Like the western world, this season is the holiday season in Thailand. Except well, the holidays are different.
Starting with the 27th of November. This day is Loy Krathong day, which literally means float banana leaf basket candle holder thingy. Yes, literally. This holiday is to "make merit". Basically to say sorry for everything bad you have done in the past- repent your sins, and to wish for luck next year. You celebrate this holiday by making/buying a krathong and candles and giving them to the river or you can also release floating lanterns into the air. I did both! My family took me to the river temple by my house where my released out lit Krathongs into the river and then we went to the roof top of the condo and watched some fireworks. The fireworks were indeed pretty but nothing like the firework shows in the US. Fireworks aren't a big deal here because they are so regularly used so the shows aren't as elaborate. I really enjoyed Loy Krathong because it's just so darn beautiful. There are lights in the water, lights in the sky and lights on houses. And not cold, florescent blue lights, they are warm candle lights. It's not like anything in the US and I think next year I will try to celebrate it in the US.
The next holiday is on December 5 at 7:13ish. Why is the time so specific? Because it's the King's Birthday of course! Yes, for this day my host parents took my to the huge celebration in the middle of Bangkok. This is was not completely prepared for. See the King's favorite color is yellow, just like mine actually. So everyone- EVERYONE wears yellow on this day. Sadly though, I didn't bring anything yellow with me to Thailand. But it was ok because there were other farang that weren't wearing yellow there too. I'm just glad I didn't wear red, because that is the color of the protest group against the King. Everyone gathers in the center of a huge field and has yellow candles. You light them around 7:10 and wait until 7:13 where everyone raises their candle up into the sky, sings the King's song and fireworks are lit for the the King. People also light floating lanterns too in honor of the King. It was so amazing to see so many people, so many people all gather for the love of one man. Just one man. They love, honor and respect their King so much. The King, or at the least the idea of the King, brings so many people together and that is so powerful to witness.
Besides the Thai holidays. It's been a struggle to get through these past few weeks. Every mall or busy area will have some sort of "Christmas" decoration. The Christmas decorations remind me of those you would find in a nursing home or sold at a gas station. Some of the displaces are huge and look expensive but aren't what any westerner would call pretty....
But the best way to celebrate these holidays I find, is to spent them with other exchange students. Not only do they know what you're going through but together you can figure out the best unconventional ways to celebrate.
Book: Page 40 or so of Childhood's End, so far it's good. A lot of Sci-fy but I like it.
Thai: loo ku gai...........................................................................................shuttlecock
Monday, December 10, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Breakfast
Today is Thanksgiving... well in the states it is. Here it's just another average day. I even had to go to school today because here they don't have the whole "you can miss school for religious/cultural holidays thing." Even though Thailand technically has freedom of religion, 98% of the population is Buddhist and every day at every public and private school in Thailand they say a pray to Buddha after the whole school sings the National Anthem. Yup that's totally what Freedom of Religion means.
But alas, Thanksgiving isn't a religious holiday, but in a way, we treat it like one. People fly across the nation to spend time with their families (whether they like them or not), we all put in what we can to make sure that there is plenty to eat, there are days of preparation whether it be cooking or cleaning the house, you don't have to go to work or school etc.. But that's American culture. And isn't it beautiful!
As I see it, there are about three ways that you can see Thanksgiving.
1. A day to spend with family, thinking about what it means to be thankful and to be grateful to have such wonderful friends and family. And then stuff your face with food and probably watch some TV special.
2. A silly celebration about how our ancestors came to America, brought over new diseases that later killed many Native Americans and finally took land that wan't ours. And then you stuff your face with food and probably watch some TV special.
3. A day where you have to try to survive yet another family dinner and unfortunately none of them can cook either. But still you stuff your face with food and probably watch some TV special.
I prefer the first way
My day at school was good. I had Japanese French, Chinese and cooking class. Which I thoroughly enjoyed but there was still that deep hole inside my gut. The hole that can only be filled with sleeping in, spending all day in my pajamas, eating Thanksgiving dinner, watching the Macy's day Parade and dog show, and especially spending the whole day with all my family.
I wanted to make a Thanksgiving dinner for my family here, but quickly figured out that was impossible because they is only so much western food they sell at import stores and only so much of it is reasonably priced. So I decided to make my host family a good old-fashioned American breakfast for dinner!
I got syrup, butter and pancake mix at a normal grocery store. Found bacon at the import store and eggs are everywhere in Thailand.
And thus, today I made Pancakes for my host family. I was going to make the bacon and eggs too but they were too full of my delicious pancakes.
I was making the last pancake of the night when I accidentally spilled a couple drops on the side of the skillet. Still in the skillet, just not anywhere near the pancake itself.
And while I was standing in the funky outdoor kitchen in my home in Thailand, I thought about those spilled drops of pancake batter. And how they make these tiny delicious pancakes. And how grateful I was for those delicious little things and just for breakfast itself.
And here is a list of all the breakfast foods I am thankful for:
1. Waffles. For all the times my dad has made them for me and for how delicious they are.
2. Hash browns. For the times I've eaten them at Emma's house or in Portland with my parents.
3. Pancakes. For the times my dad made them into letters for my name, mickey mouses, chocolate chip, tye-die, or even the tiny delicious ones that accidentally spill on the skillet.
4. Milk shake thingy. For the times when my dad and I used to dance the the kitchen while he shook up a protein shake for me.
5. Norwegian Pancakes. For all the mornings I have spent at my grandparents eating them right out of the pan.
6. Lefse. No ones can describe how thankful I am for lefse.
7. Aebleskiver. For all the times Besta has made it for my family in the mornings.
8. Raisin brain and bananas. For them always being there for my Grandpa each morning.
9. Scones. For Emma always making them with me in the middle of the afternoon.
10. Cold pizza. For just helping me to be lazy in the mornings and keeping up the American stereotype.
11. Cinnamon Toast Crunch. For being the sugary breakfast cereal that every kid wants but no parent wants to buy.
12. Peanut Butter Toast. For never failing to be delicious. For my dad making them for me when I'm running late to school and for Besta making them for me on Monday afternoons when I was little.
Thank You Breakfast. Thank You for bringing me closer to people and for the memories I will keep forever.
Book: The Hobbit page 177, it's coming along, but it's still a little slow.
Thai: Sure..........................................................................................na chai
But alas, Thanksgiving isn't a religious holiday, but in a way, we treat it like one. People fly across the nation to spend time with their families (whether they like them or not), we all put in what we can to make sure that there is plenty to eat, there are days of preparation whether it be cooking or cleaning the house, you don't have to go to work or school etc.. But that's American culture. And isn't it beautiful!
As I see it, there are about three ways that you can see Thanksgiving.
1. A day to spend with family, thinking about what it means to be thankful and to be grateful to have such wonderful friends and family. And then stuff your face with food and probably watch some TV special.
2. A silly celebration about how our ancestors came to America, brought over new diseases that later killed many Native Americans and finally took land that wan't ours. And then you stuff your face with food and probably watch some TV special.
3. A day where you have to try to survive yet another family dinner and unfortunately none of them can cook either. But still you stuff your face with food and probably watch some TV special.
I prefer the first way
My day at school was good. I had Japanese French, Chinese and cooking class. Which I thoroughly enjoyed but there was still that deep hole inside my gut. The hole that can only be filled with sleeping in, spending all day in my pajamas, eating Thanksgiving dinner, watching the Macy's day Parade and dog show, and especially spending the whole day with all my family.
I wanted to make a Thanksgiving dinner for my family here, but quickly figured out that was impossible because they is only so much western food they sell at import stores and only so much of it is reasonably priced. So I decided to make my host family a good old-fashioned American breakfast for dinner!
I got syrup, butter and pancake mix at a normal grocery store. Found bacon at the import store and eggs are everywhere in Thailand.
And thus, today I made Pancakes for my host family. I was going to make the bacon and eggs too but they were too full of my delicious pancakes.
I was making the last pancake of the night when I accidentally spilled a couple drops on the side of the skillet. Still in the skillet, just not anywhere near the pancake itself.
And while I was standing in the funky outdoor kitchen in my home in Thailand, I thought about those spilled drops of pancake batter. And how they make these tiny delicious pancakes. And how grateful I was for those delicious little things and just for breakfast itself.
And here is a list of all the breakfast foods I am thankful for:
1. Waffles. For all the times my dad has made them for me and for how delicious they are.
2. Hash browns. For the times I've eaten them at Emma's house or in Portland with my parents.
3. Pancakes. For the times my dad made them into letters for my name, mickey mouses, chocolate chip, tye-die, or even the tiny delicious ones that accidentally spill on the skillet.
4. Milk shake thingy. For the times when my dad and I used to dance the the kitchen while he shook up a protein shake for me.
5. Norwegian Pancakes. For all the mornings I have spent at my grandparents eating them right out of the pan.
6. Lefse. No ones can describe how thankful I am for lefse.
7. Aebleskiver. For all the times Besta has made it for my family in the mornings.
8. Raisin brain and bananas. For them always being there for my Grandpa each morning.
9. Scones. For Emma always making them with me in the middle of the afternoon.
10. Cold pizza. For just helping me to be lazy in the mornings and keeping up the American stereotype.
11. Cinnamon Toast Crunch. For being the sugary breakfast cereal that every kid wants but no parent wants to buy.
12. Peanut Butter Toast. For never failing to be delicious. For my dad making them for me when I'm running late to school and for Besta making them for me on Monday afternoons when I was little.
Thank You Breakfast. Thank You for bringing me closer to people and for the memories I will keep forever.
Book: The Hobbit page 177, it's coming along, but it's still a little slow.
Thai: Sure..........................................................................................na chai
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Yup
I didn't make this and I got this off another exchange student's blog (http://fromthailand-withlove.tumblr.com) but its just too perfect!
Youth Exchange:
Sometimes it’s like:
Other times it’s like:
Trying to understand people when you first arrive:
When people don’t understand you:
And most likely you did.
All of the new food:
When you’re about 2 months in:
9 months in:
Tired all the time:
Sometimes you just need so be alone, but you never really are:
You do stuff that you wouldn’t normally do, because why not?
You make tons of new friends:
But when the year is over, you have to leave your new life behind:
But when you see your family again,
When you’ve been back home for a while:
But you still miss the life that you had in your foreign country:
11/14
This blog comes to you in NINE PARTS!
Part 1: Chore
Well, I have blogged in a while...why?
I want all my blogs to be something I am proud of and a good piece of writing. However, this has forced me to not blog as often because if I blog everyday then I won't have anything new to say etc. etc. This has also forced me into the mentality that every blog has to be perfect and it's starting to become a chore.....which isn't good.
SO
I'm not caring anymore. Some blogs will be good. Some not so much, but I just need to get my thoughts out into the world and the world can decide if they are any good or not.
Part 2: School
I am finally back at school again and it is............it's ok. I just got my schedule today and I've been in school for three weeks now. Also because it's "Sport's Day" on Friday, I won't actually be attending my classes until Monday. So I've been basically doodling, reading and staring at a wall for three weeks...
For my new schedule, some classes are the same like Sword Fighting, Thai, Fruit Carving, Art, yada yada... but this semester I am taking more Thai classes (I'm now learning how to write and write Thai!). I am also learning five languages here. I'm taking German, French, Chinese, Japanese and obviously Thai. So I started my exchange knowing two languages, English and a little Spanish and will hopefully return know seven.
Part 3: Friends
My school friend, J, got her GED so she is now taking university courses and thus not attending my school anymore. I was the closest to her out of my school friends and so now I don't have many friends at school. I have another friend, Tannie but she is in a different class so I rarely see her. Luckily though all the girls (remember I go to an all girls school) in my class are super kind and try to involve me in everything.
I have become really close friends with almost all of us exchange students in district 3350!! You know how when you first meet someone, it takes a while for you to become close friends with them? Well, not with exchange students! Here are some reasons why:
1. You came to this country alone.
Literally. Alone. You don't know anyone besides your host parents, you don't know the language here, you have no friends or relatives. It is a very clean and barren slate. You want to make friends and therefore any other person that speak English is automatically your best friend.
2. Exchange Students love hugs.
I wasn't a "huggy" type person before I came on exchange but I really do love hugs. I realized this a week into my exchange here. Hugs are just a gesture that shows love and compassion and that's what you live for as an exchange student.
3. One year.
You have to spend a year with these people, so you might as well get along.
4. Exchange Students are made of awesome.
Exchange students have gumption and gut. They will do just about anything and are some of the nicest people I know.
To conclude, I have about 28 new best friends and I have only known them for three months and yet I'm willing to fly across the world to visit them after exchange.
Part 4: Starbucks
The past two times I have visited Starbucks here they have gotten my order wrong. It's not a problem and I'm not complaining....Hear me out now....but I have a problem with it. Starbucks has switched it's decore and background music to be Christmas themed. And. I. Can't. Take. It. Not only is it the beginning of November but it hurts to see the wreathes or here Little Drummer Boy because it makes me think of home. And so when I order my regular of a coffee frappuccino no whip, the same thing I've always ordered since my first Starbucks, and Thai lady who is wearing a santa hat behind the counter thinks I ordered the caramel one because she can't understand my accent and because White Christmas is playing too loud, I just get annoyed. And I get annoyed because I'm not in Washington and it's not cold outside and Thai people don't celebrate Christmas. And mainly I'm annoyed because I don't want to scare the innocent Thai lady behind the counter by bursting into tears in the middle of Starbucks.
Part 5: Visa
I went to the immigration office in Bangkok to renew my visa and while I was waiting in a DMV similar office, I chatted with another visa renewal hopeful sitting next to me. And it turns out, he is from Mexico, he has been here five months and he is in Thailand getting his PhD in Thai culture specifically studying the UNDERGROUND ROCK SCENE IN BANGKOK. Isn't that the coolest PhD you've ever heard?
Part 6: Winter
Isn't winter here and yet the lowest low I have seen in the forecast for this week is 79F. And it's winter!
Part 7: Vlogs
I am now uploading more videos of my adventures to my you tube channel! Make sure to subscribe!
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcDs9I1OugwZpEnMcVWiPg?feature=guide
Part 8: Book
Around 110 on The Hobbit and its a little low but good, still around page 60 on the casual vacancy....that one is slower than I expected
Part 9: Thai
champu............................pink
.
Part 1: Chore
Well, I have blogged in a while...why?
I want all my blogs to be something I am proud of and a good piece of writing. However, this has forced me to not blog as often because if I blog everyday then I won't have anything new to say etc. etc. This has also forced me into the mentality that every blog has to be perfect and it's starting to become a chore.....which isn't good.
SO
I'm not caring anymore. Some blogs will be good. Some not so much, but I just need to get my thoughts out into the world and the world can decide if they are any good or not.
Part 2: School
I am finally back at school again and it is............it's ok. I just got my schedule today and I've been in school for three weeks now. Also because it's "Sport's Day" on Friday, I won't actually be attending my classes until Monday. So I've been basically doodling, reading and staring at a wall for three weeks...
For my new schedule, some classes are the same like Sword Fighting, Thai, Fruit Carving, Art, yada yada... but this semester I am taking more Thai classes (I'm now learning how to write and write Thai!). I am also learning five languages here. I'm taking German, French, Chinese, Japanese and obviously Thai. So I started my exchange knowing two languages, English and a little Spanish and will hopefully return know seven.
Part 3: Friends
My school friend, J, got her GED so she is now taking university courses and thus not attending my school anymore. I was the closest to her out of my school friends and so now I don't have many friends at school. I have another friend, Tannie but she is in a different class so I rarely see her. Luckily though all the girls (remember I go to an all girls school) in my class are super kind and try to involve me in everything.
I have become really close friends with almost all of us exchange students in district 3350!! You know how when you first meet someone, it takes a while for you to become close friends with them? Well, not with exchange students! Here are some reasons why:
1. You came to this country alone.
Literally. Alone. You don't know anyone besides your host parents, you don't know the language here, you have no friends or relatives. It is a very clean and barren slate. You want to make friends and therefore any other person that speak English is automatically your best friend.
2. Exchange Students love hugs.
I wasn't a "huggy" type person before I came on exchange but I really do love hugs. I realized this a week into my exchange here. Hugs are just a gesture that shows love and compassion and that's what you live for as an exchange student.
3. One year.
You have to spend a year with these people, so you might as well get along.
4. Exchange Students are made of awesome.
Exchange students have gumption and gut. They will do just about anything and are some of the nicest people I know.
To conclude, I have about 28 new best friends and I have only known them for three months and yet I'm willing to fly across the world to visit them after exchange.
Part 4: Starbucks
The past two times I have visited Starbucks here they have gotten my order wrong. It's not a problem and I'm not complaining....Hear me out now....but I have a problem with it. Starbucks has switched it's decore and background music to be Christmas themed. And. I. Can't. Take. It. Not only is it the beginning of November but it hurts to see the wreathes or here Little Drummer Boy because it makes me think of home. And so when I order my regular of a coffee frappuccino no whip, the same thing I've always ordered since my first Starbucks, and Thai lady who is wearing a santa hat behind the counter thinks I ordered the caramel one because she can't understand my accent and because White Christmas is playing too loud, I just get annoyed. And I get annoyed because I'm not in Washington and it's not cold outside and Thai people don't celebrate Christmas. And mainly I'm annoyed because I don't want to scare the innocent Thai lady behind the counter by bursting into tears in the middle of Starbucks.
Part 5: Visa
I went to the immigration office in Bangkok to renew my visa and while I was waiting in a DMV similar office, I chatted with another visa renewal hopeful sitting next to me. And it turns out, he is from Mexico, he has been here five months and he is in Thailand getting his PhD in Thai culture specifically studying the UNDERGROUND ROCK SCENE IN BANGKOK. Isn't that the coolest PhD you've ever heard?
Part 6: Winter
Isn't winter here and yet the lowest low I have seen in the forecast for this week is 79F. And it's winter!
Part 7: Vlogs
I am now uploading more videos of my adventures to my you tube channel! Make sure to subscribe!
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcDs9I1OugwZpEnMcVWiPg?feature=guide
Part 8: Book
Around 110 on The Hobbit and its a little low but good, still around page 60 on the casual vacancy....that one is slower than I expected
Part 9: Thai
champu............................pink
.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Paprika
One day I was siting downstairs in the living room reading when my host mom came into the room from upstairs awkwardly holding a stray cat.
'Well, this is new,' I thought.
My host mom explained to me in English why she was holding the cat.
The cat was the neighbors and it had somehow managed to sneak its way into our garden, into our house and then all the way up into my host parents room without us noticing.
This is not the last time the cat has done this.
The cat is white with some sandy splotches on its' back and has a kink in its' tail.
Which reminded me a lot of my cat, Gidget. She has a kink in her tail and orange spots all over.
I didn't have a pet until I was five. And ever since then there has always been a furry friend in my house. A cat to pet and snuggle with or a dog to greet you when you come home. In Thailand, I don't have anything like that. The nice thing about animals is they understand every language and love you unconditionally.
Luckily, the cat had been over to visit about every other day and I have decided to name him Paprika. Even though my host mom told me his name is Tuay or cup in Thai.
Paprika is sort of how exchange works. At first its different, a little scary but sometimes reminds you of home. And then after some time, it becomes normal and sometimes boring. And then eventually you don't want to leave it.
And right now, I don't want to leave Paprika. And I don't want to leave Thailand. Not yet anyway.
Tomorrow I will go to the Immigration office to renew my visa! Wish me luck!
Book: Finished The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed out the Window and Disapeared and it was so amazing! It is about a man who has traveled all over the world and has a brilliant sense of humor. I hope everyone will read it and hopefully get the bug for travelling! Page 20 of The Hobbit. So far it's a little slow but I know it will go faster the further I get into the book.
Thai: Tuay.......................Cup
'Well, this is new,' I thought.
My host mom explained to me in English why she was holding the cat.
The cat was the neighbors and it had somehow managed to sneak its way into our garden, into our house and then all the way up into my host parents room without us noticing.
This is not the last time the cat has done this.
The cat is white with some sandy splotches on its' back and has a kink in its' tail.
Which reminded me a lot of my cat, Gidget. She has a kink in her tail and orange spots all over.
I didn't have a pet until I was five. And ever since then there has always been a furry friend in my house. A cat to pet and snuggle with or a dog to greet you when you come home. In Thailand, I don't have anything like that. The nice thing about animals is they understand every language and love you unconditionally.
Luckily, the cat had been over to visit about every other day and I have decided to name him Paprika. Even though my host mom told me his name is Tuay or cup in Thai.
Paprika is sort of how exchange works. At first its different, a little scary but sometimes reminds you of home. And then after some time, it becomes normal and sometimes boring. And then eventually you don't want to leave it.
And right now, I don't want to leave Paprika. And I don't want to leave Thailand. Not yet anyway.
Tomorrow I will go to the Immigration office to renew my visa! Wish me luck!
Book: Finished The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed out the Window and Disapeared and it was so amazing! It is about a man who has traveled all over the world and has a brilliant sense of humor. I hope everyone will read it and hopefully get the bug for travelling! Page 20 of The Hobbit. So far it's a little slow but I know it will go faster the further I get into the book.
Thai: Tuay.......................Cup
Friday, October 26, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Hard
Recently I have been traveling. These past 2 and half weeks to be exact.
More to come on that later.
The other day I was watching a youtube video of John Green (one of my favorite authors) describing the hardest thing he has ever done.
His answer wasn't being a parent. Because he said parenting was "fun".
He didn't say it was surviving the bullies of high school or even finishing college.
It was writing his first book, Looking For Alaska.
The reason being that it took him so long to finish it and that writing a novel is just generally tough.
The funny thing about this video was that while I was watching it, I couldn't help but start to think about the hardest thing that I've ever done.
And I truly and honestly couldn't think of anything.
Was it taking all of those required state tests or playing (well attempting to play) sports?
Was it saying goodbye to those friends who moved away?
What is the hardest thing I have ever done?
Being an exchange student in Thailand didn't even cross my mind.
I didn't even think about that until latter.
I have no idea what this means.
But this is what I'm taking from it.
Going on exchange isn't a vacation. It isn't torture either. It isn't a thing you do. It isn't a break from life. It is life. It's reality. I wake up everyday and think 'I'm in Thailand'. And that's completely normal.
Being an exchange student is hard.But nothing worth doing is easy.
Book: THYOMWCOOTWACA page 210, I'm really enjoying this book and would suggest that everyone read it!! So far, I am amazed at how many famous 20th century political leaders can be fit into this book. Although it's not forced. It's quite charming. I don't know how to describe it!! Just read it!
Thai: son (say it longer though).........................fork
More to come on that later.
The other day I was watching a youtube video of John Green (one of my favorite authors) describing the hardest thing he has ever done.
His answer wasn't being a parent. Because he said parenting was "fun".
He didn't say it was surviving the bullies of high school or even finishing college.
It was writing his first book, Looking For Alaska.
The reason being that it took him so long to finish it and that writing a novel is just generally tough.
The funny thing about this video was that while I was watching it, I couldn't help but start to think about the hardest thing that I've ever done.
And I truly and honestly couldn't think of anything.
Was it taking all of those required state tests or playing (well attempting to play) sports?
Was it saying goodbye to those friends who moved away?
What is the hardest thing I have ever done?
Being an exchange student in Thailand didn't even cross my mind.
I didn't even think about that until latter.
I have no idea what this means.
But this is what I'm taking from it.
Going on exchange isn't a vacation. It isn't torture either. It isn't a thing you do. It isn't a break from life. It is life. It's reality. I wake up everyday and think 'I'm in Thailand'. And that's completely normal.
Being an exchange student is hard.But nothing worth doing is easy.
Book: THYOMWCOOTWACA page 210, I'm really enjoying this book and would suggest that everyone read it!! So far, I am amazed at how many famous 20th century political leaders can be fit into this book. Although it's not forced. It's quite charming. I don't know how to describe it!! Just read it!
Thai: son (say it longer though).........................fork
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Ramble 1
Well today I woke up at 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9 and 10.
I then spent about an hour laying in my bed watching youtube videos and checking my email.
Then I got hungry.
So I emerged from the comforts of my room for the sole purpose to take a shower and eat.
So I took a warm shower, even if it was around 88 degrees, I still enjoy warm showers.
Fixed myself breakfast. Sticky rice, pork and an apple.
My host parents went out for the day to buy a water heater for their condo.
They didn't invite me to join them but I don't think I would have liked sitting for hours listening in Thai about water heaters. That's just my personal opinion.
So I spent the day sifting through my photos I have taken so far to post on facebook.
Usually it takes about five minutes to post photos right? Not in Thailand. And also I'm a little slow because I'm not used to using Windows.
After uploaded all my pictures, around 4pm, I decided that I should get off my butt and do something.
So I decided to go on a walk to the closest 711, which is about a 10 minutes walk and only involves climbing one flight of stairs. The reason I chose to walk there is because I needed to refill my phone with minutes.
The process of refilling my phone is pretty simple.
1. Walk up to the counter, preferably with money in hand.
2. Say "dtac" (the name of the phone company).
3. Hand the cashier the money.
4. Punch my phone number into the keypad thingy.
5. Get a receipt and a text confirmation.
It's that simple. In and out.
It was not simple today.
So I walked up to the counter with 20 baht in hand and said "dtac". The lady at the counter was like "60 baht". I have run into this problem before, the employees think I want to buy a sim card, not refill one. So I said "online", implying that I have a sim card online already. And she said
"60 baht".
And I said
"20 baht".
Then she went and tried to talk to the other cashiers at the 711, to see if they could talk to me in English. The funny thing is that every single place in Thailand is over-employed. For instance this 711 had 5 people working there when I walked in. And it's not like it's a big 711, it's about the same size as the average 711.
Another lady then said
"60 baht".
I. Was. Annoyed.
But, instead of acting all "I JUST WANT TO REFILL IT WITH 20 BAHT BECAUSE THAT IS ALL I NEED AND I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE AND BY THE WAY I DO KNOW MY NUMBERS IN THAI!"
I just politely said "Ok, tomorrow" and left the 711, with of course a polite smile.
I checked my Thai bank account at the ATM outside the 711 and almost did a happy dance. I had just received my allowance from Rotary. Finally, yay!
Although, I didn't want to just head back home defeated and so I decided to walk until I found another convinient store. This was only about 5 minutes and one flight of stairs away.
This convinient store was called "Family Mart". Which I didn't really get because they still had alcohol and cigarettes displayed for sale behind the check out. I find the name "Family Mart" just as pointless as the "Family Friendly" check- out line at the grocery store. Instead of having gum and candy on the side of the isle they have tabloids. That makes sense? "Lets take the candy away from the isle so kids won't want it and instead but tabloids that teaches them to care about the weight of celebrities and to tell lies about people." Who comes up with this stuff?
So I took a look around The anti-family mart and luckily found some things that I needed. I found safety pins for 17 baht which I needed for my rotary blazer, air-mail envelopes (which say "Par Avion" on them, even though we are in Thailand...), chocolate milk and a chocolate ice cream bar.
Altogether it costed me 75 baht, around $2.50.
Yeah, so I don't want to spend money on phone minutes but apparently I'm fine with spending it on chocolate and office supplies.
Then I started walking home, eating my ice cream as I went.
My ice cream tasted like cheap chocolate and hypocrisy but I ate it anyway.
On my way home I people kept on staring at me. For a second I couldn't figure out why, but then I realized that I'm the only white person for like miles. Even so though, I wonder what they think about me.
Do they think I moved here? Do they think I'm lost? So they think I'm a tourist?
Exchange student is sort of at the bottom of the list of possibilities.
And especially when I'm in Bangkok and what do the tourists think of me.
Do they think I'm just waiting for my parents? Do they think I've grown up here?
Or maybe they were just staring at me failing to eat my ice cream, as it appeared to me when I got home that I had quite a bit of chocolate ice cream left on my face.
I finished my day by packing for my trip with 27 other exchange students tomorrow to Nakhonsawan Province for a week. And discovering some new wizard rock and time lord rock music.And one of the lyrics keeps on getting stuck in my head.
"I'm not running from things, I'm running towards things, before they fade away."
Which reminds me of what I am doing in Thailand. Figuratively and literally. Because apparently Bangkok will be underwater in 50 years.
So next time I take a walk, I might want to walk a little faster and for a little bit longer.
Book: Page 46 of TCV, and page 60 something in THYOMWCOTWARA or the book about the old guy I'm reading.
Thai: yee-sip....................twenty
I then spent about an hour laying in my bed watching youtube videos and checking my email.
Then I got hungry.
So I emerged from the comforts of my room for the sole purpose to take a shower and eat.
So I took a warm shower, even if it was around 88 degrees, I still enjoy warm showers.
Fixed myself breakfast. Sticky rice, pork and an apple.
My host parents went out for the day to buy a water heater for their condo.
They didn't invite me to join them but I don't think I would have liked sitting for hours listening in Thai about water heaters. That's just my personal opinion.
So I spent the day sifting through my photos I have taken so far to post on facebook.
Usually it takes about five minutes to post photos right? Not in Thailand. And also I'm a little slow because I'm not used to using Windows.
After uploaded all my pictures, around 4pm, I decided that I should get off my butt and do something.
So I decided to go on a walk to the closest 711, which is about a 10 minutes walk and only involves climbing one flight of stairs. The reason I chose to walk there is because I needed to refill my phone with minutes.
The process of refilling my phone is pretty simple.
1. Walk up to the counter, preferably with money in hand.
2. Say "dtac" (the name of the phone company).
3. Hand the cashier the money.
4. Punch my phone number into the keypad thingy.
5. Get a receipt and a text confirmation.
It's that simple. In and out.
It was not simple today.
So I walked up to the counter with 20 baht in hand and said "dtac". The lady at the counter was like "60 baht". I have run into this problem before, the employees think I want to buy a sim card, not refill one. So I said "online", implying that I have a sim card online already. And she said
"60 baht".
And I said
"20 baht".
Then she went and tried to talk to the other cashiers at the 711, to see if they could talk to me in English. The funny thing is that every single place in Thailand is over-employed. For instance this 711 had 5 people working there when I walked in. And it's not like it's a big 711, it's about the same size as the average 711.
Another lady then said
"60 baht".
I. Was. Annoyed.
But, instead of acting all "I JUST WANT TO REFILL IT WITH 20 BAHT BECAUSE THAT IS ALL I NEED AND I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE AND BY THE WAY I DO KNOW MY NUMBERS IN THAI!"
I just politely said "Ok, tomorrow" and left the 711, with of course a polite smile.
I checked my Thai bank account at the ATM outside the 711 and almost did a happy dance. I had just received my allowance from Rotary. Finally, yay!
Although, I didn't want to just head back home defeated and so I decided to walk until I found another convinient store. This was only about 5 minutes and one flight of stairs away.
This convinient store was called "Family Mart". Which I didn't really get because they still had alcohol and cigarettes displayed for sale behind the check out. I find the name "Family Mart" just as pointless as the "Family Friendly" check- out line at the grocery store. Instead of having gum and candy on the side of the isle they have tabloids. That makes sense? "Lets take the candy away from the isle so kids won't want it and instead but tabloids that teaches them to care about the weight of celebrities and to tell lies about people." Who comes up with this stuff?
So I took a look around The anti-family mart and luckily found some things that I needed. I found safety pins for 17 baht which I needed for my rotary blazer, air-mail envelopes (which say "Par Avion" on them, even though we are in Thailand...), chocolate milk and a chocolate ice cream bar.
Altogether it costed me 75 baht, around $2.50.
Yeah, so I don't want to spend money on phone minutes but apparently I'm fine with spending it on chocolate and office supplies.
Then I started walking home, eating my ice cream as I went.
My ice cream tasted like cheap chocolate and hypocrisy but I ate it anyway.
On my way home I people kept on staring at me. For a second I couldn't figure out why, but then I realized that I'm the only white person for like miles. Even so though, I wonder what they think about me.
Do they think I moved here? Do they think I'm lost? So they think I'm a tourist?
Exchange student is sort of at the bottom of the list of possibilities.
And especially when I'm in Bangkok and what do the tourists think of me.
Do they think I'm just waiting for my parents? Do they think I've grown up here?
Or maybe they were just staring at me failing to eat my ice cream, as it appeared to me when I got home that I had quite a bit of chocolate ice cream left on my face.
I finished my day by packing for my trip with 27 other exchange students tomorrow to Nakhonsawan Province for a week. And discovering some new wizard rock and time lord rock music.And one of the lyrics keeps on getting stuck in my head.
"I'm not running from things, I'm running towards things, before they fade away."
Which reminds me of what I am doing in Thailand. Figuratively and literally. Because apparently Bangkok will be underwater in 50 years.
So next time I take a walk, I might want to walk a little faster and for a little bit longer.
Book: Page 46 of TCV, and page 60 something in THYOMWCOTWARA or the book about the old guy I'm reading.
Thai: yee-sip....................twenty
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Swimmer
I often find myself saying, " I was a competitive swimmer."
Was
The was kills me a each time I say it.
Ever since I can remember I have been a swimmer.
I remember sitting on the edge of many cold pools during my younger years for my weekly swim lessons. Although my mom pulled me out of those swim lessons because I spent most of my time sitting on the edge of the pool instead of, well, actually swimming. She decided she could teach me better herself and thus began my swimming life.
Shortly after I was pulled out of my swim lessons, I began swimming in the lap lane with my mom. But only until I was old enough to join a swim team, which was at the age of 7.
When I finally joined a swim team, Tacoma Swim Club, I spent my weekdays from 5 to 6:30 swimming laps, and my weekends at swim meets.
A lot of my childhood was spent swimming or at swim meets.
And a lot of the habits I have today were developed by spending so much time at pools.
For instance, I love of cup- o- noodles, poppy seed muffins and doughnuts because of swim meets.
I grew up with a constantly having EHLS embedded on my arm in Sharpie.
My love for the Olympics is because of swimming.
The reason why I roll papers into cones sometimes is because I'm so used to rolling heat sheets so that they would fit in the pocket of my swim parka or in the cup holder of a folding camping chair.
But the thing is, I really didn't enjoy attending swim practice.
So I quit swimming.
Sometime around middle school I think.
I don't regret it. But I'm not proud of it.
But I never stayed away from the pool.
I even teach swimming lessons now, and have for three years.
And luckily I have a pool available to me here in Thailand.
See my host dad bought one condo unit at the condo near my house here. This condo has an outdoor infinity pool around 25 meters long.
And I can use it whenever I want.
It's really nice being back in the pool. And sometimes, while swimming, I think to myself, "Why do I like swimming so much?"
The truth is I have absolutely no idea.
But swimming does have it's advantages.
And my mom often pointed out one advantage to my sister and I when we were little.
"Swimmers can eat whatever they want."
Book: Well I started and finished Looking For Alaska by John Green which was amazing. On page 26 of TCV and page 66 of The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. This book was originally published in Swedish but now is an International Best Seller and it's really quirky and funny. It's kind of neat knowing that I know contribute to books being International Best Sellers, I mean not that I wan't before, but I'm now doing it in a different way.
Thai: swim......................................waai-narm
Was
The was kills me a each time I say it.
Ever since I can remember I have been a swimmer.
I remember sitting on the edge of many cold pools during my younger years for my weekly swim lessons. Although my mom pulled me out of those swim lessons because I spent most of my time sitting on the edge of the pool instead of, well, actually swimming. She decided she could teach me better herself and thus began my swimming life.
Shortly after I was pulled out of my swim lessons, I began swimming in the lap lane with my mom. But only until I was old enough to join a swim team, which was at the age of 7.
When I finally joined a swim team, Tacoma Swim Club, I spent my weekdays from 5 to 6:30 swimming laps, and my weekends at swim meets.
A lot of my childhood was spent swimming or at swim meets.
And a lot of the habits I have today were developed by spending so much time at pools.
For instance, I love of cup- o- noodles, poppy seed muffins and doughnuts because of swim meets.
I grew up with a constantly having EHLS embedded on my arm in Sharpie.
My love for the Olympics is because of swimming.
The reason why I roll papers into cones sometimes is because I'm so used to rolling heat sheets so that they would fit in the pocket of my swim parka or in the cup holder of a folding camping chair.
But the thing is, I really didn't enjoy attending swim practice.
So I quit swimming.
Sometime around middle school I think.
I don't regret it. But I'm not proud of it.
But I never stayed away from the pool.
I even teach swimming lessons now, and have for three years.
And luckily I have a pool available to me here in Thailand.
See my host dad bought one condo unit at the condo near my house here. This condo has an outdoor infinity pool around 25 meters long.
And I can use it whenever I want.
It's really nice being back in the pool. And sometimes, while swimming, I think to myself, "Why do I like swimming so much?"
The truth is I have absolutely no idea.
But swimming does have it's advantages.
And my mom often pointed out one advantage to my sister and I when we were little.
"Swimmers can eat whatever they want."
Book: Well I started and finished Looking For Alaska by John Green which was amazing. On page 26 of TCV and page 66 of The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. This book was originally published in Swedish but now is an International Best Seller and it's really quirky and funny. It's kind of neat knowing that I know contribute to books being International Best Sellers, I mean not that I wan't before, but I'm now doing it in a different way.
Thai: swim......................................waai-narm
Saturday, September 29, 2012
H&M
So today I went to The Siam Paragon to get a book.
The Siam Paragon is this gigantor mall in the center of Bangkok, and the special book I wanted was The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling. TCV is Rowling's first non-Harry Potter related book out, it is an Adult Mystery. It came out two days ago. Although these past two days I have been busy so I couldn't get it. So today I woke up early to get to the Paragon when it opened so I could get TCV.
I arrive at the Paragon, and wait outside for about 20 minutes. I was waiting for an exchange student friend who was or was-not coming.....she did not come. No big deal.
Although while I was waiting I spotted some foreigners, but they looked odd.
You can spot a foreigner from a mile away in Bangkok. We stick out like sore thumbs.
They looked odd because they were carrying nothing.
Nothing at all, just themselves.
I live here and I even carry around a ton of stuff! How are they getting around? At first I thought, maybe they are just white people who live in Bangkok.......but that wasn't right... they were all wearing matching shirts.
The shirts read:
FINALLY HERE BANGKOK.
And all I could think of was, "Don't you mean 'Finally here in Bangkok'."
And then one of the people who was wearing the shirt turned around....
and on the back was printed
H&M.
Well I was screwed.
Ever since I have been in Bangkok there have been huge signs, flyers, banners, etc., advertising the opening of the first H&M in Bangkok.
And it opened today.
On every floor of the Paragon there were these huge lines of people organized into lines, waiting to be allowed entrance into the H&M.
After successfully avoiding the crowds, I found the Kinokuniya Book Store, it's Japanese. And they had this huge display of TCV right in front. I quickly snatched a copy. And to my good fortune, until September 30 the price was reduced to only 665 baht!!
The whole time I was in the Paragon, I thought about how silly the people were to wait in line for hours for an H&M. They don't even know what H&M is, they have just seen ads. Just go tomorrow, and then you don't have to wait in line.
And then I thought about how I waiting for the Midnight Premiere of Harry Potter, and The Dark Knight Rises and. And thought about how I raced to the book store today to get TCV.
I kept trying to separate myself from them.
They are waiting for clothes.
I am waiting for books and knowledge.
They don't even know what H&M really is.
I don't really know that much about TCV.
And I realized that to them, I am a them. I am the silly girl racing up the escalator to get a book.
Book: TCV- page 15, yeah I know, I'm reading it kind of slow, I had a headache today and didn't feel like reading.
Thai: Poom- Pay.................Allergies
The Siam Paragon is this gigantor mall in the center of Bangkok, and the special book I wanted was The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling. TCV is Rowling's first non-Harry Potter related book out, it is an Adult Mystery. It came out two days ago. Although these past two days I have been busy so I couldn't get it. So today I woke up early to get to the Paragon when it opened so I could get TCV.
I arrive at the Paragon, and wait outside for about 20 minutes. I was waiting for an exchange student friend who was or was-not coming.....she did not come. No big deal.
Although while I was waiting I spotted some foreigners, but they looked odd.
You can spot a foreigner from a mile away in Bangkok. We stick out like sore thumbs.
They looked odd because they were carrying nothing.
Nothing at all, just themselves.
I live here and I even carry around a ton of stuff! How are they getting around? At first I thought, maybe they are just white people who live in Bangkok.......but that wasn't right... they were all wearing matching shirts.
The shirts read:
FINALLY HERE BANGKOK.
And all I could think of was, "Don't you mean 'Finally here in Bangkok'."
And then one of the people who was wearing the shirt turned around....
and on the back was printed
H&M.
Well I was screwed.
Ever since I have been in Bangkok there have been huge signs, flyers, banners, etc., advertising the opening of the first H&M in Bangkok.
And it opened today.
On every floor of the Paragon there were these huge lines of people organized into lines, waiting to be allowed entrance into the H&M.
After successfully avoiding the crowds, I found the Kinokuniya Book Store, it's Japanese. And they had this huge display of TCV right in front. I quickly snatched a copy. And to my good fortune, until September 30 the price was reduced to only 665 baht!!
The whole time I was in the Paragon, I thought about how silly the people were to wait in line for hours for an H&M. They don't even know what H&M is, they have just seen ads. Just go tomorrow, and then you don't have to wait in line.
And then I thought about how I waiting for the Midnight Premiere of Harry Potter, and The Dark Knight Rises and. And thought about how I raced to the book store today to get TCV.
I kept trying to separate myself from them.
They are waiting for clothes.
I am waiting for books and knowledge.
They don't even know what H&M really is.
I don't really know that much about TCV.
And I realized that to them, I am a them. I am the silly girl racing up the escalator to get a book.
Book: TCV- page 15, yeah I know, I'm reading it kind of slow, I had a headache today and didn't feel like reading.
Thai: Poom- Pay.................Allergies
Friday, September 28, 2012
Oreo
If you know me, you know that I LOVE OREOS.
The reason why is because when I was little, we didn't have "junk food" around the house. Sure we always had cookies and a bowl of m&ms out "for guests" during the holidays but you could never find Cheetos or Oreos in our house.
That is why now a days, I have a few guilty pleasure foods. And all of them are the foods that were never in my house when I was little........hmmm spot a connection?
They don't have much "western food" here, but they do have Oreos. Which could be considered bad, because they're unhealthy for you, but also good because, well, because I love them.
So today I was eating Oreos. (Here they come in rolls of 10 or 12, instead of a package, which is actually super convenient.) And I was looking at the Thai writing on the package, thank goodness the nutrition facts are in Thai, and came upon some English writing. It read:
PRODUCT OF INDONESIA.
What? No! My favorite fatty- lard filled- sugar coated- artery clogging- milk loving cookie from America can't be non-America?!
But sure enough, as I read more of the writing on the once familiar blue packaging, I found out that my once All American cookie was made in Indonesia and the distributed in the Philippines.
This is almost as bad as when I found out that Nestle is a German company and not an American company.
I'm not upset, just shocked. And also a tad upset at myself for being shocked.
There comes a small sense of American pride when you walk in a store in Thailand and can spot American products. Even if they are fatty- lard filled- sugar coated- artery clogging- milk loving cookies. It's a reminder that your country has an influence on the world. And that maybe, one day, I can influence Thailand. Not in the sense that I'll be a celebrity or whatever but in the sense that my classmates, teachers and friends here in Thailand will remember me. That maybe when they walk into a store and buy Oreos one day, they will think of the silly yet awesome girl from America. Just maybe.
Or maybe they will think of Indonesia.
The reason why is because when I was little, we didn't have "junk food" around the house. Sure we always had cookies and a bowl of m&ms out "for guests" during the holidays but you could never find Cheetos or Oreos in our house.
That is why now a days, I have a few guilty pleasure foods. And all of them are the foods that were never in my house when I was little........hmmm spot a connection?
They don't have much "western food" here, but they do have Oreos. Which could be considered bad, because they're unhealthy for you, but also good because, well, because I love them.
So today I was eating Oreos. (Here they come in rolls of 10 or 12, instead of a package, which is actually super convenient.) And I was looking at the Thai writing on the package, thank goodness the nutrition facts are in Thai, and came upon some English writing. It read:
PRODUCT OF INDONESIA.
What? No! My favorite fatty- lard filled- sugar coated- artery clogging- milk loving cookie from America can't be non-America?!
But sure enough, as I read more of the writing on the once familiar blue packaging, I found out that my once All American cookie was made in Indonesia and the distributed in the Philippines.
This is almost as bad as when I found out that Nestle is a German company and not an American company.
I'm not upset, just shocked. And also a tad upset at myself for being shocked.
There comes a small sense of American pride when you walk in a store in Thailand and can spot American products. Even if they are fatty- lard filled- sugar coated- artery clogging- milk loving cookies. It's a reminder that your country has an influence on the world. And that maybe, one day, I can influence Thailand. Not in the sense that I'll be a celebrity or whatever but in the sense that my classmates, teachers and friends here in Thailand will remember me. That maybe when they walk into a store and buy Oreos one day, they will think of the silly yet awesome girl from America. Just maybe.
Or maybe they will think of Indonesia.
Dirty
Feet are taboo in Thailand.
Thai people are not too fond of feet.
The main reason why Thai people don't like feet is because of Buddhism.
98% of Thailand is Buddhist and 1% is Muslim so there isn't too much diversity....or religious freedom for the matter. Even if Thailand doesn't have an official religion.
I learned quickly what- not- to- do with my feet here...
Don't directly point your feet at people of Buddha.
When walking through doorways, don't step directly in the doorway/frame, step over it.
Take off your shoes before you eater the house, or any special building or classroom.
Don't step over anyone, or anything important like books, instruments or really anything.
There are tons of other foot related taboos here, but i just try to make it simple by remembering:
Don't step on or over anything.
The way Buddhism relates to feet is that Buddhist people believe that your soul is located in your head and therefore heads are sacred. And since your feet are the furthest from your head, feet are "dirty".
At first I didn't understand this. Why does there have to be a part of your body that you hate? Can't it all be good? Why the feet? Feet are useful, they help you walk and play football (I call soccer football now apparently...).
And if you take off your shoes before entering a house, wouldn't it be worse? Because instead of your shoes on the floor it would be your actual feet?
So I asked my Thai friend Gap. And he said that it all goes back to ancient times. Because your feet were literally dirty from walking around the streets with the dirt, so people didn't like them. And the "taking off your shoes" thing, was not for Buddhism (even though that's what people say) it's because people don't want the floors of their house getting dirty.
Wouldn't ya know.
Thinking all this time that the Thai people had this long tradition of hating feet turned out to be them being stubborn about cleaning their floors.
But who would blame them?
Warning: Some people actually really care (especially the elderly) about the whole soul/dirty feet thing, so if in Thailand, follow the rules.
Book: Just finished Paper Towns today. Holy Toledo. That book was soooooooooooo good. I know I say this about all the books I have been reading but gosh darn they're all good!
Thai: face..............................................na
Thai people are not too fond of feet.
The main reason why Thai people don't like feet is because of Buddhism.
98% of Thailand is Buddhist and 1% is Muslim so there isn't too much diversity....or religious freedom for the matter. Even if Thailand doesn't have an official religion.
I learned quickly what- not- to- do with my feet here...
Don't directly point your feet at people of Buddha.
When walking through doorways, don't step directly in the doorway/frame, step over it.
Take off your shoes before you eater the house, or any special building or classroom.
Don't step over anyone, or anything important like books, instruments or really anything.
There are tons of other foot related taboos here, but i just try to make it simple by remembering:
Don't step on or over anything.
The way Buddhism relates to feet is that Buddhist people believe that your soul is located in your head and therefore heads are sacred. And since your feet are the furthest from your head, feet are "dirty".
At first I didn't understand this. Why does there have to be a part of your body that you hate? Can't it all be good? Why the feet? Feet are useful, they help you walk and play football (I call soccer football now apparently...).
And if you take off your shoes before entering a house, wouldn't it be worse? Because instead of your shoes on the floor it would be your actual feet?
So I asked my Thai friend Gap. And he said that it all goes back to ancient times. Because your feet were literally dirty from walking around the streets with the dirt, so people didn't like them. And the "taking off your shoes" thing, was not for Buddhism (even though that's what people say) it's because people don't want the floors of their house getting dirty.
Wouldn't ya know.
Thinking all this time that the Thai people had this long tradition of hating feet turned out to be them being stubborn about cleaning their floors.
But who would blame them?
Warning: Some people actually really care (especially the elderly) about the whole soul/dirty feet thing, so if in Thailand, follow the rules.
Book: Just finished Paper Towns today. Holy Toledo. That book was soooooooooooo good. I know I say this about all the books I have been reading but gosh darn they're all good!
Thai: face..............................................na
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Kreme
So far, I have taken two other exchange students to try there first krispy kreme.
One was from Canada, Gabby, and the other Sophie, from Germany.
Sophie enjoyed them so much that she and I have split many boxes of krispy kreme's since.
Although today my friend Willis, from the US, and I took Gabby to try her first krispy kreme.
We all spit a box of 12. Meaning four each.
That four turned into five when a KK employee gave us a free one while standing in line.
Exchange students are known for starting their exchange in their host country as thin people, and returning to their home country as slightly-larger people.
And I know realize that I will probably become "slightly-larger" off of american food here than Thai food.
Luckily I only was able to eat three krispy kreme.
Book: Paper Towns page 230 or so. THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!
Thai: ant........................moat (pronounce short)
Sorry I haven't posted in a while..........I'm actually busy now!!
One was from Canada, Gabby, and the other Sophie, from Germany.
Sophie enjoyed them so much that she and I have split many boxes of krispy kreme's since.
Although today my friend Willis, from the US, and I took Gabby to try her first krispy kreme.
We all spit a box of 12. Meaning four each.
That four turned into five when a KK employee gave us a free one while standing in line.
Exchange students are known for starting their exchange in their host country as thin people, and returning to their home country as slightly-larger people.
And I know realize that I will probably become "slightly-larger" off of american food here than Thai food.
Luckily I only was able to eat three krispy kreme.
Book: Paper Towns page 230 or so. THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!
Thai: ant........................moat (pronounce short)
Sorry I haven't posted in a while..........I'm actually busy now!!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Occupy
Recently I have been watching RT, Russian Today when I eat dinner. It's nice to have on in the background and there has been more news on that I actually understand.
Although today they had a special on. The special was about the occupy wall street movement. Today was the anniversary of the movement.
The funny thing about RT and the occupy movement is that ever since I arrived in Thailand, there have been commercials produced by RT to join Occupy Wall Street and support it on Facebook and other social networking sites. I always thought this was odd, but I just ignore it.
So, for the special they had the interviewer (from Russia I believe), a professor from University of California Sacramento, a businessman from Islamabad, and another businessman/politician from London.
Warning: I really don't know anything about the Occupy movement. At all.
They were all asked questions about how effective the Occupy movement is and what can Americans do to help it move along. The man from Islamabad said they need to be more organized. Seemed to make sense. The man from London said that the movement hasn't been that effective. And I have no idea what the man from Sacramento said at all. Something about the elites, the rising of unions, the teacher strike in Chicago, JP Morgan, private student loans, Obama doing nothing, congress doing nothing, how the stimulus didn't work, job cuts etc., etc., etc. I was really confused. I expected the American to know the most about the movement. Know what's going on and maybe have some intelligent advice to give. But all I saw was a man screaming at the other interviewers and finding myself wanting to turn the TV off.
So I did turn it off. I turned my computer on, and I read about it on Wikipedia.
The whole time I was watching the Sacramento man, I couldn't help but think, "Have you been anywhere outside of America?" or "Have you ever been to a developing country?".
Book: Page 263/310 of WGWG. Hoping to finish it tonight and hoping to do a book trade with another exchange student tomorrow. I am swapping with him The Keeper of Lost Causes (The first book I read here in Thailand) for Paper Towns by John Green.
Thai: Nung.................One
Although today they had a special on. The special was about the occupy wall street movement. Today was the anniversary of the movement.
The funny thing about RT and the occupy movement is that ever since I arrived in Thailand, there have been commercials produced by RT to join Occupy Wall Street and support it on Facebook and other social networking sites. I always thought this was odd, but I just ignore it.
So, for the special they had the interviewer (from Russia I believe), a professor from University of California Sacramento, a businessman from Islamabad, and another businessman/politician from London.
Warning: I really don't know anything about the Occupy movement. At all.
They were all asked questions about how effective the Occupy movement is and what can Americans do to help it move along. The man from Islamabad said they need to be more organized. Seemed to make sense. The man from London said that the movement hasn't been that effective. And I have no idea what the man from Sacramento said at all. Something about the elites, the rising of unions, the teacher strike in Chicago, JP Morgan, private student loans, Obama doing nothing, congress doing nothing, how the stimulus didn't work, job cuts etc., etc., etc. I was really confused. I expected the American to know the most about the movement. Know what's going on and maybe have some intelligent advice to give. But all I saw was a man screaming at the other interviewers and finding myself wanting to turn the TV off.
So I did turn it off. I turned my computer on, and I read about it on Wikipedia.
The whole time I was watching the Sacramento man, I couldn't help but think, "Have you been anywhere outside of America?" or "Have you ever been to a developing country?".
Book: Page 263/310 of WGWG. Hoping to finish it tonight and hoping to do a book trade with another exchange student tomorrow. I am swapping with him The Keeper of Lost Causes (The first book I read here in Thailand) for Paper Towns by John Green.
Thai: Nung.................One
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Titanic
This morning I took a boat. Three boats actually.
My host dad takes a boat to work everyday and so this morning my host mom and I went with him for the first part of his journey.
Th boat was medium sized, rusty and crowded.
I estimated the amount of people at around 220. And was able to spot only 10 life vests.
Did we not learn from the Titanic?
My host dad takes a boat to work everyday and so this morning my host mom and I went with him for the first part of his journey.
Th boat was medium sized, rusty and crowded.
I estimated the amount of people at around 220. And was able to spot only 10 life vests.
Did we not learn from the Titanic?
Prediction
Right now I feel as if my life is being predicted by a book.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson to be exact.
So I spent a good hour and a half reading WGWG today. And it was so good. I absolutely love reading this book, but never did I think that it would connect so well to what is happened to me today.
So yesterday Sophie called me and told me some super excited news! She said that her host mom said that I would be spending a week at my house starting Saturday for vacation! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! We were both so happy and excited and in complete bliss! I automatically began thinking of all the cool things we could do when she came over. Like we could go swimming in my host parents condo, or go get starbucks, or go to the market or rent movies, yada, yada, yada.
This afternoon my host mom and I picked up my host dad from the MRT (subway) station and went to a Rotary meeting. I wore to the Rotary meeting my Rotary blazer, freshly garnished with new pins, an aqua dress and my dress shoes. I really try to take care of my dress shoes here, because I don't have much to really "care" for here. So I try to keep them in good condition and only wear them to rotary functions.
So on our way to the Rotary meeting I asked him about Sophie coming over.
He said that Sophie was spending a week with my SECOND host family.
I just about turned into a human hosepipe but I kept myself together.
Right before all of this happened though, I was reading WGWG. One of the main characters, Will Grayson, was supposed to meet someone. And he was really excited. But it turns out that the person he was supposed to meet never existed.
I feel like Will Grayson. I'm sure Sophie does too.
Being an exchange students is a roller coaster. One minute you are having the time of your life and the next minute you feel as if a tsunami has swiped you away into a vast and empty sea.
It's most definitely hard, but worth it. And hopefully I will learn how to keep my feet grounded when the next tsunami comes.
Book: Page 172 of WGWG!
Thai: cow jai................I understand
Will Grayson, Will Grayson to be exact.
So I spent a good hour and a half reading WGWG today. And it was so good. I absolutely love reading this book, but never did I think that it would connect so well to what is happened to me today.
So yesterday Sophie called me and told me some super excited news! She said that her host mom said that I would be spending a week at my house starting Saturday for vacation! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! We were both so happy and excited and in complete bliss! I automatically began thinking of all the cool things we could do when she came over. Like we could go swimming in my host parents condo, or go get starbucks, or go to the market or rent movies, yada, yada, yada.
This afternoon my host mom and I picked up my host dad from the MRT (subway) station and went to a Rotary meeting. I wore to the Rotary meeting my Rotary blazer, freshly garnished with new pins, an aqua dress and my dress shoes. I really try to take care of my dress shoes here, because I don't have much to really "care" for here. So I try to keep them in good condition and only wear them to rotary functions.
So on our way to the Rotary meeting I asked him about Sophie coming over.
He said that Sophie was spending a week with my SECOND host family.
I just about turned into a human hosepipe but I kept myself together.
Right before all of this happened though, I was reading WGWG. One of the main characters, Will Grayson, was supposed to meet someone. And he was really excited. But it turns out that the person he was supposed to meet never existed.
I feel like Will Grayson. I'm sure Sophie does too.
Being an exchange students is a roller coaster. One minute you are having the time of your life and the next minute you feel as if a tsunami has swiped you away into a vast and empty sea.
It's most definitely hard, but worth it. And hopefully I will learn how to keep my feet grounded when the next tsunami comes.
Book: Page 172 of WGWG!
Thai: cow jai................I understand
Monday, September 17, 2012
9.17
9.17
Today was my last day of school. Well until the end of
October.
I started off the day waking up at 7:00am, leaving myself
too much time to put on clothes that have already been determined for me by the
Thai government. Back in the states I usually wake up between 6:30 and 7:00 and
hopefully leave my house in one piece by 7:15 to make it to school by 7:25.
Here I have plenty of time. I leave my house at 7:30 and get to school at 7:40
which is 10 minutes early. All the students gather for the anthem around 7:50
and classes actually start around 8:20.
Each day the students sing the Thai national anthem,
although, I don’t know the words to the anthem. So instead I make up my own
words. Sometimes they’re silly, sometimes I try to make them rhyme. Sometimes I
just zone out and forget to make lyrics.
So I stand singing these words in my head with 3000 of my
closest friends on a concrete basketball court with no shade. I think the
school is secretly roasting us students until we complete our senior year and
then we’ll finally be considered “medium rare”.
After the mass roasting today, student had finals. Well
really they had midterms because it’s half way through the school year for
them. I only had to take one exam, for German. But it was at the end of the
day, so I had five hours to kill.
Testing here is not like finals in the states. In the states
we still go to our classes as normal, we just have a test. The testing here is
more like when one takes the HSPE or WASL or whatever state required test.
(It’s odd to think that some students back in Washington have never heard of the WASL.)
They cancel classes for the day and your class is sent to a different classroom
and you spend the whole day testing.
Usually lunch is at noon but today it was at 10:30. I was
shocked, why is it so early? And then I realized that’s the time I eat lunch
back in the states….
While my classmates were testing, I spent my time reading. I
finished The Great Gatsby. That was a
good book. I usually don’t read classic novels because they are just plainly
harder to read. Like I tried to read Huk Fin and Treasure
Island but just couldn’t do it. But TGG was not like this. Sure
sometimes I would have to reread a page or two to fully understand what was
happening. Overall, I would recommend this book.
And I started reading Will
Grayson, Will Grayson. I’m already on page 95.
When I read I ‘dog-ear’ the pages at the top of the page
that I think contain something funny or witty. I find myself ‘dog earing’
almost every page……
The best part is that I find myself actually laughing out
loud when I read this book. This book contains quotes like “’Why would you like
someone who can’t like you back?’ The question is rhetorical, but…you like
someone who can’t like you back because unrequited love can be survived in a
way that once-requited love cannot.”
Or witty things like calling a spilled drinking on a shirt a
“monochrome Jackson Pollock.”
This book is brilliant and truly connects to the thoughts of
the reader.
One time when reading WGWG I looked up from my desk to find
that I was the only one is the classroom and the students had finished their
test. Oops. But seriously no one even tried to tell me the test was over! Come
on people we’re supposed to be “friends”.
For lunch I had spaghetti. Yes sometimes they have spaghetti
at my school.
However, it’s not the same.
The pasta looks and tastes the same. But the sauce is no
where close to actually being considered as “pasta sauce”. It more looked like
spaghetti o’s. I have never had anything made by the infamous Chef Boyardee but
I’m pretty sure I did today. I think there was more sodium than tomato, so I
scraped the majority of the so called “sauce” off to the side of my plate and
just ate the pasta.
I took one final today which was for German. It was pretty
easy, although I think I missed a couple of points. Luckily, you can’t miss
points for spelling. Thank goodness.
Currently I am eating these cookie wafer things that taste
like vanilla from Mexico .
Yum.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
California
So while in Thailand I think about the things that I'm going to do when I go home. Like go camping with friends. Or finally take the train to Portland etc., etc. My most recent scheme is one of which my best friend Emma and I will take a road trip down to southern California together and spend a week there.
So I told my dad this tonight when we were skyping and he replied with "Hmm, maybe when you're in college."
What?
"You sent me away to Thailand for a year and don't trust me to go to California?"
"No, I trust you. I just think you and Emma together are dangerous."
I can't help but smile at his reaction and can't wait to go on a road trip to California, hopefully before college.
Book: on page 104 of the Great Gatsby, will probably finish tomorrow. Next up: Will Grayson Will Grayson by John Green and David Levitthan. I'm really excited to read this one!!!
Thai: Pie wrote meh.......bus stop or literally "bus sign"
So I told my dad this tonight when we were skyping and he replied with "Hmm, maybe when you're in college."
What?
"You sent me away to Thailand for a year and don't trust me to go to California?"
"No, I trust you. I just think you and Emma together are dangerous."
I can't help but smile at his reaction and can't wait to go on a road trip to California, hopefully before college.
Book: on page 104 of the Great Gatsby, will probably finish tomorrow. Next up: Will Grayson Will Grayson by John Green and David Levitthan. I'm really excited to read this one!!!
Thai: Pie wrote meh.......bus stop or literally "bus sign"
Friday, September 14, 2012
Cutlery
Most of the time, people in Thailand eat their food with a soup spoon and a fork.
They hold the spoon in their right hand and use the fork to push food from the dish onto the spoon and then eat whatever is on the spoon. At first I found it odd, because for some foods I just need one spoon or one fork, but not both. But now I find it extremely effective! It's easier to eat noodles, rice, steamed vegetables, and a much of other things with a spoon and fork than with just a spoon or just a fork.
So today, I ate my dinner with a spoon and a fork.
I went into the kitchen to grab a bowl and the necessary cutlery, but when I reached for a spoon, I noticed something was odd. Usually the cutlery in Thailand is made out of cheap silver, like so cheap you can bend the metal with your hand. But the spoon I grabbed today was unusually sturdy. I immediately looked down at the spoon and was reminded of my Besta and Grandpa's silverware. For those of you who don't know, I call my Grandmother 'Besta' because my grandmother is Norwegian, and grandmother in Norwegian is bestemor. Anyway, the special thing about my grandparent's silverware is that it's pretty eclectic and classy at the same time. It ranges from what my sister and I used to call "the star spoon", to spoons and forks from Denmark that my aunts have found in Goodwills, and even to knifes from an airplane.
When I looked down at the spoon I was holding today, it reminded me of one of the spoons my Besta has that was made in Denmark. So I flipped it over expecting to see a clue that it was made in Scandinavia but instead found a symbol that reminded me of an Airline logo.
It's strange how many little things remind me of home.
Like sometimes my host dad and mom will ask me if i have turned off everything in my room. And I am reminded of my grandparents, as they unplug everything.
Or sometimes at my school they sell ice cream. And the person who sells ice cream only puts one scoop of ice cream on top of the cone, instead of filling the cone up with ice cream. And I am reminded of the story my grandpa used to tell me about when he served ice cream. And how for the people he liked he would fill up the cone with ice cream, and for the people he didn't like he would only put ice cream on top. :)
Even though my friends and family aren't with me, I am reminded of them every day I'm here.
Books: Still in the same spot as last time.
Thai: shoe...........long tow
They hold the spoon in their right hand and use the fork to push food from the dish onto the spoon and then eat whatever is on the spoon. At first I found it odd, because for some foods I just need one spoon or one fork, but not both. But now I find it extremely effective! It's easier to eat noodles, rice, steamed vegetables, and a much of other things with a spoon and fork than with just a spoon or just a fork.
So today, I ate my dinner with a spoon and a fork.
I went into the kitchen to grab a bowl and the necessary cutlery, but when I reached for a spoon, I noticed something was odd. Usually the cutlery in Thailand is made out of cheap silver, like so cheap you can bend the metal with your hand. But the spoon I grabbed today was unusually sturdy. I immediately looked down at the spoon and was reminded of my Besta and Grandpa's silverware. For those of you who don't know, I call my Grandmother 'Besta' because my grandmother is Norwegian, and grandmother in Norwegian is bestemor. Anyway, the special thing about my grandparent's silverware is that it's pretty eclectic and classy at the same time. It ranges from what my sister and I used to call "the star spoon", to spoons and forks from Denmark that my aunts have found in Goodwills, and even to knifes from an airplane.
When I looked down at the spoon I was holding today, it reminded me of one of the spoons my Besta has that was made in Denmark. So I flipped it over expecting to see a clue that it was made in Scandinavia but instead found a symbol that reminded me of an Airline logo.
It's strange how many little things remind me of home.
Like sometimes my host dad and mom will ask me if i have turned off everything in my room. And I am reminded of my grandparents, as they unplug everything.
Or sometimes at my school they sell ice cream. And the person who sells ice cream only puts one scoop of ice cream on top of the cone, instead of filling the cone up with ice cream. And I am reminded of the story my grandpa used to tell me about when he served ice cream. And how for the people he liked he would fill up the cone with ice cream, and for the people he didn't like he would only put ice cream on top. :)
Even though my friends and family aren't with me, I am reminded of them every day I'm here.
Books: Still in the same spot as last time.
Thai: shoe...........long tow
Thursday, September 13, 2012
UPDATE
I have a lot to update you guys on so this blog will come in Nine Parts!
Part One:Books
Finished Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It was not what I expected. It turned out to be sort of a sci-fy novel? Which turned out to be quiet interesting. The peculiar and clever thing about this book is that every chapter or so there is vintage picture, a picture that connects to the plot. Which was genius and the photographs in this book are beautiful. This book was good, but not my favorite. The ending is a set-up for a sequel which I'm probably read.
On page 74/140 of The Great Gatsby. 50% of the time, I enjoy reading it. 50% of the time I have no idea what's going on because there are too many characters that have similar names so I get them all muddled up!
In the back of TGG there is a a small classic literature dictionary. And there are some pretty awesome words in there! Like ecod, galoot, haply, huffy, vittles, valetudinarian and my personal favorite spondulicks!
I'm going to try to use them more often.
Part Two: Jeopardy
I have never won a game of Class Jeopardy in my life. (Class Jeopardy is where you play Jeopardy except the questions are all about whatever class subject you are studying.)
And I can tell you why I haven't won any.
Let's start in 7th grade.
Washington State History - Didn't have any friends in that class the day we played jeopardy, so I was a little discouraged and just didn't get my hand up fast enough.
8th Grade:
Geometry- yeah I'm good at math, but not that good.
US History/English- We played a lot of Jeopardy in that class although it was set up differently. We played a normal first round, and then the losing team got to choose a player to transfer to their team from the winning team. And then there would be a second round and final jeopardy. And for some reason I was really good at Jeopardy in this class because I could somehow remember the names of American generals during the civil war? Although the problem was, every single game I was chosen to be transferred to the losing team and thus lost jeopardy.
9th grade: I don't think I ever played jeopardy in 9th grade...
10th grade:
World History -So I have no excuse, I didn't know any of the answers....
Page School:
For those of you who don't know, last winter I had the pleasure of being a Senate Page for Derek Kilmer for Washington State. During which, I had Page school for 2 hours a day where I learned about government stuff. On the last we played jeopardy and my team lost during final jeopardy because none of us knew the name of our state's chairman of transportation or finance or something.
Although, today I played jeopardy and won. But I don't think I will count it as a success. The reasons are...
1. There was no final jeopardy.
2. It was about English grammar and vocabulary.
3. It was too easy.
I have struggled through 5 years of battle with class jeopardy and I am not going to take a hand out! So I'm not counting this one.
Part Three: Sick
On Tuesday I was sick. Like feel icky sick. And so I stayed home from school and my host mom took me to the doctor. The doctor's office was at the hospital and my doctor spoke English. As far as I'm concerned I don't have a diagnosis like "virus" or "flu" or "cancer" but I have a ton of pills to take! Like 8 pills a day. Apparently a lot of exchange students here have been getting sick so I'm not too concerned, just think my body is adjusting.
Part Four: Vacation
From next Tuesday until the end of October I have school off. The reason why is because the semester will end next week and there are a lot of Buddhist holidays in October. I am hoping to get together with some of the other exchange students during that time!
Part Five: Thai
chan.............I
koon............you
Part Six: Languages
I am taking German and Chinese classes here! And it's going pretty well. So if all goes as planned, I will be able to speak five languages when I get back to the states....didn't think that would happen...
Part Seven: Debate
Gosh I miss my Debate Class so much! People don't argue or complain here which is super nice. But that means that they don't know what debate is. Like no political debates, no "civil discussions" about business tactics. Nada. And it's killing me!!!! I also feel like I am going to be behind in my debate skills when I get back, I'm not looking forward to that.
Part Eight: iPhone
Multiple people have asked me at school if I am going to buy the new iPhone 5. No. My phone works fine. Plus whenever something new comes out there are always problems with it. And Thai people think that because you are a foreigner you are rich. No. I am an exchange student aka I am broke.
Part Nine: Questions
Do you have any questions about Thailand? Rotary? Being an Exchange Student? Please let me know in the comments and/or email me at yellowsplat15@gmail.com! Also- video blog? Yes/no?
Part One:Books
Finished Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It was not what I expected. It turned out to be sort of a sci-fy novel? Which turned out to be quiet interesting. The peculiar and clever thing about this book is that every chapter or so there is vintage picture, a picture that connects to the plot. Which was genius and the photographs in this book are beautiful. This book was good, but not my favorite. The ending is a set-up for a sequel which I'm probably read.
On page 74/140 of The Great Gatsby. 50% of the time, I enjoy reading it. 50% of the time I have no idea what's going on because there are too many characters that have similar names so I get them all muddled up!
In the back of TGG there is a a small classic literature dictionary. And there are some pretty awesome words in there! Like ecod, galoot, haply, huffy, vittles, valetudinarian and my personal favorite spondulicks!
I'm going to try to use them more often.
Part Two: Jeopardy
I have never won a game of Class Jeopardy in my life. (Class Jeopardy is where you play Jeopardy except the questions are all about whatever class subject you are studying.)
And I can tell you why I haven't won any.
Let's start in 7th grade.
Washington State History - Didn't have any friends in that class the day we played jeopardy, so I was a little discouraged and just didn't get my hand up fast enough.
8th Grade:
Geometry- yeah I'm good at math, but not that good.
US History/English- We played a lot of Jeopardy in that class although it was set up differently. We played a normal first round, and then the losing team got to choose a player to transfer to their team from the winning team. And then there would be a second round and final jeopardy. And for some reason I was really good at Jeopardy in this class because I could somehow remember the names of American generals during the civil war? Although the problem was, every single game I was chosen to be transferred to the losing team and thus lost jeopardy.
9th grade: I don't think I ever played jeopardy in 9th grade...
10th grade:
World History -So I have no excuse, I didn't know any of the answers....
Page School:
For those of you who don't know, last winter I had the pleasure of being a Senate Page for Derek Kilmer for Washington State. During which, I had Page school for 2 hours a day where I learned about government stuff. On the last we played jeopardy and my team lost during final jeopardy because none of us knew the name of our state's chairman of transportation or finance or something.
Although, today I played jeopardy and won. But I don't think I will count it as a success. The reasons are...
1. There was no final jeopardy.
2. It was about English grammar and vocabulary.
3. It was too easy.
I have struggled through 5 years of battle with class jeopardy and I am not going to take a hand out! So I'm not counting this one.
Part Three: Sick
On Tuesday I was sick. Like feel icky sick. And so I stayed home from school and my host mom took me to the doctor. The doctor's office was at the hospital and my doctor spoke English. As far as I'm concerned I don't have a diagnosis like "virus" or "flu" or "cancer" but I have a ton of pills to take! Like 8 pills a day. Apparently a lot of exchange students here have been getting sick so I'm not too concerned, just think my body is adjusting.
Part Four: Vacation
From next Tuesday until the end of October I have school off. The reason why is because the semester will end next week and there are a lot of Buddhist holidays in October. I am hoping to get together with some of the other exchange students during that time!
Part Five: Thai
chan.............I
koon............you
Part Six: Languages
I am taking German and Chinese classes here! And it's going pretty well. So if all goes as planned, I will be able to speak five languages when I get back to the states....didn't think that would happen...
Part Seven: Debate
Gosh I miss my Debate Class so much! People don't argue or complain here which is super nice. But that means that they don't know what debate is. Like no political debates, no "civil discussions" about business tactics. Nada. And it's killing me!!!! I also feel like I am going to be behind in my debate skills when I get back, I'm not looking forward to that.
Part Eight: iPhone
Multiple people have asked me at school if I am going to buy the new iPhone 5. No. My phone works fine. Plus whenever something new comes out there are always problems with it. And Thai people think that because you are a foreigner you are rich. No. I am an exchange student aka I am broke.
Part Nine: Questions
Do you have any questions about Thailand? Rotary? Being an Exchange Student? Please let me know in the comments and/or email me at yellowsplat15@gmail.com! Also- video blog? Yes/no?
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
9/11
Today I sat in my bedroom feeling terrible. Not only was I sick but I was homesick and alone with my dangerous thoughts.
And I thought to myself about how I was going to blog about how tough it is to be an exchange student sometimes.
And then I looked down at my phone to check the time.
But instead of reading the time, I read the date on my phone.
It read September 11.
I began to feel even worse. Why? Because I spent the whole day worrying about myself. How selfish I had been today. How ignorant.
Even though I was only five, I remember 9/11.
I don't remember a lot. But I remember.
It was dark in the house. I was still living in California at that time. My dad ushered my sister and I into my parent's bedroom. My mom was sitting on the bed staring at the television. She said, "Watch this, this is history."
I remember watching them fall. I remember the pictures of the smoke. The pictures of the ruins.
I don't remember anything else.
I sit here moping in my room, crying over missing my family.
Missing my family.
But, you see, I am so lucky. I am so lucky to have a family that supports me. Even if sometimes they feel so far away, I know they are closer than I think.
My tears will stop and my moping with cease. At least for today.
Today I will be thankful and proud.
Proud to be an American.
Books: Page 308/348 of MPHFPC
Thai: wat..................temple
And I thought to myself about how I was going to blog about how tough it is to be an exchange student sometimes.
And then I looked down at my phone to check the time.
But instead of reading the time, I read the date on my phone.
It read September 11.
I began to feel even worse. Why? Because I spent the whole day worrying about myself. How selfish I had been today. How ignorant.
Even though I was only five, I remember 9/11.
I don't remember a lot. But I remember.
It was dark in the house. I was still living in California at that time. My dad ushered my sister and I into my parent's bedroom. My mom was sitting on the bed staring at the television. She said, "Watch this, this is history."
I remember watching them fall. I remember the pictures of the smoke. The pictures of the ruins.
I don't remember anything else.
I sit here moping in my room, crying over missing my family.
Missing my family.
But, you see, I am so lucky. I am so lucky to have a family that supports me. Even if sometimes they feel so far away, I know they are closer than I think.
My tears will stop and my moping with cease. At least for today.
Today I will be thankful and proud.
Proud to be an American.
Books: Page 308/348 of MPHFPC
Thai: wat..................temple
Monday, September 10, 2012
Relax
I am not what you call a "relaxed person".
I'm just not. I am busy all the time, and I like it that way.
I do enjoy those Sunday afternoons when I can sit and watch a movie with my dog and gaze off into......yeah no Sunday afternoon/evening is when I do all my homework.
I like to be busy!
Although, in Thailand it's hard to be busy.
Usually, I get home from school and have the day to myself. I don't have homework because I'm taking classes like vegetable carving and I can't go anywhere by myself. So I am trying to learn how to relax. It's quite difficult for me.
Although, yesterday my host parents took me to the park to ride bikes again. God how I love bikes. But this time, my host dad let me ride my bike alone. Which was very nice.
I took a couple of laps around the park, thinking about Burma and some articles I recently read about the DNC. I also did some people watching. Always fun. And I actually relaxed. It was odd. But nice.
So I stopped by a grassy hill to read some of my book only to find another teenage girl who was also reading a book and wearing green converse!
I read about 20 pages or so and decided to go bike around the park one more time. While I was packing up my things I thought about how parks are awesome. Parks allow people to read on grassy hills, go biking, have picnics and be around nature.
My thoughts were then interrupted by a loudspeaker.
The Thai national anthem began to play and everything in the park stopped. Everyone dropped what they were doing and stood up to listen to the anthem. This was then followed by a Buddhist prayer.
Gahhhhhhhh!
In other words, I don't think I'll actually be able to relax for a while.
Books: Page 284/348 of MPHFPC It's really good, not what I expected at all.....but I keep reading.
Thai: like...............................chop
I'm just not. I am busy all the time, and I like it that way.
I do enjoy those Sunday afternoons when I can sit and watch a movie with my dog and gaze off into......yeah no Sunday afternoon/evening is when I do all my homework.
I like to be busy!
Although, in Thailand it's hard to be busy.
Usually, I get home from school and have the day to myself. I don't have homework because I'm taking classes like vegetable carving and I can't go anywhere by myself. So I am trying to learn how to relax. It's quite difficult for me.
Although, yesterday my host parents took me to the park to ride bikes again. God how I love bikes. But this time, my host dad let me ride my bike alone. Which was very nice.
I took a couple of laps around the park, thinking about Burma and some articles I recently read about the DNC. I also did some people watching. Always fun. And I actually relaxed. It was odd. But nice.
So I stopped by a grassy hill to read some of my book only to find another teenage girl who was also reading a book and wearing green converse!
I read about 20 pages or so and decided to go bike around the park one more time. While I was packing up my things I thought about how parks are awesome. Parks allow people to read on grassy hills, go biking, have picnics and be around nature.
My thoughts were then interrupted by a loudspeaker.
The Thai national anthem began to play and everything in the park stopped. Everyone dropped what they were doing and stood up to listen to the anthem. This was then followed by a Buddhist prayer.
Gahhhhhhhh!
In other words, I don't think I'll actually be able to relax for a while.
Books: Page 284/348 of MPHFPC It's really good, not what I expected at all.....but I keep reading.
Thai: like...............................chop
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Jeans
Today I found myself sitting in a lobby, in furniture I could never afford, with magazines displayed on the coffee table in front of me that were written in English and Japanese.
And you'll never guess what they were about.
They were about Jeans.
I'm not kidding. There is such a thing as a Japanese Denim Buyers Guide.
So, my host dad told me we were going to look at jeans and then go the market. He said they were hand made jeans.
Ok, sure.
We were driving in a neighborhood and I was enjoying looking at the urban houses and clothes lines when we stopped in front of a really modern building. It was terribly out of place.
The sign outside read New Generation Jeans.
We stepped inside, I took of my shoes before entering as is Thai tradition. And the attendant asked me if I knew any Thai.
"Uh, not really."
"Ah, we can entertain you then."
Whatever that meant.
For the next 15 minutes or so, I sat around looking at the modern interior of the room. The attendant asked me if I wore jeans.
(Let me point out that I WAS WEARING JEANS.)
"I'm from America, everyone wears jeans," I said with a genuine smile. It's true. And being in a jean store/factory/jean couture place made me sorta proud to be an American.
"Yes, our jeans have more of a vintage look," he (the attendant) said as he pulled out a freshly pressed, dark slim pair of jeans from a cabinet and showed them to my host dad.
All of a sudden I felt completely under-dressed. I looked down at my jeans. My jeans. The jeans I have had for three and a half years, that have holes in the knees because of wear-and-tear (not because I bought them that way), that I now wear as capri pants because the legs are too short. I compared them to the pants the attendant showed my host dad.
Wait a second.
My jeans have been to Europe. My jeans have survived public middle and high school. My jeans have been through corn mazes and games of Lap Tag. My jeans have been with me to camp and doctor who parties. They have been with me to two concerts about harry potter. My jeans have character!
I appreciate fashion and like clothes. But clothes are meant to be worn. I can't slide in the mud in a pair of vintage jeans or paint my room with vintage jeans.
The point of jeans is that they are supposed to be worn.
They are like pair of converse. You can do anything in them and you can still find ads for them in Vogue!
I have a certain respect for people who wear converse. You know that they bought those shoes because they are going to use them. Not because they are vintage, or an American Classic.
Books: Page 120 or MPHFPC and on cht 7 or sherlock holmes
Thai: desert.............................................................................. ka gnome
Friday, September 7, 2012
Buses
Today I rode the bus alone for the first time. I have ridden the bus a couple of times before with Gap or my host family, but never by myself.
I don't have a problem with sky trains or subways but buses concern me. Sky trains and subways run on the same route each day and are predictable. Buses are the opposite.
You don't know what time they will come, you don't know if they will stop at your stop and there is always a 50% chance you are on the wrong bus. For instance, I ride bus 64 home from the nonthaburi market. Bus 64 with no air conditioning. Bus 64 with air conditioning will take me into some obscure corner of Bangkok. So i have to be pretty careful.
So, as one can imagine, I was really nervous to take the bus into Bangkok today.
But, as predicted, it went just fine.
Once I'm on the bus, I'm really comfortable. I like taking public transportation. Not for the odd looks from strangers or from the smell of the old seat cushions. But because taking the bus makes me feel like a city person. And I like to feel like a city person.
Now that I have taken the bus in Thailand, I will most definitely be using public transportation in Washington.
Compared to Thailand, everything in America seems so safe!
Books: I HAVE BOOKS NOW! Finished listening to chpt 6 of sherlock holmes, started listening to the tragedy of hamlet, reading Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It's really good, I started reading it yesterday and I'm already on page 62!
Thai: a-roy..............delicious
I don't have a problem with sky trains or subways but buses concern me. Sky trains and subways run on the same route each day and are predictable. Buses are the opposite.
You don't know what time they will come, you don't know if they will stop at your stop and there is always a 50% chance you are on the wrong bus. For instance, I ride bus 64 home from the nonthaburi market. Bus 64 with no air conditioning. Bus 64 with air conditioning will take me into some obscure corner of Bangkok. So i have to be pretty careful.
So, as one can imagine, I was really nervous to take the bus into Bangkok today.
But, as predicted, it went just fine.
Once I'm on the bus, I'm really comfortable. I like taking public transportation. Not for the odd looks from strangers or from the smell of the old seat cushions. But because taking the bus makes me feel like a city person. And I like to feel like a city person.
Now that I have taken the bus in Thailand, I will most definitely be using public transportation in Washington.
Compared to Thailand, everything in America seems so safe!
Books: I HAVE BOOKS NOW! Finished listening to chpt 6 of sherlock holmes, started listening to the tragedy of hamlet, reading Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It's really good, I started reading it yesterday and I'm already on page 62!
Thai: a-roy..............delicious
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Help
The foreign teachers at my school have told me that Thailand is completely opposite. At first I didn't totally believe them, thinking 'there has to be some similarities'. Boy was I wrong.
Everything in Thailand is different.
Everything.
There is another teacher at my school from America. Today he told me a story, a story about "cultural differences".
One day my teacher, Chris, was riding the bus. He noticed that a person was laying in the middle of the road, as he had fallen off his bike and had a scraped knee and leg. He also noticed that no one was helping the man. All the cars were serving around him and the pedestrians just walked past him. So, Chris got off the bus and helped the man move to the side off the road, helped him out a little. Then he got back on the bus. All the people on the bus were looking at him like he was crazy.
They asked him why he helped the man.
Chris thought two things. One having gone to law school, thought about the good Samaritan law. And two, he thought that it was just a nice and considerate thing to do.
They said, "Why are you helping him? If he dies the man's blood is on your hands."
That is the Thai culture.
They believe if you fail at helping a man, even if you try as hard as you can, the man's misfortune or in a most case scenario, death, is your fault.
So they don't even try to help people at all.
I don't think so.
I believe that if you don't try to help a person who is in trouble when you can, you have the bloody hands.
I don't believe that this has anything to do with cultural aspects or opinions. Because the facts are that there will always be a slight chance that you will fail at helping someone but there is also the chance of prevailing.
There is a very fine line between beliefs of a "culture" and "human rights" or "universal ethics". I am not one to judge on what crosses that line. But I know that I will try my hardest to help whoever is in need whenever I can.
Everything in Thailand is different.
Everything.
There is another teacher at my school from America. Today he told me a story, a story about "cultural differences".
One day my teacher, Chris, was riding the bus. He noticed that a person was laying in the middle of the road, as he had fallen off his bike and had a scraped knee and leg. He also noticed that no one was helping the man. All the cars were serving around him and the pedestrians just walked past him. So, Chris got off the bus and helped the man move to the side off the road, helped him out a little. Then he got back on the bus. All the people on the bus were looking at him like he was crazy.
They asked him why he helped the man.
Chris thought two things. One having gone to law school, thought about the good Samaritan law. And two, he thought that it was just a nice and considerate thing to do.
They said, "Why are you helping him? If he dies the man's blood is on your hands."
That is the Thai culture.
They believe if you fail at helping a man, even if you try as hard as you can, the man's misfortune or in a most case scenario, death, is your fault.
So they don't even try to help people at all.
I don't think so.
I believe that if you don't try to help a person who is in trouble when you can, you have the bloody hands.
I don't believe that this has anything to do with cultural aspects or opinions. Because the facts are that there will always be a slight chance that you will fail at helping someone but there is also the chance of prevailing.
There is a very fine line between beliefs of a "culture" and "human rights" or "universal ethics". I am not one to judge on what crosses that line. But I know that I will try my hardest to help whoever is in need whenever I can.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Oblivion
This morning, I had Thai lessons.
I was so happy that I am finally learning some Thai! Life will be so much easier! Although, today was tough.
Yesterday and the day before yesterday were the best days I've had in Thailand. It was so much fun to hang out with all my exchange friends and to talk in full English sentences! It was a high point point of my life in Thailand. But, what goes up, must come down.
Today, I woke up, and didn't want to get up. I didn't want to eat or move. I didn't even want to open my eyes, even to check the time.
I have been home sick here before. But not like this. Before it was a longing feeling.
Now it feels like I am not present. I am a hollow shell. A drone. A ghost. It feels like there are holes in my gut and chest. Empty holes. Black holes. Holes filled with oblivion.
Despite my despair, I got up, I showered and went to school. I listened to music on my ipod and said hello to my classmates.
Next, I went to Thai tutoring. I began to learn some new words and phrases when out of the blue my teacher asked me if I called my host mom 'Mom'.
I said no.
"What about your host daddy?"
I call him Chanan.
She then started speaking in Thai to all the other teachers in the room about me not calling my host parents mom and dad.
I just couldn't handle it.
It's hard enough to sit through people talking in Thai without understanding, but it feels really bad when you know what they're talking about but don't know what they're saying about it.
Tears filled my eyes.
I want to talk to my exchange friends. I want to be with my real Mom and Dad. My real parents understand how I function. They notice how I feel and know what I like and don't like. I want to talk in English and understand what people are saying.
The teacher noticed my watering eyes and said I didn't have to learn any more Thai today. I am thankful that she let me stop for today.
My next class was Sword Fighting, although the teacher had a meeting, so I didn't have that class today.
My next two classes were art. The teacher decided to go to the mall for the day.
So I sat at my Thai teachers' desk for three hours. She was teaching another class and said I could use her computer until lunch.
So I sat. I sat and watched Youtube videos. Video after mindless video.
I sat and tried to fill my holes of oblivion with the oblivion of the internet.
Book: The legend of sleepy hollows, half way done
Thai:chai...............................................................yes
I was so happy that I am finally learning some Thai! Life will be so much easier! Although, today was tough.
Yesterday and the day before yesterday were the best days I've had in Thailand. It was so much fun to hang out with all my exchange friends and to talk in full English sentences! It was a high point point of my life in Thailand. But, what goes up, must come down.
Today, I woke up, and didn't want to get up. I didn't want to eat or move. I didn't even want to open my eyes, even to check the time.
I have been home sick here before. But not like this. Before it was a longing feeling.
Now it feels like I am not present. I am a hollow shell. A drone. A ghost. It feels like there are holes in my gut and chest. Empty holes. Black holes. Holes filled with oblivion.
Despite my despair, I got up, I showered and went to school. I listened to music on my ipod and said hello to my classmates.
Next, I went to Thai tutoring. I began to learn some new words and phrases when out of the blue my teacher asked me if I called my host mom 'Mom'.
I said no.
"What about your host daddy?"
I call him Chanan.
She then started speaking in Thai to all the other teachers in the room about me not calling my host parents mom and dad.
I just couldn't handle it.
It's hard enough to sit through people talking in Thai without understanding, but it feels really bad when you know what they're talking about but don't know what they're saying about it.
Tears filled my eyes.
I want to talk to my exchange friends. I want to be with my real Mom and Dad. My real parents understand how I function. They notice how I feel and know what I like and don't like. I want to talk in English and understand what people are saying.
The teacher noticed my watering eyes and said I didn't have to learn any more Thai today. I am thankful that she let me stop for today.
My next class was Sword Fighting, although the teacher had a meeting, so I didn't have that class today.
My next two classes were art. The teacher decided to go to the mall for the day.
So I sat at my Thai teachers' desk for three hours. She was teaching another class and said I could use her computer until lunch.
So I sat. I sat and watched Youtube videos. Video after mindless video.
I sat and tried to fill my holes of oblivion with the oblivion of the internet.
Book: The legend of sleepy hollows, half way done
Thai:chai...............................................................yes
Orientation
I am one of just 28 exchange students in my district. I met all 28 of them today. And they are my new family. Friends are the family you make for yourself. I have my family of friends in Gig Harbor, but it is so nice to talk to people who know what you're going through. I am so happy I have friends now. I love all of them! Everyone is so friendly and funny! I just can't wait until our bus trips together!!
Book: Sherlock Holmes Chpt 5
Thai: best.................................dee
Book: Sherlock Holmes Chpt 5
Thai: best.................................dee
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Pelican
Today I was going to go to the book store with one of my friends. That didn't happen. Instead, I spent the day with Sophie(from Germany) and Gap. A number of things happened. We saw many animals at the zoo, rode in 2 tuk-tuks, went on the bus, went on the sky train, ate duck and some sort of duck organ (not sure what I ate, not sure I want to know), met cute snakes, almost got eaten by a pelican, fed an elephant, fed a camel, drank Starbucks, discussed the difference in how Germans and Americans pronounce words( like Ikea and haagen-das), got mistaken for being from the Czech Republic, bought postcards from a store that makes nice shirts, went into my first Thai 7 Eleven, went to the museum of Jim Thompson, found like the most expensive blanket in Bangkok, found out where you can get that blanket for very cheap, was told not to take pictures (both Sophie and I), took lots of pictures, found out it's good luck to have long ears if you are Thai, crossed two streets in Bangkok(that's saying something), solved the mysterious disappearance of Jim Thompson( he got eaten by a Foreigner eating Pelican) and best of all, received and gave a hug.
I love being an Exchange Student.
Book: still on Sherlock Holmes....
Thai Three.................................Sam
I love being an Exchange Student.
Book: still on Sherlock Holmes....
Thai Three.................................Sam
Stamp
When I'm not in a "Thai Culture Class", I sit in on Class M5. They are one of the classes in the English Program at my school, which means the teachers teach in English.
Ekie, the teacher from New York, was teaching English at the time I sat in on M5. They were learning about cycles. There were 11 pictures of "The Life of a Letter Cycle" drawn on a worksheet, the students had to label each picture or step of the cycle with a sentence in the passive voice.
For example, they would write, the letter is written, the letter is put in an envelope, etc,.
The third picture was of the envelope with a stamp and address written on it.
In my head I thought, The stamp is placed on the envelope.
Then Ekie wrote on the board, "THE STAMP IS STUCKED ON THE ENVELOPE."
What the heck?
This teacher is from America, where he grew up speaking English, that is not English!
So I said, "I don't think that's right".
He responded, "I know it's wrong but they have to learn the rule. Because otherwise they won't understand."
Oh boy.
Book: Still on Sherlock Holmes.
Thai:Two................................Song
Ekie, the teacher from New York, was teaching English at the time I sat in on M5. They were learning about cycles. There were 11 pictures of "The Life of a Letter Cycle" drawn on a worksheet, the students had to label each picture or step of the cycle with a sentence in the passive voice.
For example, they would write, the letter is written, the letter is put in an envelope, etc,.
The third picture was of the envelope with a stamp and address written on it.
In my head I thought, The stamp is placed on the envelope.
Then Ekie wrote on the board, "THE STAMP IS STUCKED ON THE ENVELOPE."
What the heck?
This teacher is from America, where he grew up speaking English, that is not English!
So I said, "I don't think that's right".
He responded, "I know it's wrong but they have to learn the rule. Because otherwise they won't understand."
Oh boy.
Book: Still on Sherlock Holmes.
Thai:Two................................Song
Outside
This week at school, I actually went to class. The school gave me a schedule with specail classes to help me learn Thai culture. This includes everything from Thai Sword Fighting to Vegetable Carving. I also am taking a Thai culture class.
The thing I find interesting about my Thai Culture Class(well it's just me and the teacher, so not really a class) is that it is taught by a Thai teacher.
Let me explain, I didn't really know the American culture until I looked at it from the outside. I find myself comparing things about the Thai culture to the American culture all the time. I am not judging whether either culture is better but I most definitely think of America differently.
I am learning about America through British news, Russian news, Thai people and other exchange students. I am learning more about my home country everyday.
I guess I shall wait and see about how much my Thai teacher can teach me about Thai Culture and how much of her Thai I can understand.
That's right, she doesn't speak English.
Book: Listening to the adventures of Sherlock Holmes- Chpt. 2
Thai: One...............................................................................Nung
The thing I find interesting about my Thai Culture Class(well it's just me and the teacher, so not really a class) is that it is taught by a Thai teacher.
Let me explain, I didn't really know the American culture until I looked at it from the outside. I find myself comparing things about the Thai culture to the American culture all the time. I am not judging whether either culture is better but I most definitely think of America differently.
I am learning about America through British news, Russian news, Thai people and other exchange students. I am learning more about my home country everyday.
I guess I shall wait and see about how much my Thai teacher can teach me about Thai Culture and how much of her Thai I can understand.
That's right, she doesn't speak English.
Book: Listening to the adventures of Sherlock Holmes- Chpt. 2
Thai: One...............................................................................Nung
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Procrastination
I dont have many responsibilities in Thailand. Well, I do, like represent America well etc., but besides those, I have very few responsibilities. They include...
1. Learn Thai.
2. Learn German.
3. Learn Chinese.
4. Learn how to play the ukulele.
5. Blog.
6. Read more.
7. Keep up with the news (world and US presidential election).
8. Try to make friends.
Obviously this is a very short list. Although, I still manage to procrastinate?!?!?! HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!
Well, I'll tell you how it's possible. YouTube, is how it's possible.
I don't use youtube to look up music videos or funny commercials. I actually watch educational videos on youtube. That sounds really lame, but I promise it isn't!
For instance, I watch Hank Green on Scishow. I also watch Crashcourse Biology and History. They're really funny and I actually learn things. (I suggest it to those of you who have forgotten what you have learned in high school and/or college, and they aren't targeted for teens, they are targeted for everyone). I'm also a big fan of HowStuffWork's podcasts.
I'm learning a lot. Just not what I'm supposed to be learning......oh well.
Book: Officially visiting book store on Saturday!
Thai: rain..........................................................phone (it's sorta flat sounding?, not sure how to describe it)
Links!!!
http://www.youtube.com/crashcourse
http://www.youtube.com/scishow
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/hsw-shows/popstuff-podcast.htm
PS- Should I do a post about social media/the internet in Thailand? It's a lot different here! Have any suggestions for blog topics? Let me know in the comments or email me at yellowsplat15@gmail.com
1. Learn Thai.
2. Learn German.
3. Learn Chinese.
4. Learn how to play the ukulele.
5. Blog.
6. Read more.
7. Keep up with the news (world and US presidential election).
8. Try to make friends.
Obviously this is a very short list. Although, I still manage to procrastinate?!?!?! HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!
Well, I'll tell you how it's possible. YouTube, is how it's possible.
I don't use youtube to look up music videos or funny commercials. I actually watch educational videos on youtube. That sounds really lame, but I promise it isn't!
For instance, I watch Hank Green on Scishow. I also watch Crashcourse Biology and History. They're really funny and I actually learn things. (I suggest it to those of you who have forgotten what you have learned in high school and/or college, and they aren't targeted for teens, they are targeted for everyone). I'm also a big fan of HowStuffWork's podcasts.
I'm learning a lot. Just not what I'm supposed to be learning......oh well.
Book: Officially visiting book store on Saturday!
Thai: rain..........................................................phone (it's sorta flat sounding?, not sure how to describe it)
Links!!!
http://www.youtube.com/crashcourse
http://www.youtube.com/scishow
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/hsw-shows/popstuff-podcast.htm
PS- Should I do a post about social media/the internet in Thailand? It's a lot different here! Have any suggestions for blog topics? Let me know in the comments or email me at yellowsplat15@gmail.com
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Read
Today I finished my book. Well, not my book, my friend's book. She lent Artemis Fowl and the Eternity Code to me to read, because it's written in English.
It was good. Although I feel like I read it 6 years late. The book is mainly aimed toward humans who are between the ages of 7 to 12. It's about a boy prodigy (who happens to be extremely wealthy) who discovers an underworld fairy land that is super advanced in technology. I don't usually read those kinds of books. Although younger Turi loves those types of books.
When I was younger I wanted to be a prodigy. I would dream of the days where one of my teachers would discover a hidden talent of mine. I wanted to be a child star. Well, obviously that didn't happen.
But, life is still good.
See, my parents raised my sister and I to be sorta good at a lot of things instead of really really good at one thing. Now that sounds terrible, but it's not. They wanted us to be able to fit in with all social groups and be able to choose what we wanted to do in life instead of being forced in one direction.
For a while I was kinda mad at my parents for doing this because all i could think was "SO I WILL NEVER BE A CHILD PRODIGY?"
Now, I'm really happy they raised me that way. Because I'm sorta good at a lot of things. Like I'm sorta good at playing the violin. I'm sorta good at reading music. I'm sorta fast at swimming. I'm sorta good at debating? No, I'm just an ok debater, let's face it. And I like it that way because I am able to do many things instead of just one thing!
Although, I wish I was a nerdier child. For instance, I really like to read. But I couldn't read until I was in first grade. And I mean the first book I could read was One Fish, Two Fish and it was halfway through the year. Now that may be considered normal, but I remember feeling behind in that class. Although, in first grade I already knew about addition and subtraction due to my Besta's awesome teaching skills. And I could identify some plants because of my Grandpa's biology knowledge. But I still felt a tad behind.
I remember I would wake up an hour before school started and climb into my mom's bed so we could read Junie B Jones books together. But when I was reading Junie B. Jones, my classmates were reading the Chronicles of Narnia.
In other words, I was late in catching the reading railroad.
But now it seems like I am the only one on the reading railroad train!
People don't read here. Yes they read signs and students read textbooks but they don't read novels. I asked my host dad if he reads anything and he said that sometimes he reads the newspaper. Ok, good. He also said that he looks up things on the internet. Things?
At this point, I don't care how you read, just that you read.
I've always admired how my parents read. Whether it takes them five years to finish a book or a day. It's a characteristic that I want to have. And as my parents have inspired me, hopefully I can inspire others to start reading.
Book: Hopefully going to the book store on Saturday. In the meantime, listening to The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on Audiobook.
Thai: teacher..............................ah-jawhn
It was good. Although I feel like I read it 6 years late. The book is mainly aimed toward humans who are between the ages of 7 to 12. It's about a boy prodigy (who happens to be extremely wealthy) who discovers an underworld fairy land that is super advanced in technology. I don't usually read those kinds of books. Although younger Turi loves those types of books.
When I was younger I wanted to be a prodigy. I would dream of the days where one of my teachers would discover a hidden talent of mine. I wanted to be a child star. Well, obviously that didn't happen.
But, life is still good.
See, my parents raised my sister and I to be sorta good at a lot of things instead of really really good at one thing. Now that sounds terrible, but it's not. They wanted us to be able to fit in with all social groups and be able to choose what we wanted to do in life instead of being forced in one direction.
For a while I was kinda mad at my parents for doing this because all i could think was "SO I WILL NEVER BE A CHILD PRODIGY?"
Now, I'm really happy they raised me that way. Because I'm sorta good at a lot of things. Like I'm sorta good at playing the violin. I'm sorta good at reading music. I'm sorta fast at swimming. I'm sorta good at debating? No, I'm just an ok debater, let's face it. And I like it that way because I am able to do many things instead of just one thing!
Although, I wish I was a nerdier child. For instance, I really like to read. But I couldn't read until I was in first grade. And I mean the first book I could read was One Fish, Two Fish and it was halfway through the year. Now that may be considered normal, but I remember feeling behind in that class. Although, in first grade I already knew about addition and subtraction due to my Besta's awesome teaching skills. And I could identify some plants because of my Grandpa's biology knowledge. But I still felt a tad behind.
I remember I would wake up an hour before school started and climb into my mom's bed so we could read Junie B Jones books together. But when I was reading Junie B. Jones, my classmates were reading the Chronicles of Narnia.
In other words, I was late in catching the reading railroad.
But now it seems like I am the only one on the reading railroad train!
People don't read here. Yes they read signs and students read textbooks but they don't read novels. I asked my host dad if he reads anything and he said that sometimes he reads the newspaper. Ok, good. He also said that he looks up things on the internet. Things?
At this point, I don't care how you read, just that you read.
I've always admired how my parents read. Whether it takes them five years to finish a book or a day. It's a characteristic that I want to have. And as my parents have inspired me, hopefully I can inspire others to start reading.
Book: Hopefully going to the book store on Saturday. In the meantime, listening to The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on Audiobook.
Thai: teacher..............................ah-jawhn
Monday, August 27, 2012
PBOT
Ever since middle school, about age 11, I have had a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. Sometimes there was a change in the menu. For instance, when I was sick I would request for Campbell's Chunky Chicken and Dumplings Soup. Or after the holidays a turkey or ham sandwich would appear in my lunch box. The type of drink and crackers has been noted to modify as well.
Although, my lunch in elementary school was much different. Yes, it consisted of the same substances (sandwich, juice, crackers/chips or some sort of snack, and a cookie). Mainly the type of sandwich changed. I was a fan of pepper ham, black forest ham and turkey. But I especially liked the days when I was gifted a peanut butter sandwich. So I switched full time and devoted myself to the creamy nutty glory of the peanut butter sandwich.
Here, I buy lunch at school.
They don't sell peanut butter sandwiches like the ones my dad made me each morning since I can remember. They don't even sell the chemical filled, artificially flavored Uncrustables!
(I never understood the name Uncrustables. It sounds as though the consumer of the sandwich is supposed to uncrust the sandwich, making the you the uncruster? The should call them Uncrusties or The Decrusted or Center Sandwiches! Center as in like center brownies don't have edges or crusts, because they're from the center of the pan.
Anyway....
The food is much better here than the preserved sodium filled food back home. Although, most of the food is a little "unfamiliar".
"Unfamiliar" is the term Rotary asks us exchange students to use instead of odd or weird. However, I am very familiar to what a liver is and I don't want to eat it. ( I did try liver at this noodle shop once, because I'm trying to try everything, and I think that's enough liver for my exchange).
The cafeteria or canteen as my classmates call it, is arranged the same way a cafeteria in the states is arranged. In which there are food stations that sell different types of food, but each station sells the same thing each day.
I have found my station. My peanut butter sandwich of Thailand.
My lunch consists of jasmine rice, 2 to 3 slices of fresh cucumber, Thai breaded chicken with some sort of thai sauce that tastes like sweet and sour sauce, and a teacup sized bowl of chicken broth soup. This costs me 20 baht or about $0.65.
Today I looked around at the other stations, but found myself back at my PBOT (peanut butter sandwich of Thailand).
I gave the lunch lady my meal card and 20 baht and was about to pick up my PBOT from the array of dishes when the lady reached over and picked it up before I could fully grasp my hand around the plate.
She then went over to where the chicken strips were lying and gently placed 3 extra strips onto my plate and handed it to me.
I said thank you (in Thai) and wondered around until I found the table where my classmates decided to sit.
She made my day.
Also in Middle School, my leadership teacher had this activity where if you saw a person perform a Random Act of Kindness you could write their name on the white board an then they would be called down to her class to receive a prize.
Today, I fully realized how amazing random acts of kindness are. And how amazing people are too. The action of giving me more chicken for lunch may be insignificant to her, but it was significant to me.
Everyone is nice to me in Thailand. Sometimes I think it's because I know English or because I have pale skin and blonde hair. Or that sometimes people only talk to me to practice their English speaking skills. But this lunch lady noticed something about me. Not my appearnce or the way I sounded when I tried to speak Thai, but she noticed a characteristic of mine. She noticed my PBOT.
Book: Still on artemis fowl, same page as where i was last time-telling people the my progress with reading books is sort of peer pressure to read more
Thai: Thank You..............................................Krup koon ka/krup (ka if you're a girl, krup if you're a boy)
Please tell me what's your PBOT! Or maybe an action that you like doing daily. Whether it be reading the newspaper or eating cheerios each morning, like me know in the comments!
For a full history of my lunch menu , you can ask Natasha Paranjapye. She can tell you all about goldfish and butter sandwiches.
Although, my lunch in elementary school was much different. Yes, it consisted of the same substances (sandwich, juice, crackers/chips or some sort of snack, and a cookie). Mainly the type of sandwich changed. I was a fan of pepper ham, black forest ham and turkey. But I especially liked the days when I was gifted a peanut butter sandwich. So I switched full time and devoted myself to the creamy nutty glory of the peanut butter sandwich.
Here, I buy lunch at school.
They don't sell peanut butter sandwiches like the ones my dad made me each morning since I can remember. They don't even sell the chemical filled, artificially flavored Uncrustables!
(I never understood the name Uncrustables. It sounds as though the consumer of the sandwich is supposed to uncrust the sandwich, making the you the uncruster? The should call them Uncrusties or The Decrusted or Center Sandwiches! Center as in like center brownies don't have edges or crusts, because they're from the center of the pan.
Anyway....
The food is much better here than the preserved sodium filled food back home. Although, most of the food is a little "unfamiliar".
"Unfamiliar" is the term Rotary asks us exchange students to use instead of odd or weird. However, I am very familiar to what a liver is and I don't want to eat it. ( I did try liver at this noodle shop once, because I'm trying to try everything, and I think that's enough liver for my exchange).
The cafeteria or canteen as my classmates call it, is arranged the same way a cafeteria in the states is arranged. In which there are food stations that sell different types of food, but each station sells the same thing each day.
I have found my station. My peanut butter sandwich of Thailand.
My lunch consists of jasmine rice, 2 to 3 slices of fresh cucumber, Thai breaded chicken with some sort of thai sauce that tastes like sweet and sour sauce, and a teacup sized bowl of chicken broth soup. This costs me 20 baht or about $0.65.
Today I looked around at the other stations, but found myself back at my PBOT (peanut butter sandwich of Thailand).
I gave the lunch lady my meal card and 20 baht and was about to pick up my PBOT from the array of dishes when the lady reached over and picked it up before I could fully grasp my hand around the plate.
She then went over to where the chicken strips were lying and gently placed 3 extra strips onto my plate and handed it to me.
I said thank you (in Thai) and wondered around until I found the table where my classmates decided to sit.
She made my day.
Also in Middle School, my leadership teacher had this activity where if you saw a person perform a Random Act of Kindness you could write their name on the white board an then they would be called down to her class to receive a prize.
Today, I fully realized how amazing random acts of kindness are. And how amazing people are too. The action of giving me more chicken for lunch may be insignificant to her, but it was significant to me.
Everyone is nice to me in Thailand. Sometimes I think it's because I know English or because I have pale skin and blonde hair. Or that sometimes people only talk to me to practice their English speaking skills. But this lunch lady noticed something about me. Not my appearnce or the way I sounded when I tried to speak Thai, but she noticed a characteristic of mine. She noticed my PBOT.
Book: Still on artemis fowl, same page as where i was last time-telling people the my progress with reading books is sort of peer pressure to read more
Thai: Thank You..............................................Krup koon ka/krup (ka if you're a girl, krup if you're a boy)
Please tell me what's your PBOT! Or maybe an action that you like doing daily. Whether it be reading the newspaper or eating cheerios each morning, like me know in the comments!
For a full history of my lunch menu , you can ask Natasha Paranjapye. She can tell you all about goldfish and butter sandwiches.
Dangerous
Two people have asked me if I am afraid of walking on the streets in Thailand.
Nope. I am not afraid.
I have walked in Paris at night, on the streets of London, with friends in Seattle and figured out the New York Public Subway system in just 3 days.
I am not afraid of walking the two blocks from my house to my school in broad daylight.
However, the things I think about while walking on the streets may be dangerous.
It's just me, the bumpy sidewalk and my thoughts out there, and it's a very scary place.
When alone I think about home. My family, the familiar foods and sights. While thinking about these things makes me really happy, it also makes me a tad depressed for obvious reasons.
And therefore walking on the streets isn't dangerous to my physical being but my mental health.
Yeah, everything is backwards in Thailand.
Book: On page 173 out of 329 of Artemis Fowl
Thai: back home................................................ krup bahn(sorta 'flip' the r in krup)
P.S.- I would really like to elaborate on my thoughts of walking alone but am having terrible writer's block and (let's be honest) procrastination. I promise my next post will be more detailed.
Nope. I am not afraid.
I have walked in Paris at night, on the streets of London, with friends in Seattle and figured out the New York Public Subway system in just 3 days.
I am not afraid of walking the two blocks from my house to my school in broad daylight.
However, the things I think about while walking on the streets may be dangerous.
It's just me, the bumpy sidewalk and my thoughts out there, and it's a very scary place.
When alone I think about home. My family, the familiar foods and sights. While thinking about these things makes me really happy, it also makes me a tad depressed for obvious reasons.
And therefore walking on the streets isn't dangerous to my physical being but my mental health.
Yeah, everything is backwards in Thailand.
Book: On page 173 out of 329 of Artemis Fowl
Thai: back home................................................ krup bahn(sorta 'flip' the r in krup)
P.S.- I would really like to elaborate on my thoughts of walking alone but am having terrible writer's block and (let's be honest) procrastination. I promise my next post will be more detailed.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Speak
You will find that teenagers these days often say I love you to and hug their friends. I am not one of those people. I love my friends, I really do, I just don't say it.
That all changed when I became an exchange student.
And I'm glad it did change.
Being an exchange student is really hard. Really, really hard.
I have to say goodbye to all of my friends and loved ones, spend a year without them, leave during an election year, live with three new families be submerged in a new culture and language, have to learn a new language (in my case three because I'm taking German and Chinese at school) be the new kid in high school, try to make new friends, then have an awesome time to then have to go back home, try to regain one's footing after missing a year of american pop culture, learn who my real friends (aka figure out who actually missed me and what not) and then have to go back to school and try to graduate on time and have to deal with all my new exchange friends being all over the world!
Overall, a lot of emotional things. Which aren't so fun.
Overall, an experience which no one will ever have but me.
Overall, being able to tell a lot of stories with "When I was in Thailand..."
And now for the gushy, lovely, last scene of a disney animated movie part:
I LOVE YOU GUYS!
Thanks so much for following my blog, commenting and giving me support! It's really helped me to get through all of this culture shock and "unfamiliar" customs.
I'm giving you all an imaginary hug right now, thanks for being so awesome!
I'm changing my book recommendation thing to "what book I'm reading right now" so that way I am forced to keep reading.
Book: Artemis Fowl (yeah I realize it's for kids but a friend gave it to me to read because I finished my other book and it's pretty good)
Thai: dream.....................fun
That all changed when I became an exchange student.
And I'm glad it did change.
Being an exchange student is really hard. Really, really hard.
I have to say goodbye to all of my friends and loved ones, spend a year without them, leave during an election year, live with three new families be submerged in a new culture and language, have to learn a new language (in my case three because I'm taking German and Chinese at school) be the new kid in high school, try to make new friends, then have an awesome time to then have to go back home, try to regain one's footing after missing a year of american pop culture, learn who my real friends (aka figure out who actually missed me and what not) and then have to go back to school and try to graduate on time and have to deal with all my new exchange friends being all over the world!
Overall, a lot of emotional things. Which aren't so fun.
Overall, an experience which no one will ever have but me.
Overall, being able to tell a lot of stories with "When I was in Thailand..."
And now for the gushy, lovely, last scene of a disney animated movie part:
I LOVE YOU GUYS!
Thanks so much for following my blog, commenting and giving me support! It's really helped me to get through all of this culture shock and "unfamiliar" customs.
I'm giving you all an imaginary hug right now, thanks for being so awesome!
I'm changing my book recommendation thing to "what book I'm reading right now" so that way I am forced to keep reading.
Book: Artemis Fowl (yeah I realize it's for kids but a friend gave it to me to read because I finished my other book and it's pretty good)
Thai: dream.....................fun
Skype
An open Letter to Skype:
Dear Skype,
Thank you for helping me to see my friends and family. But sometimes you cause me trouble. My webcam is plugged in even if you say it isn't. There is audio card in my computer and a mic on my camera. Your community help website is so beautifully designed, but unfortunately looks deceive. There are no answers or solutions on on these help pages. I oh so hope we get get over this bump in the road.
Really hope I don't have to switch to oovoo,
Turi
Book: Night and The Book Thief (sorry forgot last time)
Thai: pencil....................................................................dim- saw
Dear Skype,
Thank you for helping me to see my friends and family. But sometimes you cause me trouble. My webcam is plugged in even if you say it isn't. There is audio card in my computer and a mic on my camera. Your community help website is so beautifully designed, but unfortunately looks deceive. There are no answers or solutions on on these help pages. I oh so hope we get get over this bump in the road.
Really hope I don't have to switch to oovoo,
Turi
Book: Night and The Book Thief (sorry forgot last time)
Thai: pencil....................................................................dim- saw
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Boring
Part One: A explanation?
When I was little, my mom always reminded me that a bored kid is a boring kid.
The phrase still haunts me today.
I realize that she wanted to warn me that there is always plenty to do in the world and if one is bored, one is basically taking for granite all of the amazing things our world has to offer. Which is in a way, true.
I haven't heard her say the phrase for at least five years but every time I think "I'm bored," I can hear that phrase echo in my mind.
For all of my friends who think I'm way too busy, it's mainly because of the reason that I DON'T WANT TO BE A BORING KID, or bored for that matter.
The first week in Thailand was hard for me, for multiple reasons. Once I had a routine down of going to school and finally got comfortable in my new house, things got better. Things got ordinary. The routine of shower, school, eat, shower, eat, sleep was a little bit too routine for me. Yes, I started to teach myself the ukulele and am attempting to learn Thai, but there is only so many times you can practice the same four chords or stare at a page of squiggly foreign lines on a page. Am I getting bored in Thailand? The truth is......a little. There is so many things I want to see and do in Thailand but unfortunately I have no one to see and do those things with. My host family is so kind and great but making friends is hard as it is and the skill of asking people to hang out in Thai is not one of my fortes.
But the hardest thing about making new friends in Thailand are being reminded of my friends back home. My friends back home are so reliable and awesome at speaking english. I can call Emma at 2:00 in the morning to chat and can always count on having a conversation about Doctor Who with Keyan and Mariah. And probably the best thing is that when I'm with my friends, I'm never bored. Or at least we're bored together.
Part Two: The bloggy part
Went to "The Mall" yesterday with my new acquaintance Tannie. She was an exchange student to Michigan last year? The year before? Not really sure when actually. But I had a really good time. I tried bubble tea. The liquid of the bubble tea was fantastic! But the bubbles were uh, ummm chewy? Don't really know how to explain it.We are planning to see The Bourne Legacy sometime soon together, although I suggested we watch the other Bourne movies first. So I shall let you know how that goes down.
Part Three: Book+ Thai
Book: NEED ONE. FINISHED MINE.
Thai Words: rice/food...........................cow
When I was little, my mom always reminded me that a bored kid is a boring kid.
The phrase still haunts me today.
I realize that she wanted to warn me that there is always plenty to do in the world and if one is bored, one is basically taking for granite all of the amazing things our world has to offer. Which is in a way, true.
I haven't heard her say the phrase for at least five years but every time I think "I'm bored," I can hear that phrase echo in my mind.
For all of my friends who think I'm way too busy, it's mainly because of the reason that I DON'T WANT TO BE A BORING KID, or bored for that matter.
The first week in Thailand was hard for me, for multiple reasons. Once I had a routine down of going to school and finally got comfortable in my new house, things got better. Things got ordinary. The routine of shower, school, eat, shower, eat, sleep was a little bit too routine for me. Yes, I started to teach myself the ukulele and am attempting to learn Thai, but there is only so many times you can practice the same four chords or stare at a page of squiggly foreign lines on a page. Am I getting bored in Thailand? The truth is......a little. There is so many things I want to see and do in Thailand but unfortunately I have no one to see and do those things with. My host family is so kind and great but making friends is hard as it is and the skill of asking people to hang out in Thai is not one of my fortes.
But the hardest thing about making new friends in Thailand are being reminded of my friends back home. My friends back home are so reliable and awesome at speaking english. I can call Emma at 2:00 in the morning to chat and can always count on having a conversation about Doctor Who with Keyan and Mariah. And probably the best thing is that when I'm with my friends, I'm never bored. Or at least we're bored together.
Part Two: The bloggy part
Went to "The Mall" yesterday with my new acquaintance Tannie. She was an exchange student to Michigan last year? The year before? Not really sure when actually. But I had a really good time. I tried bubble tea. The liquid of the bubble tea was fantastic! But the bubbles were uh, ummm chewy? Don't really know how to explain it.We are planning to see The Bourne Legacy sometime soon together, although I suggested we watch the other Bourne movies first. So I shall let you know how that goes down.
Part Three: Book+ Thai
Book: NEED ONE. FINISHED MINE.
Thai Words: rice/food...........................cow
Encore
Because of the popularity of my last post, I decided to continue on my thought about rule breaking.
I can assure you that my greatest fear is being deported.
I will never do anything that would get me deported, upset rotary or harm others.
That being said I don't think it would really matter if I maybe "forgot" to wear my belt one day.... Or "accidentally" wore make up. Right?
I mainly just want to break these rules because when I ask the girls here why they have them, they don't know. They just know they are rules.
Rules for rules sake is a tad aggravating. I understand why schools have rules. They keep students safe, they increase learning or something yada yada. But having rules just because you can, takes away individuality.
For instance, it is hard to make friends in a new school. In the states, I could just wear my nerdfighter shirt and hopefully meet other nerdfighters. But here, how can I find other nerdfighters?
Coming from a country that encourages change and a family that inspires creativity, it's just kinda hard to reach out when you are supposed to fit it.
If that made any sense....
Book: The keeper of lost causes
Just finished this one today! It's a crime/mystery translated from Danish. About 400 and an international best seller, I encourage you to search for it at your local library!
Thai Word: Eat..........kin
I can assure you that my greatest fear is being deported.
I will never do anything that would get me deported, upset rotary or harm others.
That being said I don't think it would really matter if I maybe "forgot" to wear my belt one day.... Or "accidentally" wore make up. Right?
I mainly just want to break these rules because when I ask the girls here why they have them, they don't know. They just know they are rules.
Rules for rules sake is a tad aggravating. I understand why schools have rules. They keep students safe, they increase learning or something yada yada. But having rules just because you can, takes away individuality.
For instance, it is hard to make friends in a new school. In the states, I could just wear my nerdfighter shirt and hopefully meet other nerdfighters. But here, how can I find other nerdfighters?
Coming from a country that encourages change and a family that inspires creativity, it's just kinda hard to reach out when you are supposed to fit it.
If that made any sense....
Book: The keeper of lost causes
Just finished this one today! It's a crime/mystery translated from Danish. About 400 and an international best seller, I encourage you to search for it at your local library!
Thai Word: Eat..........kin
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Rebel
Rebellion.
Every human is born with it churning through their veins.
In the layers of human character, rebellion can hide in the depths or show blatantly through. Or sometimes hover somewhere in the middle, like mine.
Lately, mine has been surfacing.
My school has many rules.
You cannot have short hair.
You must bring a school bag, wear a belt, wear your uniform.
You nails cannot be too long.
They range from the average to the ridiculously confining.So confining, that teachers have to check school uniforms and appearance before school and in the past have had to swipe an ID card (or something like this) to check in each day.
I ask the girls why they have/need to follow these rules. And their response is "because it's the rules."
You can't answer a question with the same words in the question! It's like defining a word using the word you want to define!
50% of me wants to obtain a list of all of these rules, so I can break them all. Well, just break the ones that do not harm other people or get me deported.
50% of me want to follow all the rules so that people will like me and not think that I am a stupid American that can't follow the dress code.
If you break it down, I am split between following my beliefs of asking why and advocating for change to a unefficient system or falling under Thai peer pressure.
More to come on which side I will choose.
Book: 1984
Thai Word(s): Love.......lak (like la but with a short 'k' at the end)
Every human is born with it churning through their veins.
In the layers of human character, rebellion can hide in the depths or show blatantly through. Or sometimes hover somewhere in the middle, like mine.
Lately, mine has been surfacing.
My school has many rules.
You cannot have short hair.
You must bring a school bag, wear a belt, wear your uniform.
You nails cannot be too long.
They range from the average to the ridiculously confining.So confining, that teachers have to check school uniforms and appearance before school and in the past have had to swipe an ID card (or something like this) to check in each day.
I ask the girls why they have/need to follow these rules. And their response is "because it's the rules."
You can't answer a question with the same words in the question! It's like defining a word using the word you want to define!
50% of me wants to obtain a list of all of these rules, so I can break them all. Well, just break the ones that do not harm other people or get me deported.
50% of me want to follow all the rules so that people will like me and not think that I am a stupid American that can't follow the dress code.
If you break it down, I am split between following my beliefs of asking why and advocating for change to a unefficient system or falling under Thai peer pressure.
More to come on which side I will choose.
Book: 1984
Thai Word(s): Love.......lak (like la but with a short 'k' at the end)
School
So i couldn't post yesterday because the internet decided to shut itself off, so today there will be two posts.
The average teenager's main goal in life is to survive high school. I indeed have this goal.
The reason I can survive high school in Gig Harbor is because of my friends. I have amazing teachers and generally like to learn new things, although, if my friends aren't at school for a day or more. High school is pretty miserable for me.
Today my only friend at school was gone. It was my third day. The classes were so boring that I read 73 pages of my book. It's a great book, but my eyes hurt from staring a words all day.
This made me realize how much I appreciate my friends.
Thank you to everyone who has ever talked to me in class about
nerdy things. Thank you for making me laugh at 7:30 in the morning. Thank you
for allowing me to be grumpy in the morning. Thank you for listening to all of
my rants. Thank you for supporting dictatorship. Thank you for sharing deserts
with me in Chemistry and Math class. Thank you for making me a better runner in
PE. Thank you for being a nerdfighter with me. Thank you for going to Harry and
the Potters concerts with me. Thank you for speaking in Spanish with me when
it's too awkward to speak in English. Thank you for continuing
Bowtie Tuesday. Thank you for loving Doctor Who. Thank you for not
finishing lit circle books with me. Thank you for letting me copy down math
notes I missed in class. Thank you for telling me what the board says when I
forget my glasses. Thank you for making me a better debater and person. Thank
you for eating large cookies with me. Thank you for buying me cold drinks when
it’s snowing outside. Thank you for knowing exactly what I’m thinking and
thinking the same thing.
And thanks for just being awesome.
Book: The Little Prince
Thai Word: Friend…… phu-ang
Yeah so sorry my posts are so nostalgic, but I blog in the
evenings so I guess I feel nostalgic when I’m tired. Huh. Who knew?
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Raised
There are a few things that I will always do in every culture. Thanks to my parents.
1. When riding in a car, I will always wear my seat beat.
2. I will always wash my hands after using the lavatory, before playing an instrument, going on the computer or preparing food.
3. I will always feel the need to eat chocolate.
4. Music will always be apart of my life. I have taken up the Ukulele and so far it's going pretty good.
5. I will always enjoy frozen coffee drinks.
6. I will always wear socks on planes, in hotel rooms and when wearing tennis shoes.
7. I will never wear open toed shoes while riding a bike.
8. I will always think motorcycles are dangerous.
9. I will always need soup when I am sick. And will drink it from a coffee mug.
10. I will always be proud of where I came from.
Culture shock is setting in, but I will always be me.
Book: The Declaration
Thai Word(s): I'm Full..................Chan im (like "in" except with an 'm')
1. When riding in a car, I will always wear my seat beat.
2. I will always wash my hands after using the lavatory, before playing an instrument, going on the computer or preparing food.
3. I will always feel the need to eat chocolate.
4. Music will always be apart of my life. I have taken up the Ukulele and so far it's going pretty good.
5. I will always enjoy frozen coffee drinks.
6. I will always wear socks on planes, in hotel rooms and when wearing tennis shoes.
7. I will never wear open toed shoes while riding a bike.
8. I will always think motorcycles are dangerous.
9. I will always need soup when I am sick. And will drink it from a coffee mug.
10. I will always be proud of where I came from.
Culture shock is setting in, but I will always be me.
Book: The Declaration
Thai Word(s): I'm Full..................Chan im (like "in" except with an 'm')
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