Approaching the Half-way Point

Hello everyone at home!!

I'm getting pretty close to being half-way through my stay in Thailand. The official day is next Wednesday 17th, but who's counting? Just writing now to give you an update on what's going on.

I've just about finished my graduate school applications, with plenty of help from Holly and a deposit into my bank account from Dad. I applied to five schools this year: the University of Washington, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Vanderbilt University, Boston College, and the University of South Carolina. U.Washington is my top choice, but I also got accepted and Vandy and BC last year, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens. The U. of Wisconsin is one of the top three sociology programs in the country, so it is my long shot school. University of SC is my safety school, but if I had to go there it wouldn't be so bad being close to the beach. If I get in anywhere I'll be starting next fall, and I should be hearing back from these schools at about the time I get back from Thailand. So I'll no sooner get home than have to start thinking about leaving again.

About teaching. I really like teaching, and I think if I am able to go to grad school and become a professor I will like my job. It will probably be cool to teach when the students would actually understand what I'm saying, too. I don't think that I've taught a full 5-day week since I've been here, though. There is always some holiday or celebration or Olympic-type sporting activity that the whole school's involved in. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind having days off. But keeping track of which lessons I've taught to which classes is getting difficult. Sometime either today or tomorrow I'm supposed to have a teacher from Bangkok, associated with Fulbright, come and observe my teaching to make sure I'm doing a decent job. I'm nervous about that, but I plan on being awesome.

Now some shout-outs.

Grandma: I realize you miss me and all that (and I miss you, too), but there's no reason to go getting sick or anything that would put you near a hospital just to try and get me to come home! Just kidding… I'm really glad you're okay. Also, I tried the phone card you sent, but I think it will only work in the US.
Holly: Thanks for getting all of my school stuff together. You're the best.
Dad: Thanks for the money. Tell Alex "hi" for me. And sometime you gotta stop working a million hours a week. If you ever do let me know and we'll try to skype.
Mom: Good to hear about the new pets. Sounds like the house is turning into a zoo! Looking forward to Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner when I get back.
Patrick: You're a computer wizard. Thanks for the DVD player download. It helps out a ton. Sorry that Tech didn't work out and that you have to put up with Marshall again. Do good on finals this semester, though. It will work out in the long run.
Pam: Thanks for the updates. It's good to know what's going on and be in the loop, especially when anyone gets admitted to the hospital.

Thanksgiving and Other Stuff

Hey everyone!

Sorry it's been so long since I last wrote. I've been pretty busy, but that's really no excuse.

So, last week was Thanksgiving, and Fulbright paid to fly us all from our various provinces to Bangkok for dinner. Paige, the other ETA in Chiang Rai, and I made it to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok just a few hours before the protestors ended up taking the place over. The other major airport, Suvarnabhumi, had already been shut down. I want everyone to know that I was never in any danger. The protestors that took over were giving the other foreigners stranded in the airports sandwiches and stuff. The worst thing that could have happened is I would have to stay in Bangkok and eat a sandwich - nothing near as bad as what the US news stations are surely reporting. Thais are extremely peaceful people and most people are appalled that the situation has gotten this bad. I read on Tuesday that the Prime Minister, with whom the protestors are so unhappy, stepped down. While I'm not totally sure what happens in the government now, I'm sure that things will cool down a bit.

We were treated like kings in Bangkok by the Fulbright program and all of our hosts throughout the weekend. Thanksgiving dinner was hosted by a Fulbright board member, Anne Casper, and her husband. While it doesn't compare with my normal home-cooked meal, the food was great! The spread included turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, and pie. I ate a healthy amount of everything but the pie. People managed to finish that off before I even got a chance at it.

Our weekend also included a trip to a Thai cultural center in Bangkok. I learned a little there about traditional Thai arts and recreational practices, which culminated in a show with dancing, fight choreography, and a rousing chorus of "It's a small world."

It was fun getting to hang out with everyone again in Bangkok! I spent a good bit of money over the weekend at the awesome bookstore in Paragon and at various restaurants in the city. Upon arriving back in Chiang Rai (after an 11 hour bus ride through the night) Khun Yai (grandma) handed me the bill for my food so far and it was only 1,300 Baht!! Basically, that's $37 for 5 weeks of dinners, weekend meals, and dress pant washings. In an attempt to be polite and hide my excitement, I told Khun Yai that she must have made a mistake and charged me too little. She explained that she was like my grandma, and I like her child, and that she was taking good care of me. So that made me feel good - in an emotional and financial way...

I feel really taken care of here. It's nice to know that people at home are thinking of me, though all of the worrying isn't necessary. I have great faith in the Fulbright program, that they'd get us shipped out of here quickly if anything crazy went down, but also I have faith in the Thai people in general, that there's little chance of me being in any trouble here.