Lessons Learned

So I made the one year mark. It went fast, it went slow. Here's a list of some of lessons learned and a few other new insights. Enjoy.

Lessons Learned:
*Laughing at your mistakes is imperative to survival
*Never ever try to flush a baby rat down the drain---wet rat is worse than scooping it up.
*Never ever cut a large centipede in half in attempts of killing it--it becomes two squirming parts.
* Everything seems better when you eat well and sleep long enough.
* Smiles go along way
* Large spiders that get caught on fans and spin off in a dizzy frenzy are funny-- not scary
* Sometimes verbal sounds express more than words.
* God has made us extremely adaptable--we can handle a lot more than we expected we could.
* Those you're called to minister to sometimes are the most encouraging people in your life. (Sometimes they're the most frustrating also :) )
* Hope is a precious valuable gift. Cherish it when you have it.
* Questions can bring answers, but they also can bring more questions
* It is possible to have conflicting emotions at the same time: (joy-despair, fun-stress, love--frustration, and doing well--not doing well est.)
* It's easier to eat "new" things when you try them before you know what they are. (frog jerky any one? Fish bladder, fried bugs --delicious!)
*Anything can be made to look "cute". And I do mean ANYTHING.
* AND SOOO Much More!!!!!

New things I've discovered this year that I've enjoyed:
Music: ITunes!!!!! Sara Groves, Ginny Owens, Brooke Fraser, Jon foreman, Sara Bareillas, Sufjan Stevens, Marta Gomez , Future of Forestry ect
Food: I love Thai food!-- I love how spicy, sweet, sour, salty it is. I like seafood--who would of know? Shrimp, oysters, squid, octopus, fish-- yummy. Fresh Mint and Fresh Pumpkin--I could eat it every day (I love how fresh produce is here)
Activities: I love karaoke and dancing, reading (when it's not required) is so enjoyable, trying new things (like driving motorcycles, catching fish by hand ect), Hanging out with my Thai friends and neighbors.

Things I've missed this year:
Family and friends. I love you guys. (Praise God for Skype and email)
Berries (any kind, anyway), Peaches, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Cinnamon Gum, Cheap Pasta, Cheese, Non- sugary cereal variety--especially Quaker squares. Nuts--walnuts, almonds, Pecan, and Macadamia
California weather--not too hot, not too cold. :) (Though I have to say I've adapted a lot to Thai weather, and have a lower threshold for cold and a higher threshold for hot. )
American commercials and movies--Thai movies are so weird and their commercials are just strange.

It's been an interesting first year, here’s to next year!!!!

california grapefruit

Yesterday an old team mate showed up to visit and snuck in a California Navel Orange and Ruby Red grapefruit. I don't think I've ever been so excited to see fruit before. I did a dance of excitement and had a smile as long as the plane ride to Thailand. It really was the most beautiful and tasty thing I've had in a year. ( as my Thai friends would say, "Christy OVER"; translation--over the top) That's when I realize I've been here for almost a year and grapefruit can make me so immensly grateful.

English Sentances in Daily Life

So I bought this book entilted 999 English Sentances in Daily Life because it had both english and Thai tranlations. I thought it would help me practice and learn more Thai sentance structure. I do think it helped me some with Thai especially now that I can say things I've always wanted to say to my friends, neighbors, or the average joe on an average day:
Some of my favorites:
Remember me to Touch
What underwear color do you use?
It goes to the corn field
Who do you in love with?
Where did they Shout?
Where did you guard your dog?
Did we chop some meat?
We did not rub the knife
He did not hunt the wildlife
He did not cry with reasons
I went shopping at the Red Cross fair
I spoke Chinese poor
Where would you like to join boyscout camp?
I would not like to kiss it
Where can you cut some wood?
I can ride my buffalo
Will it have a tail?
Will it have a lung?
Am I a doctor?

Now I guess I'm ready for some woodchoping at a Red cross fair on something that may or may not have a lung, but at least I can ride my buffalo and know my friends underwear color.

All in the daily life of an english speaker learning Thai.

Smiling Moon

There is a lot of chaos in the world right now. Economic, Political, Social ect. Right now Thailand is politicaly unstable --though I still feel very safe in my area and those in the states need not worry about me.

In the midst of the stress The moon smiled down on us. Literally the moon and two planets formed a smily face. My good friends mother ran to my house and insisted I come out and see it, because in her 60 years of life she has never seen such a thing.
Sure enough . The moon was smiling. My Thai neighbors say its the
gods smiling down on us--offering blessing to the new upcoming year. My Christians friends say how kind of God to offer some joy and peace in times of turmoil.

I do have to say it was a pleasant surprise that the God of the universe orchastrated the skyes to smile down on Thailand.

Thanksgving

Yesterday I studied Thai for 4 hours and then ate alot of food at Our Team leader's Familie's house. It was fun eating Western food, playing games, and watching the Cosby show. It felt good.
We talked alot about Thanksgiving and food, Family and traditions.
Today I woke up--realized My family is still camping with colored leaves in California and I realized I miss them alot.
Tommorow I will take a government Thai test that I'm not ready for.

All that's to say I'm grateful this Thanksgiving season, but can't wait for it to be over.

Miss you Family.

Bed room pictures

So I finally finished my room and after the plees from many people about my color scheme I am posting pictures of my room.

Before:

After:

Poster board come in handy yet again. No more peep hole in my bathroom, Curtians were hand stiched by me and the flooring was a great bonding time with my neighbor.

I threw in Bathroom and bed for kicks so you quys can see a little more of my normal life.

Birthday reflections

Turning 25 was great. Thanks to all who sent birthday wishes, cards and or gifts. You helped to make it a special day.

I surprisingly felt very loved by my teammates and Thai friends as I celebrated with them. They all where so thoughtful and full of love

.

My desk was decorated with flowers, my friend made one of my favorite dishes from strach for lunch and we were invited by our team leaders house for home cooked lasagna and birthday cake. I felt loved. The gifts from the office staff and team where so thoughtful--a flower paint tray (Jin my Thai friend said "I noticed you like to paint and you've been using a cardboard box as your tray--Thats just sad. I feel sorry for you"--Great, Thoughtful and perfect gift. others made me jewerly by hand or put together a thing of my favorites. Pumpking Spice coffee ( I love anything pumpkin ) Chai Tea, Lavender to help me sleep, paintings in my favorite colors and so much more.

Then when I came home my good friend Gop, in the neighborhood, surprised me with a cake she bought herself and we had a mini celebration just the two of us.

I did have a party with the neighborhood-- kids and adults alike where excited about the cookies, brownies, Cake, and other snacks--oh and yes they enjoyed the karaoke.

It was a good celebration. And I'm so grateful that I was able to enjoy turning 25 with people I really enjoy hanging out with.