Upon Request Momma: Update

I've had a recent request to write of my thoughts, concerns, and reactions to living here in Thailand. I have been here now for 2 months and 1 week. Time has flown by so far, and I'm not expecting it to slow down any time soon. To explain how my days and time pass here, I'll just say that each day drags on and on, but each week flies by. It also feels as though time at home is holding still. It doesn't feel like they should be living and doing anything! It's so odd that my mom, family, and friends are all going to experience things without me that I always do with them. This will be the first Thanksgiving and Christmas that I won't see my mom or at least one set of grandparents at all....it's going to take some getting used to.

Now that I've been here a while, I've had a chance to form some opinions or at least convey my reactions to certain traditions or ways of life here. As far as 'Thai Time' that people refer to - I haven't really experienced it. My school always starts at the same time. Granted, some students are always late, but that's not really different from the US. As far as the traffic goes - I'm still getting used to it. I recently wrote my father an e-mail and was telling him about it. They drive crazily, but rarely get into accidents. It's still is a bit nerve racking to be in a taxi while they are backing up into oncoming traffic. They just expect cars to move over for them(which they do), but it's still hard to get used to. 

To explain a bit more of what I do - I am the "homeroom" teacher for English Program 5(5th grade). That means that my desk is in the EP 5 room. Here, the teachers change rooms for each subject, instead of the students doing so. I teach Health, Science, and English for EP 1-5(1st through 5th grade). I was also given 4 high-school English Conversation classes. Apparently I'm only allowed to teach 16 hours per week, so I only have a few classes per day. The other times throughout the day that I have NOTHING to do, I try to make myself useful. I've recently redone all my bulletin boards in my classroom. I'll have to take pictures of the final product - I'm rather proud of them! It took quite a while. My students love them! They said they are super colorful and fun to look at, which was my goal. The other times, I get on my computer and talk to people on Skype and AIM. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I go over to the Language School and have lunch with Stephanie and the other teachers over there. 

As far as shopping goes - I'm often so overwhelmed by the chaos around me that I don't remember to stop and look at things that pique my interest(thanks Steve). If you know me, you know that I really DON'T like crowds. All of the markets here are swarmed with people 24-7. I'll just have to get used to it. People here in Thailand have no sense of 'personal space'. I like mine. I like my bubble. People tend to 'burst my bubble' a lot here. I've just had to take a breath, and realize that this is their culture. They are used to cramming into buses, tuk tuks, and pushing through crowds in market places. They don't do it on purpose obviously, and that 

is what has gotten me through some tough situations. 

KARAOKE!!!! This has become quite a fun past time here. In the States, I was always too afraid of going up front to sing in front of a bunch of people. Here, it's just the group of people you came with. We have so much fun when we go out! A couple of times, I've thought to myself, "Oh, I'm just not in the mood to sing. I won't sing tonight. I'll just let other people sing...." That doesn't usually last long! It's a fun way to relax after a day's work and it's so HILARIOUS sometimes. It's just an enjoyable thing that I think we'll enjoy more when we get back in the States. 

As far as the recent political crises here, we haven't really noticed. I know that my mom and grandparents have read about the turmoil going on in Parliament here, but really, we aren't affected. Thailand is a peaceful country, and they try their hardest to keep it that way. They don't want to worry their people, and therefore, do not splatter the latest news all over the TV. So, that leaves us not really knowing what's going on. That, and we don't even have TVs. But really, we don't experience anything having to do with the rough political times here. 

I have immensely enjoyed my time here so far. My kids in EP 5 are truly a joy to be around and I've grown to love each and every one of them. They can be tiring at times, but overall, they are fun and I've learned so much from each of them. Right now, you find me coming up on a 2 week break. I'm not sure what I'll do with myself until Stephanie, Mike, Tatiana, and Maria get out of school, but I'm going to try and enjoy my time off. I feel as though I need to be doing something and sometimes go stir crazy. But I will enjoy being lazy I suppose. 

Throughout my time here I have learned to rely on God more and more. Each day that I wake up, I realize that I cannot make it through the day unless I rely on God. He is my everything here, and I needn't forget it. He is the sole reason I came to Thailand to do work for Him, and He is the reason my eyes flutter open each morning. There is no one else I'd rather bring my problems to, which I have done often here. One thing I've heard over and over again from Student Missionaries after they return home is, "It was the best and worst experience of my life." I understand what they mean. It is physically and emotionally taxing, but without those hard times I wouldn't get to experience those amazing, life-altering ones. Thank you God, my Father, for allowing me to have this awesome and life-changing experience and thank you for leading me to Bangkok, Thailand to do service for You.

I hope this blog finds you all doing well in this sweater weather! By the way, I'm so jealous that you get to have bonfires and wear scarves! Valerie Elliot is always in my prayers, and she should be in yours too. Please don't forget to pray for her daily. If you don't know, she's a friend of mine that was recently diagnosed with cancer and was not given much time left to live. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she is such a vivacious and fun-loving person on fire for God. God Bless you all and I love you all so much that I decided in my boredom to make something for you: (those are Ritz Bitz crackers just so you know)