Tomorrow I head off for a couple weeks of travel. Really I have 3 meetings back to back in different parts of the country. Saturday is a meeting in Bangkok for Gender and Development. It will be casual and it's a good excuse to meet up with friends and go out dancing for the night. I also want to buy some new shoes, and will buy tickets for my trip to India in November w my parents.
Then I head to the NorthEast for a 4 day confrence with 15 other volunteers, each of whom is bringing 2 people from their town. It's a confrence on AIDS development. We will talk a lot about how to do AIDS work in our towns. I am going with the woman who is planning the AIDS prevention workshops for the teenagers in my town with me.
This confrence is really near the largest national park in Thailand and a few of us are hoping to go camping for the weekend before the workshop we have in the East. This workshop will be about how to put together local workshops and then we will actually give a workshop for highschool students on AIDS Awareness.
Lots of exciting things, but I am sad to be away from home for so long. It will be nice to see friends and more of the country though.
Won't have much time on the internet, so probably won't be writting here for a while.
Tootles...
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
school web site
My second school has a web site up. It's in Thai, but there are lots of pictures. http://www.tammasopit.com/
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Look up College in the dictionary and it'll say Amherst
Today was a nice lazy day. Got up early and hopped on my bike to the morning market- 1.5 kms away. First I went over to my friend who makes Papaya Salad's stall (pictured left). I hung out on the bench behind her stall for about an hour. As soon as I showed up she gave me food, and made sure there was food next to me the whole time, as a good Thai host does. Yummy deep fried battered bananas for breakfast. mmmm.
Part of the time I was there I pulled out the Sudoku puzzles my mom sent me. I am addicted now.
After that I went over to my other friends who sell noodles all day, every day. They have a nice little community of friends. They just sit and cook and chat and eat and sell all day long. They are always there whenever I am around.
It is the American in me that wants to ask them, "What did you do today?" or "Any plans for the weekend?" But I restrain myself from asking because what I see when I am there is what they are always doing. I have trained myself to say the Thai conversation filler equivalent, "Have you eaten yet?"
After hanging out there, doing some more puzzles, and eating lots of food I headed home. I stopped on the way out of the market at a fruit stand and got three juicy mangos for 70 cents.
At home I cleaned up as I was having Jeeda and Wendy over to eat some western food. I made them grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. We had bite size PB&J sandwiches to start.
As I was going through some old magazines to throw away I started reading a speech about one of the founders of my college, a man who thought it would be a good idea to write a book listing every word in the English language along side it's definition and origin, Mr. Noah Webster.
It's hard to say whether the dictionary helped define some values in America, or whether the dictionary was written in response to those existing goals, but either way the dictionary seems so very American to me especially in contrast to Thai culture.
In America the purpose of conversation is often to convey information, and as accurately as possible. In Thailand a conversation is not for relaying information, but for interacting with others. Thais have exceptional abilities in predicting they way conversations will play out.
Noah Webster said he wrote the dictionary as a way to level the fields of all people. He wanted words to create a commonality that would not betray "class or religion." Websters vision was that the dictionary would attack predjudices and be a catalyst for democracy.
America is a non-hierarchical society, especially in contrast to Thailand.
Thais focus a lot of energy on class and social standing. There are certain words to use when addressing those older or socially higher, like the mayor or school Principal. In place of "I" when speaking to elders I say "Noo" which means 'mouse,' a small insignificant creature. Men say "Pom" instead of "I." "Pom" is the same word for hair, and again is a small little thing.
Thais have a whole set of words one uses only with Monks. The monks have their own language to set them apart from the general population. And the King also has his entire own language. Noah Webster wouldn't find this practice very class-blind.
Age is an extremely important factor in respect. Thais don't have a single word to say 'brother' there is only a way to say 'older brother' or 'younger brother.' Likewise with sister. In Thailand everyone is considered a part of your family so everyone calls me 'Pee Rachel' [older sister Rachel] if they are younger than I, or "Nong Rachel" if I am older.
When I come back to visit in 30 years everyone will call me "Khun Maa" which literally means 'you mother.'
Friday, September 23, 2005
Call me
Just downloaded Skype. Add me to your contacts as Rachel.Bobruff
Don't have any idea what I'm talking about?
Skype.com is a site which allows people to place calls over the internet at great rates. And if both people are on the internet talking is FREE!!!
To call my cell phone using Skype it will cost you eleven and a half cents per minute.
Download and call today 011-66-9-672-7262 !! Or better yet, email me (LadyRachel2000@hotmail.com) and set up a time to meet me on the internet.
Don't have any idea what I'm talking about?
Skype.com is a site which allows people to place calls over the internet at great rates. And if both people are on the internet talking is FREE!!!
To call my cell phone using Skype it will cost you eleven and a half cents per minute.
Download and call today 011-66-9-672-7262 !! Or better yet, email me (LadyRachel2000@hotmail.com) and set up a time to meet me on the internet.
romances in Thailand
A friend just told me about the courtship of his Thai friends. They were married about 15 years ago, and while thier romance isn't typical for everyone in Thailand, it's sounds spot on for most people who are over 30 and married.
It started with the two of them sitting across the outside table from each other and talking every evening. When it got dark they lit a candle, as there was no electrcity in their town then. They would politely ask things like "How was your day?" "What did you do?"The whole time her mom would be resting in a hammock nearby. Always a chaperone! After a while they eventually got to handholding. And then came the wedding.
My coteacher once read that the average westerner kisses about 70 people before getting married and she asked me if this was true. I asked her how many people Thais kiss before they kiss the person they'll marry. Her response: none. Most Thais marry the first person they kiss.
Times are certainly changing now, partially due to western influences. My friends middleschool 'little brother' from his Thai family was caught kissing a girl. Big trouble for him!!!
The Thais view of romance and sexuality is so so different from Americans, I can't fit it all in one blog, but I will leave you with another story.
The same man above who courted his wife over a candle met a PC volunteer (a friend of the one that lives in his town) at a party and told my friend he really liked her. This married Thai man started texting this fellow volunteer in a modern day courtship. He did not try to hide the fact he was romantically interested in her, and even got the American in his town to help write to her.
Infidelity is pretty rampid in Thailand now. It is widely accepted and even a sign of machism. Visiting prostitutes is one piece of this. As well is polygamy.
It started with the two of them sitting across the outside table from each other and talking every evening. When it got dark they lit a candle, as there was no electrcity in their town then. They would politely ask things like "How was your day?" "What did you do?"The whole time her mom would be resting in a hammock nearby. Always a chaperone! After a while they eventually got to handholding. And then came the wedding.
My coteacher once read that the average westerner kisses about 70 people before getting married and she asked me if this was true. I asked her how many people Thais kiss before they kiss the person they'll marry. Her response: none. Most Thais marry the first person they kiss.
Times are certainly changing now, partially due to western influences. My friends middleschool 'little brother' from his Thai family was caught kissing a girl. Big trouble for him!!!
The Thais view of romance and sexuality is so so different from Americans, I can't fit it all in one blog, but I will leave you with another story.
The same man above who courted his wife over a candle met a PC volunteer (a friend of the one that lives in his town) at a party and told my friend he really liked her. This married Thai man started texting this fellow volunteer in a modern day courtship. He did not try to hide the fact he was romantically interested in her, and even got the American in his town to help write to her.
Infidelity is pretty rampid in Thailand now. It is widely accepted and even a sign of machism. Visiting prostitutes is one piece of this. As well is polygamy.
Lesson Plan
What did I teach today? I brought my laptop to school, connected it to a TV, and showed pictures of America to the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. We talked a lot about culture. I have lots of pictures from Weddings so I explained to them the whole concept of a wedding ring. Like how you can tell if someone is married by a ring, or lack thereof, on their ring finger. There is no obvious factor like that for Thais. Thats why one of the first questions I get from new aquaintances is "Are you married?"
They were REALLY interested in pictures of snow. Thais pretty much think it snows all over America year round. It's really hard to explain the size of America to people from a country the size of Texas. They certainly don't believe that it doesn't snow everywhere. Even with Walmat and McDonalds everywhere there are a lot of differences across america.
When I get asked what Americans think on a certain subject it is so hard to answer because there are so many different views on subjects.
Recently two friends at totally different times asked why/if all white Americans hate black Americans? It was hard to impress upon them that truly some whites hate blacks, but not everyone by ANY means. They got this impression of USA from two sources. One being that there is a Volunteer in our Peace Corps group who is not the most pleasant of souls to be around. He is really opinionated, long-winded, and does not even stop to listen to the opinion of others. He also happens to be about 20 years older than the average aged person in our group, and does not have many common interests with most people in our group. There are certainly a few people in our group of 50 who do not mesh with our group, for one reason or another; it hardly matters as we no longer interacte with our PC Group except out of our own motivation, since we are all at our seperate towns, often hours away from each other. Anyway, this one person in particular stands out as he has black skin.
So since most of us as a group don't hang out w this one person the Thais who have come with me to some group events, assumed all whites hate all blacks. It is frustrating since I clearly don't want to give this impression of the States, and one of our other Volunteers who is right in the thick of everything is also black.
Anyway, the question from my Thai friend also came up because she was watching the news about Hurricane Katrina and the theory that help was slow in coming because due to racism.
After I tried to explain the racial views of All Americans with my limited Thai skills [regretfully 'stereotype' is not part of my thai vocabulary- but I had a dictionary on hand], I was asked how are blacks and whites different. Wow.
Of course I started to say, we're all the same. No difference. But what they were asking about wasn't totally about innate differences, but rather about differences of life style in America. And unarguably the general population of White in America does not live the same was as the general population of blacks in America.
So hard to explain. I want to give an honest explination of Americans. But I also want that description to be positive. It's not always one and the same. This is a subject matter I don't feel comfortable being the American authority on.
They were REALLY interested in pictures of snow. Thais pretty much think it snows all over America year round. It's really hard to explain the size of America to people from a country the size of Texas. They certainly don't believe that it doesn't snow everywhere. Even with Walmat and McDonalds everywhere there are a lot of differences across america.
When I get asked what Americans think on a certain subject it is so hard to answer because there are so many different views on subjects.
Recently two friends at totally different times asked why/if all white Americans hate black Americans? It was hard to impress upon them that truly some whites hate blacks, but not everyone by ANY means. They got this impression of USA from two sources. One being that there is a Volunteer in our Peace Corps group who is not the most pleasant of souls to be around. He is really opinionated, long-winded, and does not even stop to listen to the opinion of others. He also happens to be about 20 years older than the average aged person in our group, and does not have many common interests with most people in our group. There are certainly a few people in our group of 50 who do not mesh with our group, for one reason or another; it hardly matters as we no longer interacte with our PC Group except out of our own motivation, since we are all at our seperate towns, often hours away from each other. Anyway, this one person in particular stands out as he has black skin.
So since most of us as a group don't hang out w this one person the Thais who have come with me to some group events, assumed all whites hate all blacks. It is frustrating since I clearly don't want to give this impression of the States, and one of our other Volunteers who is right in the thick of everything is also black.
Anyway, the question from my Thai friend also came up because she was watching the news about Hurricane Katrina and the theory that help was slow in coming because due to racism.
After I tried to explain the racial views of All Americans with my limited Thai skills [regretfully 'stereotype' is not part of my thai vocabulary- but I had a dictionary on hand], I was asked how are blacks and whites different. Wow.
Of course I started to say, we're all the same. No difference. But what they were asking about wasn't totally about innate differences, but rather about differences of life style in America. And unarguably the general population of White in America does not live the same was as the general population of blacks in America.
So hard to explain. I want to give an honest explination of Americans. But I also want that description to be positive. It's not always one and the same. This is a subject matter I don't feel comfortable being the American authority on.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Picts
1)With my school cook who is teaching me how to make a Thai dish.
2)After my race w my neighbor and my trophy!
3)Steps leading up to the famous Temple in my town.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Shout outs
As promised...
Shout out to Allie, the bride to be. Let it be known that Allie has been a consistent commenter along with my Dad and brother, David.
This is a case of my bad habit of taking family and best friends for granted.
Shout out to Allie, the bride to be. Let it be known that Allie has been a consistent commenter along with my Dad and brother, David.
This is a case of my bad habit of taking family and best friends for granted.
I know you're out there
Shout out to Josh for commenting on my blog.
I know there are others of you reading. It's nice to know you're out there and I want to hear your thoughts. I recently read my friend Becky's blog and she had about 3 comments on every entry. And she writes more than I do!
I know the first time may take a little effort to sign up. But come on people. Motivate.
You too can have a personal shout out on my blog.
I know there are others of you reading. It's nice to know you're out there and I want to hear your thoughts. I recently read my friend Becky's blog and she had about 3 comments on every entry. And she writes more than I do!
I know the first time may take a little effort to sign up. But come on people. Motivate.
You too can have a personal shout out on my blog.
toto, where are we??
There are 4 students in the room cleaning as I work on the internet. I realized it had been really quiet for about a minute when I turned around and saw all four of them behind my chair stareing at the screen. I laughed, they laughed, then kept on staring. I guess it would bother me if they could understand what I was writting, but I get such a kick when that happens. Even better when they pull up a chair! They love when I write Thailand. THAILAND THAILAND THAILAND.
In other, "you're not in the US" news today my co-teacher, a 40 year old woman who majored in English in college and I had this conversation (in Thai).
Me: Do you have a pencil?
Her: Yes. Do you want a pencil or a pen?
Me: Pencil.
Her: Do you know what a pencil is?
Me: ...???[very confused. Thinking I must have misunderstood some Thai.]
Her: Do you have pencils in America?
Me: Yes.
Her: Oh, I thought you didn't have pencils in America. I thought they were only in Thailand.
BIZARRE!!!
Did I ever tell you the one with my other co-teacher, another 40 year old woman who I think has her Masters in English.
Her: I think Judaism isn't a religion.
I enjoyed that. It took a lot of work to convince her that indeed it is a religion. She didn't believe me when I explained that Judaism is a lot older than Christianity, and in fact Jesus was Jewish. I think I just confused her more.
She wanted to know what Judaism is about? What is our equivalent of crossing ourselves? I can't even explain all this in English!!! But I told her about how Judaism, for me, is about passing on the traditions of the religion to the next generation. That it's not so much about going to temple or praying to God as spending time with your family.
As my Thai is pretty limited, I basically ended up saying Judaism is about telling your children about famous Jewish people. To which she replied "Oh, you tell your children about Albert Einstein."
This will teach us not to send missionaries!!
THAILAND THAILAND THAILAND
In other, "you're not in the US" news today my co-teacher, a 40 year old woman who majored in English in college and I had this conversation (in Thai).
Me: Do you have a pencil?
Her: Yes. Do you want a pencil or a pen?
Me: Pencil.
Her: Do you know what a pencil is?
Me: ...???[very confused. Thinking I must have misunderstood some Thai.]
Her: Do you have pencils in America?
Me: Yes.
Her: Oh, I thought you didn't have pencils in America. I thought they were only in Thailand.
BIZARRE!!!
Did I ever tell you the one with my other co-teacher, another 40 year old woman who I think has her Masters in English.
Her: I think Judaism isn't a religion.
I enjoyed that. It took a lot of work to convince her that indeed it is a religion. She didn't believe me when I explained that Judaism is a lot older than Christianity, and in fact Jesus was Jewish. I think I just confused her more.
She wanted to know what Judaism is about? What is our equivalent of crossing ourselves? I can't even explain all this in English!!! But I told her about how Judaism, for me, is about passing on the traditions of the religion to the next generation. That it's not so much about going to temple or praying to God as spending time with your family.
As my Thai is pretty limited, I basically ended up saying Judaism is about telling your children about famous Jewish people. To which she replied "Oh, you tell your children about Albert Einstein."
This will teach us not to send missionaries!!
THAILAND THAILAND THAILAND
Saturday, September 17, 2005
running update
For those of you who have been following my running life, there is an update to share. I was training for the Bangkok marathon November 27th. But a few months ago a friend told me she ran it last year and that it's a miserable marathon. Mostly because it's on pavement over the hot city for most of the way, with no fans or port-a-potties.
I kept training up to the 17 mile point, but have finally decided not to continue. I don't want to waste my knees on a sucky run. And I will be traveling, partly in India, w momma and pappa Bobruff for the month leading up to the run.
All along I was hoping to find out about a marathon I heard of that crosses the Friendship bridge to Laos for part of the run. Laos has a special place in my heart so I would love to run a race there and Thailand. But I just found out the marathon was canceled for this year.
Looks like I'll be aiming for a March 19th Marathon near Bangkok. With some little races before then.
I kept training up to the 17 mile point, but have finally decided not to continue. I don't want to waste my knees on a sucky run. And I will be traveling, partly in India, w momma and pappa Bobruff for the month leading up to the run.
All along I was hoping to find out about a marathon I heard of that crosses the Friendship bridge to Laos for part of the run. Laos has a special place in my heart so I would love to run a race there and Thailand. But I just found out the marathon was canceled for this year.
Looks like I'll be aiming for a March 19th Marathon near Bangkok. With some little races before then.
It's been a year
I just read an email from my mom exactly a year ago. She wrote it after she dropped me off at the airport to fly to San Francisco on my way to Thailand. Apparently we were both a little cranky that morning. I don't remember, but am not surprised as (knowing my packing style) I had probably only had a few hours of sleep, and was very unsure of all that lay ahead of me.
I can not believe it's been a year since I embarked on my across the world adventure. The fall was it's own experience- traveling and meeting people around South East Asia. And since January it's been another chapter. I can't believe I've been in the Peace Corps for 8 months now. It seems much shorter which is reassuring as I am looking forward to being back in the states, and know it will certainly be less than 8 months away.
Life has really settled into a routine here, which is very nice. I remember how much I longed for a permanent place on a shelf to put my moisterizer for so long. But the learning curve has started to plateu. I am not learning fascinating new things about Thai culture and how to manuver though it every day. I do love the comfort and ease with which things are coming now, but I, as always, am also looking ahead to what is next.
I can not believe it's been a year since I embarked on my across the world adventure. The fall was it's own experience- traveling and meeting people around South East Asia. And since January it's been another chapter. I can't believe I've been in the Peace Corps for 8 months now. It seems much shorter which is reassuring as I am looking forward to being back in the states, and know it will certainly be less than 8 months away.
Life has really settled into a routine here, which is very nice. I remember how much I longed for a permanent place on a shelf to put my moisterizer for so long. But the learning curve has started to plateu. I am not learning fascinating new things about Thai culture and how to manuver though it every day. I do love the comfort and ease with which things are coming now, but I, as always, am also looking ahead to what is next.
pictures
I just uploaded a bunch of pictures to Snapfish. Check out my local scenery....
http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=28540715/t_=3661338
I wish I could post more for you here, but my internet is so slow, it takes forever. Enjoy.
http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=28540715/t_=3661338
I wish I could post more for you here, but my internet is so slow, it takes forever. Enjoy.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
high heels
Just got back from a great weekend. It is always fun when a bunch of Peace Corps Volunteers get together. About 20 of us met up in a city in the Northeast of Thailand. It's a big city, but with so many of us, wherever we went we sort of took over the place. Saturday a bunch of the guys had planned a 2-on-2 basketball tournement. It started downpouring about 15 minutes after they started, but since it was still so warm we all played in the pouring rain. We had a 4-on-4 game; no dribbling, and 2 steps maximum when you have possesion. So much fun to play in the rain. I even got a basket! We also hit up a few 'farang' [western] restaurants and discoteques in the town. Sometimes, after lots of time in my conservative town only speaking Thai, there is nothing that makes me happier than to put on my high heels and hit the dancefloor. Even if it means I have to travel 12 hours each way to get there!!
On my way to meet up w everyone I spent a night with an American friend in Bangkok. It was amazing just to have TV. I stayed up way to late watching news about Katrina and Agassi playing in the Open. I was on 7th heaven as I sank into a real couch and had a comforter to pull up over me. The feeling of sinking into a comfy couch should not be taken for granted. Most 'couches' in Thailand are wood benches with no padding.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
School web site
http://www.amarrit.com/
One of my schools just finished a web site!! It's all in Thai, but there are some pictures to see.
One of my schools just finished a web site!! It's all in Thai, but there are some pictures to see.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
FAQ
After a little garbing w my favorite newly engaged couple in San Fran (Laura and Dana) I realized that there are a few things basic things I should answer.
Q: I miss your voice, Rachel, can I call you?
A: Yes. I have a cell phone and can be reached anytime you like. I am 11 hours ahead of the East Coast. One cheap way to call is get an account on www.pincity.com. It costs around 10 cents a minute. International calling cards in another easy way. Call me at 011-66-9-672-7262
Q: Will you be home for the holidays?
A: Probably not. I am planning a fun New Years in the islands and would love you to come join. Rachel Nisselson is investigating tickets this very instant.
Q: What is your typical day like?
A: I am usually at one of my two schools by 8:30am. I co-teach English classes to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders till about 2:30 [with the goal of teaching student centered learning to my co-teachers]. From 3:00-4:30 I have Thai lessons either at my house, or my tutors house. Then I often head to the pool, take a run, or head to my friend Jeeda and Wendy's house to chill. Often I help Wendy's mom cook dinner and eat over there. When the night market is in town we often head over there for a little, and I'm home by 9ish. Most evenings I chat for a little on the phone with fellow Volunteers.
Q: I miss your voice, Rachel, can I call you?
A: Yes. I have a cell phone and can be reached anytime you like. I am 11 hours ahead of the East Coast. One cheap way to call is get an account on www.pincity.com. It costs around 10 cents a minute. International calling cards in another easy way. Call me at 011-66-9-672-7262
Q: Will you be home for the holidays?
A: Probably not. I am planning a fun New Years in the islands and would love you to come join. Rachel Nisselson is investigating tickets this very instant.
Q: What is your typical day like?
A: I am usually at one of my two schools by 8:30am. I co-teach English classes to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders till about 2:30 [with the goal of teaching student centered learning to my co-teachers]. From 3:00-4:30 I have Thai lessons either at my house, or my tutors house. Then I often head to the pool, take a run, or head to my friend Jeeda and Wendy's house to chill. Often I help Wendy's mom cook dinner and eat over there. When the night market is in town we often head over there for a little, and I'm home by 9ish. Most evenings I chat for a little on the phone with fellow Volunteers.
Monday, September 05, 2005
"Leechel gang"
That's my name when spoken by a Thai, or some variation of that. Leechel. Raycheel. Meechel. Leechen.... I answer to it all. And the 'gang' isn't refering to my evening activities, but rather it's a thai word meaning "great." So "Rachel gang" means something like "Rachel does that really well," depending on the situation.
Now I'm not just telling you this to teach you how to compliment me in Thai (feel free to anyway), but to introduce you to the Thai culture of compliments.
Thais love to compliment, even if it means exagurating the truth, or when everyone knows you are just saying what is expected to be said. But even when someone say's "Isn't Rachel beautiful." and I know the person HAS to say, "Yes, Rachel's beatiful." I love hearing it.
And I know in reality they are complimenting me for the forsight to be born with white skin- which is regarded as such a beautiful thing here that 90% of beauty products (including deotorant) have 'skin whitening' properties.
But it's really interesting what I get complimented for. I hear a lot that I ride a bike well- or they are terribly impressed that I can ride w a skirt. Even more popular than that is that I drink water well. REALLY. I often get told I drink water well! I am told I have really white skin. Interestingly I get more compliments that I write thai letters beautifully, than people noticing that I'm ACTUALLY writing in thai.
Now I'm not just telling you this to teach you how to compliment me in Thai (feel free to anyway), but to introduce you to the Thai culture of compliments.
Thais love to compliment, even if it means exagurating the truth, or when everyone knows you are just saying what is expected to be said. But even when someone say's "Isn't Rachel beautiful." and I know the person HAS to say, "Yes, Rachel's beatiful." I love hearing it.
And I know in reality they are complimenting me for the forsight to be born with white skin- which is regarded as such a beautiful thing here that 90% of beauty products (including deotorant) have 'skin whitening' properties.
But it's really interesting what I get complimented for. I hear a lot that I ride a bike well- or they are terribly impressed that I can ride w a skirt. Even more popular than that is that I drink water well. REALLY. I often get told I drink water well! I am told I have really white skin. Interestingly I get more compliments that I write thai letters beautifully, than people noticing that I'm ACTUALLY writing in thai.
Happy University David and Jen!!!
Do you know what you were doing a year ago, I mean to the minute? Well, all weekend I've been doing the "A year ago, exactly, I was...." thing. Right now, you ask? Just about now I was hitting the gym for one last work out so I could slip into my bridesmades dress for DAVID AND JENS WEDDING!!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! LOVE YOU!!!!!
PS. If you scroll WAY down on my blog- to one of my first entries last september you can see a picture of me at the gorgeous wedding site.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! LOVE YOU!!!!!
PS. If you scroll WAY down on my blog- to one of my first entries last september you can see a picture of me at the gorgeous wedding site.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Take Care
There are a surprising number of words from the English Language that the Thais have adopted into their language. The following is a list of "Top-sawps," or words that mean the same thing in English and Thai. This does not mean a person from America can come here and say these words and be understood. Occationally I am corrected for saying these words wrong because the Thais have adopted their own inflection (and they occationally change sounds that are too hard to pronounce- like 'football' is 'footban').
They also occationally make words or phrases that are very close to English, yet I have never hear or used in America. Everyone seems to know them. One is 'Freshy' which means refreshing. Another is "Free Sex" which means pre-marital sex, or sex outside a marriage.
Ok, here's the list:
Take care, freshy, free sex, hello, bye-bye, America, motorcyle, pick-up, bus, brake, gear, tour, passport, free, free-style, TV, computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, print, supermarket, mini-mart, 7-11, salad, sauce, ice-cream, soup, macaroni, spaghetti, french-fries, pizza, hamburger, ping-pong, football, baseball, basketball, ball, boxing, team, tag-team, goal, game, shopping, fashion, cinema, poster, program...
There are more, but I can't think of them right now.
They also occationally make words or phrases that are very close to English, yet I have never hear or used in America. Everyone seems to know them. One is 'Freshy' which means refreshing. Another is "Free Sex" which means pre-marital sex, or sex outside a marriage.
Ok, here's the list:
Take care, freshy, free sex, hello, bye-bye, America, motorcyle, pick-up, bus, brake, gear, tour, passport, free, free-style, TV, computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, print, supermarket, mini-mart, 7-11, salad, sauce, ice-cream, soup, macaroni, spaghetti, french-fries, pizza, hamburger, ping-pong, football, baseball, basketball, ball, boxing, team, tag-team, goal, game, shopping, fashion, cinema, poster, program...
There are more, but I can't think of them right now.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
headless buddahs
I never uploaded any pictures from Ayuttaya, the old capital of Siam. That's where we had a two week training in July. Here's a picture of me at one of the temple ruins. The city is covered in temples that are hundreds and hundreds of years old. Most are in a state of near ruins.
The Thais blame the Burmese for sansacking the temple grounds in the mid 1900s. In many places the stone buddah images have all their heads cut off. Some people now blame the Thais for taking the heads off these sacred monuments so that the Burmese could not get to them.
Cravin' a Long Trail Ale
I'm reading a book called I'm a Stranger here Myselfby Bill Bryson. It's a compilation of commentaries on American Culture. The cool thing is the author lives in Hanover New Hampsire and repeatedly makes reference to things in the area. Hanover is home to Dartmouth College where I went to school for a summer, and the town is 20 minutes away from a house we've had for over 20 years. So I know the area and all the shops he mentions very well.
It's so nice to read about all the familiar places, personalities, and activities. When he discusses movie theaters in America and mentions the one in Lebanon NH I can picture the place down to the bathroom stalls.
Problem is, it makes me a little homesick too. I just read about the fall foliage and colors in the autumn trees of New England. The author just breifly mentioned hiking up Killington Mountain. Not only have I done that hike, and skied that moutain, but I know the exact route he took on that 50 minute drive.
So today I've had a slight craving for Long Trail Ale, a beer only sold in Vermont. Its more the experience of sitting at the brewery with a friend on a hot summer day, or heading to the bar with sore legs after a day of skiing that I miss.
I decided recently that when I get home I want to have time to spend a week hiking the Long Trail in Vermont. Anyone have time to join me?
It's so nice to read about all the familiar places, personalities, and activities. When he discusses movie theaters in America and mentions the one in Lebanon NH I can picture the place down to the bathroom stalls.
Problem is, it makes me a little homesick too. I just read about the fall foliage and colors in the autumn trees of New England. The author just breifly mentioned hiking up Killington Mountain. Not only have I done that hike, and skied that moutain, but I know the exact route he took on that 50 minute drive.
So today I've had a slight craving for Long Trail Ale, a beer only sold in Vermont. Its more the experience of sitting at the brewery with a friend on a hot summer day, or heading to the bar with sore legs after a day of skiing that I miss.
I decided recently that when I get home I want to have time to spend a week hiking the Long Trail in Vermont. Anyone have time to join me?
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