Today it's only me and the computer. My parents are at work, Macky's school hasn't closed yet (so that's where he is) and May had to go to school to practice for graduation. Unfortunately I won't be here to see her and my class graduate since I will be in Ayutthaya studying Thai massage, but that's life, isn't it? So today I am at home, one of surprisingly few left, as I have already posted.
I have woken myself up with several gallons of cold water over the head, as I do every morn and evening. This is traditional Thai bathing practice. If you don't shower twice a day, then your family members will declare that you stink. (My sister does for me anyway, and I give the favor for her on those years she skips a shower. I really didn't shower last night because I went to a fair in town with my dad and May. My dad was there in police uniform to add to the police presence and May and I simply went to walk around. We went on one spinning ride, where I was trying to take a picture merely as it got going and so we screamed the whole time. Really the whole time. It wasn't the craziest ride I've ever been on, but she was screaming so I did too. I must say that made it more fun. We also played BINGO and threw darts at balloons, all in an attempt to win me a knock-off Pikachu doll. No luck. This is probably for the better since I am already overwhelmed with getting all my stuff back to the US anyway. Other things we did: play with little rabbits wearing clothes and squirrels for sale; look over CDs for sale for 100 baht (knock-offs for sure but I think they'd work and that's what's important); joke about buying bras to wear to the beach as two-piece bathing suits; shop in a store where everything was 10 baht (some super good deals! I got an eyelash curler, 3 flashlight keychains, and two hair pluckers for only 50 baht. I wanted to buy lots more because it was so cheap but it's hard to pick with so much available. Amazing Thailand, that's for sure!); looked at bonsai trees; checked out the guys (May is interested in my "specs" - it's a fun way to pass the time but doesn't go anywhere); stuff like that. It is amazingly similar to fairs in the US except it was much cheaper. Anyhow, we got back at like 11 so I didn't feel like showering. Yup.
About the midstay camp in Chiang Mai: I talked so often my throat was really a little sore. It was amazing. Being able to communicate everything I wanted and love I was understood was so nice. And to see everyone again! I haven't met with the other AFSers since our last camp in Korat back in August. It has been awhile. But this camp was more fun since there was just one day with just a little talking with AFS. The balance of the time we had to hang out and do touristy things. Some highlights:
- Riding an elephant. That was pretty cool and led me to ponder what it would be similar to ride one of those mega elephants in Lord of the Rings.
- Umbrella making factory. I've already been there but the souvenir shopping is the cheapest in Thailand so I went on a frenzy.
- Being thrown in the pool (twice) by some Germans.
- Staying up late. So late. Once I went 40 hours without sleep, a new personal record.
- Going to a temple where a friend asked if the Buddha was real jade so I touched it and all the foreigners freaked out and the Thais were indifferent.
- Trying to make merit by releasing some birds in a cage. Except one of the birds was all confused and flew into a wall and died. Isn't there a saying about good intentions?
- Traditional Northern culture show. We sat next to some Japanese guys and one of them got a nosebleed and they took some crazy pictures. We joined them.
- Watching a movie on the TV called "The Island". There was also Chinese MTV.
- AFS talent show! Mine was the least impressive: I folded some banana leaves like you would around a piece of meat. Irony, no? That a vegetarian would demonstrate how to cook meat. I hadn't even finished when the teacher started calling the next group up.
- Just being with foreigners! I can't express how fun it was. A highlight of the year. I even became a fan on Facebook. Let's do it again!
Whoa I'm tired. I've been on the computer all day - something I haven't done since I was in the US. But I got a new record of 5 posts in, so I hope there is a snow day so you all take time to catch up on reading! Unfortunately this will likely be the lowest post for awhile due to the highly-anticipated travel-geddon. So until then, I leave you with some musicto express my feelings. Yes. Let me know if you really listen to it all. :)
Thai National Anthemhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBDKah2nnvw
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatleshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk
Lithium - Nirvanahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftUn5GSsPBw
Always Somewhere - The Scorpionshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e47R7Z_jwkA
Isla de Encanta - The Pixieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYZoTy4Mo28
Holiday - Green Dayhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap54AWtTeFQ
Come Fly With Me - Michael Bublehttp:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYgqZYQYzwA
Photograph - Nickelbackhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St9YWSFe4Uo
Sunshine - Ginger Ninjahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxhuEnZL3H4
Today - The Smashing Pumpkinshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCSLK0WCUd8
Rocketship - Shiny Toy Gunshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07Sz8J3ZPPc
How Are You Doing? - Living Sistershttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9D0Kr0yHng
Sheep Go to Heaven - CAKEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0mx5ERj1eI
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