Daily Life

Day starts at about 6:30 here. Climb under my mosquito net and put on my "pass-eem" ( wow this is the first time I'm blanking on an english word. I'll get back to you) walk downstairs and out back to the outhouse. It's cement with a corregated roof. I use the squat toilet and my own personal stash of toilet paper- I think I'm the only one in the family. And I use the bowl in the cement water countainer to pour over me for a shower.

Breakfast is usually leftovers. So a bowl of rice, with various thai soups or dishes. My aunt puts out about 8 dishes. You are not supposed to eat everything in front of you. Just take some to add to your rice bowl, then eat mostly rice, and a little of the other stuff.

I leave home by 7:30 to bike to school. The first 2 miles is a dirt road with loads of scary dogs that chase after me and growl. It is really intimidating. I don't run that way anymore because I'm afraid I'll get bitten. And everyone tells me I will too.

At 8 I have language class with 3 other volunteers. It is tough, but I am certainly learning some Thai. I have a long way to go! We are just starting to read. Here's some Thai if you don't know what it looks like รีนาหรฟาด ฟ่กดาสร ห่าสไรดวฟ อแปทิผตจ ทม-ค ฟ้า/ขๆ แมทฟ. I don't know what I wrote, just hit the keyboard.

By 1:30 I have my practice teaching at a school about 10k away, or I meet up with the other teaching volunteers for technical training.

Usually we are done by 5 an have time to grab a beer before the 30 minute bike home. Although we have to be carefully about where we go. It is not culturally ok for women to drink- especiialy in public.

Back home by 6:30 and shower because I am so sweaty and dirty from the day. Hang out and try to communicate with the fam. The kids are cuteys and the family is really friendly. We just can't talk about a whole lot, so I don't feel totally bonded.

Bed by 9:30 to listed to music a little. Read by my headlamp. Or more recently I've been playing a few games of Solitare on my IPOD. Then off to sleep...