This month of August has been busy for me, I arrived in Thailand on Saturday August second and right when I met my host family they put me in a van and began the eight hour drive to Udon Thani. It was eleven at night and we drove the whole way home. I couldn't really sleep much that night, while I was in the car I kept thinking about why I was in Thailand... Its hard to explain, Thailand was not one of my Top Three choices but everyone said that it is the best place for me. I still have to wonder about that even now sometimes but I want to treasure the short time that I am here. I never saw myself going to Thailand but now that I am here it has been starting to grow on me.
I started school on August fifth, and I was so surprised by everything! My homeroom class was so warm and welcoming to me. They helped me with everything that day; getting lunch, my schedule, everything. Let me just say that the lunch here is first class! :] I understand why an exchange student here would get fat. But anyway, my first day I had to leave school to help the Magkang Rotary club hand out eye glasses to students at another school. My counselor, Kun Pichit took me to the school and we gave out, about hundred and fifty glasses.
That night my host family and I went to the Rotary meeting where I introduced myself in Thai. My host brother, Toomtam, also talked about his anticipation to be an exchange student in Indiana.
On Friday I went to the Complex with my host brother to hang out with his friends. we ate at a place called MK which was very interesting because every hour the workers would come out and do a dance... After we ate, everyone took pictures together in a booth. There were six of us, three girls and three boys, I don't remember the girls names but the boys were, Max, Best, and Toomtam. The guys went to B2S a music, book, and stationary store. I bought a CD by an Artist named Oak Smith. I might meet him while I am here in Thailand.
We left Udon Thani that Saturday at about 5 a.m. to drive to Bangkok. We met his cousin Pe Egg and stayed with him at his apartment building. His mother came with us to Bangkok. I met his girlfriend, I can't remember her name but she is really pretty and very nice. They took Toomtam and I to eat then she and I ate dessert. Toomtam left for America on Sunday at 5 a.m. in the morning. While we were at the airport sending my host brother away, I met another rotary exchange student from America who is staying in the same district as me. She seemed excited to talk to me and we were talking about our time in Thailand so far. After my parents took my to the temple of the Emerald Buddha. I it was so amazing! That day it was very crowded though and it was so HOT! Everyone was pushing and they were all sweaty.
On August twelve I met the exchange student from Germany, Nina. She is very nice and we talked for a long time. I ended up sleeping over her house and spending time with here. At first she was having a very hard time because she missed her family and friends back home. But she has bee very happy now. She is so pretty and I enjoy being able to talk to someone like her.
I went to Ban Chiang on August sixteenth with my host mother and our maid plus her son.
On Monday August eighteenth my friends and I went to Khon Kaen University for science week. It was my first time in Khon Kaen and I was so excited to see a Thai university. The campus is very big and I was surprised to find an "American Corner"! :]
I went to Nakhon Ratchasima on the twenty third with my counselor because there was a meeting there that he had to go to. I went on a tour with other YEs and one was from America too but she is living far from Udon Thani.
The Magkang rotary club had gone to nine Wats on the twenty forth. Nina and I were so tired that day but we discovered a Thai snack that is really good! :] My favorite wat was the one up in the mountains. it was so beautiful and clean!
Yesterday the Robinson store had a fashion show and Nina, her mother and sister were in it! she got her hair done and danced with famous Thai actors! I took a picture with one but I don't know who he is... But it was still very exciting! I think he is very cute too. :] I yelled Nina's name when she was on the catwalk and everyone stared at my after but it was worth it. There was this transsexual who was the MC at the event, and that day I had saw him on the TV.
My friend Suzanne and I.
We walked around for a long time with water guns in one hand and powder in the other. The Thai children enjoy Songkran the most because of the water and being able to splash anything and/or anyone! As we were walking around we past my friend's house. Rika, an exchange student from Japan came with us because the first day she had no plans for Songkran. Around 1 P.M. or so we went to P'Boss's friend's house which was right next to the main road where Songkran was taking place. There we played loud music, splashed water everywhere, and ate till the late afternoon. The day was so hot but because of all the iced water it felt much more cooler. =) Some other exchange friends join us at the house too, Caity and Josh. Both are from America. Josh came all the way from Chantaburi for Songkran. Songkran last for three days in Thailand, but after that first day, none of the other days really compare. ;p The only thing about Songkran that I don't like is the crazy random Thai that come up to you and cover you in baby powder, ugh!
Krabi was the frist stop on the tour and it was by far my favorite part of the whole trip. The whole day was spent visiting Mu Kopoda by boat. The islands there were so beautiful and different from eachother. I also enjoyed the day because our boat turned into a dance party! ^_^ Music, sun, water, and friends! It was so funny when some of my friends saw and held their first sea cucumber! There were also black vana in the water alittle ways out and it reminded me of the times when Kaitlin and I would go to the beach and eat them! Good times.
At one point in the tour we went to a tourist attraction with tons of Korean tourist! Couples with their matching outfits and old couples with polo tops.
The hill tribes near Chiang Rai, in North Thailand. The tribe seemed to be more touristy than ethnic.
At the zoo in Chiang Mai they had two giant Pandas, on loan from China. I bought key chains made of panda poo at the zoo. ;p
They spelled it correct in Thai but in English it is completely wrong! Poor English skills they have at the Chiang Mai zoo.
Women have limitations in Thailand....a lot. This picture was taken at a wat in Chiang Mai. The women were not suppost to enter because of their monthly periods. That is what the tour guide told me. 
That night before New years we had a party, danced and sang. To be with other to celebrate and have fun is a lot more enjoyable. The hike was intense, we went up a mountain and our goal was to get to the top where there was a water fall and a cave with bats in it. But we never made it. Everyone got so tired about three fourth to the top, so we went back down the mountain. There wasn't even a trail, so it took longer going up and going down. There were however wild orchids growing all the way up the mountain. They were so beautiful, and some of my friends were picking them on the way up and down. The view from the top was beautiful and the nature around us was so calming. It reminded me of the mountains in Hawaii and how I use to go camping for one week up in the hills of Mauna Loa. 
Peace out B-Town....jk.jk.jk...
I started school on August fifth, and I was so surprised by everything! My homeroom class was so warm and welcoming to me. They helped me with everything that day; getting lunch, my schedule, everything. Let me just say that the lunch here is first class! :] I understand why an exchange student here would get fat. But anyway, my first day I had to leave school to help the Magkang Rotary club hand out eye glasses to students at another school. My counselor, Kun Pichit took me to the school and we gave out, about hundred and fifty glasses.
We left Udon Thani that Saturday at about 5 a.m. to drive to Bangkok. We met his cousin Pe Egg and stayed with him at his apartment building. His mother came with us to Bangkok. I met his girlfriend, I can't remember her name but she is really pretty and very nice. They took Toomtam and I to eat then she and I ate dessert. Toomtam left for America on Sunday at 5 a.m. in the morning. While we were at the airport sending my host brother away, I met another rotary exchange student from America who is staying in the same district as me. She seemed excited to talk to me and we were talking about our time in Thailand so far. After my parents took my to the temple of the Emerald Buddha. I it was so amazing! That day it was very crowded though and it was so HOT! Everyone was pushing and they were all sweaty.
On Monday August eighteenth my friends and I went to Khon Kaen University for science week. It was my first time in Khon Kaen and I was so excited to see a Thai university. The campus is very big and I was surprised to find an "American Corner"! :]
Yesterday the Robinson store had a fashion show and Nina, her mother and sister were in it! she got her hair done and danced with famous Thai actors! I took a picture with one but I don't know who he is... But it was still very exciting! I think he is very cute too. :] I yelled Nina's name when she was on the catwalk and everyone stared at my after but it was worth it. There was this transsexual who was the MC at the event, and that day I had saw him on the TV.
I had my Bon Voyage party this past weekend. I enjoyed being with my family the most. Its sad when I think that I won't be seeing them for ten months. But going to Thailand is something that I can't give up for anything. A lot of people came to the party, but that wasn't what I wanted at the beginning. I wanted just my family and maybe one or two friends and ended up with so many people..... But in the end it was okay. Most of my friends came and I stayed up really late with some of them just talking and having fun. I loved how Steph and Nana came all the way from Hilo for my party. I was so happy to see them both and it made my party that much more enjoyable.
