Originally Posted by CuriousToyBoy

OK, this is gonna sound harsh, but sometimes a reality check for the RIGHT reasons can be a good thing ...

You need to harden the fuck up.

Your life does not suck. You get to choose where you live. You get to live in a country where others around you have nothing and you can afford to have what you want. Many struggle to get their bowl of rice while you get your turkey. You live in relative luxury in comparison to most of the locals. Your life is NOT that bad.

So miss your family, that is fine, but don;t get down about it

PERSPECTIVE is a wonderful thing.

Now if that sounded way too harsh, so be it, but I hope it did you some good to hear it.

Want to feel better about it all?

First TELEPHONE your closest firends and relatives that you cannot be with, tell them you love them, and wish them a Merry Christmas.

Then go for a random walk anywhere close to where you live in Bangkok, and randomly hand out US$20 notes to 5 little street urchins who know no better and have nothing at all to look forward to.

Why do I know this works?

When I lived in the Philippines and started to feel down and sorry for myself I did the EXACT same thing.

And guess what?

It worked ;-)

Have a very Merry Christmas, enjoy your turkey and smile about the best $100 you ever gave away in your life and ALWAYS remember that lives of people like us many others would die for. Our lives truly do not suck.

2c