This Is It

[buadhai]

Well, this is it. My final day of work, ending a 32 year career with the US Government; the last 26 of those here on Saipan. We fly to Thailand via Japan next week Tuesday.

Thanks to the many members of this forum who offered invaluable information and advice on visas and countless other matters.

I hope that some day I can return the favor.

Finally, I look forward to meeting at least a few of you before too long.

(I can hardly belive I've written a post imbued with such sincerity. Perhaps it's the prospect of never having to work again that's put me in this good mood....)

[penzman]

Enjoy your retirement Newman!

Where will you be settling in Thailand?

A cold Chang sounds good

[buadhai]

Enjoy your retirement Newman! 

Where will you be settling in Thailand?

A cold Chang sounds good 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks penzman. I will be settling in Korat (the city). And, I am indeed looking forward to a cold Chang or two....

[bkkmadness]

Hmm, never having to work again, a cold beer whilst relaxing in Thailand, living the dream man, living the dream.

Congrats.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Enjoy your retirement Newman! 

Where will you be settling in Thailand?

A cold Chang sounds good 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks penzman. I will be settling in Korat (the city). And, I am indeed looking forward to a cold Chang or two....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Enjoy it MGM

[udon]

Mike, you lucky bastard!

32 years.... Phew!

Reading that opener has made me jealous.

Good luck and give us your impressions of Korat after a while.

Cya in (maybe) 3 months.

[corkscrew]

Well, this is it. My final day of work, ending a 32 year career with the US Government; the last 26 of those here on Saipan. We fly to Thailand via Japan next week Tuesday.

Thanks to the many members of this forum who offered invaluable information and advice on visas and countless other matters.

I hope that some day I can return the favor.

Finally, I look forward to meeting at least a few of you before too long.

(I can hardly belive I've written a post imbued with such sincerity. Perhaps it's the prospect of never having to work again that's put me in this good mood....)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congratulations! I hope the next 32 years bring you as much comfort as the last 32 years brought you work.

[Padkapow Guy]

Congratulations!

I only have 20 years left until it's my turn. That sounds sad doesn't it. Anyhow I am jealous as h3ll of you.

enjoy and the best of luck to you.

PKG

[Krub]

Hi,

Great news, congratulations.

My turn in a few years

Wishing all the best for both of you

Keep posting !

[PeaceBlondie]

Congratulations, fellow US-fed retiree. My last day was 30 September 1998, with more than 26 years. I only wish I could have done it a little sooner. It's so far away now, I barely remember.

Good luck.

[Jai Dee]

Congratulations mate.

Enjoy your retirement (no doubt about that at all )

[jayenram]

Good onya. Hope you enjoy it and it lasts a long, long time.

Now perhaps you could refrain from using profanity. "W*rk" indeed!

[lopburi3]

Expect the unexpected.

Retire 31 July 1992 - arrive Bangkok 4 August.

Depart Bangkok 3 September to pick up pieces of house in Homestead FL at demand of insurance company and unable leave Miami airport until next morning. Home relatively ok (about $20k damage) but no power and Miami heat not to my liking so pack car and take some things to update New York. Return and put home in hands of relater (still unable meet with insurance people - they only helping those with no place to stay and total destruction). Pack another car load and drive to Denver, losing timing belt just across Colorado state line. Arrive sisters on back of tow truck. Arrange ticket back to Bangkok and arrived again 30 September.

At the time was planning to move to Florida after house repaired but as time went bye decided to stay on here in Bangkok.

Almost forgot the important part - good luck and am sure you will also have tales but I hope they are all good.

Edited March 31, 2005 by lopburi3

[buadhai]

Well, it's over. Last day all done now. Officially retired.

Thanks to all for the kind words (and for your horror tale lopburi...).

Can't wait to get to LOS next week.

See you there.

[Jai Dee]

Well, it's over. Last day all done now. Officially retired.

Thanks to all for the kind words (and for your horror tale lopburi...).

Can't wait to get to LOS next week.

See you there.

Make sure you post something as soon as you're settled, so the TV welcoming commitee can greet you.

[thaiflyer1]

Good luck for the future MGN............

[buadhai]

I do have one thing to report. We sent a bunch of our personal stuff to Korat via Airmail Parcel Post. I put "household effects of returning resident" on the customs forms as my GF is returning to Thailand after seven years abroad. So far, none of the boxes that have arrived have been opened by customs and no duty has been charged. So, perhaps those words do the trick.

And, yes, it is party time!

[harpman88]

Just discovered your post Mike,so let me say yet again,HUGE CONGRATS. I lasted 27 plus yrs. with Unc. Sam thankfully he let me go early.

(OPM just got my annuity straight too) Hope to see you in C.Mai when you can swing it...the real fun has yet to begin!

[RDN]

Well, it's over. Last day all done now. Officially retired.

Thanks to all for the kind words (and for your horror tale lopburi...).

Can't wait to get to LOS next week.

See you there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congratulations! 32 years working, eh? - same as me - but mine was spread over two companies. I wonder if you had the same mixture of feelings as I did two and a half years ago. Lots of "we'll miss you"s from the people at work, plus some "you lucky bastard"s, the exhausting process of house-selling and financial arrangements, and the excitement of having the visa and plane ticket in your hands! Great moments to cherish!

Good luck and hope to meet up with you one day, wherever you end up in Thailand.

[Lancelot]

Congrats MGN! Ypu'll never regret retiring here in Thailand. I've been here two years and love it. Enjoy those Changs!

Lance

[buadhai]

Congratulations! 32 years working, eh? - same as me - but mine was spread over two companies. I wonder if you had the same mixture of feelings as I did two and a half years ago. Lots of "we'll miss you"s from the people at work, plus some "you lucky bastard"s, the exhausting process of house-selling and financial arrangements, and the excitement of having the visa and plane ticket in your hands! Great moments to cherish!

Good luck and hope to meet up with you one day, wherever you end up in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know what you mean. Nice farewell lunch with the staff, nostalgic plaque; lots of tears and hugs and promises, probably unkept, to keep in touch.

My office looks so bare with all the personal items removed. (I left the award plaques for the new manager! )

The apartment is also pretty bare with everything shipped off.

Most arrangements made. Still have the car to transfer and the final bags to pack.

Been making the rounds to say farewell to so many friends; many of whom I've known for 20+ years. This is tiny island with a small expat community so I run into folks everywhere I go.

So many "good-byes".

Champagne celebration with GF tonight.

Yeah, lots of mixed feelings but great enthusiasm for the future.

[Ken]

Congrats Mike. Looking forward to seeing you in Korat, perhaps at "Mike's place", the Pasinee Restaruant (next door to the Pizza Shop). Cheers.

[dclaryjr]

Congrats, Mike. Hope you have a wonderful retirement! And I'll be curious to see how you manage your finances--i.e., moving the money about. Good luck!

P.S. Hopefully you can find a specialist in Korat to work on that pulsating cranium!

[buadhai]

Congrats, Mike.  Hope you have a wonderful retirement!  And I'll be curious to see how you manage your finances--i.e., moving the money about.  Good luck!

P.S.  Hopefully you can find a specialist in Korat to work on that pulsating cranium!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, it's a promise! Once I arrive in Thailand it's a brand new avatar for me!

[buadhai]

Congrats Mike.  Looking forward to seeing you in Korat

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm looking forward to it as well, Ken.

See you soon.

[buadhai]

Congrats Mike.  Looking forward to seeing you in Korat, perhaps at "Mike's place", the Pasinee Restaruant (next door to the Pizza Shop).  Cheers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ken, I spent an hour this morning trying to find the Pizza Shop. Where exactly is it?

[Ken]

Mike, sorry I "missed" you. I was there today from 12:30 to 2 PM. Now no plans to be back in Korat until after the holiday's (ie bad time to be on the road). The next VFW meeting is Monday morning April 18, which is probably the earliest I will be back that way due to Songkran. But the restaurant will be open for the "duration". Anyway the Pasinee Restaurant (next to the Pizza Shop) is located at 428 Suranaree Rd. It's a minute walk from the Sri Pattani Hotel or a minute walk from the Osaka Massage Parlour Big sign outside says "Lebanese Restaurant". Ask any Tuk Tuk driver (they for sure know about the Pizza Shop). I'll PM you my mobile number. Cheers.

[Eneukman]

Well, this is it. My final day of work, ending a 32 year career with the US Government; the last 26 of those here on Saipan. We fly to Thailand via Japan next week Tuesday.

Thanks to the many members of this forum who offered invaluable information and advice on visas and countless other matters.

I hope that some day I can return the favor.

Finally, I look forward to meeting at least a few of you before too long.

(I can hardly belive I've written a post imbued with such sincerity. Perhaps it's the prospect of never having to work again that's put me in this good mood....)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know how you felt that day. Tomorrow is my last day at work after almost 33 years of working for a certain bank in various forms. Middle of June should see me in Pattaya looking for somewhere to stay.

Alan

[sonthaya]

The best of luck to you, ffrom May 1st it's my turn.

[Hikage]

Moving from Saipan to Korat? Congrats, but sounds to me like your moving AWAY from paradise! Never been there, but it sounds like a nice retirement village.