Big's BloG

DAY 14

2005-02-20T06:21:00.000-05:00

"Ahmedabad-Rajkot-Jamnagar-Dwarka"

As usual, the bus came late almost 30 minutes. We all knew about it. Anyways, most of us was ready at 6:30 AM as schedule. This is what I like about American culture that people respect the meeting time.
On the way from Ahmedabad to Rajkot, I slept, as I planned, right after 15 minutes after the bus started rolling. I woke up again when we arrived Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture at Rajkot. This school is pretty new. It has been opened for just 4 years. For me, walking around the studios and its library. It most likely when I started my undergraduate level at KMUTT; I was in the 1st class. Yet this Indian students have better facilities than me. They have their own well-designed building. The Dean of the school took us around and stopped at the library. He said that they have a strong requirement of big amount of architectural books in any kinds. He asked for help from Nihal and us that he needs the disposable books and magazines shipping to his school. I really want to help him. May be I will donate some of my collection to them from Bangkok.
Then we departed to Jamnagar. We stopped at the main weekend market which surround the big pool with the museum and nice statue in the middle. As I told before, it's a weekend market and we were there on Saturday. Of course, there were lots of people walking around. When we were there it's like we are super stars. We walked observing around as a small group and they staring at us and keep say "Hello" to us. Even more, when we got together as a whole group the crowd get more and more around us. From my memory, there were more than hundred people surround us while we were all waiting for the bus. This kind of reaction from the local surprised us a lot.
When we arrived at the Hotel Devang in Dwarka around midnight. In a hotel room, I asked myself the how it would be if we were in some villages in Thailand. Will they act like this too?

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 11-13)

2005-02-18T08:17:00.000-05:00

DAY 11
Wed 01/19/05 writing at 2:11PM in the CEPT studio, 01/21/05

When you start doing the same things again and again everyday. You will start seeing it as nothing. This is happening to me like now. I can't come up with anything that I think it's interesting. What I remember is that since we are having seminar class like this everyday, I need to speak up to make Nihal notices and gives me the participation points. I think back to the time that I first started the master program in Ball State, I had a real problem speaking and asking questions. I don't say now I'm good but at least I've got better.
Anyways, I think I don't have anything more to tell. See you tomorrow.

DAY 12
Thu 01/20/05 writing at 3:22PM in the CEPT studio, 01/21/05

Ahmedabad also fell into the fast food franchise realm just like any other cities and countries around the world. Today I'm gonna talk about my first experience with Indian McDonald. It happened to us because Nihal dismissed the class earlier than usual. Matt is the one who found it and he also brought an idea to get a lunch over there together.
The McDonald that we went is located on the Ground floor of the cinema complex which I can't recall the name. We were so excited to see what they will provide us on the menu, do they have the Maharaja Burger like Nihal told us? No, they don't but they do have the regular menu just like the store in USA. The only mere difference is the names that they put on each item. Oh..hey!! They don't have beef here, so they have only chicken and fish for the meat. The service was fine just little bit slow because of the language barrier. The store is clean. In fact, it's cleaner than a store in Muncie.
After the lunch, I had a chance to do a little shopping, yeahh..!! We went to the local souvenir store running by government. I was thinking about buying a Shawl, a piece of cloth in rectangular shape using to cover the body from the cold temperature, for myself several days ago. The weather in Ahmedabad was getting colder and colder everyday. In that shop, there are many many things to look around most of them are quite beautiful and authentic. I went to the basement to get a Shawl for myself and also for my girlfriend. It ended up that I got just one piece for myself. It's a very nice piece with more pattern and better fabric. Everyone keeps asking where did I get that Shawl. I feel bad that I couldn't get one for Nan but I tried already. The ones for women that a sale person showed me don't look nice at all. However, when we were heading back to school Emily showed a Shawl that she got. It's so so nice. I'll go back and get that one for sure.
Then we were back to the class. All the discourses in the class still go on but I can bear with it. The trip to Veraval is coming. We are looking forward for this trip.

DAY 13
Fri 01/21/05 writing in RM 217 Hotel Park, Veraval (10:33PM)

The days of my CAP Asia trip passed by. I don't wanna say that they are passing fast or slow. It doesn't matter. What matters is I learn new experiences everyday. Things have got busy after we came to Veraval. I have less time to keep track of what I did and the name of the places that we went to. Furthermore, I have less time to write this journal. Therefore, I think I can't maintain the same amount of writing as I did in those very first days. I will try to be more specific in what kind of data that I want to communicate to the reader.
Today is the last day before we go to Veraval to do our town planning project. Things seem to be wind down a bit. The discussion in the morning was not so intense. Instead, we put our focus into the preparation in regard to what we will do both on the way to and in Veraval. There are two parts of this trip. One is a field trip before the CEPT students join us, from Sat 22nd to Mon 24th, which we will travel in 4 different cities; Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Porbandar, and Junagadh. Another one is a research part, which we have to do the 'Land Use' survey and 'Household' survey, from Tue 25th to Sat 4th of February.
After the class and meeting, I went to the Mint to check my email and clear out my internet stuff because I don't know that I can an internet access or not. Also I need to have a chat with Nan as well. No luck, she wasn't there. Anyways, I tried my best to make a contact with her before I left. Finally, I made it. I made a call using S.T.D., long distance call service. I had a good conversation with her. We were so happy to hear each other voice again. But..yeah.. who knows when I will be possible to contact her again during this trip.
I don't feel like having much thing to say. I remember that at that day I was happy to get out of Ahmedabad. I eager to go back to the flat for packing my stuff. Now it's time to use my Gregory backpack alone in the trip. I think it's worth for the price that I paid. Everything had been packed and everybody went to bed early because I need to get rolling very early on the next day. See you tomorrow.

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 10)

2005-02-17T10:28:00.000-05:00

DAY 10
Tue 01/18/05 writing at 2:00PM in the CEPT studio, 01/21/05

The new thing for me today is that I can travel alone in this city. Today I went to school, to Mint and back to the apartment all alone. It doesn't mean that I want to segregate myself apart from the group but at some points I need to go to do something at the specific time without waiting for another person to come together. I think it's very normal that when people go to the new place. It'd take sometime to adjust themselves and learn to familiarize with the place. Today, I was ready to go out by my own. It also depends on the place that you plan to go as well. I would be hesitate to go alone if I'm going to the place that I've never been before.
Moreover, to go out and walk alone on the street, it also answered the question that I asked on the very first day of this trip, when local people are looking at me, do they look at me because of the whole group? The answer is that they are looking at me because of myself. However, another question occurred. I wonder what do they think when they are looking at me? First of all, I'm not blonde and don't look like white people at all. Second, I'm asian but don't look like a typical asian. From the experience while I've met and talked with local people. No one thinks that I'm Thai. I heard that they call me 'Chinese'. Some people asked me that am I Japanese, Malaysian, etc.
Which category that I fit in? What exactly that I look like? Can I say that I'm Thai? Like Nihal said to me, it's nothing pure in this world. Everything has got influences from outside. We should look at things as a hybridity. Hybridity doesn't mean only two things combine together. It can be a lot of thing. Therefore, I consider myself as a 'Hybrid' as well.

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 9)

2005-02-16T09:34:00.000-05:00

DAY 9
Mon 01/17/05 1:53 PM in front of the studios

I'm writing this journal 2 days behind. After writing this thing for a week, I think it must be very boring if I keep writing in this diary based way. Therefore, I came up with an idea to just write on particular topics that I think they are important to me and also somehow to the others as well.
There were several things that strike me. First was the discussion about the readings in the morning. Second was the atmosphere and people in the bank. Third was the traffic in this city.
In the morning, we had a meeting, I think I should call it 'a class', at a new location. We moved to the plaza in front of the Art Building. It's better than the old place but I still have a feeling that there are something wrong with this place. Having outdoor class like this is an perfect example, Nihal always put this in the discussion, for an idea of 'Society and Space'. They are both shaping each other. Today we were discussing three reading. First is the Orientalism. Second is the Collecting and the last one is the Whiteness. Those are all about how western people looking in a critical and analytical way on the races and social aspects.
After the class, Shaun, Katherine and me went to the bank to do the money exchange. It was such a nice experience to me to see how the people in the working. They are quite lay-off. Nothing in a hurry here. It took us almost an hour to get the thing done. Talking about the bank, everything looks old and in a bad shape and seems very unorganized. Well, the business still go on. For the security system, they have one guard carrying the rifle around. The gun is pretty old. I don't know it's still working or not but it still can use to beat any bad guys, I guess.
Back to the class, we were trying to get ready before the trip to Veraval begins. The main purpose to go to Veraval is to get the information needed to be analyzed for the developing plan. We, as a joined student, are involving just in the preparing questions and getting information process. The CEPT will continue shaping the developing plan for Veraval city after we left. There were some difficulties along with several group. For instance, some member of the group don't show up, disagreement in the objectives and so on. For my group, everything is fine, lucky me.
After the class, on the way to Mint and back to our apartment was different. I noticed something for the traffic in this city. To see the traffic on this city streets for the first time, it's so crazy that nobody stop at the intersection and they keep honking all the time. Whatever things happen in front of the drivers, they honk. There is no crosswalk on the street and everyone does the jaywalking. Every car wants to be the first in the line. I can connect this to the situation when we were buying food at the canteen. Indian students always cut in front of us and make a crowd in front of the window. However, when I looked at the traffic carefully. I saw an amazing flow of the cars, motorcycles, three wheelers, pedestrians. They go together and when they hit the intersection, they merge together without completely stop. Most importantly, since I've arrived and observed this place, I've never seen any serious accident or heard the car cashing at all. This is quite an amazing thing to see, don't you think?

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 8)

2005-02-15T09:47:00.000-05:00

DAY 8
01/16/05 10:17PM in my bed/working room

Today is Sunday..yeah!! no class no group meeting nothing...!! I got up late around 9AM but who cares. I started the day by cleaning room and organizing my stuff. After taking shower, I was cleaning and checking my thumb and I think it's ready to get the stiches off. I'll ask Lu to do this job because she used to work as a surgery nurse. Without hurry or anything, time passed by 'til around noon. Robert and I decided to go to Mint to get lunch and get online again.
We went to apartment 1 to see what the others are doing. We met John and he's going to Mint as well. Anyways, John couldn't make it with us because he forgot to bright his wallet. So, just me and Bleech again. Today was a bit different to reach the place. The Ricshore driver that we got didn't where the Crossword is. It's so funny that we told him that "We wanna go to Crosswords, the bookstore" but he took us to another book store. It's by a hospital and name "Book Stall".. hahahaha!! Then we gave another try and AGAIN, the driver doesn't know where it is. Anyways, he stopped and asked to get the right direction. It's took us almost an hour to get to Mint..hurrr!! I looked at the bright side that at least we got to see a different street of the city.
After surfing the net and organized the hugh mess of my BSU and .Mac mailboxes, I was waiting to meet Nan online. Too bad she couldn't make it and Robert asked me to go to get groceries with him. Since we stay on the trip together in a different country like this, we have to hold a buddy basis. Well, our time depends on our partner. It's not quite comfortable but it's safe. We walked to the Hypermarket which is pretty close to Mint. It was considered a big and comfortable supermarket. I was enjoy shopping in this place. Then we headed back to our apartment. I started writing this journal for the field trip day. It has lots and lots of thing to write on that day. It took me almost two hours to finish it. Wheww.. I made it!! I keep telling myself that I will give a commitment to complete this travel log. I also keep posting this log in a daily basis but for some reasons the Blogger site doesn't show up my posts. It's been like this for several days already. It's nothing I can do just waiting and see what the webmaster can do.
Today is another lazy for all of us, I guess. Only me and Bleech left in the apartment. We didn't know what to do and don't know where to get a dinner. We ended up with the idea to go to Mint. Luckily, we met Matt J., Dave and Paul in front of the apartment. They were going the get a dinner in the market nearby. Without thinking, we joined them. All of us stopped at a non-veg restaurant named "NV restaurant". All the food are quite good but a bit pricey. Up until now, I don't feel regret to come to this trip. To get an experience in other countries and to stay 24 hours with nice American students, this is a once in a life time that not everyone can get.
I'm experiencing it. Thank you... all the Lords.

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 7)

2005-01-21T07:03:00.000-05:00

DAY 7
01/15/05 9:34 PM in my bedroom

After the hard day trip yesterday, this morning we had a class at 9AM with CEPT students. Chris and I went to school pretty late without a hurry..hahaha. When we arrived at the campus, we didn't care much, we had a short breakfast too. Eventually, we went to class at 10AM. There were several of us already in the class. It was pretty boring to listen a lecture about city planning calculation methods. I did pay attention only the first hour. After that I was writing the postcard to my mom, na moo, nan and ken. Still don't know how to send them though.
Then I went to Mint again. Today was a little bit different because I met nan online. That was the first time that we can actually have a conversation. Even though it's not a voice conversation, just chatting made us feel a lot better. We have never been apart without talking this long. I still can't figure out the way to make a call to her but I will. We chat for about an hour and a half which is pretty enough. Then I went back to the apartment to read and write some stuff.
In our apartment, Matt and Jeremy told us that the CEPT gonna provide a free dinner on the campus at 7PM and they wanna go to the Crossword bookstore first. So we all went down to that store and hopefully we can get to the campus by the time they serving dinner. Unfortunately, there was no free food. I bought a dinner from the canteen anyway. Since, there was no free food and nothing to do after that. Chris and I decided to go to Mint again. We were there quite late but tonight had a bit different. I think because it's Saturday night. So there is one big table having farewell party. The atmosphere of the restaurant is pretty good. It's very lively. Moreover, tonight they had a live music. There was a guy who is a singer and also guitar player. He's very good. I'd say. He sang most the popular English songs and some pop local music. There were some customer in the restaurant went up and sang as well. They were all good. I liked it.
Then we decided to go back to our apartment. It was my lazy day. I didn't want to do any serious thing today. Chris got some DVDs from Matt. Therefore, I got an idea to hook up my PB to the TV to watch the movie. I picked the "Italian Job". At first, there were 4-5 of us watching. Then they went back to their room one by one until Catherine and me left watching the movie through the end. It's not a good movie. I don't like the way that they the story to perfect without the twist or excitement at all. Good night..!!

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 6)

2005-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

DAY 6
01/14/05 (writing@Mint on 01/16/05 8.53PM, my lazy Saturday, sitting with John & Chris)

Today is one of a big day of the trip. CEPT provided a field trip of Ahmedabad city for the attendees of the conference. It started at 6:15 AM. I couldn't believe that I can pulled myself up that early. Everyone was ready on time but the bus was late for almost 45 min. This becomes typical thing that everyone has to admit that an appointment time in India is very unstable. Similar to Thailand I'd say, so it didn't bother me much.
We started with the "Heritage Walk". We walked from the big temple which I can't remember the name. It's bigger and more elaborate than normal temple that I saw on the street. It's a very first temple built at the very early period of Ahmedabad city establishment. I think it's also located at the original point of city development. An architecture of the temple is similar to "Wat Kheak" on Silom road. All the architecture elements such as columns, roofs, doors, and windows are decorated with colorful figures. Then we walked from the temple to the local residential community called "Pol". I think it's similar to the word "Village". Pol has a very interesting characteristic. It has a strong sense of community by having a very small street as a circulation path that spread around like a nerve system in human body. All the building have European influence in architecture elements. They all have 2-3 stories high with the balcony facing each other. When I walked on that little street in the Pols. I barely get the sun light because of the height and the arrangement of the buildings. It's like walking the the forest. According to an organic plan, it's very easy to get lost if you are not familiar with the place. As I mentioned before about a strong sense of community in this place, when I was walking around I saw all the activities of the people who live there. They are cleaning their cloths, reading newspaper, preparing to go out for work, etc. It'd be untrue if I don't mention about the cows. They are one of an important part of this society. They are like a dog on the street, dogs that have owners but the owner let them go out of the house, in Bangkok. I love the plan and organization of the Pol but one thing that I don't like is the hygiene of the place. If it's clean, it'd look a lot nicer.
Regarding a point of cleanness, I think from the outsider view they might look to this place very dirty but from the local perspective they don't feel a thing. I believe that if we clean the place, the local won't be happy for that. Moreover, from my observation, I think that there are lots of beautiful architecture and interesting places but with Indian people behavior they can not keep it clean and organized. No offend, I respect their culture and I think this is the way that they live.
Next stop from the "Heritage Walk", the hi-light of it was an old big temple which I don't feel anything interesting so I won't say about it, we were visit the first building built in Indian by Le Corbusier. This building is an office of a Textile Company. This is my first experience in Corbu's buidling. I was very excited about it and the building doesn't let me down. It was amazing to experience a space that had been carefully designed. The plan is so organic. It seems like there is no single corner in this building. The circulation is very flow but yet in control in a way. Nihal said this building has a volumatic space. I'm kinda agree with that, even though I don't quite clear about that term. The pureness of the material; exposed concrete, steel, glass, and wood very well represents the idea of Modernism. It seems like a furnishing part of the building had already been determined since the first design stage. Because I saw the benches and tables that are made by concrete and be apart, like emerging from the concrete floor, of the building. Also the building responses quite well with the context. I can see from the sun shading on the front facade and the void to see the lake view on the back. Just to see this building, it's totally worth for this field trip.
From the Modernist's design, we went to see the ancient Sultan's Tomb and Step well. They are both very historically beautiful. Just like in other countries that have their long history and culture, all the beautiful art and architecture were put in the temple and tomb. The very well crafted wall, column, window, doors, and even floor had been combined together with an essence of traditional Indian architecture. One thing in the tomb that caught my intention is a grid arrangement of the columns. It reminded me to one scene in the LOTR: The fellowship of the rings. The scene that they go pass underneath the mountain where the old mine located. Even the decoration on the surface of the column has a similar character. For the Step well, first I was kinda disappointed because I saw just a couple structure above the ground. But after I waked closer and closer, I was so stupid to make a prejudgement before seeing the whole thing. Underneath the ground, there is the amazing structure and beautiful architecture of the main stair and lead to the sacred well. They were made from sand stone with an overwhelmed religious related decoration.
After that we had lunch and attended one lecture about sustainability design at Environmental Sanitation Institute, ESI. It was a very good lecture regarding the concept design and the purposes of this center. People who has interest in green and sustainability design should listen to this. The sustainability design were involved from the land adjustment to building design until the maintenance process. Moreover, the speaker said this idea had been introduced by Gandhi.
Next place, we stopped to see another kind of European influenced architecture at Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India. For me, it's kinda like a Chataeu in France, just the scale and planning quite too big to be the house. From my understanding, this place is for a upper class student because it's very clean and very well organized with security system. Again, like I mention before, there are some spot in the building that shown the Indianess. I saw spit stains and disordering desks and tables.
Everyone agree that this is such a long long field trip. It's already 5 o'clock in the evening but we still have two more places to visit. Then we made to the Gandhi Ashram. It was a place that Gandhi spent most of his life lived and fought for the independence of India. NIhal told us to be more focus to observe this place to see how Gandhi live and design his own place in his own ideology which is related with the vernacular idea. I saw a Hollywood movie "Gandhi" before I came here. Therefore, it's inevitable to compare between the real and the movie. For me, this place really represent the Gandhi's ideology of simplicity of life. Since we had such a short time to visit, some of us will come back to this place again for sure.
Last stop, we visited Sangath, Doshi's architectural office, to see how Le Corbusier influences this leading Indian architect. It was very impressive at the first step that I walked in. Just like good architect should do, every single element of the project had been carefully designed. The approach to the building is leaded by a gravel path which is not go directly to the building. Instead, it took us to the rim of the site passing the beautiful garden. After few minutes past the garden, I saw the roof the office which is located just several meters above the ground. That means most of the building are hided underneath the ground. After one round of walk, I would say this building truly has Corbu influence but not like mimicking. I think the plan and circulation of the building that told me. Walking along the path of the office, it's very flow that I was so surprised that I was going outside - inside, above - below the ground without noticing. This is such a good experience. Again, we had a short of time and it's already dark. I will come back to this place again for sure.
Well.. that was the hell of the day. Such a toughest one day trip of my life. I know I complaint too much. I had another thought that comparing with what I could do in a normal day of my life in Muncie. Today, I have been through things more than a year in Muncie.

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 5)

2005-01-18T06:52:00.000-05:00

DAY 5
01/13/05 7:08 PM@the main plaza in front of CEPT building

I started today with myself fully charged from almost 7 hours sleeping. Feeling really good and ready for the day. Today we started with the class with CEPT students. It's a urban planning class regarding our Veraval project. The class was last about two hours. CEPT students were presenting their research. All the activities related to different topics that were assigned to each group. I admit that I couldn't pay attention to the class much because there were many arguments, not unorganized, going on between CEPT and their professor. Moreover, our group that joined them in the middle of semester also had our objective which created more confusion in the class. At the end, everything turned out with the result that each group need to do more discussing. Anyways, I have the feeling that this kind of disagreement and discourse always happen when lots of people from different background and expectation come and work together. However, the result of the work will be great when everyone has the intention and commitment to do a good work.
After that we all a bit of free time. I decided to start writing my journal of DAY 4. I wish I could write my thesis as much as this. I finished a whole page in an hour. Then we had a CAP Asia meeting on the lawn in front of the campus. It was a very good day to sit outside. I forgot to talking about the weather here in general. This is considering a winter time with an average temperature between 15 c - 25 c. also with the sunny sky. Nihal asked us about the reflection on both conference and the morning class. Rob brought a good comment about conference that there are lots of problem presented but no solution for those. Also we discussed about our joined urban planning class. We were all agree about the argument and confusion in the class. Eleanor brought an opinion about action and reaction between Indian students and their professors. She said what they have is a top-down policy class which the teachers kinda dominate the class. I didn't feel surprise because this is an Asian country classroom. We had been taught to pay respect to professor. May be it's a little bit to much and American students don't quite understand about this Asian culture of teaching and learning.
After quick lunch I had a group meeting with CEPT students. We discussed about what they presented in the morning class. We also talked about what we should come up on next Monday. I was asked about how the architecture issue can help improving the economy of this city. I totally had no idea in the first place. So the others clarified me that issue. From the top of my head at that time, I came up with a case at Bilbao, Spain. The Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank O. Gehry. This project was concerning directly to an economy aspect. The result was far more than the city authorities expected. It draws the people all around the world to visit building. I'll talk more about this when I finished studying this case. We ended the meeting with a homework that everyone should come up with an outline of our final presentation according to each person interest.
During the day, when we have like 2-3 hrs free time. I go to Mint. I get an internet access. I couldn't believe how my life so relies on this thing. As one CEPT student invited all of us to come and see the Indian Cultural Show which is a part of the conference. We were all agree that we shouldn't miss this thing. It's very very impressive to see all the dances and performances of different ethnic groups from different regions of India. They were all performed by CEPT students. They were really really good. I took tons of picture from the shows. I like the costumes and the body gestures... very beautiful. Nihal mentioned to me at the end of the show that it's impossible for an MC to make joke from different ethic group in USA but here it's so natural and audiences loved it.
I came back to an apartment with a smile on my face telling myself that how much I have to pay to experience and see this one of a kind show. Today is another good day of my life.

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 4)

2005-01-17T09:17:00.000-05:00

DAY 4

01/12/05 (writing on 01/13/05 in front of School of Arch. and Planning, CEPT@11.27AM)

Hmm.. what did I do yesterday? Oh..okay, Eleanor and me had a group meeting at 10.30 AM. I woke up pretty late around 9.00 AM. Try to get ready to go to school before meeting time. It's good that I made it. Everyday we have to walk to school which probably about 20 min. I think I'll walk in the morning like this everyday. It's a good exercise and it makes me hungry for the breakfast.
The group meeting is pretty casual. We have 5 people in our group, 3 indians 1 american and 1 thai. Let me check what are my group mate names? One girl name Ruchi, she's a Environment Planning student. Another guy from Env. named Rohit and the last one from Housing major named Saiket. We discussed about what the CEPT students have done so far and getting to know the framework of our group work. Everything worked pretty good, even though a language problem came in a way. Afterward, we as a CAP Asia student had to attend the conference opening and a lecture from Dochi, a famous Indian architect, who designed this college. As I mentioned in the first day that I arrived, I love the building and a campus plan a lot. The conference is about "International Workshop on "City Design" at CEPT" Therefore, every lecture is concerning about urban developing and planning. I'm not interested in urban planning much but since we have to do a urban planning project and it's Dochi, I put Dochi's lecture on my record. After lecture, we had free lunch. Woo..hooo!!
Then we got a good news from Nihal that the school gonna prepare a bus for us to visit Louis Khan's building in Ahmedabad. I didn't know that Louis Kahn had designed a building in this city but I'll for it for sure. Before that we had about 3 hours free time so we decided to go to that free WiFi restaurant again. I left my camera in an apartment so I needed to go back and pick it up. Luckily, Robert went along with me. You know I broke my left thumb while I tried locking the door. Man... what's wrong wtih me? Fortunately, it's just have a little bleed.
It's not just me and Robert that want to go to that place. There were several of us already there. This place is already our new studio. Everyone who has wireless card brought their own laptop and had a good time surfing net there. What I saw from this restaurant was there were many using Mac too. This is such a nice place. While I was online, I met Vee and some of my friends in iChat and MSN. I chat with them a little bit but I wish I would met Nan online as well. Anyways, I knew that Nan will wrote email to me everyday and she does. Reading her mail is like a medicine. She expressed how much she love and care about me, which I also do the same way. Time flied so fast when I'm online. We almost late to meet the group.
On the way back to the school from Mint, another name of Fusion Food restaurant, Chris, Shaun and me took a three wheeler which we all agree to call Tuk-Tuk. It took us to a new route that has a homeless people community. It has a really terrible shape. They don't even have a restroom. I saw one girl pooping on the street and all around her on the ground are human poops. That picture is still in my head now.
In the evening, it turned out that we are not going to see that building. Instead we were invited to join a free conference dinner at a very fine restaurant named Rajwadu. It was really really good. An atmosphere is also great. It's a authentic Indian cuisine both food and eatting and serving in a traditional style. All the food were so so good. I ate a lot and tried so many new things. It's such nice dinner and evening. Then we headed back to our residential complex and down to bed.

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 3)

2005-01-16T03:14:00.000-05:00

DAY 3
01/11/05 11:03 PM@My room in the Apartment II

Today I woke up pretty late around 9:30 AM. I had to be ready in the campus at 10:30 AM. It's a really nice sleep. Chris, my roommate, already left the room but there were several people in an apartment.
We start to have a routine and kinda know how to go between place to place. This morning we walked to the campus using the same route as yesterday and I think we will walk like this everyday for the whole 7 weeks. I think it's a good exercise for everyday. My observation along the way is to check the local people reaction to us. How long that they will get excited with us?
Since I'm an Asian, I wonder that the reaction and the excitement response from those local people are because of my American friends or not. What if I walk on the street alone? Do they care a Thai guy like me? The funny that happen yesterday was from one of the local people on the street spoke with his friend that "Look at the american and A CHINESE GUY".
Today in the morning CAP Asia meeting, as usual, Nihal gave us a brief on what we've done and what we are going to do. Also a reflection on what we have done so far. We had a very good discussion about the life in different culture. What different people act in the different place where you need to adjust yourself to survive.
Then we have about 1.5 hour free time. I and also others decided not to go out of campus. We were all hanging around the canteen and having lunch together. After lunch, I separated myself to find a quiet place to start writing and reading. I used that one hour before the afternoon class quite efficience.
A class with CEPT in the afternoon started with some confusion with the topics that each person need to pick according on what individual interest. Then follow with a general information of city of Veraval and Petan by two guest lecturers. I felt asleep most of the part of a lecture. After the brief, many questions were asked according to the fishing problems. Then we started setting up the project groups categorized by the different topics related to the urban planning issues. That's all for today class.
In the evening, I wanted to go to the restaurant that Eleanor mentioned about free WiFi. Luckily, some of us had the same idea. Therefore, we decided to go together to the book store, Crossword, first then find out where that restaurant is. The bookstore is very cool. I'd say it's more like a bookstore that originated in America, even though it's not that new and fancy like Barns & Noble. When I was there it's another dimension. it's totally a different world, I forget that I'm in Ahmedabad for a while.
Not just the bookstore, the restaurant that I intended to go, afterward I found out its name, Fusion Food, even cooler. It has a nice decoration with nice furniture and arrangement. From my observation, only cool local people and foreigners come to this place. I looked around and saw one guy using 17" Powerbook!! Cooool..!! Again this is a totally new dimension and again when I was online I forgot that I'm in India. I spent almost two hours using the benefit of a little faster connection speed and that I can working on my own computer. So I can organize all the emails and stuff. Then we decided to go back to our apartment.
It's still too early to sleep. I used this time to organized and working on all the photos that I took since the CAP Asia trip started so far.

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 2)

2005-01-15T02:59:00.000-05:00

DAY 2
01/10/05 10.30 AM@CEPT while waiting for Nihal in an interesting canteen

First day of Ahmedabad program, we had a late breakfast on the campus, CEPT. It's very open to context and it has an interesting system of buying food. Order, pay and getting a coupon first then pick up your food. Nihal and a guest professor from other place came to give a brief and reconfirm our understand in this special course.
Then we had about 2 hours free time before 2.30 PM which is the time for listening an introduction of Admedabad project. I went with one group consisted with Matt, Emily, Lu, Chris, Chelsy, Owen, etc. We went out of the campus heading to the market but we couldn't make it there. It's too far and we got distracted from all the stores along the merchandized street.
To encounter the street experience, I'm quite excited with all the diversity of Indian ethic groups. They are look different in cloths, facial appearance, activities that they are engaging. I've never seen the local people that is pretty enthusiastic to face with foreigner. I met many people who asked me to take their picture. Comparing with American people which are very aware of their personal space and privacy. Then we went back to the college using the same route.
The introduction session is pretty serious. They are 21 students from US and the same number from CEPT, from Environmental and Housing department. We got a brief explanation of our project which we need to complete within 7 weeks. After the brief, we took a tour around the campus, which is designed by Dochi.
My first impression of the place is a contrast of bright and dark. I can't explain exactly what I feel but the space is very beautiful. The high - low, bright - dark, hard - smooth of the surface and the perfect combination of materials like concrete, brick, wood and steel.
Talk about my friends, we are getting closer and closer everyday. Even I'm an only Asian among all Americans. There guys are very fun and friendly. Another good thing is they are very respect with other international people and culture. They are the group of people who were trained and preparing in this kind of environment.
There was nothing much going on in the evening. We were try to find the internet cafe' which the local people call "cyber cafe". We couldn't make it at the first try but we did it on the second try after the dinner. The dinner of this evening was wonderful. We used the cooking service in the apartment. It's only 50 RPs per person including cooking, serving and cleaning. For five of us, it's totally worth it.
Like I mention before that we found the cyber cafe eventually after dinner, I had a chance to write the first mail to my girlfriend and family It's such a strange feeling to me. During 15-20 min of online, I felt that I'm not in India at all. It's like I'm in a internet space. The space that has no boundaries. I'm afraid to say that I feel like home which mean that I'm a slave of the internet and digital world. My life is too much rely on computer and internet. Entertaining myself by listening digital music and watching DVDs, searching information of any kind of my interest, connecting to people by email, doing necessary things like paying bills, all are on the net. May be living in India will push me out of that .

(to be continued)

BiGGa

CAP Asia Travel Log: Ahmedabad (Day 1)

2005-01-13T07:12:00.000-05:00

Now I'm back again. In India, I'm doing workshop and research with my Ball State friends and Indian students CEPT. I'd like to share you guys with my experience in this trip which I think it would help my family and friends know what's going on with me during the trip. Let's check it out!!

DAY 1
01/09/05 12.24 PM (local time@Hyderabad, India@the airport)

Today is the 1st day of my journey. Even though the program actually started on Jan 5, I didn't feel apart of my home and my love ones. Now I do!
The journey started at 3 o'clock in the morning which made everyone awake all night. Last night before departure is always sad. I hate it!! I hate I say goodbye, you know. Mom, Dad and Nan were with me. We had a really really nice dinner. Mom was taking care of the food. Nan was eating with me and also helping me packing all of my cloths. Yui already got back to Australia. p'Ying is busy with Pen's wedding preparation night. Anyways, I can feel the love and warmness and care from everyone of them. I love my family and my sweetheart.
After finished packing, I was ready to go to the BKK. Even it's 2.30 AM both my mom and dad gave me a ride to the airport. This is showing how much they love me. I told them to just drop me but they said they wanna walk me in. I love you mama-papa.
Nan and me are worry about how to find the way to contact each other during this trip. So the conversation with Nan last night seems like the last 'til I go back to Muncie again. This is super sad.
Back to BKK, all of the crew already on the line for checking in. I got a warm welcome from everyone. This made me feel a lot better. We are all use Indian Airlines which I think it's an only airline available for us and it's not our choice. However, it turned out pretty good. Indian Airlines is not that bad. Not too many passenger and they serve food every flight whether it's just 45 min flight.
Now I wanna talk about my new experience on the plane to India. We started from Bangkok to Chennai, which is one of the citied that got destroyed by Tsunamis. Then from Chennai to Bangalore, again one more meal. After from Bangalore to Hyderabad, we need to wait for the next flight for around 6-7 hours. What can we do to kill that 7 hours waiting time? We started with a little problem with immigration then finding the right terminal and where to leave our luggage. Fortunately, everything was taken care off nicely by all of us. This is a good sign coz all of us gonna stay and work together for the next 11 weeks. During the waiting time, I discovered that there are several crews who have Powerbooks. So cool..!!
Today I learned and saw many new thing. First is how to behave in India Airlines. Second, every transit passenger have to stay on the plane and need to identify their bags. Third, there is no TV or screen on board. Also no sodas, just water, coffee or tea and some juices. Every airport that I have seen so far in India is very interesting. They are old but give you a warm feeling of local atmosphere with the officers and instruments for security purpose that work in a very casual way.
Then Hyderabad to Ahmedabad, finally we arrive our destination. We took a bus provided by CEPT, a college that we will work together with their urban planning students for almost 2 months. Along the way to our resident, I saw the city of Ahmedabad which pretty much like some rural Thai provinces with a bad traffic honking based behavior in Sheinghai.
We had a warm welcome from both teachers and students from CEPT. We arranged our rooms and partnerts and listened for the general info and brief for tomorrow.

(to be continued)

BiGGa

The Incomplete U2 - When instant gratification turns into ongoing frustration

2004-11-27T18:33:00.000-05:00

While The Complete U2 digital box set topping the chart of iTunes Music Store, there is one hardcore U2 fan who suffers.

A friend of mine who is a big fan of U2 bought the special edition U2 iPod and used the included coupon to buy The Complete U2 from iTunes Music Store UK.
However, instead of having instant gratification with more than 400 songs to listen to, the download stopped before he got the entire collection.

It has been a few days and he still can't get the remaining tracks. The iTMS support people only told him to wait and try again and again. He was left with ongoing frustration and despair.

Can online music distribution really replace buying CDs?

Read the whole story at
http://homepage.mac.com/v_viraporn

Is it my fault?

2004-11-13T13:39:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been disappointed by somebody around you?
I bet everybody has.
Last couple of day, I felt pretty down and exhausted. It's not from my school, work or even my thesis, but from some of my friends around me. I don't know why it's hard to communicate with just one person. It should be the easiest way of communication but it doesn't. Even though I tried real hard to provide all the neccessary information to them, it seems they just don't care what I gave.
I admit that when I help someone I always want something back. What I want is not a reward or any action that equal on what I gave. I just want a feeling that they appriciate my help. I know it's quite hard to understand because it is very personal. I just need to drain off the sad feeling that I have inside.
Now I feel better. Then I ask myself , "Or what I have said is just because of my fault?"

BiGGa

Letter to sisters

2004-09-29T01:39:00.000-05:00

"My Update"

My dearest sisters,

Hello...how are you two doing? We are all busy, I know, but we never forget one another. From the past week, I've been thinking about my future and our family future. That makes me miss you two so much. Also missing mom and dad and everything in our home sweet home.
We are all steping to another turning point of our life. Yui, you are my power puff girl. You never let me down. You are about to go back to BKK to see Mom, Dad and p'Ying. Good for you!! It's time to take a break. I know that you will complete your Ph.D in a near future. After that you will start your co-curricular job, another big move!!
For me, my life always keep fluctuating. Before, I planned to go back home at the end of this year. But now, plan have been changed. After talking with mom and dad, they both agree that I shouldn't give up an opportunity to work in the states. Accordingly, I totally agreed with them. Therefore, I already started my job-search process. Another big move of my life.
As you all know, I have never had an office experience in my life. I'm about to have one here, in USA. I'm very nervous now. You know!! all the interview, meeting professional people, new society and stuff.. geez!! My aim is to move to LA according to many factors such as living place, friends network, style of office. LA is the best chioce for me. I think I can get a job before I move there and I think it will be a lot easier. So, I can decide how much money I can get and where should I stay to accommodate my working office.
After talking with some career experts, they recommended me to continue working in this field for at least 3 years if I want to make a good path for my architecture career. That means my life will linger here for a while. But who knows things might change.
Well..i think this is getting too long. I should stop now. Until this line, I guess you two both know what I'm doing and what I will be doing in couple of month.
Lastly, I wish the very best for both of you. For Yui, be good as you are. You will make us proud. For p'Ying, just be pateint, everything will pay off for you big time, two master degrees. Please send mom and dad a best regard and big kisses and hugs for me.

We are family,
BiG

Nostalgic Moment Film

2004-09-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my relaxing day. My friend lent me a movie DVD of "Castle In The Sky". It's a movie from a same creator of "Spirited Away." Some of you might remember that Spirited Away got an Academy Award in Best Animated Feature of the year 2002.

First Released in Japan in 1986, Castle In The Sky is a very bright and pure. An adventure story of boy and girl who finding a mysterious floating city has a common story line. A magic, a fighting of good and evil and an eternal power of love are basic. However, what make this movie so interesting is the ways that film maker added the warm and beautiful nostalgic scenes that make you want to turn back time to run and play with your old friends again. The soundtrack can't be overlooked. The main theme is very beautiful and give a feeling of dream and flying on the vast sky, which is very fit to the story.
After I watched this movie, I felt that my body is lighter and I smiled for the rest of the day. It's like a magic.

Big applause to Mr.Miyazaki and a Studio Ghibli for making such a beautiful movie,
BiGGa

Links:
Castle In The Sky Trailer
Spritied Away Trailer

New York Trip Photo Albums

2004-09-04T22:42:00.000-05:00

I would like to use today blog as a center for everyone to come and check the links to my Photo Gallery web site. Please click the names of photo album below:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Guggenheim Museum, New York
Apple Store SoHo
Fellowship Of The "Ling"

Hope u guys enjoy my photos,
BiGGa

Apple Store SoHo Article

2004-09-02T21:13:00.000-05:00

Today I finished writing article for MacDD.com website. I think it might be more useful to post it into my blog as well.
Here it is:
(this article is in Thai language and has technicle problem of page arrangement. sorry for an inconvenience)

คงไม่มีใครไม่รู้จัก นิวยอร์ค เมืองที่สำคัญเป็นอันดับต้นๆ ของโลก เสน่ห์ของเมืองนี้ในความทรงจำของผม คือความสับสนวุ่นวาย เต็มไปด้วยผู้คนหลากหลายเขื้อชาติ ชีวิตของชาว New York ต่างเร่งรีบจนดูเหมือน ภาพทุกอย่างในเมืองถูกคนกดปุ่ม fast forward ให้เคลื่อนไหวเร็วกว่าปกติ การที่ได้มาเยือน New York แต่ล่ะครั้งมักจะมีส่ิงแปลกรอให้ค้นหาอยู่เสมอ และนี่เป็นครั้งที่สามในชีวิตของผม ที่ได้มาเยือนมหานครแห่งนี้...
เกาะ Manhattan เป็นศูนย์กลางของ New York City และเป็นที่ตั้งของสถานที่ ที่มีชื่อเสียงอย่าง ย่าน Time Square, สวนสาธารณะ Central Park, ถนน shopping อย่าง 5th Avenue และเต็มไปด้วยตึกสูงที่มีประวัติยาวนานอย่าง Empire State, Chrysler Building อีกทั้งยังเป็นที่ตั้งของตึกที่เป็นประวัติศาสตร์ของโลกไปแล้ว นั่นคือ World Trade Center ยังมีอีกสิ่งที่ดึงดูดผู้คนให้เข้ามาเยือนมหานครแห่งนี้ คือ ความสวยงามของผู้คน สถาปัตยกรรมทั้งใหม่และเก่ากลิ่นอายของศิลปะฟุ้งกระจายไปทั่ว สังเกตได้จาก designer ศิลปิน นักร้อง ดังๆระดับโลกล้วนแล้วแต่มีที่มา และยังตั้งรกรากในเมืองนี้ทั้งนั้น เพราะฉะนั้นจึงไม่เป็นเรื่องน่าแปลกใจว่า ทำไมบริษัทอย่าง Apple Computer จึงเลือก ที่นี่เป็นอีกที่ตั้งหลักของ Apple Store ในย่าน South of Houston หรือที่เรียกติดปากกันว่า SoHo (อ่านว่า โซ-โฮ) ย่านนี้เป็นศูนย์รวมร้านค้าแฟชั่นชั้นนำระดับโลก ไม่ว่าจะเป็น Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Dior, Chanel ฯลฯ ไม่เท่านั้น ร้านค้าเหล่านี้ต่างแข่งขันกันด้านการออกแบบ ตกแต่งร้านให้โดดเด่น เพื่อเป็นการสร้างอัถตลักษณ์ ของสินค้าให้เด่นชัด ยกตัวอย่างร้าน Prada ที่เชิญสถาปนิกอันดับหนึ่งของโลกขณะนี้อย่าง Rem Koolhaas มาออกแบบร้านจนเป็นที่กล่าวขวัญไปทั่ววงการออกแบบว่า เป็นนวัตกรรมใหม่ ของการออกแบบร้านค้าเสื้อผ้า
Apple Store ก็ไม่แพ้กัน ด้วยแนวคิดที่สร้างสรรค์และทันสมัยกับแนวทางนำเสนอรูปแบบการให้ความรู้กับผู้ใช้ computer แบบเรียนรู้ด้วยตัวเองจาก Steve Jobs บวกกับทีมออกแบบของ Apple และบริษัทสถาปนิก ชั้นนำอย่าง Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (www.bcj.com) จาก Berkeley รัฐ California ผลลัพธ์ที่ออกมาจึงไม่ทำให้ใครต่อใครผิดหวัง เพราะทุกตารางนิ้วของการออกแบบสะท้อนให้เห็นถึง ความเรียบง่าย สะอาด ลงตัว แต่แฝงไปด้วยเทคโนโลยีสมัยใหม่ ที่สามารถตอบสนองการใช้งานได้อย่างเต็มที่ ในความคิดเห็นส่วนตัวของผมคิดว่า นี้คือ ความสำเร็จในการออกแบบของสถาปนิกที่สามารถใช้แนวคิดของการออกแบบผลิดภัณฑ์ และภาพลักษณ์ที่เด่นชัดขององค์กร มาใช้ในการออกแบบได้อย่างกลมกลืน ไม่เท่านั้น Apple Store SoHo ยังได้รับรางวัลดีเด่นจาก BusinessWeek/Architectural Record Awards ในหมวด high-profile retail store in historic building ในปี 2003 อีกด้วย ดังนั้นบริษัท BCJ จึงได้รับความไว้วางใจให้ออกแบบ Apple Store อีกสองแห่งคือ บนถนน North Michigan เมือง Chicago และในย่าน Ginza กรุง Tokyo ในภายหลังตามลำดับ
ต่อจากนี้จะขอพูดถึงลักษณะคร่าวๆ ของ Apple Store SoHo เร่ิมจากตัวอาคารภายนอก ถ้ามองเผิ่นๆ อาจจะไม่ทันสังเกตว่านี้คือร้านขายอุปกรณ์ computer เพราะที่นี่คืออาคารเก่าซึ่งเป็นที่ทำการไปรษณีย์ ของรัฐบาลมาก่อน โดยการออกแบบก็ยังคงรักษารูปลักษณ์ดั่งเดิมภายนอกไว้ทั้งหมด สิ่งเดียวที่บ่งบอกว่าที่นี่คือร้านค้าของ Apple มีเพียงแต่เพิ่มแผ่นป้ายเหล็กสีดำเจาะลายสัญลักษณ์ทางการค้าของ Apple Computer และ การจัด window display เท่านั้น เมื่อเดินผ่านเข้าประตูด้านหน้าเข้าไปยังภายในอาคาร สิ่งแรกที่สะดุดตาที่สุดคือ บันไดกระจกโปร่งแสงขนาดใหญ่ตั้งตระหง่านอยู่ตรงกลางของพื้นที่ ซึ่งเชื่อมต่อพิ้นที่ระหว่างชั้นหนึ่งและชั้นสอง โดยพี้นที่ตรงส่วนกลางของชั้นสองถูกเจาะโล่งถึงชั้นล่าง เพื่อสร้างโถงเปิดโล่งจากทางเข้าหลักให้ความรู้สึกหรูหราโอ่งโถ่งและต้อนรับลูกค้าผู้มาเยือน บนหลังคาของอาคารสองชั้นนี่มีส่วนที่เป็น skylight อยู่เหนือส่วนที่เป็นโถงโล่งกลางห้องและทอดยาวไปถึงบันได เพื่อเป็นการนำแสงแดดธรรมชาติ ภายนอกทะลุผ่านกระจกฝ้าเข้ามาในอาคาร เป็นการสร้างบรรยากาศให้ดูสดใส อีกทั้งยังเป็นการประหยัดพลังงานไฟฟ้าที่ใช้ภายในอาคารอีกด้วย วัสดุที่ใช้ในการตกแต่งโดยรวมนั้น เน้นไปที่การให้ความรู้สึกสะอาด เรียบง่าย พื้นผิวเรียบ และเน้นความทันสมัยโดยมี การใช้สีขาวบนผนัง และวัสดุประเภทกระจกและโลหะเป็นหลัก โดยมีส่วนเสริมสร้างความอบอุ่น เป็นกันเองกับลูกค้าด้วยสีโทนร้อนและวัสดุประเภทไม้ กับพื้นชั้นสองและเฟอร์นิเจอร์ส่วนใหญ่ของร้าน
ส่วนของการแยกพื้นที่ใช้สอยนั้น ยังคงยึดถือหลักการแบ่งหมวดหมู่ของสินค้าเดียวกันกับ Apple Store สาขาอื่นๆ เพียงแต่พื้นที่แต่ละส่วนมีขนาดใหญ่ขึ้น เพื่อรองรับลูกค้าจำนวนมาก ซึ่งจะเห็นได้จากรูปประกอบว่ามีผู้เข้ามาเยี่ยมชมร้านค้าแห่งนี้มากมายจริงๆ จากการสังเกตของผมในขณะที่เข้าไปเยี่ยมชม พร้อมทั้งถ่ายรูปประกอบมานั้น ตลอดเวลาประมาณ 40 นาทีมีลูกค้าเข้า ออกไม่ต่ำกว่า 400-500 คน ถ้าลองคำนวณคร่าวๆ ในหนึ่งวัน ร้านเปิด 12 ชม จะมีลูกค้าทั้งหมดประมาณ 4,800-6,000 คนต่อวัน นับว่าไม่น้อยเลยสำหรับร้านค้าขนาด 18,000 ตารางฟุตแห่งนี้ โดยความเห็นส่วนตัวกับร้าน Apple Store นั้นมีความประทับใจอยู่ก่อนแล้วจากประสบการณ์ที่ได้เข้าเยี่ยมชมมาจากหลายต่อหลายรัฐและหลายเมือง กับการควบคุมคุณภาพของพนักงานที่ถูกฝึกฝนมาเพื่อพร้อมที่จะให้ความรู้กับลูกค้าอย่างเต็มที่ การรักษามาตราฐานและสมถภาพของสินค้าที่จัดแสดง โดยมีการจัดเปลี่ยนเพื่อนำสินค้าตัวใหม่ๆ มาให้ลูกค้าได้ทดลองอย่างรวดเร็ว ส่ิงหนึ่งที่น่าประทับใจมากและบางท่านอาจจะยังไม่ทราบคือ เครื่อง computer ทุกเครื่องใน Apple Store มีการเชื่อมต่อกับ hi-speed internet เพราะฉะนั้นไม่ว่าคุณจะแค่เข้ามาเพื่อเช็ค email ประจำวันก็สามารถทำได้ ไม่เพียงแค่นั้นทาง Apple Store ยังให้บริการ Wi-Fi หรือ wireless internet connection สำหรับผู้ที่ใช้ notebook ไม่ว่าจะเป็น Mac หรือ Windows ก็สามารถเข้ามาใช้ได้โดยไม่เสียค่าบริการใดๆ สำหรับผม ผมคิดว่าแนวความคิดหลักของการออกแบบและการให้บริการของ Apple Store นั้นคือการทำทุกวิถีทางเพื่อดึงดูดลูกค้าเข้ามาในร้าน เพื่อมาสัมผัส ทดลองการใช้งาน และได้รับความรู้เกี่ยวกับ Apple Computer ให้มากที่สุด
สุดท้ายนี้ก็ขอแบ่งปันความประทับใจจากการที่ได้เห็น ชาว New Yorker ให้ความสนใจและเป็นเจ้าของสินค้าของ Apple ไม่ว่าจะเป็น iPod ต้องขอเน้นว่าไม่ว่าจะเดินไปที่ไหนใน New York โดยเฉพาะในตู้รถไฟใต้ดินหรือบนถนนทุกๆ 5 นาทีจะต้องเห็นคนฟัง iPod หนึ่งคนหรือมากกว่านั้น หรือผู้คนในร้าน Apple Store คงสังเกตได้จากภาพประกอบว่า ไม่ว่าจะเป็น คนหนุ่มสาว ผู้ใหญ่วัยกลางคน หรือเด็กเล็กๆ ล้วนแล้วแต่ให้ความสนใจ อยากเรียนรู้ อยากทดลองใช้ Apple Computer สินค้้าแห่งอนาคตที่ไม่เพียงแต่ทำงานให้คุณอย่างรวดเร็วและมีประสิทธิภาพเท่านั้น แต่ยังทำให้คุณเป็นที่ดึงดูดสายตาจากผู้คนรอบข้าง เพราะความสวยงามและมี Style อย่างไม่มีใครเหมือน และหวังว่าที่ประเทศไทยจะมีผู้บุกเบิกลงทุนเปิดร้าน Apple Store เพื่อให้เพื่อนๆ ชาวไทยเราทั้งตัวผมเองด้วย ได้สัมผัสบรรยากาศดีๆ แบบนี้ ในรูปแบบไทยๆ กันในเร็ววัน

แหล่งข้อมูลเพิ่มเติม
http://www.visualstore.com/index.php/channel/11/id/27/
http://www.bcj.com/
http://www.ifoapplestore.com/stores/soho.html
http://www.insidemacgames.com/features/view.php?ID=150
http://www.apple.com/retail/soho/
http://homepage.mac.com/kwanlert/PhotoAlbum27.html

ขอขอบคุณ
- โอม ที่ให้แนวความคิดให้เขียนบทความอันนี้ และ ก้อง ที่อุตสาห์โดดเรียนพานั่งรถไฟใต้ดินจนถึงที่ร้าน

- Apple Computer ที่ผลิตสุดยอดสินค้า จนผลักดันให้ผู้เชียนเรียนรู้และอยากเผยแพร่สู่สาธารณะชน
- Apple Store ที่ให้ความร่วมมือในการถ่ายภาพ
- ผู้อ่านทุกท่าน ที่ตั้งใจสละเวลาอ่านมาจนถึงบรรทัดนี้....... ขอบคุณครับ

For all the photos incorporated with this article, please go to my Apple Store SoHo photo album.

Enough for today,
BiGGa

The all-new iMac G5

2004-09-01T22:50:00.002-05:00

The most anticipating computer from Apple has arrived. It's just announced on the opening day of Apple Expo in Paris, Aug 31 2004 during the Keynote by Philip Schiller.
The totally new iMac G5 still maintain a concept of all-in-one machine. But this model is even better than before. This 3rd generation of iMac (3G iMac), for me, succeeds to the point that everything is combined in one piece. Back to the 1st generation of iMac (1G iMac), the transparent color body computer, which consists monitor and CPU altogether in one piece is a breakthrough at that time. Today, Apple designers used the same idea from 1G iMac but using a benefit of LCD to make 3G iMac the thinnest desktop computer, only a mere 2 inches thin, in the market. In fact, with the wireless mouse, keyboard and internet connection the only cable that you will plug-in is just a power cord.
What's new in iMac G5? A lot!! Everything just got better for example new processor G5, newer and faster graphic card, bigger hard drive, totally new design based on the iPod and new Cinema Display design approach that will blow you away and most importantly, the price is very reasonable. Who says Mac is expensive? Think again!! Starting from $1,299 you can get a widescreen 17" (viewable) display with 1.6 GHz G5 processor, 80GB of HD, 256 MB of memory and Combo Drive. Moreover, it comes with a bundle of nessesary softwares. Ready for you to start right away after you turn it on. With this machine you can do everything about digital life style such as listening & downloading digital musics, arranging & printing digital photos, watching & editing digital videos, surfing the net, chatting with friends and more. It doesn't only just work for you but you can do those stuff very fast and totally in style.

Here are some iMac G5 images:

Front view:

Back view:

Side view:

Combination view:

note: all images through the courtesy of Apple Computer, Inc

Apple rules !!
BiGGa

A Day After NYC Trip

2004-08-31T18:29:00.000-05:00

Here I am, in front of my PB and continue blogging again. I feel a little bit sad. This is not the first time though. Everytime that I came back from somewhere else to Muncie, my temporary home city while I'm pursuing my master degree, I feel down. However, I know I will get through this feeling pretty soon.
Talking about New York trip, the first thing that comes up in my head is HOT!!! Summer in NY, for me, it's the warmest place compare with other cities that I'd been in USA. Traveling in NY during summer is terrible especially in subways. Some stations the temperature on the platform is above 100F. Nonetheless, I completed everything that I planned to do, which rarely happens....hehehe.
Despite the high temperature, NY still has everything that makes itself a coolest city in the world. No wonder, this is my third time in NY but I was still astonished on what I had seen like the artists in subways, very hip and beatiful newyorker, Manhattan skyline, the urbanscape and so on.
Lastly, before the trip, I thought it's gonna be the last time in NY for me. After I came back, I think 'Oh..well, why not going to New York again....some other time'

No place on earth like NYC,
BiGGa

A Day Before NYC Trip

2004-08-25T17:33:00.000-05:00

What a hectic day today!! Working in the morning, packing in the afternoon, preparing important documents and gifts for friends at night... blah..blah..blah (I'm mumbling like an old man)
I check my flight again. Whada..!! I have to be at the airport at 4.00 AM and it takes 1.5 hour to the airport that means I have to leave my apartment at around 2.30 AM...geezzz!!
However, I'm so so happy today. In fact, it's the best thing for me today. It totally made my day. After I talked to my dad and my mom, they gave me a very big support concerning my thesis. In the past few days, I was so afraid to talk to them. I thought that they gonna ask me when I gonna finish it, which is very stressful. I was so depressed. I complained about how hard to sleep and eat to my girlfriend. She's my wonderful girl. She always gives me love and supports.
Alrite, back to my trip, until now everything is under control. I think I can sit back and relax a little bit. Take a short sleep and ready to ROCK & ROLL!!

Bye bye Muncie, Hello New York... babie!!
BiGGa

Celebs' School

2004-08-24T20:33:00.000-05:00

When we talk about all the Hollywood stars we talk about their movies, how their look, how they spend money or gossips. Coincediently, I found an interesting issue that most of us might not know about them.
Yeah..today I wanna talk about celebrities and their education background. I found this source in InStyle Magazine, September 2004 issue. Some of our favorite stars studied in a field, which we hardly expect. Here we go:

The Scientists

Cindy Crawford
- Engineering, Northwestern
Ashton Kutcher
- Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa
Lisa Kudrow
- Biology, Vassar

The Multiculturists

Ben Affleck
- Middle Eastern Studies, Occidental College
Lucy Liu
- Chinese Language and Culture, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

The English Students

Hugh Grant
- English Literature, Oxford University
Reese Witherspoon
- English Literature, Stanford
Matt Damon
- English, Harvard
Emma Thompson
- English Literature, Cambridge
Renee Zellweger
- English, University of Texas

The Journalists

Brad Pitt
- Journalism, Univeristy of Missouri, Columbia
Denzel Washington
- Journalism, Fordham University
Meg Ryan
- Journalism, New York University
George Clooney
- Broadcast Journalism, Northern Kentucky University

The Unique Studies

Harrison Ford
- Philosophy, Ripon College
Michelle Pfeiffer
- Court Reporter, Golden West College
Courteney Cox
- Architecture, Mount Vernon College

The Artsy Crowd

Gwyneth Paltrow
- Art History, University of California, Santa Barbara
Matthew Mcconaughey
- Film, University of Texas, Austin
Billy Crystal
- Film and TV Direction, New York University
Adam Sandler
- Fine Arts, New York University
Meryl Streep
- Playwriting, Dartmouth (in an exchange program with Vassar)

The Businessmen

Mick Jagger
- Economic History, London School of Economics
Clint Eastwood
- Business, Los Angles City College

Okay... how's that? Surprised? ha ha me too !! Who knows may be our engineer friend can be the next super model.
BiGGa

note: all photos & information through the courtesy of InStyle Magazine.

Me, Myself and Maya

2004-08-23T23:53:00.000-05:00

Since last week, I had spent most of the time knowing new computer application for 3D modeling. I heard about it for a quite a while. From many movie directors, computer animators, movie producers, school instructors, friends, they all mentioned about this software about how powerful, great flexibility and wide-range of compatibility it is. Some of you might know about it. Yes.. it's Maya, an awesome well-known 3D modeling and animation software from Alias .
Fortunately, in the begining of 2004, Alias decided to produce a Mac OS X version of Maya after they had been producing only for Windows version for almost 10 years. The version that I have is Maya 6.0 which is a latest major release. For some of you who have no idea about what I'm talking about, try think about the famous movies like Lord of The Rings, Ice Age, Spider-Man to name just a few. Those are all using Maya to accomplish numerous unbelievable scenes that almost impossible to do in physical world. Not only the movies that using Maya but also video games and TV commercials as well.
That's why I turned myself to learn how it works. With an online tutorial, it's pretty easy to get to know all the basic knowledge and even to create some basic models with all by using several simple tools and features. In short, it's easier than I thought. I couldn't stop myself learning it because in every step of the lessons it keep introducing me all of new features that make a complex task real easy. Until now I have my favorite tool already. It's called "Sculpt Surfaces Tool". The concept of this tool is to let users making a model as s/he a sculptor. You can push, pull or smooth the surface as same as you do it with clay. Very.. very amazing !! Just a description might now enough. I have some sample pictures of my work using that tool. Please focus on a punk rocker head.. that what I made from Sculpt Surfaces Tool.

- Maya Interface view:

- Perspective view:

- Top view:

_ Side view:

- Front view:

That's all folks,
BiGGa

My tunes from iTunes

2004-08-22T22:40:00.000-05:00

My trip to NYC is just 3 days away. Even though this is not a first time for me, it still makes me pretty excited. Not only the city itself that drives me crazy but also all of my old freinds that I'm about to meet over there. Anyways, I've never been in NY during summer time. Everytime I'd been there it freezed my ass out !!
This time I plan to go to Central Park to see people with summer activities, MoMA QNs to check the "Tall Buildings" exhibition, Guggenheim Museum to take some interior photos that I missed last time, Apple Store SoHo and some hottest spots for night life. Moreover, we will go to visit our important friend who lives in Ayer, MA. Surely enough, we will drive about 4 hours to get there from NY and for 4 hours on the road the most important thing for me is music.
iTunes , the digital music jukebox ever from Apple, never let me down. With a very well-organized library and special printing CD cover features, creating my own tunes is just a snap !! I very much enjoy selecting my favorite songs from my 2,600 songs library. Creating my own playlists, burning audio CDs, printing CD covers and song lists, iTunes make all those tasks easy and the result has a very artsy and professional look. Now my coming road trip will never get bored : )

New York baby... here I come
BiGGa

Here are some covers of albums in my tunes:

My good deed today (feeling good..)

2004-08-21T18:02:00.000-05:00

After sitting in front of my Macs for the whole week, I think I'd better go out of my apartment to get fresh air, meet people, do something healthy. It's a very nice Saturday today after a thunder storm hit us all day yesterday. Suddenly, my roomy, Ozgur, came to tell me that he's about to go out and help Emma, a very nice girlfriend of our friend, re-paint the house before she moves out to Indianapolis. Then I think this is perfect for what I wanna do and it might be so much fun!!! even though Emma and me are barely know each others.
On the way to Emma's house, we decided to drive pass throught the campus. Man...!! There were lots of student all over the place. This is 2 days before Fall semester begins. We felt so good to see the campus look lively again. Finally, we were at Emma's house with full of motivation. She was surprised cuz she didn't expect to have one more extra man power. Started with moving her boxes to a garage and ended up with gardening which is a lot better than painting the house. Why? Cuz it reminded me to my house in BKK. I used to do gardening with my dad in the morning. Actually, he kinda force me to do that : P It was a good excersise and socialize as well. During we doing that we met and talked with neighbors. We have more frineds today.
Well... today I feel so good. Helping someone whom I barely know and make s/he happy. It makes me smile all day.

What is waiting for me tomorrow?
BiGGa

P.M. Thaksin's weekly talk

2004-08-21T03:15:00.000-05:00

I just started doing this last 2 weeks ago. Thanks for the computer and information technology, I can tune my digital music player on my computer to listen a radio station from Thailand. The show called "Nayok Thaksin Kui Kub Plachachon", means Priminister Thaksin talks with people, is broadcasted from Radio Thailand station FM 92.5 MHz every Saturday morning, 8.00 AM. It's about the current situations in the country and activities of P.M. and his government in the past week. Describing in brief but get to the points by P.M. himself.
What I feel so good about this show is not about the contents of what he says but it's a great vision of P.M. Thanksin. He came up with this idea of a simple routine. Just wake up in the morning (it might a bit hard to get up early on Sat morning) and telling people what he has done in the past week and what he gonna do next. For me, it's somehow like a propraganda for telling only what government wants people to hear and people will give him more credit for taking care of them with this down to earth approach. Anyways, the point is why the several former priministers didn't do something like this. This is why P.M. is better than others.
From my experience and knowledge, so far, I think he's one of the fine P.M. of Thailand. I want him to continue sitting on this chair in the next election term. Thailand will get better and stronger in many aspects for sure.

I love Thailand, my mother land
BiGGa

Note:

For checking archives of the show:
CLICK HERE

What to write?

2004-08-20T01:53:00.000-05:00

Today, all day, I'd kept asking myself what should I write for the first blog. May be I take this thing too serious. It can be anything, I heard. However, I want this thing has more meaning than just a diary or journal. Something more than that but I still can't figure. May be it would get clearer if I kept writing and carrying along with my original idea.
"Dont' be afraid to get start with something new" I believe in that thought. Sounds easy but do believe me it's not!! I have struggled with this for all my life. I'm glad that today I stepped across that line again. So far, I feel better to write more...

See u in the next post,
BiGGa

Start from here!!

2004-08-19T01:54:00.000-05:00

Hi

This is the beginning of my e-journal.

Enjoy,

BiGGa