Thai Girl

I cannot believe how fast time flies by here. It’s July? When did that happen? Every day is a new adventure, filled with crazy stories, experiences that make me stronger, and just pure fun. We put up a couple of swings on the farm a few days ago. And it amazed me how something as simple as a swing brought so much happiness and excitement. I also had a chance to take a turn on the swing. As I was rocking back and forth, taking in all the beauty, I started to reflect on my time here. Starting at the airport, saying goodbye to my parents…I had NO idea what to expect. And then when I got here, all those first impressions…haha, it cracks me up to think about! I see things totally different now. This farm really is another home to me. I love the jungle, the farm, and most of all the people and it breaks my heart that I will have to leave. But I am going to enjoy every second I have here. So let me give you a little update of my life lately.

A week ago (I think…my sense of time is gone) I kind of got sick. Out here I acquired the nickname Girl with the Steel Stomach. I have been able to eat everything, street meat, super spicy food, etc with zero problems. But one night last week my body just refused to cooperate. Um…let’s just say it was a very unpleasant (possibly explosive) experience. For y’alls sake I won’t share the graphic details. Just know it was a rough night. Mai pen rai. I consider myself very lucky for only having that one experience. So no worries.

Teaching is going really well. I am learning a lot…about teaching, about different ways of learning, and about myself and how I respond to different situations. This past week I had my hardest and my best lessons. It can be so easy to get discouraged when a concept just isn’t getting through or it doesn’t seem like the kids have an interest in what I am trying to teach. And I become frustrated with myself for not being a better teacher. But by looking at something through a different light really helps. Giving different activities and trying new things really works. Everyone here really wants to speak English, and so together we find ways to get around our language barrier so I can teach and they can learn in the most effective way possible. I have a greater respect for teachers, especially the amazing ones I have had over the years.

I ran an errand with a teacher, Doi, and one of the older students the other day. We were driving back to the farm when Doi stopped the car, started shouting, and jumped out. What do I do in these kinds of situations? Monkey see, monkey do. I jump out and realize that there is a 3 foot (at least) snake slithering across the road. And what’s the logical thing to do? Chase it of course! So there was the three of us, chasing this monster of a snake through bushes and trees. It slithered into a big brush pile and while Doi and Bundit were getting sticks and trying to get it out, I started thinking about how it might not be the best idea to go in there with my little flip flops… When the other two finally gave up the hunt, I questioned the purpose of the pursuit. Doi replied, “You can eat”. Logically.

This past week I started Thai lessons. The kids and teachers have taught me phrases or words in the past. But this week I have sat down with a teacher and consistently tried to learn Thai. It is a very difficult language. And the different tones are killer; I am constantly saying something very different than what I mean. But it is very fun to learn. And since over the past month I have really developed a love for spicy food, they say I will be able to speak Thai better. Haha! We will see how that works out for me. But on Thursday I was speaking with my Thai teacher and I said something with all the correct tones and she (as well as our audience of farmers and children) got all excited and said, “ooooh! PeeKearaww (pee means sister) you are Thai now. No farang. Just Thai girl”. Well, as you can imagine that kind of made my day. And no, I am far from being Thai, but it was awesome to say the least. Maybe spicy food is the key? Speaking of spicy food, I took up a challenge this week. I really should learn to just simply walk away from challenges, but they are too much fun. A coworker handed me a chilli and a small chunk of pineapple, and asked, “do you really like spicy food?”…Before I know it, I am chewing up a fireball. Holy spicy. But I got it down just fine with no problems, like a champ :) It was a weird sensation though as the hot chilli went down to my stomach (I felt it the whole way down).

We had some guests stay at our farm this week. They wanted to go to the hot springs nearby, so after dinner one night we headed out. The last time I went to the springs, it was in the afternoon and we just boiled up some eggs. Little did I know it was going to be very different. We were handed giant sarongs that were sewed in a way so it was like a big tube. I was told to put it on and then strip. Whaaat? But like I mentioned earlier, I have learned to not question and just follow (may or may not be a good strategy). The hot  springs were…hot…and amazing! You sit on the ground, pour the hot water on yourself, lather up with soap, and then rinse off. It felt wonderful. In the village where the farm is, most people don’t have warm water, so this is how they bathe, every day. And it’s a communal thing. It is interesting how something so private back home is so open and quite fun here. But I did feel super awkward afterwards when this very thin sarong was soaked and clinging to every inch of my body. Let’s just say it didn’t hide much. So yeah…mai pen rai I guess. Haha!

Friday morning we took a small trip to BoSang. We went to this pottery place that is super famous. Compare it like this, Ireland’s Waterford and Thailand’s Celadon. It was awesome and I watched them make dozens of pieces right in front of me. I could not help but think of my mom and how she would have just loved it in there. It was way cool.

On a random note, I love how many people I meet just by travelling. I have been all over the states and to Ireland multiple times. Yet I never talked to other people outside of my family. Here I am meeting some of the coolest people from all over the world. Can I just make a suggestion? If you are travelling, step out of your comfort zone and talk to others. You never know who you’ll meet or what amazing stories you will hear. There are so many great people in this world. I am so glad I have met such great people from Thailand, Australia, Germany, France, Holland, Singapore, England. The list really just goes on and on.

Saturday morning I went zip lining through the jungle. It was crazy. I was so happy the entire time. Zip lining was on my bucket list…so check! But I will have to do it again. We did a bunch of zip lines over or through the jungle canopy, weird rickety bridges that were fun to bounce on (only because we were connected to the safety cables above), and went repelling. And by repelling, I mean they dropped us straight down at high speeds. So. Much. Fun.

After that little adventure we went as a group to see The Amazing Spiderman. Seriously, I love the concept of superhero movies, but they all are cheesy and overdramatic. Yet, I did enjoy this Spiderman a lot more than the others. And there were points in the movie when I was like “I love it!” but then there were a lot more moments when I thought it was just plain ridiculous. Haha!

The movie ended kind of late, which means Amanda and I had to run to catch our truck to take us home. We thought we had missed it, but we saw another truck and the people on it said that it went to the same place (in the best English they could). So we hopped on and before we know it we are driving somewhere neither of us had ever seen. To make a long story short we went all over the place, got lost, finally found the direction we needed to go, walked a bit, and then waited to be picked up. If this would have happened to me a month ago I would have freaked out. But it was just funny. I didn’t feel threatened, I didn’t even feel stressed. It was no big deal. I know so many people here now that I know there will always be someone who can help me.

As it is July now I have been thinking a lot about my family. I have missed/am going to miss my cousins’, my niece’s, my nephew’s, and my mom’s birthday. Oh, and my country’s (which just happens to be one of my favorite holidays). The only thing that would make my life over here complete is if all my family could come and experience it with me. And while I will miss the fireworks, I will be floating down the Mekong River in Laos. Heartbreaking I know :) Set off a firework for me.

Well, sorry for making y’all wait so long for the update. It happens. I am healthy, safe, and enjoying every moment. I have one month left and I am going to live it up!

Until the next adventure,

Peace.