I am an American woman in my late 60′s, who has lived in the Asia Pacific area for over 25 years (Suva, Fiji and Chiang Mai, Thailand . I currently live alone with my two adorable sugar gliders, my 20-year-old daughter having left a little over a year ago to live, study and work (Starbucks) in Portland, Oregon, USA. My general health is excellent, except for disabilities related to two unsuccessful knee replacements in my left knee creating mobility and balance issues.

I live in a small but comfortable house with gated yard in an upmarket housing development with a good pool, tennis courts, award-winning Thai restaurant, and an Oasis Spa resort.

I am retired on a very small pension, after 21 years as a Chicago banker (Trust Dept portfolio Mgr, International Banker, and Corporate Banker) and 21 years as an academic (teaching mainly in an MBA Program at the Univ. of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji). I love reading, SCUBA diving (PADI Rescue Diver), am an Advance Class Ham Radio Operator (not recently active), traveling and hosting, I love animals, and am particularly interested in scientific, medical, health, cultural, and environmental issues. I used to be active in photography and would like to get back into it but first need a good camera! I adopted my daughter as a 2 month old baby in Fiji, and she is the light of my life. I have 2 pet sugar gliders (suggies). and recently lost my second dog, this time to a Malayan Pit Viper bite. Both dogs came with us from Fiji where we rescued them at very young ages (2 1/2 weeks to almost three months of age). The suggies are Thai twin sisters.

In college I spent my Junior Year at the Univ. of Stockholm and also have good friends in Finland, resulting from my family hosting a Finnish girl for a year as a high school exchange student.

I do need assistance with cooking when I have guests! As for diet, I call myself a "flexitarian". I am mainly an ovo-lacto vegetarian, but I do regularly eat chicken and fish (1-2 times a week at the most) and occasionally eat red meat (1-2 times a month at the most). If you will cook, I can also accommodate vegans!

Please let me know in advance about your dietary preferences and restrictions.

I am especially targeting people with special skills I really need help with: major IT problem solving, web design, sewing and mending, massage, major deep cleaning of house or garden development and planting, plumbing, etc. including skills I may not know I need until I see them written down!

Cooking assistance is essential when I am hosting! It is too hard for me to stand long enough to prepare a meal.

I would also appreciate general house and garden assistance - light housekeeping and periodic tile floor scrubbing, garden planting, pet assistance - my suggie twins need socializing and the cage needs cleaning!, most cooking, possibly driving me places where parking is a problem or where I am likely to get lost (you need an international license or a Thai license for that!), small household repair/decorating jobs, computer and electronics problem-solving, etc.

Not essential, but I would also welcome those who can teach me basic Thai or help me regain my Swedish.

I do not expect you to be able to do everything, but help in at least some would be welcome and cooking essential.

I prefer assignments in the 2-4 week range with possible extensions arranged after you arrive.

English, some Swedish, a little Fijian, and very little German.

I have one spare room, which my daughter uses only rarely. If I have old friends or relatives visiting, I put them in that room. It is empty most of the year, however., so that room is available most of the time. It is the master bedroom with an attached bath. It has two beds: a double bed and an XL twin bed. Very comfortable beds! I also have several good airbeds that can be used on the living room floor. I can provide bedding. When I have multiple guests, the guest room will first be allocated to those with greatest need. I need people flexible about sleeping arrangements, as they may need to be changed, according to the profile of other visitors I may have.

I am almost next door to the Night Safari and the Royal Botanical Park, with a variety of restaurants around. I am not very far from major grocery and superstores. However, there is no regular public transport running by my house. For a moderate fee you can use the neighborhood (moo baan) facilities such as pool and tennis courts. If desired, I can also help you polish up your English and teach you about sugar gliders (adorable, fascinating little creatures!).

I am especially looking for travelers who are honest, friendly, have a good sense of humor, and can relax and make themselves at home. This is a "help yourself and make yourself at home" household! I also need volunteers who can be flexible about changing sleeping arrangements when I have multiple guests!

My house is 20-30 minutes drive from downtown, just south of the airport in the SW corner of Chiang Mai, a block from the city limits with Hang Dong. I can get you to town most days but you usually need to find your way back in the late afternoon/evening. Recommend you rent a scooter, which will make getting around easy and quick, if you are comfortable on a motor scooter.

I do not smoke and my house is non-smoking. I have wireless internet you can use free. I tend to go to bed at 11 or midnight most nights and usually get up between 8 and 9 AM. I do not cook much - mainly snack - and love to be cooked for!