Curing my restlessness

I applied to two language schools today. Currently my plan is not to seek permanent employment with either school or any other language school I apply too. If they offer me the necessities for a work permit and visa, or if the at least assist me in the process, things can change, but I doubt I'll get something like that from them. I'm still considering working at a university, part or full time, which should provide me a means to be legal. I would still teach at the language schools if the schedules allowed it. I'm also considering private tutoring in addition to language schools. All of this is for the time being. The current semester ends in October and the next begins in November. That's when things "get real."

I also plan on language classes as soon as I start teaching. I really want to start learning, but I want to plan my learning around my teaching.

Doing nothing has been getting to me. At least investigating and applying makes me feel like I have a purpose right now. Can't wait to get the ball rolling!

Where are the tongues of fire when you need them?

Today I visited Chiang Mai Baptist. Everyone was welcoming and friendly. I met a missionary family from the Philippines. We had lunch afterward. It was great!

However... I was hoping for some kind of Acts, gift of tongues, Pentecost, etc. thing to happen. I want to speak Thai! There was an American family that had been in CM for about 5 years. The American father actually translated for the Filipino father, from English into Thai, when he explained that his family was moving to another city. It was definitely trippy to see an Asian man speak English and have a white man translate into an Asian language! The American's proficiency was an encouragement. I said a little prayer right there that learning Thai would be a fun challenge and way to grow, not a discouraging obstacle.

All the praise songs we (I mean everyone but me) were singing were in Thai, but I recognized 2 distinctly and sang the English version to myself. I say recognized distinctly because the majority of contemporary praise songs fall into limited variations of chord progressions and rhythms. Ask anyone that plays contemporary praise music- a single 3- or 4-chord progression is shared by at least half a dozen songs.

Anyway, I intend to visit again because they were friendly, I have some friends that go there, and it's near my apartment, but it might have to wait until I start to speak Thai a little.

Completely unrelated, traffic this weekend has been horrendous compared to normal, which at times can be bad. Apparently there is a major exam today in Chiang Mai for people that want to work for the government. Last night I was stuck in the rain on a scooter because traffic wouldn't let up. With the increase of traffic, I've had to turn up the aggression on my scooter driving style, taking a little more risk in maneuvering, but I'm starting to drive more like the natives... I'm somewhere between highschool girl (cautious) and young professional female (confident yet cautious). I kid. You just have to go with the flow, and luckily there are all types of speeds in this flow. Pass and be passed. It's actually a lot of fun. Not sure how I will react to traffic laws when I get back to Texas. We'll see!

I'm going to get back to my Thai tea and reading a book.

Toodles from Thailand,
Derek

Sorry for the delay

It's been a while since my last post. During the last week I have moved into an apartment (temporarily, just for a few months), met lots of new people, and have been trying to find my way around by foot and scooter. Lots of what I thought would be shortcuts ended up being extra-longcuts.

My apartment is kind of small. It's just a studio, but I like to call it a glorified hotel room, though it's not really glorified in any way. It's cheap and in a convenient location, my top criteria. Photos coming soon. I'll have to clean first... haha!

I think the security officers and a little old lady that runs a convenience shop in my apartment have taken a liken to me (is that the phrase?). Thais are typically friendly and smile politely, but these three individuals have gone beyond the standard demeanor. The security guards try to talk to me, but usually halt themselves, I'm guessing nerves or shyness. I think they also find it humorous when I make over a dozen trips a day in and out of the complex. Once it was raining really hard, I was on a scooter in shorts and a t-shirt, and I had to cut an oncoming car off to make into the apartments because there was a long lime of unyielding traffic leaving an adjacent parking area. No worries, it's the norm to do that here. No hard feelings, just a honk. Anyway, I pulled into the first covered spot I came to. I believe it's VIP parking, but regardless, it was far from where I'm supposed to park. The guards were sitting in chairs watching the rain and waiting for cars to come into the apartments. They didn't make me move, the just laughed with and at me about my pathetic appearance and situation. We chatted as much as we could in our limited common English about the rain and me being soaked.

The lady in the store also gets a kick out of me. Once I bought a small packet of laundry detergent and came back a moment later for change for the washing machine. Another time I bought a clothes line but had to return shortly because I needed hangers. She's really jovial in these situations. Actually, when I walk by her store, which is often since it's on my way to the elevator, she always smiles, says hi, and occasionally tries to talk more to me, all in Thai of course. Sometimes she tries to teach me words, like the color red once when I wore a red shirt. I really hope I can make the best of my time with these three people while I stay in these apartments.

There's also a coffee shop right outside my apartment. The employees are super friendly too. I think they also find it amusing when I come in multiple times per day. They have free WiFi, so it's been dubbed my new "office." I'm here now, actually. 2 cappuccinos and a piece of cake...

The language barrier is a great hindrance right now. I hope to begin classes and/or get a private tutor soon after I get back from Bangkok.

Oh yeah, I'm returning to Bangkok for a little while. My plane actually leaves in 4 hours. Travel in Thailand is sooooo cheap. I'll take the train back again, this time with a lower berth! I'm meeting up with a friend that's returning to the States later this month. I'll stay with her family for a few days, one night in Bangkok and another or two at their condo in Hua Hin, a city on the coast where the king lives. After that, I'm going to a ceremony for my other friend's brother opening a business. I'll get to experience more of the Buddhist belief and traditions.

Also, as some have heard, I have been able to use Mandarin (aka Chinese) here in Chiang Mai. So far it has been tourists and neighbors, but there is a mosque that has a body of Chinese attendees. There are some Chinese-speaking Americans that have already made friends with them. I'm hoping to meet up and be introduced to the Chinese, too. So it looks like my learning Chinese will have a purpose and not be a waste of time.

One of my new core verses while I'm here

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:12-14 (http://bible.us/Rom6.12.ESV)

Takes conscious effort.

Accomplished traveler, perhaps.

As of yesterday, I have now traveled in Thailand via plane, train, tuktuk, sky train, public bus, red truck, motorbike taxi, and have driven a car and a motorbike. I rented a motorbike yesterday to get around a little cheaper and easier. God was definitely protecting me! Haha! It's a lot of fun, I have to admit. Lots of the traffic rules I learned in Texas.... don't apply here for 2 wheels! There's definitely an advantage, until it come to rain or accidents of course. I mounted my camera to my helmet, so I hope to get some photos and video today. It looks like it will rain a lot, I left my umbrella-ella-ella at my friend's house, and I have to take the scooter back by 4 to return or rent another day, so I'll get moving after I finish breakfast and post this.

Yesterday I met my future roommate (come December) and a friend of his. We went to a market near his house that has inexpensive but delicious food. I think any savings I would make in my budget from cheap rent with him will probably go to more food...

I will most likely have the opportunity to return to Bangkok next week for a few days to see my friends again and to go to Hua Hin, that's where the king usually lives.

I know some of you saw on Facebook or Twitter where I got to speak Mandarin with a guy yesterday. It was random. He was walking along side me as I was being shown an apartment, talking to his son in Chinese. He looked over at me and said hello. I couldn't resist. It was really encouraging. I haven't used it in a long time, and I found out a friend here met some Chinese Muslims I can practice with. Exciting yet a little intimidating!

Let me hear back from you guys. Comment here, use Facebook, or email me!

Thailand Travel Tips: Taking a Night Train

I'm not quite finished with my journey as I write this, but here goes from my experience so far. And so far I like it...

The cost for a second-class air conditioned sleeper, BKK to CM, was 791 baht, roughly $26, for one way. I believe when I booked my flight, the cost would have been about $400 more if I added BKK->CM->BKK. In addition to being cheaper than a flight, it also counts as a night at a hotel. Can you beat that deal? Transportation, lodging, and cultural experience for less than $30!

When you book, do it as early as possible. I've been told at least a month in advance. I booked mine maybe 2 or 3 weeks in advance, and there was only one AC sleeper seat available.

Upper vs. Lower berth: I'm in an upper berth. The advantages of an upper berth is that you can seclude yourself whenever you like. You're also close to the AC vents, so this is the one you want if you like it cold when you sleep. But don't worry if you prefer warmth, you get an effective blanket. The narrow ladder used to go up and down from your bunk isn't hindered by your downstairs neighbor, so you really have complete freedom to come and go as you please. If you have a lower berth, however, you will have to wait until your bunkmate is ready to retire before you can go to bed. The lower berth starts out as two seats facing each other, an optional table is added later if you order dinner or would like it installed. When it's time for breakfast, the table is not set up again, as far as I know. Mine was served to me in the upper berth. The benefit of the lower berth is you have a window to see the countryside pass by. I'm a little disappointed that I missed that.

If you're traveling with a partner, try to get top and bottom one side. You will then known your bunkmate. Also, you both can choose to sleep sitting or leaning on the table and keep your gear stored in the top bunk instead of the shelves in the walkway if you're paranoid about it or would like extra security.

When it comes to food, I would recommend eating before you go to the station. If you don't have time, there are some stalls, cart vendors, and a small store at Hua Lamphong, but the prices are a little higher since you're paying for convenience or your poor planning. If you want, you can order dinner on the train. The selection is limited to maybe a dozen options for dinner and about half that or less for breakfast. The prices are a little high for Thai standards, but I wouldn't complain about the quality and portion sizes. My food, dinner especially, was "arroy mak mak!" Dinner and breakfast (and maybe a bottle a water I accepted) cost me 340 baht.

The car has an attached bathroom at its front- a toilet closet, a shower closet, and two sinks. I didn't use the shower (I could stand waiting until I got to my hotel and it was constantly in use or locked) so I don't know what it's like. I'm not sure if someone was showering when I used the toilet, but it didn't flush (and hadn't been flushed) and the sinks didn't have water pressure. The water pressure could have been depleted because it seemed like everyone showered that night.

A few things I would recommend bringing would be toilet tissue (our toilets had it, but you never know); wet wipes, they provide an alternative to the shower; snacks/food & water, especially if you don't want to buy on the train; and something to do- it is a "14 hour" train ride.

Remember "This is Thailand," and just like most of the rest of Asia, things don't run on a strict schedule like the West. Be on time but don't expect your train to be. I'm not sure what time we finally departed the station, but my train is expected to arrive 4 hours late. The best way to enjoy traveling and Thailand is to go with the flow, be fluid, and don't stress.

First day in B-K-K

I'm ready to start my day! I took a couple pics of my little hotel room. I'm going to meet a friend soon, I'll post more pictures and words when I get back in tonight.





Edit:

Today, my friend Tubtim, some of you know as Ruby, gave me a tour of Bangkok. First of all, Bangkok is huge and has a lot of stuff to do, so we didn't come close to conquering the city, but we did see a lot of cool sights: a museum of Bangkok's  history (which Tubtim designed several parts), the Royal Palace and temple in it, Khao San road, Asiatique (a new shopping area), and Wat Arun. [There may be some spelling errors, but I'll correct them and/or delete this note later.] We ate lots of good food, too. I decided to post pics in an album on my Facebook page (Click Here for FB page) because it will keep photos consolidated. Actually, I was a dork and left my cameras in the car all day, so I only took pics on my phone.

I really liked the museum because besides showing off my friend's amazing talent, it educated me on Thai culture and pride. I feel like I can understand the people on a new level or from a new aspect. I highly recommend it. I'll get the name of the museum in English and Thai and possibly a link to their website and insert it later. In addition to learning from the museum, it was really helpful having a friend explain to me the culture- the do's, don'ts, and why's. I definitely have a lot more to learn, but I look forward to it.

A couple crazy things I saw today: an Italian couple arguing/fighting. I have no clue what was happening, but the lady was super-angry and the guy was extremely apologetic, especially after the I-don't-care attitude didn't work on her. There was an old, white guy wearing extremely short shorts. Gross. I also so another guy with a GoPro. It made me kick myself for leaving mine in the car. He had the head strap attached to the camera but not using it. At Asiatique I saw a couple Harley baggers, one with ape hangers. Made me want one so bad... haha!