What They Don't Tell You...

As my time in Thailand is coming to a close (and the next available wi-fi session is unpredictable), I thought it would be fun to give you a backstage pass into what people don't tell you before your arrival/lessons I am thankful I have learned along this crazy journey...

1. You probably shouldn't daze off whilst on the sidewalk, you could get hit by a motorcycle, bike, or perhaps even a car.
2. Cantaloupe, coconut, and taro are very popular flavors here.

Your future if you treat this toilet as a squatty potty...

3. Don't flush the toilet paper. Anywhere. It will clog the system.
4. Likewise, always have toilet paper on hand. AND hand-sanitizer.
5. Also, there will be times when you have to put money in the "donation box" or to a "clerk" to use the bathroom.
6. Being asian will be a nice blending gift. Take advantage of that.
7. If it looks like a green bean is hanging out in your food. Don't eat it. It's not a green bean. [It's a hot chili peppa].
8. Corn is also very popular. It is not unusual for corn to be on a donut or in/on top of a waffle.
9. Bartering is your friend. Know the power and limitations of walking away.
10. To drink or not to drink. That is the question, when it comes to water.
11. As a female: Don't touch a monk. Ever. In fact, it's just best if you pancake yourself against a wall somewhere until he passes by.

Tuk-tuk

12. Don't wear flip flops when it's wet out. They don't have enough traction. And you will wipe out in the school parking lot.
13. Kids will often think you speak Thai. Even when you talk to them in English or don't answer them at all. Asian Looks+Not Thai=Doesn't register.
14. Time to talk with your family is scarce. Jump on all opportunities.
15. Don't have your mouth open at any point whilst on the water taxi. Canal water is actually the worst.
16. Girls hold girls hands a lot of times. Likewise, students may hold your hand during a conversation or to help you across the street (endearing).
17. It is possible for six people to fit into a tuk-tuk.
18. Just because you expect the sidewalk to be even doesn't mean it is, watch out for those loose, wobbly, and straight up slanted tiles of sidewalk.
19. Returning to the same vendors day after day to get food will quickly build a bond, even if you can't actually speak to each other.
21. There will come a time when you need to decide, do I ask what I'm eating or leave it as is...know what you can handle.
22. When in doubt, wai.
23. Regardless of what you may say, if you go to a market, you will buy something.
24. If people don't understand you, 1. it's cause you speak English and 2. it's probably because you're saying it wrong. Platinum Mall= Plaht-ee-nahm mall. Be forewarned.
25. "Ka" is your best friend. When all else fails, just smile, nod your head and say it.
26. I have learned that only in Thailand can I get a hug after getting a massage...
27. Learn and speak as much Thai as possible. It is an instant charmer (unless you use the wrong tone).
28. You know you have adjusted to the heat when you can drink soup during the day or wear long pants and be okay.
29. People don't treat rain lightly-even when it's light.
30. Despite the heat, Thailand will charm you with its people and other little things that make it to be the experience that it was.

Charm likes to speak Thai to me and hold conversations...They are pretty one-sided. 

Just Another Day [halfway 'round the world].

Grand Palace 

Another day in Thailand and the realization that we only have one more week here is surreal. The days and weeks seem to go by so slowly, but then I look at the last time I wrote a blog post, or the date and I realize that time goes by faster than it seems. Last week was quite an adventure. After class, two of our students (Sung and Bow) took us out for the day. It started out with a water taxi to the Golden Mount (reminscent of being packed together at a concert). A hundred steps later, we were at the top of the Golden Mount. We also went into the Grand Palace (about five days shy of Obama) and our students had us try multiple kinds of fruit and food like Jackfruit, mangosteen, durian, mango, rambutan, and lots of other things.

On Saturday, a group of us met and left around nine on a van about an hour away to the Crocodile farm and it was super exciting to ride an elephant, pet a tiger, eat a crocodile burger, and feed a crocodile. Definitely all new experiences and it was soo much fun! Afterwards, a group of us went to the movies, my first one since being here.

Random fact: Before every movie starts they play the king's anthem and everyone stands to pay their respects.


On Sunday, we had cell group (Small group) at a province about two hours away. It was a huge blessing to get out of Bangkok and the the busy-ness of it all and see trees and relax and soak in the time there.

Yesterday after class, a few of our students and I went and saw...Twilight. It's a pretty big deal, even here, so it was a good bonding experience and it was just fun to spend another day with students and with a few who I hadn't yet.


Today, it's been nice to get back on schedule but the non-stop all day affairs have definitely tired me out for this week. For the first time ever, I played badminton yesterday and I have to say...it's probably a favorite of mine now. With only a week left, I think my mental state has been that I'm ready to move on and have checked out of here because of my mentality that it is all going to go by so fast and we have been here so "long" already. My bag is mostly packed even though I still have a good chunk of time left. There has been a few common themes that God has been teaching me while on this trip, but His provision, sovereignty have been apparent continuously through so many little and big things (I wish I had the time to explain more in depth how sweet it's been).

After cell group at the waterfall, we stopped at a massive sunflower field

Sorry this update couldn't be longer, know that I'm thinking of you all! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving :]

Things I am ever thankful for:
*Wonderful friends--seriously. All of you who have sent me mail, sang me a song, or done multiple other creative things while I have been away has been soo sweet.
*Cooler weather in Thailand
*A functioning body








Just a few more pictures...

Miriam and I had the unique opportunity of relaxing at the waterfall and having tiny fish eat the dead skin off of our feet, which is a treatment that costs money at other places here in Thailand.

Me, Amanda, and Alicia with our game faces on.

Movie time.

Oh hey, Thailand :]

For all those who may have been wondering, I am safely here in Thailand. After an 8 hour flight to Singapore, a 4-hr layover and 2 hour flight to Thailand with a 30 minute drive to Bangkapei, we finally arrived. Adjustment happened pretty quickly which was a blessing, but it is still a definite adjustment from Japan (orderly, structured, and cool) to Thailand (not very structured, and very warm).

First day of class

After we arrived, we began our English teacher training and cultural orientation and have also been venturing out to markets and various places around where we live at the mission house. Two days ago, we kick started our English teaching and are teaching in pairs of two spread out amongst four different levels. Alicia and I are teaching Level 1 from 7-9 a.m. every Mon-Thurs. Their English is more basic which can be difficult in communication while teaching.

At one of the many markets

Summary after three days: I absolutely love our class. The students are so great and I am really excited to hangout with them after class and get to know them as they help introduce us to the Thai culture and hopefully the beach and lots of other markets and favorite locations of theirs. Yesterday after class, we went with four of our eleven students to have breakfast and they took us to Foodland and today, we went out with five of our students, some of which didn't come yesterday.

Today we (Alicia and I) start helping with the kids program, teaching them very basic conversational English for about an hour and a half. Because we are only teaching one regular level English class and our other members teach 2 classes a day, we have a kids program that we will be leading/helping with every Thursday and Friday.



Love and miss you all and I hope that you are staying warm! :]

Had some corn in honor of my Iowan roots

 A few firsts:
1. I have had guava, papaya, and kumquat while being in Thailand
2. I have never been so thankful for hot summers at camp that have prepared me for this.
3. I have never smelled so many different smells in the span of a block.

A few prayer requests would be:
1. That we can continue to build relationships with the people here.
2. That our team can continue to bond
3. Patience with other people and students. It can definitely be a challenge to be around people 24/7, especially with number 4.
4. Energy. The heat tends to suck up our energy and teaching at 7 a.m. after having completely adjusted to the time difference is also harder some days than others.