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
Thursday, August 30, 2012
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')
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Party
In a half an hour I will be off to a party. The party is for another German exchange student, Pon, and me. It is celebrating the German exchange student (Sophie) and my arrival and a bon voyage party for Pon.
I have been looking forward to this all week.
The reason being is that I really want to meet Sophie. Having a friend in Thailand will make exchange so much more awesome! And mainly I want a hug.
Book: The fault in our stars (seriously this is a good one)
Thai Word(s): Dog....................................................... Maa
Also, I am a proud owner of a new Tardis Blue Ukulele. I'm hoping to teach myself Ukele in all the spare time I have here.
I have been looking forward to this all week.
The reason being is that I really want to meet Sophie. Having a friend in Thailand will make exchange so much more awesome! And mainly I want a hug.
Book: The fault in our stars (seriously this is a good one)
Thai Word(s): Dog....................................................... Maa
Also, I am a proud owner of a new Tardis Blue Ukulele. I'm hoping to teach myself Ukele in all the spare time I have here.
Forgot
Sorry I forgot the book recommendation for yesterday. Here it is:
Book: Fahrenheit 451
Thai Word: Cat.......May-ow
Book: Fahrenheit 451
Thai Word: Cat.......May-ow
Friday, August 17, 2012
Unexpected
If you know me, you will know that I make a lot of lists. Lists of things to do, things to look up, etc,. So here is a list of things that I was unexpected by in Thailand.
1. I might be better at badminton than the rest of the girls in my class (it's an all girls school).
2. I was cold today because of the intense air conditioning in my school.
3. Each student has around 100 points in school, and depending on if you break school rules, points can be deducted. But you can never earn points (this point system reminded me of the House Cup).
4. If I was under the point system at school, I would already have had points deducted for having too short of hair.
5. My host brother is packing for the Apocalypse. He is going to Michigan on exchange. He is packing a ton of noodles and Thai food.
6. I learned German in school today. And actually retained the information.
7. Thai students don't pay attention in class, at all. There is not a moment in class where only the teacher is talking.
8. I haven't seen that many tuk tuks here.
9. They don't eat chocolate here either. That's going to be difficult.
10. The image Thai people have of America. They believe America is the best country in the world but most people don't know who our president is.
1. I might be better at badminton than the rest of the girls in my class (it's an all girls school).
2. I was cold today because of the intense air conditioning in my school.
3. Each student has around 100 points in school, and depending on if you break school rules, points can be deducted. But you can never earn points (this point system reminded me of the House Cup).
4. If I was under the point system at school, I would already have had points deducted for having too short of hair.
5. My host brother is packing for the Apocalypse. He is going to Michigan on exchange. He is packing a ton of noodles and Thai food.
6. I learned German in school today. And actually retained the information.
7. Thai students don't pay attention in class, at all. There is not a moment in class where only the teacher is talking.
8. I haven't seen that many tuk tuks here.
9. They don't eat chocolate here either. That's going to be difficult.
10. The image Thai people have of America. They believe America is the best country in the world but most people don't know who our president is.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Different
So my last post was really sad and depressing and angry, but I felt that I needed to post it because I spent a good amount of time and thought on it. So I thought I would counterbalance this with some funny things.
There are some examples of things that are different from America in Thailand...
1. MILK
Yeah, they don't drink milk here. They have this drink called Dutch Mill and it is a "non-fat yogurt flavor drink"? I am curious about what it is made of but the nutrition facts are in Thai :(. But when I bought an Iced Coffee Late the other day, I saw a real carton of milk. MILK! I almost asked the barista where they buy their milk, but thought better of it. Although, I am becoming really tired of dry cornflakes in the morning....so I will probably ask next time.
2. BATHROOMS
They are so different it's crazy but I'm not gonna go into detail.
3. TEENS
I realize I am not the average teen. But Thai teenagers are like nothing I have ever seen before.
First, they have too much energy. At school in GH, teens drag themselves out of bed, buy a coffee at the student store and trudge on through the day. We hit an energy peak around lunch and during after school activities. Thai teens are literally running around the classroom at 7:20am. How?! Their cells must be mutant because of the weather in Thailand and therefore must produce more ATP than Americans. Or they just actually eat breakfast, unlike most american teens.
Second, extracurricular activities. Most Thai teens listen to Korean pop, or K pop. A combination of early 2000 pop music and One Direction. Except the voices are extremely high and the content is more conservative. I do listen to Indie music at home but I mostly listen to music about partical physics, harry potter and Doctor Who. So when my friends asked me to show them my favorite song, I looked up on YouTube I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers. They changed the song to K pop within two minutes.
Third, reading. They don't read here. The only novel that my friend read was Kite Runner, which is a very good book, yet how can you not read? No one has read Harry Potter but they have seen the movies. And when I asked them why, one girl said to me, "why read it when you can watch it." I could say so much about that...........
Overall, they are a lot of things that are different in Thailand, but I love it. It will take me a while to get over the culture shock and be able to fit in with Thai people. The Harry Potter thing will take a long time, actually no. I think reading is like believing in climate change. YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN IT. So I may never get over the Harry Potter thing, but I know that I can most definitely live in Thailand for a year. But first things first, I must find milk!
Some Housekeeping:
There will be a book recommendation for each of my blog posts from now on. If you have suggestions for books for me to read please leave them in the comments or email me at yellowsplat15@gmail.com. Or if you would like to send me books to read since I have a lot of spare time ;), email me and I can provide you with an address.
Each blog post will also include a Thai word or phrase.
To read: HARRY POTTER: ALL OF THEM
Thai word(s): Where can I buy milk?.............Chan sawh-mah sue gnome. (pronounce gnome as in the garden decoration)
There are some examples of things that are different from America in Thailand...
1. MILK
Yeah, they don't drink milk here. They have this drink called Dutch Mill and it is a "non-fat yogurt flavor drink"? I am curious about what it is made of but the nutrition facts are in Thai :(. But when I bought an Iced Coffee Late the other day, I saw a real carton of milk. MILK! I almost asked the barista where they buy their milk, but thought better of it. Although, I am becoming really tired of dry cornflakes in the morning....so I will probably ask next time.
2. BATHROOMS
They are so different it's crazy but I'm not gonna go into detail.
3. TEENS
I realize I am not the average teen. But Thai teenagers are like nothing I have ever seen before.
First, they have too much energy. At school in GH, teens drag themselves out of bed, buy a coffee at the student store and trudge on through the day. We hit an energy peak around lunch and during after school activities. Thai teens are literally running around the classroom at 7:20am. How?! Their cells must be mutant because of the weather in Thailand and therefore must produce more ATP than Americans. Or they just actually eat breakfast, unlike most american teens.
Second, extracurricular activities. Most Thai teens listen to Korean pop, or K pop. A combination of early 2000 pop music and One Direction. Except the voices are extremely high and the content is more conservative. I do listen to Indie music at home but I mostly listen to music about partical physics, harry potter and Doctor Who. So when my friends asked me to show them my favorite song, I looked up on YouTube I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers. They changed the song to K pop within two minutes.
Third, reading. They don't read here. The only novel that my friend read was Kite Runner, which is a very good book, yet how can you not read? No one has read Harry Potter but they have seen the movies. And when I asked them why, one girl said to me, "why read it when you can watch it." I could say so much about that...........
Overall, they are a lot of things that are different in Thailand, but I love it. It will take me a while to get over the culture shock and be able to fit in with Thai people. The Harry Potter thing will take a long time, actually no. I think reading is like believing in climate change. YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN IT. So I may never get over the Harry Potter thing, but I know that I can most definitely live in Thailand for a year. But first things first, I must find milk!
Some Housekeeping:
There will be a book recommendation for each of my blog posts from now on. If you have suggestions for books for me to read please leave them in the comments or email me at yellowsplat15@gmail.com. Or if you would like to send me books to read since I have a lot of spare time ;), email me and I can provide you with an address.
Each blog post will also include a Thai word or phrase.
To read: HARRY POTTER: ALL OF THEM
Thai word(s): Where can I buy milk?.............Chan sawh-mah sue gnome. (pronounce gnome as in the garden decoration)
Face
I hear my shoes
clack against the broken sidewalk. I count my steps….29,30,31…. I stare at the
ground and wait for…. Wait for something, anything, a sign that someone
acknowledges my presence.
My classmates at
school stare at me in aw. The same stare they use to gawk at celebrities. To
me, they stare at me like a purple nosed alien. And sometimes I feel that way.
They all want to
talk with me, but choose not to, because they don’t think their English is up
to par. They whisper into my friend J’s ear. And J repeats the question in
English to me. This is when I feel like a two-nosed purple alien.
I trip about
every five steps because the side walk is in ruins. The stones are flat; they
rise for tree branches and sink in places that are walked over too many times.
The sinking
stones remind me of Canterbury Cathedral. There are steps at Canterbury that are a hundred years worn.
They are smooth. They are wavy. They are aged. Hundreds of people crawl up
these steps to pay tribute to God and visit the uplifting center of the
cathedral. Hundreds of people tramp through the rubbish on the sidewalk to the
bus stop, for the bus with air conditioning.
One of my classes
at school today was PE. Today’s activity was badminton. The badminton I know.
The badminton I play for hours on end with mi Papá, until the sun sets and
until we can hear the summer grasshoppers chirping.
I watched the
birdie fly in the humid air and followed it until it hit my racquet, just like
Papá taught me. My partner, J, asked what music I listen to. J just got back
from spending a year in Indianapolis .
How could I explain that I listen to Hank Green, Harry and the Potters,
Chameleon Circuit and Charlie McDonnell? I responded with “Indie.”
My host
grandmother walked me home from school today. I know the path already, but I
must don’t want to be rude. We walked in silence. She knows no English. I know
no Thai. I wanted to tell her about my day, just like I tell my family when the
sun fades away the day. Instead, I watch faces. Faces of those struck by my Caucasian
appearance. Faces of those who are hurting. Faces of those who are sick. Who
are poor. Who are weak. Faces who always keep face.
My second friend
is a teacher. He teaches English at my school. He allows the students to have
fun because that’s what matters. He is a born and raised New Yorker. I can tell
by the way he casually talks and the way he can carry on a conversation about Apple
products for days. He gave me a piece of advice today.
“There is one
thing you must remember to do everyday.”
“What is it?”
“Smile.”
I laughed.
“Smile even if
you are mad, or upset. Smile even if you want to cry.”
I did not expect
this.
35, 36, 37……mindlessly
pacing with a hard and sullen face through the monsoons for the last time. From
now on I must let the clouds carry my burden. I will let the sky cry for me
when I want to cry. I will let the sun burn up for me when I am angry. And I
will let the night thunder take my upsetting thoughts for me. And I will let
the sticky, humid air plaster a smile on my face.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Why
Today I explained what Christmas is to Pon. He thought Christmas was just for Santa Claus. I explained it by telling him the story of the three wise men who were guided by a star to Jesus. I'm still not sure he knows who Jesus is either, but I still thought it was important that he know the story, mainly because Christmas is important to me. This made me realize the importance explaining things.
In other words, Pon knows what Christmas is but does not know why it is Christmas.
I am a "why" person. I like to fully understand things and question authenticity. I like being aware of what is happening in the world and in my community. I enjoy random useless facts and debating about philosophy. And I realize that sometimes asking "why" too much can be annoying and that sometimes the answers to my questions are just too darn confusing. But I will never stop being a "why" person.
And why am I writing about being a "why" person?
Well, because I am a "why" person, my blog will also be a "why" blog.
In the sense that my blogs will not be typical. They will probably not explain my day or describe the amazing things I am doing in Thailand.
My blogs will be about my friendship with Thai culture and how we are getting along.
In other words, Pon knows what Christmas is but does not know why it is Christmas.
I am a "why" person. I like to fully understand things and question authenticity. I like being aware of what is happening in the world and in my community. I enjoy random useless facts and debating about philosophy. And I realize that sometimes asking "why" too much can be annoying and that sometimes the answers to my questions are just too darn confusing. But I will never stop being a "why" person.
And why am I writing about being a "why" person?
Well, because I am a "why" person, my blog will also be a "why" blog.
In the sense that my blogs will not be typical. They will probably not explain my day or describe the amazing things I am doing in Thailand.
My blogs will be about my friendship with Thai culture and how we are getting along.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Free
Today I asked my host brother what he does for fun in his spare time. He said that he plays the guitar and reads comics. I attempted to continue the conversation and asked if he read any books recently. He said that he didn't like to read.
So we watched tv until dinner.
BBC?
MTV?
Nope.
Russian Today.
Russian Today or RT is surprisingly informative and the only ENGLISH speaking tv channel in Thailand. RT covers a variety of subjects including weather and stock exchange news. Although they mostly cover political situations and geopolitics. This makes me very happy. If I cannot watch Doctor Who or SNL in my spare time( Netflix and Hulu do not work in Thailand), global politics will just have to do. Today RT had a segment about "file sharing" websites and free speech rights in America. I asked Pon (my host brother) if they have free speech in Thailand (to this I already knew the answer but asked anyway). Pon said yes. This temporarily rattled my mind as I knew the opposite. I continued and asked if you can talk about the government and the king freely. Pon replied no.
My curiosity rose.
"Why can't you talk about the king or the government?"
"It's bad."
"Why is it bad?"
"It is the culture, folk way." (yup he said folk way)
"Is it against the law?"
"I don't know, maybe."
There is a law that prevents free speech. It is called "Lese-Majesty" and has been established in Thailand since 1932. It prevents Thai people from speaking ill or even critiquing the Royal Family. The Thai constitution (all 17 versions) states "the King shall be enthroned in a position of revered worship and shall not be violated. No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation or action." It later states "whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years." Wikipedia likes to point out that "Missing from the Code, however, is a definition of what actions constitute 'defamation' or 'insult'."At a first glance, one can see that Thai people love their King and Queen. One can see it in the hundreds of Royal flags flying and the extravegant shrines found around each corner.But do Thai people actually love the Royal family or is praise for them just a social norm? What does the King do for the country and Thai people? What if the king makes a bad decision for the people, can people tell him that it was a bad decision? But most importantly, why is Lese-Majesty a law in Thailand?
I probably will never know the answers to these questions. But I do know that I need to keep my mouth shut.
So we watched tv until dinner.
BBC?
MTV?
Nope.
Russian Today.
Russian Today or RT is surprisingly informative and the only ENGLISH speaking tv channel in Thailand. RT covers a variety of subjects including weather and stock exchange news. Although they mostly cover political situations and geopolitics. This makes me very happy. If I cannot watch Doctor Who or SNL in my spare time( Netflix and Hulu do not work in Thailand), global politics will just have to do. Today RT had a segment about "file sharing" websites and free speech rights in America. I asked Pon (my host brother) if they have free speech in Thailand (to this I already knew the answer but asked anyway). Pon said yes. This temporarily rattled my mind as I knew the opposite. I continued and asked if you can talk about the government and the king freely. Pon replied no.
My curiosity rose.
"Why can't you talk about the king or the government?"
"It's bad."
"Why is it bad?"
"It is the culture, folk way." (yup he said folk way)
"Is it against the law?"
"I don't know, maybe."
There is a law that prevents free speech. It is called "Lese-Majesty" and has been established in Thailand since 1932. It prevents Thai people from speaking ill or even critiquing the Royal Family. The Thai constitution (all 17 versions) states "the King shall be enthroned in a position of revered worship and shall not be violated. No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation or action." It later states "whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years." Wikipedia likes to point out that "Missing from the Code, however, is a definition of what actions constitute 'defamation' or 'insult'."At a first glance, one can see that Thai people love their King and Queen. One can see it in the hundreds of Royal flags flying and the extravegant shrines found around each corner.But do Thai people actually love the Royal family or is praise for them just a social norm? What does the King do for the country and Thai people? What if the king makes a bad decision for the people, can people tell him that it was a bad decision? But most importantly, why is Lese-Majesty a law in Thailand?
I probably will never know the answers to these questions. But I do know that I need to keep my mouth shut.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Harry
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I am Harry Potter. My room is small and used to be my brothers (well I'm assuming it was). There is a lock on the outside of my door and cage bars on both my windows. I have a scrapbook filled with my memories of my friends and family that Hagrid (Mariah and Emma) gave to me before a left on a train (plane). I have stopped receiving letters (texts and emails) from my friends. My brother doesn't talk to me much and all I need is a hug. And I really wish that my friends would come to my window in a magic car and we could fly off to Hogwarts in the middle of the night (nope not kidding).
Although, I know that I have something inside off me that my friends and family gave me to help me carry on. That gift was love. I know that they are proud of me and want me to succeed and in exchange I promise that I will defeat the dark lord for them. :)
Realistically- I miss home a lot. Thailand is wonderful and beautiful but I miss these things...
1. My friends and family.
2. My funny cats and dumb dogs.
3. The sound of my sister's voice.
4. My dad telling me to wake up in the morning.
5. Giving my grandpa the biggest desert available.
6. Besta triple checking that everything is turned off.
7. My mom's hugs and kisses.
8. Emma telling me that I'm crazy.
9. Being a nerdfighter with Mariah.
10. Shouting the lyrics and dancing to Wizard Rock in my room.
11. American food.
12. The sound the garage makes when my dad comes home from work.
13. Doctor who references.
14. The Puget Sound.
15. REAL COFFEE.
16. Clean air and clean rain.
17. Being cold.
18. My familiar bed.
19.Long phone calls with Emma.
20. Skyping with Mariah.
21. My sister nagging me about my driving.
22. Speaking English and people understanding me.
23. Fleece Blankets.
24. Politics and the election news.
25. The Olympics.
26. Sweaters.
27. Harry Potter.
I am Harry Potter. My room is small and used to be my brothers (well I'm assuming it was). There is a lock on the outside of my door and cage bars on both my windows. I have a scrapbook filled with my memories of my friends and family that Hagrid (Mariah and Emma) gave to me before a left on a train (plane). I have stopped receiving letters (texts and emails) from my friends. My brother doesn't talk to me much and all I need is a hug. And I really wish that my friends would come to my window in a magic car and we could fly off to Hogwarts in the middle of the night (nope not kidding).
Although, I know that I have something inside off me that my friends and family gave me to help me carry on. That gift was love. I know that they are proud of me and want me to succeed and in exchange I promise that I will defeat the dark lord for them. :)
Realistically- I miss home a lot. Thailand is wonderful and beautiful but I miss these things...
1. My friends and family.
2. My funny cats and dumb dogs.
3. The sound of my sister's voice.
4. My dad telling me to wake up in the morning.
5. Giving my grandpa the biggest desert available.
6. Besta triple checking that everything is turned off.
7. My mom's hugs and kisses.
8. Emma telling me that I'm crazy.
9. Being a nerdfighter with Mariah.
10. Shouting the lyrics and dancing to Wizard Rock in my room.
11. American food.
12. The sound the garage makes when my dad comes home from work.
13. Doctor who references.
14. The Puget Sound.
15. REAL COFFEE.
16. Clean air and clean rain.
17. Being cold.
18. My familiar bed.
19.Long phone calls with Emma.
20. Skyping with Mariah.
21. My sister nagging me about my driving.
22. Speaking English and people understanding me.
23. Fleece Blankets.
24. Politics and the election news.
25. The Olympics.
26. Sweaters.
27. Harry Potter.
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