I can count to ten in Thai

Nappark. Probably the nicest hostel in Bangkok. I moved there after my first two nights at Lamphu House (by no means was this a bad hostel). I met a couple girls on Khao San Road and they were staying there so after Sean left I moved over there. I mean having free internet, a luxurious padded entryway with mini Buddha's peeping around every corner, colorful cushions on every floor landing, GREAT air conditioning, and a mini tv attached to each bed was a pretty good reason to move up the road. So Saturday I basically vegetated at Nappark and went to the eye doctor. [Disclaimer (and Mom... I'm sorry if you are reading this): I had been talking for weeks before leaving for this trip about my anxiety with regards to bringing my glasses because I had just got them and didn't want them ruined/stolen/whatever. I decided to take them and before I even got out of San Francisco I realized I couldn't find them in my backpack anywhere. In hopes that I had shoved them somewhere in my haphazard excuse for a packing job, I just survived by squinting at the next three airports I needed to navigate through. Unfortunately, however, those beautiful Etnia Barcelona frames are yet to show up. That being said, I realized I can't survive in a classroom without them so I figured I better replace them asap] The eye exam was free. I haven't the slightest clue what my exact prescription is... so this was a necessary first step. It was pretty ghetto - inspector gadget like glasses were put on my face and one side was covered up (although I could still see around it because the glasses didn't fit my large guenther head) and the doctor went to the front of the room and pointed at rows of letters. "can see?" "can see?"

All in all, I'm pretty sure I ended up with a good prescription because I asked the doctor if I could walk around outside with the glasses on.

I walked into the store from the doctors room and there to greet me were 5 thai women all dressed in light purple suits and all came up to about my shoulder. They paraded around me like fruit flies on a too ripe banana while I attempted to browse their collection. I would try one on and have 4 others waiting for me that they thought I might like. Seriously, does anyone wear bright blue glasses or did I just look like the girl that would? Then came the orange juice, fo free. I think they thought that offering their over aggressive service would make me purchase, even though I assured them from the get go that I would be buying a pair. Finally settled on 2 pair (they gave me special 50% off), one of which I initially tried on as a joke - they are their single pair of Spiderman glasses (picture attached). They are a pretty hot conversation topic in our program.

SPEAKING of our program! We've officially started training - learing to give basic language lessons, teacher conduct in Thailand (I asked if hugging children was allowed - I love hugging kids! They responded by saying I was not allowed to hug teenage boys), error correction for beginning learners (don't call them stupid), and lots of culture training (learning the thai language...in two hours..., thai arts and crafts (see picture), how to pay respect, how to bow to kings and monks, how to accept/give things). So much. I feel so overwhelmed but we are all in the same boat. Speaking of boat! BOOOOOOAT. There are a few Canadians in my group that make me feel much better about my "midwestern" accent. My roommate, Deana (OMG I love her - total girl crush, Bente) is from Austrailia, a few are from England, the rest from the states (Jersey, Boston, Alaska, Texas, Florida, Illinois). They love that I'm from Wisconsin.. wonder when I should throw it out that that I was also born and raised on a farm?

Class is everyday at 9. Usually ends around 4 and we get an hour for lunch (sometimes more - like today I went to the pool and read for about 90 minutes) and a few breaks. It is very chill and our teachers are phenomenal. "What do you call someone that only speaks one language?" Answer: American. That is their favorite. Class is class - nothing too exciting to talk about there - just hella glad that it is air conditioned, there is an unlimited supply of ice water, and everyone else in the class is as animated as myself.

This weekend: we've got a 16 person group trip booked to go to Phi Phi Island. Next up: Full Moon Party and Teacher Practice in Thai detention halls and orphanages.

Hope the Brew Crew is doing better off than last year, insane concert plans are being made, barbeques and/or grill outs are a plenty, and that I don't get bit by a rabbie infested stray dog.

Cheers

"Just admiring your beaver..."

Yes. Yes, I did say that to a Director at Starcom during one of my interviews last Monday. WHO has a stuffed beaver in their office? Then again, who calmly states to a heavy-around-the-middle grown man, "Hello, just admiring your beaver" before entering his corner my-walls-are-all-windows-because-I'm-important-here desk. 9 hours of discussing yourself to complete strangers throwing out questions like "why should we hire you?" "give me an example of a time when you negotiated with a superior and did not succeed?" while attempting to recreate your inanimate experiences into something successful and hopefully indirectly hitting each and every skill the job position "requires" can be quite daunting. It actually made the following ....ohhh... 56 hours of travel seem like baking Christmas cookies with your family next to a nice fireplace. Contingent, obviously, on whether or not you like your family... or cookies... or if you have a fireplace?

Luckily, I successfully made all my connections and managed to sleep through both meals on my 15ish hour flight to Taiwan from San Francisco. Double lucky, I was greeted at my hostel in Bangkok by one Sean Lopez - who quite frankly looked like a ginger version of the abominal snowman. A tiny room, two twin beds not exaggeratedly 3 inches apart, and an in-unit toilet WITH a flusher. Basically we were living like kings (well I was living more like a princess...).

Thai New Year was celebrated Tuesday - Thursday (I arrived Thursday morning). Not sure what to expect I assumed streets filled with colorful cloth, life-size ornate dragons dancing through the streets celebrating, etc. Not even close. Total war zone. Mass chaos erupted moments after leaving my hostel for the streets. What historically started as a means to cool down (it falls on the hottest part of the year in Thailand) in celebration of the passing of the previous year, cool water was thrown on the streets was now equivalent to a moist dance party thrown my tiny thai devils. No mercy was shown for anyone. Do NOT bring electronics - you literally will be drenched to the core. Young woman dancing nearly naked on tables aligning the streets, several people walking around with bowls of a clay mixture that is rubbed on faces, necks, foreheads, arms, and the occasional eyelid, and squirt guns with names like 'Super Soaker CPS4100' were not uncommon. I felt like I was twelve - the actual age I respond with when asked what age I would be if I could stay that age forever. I'm certain I still have clay in my hair and in my ears. I like the dirtiness - it is quite liberating.

I leave tomorrow for Phuket - beach time baby, and some not so much anticipated structure as my certification program begins Monday. Shucks.


My savior here: 7Eleven Big Gulps

I kid you not, there are almost 5 on every street and the fountain Coke Zero reminds me of walks to class (I did not, however, ever walk to classes drinking fountain soda...but beside the point)

I love: Watermelon shakes

The freshest thing since Will Smith. Deeeeelish.


Asian observations: they love ancient floral suitcases; I went to buy new sandals and the petite woman looked at my feet and shewed me from her store.. apparently they don't have size LARGE; Tuk Tuk (three-wheel motor bikes with a cover - see picture) drivers are your friends; nail clippers are yet to be infiltrated into their culture; female eyebrows are to be drawn on the face; and my personal favorite... intense advertisements (see photo of disclaimer picture on a pack of cigarettes)

Tuk Tuk!

Last Day of Work... well, In America

Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and familiarity breeds contempt. According to this my soul mate should be in Thailand.
Jason Zebehazy


Adios T. Wall Properties. It has been a great 2 years (even though Terrence still may not have the slightest knowledge of my existence) and I'll miss my impeccably slow computer, unlimited free soda, and a company signature at the end of every email I send. Being greeted on your final day of employment with a half bottle of Patron wasn't exactly what I was expecting but hey, Cheers! Wait we weren't supposed to be drinking at work this whole time?!

I probably won't miss having some sort of office item (crackers, paperclips, wads of paper, staplers....) thrown at me daily because they had been saying my name for the past 5 minutes and got no response due to my ability to completely absorb myself into my work - or due to my headphones and the youtube videos I frequented.

I've given myself a solid 2 days to prepare for my move. I also conveniently set up two final interviews on Monday morning, aka 9 straight hours of discussing myself (I'd be much more inclined to be excited for this if I were allowed to bring some of said Patron with me). Apparently I don't find it necessary to incorporate any sort of down time between my last day of work and my departure considering I will be in Chicago for previously mentioned interviews. I fly out of San Francisco Wednesday at 1:40 am and have yet to make arrangements to get to the west coast - typical. I'll be sure to mention my organization skills and lack of procrastination in attempts to secure a job in Chicago for when I return. Did I mention one of the companies MIGHT not know that I am heading out 2 days later for several months...

All in all, I'm stoked. Nervous? Maybe, but not really. I mean there are riots, three types of disease infested mosquitos and sex slaves everywhere, right? And I don't really need any other friends aside from my iPod. I'm totally set. See ya on the flipside.