Got the feeling that I am just going through the paces now and maybe I need a change to give me the proverbial kick in the ass

Its hard to get to grips with the Irish weather. This weekend we had everything from snow, sun, wind, rain, storms, sleet, hailstones and clear blue skies! You can even get all of these in the space of a couple of hours. This makes planning anything in advance a real nightmare. For example, early in the day it might look like a good day for a walk. So you would go and change your shoes and by the time you have done this it could be pissing rain outside!

Worse still, is that the rain comes when you are half way through your walk and didn’t bring any umbrella. However, they aren’t much use in Ireland as wind usually comes with the rain and your umbrella wont last long in the Irish wind!

This weekend was pretty relaxed and quiet. Nothing exciting really happened but it was nice to have some time to ourselves. Went to the cinema on Friday and got a take-away with Dad and Helen.

Played taxi on Saturday morning and dropped Dad and Helen to airport and collected Denis and Amela. Taking the tunnel to the airport cuts off a good bit off the journey and I made it in about 30 minutes which is pretty impressive.

I have to say that going to the airport got me thinking that maybe I shouldn’t be in Ireland for much longer? I am beginning to get itchy feet again but I think it all depends on the type of job I get next.

Now that I am a qualified Project Manager I am expecting more offers that match up to my experience. I don’t mind if these offers are in Ireland or internationally.

We are still trying to figure out how to extend Nang’s tourist visa. Her 3 month visa expires on 3rd February. I have been told that it may be possible to extend it at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) in Burgh Quay. Initially, I was told that it could be done at the local Garda station but this turned out to be bad information.

Unfortunately, it looks pretty clear that changing the visa type can only be done in your country of origin. That means that Nang will have to return to Thailand before she can get a business visa. I am hopeful that we can get her a job offer in a crèche based on her experience and if I can secure the job offer it should be possible to get a work permit. After obtaining the work permit we can then apply for the visa.

It makes me wonder how all the other non EU nationals manage to stay in Ireland?!?!?!? Are they all staying here legitimately or not?

{tab=Politics & Biz}

Bertie has come out fighting and is using his favourite rag to get his rant across – the Sunday Independent. (although it is no more independent than I am Chinese!) He is complaining that he is not getting a fair deal at the Tribunal but so much of his testimony is so dodgy that its hard not to question everything he says. The fact that is still the person running this country is a complete farce!

Looks like Cowens belated effort to kick start the Property Market by playing around with Stamp Duty hasn’t had much success at all. It would be a very brave person who invests in the Irish property market now and I personally think we are in for a very rough 6 months. I am willing to hang in there in the short term as I don’t see it dropping dramatically but cause turnover is so low I do think that a lot of agents will start to feel the pain.

The Irish stock market has also been one of the worst performers in the Global market for 2007 and there isn’t much cheery news to say that things will be much better in 2008.

In Thailand thinks are also not looking to good at all. They still haven’t managed to put together a viable coalition and the longer that this goes on the more uncertainty there will be. It also means that investors will look elsewhere in the region and the likes of Vietnam, Malaysia and even Cambodia will be smiling broadly at these events.

It is likely that the PPP will form a coalition and if they do then Thaksin is likely to return home to a heros welcome. He has consistently said that he will not get involved in Thai politics but I think he is still in a powerful position.

I am not sure what kind of policies to expect from the PPP. It is unlikely that they will change much with the foreign ownership of property but they could put a lot more money into Thaksins “super projects” to build a better infrastructure.

BBC showed a few live FA Cup games this weekend but they must be kicking themselves now – every game was a complete bore. On Saturday I actually fell asleep while watching Man Utd.

United have been drawn with Spurs or Reading for the 4th round which should be an interesting tie.

Munster are still in the Heineken Cup but Leinster are stuck with the Magners league as their only chance. 6 Nations will be back soon too but after the poor showing at the WC I don’t think many people will get too excited.

I had bought an external hard disk case in PC World before Xmas but never used it. Instead, I did some searching on the Net and came across a few good deals on Ebay. I have therefore ordered the cases on Ebay and returned the goods to PC World. I really need to back up my laptop but the existing case isn’t working anymore.

I really don’t like using Ebay but this time it worked out quite well – just hope it arrives in one piece.

I also managed to change the brake lights in the Fortuner. Normally I am pretty crap at anything like this but this time around I did it without any problems at all. The car is due for a service but now that I can change the light bulb I am thinking I can do the whole service myself!!

Still enjoying the Wii but I really need to get some decent games – I reckon Resident Evil 4 would be good!

I have been watching Heroes recently and the first season is very good. I can’t say that I am completely hooked but I am definitely enjoying it.

I’ve also started season 2 of Prison Break!

I have also been using the exercise bike to work off some more of the turkey but to be honest I haven’t noticed much of an improvement yet.

The New Year brings new life – or at least it is supposed to. I cant say that I have settled too well in Ireland but I’m not really sure of the reasons for this. Its true that I haven’t made a massive effort to meet up with friends but I think that most of them have moved on during the 6 years that I was away. They all have their own families and commitments which is fair enough.

However, I ask myself whether I would be so lazy if I was living anywhere else but Ireland? Somehow, I just get lazy in Ireland and I lose all drive for exploration and excitement.

But where to go if its not Ireland?

Whatever happens I know I need a decent job to keep me sane! I have tried early retirement but that really sucked and I got bored after a few months. I’m not even sure if I would like to go back to Thailand at this stage. Maybe I am looking for a completely new challenge.!?!?!?

Nang has settled very well in Ireland and she really likes it here – except for the weather – so that is a positive thing.

Just need to sort out something on the job front early this year. I don’t want to be drifting this time next year – I want to put down some roots!