I'm in California or what? I'm in Bangkok?

So there's many ways California has prepared me for life in Bangkok, but there are many ways I'm in a completely foriegn world.
Here's some of the similarities and differences.
Bangkok is a big city, full of a variety of people--just like LA
Depending on the traffic it can take 20 minutes or 2 hours to arrive--Just like LA
Traveling on an extremely crowded bus and loosing your balance--Not like the LA I know
( side note, sometimes I wish I had learned to surf because I'm pretty sure that would help me on the bus,--Note!!! I have gotten much better at bus balance since being here. I'm a pro now.)
Dealing with bugs and mosquitos--Just like camping with the family
Dealing with bugs the size of my fist--Not like the world I know
Trapping mice in traps and throwing them out--Just like Pomona
Having rats run over the rafters or eating the wall where you sleep--Bangkok true and blue
Not speaking a langugage clearly or correctly all the time--OH Wait that's the same in both.
Wearing flip flops everyday because you can---Cali you prepared me well
Carrying an umbrella everyday b/c it's either really hot or raining --I didn't even own one in LA

It's officially raining season and it really does down pour everyday. At least it's not too hot for a couple of hours a day.

Honestly I really do love it here. Bangkok and my community is really starting to feel like home, so prepared or new adventures I'm here to stay for a while.

Back to Kindergarten

This past week I started reading and writing Thai. It means I passed preschool and now am learning how the strange letters work together. They say culture shock is like being an infant once again-helpless and in need of help from those who know. In many ways learning to read and write really does make me like a 5 year old. I’m suddenly excited when I see letters and sounds on the streets that I didn’t notice before. I can read part of a word but sometimes not the whole word, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to shout that says ja (will) or that says teengmoo (watermelon). A whole new world of Bangkok is opening up before my eyes. My neighbors are excited as well. They repeatedly have been saying “oh your getting better at Thai, you can speak so well now. You are smart.” Yes it may just be kindergarten encouragement, but I’m soaking it up. When you learning something brand new hearing you’re doing well really helps me want to keep getting better.
So here’s to reading!!!
Crow eats crab. Fish in curry plate. Return home. Sheep fell in well and died. Father drinks. Child drinks following father. ……

creepy, Crawly

So the rats have been leaving me alone. Yeah I'm so excited...and then the other creepy crawly has decided to take over. I think rodents and bugs might be my thorn in my side. They are everywhere. I also think a spider had babies in my house because recently there have been spiders in abundance. I had a huge one fall out of my towel as I was about to use it. They're staying on the walls and then the funniest moment of all.

I'm sitting watching Thai Tv when I look at the fan blowing near me. What do I see, but a spider hanging on to the revolving fan for dear life. I watch it for several minutes and then it just can't hold on anymore. The spiders blows to the the floor--dizzy. Struggling on the floor, can't get it's grip. It keeps trying to stand, but keeps getting knocked back down. I saw a dizzy spider. Where do I live?

Oh but not only spiders have moved in, Centipidees have been spoted as well. The same day as the dizzy spider I'm using the restroom when I notice about an inch away a huge centipidee was hiding under the squatty potty bowl. I scream, Sara asks what happened. So I tell her. She looks in, but doesn't see a centipide-- only a huge cochroach. I try to flush the cochroach with water, but it just won't budge. Oh thats why !! The centipidee is eating the cochroach.

Let's just say I"m glad it was eating the cochroach instead of my ankle.