Mushaboom [Monday the 28th]

So, I've been an epic fail at updating all of this. Just because I've been insanely busy, and haven't really had the chance to write. Today was a pretty lazy day, since we didn't teach yet. It was more of another organization day to get us used to Trang. We had a Thai lesson with Khem's Mom, and we went to town for dinner. We also semi crashed a Thai Wedding, which was cool to see the differences between American and Thai. Our weddings seem a lot more formal.



I'm loving my house and my friends, and I cannot wait to teach tomorrow!

This picture is me overlooking Trang Town-- and this is me "pale" believe it or not!

Don't Stop Believing [saturday]

late on this. pretend it's Saturday.

Day One- Saturday

• I woke up this morning with a mix of excitement, nerves, and sadness. I was really excited to go to my new home in Trang, and be at the place that I’ve been waiting for months- and meet my other volunteers. I talked to Erin and Kailee a bit before my trip, and I was excited to finally meet them face to face, rather than on facebook. I was nervous, obviously, because this town would be my home for nearly 2 months- and these would be my house mates. And I was a little sad to be leaving Bangkok and the hotel- The Oriental. Hands down, the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in.
We woke up around 4, and had an awesome breakfast of croissants & fruit. We then set out for the airport. When I was dropped off, I was unsure of what to do. Kailee spotted me, and we talked for a bit before we boarded our plane for Trang.
Upon arriving in Trang, I freaked out because my bag was one of the last ones to come off. I seriously was thinking that I lost my lugguage. Not good. Not good at all.
When I got my bag, I met Jack, who introduced us as one of our leaders. He’d be going with us for pretty much all of our cultural activities, and such. When we got to the house, he gave us a tour, and we met the other three volunteers- Laurel, Rupal, and David.
The first day was really mainly getting aquainted, and we had a brief meeting about what we’ll be doing. We also went into town for a bit, and took a tuk tuk back home. Mama T, our cook is amazing. I love the staff here. I’m excited to actually do stuff. Tomorrow, we’re going to a beach, a mangrove area, and and island perhaps. I cant wait.

The picture is me on a boat in Bangkok

At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)

* note. I'll post my Bangkok entries later, possibly. They aren't as interesting as these, however.

So, I'm at my house in Trang right now. Today, we woke up around 8, and headed off to the Chinese Shrine that is in town. It was awesome. I was able to light these insents, and we had to place them in specific places. The hot ash was super hot when it'd land on my feet- you need to be barefoot. Also, the smoke gave me a pretty bad headache, as smoke seems to always do. So that semi-sucked.
After we did that, we planted some Mangrove Trees. Fun fact: Trang was one of the only (if not the only) province that wasn't (badly) affected by the Tsuanmi because of these trees. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4547032.stm). What we did was we took a boat from a pier- about a half hour from the house that I'm at, and then we found a spot. Apperently, the queen has started a project here, that has to do with planting them to save lifes.
After that, we went down to this really awesome cave. If we had any doubt if my surgery fixed my knees, it is ALL gone now. The cave was just intense, and I fell a couple of times in the mud. Good thing I was wearing my black suit. I can't even begin to explain how pretty the cave is, so I'll show you pictures.

We then went to the beach, which was fun, and I almost died because the current was reallyyyy strong, and it was SO windy, so that was interesting, but fun. the water made hawaii feel cold.

anyway. i'm so tired. that's all for now.

Great Big World

I AM IN THAILAND! What an amazing country. I'm going to write a longer entry today (at breakfast, probably) about everything that I did.

I LOVE IT HERE

All in Good Time

Last night, I finally, finally finally finished packing! I'm pretty much all ready to go- I cannot wait until I leave! Although I'm pretty sure tomorrow, tuesday, and Wednesday are going to be the longest days EVER. It's sort of insane!

I can't wait to get to Bangkok, and actually start exploring a bit, then obviously down to Trang!

Got A Suitcase, Got Regrets

I've finally made a list of what I need to do.

Today consists of vital things called "procrastination". I'm also going to Verizon to make sure my phone is going to work in Thailand.
But it's Thursday. And that means that The Office, Community, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Infomania! is on tonight.

Tomorrow, in all seriousness, I'm going to be packing like a crazy person. Or wait, I lied. I'm going sailing. Tomorrow night.

Maybe.

This will probably happen, in all truthieness (to quote Colbert) Sunday.

Goodbye Waves and Driveways

I totally thought it was hard to pack for school in Illinois, but packing for two months in Thailand is so much harder. For one, if I needed something, I could call my mom and tell her. Then, in a couple of days, I can expect a package. That and food would typically be with it. No more with this. Pretty much if I forget something, I'm screwed.

My trip is coming up really, really soon. My flight plan is insane. My dad (one of the coolest people in the world) has wanted to go to Thailand again for a long time, so he's coming with me to spend a couple of days in Bangkok before I go down to Trang.

I leave my house at 11 PM, Monday night. My flight leaves LAX to get to Hong Kong at 1:50 AM (Tuesday) . I get to Hong Kong on Wednesday (gotta love the dateline. And the 16 hour flight). Then, I fly down to Bangkok. I'll be in the city until Saturday, when I arrive in Trang, and then I start meeting everyone, etc. I can't wait. But at the same time, I'm so nervous. And still don't know what to pack.

Until I figure it out, I'm going to watch So You Think You Can Dance and then Glee. And feel less talented about myself, and then.. maybe make a dent in this.