Sunday, February 19, 2012

chiang mai (should) mean WONDERFUL.

Being a part of a program with no weekends is rough. Honestly, I've been struggling with the lack of independence and freedom we are given, and I'm still not sure how that will all pan out. But I know one thing- taking advantage of the personal days we were given last week was a decision I'll never forget.

With only two days off from classes, five new friends and I took an overnight bus last Thursday to Chiang Mai to experience what is arguably the second most popular and bustling city in Thailand. Overnight buses are LEGIT. Here's a quick iPhone snapshot of our bus: double decker, air-conditioned, free snacks and drinks, a movie, reclining seats, the works! Coral and I were able to snag the seats that were on the second level at the very front left, which meant I was sitting in what would be the driver's spot in my good ole Tribute back home in the States. But I got to sleep. Weeeeeeird feeling. Oh and I got to laugh with Coral into all hours of the night as we couldn't sleep and just shared our lives back home at Georgetown and TCU! While our bus driver drove what I'm pretty sure was at least 80 mph down a winding highway. Get it, bus driver.


That first morning in Chiang Mai, after rolling in around 8 am and realizing we were 12 hours from "home" and it was chillyyyyyy, everything got real. We were 6 girls who didn't know each other a month ago, now exploring freaking Thailand. Insane. Our little environmentally-friendly guest house was owned by the most precious Irishwoman who gave us all the low-down to make the most of our less than 48 hours on Chiang Mai soil. And did I mention said guest house is 6 bucks a night when you figure the exchange rate between the baht and the dollar? Heck yes.

We spent that first day exploring Doi Suthep, a temple 45 minutes up a mountain with a view of the entireeeee city and chock full of visitors from every country in the world. That might have been my favorite part of all. We met people from Poland, Switzerland, an island off the coast of Africa I had never even heard of. Crazy cool stuff. The rest of that day consisted of an awesome museum and stocking up on all the American food we don't have back in Khon Kaen. Think cheeseburgers, quesadillas, margaritas, bacon. Chiang Mai knows what's up.

Da grouppppppp!

Lest all this Western food make you forget I am still living in Thailand this semester, please observe Coral and I's experience at Starbuck's. Yes, I ordered my favorite coffee and yes, the baristas still wear green aprons and write on cups with Sharpies, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen a monk at the University Starbucks. Oh how I love the surprises around every corner here :)


Disclaimer: The following will most certainly not do this experience justice.

On Friday, February 17th, 2012, the following most EPIC of all epic days occurred in the life of Molly. I've never felt more refreshed and cleansed and connected to the earth, probably ever in my life.

-Most delicious pancake with banana baked in, enjoyed sitting in the garden of the eco-trekking guest house where we stayed in Chiang Mai.
-Hour and a half ride into the heart of Thailand, with the misty hills and rice paddies I've always imagined visiting (probably due to my overexposure to the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic "South Pacific" as a child....)
-Getting to be about a foot and a half from a baby elephant
-Riding a full-grown elephant up a hill and across a river
-Taking in a waterfall
-Walking through rice paddies and over rickety bamboo bridges
-Swimming in a freezing yet mind-blowingly refreshing river
-Eating rice wrapped in banana leaves with potatoes fresh from the ground
-Seeing a Karen hilltribe village
-Watching a puppy trudge through a rice paddy
-Bamboo rafting through the jungle RIGHT PAST two elephants bathing. I'll never forget that as long as I live.

All. In. One. Day.





This day made me beyond grateful for my experience here. Yes, it's been really, wait no incredibly, hard to be away from TCU. Yes, I did really question my decision to study abroad for a while. Yes, there have been tears shed and frustrations expressed. But I know God has me here for a reason, and I know that reason is even bigger than riding elephants or smiling for pictures. I know He has a bigger purpose behind every single step of the way for my life, and I couldn't be more grateful to be along for the adventure of a lifetime.

Friday, February 10, 2012

dee chai means happy.

Today. ROCKED. After a few weeks of dealing with the to-be-expected ups and downs of starting a study abroad program, I can truly say today was the best day yet. I know, I know, I'm an exaggerator and I've used the phrase "best day everrrrrrrr" more times than I can count, but I really mean this one.

Don chow (in the morning)- Brenna and I met up at 8:15, which obviously turned into 8:30 given my timeliness or lack there of, to go to the gym together. Yes TCU folk, I did say "gym". Every time I say "Rec" here, I'm met with endless teasing. Apparently that's not a thing in the North?! Crazy. Over an hour on the ellipticals, Brenna and I discussed our transition to Thailand, loved ones back home at Providence and TCU, and just generally dived into some deep life stuff. Heart to hearts never fail to make my day. From 10-12, we all had a review for the upcoming Thai midterm on Monday. Believe it or not, we are THIRTY hours in with our Thai language learning with only 30 to go. Our class kept cracking up as we struggled to ask each other questions in Thai and our Ajaan (teacher) surprised us with Dunkin' Donuts halfway through class!

Don bai (in the afternoon)- Fay and I went to the vegetarian restaurant down the street and I FINALLY got to hear the incredible story of her life. With two parents working for the UN, I'm pretty sure she has the most internationally diverse background of anyone I've ever met. We had an incredible time and again, this heart to heart pumped even more happiness into the day! An Ajaan from Khon Kaen University spoke to us all afternoon about Isaan (Northeast Thailand), Buddhism, and Thai culture. Over a 2 hour 15 minute lecture, I didn't zone out once. Put that one in the baby book, folks. That never happens for me. She was incredibly sweet and I really learned a lot about the cultural landscape I'm living in this semester. After class, Alex, Brenna, and I went and got Thai hour long massages for the equivalent of $6. Followed by the most delicious dumplings in the world for the equivalent of 15 cents. I'm currently in the post-massage, post delicious food, stress-free zone and lovin' it.

Don yen (in the evening)- In 20 minutes, we have our second meeting with our peer tutors. My peer tutor Yui, pronounced U-E, is fluent in Japanese, Spanish, English, and obviously Thai. Um, what?!?! I'm lame. To the max. She's awesome and the environment of laughter and smiles and language struggles that ensues when all the peer tutors arrive is just great. Afterwards, I'm pretty sure we'll all head to the night market. Each night from 6 to 11 an entire market sets up shop on campus! Over the past two nights, I've purchased a dress (no surprise), high-waisted jorts (a staple of Thailand), and absolutely perfect sushi and strawberries. I think a couple friends and I are going to try and have a Bible study afterwards tonight as well. I couldn't be more grateful.



As some of you know, I had reallyyy been struggling with being away, and while I still literally think about TCU allllll the timeeeeee, I'm really grateful that this is starting to feel normal and comfortable. Just to prove I do indeed have the ability to be a student of 2 universities at once, here's a pic of my new KKU ID, juxtaposed of course with my TCU one. Oh btdubs, the background shows the CIEE office where we essentially eat, sleep, and breathe. Skype me and I'm sure you'll get to see it! Working on getting the walls painted. Much needed. Anyway, as the always wonderful Laura H would say, gotta go live the Thai life!

Buckets of love from halfway across the globe, Mol :)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

krob kruwa means family.

And family means nobody gets left behind. Lilo & Stitch reference, anyone? I know Em Waye understood that. But seriously. Stitch is HUGE here! I'm pretty sure I've seen more Stitch stuffed animals than I've seen slices of cheese. Oh and did I mention cheese isn't existent in Thailand? Thank you to my new friend Brenna for bringing me Brie cheese all the way from the Central Plaza last night after I got out of the hospital. I had a brief stint in Khon Kaen Ram Hospital with severe gastroenteritis, but thanks to some IVs and antibiotics, I'm feeling better than ever now!

Last week, I spent 5 days living in a railroad slum community called Theparak Nuhng with the sweetest little brothers and sister in the world. Despite the language barrier, we formed incredible bonds through drawing, laughing, and playing charades in order to communicate :)



My 12 year old brother (nuhng chai in Thai) named Kim, 5 year old sister named Po Neem (nuhng sow), and my other nuhng chai Hok Seh, who is 26 months.

I don't know that I can even fully explain everything that went through my head over those 5 days. First of all, this homestay challenged me to deeply analyze the way I view slums and poverty. If you said the word slum to me in the States prior to this trip, my pre-conceived notions would have been VASTLY different than they are now. I saw in this family so much love, SO much hard work, and an unbelievable sense of community with their neighbors. Poverty isn't faceless to me anymore- I've seen a human side to it. Considering how much I want to work in the non-profit sector in the future, this lesson is invaluable.

Believe it or not, my host meh (mom in Thai) was the community librarian at this brand new book hut! I loved it, especially since my Mom- shout out to Vicki :) - is a first and second grade reading teacher. It was precious seeing Eric Carle's "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" and many other childhood faves in Thai.




There was this one moment where I FINALLY realized I'm in Thailand. Huddled on the back of a Honda motorbike with my host meh, little sister, and baby brother. Nighttime and lanterns strung across the street with a festival blaring on nearby. Wind whipping my hair and I look up at this huge moon, realizing it's the same moon all of the people I love back home in Missouri and Texas are seeing too. And that's when it hit me. I'm living in Thailand, and I want to soak up every moment. Every single moment.


This photo is of us on our way to go fishing (hah pblah in Thai) and yes, it WAS the first time I've worn a PFG while actual fishing was involved. Go Frogs.


The day we left Theparak Nuhng, my little brother Kim cried, and so did I. As an only child, I've never had a brother. Each night when I went to bed, I would always wait at least half an hour to change into my PJs because Kim would come up without notice at least 3 times to tell me something or show me something. I remember being a kid and stalling to go to sleep, and it was precious to be on this side of it. The very last night, he came upstairs and invited me to watch a movie with the whole family. The whole family sleeps in the same room and this was the first time they had invited me to join them there. We spent a few hours laughing at the TV (ummmm... Trey Songz music video?? What?!?!), using the Thai-English dictionary to communicate, and playing with the baby. By the time I left, this family had welcomed me not only into their humble home, but also into their hearts. In the free days to come, I fully plan to go back and visit my new Thai krob kruwa- I won't ever forget their smiles, their warmth, and the way they always pronounced my name Mah-leee. It's still ringing in my ears.