighting fast trials and convictions in graft and corruption cases.

Hi Bookemdano

What kind of English degrees were you discussing (i.e. English Lit, TESOL, or something else?)

I haven't taught at universities in Thailand so I am not in a position to comment directly, but I have taught at Universities in Australia and Japan. From talking with colleagues here, I suspect that the situation is not dissimilar to that in Japan.

In general, while I often saw similar curricula, I found practices markedly different; students didn't read anywhere nearly as widely, and the analytical work was to a different standard.

This is completely understandable, after all the Japanese students were studying in a second language. However, strictly speaking I think you would be on very safe ground claiming that just about any English course in Japan ( or Thailand!) would be to a different standard from those in English speaking countries.

Perhaps your girlfriend can take comfort in the fact that Thai is studied at a much higher standard here than elsewhere J

does anyone know a place in Bangkok where you can do one or two lessons a week during the daytime at beginner level?

Cheers.

To answer the third part of your question. Yes, Language Express has weeknight Beginners Thai courses on Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays& Thursdays. From 5pm to 7pm. There are other times available.

I finally tried the dreaded 'fish tacos'.

It consisted of lots of well grilled fish mixed with a fresh tomato/onion salsa that also contained quite a bit of chilli…it wasn't as spicy as some Thai dishes, but it definitely had a kick to it . There might have been some lime or lemon in there as well. Apparently the fish (or salsa?) is mixed with a little tequila at some stage during its creation, but I have to admit I couldn’t taste it.

It tasted good, I’d go fish tacos again no problem at all. Actually it was really good, probably my favourite out of everything I've tried at La Monita. Not surprisingly, it wasn’t as heavy as the 'meaty-beany-spicy-ricey-cheesy burrito' I had on my first visit. The chef reckons he goes through a 4kg fish a day, and once the fish has gone, there are no more fish tacos on the menu.

Considering how much vanilla beans cost and that the demand for them is worldwide. I'm surprised they are not grown here in Thailand and exported?

Actually, they are beginning to grow them in thailand. They were being sold at the Royal Project Exhibition in Chiang Mai several months (maybe 1 year) ago. They were charging 80 aht per bean which is about what you pay for them in the supermarkets here.

They definitely had them in Sukhumvit Villa ( Soi11) before they rearranged the shelves a couple of months back. I stop by at least twice a week so will check them out for you…if I remember L

The whole rial link is a gigantic white elephant - why would anyone want to use it in prefernec eot a taxi? It only cuts out the fast (freeway) part of your journey to/from the airport and then you have to get to/from the airport rail station anyway - heaps more hassle and a lot slower than a taxi. And if its 150 baht you will end up paying less to get a taxi (for most ultimate destinations) even if you are traveling alone. Even if it is a bit cheaper overall, who in their right mind wants to endure all the hassle to possible save about $1 ??

Can you imagine the chaos if thousands of bag toting tourists actually tried to get off the train in the city? The currently well mannered BTS stations would be thronged with touts and dodgy taxi drivers. Doesn’t bear thinking about!

But I don’t think many tourists will take the rail link, and at least it gives people an option. I head out to Swampy quite a bit to greet arriving friends, it will be nice to avoid the taxis and traffic on the way out..Think I’ll probably catch a cab back in, can’t see any way to do it without double handling luggage and dealing with the Tax-maf.

Phenom Penh is good for those in the East. Penang is good if you’re in the south and Vientiane for those in the North. Of the three, I prefer Pengang, just a personal thing...it’s not dirt cheap but it’s easy to get around and a pleasant enough place to wait out the processing time.

I went there with a party of four on Friday night for tacos and the odd burrito. We mostly went for the beef and green chicken, (which were excellent) but there was a big range (not all listed on the menu) including al pastor, grilled fish and ox tongue. It wasn’t a dirt cheap night, tacos were around 70-90 baht, but the quality was brilliant- fresh, flavorsome and home-made. Totally different league from Sunrise, which is a bit school cafeteria-ish IMHO. Depends what you like, I suppose.

Pricewise it was comparable to Bkk pub food and very tasty, made for a good night out.

Daft!

A friend of mine in Ao Nang has workers building a couple of bungalows for him. One of the workers was bitten on the toe by a baby Malaysian viper. The little snake was killed and identified. The guy refused to go to the doctor and is being treated by the village witch doctor. I asked my friend to let me know how it works out.

That is one tough but stupid dude.

Im a Japanese food lover too, I have been to many in bangkok and have to say that nearly all of them have been solid.

I have yet to find a bad Japanese resturant so far here, but I will say I have not found a good Viet restaurant here. ANyone know of a solid place

I liked the place on Sukhumvit Soi 13 (near Citi Chic Hotel) but it closed recently. I heard it's relocated and, if true, would love to know where. It was owned/run by a Vietnamese woman who'd lived in the States...good pot dishes...and (not sure why) also had some decent Binets.

I HAD A similar thing happen to me last year when i was leaving the airport.

As i got thru the scanner thing,a couple of young Indian,bangladeshi i presume young guys just so ever without hesitation walked up to me and pushed in front of me

I was in a similar situation in 2007. 3 guys charged through to the front third of the line without regard to everyone who had been standing in the que for 15-20 minutes. Much to our delight, an immigration offical told them to get to the back of the line in no uncertain terms. Smiles from the the rest of us...a little order and civility make the queing easier to bear.

Authentic Mexican good is always a delite to find in Thailand.

However 290 for a Burrito is getting pretty darn expensive almost US $9.00.

3 Soft Tacos for 99 baht is more inline with lunch pricing.

Made locally and from scratch with nothing to import it should be allot cheaper in my opinion.

I hear you on the 290 meal...however this was an absolute Beast of a Burritto. I ordered the biggest thing on the menu coz i do like large portions plus I figured I'd give them a hand on their opening day .

It consisted of a handmade triple size soft torilla, wrapping spicy rice, steak, beans, guacamole, cheese and some kind of salsa. The Chef came out and went on about how it was a big meal for lunch..even so it took me by suprise... this thing was the size of two pint glasses end to end. They came out and took a pic of me attempting to finish it off. Pig tho I am, I couldnt finish it - staff wrapped it in tin foil for take away. Lot of fun.

It is the only thing I tried on the menu, but I will visit more this week and update this posting. Next time i plan on some of the regular sized meals.

Had lunch today at a new taqueria called La Montia. Great food and the Spanish American chef reckons everything (including the tortillas) is cooked from scratch. I had the Big Burrito which was about the size of two pint glasses end to end (290 baht). It must have weighed a couple of pounds, loaded with steak, guacamole, spicy rice and beans: too big for one person (greed got the better of me). A co-worker had three soft shelled tacos made from oven roasted pork/beef/chicken (99 baht) - a way better lunch.

La Monita is located next to the Mahatun Plaza building on Ploenchit road. Go to BTS Ploenchit and get off at Exit 2, walk 5 meters to Mahatun Plaza (20 stories of metallic orange cladding & glass – it's impossible to miss). On either side of the Mahatun Plaza are two neat concreted lanes, walk down the left lane keeping Language Express on your right. La Monita is 30 meters down the left lane, near the Manhattan Restaurant/Bar. It has a small blue sign above the door. Its easy to find - I don’t know their opening hours but they do both lunch and dinner, so presumably open till late.

Last time Thai staff checked for me (June), I was refused a licence here in Thailand because my degree says "M.A. in TEFL" - they said it is not a B.Ed. or M.Ed.

Tough break. The drone that made that decision is truly clueless!