Mari’s Journals

These last two months were so jam packed, it’s taken me more than a few days to write this journal. I kind of broke my streak of posting on the 25th of every month, but I think that the length of this one will more than make up for it. That being said, I do apologize for the sheer size of this journal. I think I’m subconsciously taking the lack of a word limit as a challenge and invitation to spew out each and every one of my thoughts, no matter how trivial they may be. Oh well, enjoy the mini novel!

For the majority of October, I was on school break, which felt odd, considering I had just been on school break two months earlier. At first, it almost came as a relief, since I’d been accustomed to viewing breaks as some magical thing for most of my life. My break was quite magical, and I by no means want to insinuate that it wasn’t, but I found myself really longing for school during the days when I had no true plans laid out for me. In these instances, I had to come up with my own activities and step out of my little bubble that was the safety of my house. 

In the early days of the month, I got to know Koh Chang, otherwise known as Elephant Island, thanks to David and I’s host families. It was one of the first times I had visited a truly touristy place within Thailand, and it surprised me to see many things that I was accustomed to seeing in America make an appearance here. People would walk barefoot on the streets, wear clothes that were more than a little revealing, were “louder” than the average Thai person, and I finally saw people swimming in the ocean; beaches in Chanthaburi often had more people walking along the water instead of going within it. 

According to my host family, the reason for this is because many Thai families often adopt a more laid-back style of vacationing. In place of intense thrills and flashy experiences, many would rather opt for comforting scenic views and tranquil times spent bonding with each other. I’m a mix between both styles, so it was refreshing having the option to choose between one or the other. It was funny to me when my host parents would wave me encouragingly towards the water, exclaiming, “Mali, go play! Go play!”. Definitely made me feel younger by at least a decade, but play in the water I did.

The restaurants were also mostly European, with many being Italian. I must say, it was great having pizza again after nearly two months; I really missed my greasy, carb-loaded, cheesy meals. 

I also happened to see a Mexican restaurant for the first time since landing in August, but sadly we didn’t have the time to go. I miss you, Latin American food. I did have quesadillas from a Taco Bell in Bangkok, but I’m hesitant to truly count that. 

Luckily, I have amazing Thai food instead! I’m beginning to develop a tolerance to spice, often going through entire meals without taking a single sip of water to soothe my tastebuds. There are certainly many foods in which this isn’t possible for me yet (looking at you, oh-so-spicy Tom Yum Goong), but progress is still progress. Currently, some of my favorite foods are Som Tam, Pad Thai, Suki Nam Moo, and Khao Pad Sapalot. The last one I mentioned is basically fried rice with pineapple, I can’t wait for the next time I get to eat it.

The weather and water in Koh Chang was actually gorgeous as well, it reminded me a lot of Clearwater’s beaches back in Florida. I’ll miss the sunsets I got to watch on the coast, photos on my phone didn’t quite do them justice. There were also a few monkeys on the island here and there, and I even got to feed and pet elephants. Overall, a really great trip, thank you to David and I’s families for such a breathtaking experience. 

I do want to mention one thing I found interesting on this trip. At the island, a new trait festered within me – protectiveness (and, I regret to say, perhaps even a superiority complex) in regards to Thai culture and people. Throughout our stay, many thoughts criticizing tourists surfaced to the forefront of my mind, judging those who took the “easy” way out and only stuck to non-Thai foods and customs. I was constantly perplexed, asking myself why some people would come to Thailand to end up shunning most of what makes it Thailand . Why go as far as to speak about Thai people as the “other” in their own country, as I’ve heard some people do? It just didn’t, and still doesn’t, sit right with me, admittedly. Nevertheless, I did remind myself that people are entitled to vacation the way they so chose, so long as they are not actively breaking regulations and serious cultural rules, and I did end up thoroughly enjoying myself regardless.

Once I got back home, it was like what I briefly mentioned before – a sort of quiet and boredom that I didn’t quite know how to cure. I’m no stranger to doing things on my own, and there are many times in which I prefer solitary activities, but after having school and this week-long trip, it was a little jarring having to only rely on myself to do things. There were many times in which I simply settled for being mundanely productive. I’d do my Thai lessons, draw, watch movies in Thai, and play with my cats. Planning things with my friends was also difficult during this time. Many of them were out of town embarking on travels of their own, and since I hadn’t been in school for all that long, I think I wasn’t close enough to too many people to really warrant 1-to-1 hangouts. It soon grew to a point where I almost felt ashamed at staying at home, since I had this notion that I “wasn’t making the most of my exchange”. 

It took me a little while to get comfortable with the mundane, and perhaps better yet, to also learn how to combat it. I began making lists of places I wanted to visit that I haven’t already. Cafes, restaurants, knickknack shops, parks – anything and everything I wanted to do, I made a list. On days where I truly had nothing to do at home, I’d then take one of those places and head over, most of the time on my own. I’d say it paid off. A lot of times, I’d get to talking with shop owners, explaining my situation to them and how I was still learning Thai. Sometimes, I’d meet someone from school and get to talking with them too, which even led me to making future plans!

Other times, I’d invite Jaslynn, another inbound that lives in my city, to go out and experience new things together. It’s hilarious and reassuring to get to experience new culture shocks with someone in the same boat as you, and as two “farangs”, I’ve found that people are often more understanding of our situation when we’re together. I could go on and on about the situations we’ve found ourselves in. We’ve gone fishing and have explored night markets together, but our most common hangout place is at Central mall. Central’s definitely the place where we’ve faced the majority of our metaphorical cultural tumbles.

Many times, though, my mini solo-adventures remained solitary, which was great on its own. I’d say that going to new places alone lets you form your own opinions and thoughts about them without the influence of others, which is important if you want to preserve the authenticity of your reactions and memories. You also have more freedom when it comes to setting your own pace; I’d often stay at some cafes for more than a few hours, just people watching or watching a movie on my phone as I let the time pass. I’m still unsure of how Thai people handle loitering, but so far, there don’t seem to be many social norms against it, luckily for me.

It has been interesting when my friends catch me on my own sometimes. It won’t even be during my mini trips around the city – sometimes at school, they meet my declarations to head off to the bathroom or snack shops with questions akin to, “...on your own?”

Going to buy snacks during class breaks must be in groups. Going to eat lunch must be in groups. Going to speak to teachers must be in groups. Even trios and pairs suffice. Going alone here is taken as evidence that one is upset, since I have been asked “Mali, are you lonely?” in concerned tones more than a few times. I’m not, but I’m very touched that they’ve thought to ask!

My social battery is ever-growing and elastic, though it has its limits. Being accompanied at nearly every moment of every day was exceedingly novel to me and something I quickly had to accustom myself to, lest I get overwhelmed. Fortunately, I’ve adapted, and it’s quite wonderful having my friends around me a lot. Exhaustion from long days of socialization also finds me at the end of each day, but it’s welcome considering it keeps any bouts of insomnia I previously had at bay. Yay, sleep!

The next trip I took in October was to Sisaket for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards!

I cannot stress enough how much fun I had within these few days. Every single person was so welcoming and an absolute pleasure to be around, and I miss them all so much. By the courtesy of a few generous Rotarians, all of the participants were able to sleep at a hotel, which is pretty great considering those in previous years were made to camp outside instead. I love camping, don’t get me wrong, but having air-conditioned rooms free of mosquitoes to rest in each night was very appreciated. Plus, we got loads of ice cream and snacks after every meal, allowing for the continued tradition of having regular sweet-treats each day. 

The activities we participated in were also some of the best I’ve ever seen from a student camp. Granted, I’ve never been to RYLA back in the States, but from what little experience I have at summer camps, none compare to RYLA in District 3340. I got to bottle feed fish, make Pad Thai, compose a chant (GO GREEN TEAM), do a Just Dance-off, paint bags and rocks, make a giant tower with newspapers, and even attend a private concert. My mind is genuinely boggled at the level of investment and effort put into such an event. 

I also gave out my second speech in Thai! I haven’t mentioned this at all, but before coming on this exchange, us outbounds were tasked to create a list of 20 goals to accomplish by the time we return. One of mine was to give 11 speeches. I didn’t quite specify if they had to be in Thai or not, but I’m going to make it a rule anyway. So far, I’ve given two – a very small one in August, where I stood up in front of the entire sophomore grade level at my school and made an introduction for myself in both Thai and English, and now this one at RYLA, where I stood up on stage and thanked everyone for such a stellar event. The former may or may not be counted by some people, but I chose to count it simply because I got the same nerves I get for any other big speech, and I had to speak in front of a large group of people in the end. So yeah, 2 speeches down, 9 more to go!

Spending more time with my other exchange student friends was something I couldn’t be more grateful for; I love them and am so glad I got lucky enough to experience this exchange alongside them. Our late night talks literally cannot be topped. If you guys are reading this, thank you for all the laughs and memories, you don’t know how much they mean to me. 

The road trip to and from Sisaket was a little killer, but it was evidently well worth it. The intermittent 7-11 stops also helped exponentially.  

To finish October off, I went to Pattaya with my host family and their friends. If Koh Chang was energetic, Pattaya was downright ballistic. The number of people there rivaled that of New York City, making traffic and walking a bit of a nightmare. The bustle itself was exciting though, and even when I found myself growing fatigued by the end of each day, I still had an amazing time. The Central at Pattaya was also mind blowing. Never in my life had I ever stepped foot in a mall so large and grand. Each floor was dedicated to its own country too, something that I still can’t get over. Like, there was a mini Tower of Pisa and a mini Eiffel Tower within the same building, the layout walkways giving them visibility to their maximum potential. It was so insanely cool, I truly love the Central malls of Thailand and have gained a deeper appreciation for any and all mall planners. 

I think I got rather nostalgic at Pattaya as well. Perhaps it was the mini amusement park that resembled the amusement parks back in Florida, or perhaps it was the time where we were all overlooking the sparkling city at night that brought back late night endeavors with friends and family. The notion that I haven’t seen my loved ones for months at that point just wormed its way into my consciousness, stubbornly holding its ground despite my best attempts at tugging it out. 

Currently, I’ve resorted to coexist with my homesickness rather than actively cure it, which ironically seems to have relieved it quite a bit. Do I miss my home in America? Undeniably, yes, of course. Am I still having some of the best experiences of my life here in Thailand? Indubitably, without a doubt. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to long for the beauty of the past while wanting to remain in the throes of the present. With the help of the internet, it’s not so hard to keep in touch with loved ones either. I may not call my friends and family all too often, but they’re certainly caught up to date with my adventures thanks to what I post on Instagram and these journals.

Now, what I’m about to say next will be a true test as to whether or not my mother back in America actually reads through this entire journal as she says she does. I’ll know she’s been truthful if I’m suddenly greeted by a frantic slew of messages one random morning, since I’ve told her nothing about this.

Recently, I went to the dentist because I’ve been experiencing a tooth ache. As someone with a deep, innate fear of medical settings, I spent the day of the appointment finishing menial tasks as a distraction, and when I no longer was able to occupy myself with anything, I had to focus on my breathing or whatnot lest I became lightheaded. 

All of this worrying and stress for nothing! I’m still at a loss at how painless the whole process was, both literally and figuratively.

My host mother and I arrived at the dentist. We make an appointment (because, Shock #1, you don’t have to plan days in advance for an appointment), we wait for about 5 minutes, and we’re told to come back at 3:30 (it was about 1:45 at the time). We go to eat, we return, and again, I worry and worry and worry, predominantly concerned over the fact that I hadn’t gotten the chance to brush my teeth after lunch. We walk back in there, I’m called back, and I’m sat down on the dental chair. The dentist himself spoke English, something I couldn’t be more grateful for because as much as I love practicing Thai, caveman-languaging myself through medical terminology was less than ideal. 

I explained to him my situation, expecting to get those giant devices that they have in the US, but no. Shock #2, he immediately allowed me to lay down and examined my teeth himself. I know that’s common for any dentist, examining teeth, but without the help of any large and monstrous machinery was quite a welcome surprise. A bit of scrutiny later, he said I had a bit of an uneven bite, and that he’d need to shave down my tooth. Shock #3, he simply shaved it right then and there! Maybe I’ve just had questionable experiences with certain dentists in the US, but I’m so used to the process of deliberation concerning these types of things to be like pulling teeth, pun intended. It was appalling for it to turn out so simple.

The final nail came when it was time to pay. After profusely thanking the dentist and his assistants for their kindness and gentleness, I went back to the lobby to reunite with my host mom. A new worry surfaced in my mind: I didn’t know how much the bill was, and since they did technically alter my teeth at that same appointment rather than in a future one, I estimated the price to go a bit steeper than I was originally anticipating. After I asked my host mom whether they accept cash or credit, she chuckled, waved me off, spoke with the receptionist, and I kid you not, pulled out 200 baht. 

Only 200 baht. 

That’s about 6 US dollars.

That sum of money is cheaper than some of the meals I've bought here. 

I was instantly floored, to say the least. What’s better is that my tooth aches have been completely gone since then! Even the tooth sensitivity that I’ve complained about, one that’s been with me for about three years now, is gone!

For the entire ride home, my jaw couldn’t possibly be lifted. Why can’t healthcare be this accessible everywhere? No wonder Thailand’s dubbed as “The Land of Smiles”, they have ridiculously great dental services.

For those who are also harbor a phobia of doctors and dentists and such, you’ll be in such great hands here, and I hope this story has brought you as much relief as it did to me. 

As November began rolling around, I began getting back into my old routine and heading off to school each day. Severely overestimating the time it would take for me to get to school each day back in September, I would wake up at 6 in the morning and be ready by 7 to make it to school before 8. I had assumed that city-living would mean insanely heavy rush-hour traffic.

As it turns out, a lot of the traffic here takes 15 minutes to get through, even less if you’re traveling by motorcycle. What’s more, ever since my host brother began school with me, I’ve been heading to school on his schedule: a nice and reasonable departure from home at 7:30 on most days. It’s relatively pleasant to not have to wake up so early, even if I’m only really saving about half an hour of sleep. 

If 20-minute drives are considered unreasonably long here, I’m curious as to how people would react to the common 45+ minute commutes many Americans take to work and school each day!

I’d say that this semester of school is more exciting than the last one for the sole reason that I’m finally entering a rhythm. I know how school operates, how lunch is handled, how to navigate the campus each morning. I know my schedule, I know a lot more people than I used to, and best of all, I know more academic Thai words! I’m aware it’s contradictory to say familiarity brings excitement, but honestly, knowing what to expect can be a huge advantage. The more you know how to operate within a system and society, the more you can comfortably accomplish within them. I’m no longer at the complete mercy of those around me, and I’ve gained independence that’s allowed me to make further progress towards assimilation into the culture. 

I made my friends promise to speak to me solely in Thai from December 1st on, and although I am nowhere near fluent, I think I’m ready to full-send it for the sake of furthering progress. Like a baby bird being hurled from the nest, I’ll have no other choice but to learn. So far, it’s not going too bad! Sure, they still use English with me to translate itty bitty details of our conversations, but I’m learning nonetheless!

I’ve also bought more books in Thai and have been physically copying them, word for word, in a notebook. From there, I translate each word and make vocab cards of the words I don’t know. It’s a slow process (sometimes unbearably slow), but I think it’s been killing tons of birds with just one stone. I’m improving my reading skills, my grammar skills, my writing skills, and just expanding my vocabulary as a whole. The only downside is that it’s hard for me to practice tones and pronunciations, so I won’t always recognize some words when they’re being spoken to me, but that’s what speaking practice with friends and family is for!

The book I'm currently in the middle of translating is "จดหมายจากดาวแมว" (Letters from Star Cat) by นทธี ศศิวิมล (Natthi Sassiwimon). In reality, I'm still on the third page, but it's been a good few weeks since I've started tackling it. The preface is kinda devastating, I'm excited for the heart-wrenching plot that awaits me in the actual book. I've also dabbled in translating the Thai version of "A Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Maybe I should learn French and translate it into its original form. 

I must admit, I still don’t understand most of what’s being discussed in my classes, and I’m constantly torn between learning Thai throughout the whole day, or just blankly staring at my teachers as they explain advanced physics and biology and philosophy and whatnot. I’m more drawn to the former, since I can actively further my Thai in a way that’s easiest for me, but at the same time, I don’t want to neglect all of my class material for literally every class. Decisions, decisions. 

In any case, learning Thai is my main priority, so as long as I do that in any way, shape, or form, I should be alright.

After school, I’ve lately been preoccupied with cheerleader practice in preparation of Sports Day!

In January, to my understanding, there will be a day where different teams (organized in colors) will compete against each other in various games and performances. I’m not sure if there’s a definitive prize or if we’re all participating for the love of the game, but either way, I’m just glad to be able to participate. 

I’m part of the blue team’s cheerleader squad. I’m not allowed to reveal too much as of right now, but generally speaking, cheerleading in Thailand is so much more different than in America. There’re no pom poms, no upbeat music soundtrack to dance to, and no insanely difficult flips and tumbles. There are, however, a plethora of sharp and precise movements (specifically with your arms), singing loudly, and a ton of acting. It’s more similar to a dance production than an actual cheerleading production, by American standards.

It’s so rewarding. I’m thankful I have years of dance under my belt already, because without it, I know I would have struggled to keep up way more than I already am. At first, learning each movement and executing them at the necessary speed was mind-numbingly hard. Even now, I still get tripped up, but after rehearsing for more than a few times, my limbs start acting and anticipating movements on their own. Thank goodness for muscle memory.

During the times I don’t have cheerleading, I’ll sometimes go with my athletic friend to practice Muay Thai and/or jog. It’s funny because sometimes we’ll get super motivated to go and workout during school, but when the time actually comes to do so, we’ll fall into a state of “mehhhhhh” that eventually proves lethal to our plans. Not to worry, because this only happens when we’re too tired, too hungry, too bored, too busy, or when the sky graces us with rain. Basically every other day, but our intentions are pure nonetheless. We did workout today actually, so there's that!

Speaking of my health, I think I have lost some weight. Not for lack of eating, believe me; I think it really does come down to the amount of movement I'm doing here and the quality of food I eat. Virtually all of my meals are made from scratch and are made pretty fresh, and leave me feeling full and satisfied without fail. Even the fast food places here taste way healthier. KFC and McDonald's in Thailand cannot be beat, their chicken is so fire. 

Back to the topic of friendships, I really like my friends here. Although I have some of the most amazing friends back in America, I’ve personally found making friends in Thailand to be a tad bit easier. I’m aware that being a new student from another country has contributed to everyone’s friendliness towards me, but once my “new-ness” and shine kind of wore off, there were still people I clicked with who stayed and I’ve grown close with. As different as cultures and upbringings are between two nationalities, I’m a firm believer that there will be people for everyone everywhere you go. 

Hearing their takes on typical teenage things like romance, hobbies, and aspirations is both enlightening and really funny to hear. Boy problems are universal, it seems! Striving high when it comes to one’s dreams is also common here, and I’m really proud when my friends get acceptance letters to universities and awards and whatnot, they’re legitimately inspirational. Filling out my own college applications became much easier knowing I had people close to me in the same boat. Fingers crossed we all get accepted into the ones we want!

Perhaps I’m still a teen with teen thoughts, but I think I’m going through the classic conundrum that comes with choosing between many surface level friends or a few really good friends. I’ve currently chosen the latter, as I’ve always found myself doing, but there is this nagging urge in my mind to stretch my time with many people instead of just a certain few, so as to have as many friends as possible. I think this inherently ties into my fear of missing out and my desire to impact as many people as I can on my exchange, but I’m still at a loss. Can I still call it a good exchange if I don’t truly get to know each and every person I meet?

In my heart, though, I know I’ll be more content if I continue to spend my time with the people that have made me happiest thus far. Maybe one day I’ll develop the skill that allows me to find a solid balance in this regard. Or, who knows, maybe the key is to be the best person you can be regardless of companionship. I’ve certainly been positively enlightened by complete strangers, so who’s to say I can’t do the same for others, right?

Ah, who knows?

Switching topics, I actually had yet another trip in November!

Being with Rotary, this trip was to explore the Central region of Thailand with the rest of the inbounds and a few Rotarians. Similar to all of the past trips I’ve taken, this one was nothing short of spectacular. 

Just like the ride to Sisaket for RYLA, the trip to our first stop was insanely grueling, though our shared suffering and sleeplessness just made it so that us inbounds had more to bond and laugh over. Apart from that first night, our lack of sleep was our fault entirely, with almost every one of our nights spent staying up until three or four in the morning just talking and talking and talking. Seriously, I never got bored of speaking with my friends, it always felt as though there was some fresh and captivating topic we all had to share our two cents on. 

The first day, after eating breakfast at 6 am at a local hotel with just an hour of sleep, we visited a bridge over the River Kwai. This particular bridge was a memorial dedicated to the lives lost in WWII, so we paid our respects before heading over to a Chinese temple. It always fascinates me how much detail truly goes into these temples, with their stunning paintings and sculptures painted with vibrant colors. I think after I learn Thai, I want to learn Mandarin Chinese. Many Thai schools already have a Chinese curriculum, since there’s a high demographic of people with Chinese ancestry. I think it’ll bring me closer to the culture of many of my own friends, and closer to some facets of Thai culture by proxy.

After the temple and shopping for souvenirs, we got to play at this one insanely cool water lake resort. It was quite literally a resort on water, with every building and facility placed over these floating platforms. The ground was thus always a little unsteady and bouncy, but I think that added to the place’s charm. Over the water, there were these inflatables that you could climb and slide down on and jump off from. They were always kind of difficult to traverse, given their slippery nature and the fact that there were giant jets of water perpetually shooting at us, but gosh, it was so fun toppling off anyways. 

There was also this one giant slide that literally shot you up into the air. It was kind of painful hitting the water, but as long as you don’t belly flop and just enjoy your air time, you’ll be fine!

The next day, our group hiked up the Erawan Waterfall. There were many tiers in which we could stop and take a refreshing dip in the water, but my group and I trekked straight to tier 7 – the topmost tier. There, we were met with one of the most beautiful waterfalls I had ever seen. It looked like I was looking up at some celestial light cascading from the heavens, I’m not even kidding. The water itself was refreshingly cold, and there were these fish that kind of nibbled at the skin on your legs and feet. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t get myself used to the sensation, so I didn’t stay inside the water for too long. My friends and I did manage to get up to a fish-less section where the water could directly rain down on us, which was pretty dope. 

The trek to the bottom was a bit tiring, but I’d say it was more peaceful and smoother than the way up. 

The following day, our group was able to visit the city of Bangkok itself, namely the ICON Siam mall and the surrounding area! Somehow, it was even larger than the already-giant Central mall in Pattaya, and it boasted plenty of popular global brands. This, of course, made it relatively expensive to shop at, but window-shopping was just as entertaining. To end the day, we were given the opportunity to eat on a mini cruise ship that included delectable meals, live music, and the ability to witness a drone show honoring Thai culture and the royal family. It was a little surreal witnessing such a show, I’m still in awe of the amount of planning and coordination that must have gone into it. 

For the final day, we all familiarized ourselves with the city of Bangkok on a bit of a grander scale. We were dressed in Thai cultural apparel (the Pha Sinh, if I remember correctly), we explored the Wat Arun Buddhist temple, we indulged in a boat tour using Bangkok’s waterways (the heat from the sun was like a double-edged sword; deliciously warm, but so much so that it lulled many of us to sleep!), we were given the freedom to eat at any restaurant of our choosing (Rian, Kaitlyn and I couldn’t help but try out the Taco Bell that had recently opened. It did not disappoint), and we finally closed our trip off with a tour of the Royal Palace! It was captivating, the way the afternoon light hit all of the glittering designs of each building. No photograph of mine could ever do it justice. 

Needless to say, when I returned to Chanthaburi, I needed to take an extra day off from school to fully recover and rest. I’ll miss my time in Central Thailand with my friends, but I was glad to be back home with my other friends and host family. Thank you to the Rotarians who put up with us and some of our shenanigans!

Another thanks to my host dad and brother for driving us back at such a late hour.

The weather throughout all of November has been more than gorgeous, by the way. With the rainy season over, it's generally been clear skies, warm days, and a brisk breeze. There have been the occasional cloudy and chilly days, making me wish I had packed a jacket, but they're exceedingly few and far between. It still feels like an early summer or spring would feel like back in Florida. Even the mosquitoes are still around, much to everyone's annoyance. They're fat and fast here, likely primed from their year-round feasting. This is going to sound silly, but for a time, I was hesitant about killing them, since I know Thai people honor the well being of other living creatures more so than in the States. I asked my host dad about it when I saw him swat at a fly this one time, and he said most bugs are alright to get rid of and whatnot. Thank GOODNESS, I am sick and tired of mosquitoes using me as their personal buffet.

I know most students will say the same things about their assigned families and whatnot, but I unquestionably think I lucked out with mine. Despite their incredibly busy work schedules and our limited knowledge of each others’ languages, they have made every possible effort to ensure that I am well cared for and comfortable. Being perfectly frank, before arriving in Thailand, I was afraid of having to live with unfamiliar people. Basic concerns aside, I was mostly worried I would offend them unknowingly through completing menial tasks incorrectly, such as washing my laundry wrong or using the wrong technique to eat my rice. With really minimal stuff, I was worried I’d do something to irreversibly impact my family’s perception on me negatively. 

Unfortunately for me, I have indeed made plenty of mistakes. Fortunately for me, the worst that I’ve gotten was playfully laughed at or teased before the whole situation was dropped. My host mother, father, and brother have never shamed me for living out my life with them. They’re patient during my attempts to communicate with them in Thai, they listen when I want to tell them tid bits of tea I’ve come across, and they’re perceptive when I seem a bit off one way or another. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about them is that they’re difficult to treat! 

I’ve been wanting to organize a sort of family game night with them, but given their busy schedules, it’s been hard trying to sort something out. I do appreciate the rare nights in which we all hang around the office together, enjoying our respective meals whilst watching the news or a movie or whatnot. I’ve also been wanting to bake them something, since “sweet treats” used to be a big thing for me back in the US, but they’re not too fond of desserts, instead valuing more savory foods. We also lack an oven here, which kind of puts another metaphorical fork in my plans, but oh well!

I’d describe my host dad as a generous, ambitious person who strives to elevate the moods of those around him. He’s honestly a really adorable man, with a kind smile and a very upbeat and outgoing mood. He’s taught me how to grill shrimp and will teach me how to cook Pad Thai one day! He’s the one mostly responsible for handling my stay in Thailand, with my visa and passport paperwork and whatnot, which I couldn’t be more grateful for. He’s also really silly, and with his infectious laughter, you won’t fail to have your spirits brightened when around him. Even now, I’m grinning at some of his shenanigans.

My host mother is similar to him in the fact that she is also extremely sweet and goal-driven. The majority of days I’ve spent with this family have included her deep in her work, taking accounts and jotting down notes and managing workers and counting money. It seems exhausting, but like my host dad, she never fails to greet me with a smile and an inquiry as to whether or not I’ve eaten yet. She’s helped me with stuff that’s more traditionally for women, if you catch my drift, and she’s been incredibly supportive of me in times of need. My favorite moments with her are when we’re one-on-one together and each have to caveman-language in each other’s language. While we’re in the car, for example, we’ll chat about random things and gesture vaguely and more or less get our points across. I’ll never forget her sincere smiles and the way in which she cares for me as one of her own.

My host brother’s the one that I’ve had most interactions with in the family. As an eldest sibling myself, the feeling of having an older sibling to look out for me was initially unfamiliar. He’d be my primary translator, my primary source of food, my primary source of information concerning Thai customs — all without complaint. He’d take me to and from places, listen to my personal drama, and would be careful to not wake me up from my occasional nap in the office. I try to be self-sufficient enough now so as to not abuse his generosity, but even when I’m unsure of something and need help, he’s there. It’s fun when we both have virtually nothing to do for the day, so we go out to grab lunch and we just chat about our own lives and whatnot. Since he was also an exchange student last year, his advice and stories are pretty invaluable to me. It’s especially great when he says something that basically knocks some sense into me; as much as I'd like to believe I'm always clear-headed and right, his perspective on things can be really sobering. 

I know it’s probably difficult for him, or any one of my host family members, to take someone in for such a long period of time, especially when I’m using the space that belongs to my host sister abroad, so I really hope I make their lives as easy as I can instead of the opposite. 

My host family also discovered my insatiable love for fruits, regularly buying me a bag of pineapple along with some meals. They’ve found the universal key to my heart, is what I’m saying.

So yeah, I think fate was truly kind to me when it decided to grace me with the opportunity to live with this family. Mark my words, I’m going to one day be rich and successful enough to host them for their very own trip in America, free of charge. I’ll provide Gaow with an endless supply of noodles to top it off.

Somehow, I think I’m forgetting about a few more things I wanted to address, so I’ll take it as a sign that I should end this journal here (lucky you!). 

I’ll report back likely in another two months, so until then, เจอกันนะ!

Love you all,

มะลิ