Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar

Last night, Dr. Hickson and I had dinner at the Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar on the roof of the Banyan Tree Hotel. It has been voted one of the top restaurants in the world to eat at by a few trip advising web sites that I have seen. It was definitely an experience having dinner 59 stories up over looking Bangkok. However, I am not sure the food reflected the prices. I had pan-seared sea bass over mushroom risotto with a saffron sauce. Now don't get my wrong, it was very good, but it was not the top of the many restaurants I have been to throughout my years. I could have settled with a drink or two at the bar. But if i ever do make it back to Bangkok, I will be back to the restaurant. They did, however, bring you a cold towel before dinner, which might have been the best part. The service was wonderful as well. It was a little warm and the clouds kind of got in the way of the sunset, but all-in-all, I had a great time. It was a very nice dinner and view of Bangkok to end the trip with.

I finished all of my shopping and aside from what the demonstration has gotten in the way of, I have crossed most things off of my list. Two more days of classes and then I am back to the real world! See everyone very soon :)

French Fried...

Yesterday after class I got a taxi to the Hotel Grand President on Sukhumvit Soi across town. I decided that I wanted a little change of scenery on my day off. From what I gathered, Sukhumvit is in a very nice part of Bangkok. The Prime Minister lives on this road, and the streets were also crawling with tourists and backpackers, young and old, from all over. Just wandering around the streets I heard many different languages. I checked in yesterday afternoon and went straight for a dip in the pool to try and kick the heat. After I relaxed for a little while, I went back to the room showered and got dressed for dinner. For dinner I decided to go to an Italian restaurant named Contrazi next door to the hotel. The atmosphere and food were UNBELIEVABLE. I felt like I should have been on a movie as all the beautiful couples drank their wine and enjoyed their evenings laughing and eating. The weather was perfect with a slight breeze and the Cabernet was delicious. The traditional Thai/Asian music created a calming silence between the laughs. I was really missing a certain someone as I enjoyed the ambience! For dinner, I got hand-made Gnocchi with pan-seared sea scallops in a mushroom cream sauce. I could have eaten 2 plates of it. Of course, I had to top it off with desert. I got the creme brulee trio, which was raspberry, orange, and kahlua. By the time I was done I was stuffed, so then I headed back upstairs and slept like a baby. I woke up this morning and went straight to the pool which was on the roof of the hotel. Hence, the title "French Fried." After a long day in the sun, I packed up, had my very first Aussie chicken and mushroom pie at an Australian pub across the way, and headed back to the JL. Even though it was very relaxing and felt wonderful swimming and getting that first kiss of sun for the summer, I will now be lathering myself with the Aloe lotion that I brought, probably for the rest of the trip. All-in-all, GREAT day off! Lesson Learned: SPF 15 (even applied a few times) has nothing on a rooftop pool in the hot Bangkok sun.

Count Your Blessings!

Every time that I return for a trip I cannot tell you how many times I get questions about how the trip was, what my favorite part was, etc. etc. etc. Now don't get me wrong, I love answering the questions and talking about all that I have done. This trip has been quite different from all the rest that I have been so fortunate to go on, such as Jamaica, the Bristish Isles, Honduras, Spain and Italy to name a few. Most of those trips have consisted of sight-seeing and hanging out with friends, except for Honduras, of course, which was by far one of my favorite and most rewarding trips to this day. However, my experience in Thailand has been quite a unique one, that will probably never compare to any other trips I plan to take throughout the course of my life. When i went to Spain, our goal was immersion to help learn the language. Because, I was left on the side of the road (typical) and my family didn't pick me up that first day I was put in a hostile with people from all over the world. I was exactly immersed into the Spanish culture, but i also had a very unique experience living with people from everywhere from Brazil to Holland. When i was preparing for this trip my goal in order to do my study was, once again, immersion into the Thai culture. Little did I know what i had in store for me. Throughout this month I have been immersed into the what many I have spoken with call the 'low end' part of Bangkok. Lesson learned: Count your blessings!! Day in, and day out we pass beggars, such as this picture, on the side of the road. I, honestly, believe that the vendors aren't making much more of a living than the beggars due to the mass amounts of product they are selling. I was reading an article in the Bangkok Post yesterday that a goal of the new year is to help make "Bangkokonoians" healthy by regulating the food that is sold on the streets and in the markets. In class today, I was told that the average income of workers in the city is 200 Baht a DAY! That is roughly $6!!! Our minimum wage is more than $6 an hour. By way of where I am living, each day, I am learning more and more to respect the efforts of the red shirts. The people who probably make less than the average 200 Baht. Even though I wish they would have chosen a different time to fight for their word to be heard, I cannot blame them. If i would have been on the nice beaches and the nicer areas of the capital city, I know that I would not feel this way, because I wouldn't have had the first-hand experiences to guide my thoughts. So if i could sum up my trip so far in one word, I would have to say: Humbling.

Today, is another very special day. Happy Birthday to one blessing I thank the Lord for everyday I wake up! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MAMA!! The older I get the more I hear, as well as can tell in myself, that I am turning more into my Mama. There could not be a bigger compliment in my eyes. You are the rock to so many both family and friends. I hope and pray that one day, I will have as much wisdom and experience as you do. I know it is not easy dealing with your highly emotional daughter, but I thank you for it! I don't know what I would do if I did not have you to pick up the phone and call as I go through each day in my emotional whirlwinds. Even though you may be enjoying the break of my constant phone calls throughout the day, not being able to pick up the phone and call you is DRVING ME NUTS!!!!! Just a few more days, Mama, and you will once again be able to rest a little better knowing that I am home. I know you and I know you have not quit worrying since the second I said good-bye on the plane in Atlanta. I hope you have a WONDERFUL day and I thank you for all that you do! I love you to the heavens and back!!! See you soon :)

The Reds Did Rally

Yesterday consisted of a bunch of horns, loudspeakers, screaming, singing, and red shirts. Around noon the caravan made it to Ramkhamhaeng and I know that I still heard rallying outside of the JL around 7 last night. Very persistent I must say! I honestly am not sure where they get the energy, especially, considering they have been out in the hot sun for a week now! When we began to hear the yelling we were still in the middle of a lesson but right as we were released for a break, I ran up to the top floor to see if I could see anything. Well the smoking deck on the roof had walls about seven feet tall but there was a covering about half way up that i managed to get up on top of. So, 9 stories high, on top of the roof I managed to get some pictures thinking I would miss the rest of the rally while sitting in class. To my surprise, when we got out of class around 4 they were still going strong, which made our walk home quite eventful. I was more scared standing on top of the roof than I was amidst the rally. I did not feel one threat from the protestors in the rally. Honestly, I felt like I was at a parade. There were motorcycles and trucks full of people of all ages smiling, clapping, chanting and singing. I wish I could have taken more pictures but there was hardly enough room to breath in the "o-so-pleasant" vendor foods and bus fumes, much less room for me to set up to get some pictures. The worst part of the rally was the very persistent people handing out flyers on the side of the road. Most of them were not in red so I think they were just soliciting for local "businesses" on Ramkhamhaeng. One of them followed me for a block, waving the flyer in my face, saying something in Thai. I'm not sure if he didn't catch on to the fact that I am not a native to SE Asia because the flyer was written in Thai and a lot of good that would have done me. The majority of the reds, both standing on the roads and riding in the rally/parade, seemed like very peaceful people just wanting to be heard. We were talking about it in class today, and one of the students said the majority of the protestors are coming from Northern Thailand which, according to the student, is where you will meet some of the most genuine people of the country. I did read that there were hand grenades launched and people were injured, but the number of injuries and actions of violence is still very small. I am learning more about the politics each day and it seems that if the protestors and leaders would leave Thaksin Shinawatra and his corrupt morals out of it they would get more accomplished. They feel that the new Prime Minister was not elected democratically and all they want to do is be heard, by way of a democratic election. Who can blame them for that? Lesson learned: Be thankful you live in a "democratic" society.

Quick Update...

I am sitting in class so this can't be real long, seeing that I should be listening, but I wanted to update everyone. I got home yesterday and was so exhausted if I even picked up the computer to write an entry it would have made absolutely no sense. So the march is due to come down Ramkhamhaeng today betweem 10 and 6. The painting the prime ministers house and the government buildings obviously got them no where so they have decided to spread out. I pretty sure the blood stuff is over though. A student picked us up because he was afraid for us to walk. So sweet and caring :) Traffic was crazy this morning but I can deal with that. No sign of Red Shirts just yet and considering I am in a classroom with no windows, I may not see them. This is Thaksin Shinawatra, the man behind the madness. Ironically, he has a degree in Criminal Psychology, but maybe it's not ironic because he had to learn out to act from somewhere. He has been expelled from Dubai and Cambodia has not taken him in and given him citizenship to allow him to continue to hide from his jail sentence. He is, quite frankly, really messing up my trip. Thanks! I guess I am living in Thai history :/ Anways more to come later just wanted to keep you posted! ~P

Sanuk

Earlier today I was talking to my Mama on Google video chat and she asked me what I have learned. Of course, on the spot, I didn't have much to say. But then I started thinking about the many things I have already learned from the Thai people and how much more I can absorb in the few short days that I have left in "The Land of Smiles." Thailand is a country full of many values and ideals that can be learned and, quite frankly, need to be absorbed by most people around the world. For a country with so little comparatively to the rest of the world, I am amazed and humbled by the way most people in the country live from day to day. Over the next week and three days, I will try to incorporate some of the values that the Thai people typically operate around into the Blog. I hope to bring back these lessons to the States and remember them each day as I get caught up in the world as we know it. Todays lesson is the value of having fun and finding pleasure in life. In the Thai language the word is SANUK, which means to have fun and enjoy oneself. The picture today is of a guy who I pass on my walk home from school each day. No shoes on his feet and just a few coins in a plastic sack on the ground, he sings and dances around having fun every day! I don't believe there is a single one of us who would enjoy this daily if it was our way of making a very, very small living. But I know that he is having fun and enjoying himself. You can tell by the way he is singing and the way he dances around. Each day, I wish I had more to give. Now I know what most of you are thinking... That child has never had a problem having fun :) Now sitting down and writing these monstrous papers (which is in my near future) has never really been what I consider "fun." But why can't it be? I will now attempt to look at it as "Fun in Learning." Learning new things, that, in the least, can help me to sound super intelligent when I am sitting down to dinner, or talking with people in classes or even out on the town. It's always fun to sound smart! I also know that at home it is sometimes hard to find any fun in our daily responsibilities, so today, I challenge everyone to find a little sanuk in what are typically considered our daily mind-numbing, hum-drum, unexciting tasks. So Mama, Lesson learned: Have fun and find pleasure in ALL that you do! Love you!

A Hint of Green...

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!!! Due to the demonstration and I feel like the blog is kind of suffering. But on this St. Paddy's Day, I knew I had the perfect picture. This is the garden at the JL. Everything is bright green and getting ready to hit full bloom around here. I didn't realize what today was until I got to school, so luckily I changed from my black sandals into my green Chaco's before I left for school this morning. Not that it would have really mattered, I believe I am a few miles away from the leprechauns that would have been offended. Probably, needless to say, but, St. Patrick's Day is not celebrated around here. I hope everyone at home steers clear of the "little pinchers" that might be after you!

This week has been mainly occupied with school. Unfortunately, if these Red Shirts don't slack off, school is going to continue to occupy the rest of the trip. However, better safe, than sorry!! I had my first run in with a few of them yesterday. It was 4 elderly women decked in red with Thaksin pins on their shirts. I didn't feel much of a threat, because I felt like I could take them :) Crowds are thinning, slightly (definitely not significantly), but there has not been any changes in the government yet. As each day passes in the raging heat, I feel like the protests can only go one way. Things could turn for the good, and the crowds leave due to change or exhaustion, or, well, I won't mention the other side in lieu of keeping a positive attitude. All we can continue to do is Pray for Peace! I'm not quite sure what the ritual of splattering the blood all over the government areas and then the Prime Minister's house signified but it was completed. I will spare you of the morbid pictures. I feel like they are running out of options. There has been mention of talks between the opposing sides in order to re-establish "kreng jai" (aware of other people's feelings showing politeness, respect, and consideration) atmosphere to the nation of Thailand. Hopefully these talks will happen sooner than later.

It's a Jungle Out There...

So the title is a bit of an innuendo to the Monk theme song. That was for you Mama ;) Anyways, in all the political turmoil I figure a peaceful post would be a nice change. This is just a picture of a Buddhist monk walking the streets outside of the university. I see them fairly often and there is a local Wat, temple, on the same street as the JL. Traditionally, the monks wander, with few possessions, living simply, spending their time in meditation, the quest for spiritual knowledge and teaching others. Many monks these days have teaching certificates and run simple village schools, bringing education to remote areas. Monks take vows of poverty, which prevents them from eating after noon, and vows of celibacy, which prevents them from forming a priestly caste. There is a minority of monks who do not keep all of the 227 monastic vows and do not act as an appropriate monk but the majority act as examples of virtue in an increasingly immoral world. During chantings at the temples monks are seated on a platform above the public with their legs crossed. If the commoner was to sit in the cross-legged position in front of a monk they would be suggesting that they were his equal when, in fact, they are not. However, in everyday life, the cross-legged position is the most comfortable and common position when there is no chair available.

The demonstration is pretty much still a jungle. Two military men were injured when a hand grenade exploded. Red Shirts have also threatened to spread blood across the Government House on Tuesday morning drawing blood from the 100,000 supporters as some kind of symbolic action as the Government workers go to work in the morning. We might have a few other things to worry about like sharing needles for example... EEEEEEWWWW!!! I have to give it to them though because, so far, they have "pretty much" kept their promises of no violence as the heat rages and crowds grow, which is A LOT more than I would ever be able to say for a group of Americans. I mean, nobody asked me, but I just do not see an entire Government, full of politicians and supported by the elite of the country to just "bow out gracefully." I wish these Red Shirts would just back off so I can enjoy the beautiful country and people of Thailand outside of the JL Bangkok and Ramkhamhaeng University. But as I already mentioned, nobody asked me :) Continue to Pray for Peace!

This is a picture of Wanida Lunla and I in class, studying so diligently as you can tell. A little rough of me after a long day (9-4) in class, but just a little proof for ya Daddy that there is some educatin' goin' on :) Wanida is great and quite entertaining! Sorry about not posting yesterday, but I hope everyone has a beautiful Monday and a great week. Love to all!!

Sweet Little Vendor

Ramkhamhaeng, which is the main street that I am staying off of, as well as the name of the university I am attending, is quite frankly, like a Canal Street in China Town, NYC on steroids. Every morning vendors open and put up with the heat all day long, selling purses, watches, sunglasses, clothes, shoes, charms, flowers, lottery tickets, all kinds of foods and even animals. I passed some baby ferrets the other day chained to a cage. Honestly, it made me sad. But do not worry, Mama and Daddy, I promise I will not be toting home any more animals as hard as it was to pass them up ;) At night it is even worse. I have no clue where they all come from, but during the day there is at least one side of the sidewalk to walk on. I have really done well not spending every dime that I have. I think it is mainly because I am surrounded by hundreds of people in sweltering 98 and 99 degree heat. I just can't really bring myself to pack into a 5x10 cubicle to search through the mounds of clothes even though the majority are very quite cute. Now they might fall apart after the 3rd time to wear it but, hey, at least that's 3 times. There is also no hope of trying them on so the few things that I have grabbed I will just cross my fingers that they fit. If they don't fit me, I am sure they will fit someone! Anyways, this little man in this picture was just as sweet as they come. Of course, being the sucker that I am once he grabbed me, I wasn't leaving until I found something at his stand. He moved along with me, as I tried to say no, to 3 different stands saying "This is my family's stand." Well eventually, I found a cool little painting on rice paper and after giving my bargaining skills a little practice, I bought the painting for, I believe, 350 Baht or roughly $9.50. After I gave him my money we talked for a few minutes about Mississippi, as I tried to help him pronounce it. After I walked around a while, I passed him again. He tried sharing his lunch with me, but I declined (with good reason). He was just the sweetest man, so I asked if I could get his picture and, of couse, he struck a pose.

I cannot forget another super sweet man on his special day! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DADDY!! Words can't express how much I love you!! It's because of you that I am where I am

today. Your drive to do the best you can in life, HUGE heart for helping others, and faith in the Lord are such an inspiration to everyone, including your hard-headed world-traveler. I am so blessed to have grown up with you as my example in life, paving the way for me and Hannah, and most of all for being my Daddy!! I am also pretty lucky to have inherited your dashing good looks :) Thanks so much for all that you do!! Even though you don't really understand the meaning of take the day for YOURSELF, I hope that you do today. Just wish I could be there with you! I love you to the heavens and back!!!

Peace Be With You

Since my day was pretty much full of research and eating, I guess I will update you on the demonstration. So far, so good! Personally, I have not seen or heard anything. I have been keeping up with news updates to the Bangkok Post all day. This morning there were 5 bombs in Surat Thani, in southern Thailand. However, it has been said that the bombing were not related to the March. About 1 o'clock today a group of protestors in Bangkok began their march with a religious ritual at the King Taksin monument. This was one of 5 spots of rendezvous for the protestors just in Bangkok. In numerous other cities in Thailand marches began en route to Bangkok, including Chang Mai, which is the home of Thaksin Shinawatra's (who is basically the man behind the madness) home town. Many government houses closed down at 2 p.m. today for fear of harm to workers, as well as, many banks throughout the city. The tourism bureau has also set up a few hotlines for tourists. According to the Bangkok Post, the fear of violence does not come from the organized Red Shirts, but the Third parties taking advantage of the situation. However, as I said earlier, so far, so good, even though this is the largest organized protest since the coup of 2006. From everything I have read, the military men, etc. will be set up around the city until the 23rd of March. All we can do is hope and pray for a peaceful demonstration! Hopefully the Land of Smiles will resolve this disagreement in the near future. Also remember, as stated on this ladies shirt, THAI'S LOVE PEACE!

Safety First

The picture today is of a phra khreuang charm (hanging from my taxi driver's rear view mirror). These are Buddha pendants or likenesses of famous Monks. They are often worn around the neck, and it is widely know that the more of them you have, the better. There are many different kinds of charms. There are also many different journals explaining the meaning of each charm. The appropriate charm is chosen to protect against danger and misfortune, or to ensure love, luck, and power. As I was walking down the street the other day, I passed a man with chains wrapped in an 'X' around his chest, covered in different pendants. Unfortunately, I didn't grab my camera quick enough as I was being herded through the streets like human cattle but this man was obviously a little worried about something or a very lucky man.

In keeping with the safety theme, I am pretty much confined to my hotel tomorrow. The whole city of Bangkok and numerous other surrounding areas are on a Red Alert because of threats of a Red Shirt (communist) demonstration. The security authority is estimating one-million Red shirts to attend the demonstration. 50,000 soldiers police civilians and volunteers have been set up around the city, lining the streets in order to maintain peace. However, the majority of the troops are not armed. A section of the Thai constitution allows for a peaceful assembly to express opinions, however, all security measures are being taken in case of violence. I am located far enough away from the area that is supposed to be the epicenter of the demonstration, but for safety measures I am going to take advantage of the down time and get some work done.

Tourists

Today two friends from school took us around Bangkok. We started out at the Old Siam market and then continued to visit a couple of Wats (Temples) around the city. Old Siam was UNBELIEVABLE! There were beautiful traditional Thai dresses, as well as, the most beautiful Thai silk throughout the entire "mall." We stopped for lunch in the food court and got to hear some Karaoke. We then saw a really big swing, which according to a postcard we saw a book store, is the place where Hinduism and Buddhism meet. The swing is no longer active because of injuries in the past. The Wat in the picture is Wat Suthat. We entered, saw the Buddha, and then Nat (on the left) and An (on the right) demonstrated a fortune-telling ritual. Under the instruction of my, o-so-sweet-tour guides, we knelt down, tucking our feet underneath out bottoms, and shook and cup full of sticks. Each stick had a number on it and as you shook the cup full one stick would eventually fall out. The number written on the stick indicated your fortune. Unfortunately, number 4 fell out and it was a bad one, but fortunately you could leave your fortune at the Wat hoping to have better luck at the next one. I then took my first ride in a Tuk Tuk. After Wat Suthat, we went to visit Wat Pho, The Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It was MASSIVE. Once again a good day but i am so SUPER exhausted! Good night to all!

Tuesday's Gone with the Wind

Today was a long day of productivity. As hard as it is to sometimes remember, yes, I am here for school. I spent the day researching and fighting with my Photobooth movie recorder trying to post the lecture for my Public Speaking class. Sometimes productive days make me feel as if I have accomplished a lot, but todays work just reminded me that I have much more to do. My computer is probably about ready to bite the dust, so I will give it a rest and get back to some reading before I hit this rock solid bed once again. Good news, however, I slept 'til about 7:30 so maybe I'm finally kicking the jet-lag. I guess tomorrow shall tell. Goodnight/ morning to everyone at home!! I hope you have a great day :)

Don't Just Stand There, Bust a Move

Today was a successful day of scoping out the shopping scene both near and far from the JL. I really have to give it to Dr. Hickson for being a patient shopping buddy, because I am sure he was just ecstatic to roam the streets and aisles of the numerous stores that I forced him into. I tried not to buy too much because a friend from class is taking off work on Wednesday to take me shopping. She grew up here so I am completely confident in her knowledge of where to go, what to get, and how to bargain. But, no worries, I didn't make it home empty handed because, of course, I had Baht burning in my pocket. The exchange rate being about 33 Baht to the dollar, creates an abundance of currency, which is usually not my problem, so you know I can barely stand not to pick up any of the Fayban's and Feiko watches as I pass the vendors daily. As I was wrapping up my day at the mall down the street, trying to figure out what I wanted for dinner, I stopped at a restaurant called MK's to look at the menu that was sitting outside. All of a sudden, no warning, no music, no nothing, the entire wait staff broke out into song and dance strategically standing throughout the entire restaurant. I wasn't sure if they really wanted me to come in and eat or if it was someone's birthday or what was going on. I guess I will never know because I couldn't understand the Thai words they were singing. I ended up not eating there tonight but I will probably be back soon because I told myself the dance was for me ;) All-in-all a good day! Well I didn't get much sleep last night because I blew the circuit, had no air or lights and had to pack up and move in the middle of the night, so I am off to sleep... I hope everyone has a good Monday!

Preparing for the Princess

If those flowers are anywhere as hot and dehydrated as I am then he is going to be standing there for a while. I mean, growing up in the heat basin, also known as the Delta, that I did, I felt like I would have been pretty well prepared for the heat. I'm guessing the snow the day before I left Birmingham didn't make for much of a smooth transition between the winter we have had into Thailand's brink of the hottest month of the year. I'm guessing the shoulder-to-shoulder traffic on the sidewalks in between all the vendors frying up the latest catch doesn't help either. However, the morning walks to school are fairly pleasant. Anyways, back to the Princess... RU (the university) has been preparing for their Graduation. Their graduation is not our typical 4 hour long ceremony listening to speakers and walking across the stage. Family and friends come for a week long celebration. Students have been walking around in their gowns, no caps, all day every day. Talk about some heat under those black things. I have been dodging the street vendors selling very interesting bouquets of flowers and different trinkets for the families to shower their graduates in, and the constant flashes of group shots in front of the various "Congratulations" backdrops (like the ones we threw together for each Jr. High and High School dance) made across campus for the past couple of days. This year, however, security is heightened and extra care of the campus is being taken to prepare for the Princess, who will be on campus on Monday. There is very limited access but I have been trying to figure out how I could make my way on campus. Since our classes are canceled, and I have no loved ones graduating I haven't had very much luck. They take royalty very serious around here, so I'm probably not going to push it because they will throw you in jail in a split second. So, at least, this opens up a week for me to see the many sights of Bangkok! This should also make for some more interesting blog posts... (If i can charge my computer) Something just popped and the converter started smoking so I better put it up for now :/ I'm hitting the sack because I was once again up at 5 but I hope everyone at home has a wonderful Sunday! Love you!

School Days

Today we started classes. Up, once again, bright and early, because I just can't seem to get used to this 13 hour difference, I missed breakfast and got to school way before anyone else. (Which is quite out of the norm for me) Students started showing up around 9, which is what time class begins, but continued to show up throughout the next hour. In my readings before the trip it was mentioned a few times that Thai's have no sense of time, they were not lying. We began with Hickson's usual "notecard orientation," which more-so than ever was very beneficial to me. This, being the graduate course, consisted of 14 students, one other American, a couple girls from Burma/Myanmar, a few Chinese but mostly Thais. Everyone seems to speak English well enough to understand what's going on in class but I have heard it's not the same in the undergraduate course. We were in class from 9-4 with a couple of breaks which makes for a long day. I don't believe i have sat in the same class that long since I was in the 6th grade. All-in-all it was a good, but long day as I am still fighting through the jet-lag. Finished the day with a little homework I neglected last week and a couple Singha's (Thai beer). Goodnight/Good morning to all that I love!

Birmingham to Bangkok

So after a grand total of 22 hours in the air I arrived in Bangkok around 11:15 pm, got to the Bed & Breakfast and went straight to sleep. I have never felt jet-lag the way I did last night. I fell quickly asleep but was up again just a few hours later. Bright and early, I got up and got dressed to explore my new neighborhood for the next month. Just a little different from Forest Park. Not far from the river and right off a huge road the JL Bangkok is nestled in amongst a couple of malls, not far from the Ramkhamhaeng University and surrounded by street vendors selling everything from your typical knock off Prada to anything and everything they can throw in a fryer. After a long day wandering, pretty much aimlessly, just to absorb the notion that I am actually in Bangkok, I have come to the conclusion that I am definitely a fish out of water. I think the blue eyes and the curls give it away. As for now, as day one comes to an end, I have settled in to the JL directly under the AC, fighting the 98 degree heat, to get some work done before classes start tomorrow.