This post is about all of the minor things that haven't gone as I would've liked.

Camera
I brought two cameras. One digital and one point and shoot. I expected that I would probably send the point and shoot home with Tina but as it turns out, I sent home the digital.

Because it didn't work.

It would take pictures but two of the button, including the zoom, just didn't respond. I was going to buy a new digital here but it is actually more expensive. So now I am just going to carry around about a gig of memory.

This is of course a huge disappointment. It is nice to have a small camera in your pocket to take pictures of the everyday stuff like an entire family riding on a moped- without helmets.

It also means I won't be sharing any photos with you along the way. I was pretty enormously disappointed about this for a while but I have come to terms with it.

Glasses
Our first week here, I went to clean my glasses and accidentally pushed the lens out a bit. It didn't pop out completely but certainly it was not a good thing. When I brought them in to be fixed, I was told that my frame was completely warped and that the lens was cut too big and there was nothing they could do about it.

I just got these lenses! Luckily they are under warranty, but I, of course, can't take advantage of that until I get home.

I hate wearing glasses. They are such a pain. I'm constantly switching between glasses and sunglasses.

The whole warped thing sucks too. They are very loose. If I put my head forward they fall off. I knew they were not in the best condition before I left but figured it was best to take a pair that was already not in the best shape since traveling can be rough on glasses. Now they are just all askew which contributes to my very slovenly look. More on that below.

Packing
I pride myself on being an excellent packer. Before I left, numerous people told me that I could purchase light weight clothing quick drying clothing when I arrived in Bangkok. What they didn't tell me is that it is completely see through and makes you look like you are wearing a tent.

I only have one coolmax shirt. How someone who worked at a company that sold travel clothing left the country with only one coolmax shirt I do not know. What I wouldn't do for more loose, yet shapely shirts made out of wicking fabric.

My pants aren't much better. I can't seem to find low rise women's shorts with pockets. So I always buy men's shorts which leaves me with about 5 extra inches in the rise and what appears to be no ass. I guess it would be cool if I were into the gangsta' look.

Then I have my zip offs which couldn't be more unflattering.

All the girls from other countries have cute shorts and zip offs. I don't know why the U.S. can't get our act together and make some functional women's travel clothing that also looks good.

Anyway, I started to get a complex because I look so slovenly so I came to the mall to look for a pair of light weight crop pants with pockets to wear to Wats. I actually found a great store that carried everything I was looking for. Unfortunately, I discovered I do indeed have an ass and by Thai standards it is an enormous one.

So, I settled for some contacts. I may be wearing the same shirt every single day and my pants may be huge, but I figure the removal of my always askew glasses has to be an improvement.

Travel Alarm
I had the best travel alarm clock in the whole wide world. It was small and light and fit in my pocket. It had big numbers and a back blue light. It had military time so that you were always sure you did not mistakenly set the alarm for PM instead of AM. It was very easy to set. Unfortunately, I got salt water on it on Koh Tao and it died.

I looked and looked for a replacement but none will ever do. I am mourning my perfect little travel clock.

I ended up with a watch with an alarm that took me forever to learn how to set and which I have no idea how to turn off.

Health
I think I am allergic to Chiang Mai. I'm serious. I've never had allergies but our first day here I did not stop sneezing. Literally. I didn't even bother to put away my hanky because I needed it constantly. I took an antihistamine that night and was fine. Then I went trekking and was still fine. I came back from trekking and developed a cough. A dry annoying throat cough that sounds like I'm faking it. It is worse when I am near a fan so I am guessing it is a combination of sleeping in the cold during the trek and mildew or pollution. As far as I know, there is really no cure for a cough. Just a suppressent. So I am just sucking on some vile lozenges. I didn't bring the good kind because I never get a cough.

I'd better not have allergies b/c my malaria meds, which I started yesterday, say not to take them with an antihistemine.