Thailand by the Numbers

~~~ inspired by the blog of the beautiful Kristina Lee ~~~

Having completed my first semester in Thailand it seemed like an appropriate time for reflection and deep thought. However, with the prospect of six weeks of traveling with my best friends from SCU and a trip home to the USA looming before me, I could hardly muster a introspective blog full of revelation and self-discovery. So instead, I give you this: an entertaining summary of my first few months in this strange and wonderful country by the numbers. Enjoy!

11- the number of roosters that live in the complex next door to my apartment. Those of you who have been loyal followers will remember these buggers from one of those first blogs about my daily life. yes, they're still a large and loud part of it. yes, i still consider how best to get rid of them... but that would be bad ju ju, and i don't need any of that.

1- The number of pricks (that's chilis in thai for those with dirty minds) Reuven and I like in our som tam. Reu and I have gotten into quite a routine in kalasin. On the nights that we go to the night market for dinner, which is most nights since it's the best place in town, we always always get som tam. Som tam is a spicy papaya salad made from peels of unripened papaya, tomato slices, peanuts, limes, cane sugar, chilis! and usually some kind of shrimp. It is always served with sticky rice (kow neow) to combat the high levels of spiciness. So hot, but so good. But we prefer to be able to feel our tongues in the morning, so 1 prick it is.

750- the approximate number of students i taught last semester. Although it would be fair to say that i really only ever saw 600 of them, and really only knew about 50 of them by nickname. Regardless they were wonderful. I truly enjoyed them with all. Although at times, they really frustrated me, they also taught me to embrace the "mai pen rai" attitude and just enjoy them, even if the only english we covered that day was "good maaaawning teeeecha". I am happy to announce, officially, that I will not only be staying in Kalasin for next semester, but I will also be staying with Mattayom 3 because 9th graders are awesome. These will be Reuven's students from last semester, so that could be interesting.

10- The number of books that I have read so far. Something about being in the tranquil rice fields and lying in the white sand of beautiful beaches has me eating through books at a wonderfully alarming rate. It's been so great to be able to read for pleasure again, reading whatever I want, or whatever i find at the used book stores. Although something inside of me (perhaps my english major-ness) still draws me to the classics. Random collection of books read so far include: The Great Gatsby, The Art of Racing in the Rain, 1000 Splendid Suns, Three Cups of Tea, Frankenstein, My Year of Meats, The Other Boleyn Girl, and others. Currently reading: Arabian Nights courtesy of the book shelf on the second floor of my hostel.

58- The average number of bug bites incurred on a weekend trip to Ko Samet. Still my favorite island though, since none of those bites have lead to either malaria or dengue fever. Hooray!

308- My apartment number aka the scene of the crime. Confused? read the previous blog...

6- The number of goodbye parties that the thai teachers threw for Laura B. Sadly, she will be leaving us next semester to travel around se asia with her boyfriend. And who can blame her? Witht eh hot season on its way, it's hard to imagine wanting to stay in kalasin! She will be missed!

2- The number of SCU-ers coming to thailand! The lovely jessica barnett and the beautiful brianna lewke will be joining me during this 6 week vacation. Jess and i are exploring the jungles and waterfalls of Kanchanaburi as well as the ancient ruins of Ayuthaya and, of course the madness of Bangkok. Brianna and I are venturing to the islands for some serious sun-bathing and scuba diving as well as to Chiang Mai, my most favorite city in the north. I'm so happy they could join me! The three musketeers are reunited!

25- The number of days til I come home! For those who don't know, i'll be home from april 17th to may 2nd. I will be partaking in activities like giving the puppies lots of love, drinking real wine with a variety of lovely people, accepting hugs from all my loved ones, and eating copious amounts of cheese and mexican food.

xoxo
dena