If you would, please allow me to make a request. This week I am transitioning into working at the Hudson House full time, which has me a wee bit nervous. The work itself is not too intimidating. It's mostly the people/person I work with. They just stress me out. That and it can be terribly slow at times. Would you please pray that I do not become discouraged, either by boredom or stress or both? I'm hoping and praying for the best...
Also, thanks to everyone for taking the time to read my blog and all --I appreciate it SO much!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
TGIF
I've survived another week. I can officially say that this week was a good week.
Thai class finished this week and I can say that I feel pretty confident about my speaking abilities.
I mailed postcards all by myself. As a mailman's daughter, I must say I am pretty proud of myself.
I also wrapped up my series of rabies vaccinations, which is a success in more than one way. Going to get vaccinated means I have to get a taxi to the hospital and back home again. Oh, and did I mention I hate getting shots? I'm not a big fan of needles and the thought of a needle going into my arm almost makes me faint, so not fainting is a huge success. Back to the taxi, the ride there was pretty uneventful, although every time I ride in a taxi I worry that they are taking me to the wrong place. When I've been somewhere before I know the route I expect to take, but as it turns out there are several routes to the same place causing me minor panic every time as I envision them leaving me at the wrong place or in the middle of nowhere. On the ride back to the Mekong Center the taxi driver was really not sure where he was going. at all. He beckoned me to come sit in the front and show him where to go. Problem is, I have no idea where I am at. Thankfully, he could speak some English and I could speak some Thai so we managed to find our way back. Along the way he asked me where I was from, how long I was in Thailand and things of that nature. I was telling him that I thought Thailand was beautiful and had great weather compared to the States. He asked me if I was rich and if I liked to shop, because that is the stereotypical American. And he kept telling me that I spoke Thai very well. I nearly laughed out loud every time he said it, because we both knew that I do NOT speak Thai well. I barely speak it at all. I think he was probably just thankful I was trying to speak Thai.
I am beginning to find peace in doing the small and mundane things and I am being reminded by God that joy can be found there. That is a huge praise, but also a big request for prayer. Every day I have to make the decision to find joy or not, and it is there to be found if I really take the time.
And now a story from last friday that will probably have you worrying for my safety, however I am going to insist that you need not worry. Disclaimer: I live in a VERY safe neighborhood. About 5 nights a week it is my responsibility to lock up the Mekong Center at 9 pm. Not a big deal --I just walk over shut a gate, lock a couple doors, done. I walk back home, usually I don't see another person the whole time. This was not the case last friday night. There were three Thai people walking ahead of me on the road, looking like they were hobos, kinda. They saw me and walked over. I didn't really think anything of it and I didn't feel like I was in danger or anything. One of them, an older woman reeking of alcohol, started speaking in Thai to me. My mind was racing, trying to think of how to tell them that I can't speak Thai, but beofre I could say anything she started saying words that I recognized and I realized she was asking me for money. The ironic thing about it was she was asking me for 20 baht (a bit less than $1), but she was holding 20 baht in her hand (I guess to show me what it looked like...). I wasn't carrying any money with me so I could honestly say I didn't have 20 baht. I was able to say this in Thai. We had just learned that day in class how to say money, so I basically just kept saying "may mee satang," or "no have money." It did the trick and they walked off.
Thai class finished this week and I can say that I feel pretty confident about my speaking abilities.
I mailed postcards all by myself. As a mailman's daughter, I must say I am pretty proud of myself.
I also wrapped up my series of rabies vaccinations, which is a success in more than one way. Going to get vaccinated means I have to get a taxi to the hospital and back home again. Oh, and did I mention I hate getting shots? I'm not a big fan of needles and the thought of a needle going into my arm almost makes me faint, so not fainting is a huge success. Back to the taxi, the ride there was pretty uneventful, although every time I ride in a taxi I worry that they are taking me to the wrong place. When I've been somewhere before I know the route I expect to take, but as it turns out there are several routes to the same place causing me minor panic every time as I envision them leaving me at the wrong place or in the middle of nowhere. On the ride back to the Mekong Center the taxi driver was really not sure where he was going. at all. He beckoned me to come sit in the front and show him where to go. Problem is, I have no idea where I am at. Thankfully, he could speak some English and I could speak some Thai so we managed to find our way back. Along the way he asked me where I was from, how long I was in Thailand and things of that nature. I was telling him that I thought Thailand was beautiful and had great weather compared to the States. He asked me if I was rich and if I liked to shop, because that is the stereotypical American. And he kept telling me that I spoke Thai very well. I nearly laughed out loud every time he said it, because we both knew that I do NOT speak Thai well. I barely speak it at all. I think he was probably just thankful I was trying to speak Thai.
I am beginning to find peace in doing the small and mundane things and I am being reminded by God that joy can be found there. That is a huge praise, but also a big request for prayer. Every day I have to make the decision to find joy or not, and it is there to be found if I really take the time.
And now a story from last friday that will probably have you worrying for my safety, however I am going to insist that you need not worry. Disclaimer: I live in a VERY safe neighborhood. About 5 nights a week it is my responsibility to lock up the Mekong Center at 9 pm. Not a big deal --I just walk over shut a gate, lock a couple doors, done. I walk back home, usually I don't see another person the whole time. This was not the case last friday night. There were three Thai people walking ahead of me on the road, looking like they were hobos, kinda. They saw me and walked over. I didn't really think anything of it and I didn't feel like I was in danger or anything. One of them, an older woman reeking of alcohol, started speaking in Thai to me. My mind was racing, trying to think of how to tell them that I can't speak Thai, but beofre I could say anything she started saying words that I recognized and I realized she was asking me for money. The ironic thing about it was she was asking me for 20 baht (a bit less than $1), but she was holding 20 baht in her hand (I guess to show me what it looked like...). I wasn't carrying any money with me so I could honestly say I didn't have 20 baht. I was able to say this in Thai. We had just learned that day in class how to say money, so I basically just kept saying "may mee satang," or "no have money." It did the trick and they walked off.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Every February in Chiang Mai there is a huge flower festival. There's a parade and tons of people come into town and it is madness trying to get anywhere. Don't even think about it. It is gridlock like you would not believe.
Myself and a couple of other Serve Asia workers had the novel idea to take the train out of town in the morning and then catch the last one back at night. Things did not go as planned. We arrived at the train station 30 minutes before our train was to leave. A train arrived and an announcement was made in Thai and in English with information about the train. I actually understood more of what she said in Thai than what she said in English and from what I gathered I thought it was our train. However, it was not. And neither was the next one. One of the railway workers told us our train would be there in 20 minutes. Since the train was already an hour late, we opted to try for a refund and just spend the day perusing the flower festival. Thankfully, we were able to get a full refund and ended up going to the flower festival after all. After the parade we went to the King's garden and had a look around.
Easier Said Than Done
Not a lot has changed since the last time I wrote. I'm still struggling with being behind the scenes. I hear about other intern experiences and it makes me wish that I was doing more 'ministry'. Honestly, at times I feel like what I am doing doesn't matter. (And most of the time its because I see what another intern has done and feel like the same thing is expected from me or I am jealous of their experience, and that if I don't do that it somehow makes what I am doing less valuable).
However, I have to say that at times I feel that what I am doing is contributing to the spread of the gospel. The last couple of days that I have been in the office have been spent typing phrases that are going to be used in a linguistic survey among the Tai Dam people group. I am awed by the fact that somehow the words I typed are going to help the Tai Dam have the Bible in their language!
So, I guess the struggle is more in learning to look for God's approval rather than human approval, but I'm finding that's easier said than done.
However, I have to say that at times I feel that what I am doing is contributing to the spread of the gospel. The last couple of days that I have been in the office have been spent typing phrases that are going to be used in a linguistic survey among the Tai Dam people group. I am awed by the fact that somehow the words I typed are going to help the Tai Dam have the Bible in their language!
So, I guess the struggle is more in learning to look for God's approval rather than human approval, but I'm finding that's easier said than done.
Monday, February 2, 2009
My Birthday & Thoughts On Mondays
It's a shame I don't have any pictures from my birthday because it was awesome. My Thai class planned a surprise party for me and we really didn't do much learning in class on friday. First, we reviewed what we learned the day before. Then we took a break to eat cake and sing 'Happy Birthday."
[I should probably add here that I was extremely nervous about eating cake. The last time I ate cake in another country it ended up being the most disgusting thing I had ever eaten and I later became quite ill. So the whole time I am cutting the cake I am praying that it does not make sick...and it didn't, thank goodness!]
Anyway...back to class. After taking a break to eat cake, we took another break. Then we started to learn about Thai times, but that didn't last very long because a former classmate decided to stop by for my birthday. He had given up on Thai class the week before, but decided to come back for my birthday. With him he brought champagne for a celebratory toast (he's French). Needless to say class was definitely over for the day.
Then I returned to the Mekong Center to eat lunch and work. At lunch most of the Mekong Staff sang "Happy Birthday" to me and bought my lunch. Later in the afternoon a couple of Swiss ladies brought me some candy and some fried banana (more on this later). One of them also asked if I liked chips and proceeded to buy me chips. I also received honey as a present from the Mekong Center director and his wife. So I'm thinking people are trying to send me subliminal messages...
Mondays. are NOT my favorite day of the week. The first saturday after I arrived here I bought a bicycle. On monday the chain came off my bike when I was riding it back after class. Some Thai guys helped me put it back on and told me not to go too fast because the chain was kinda loose. So, I took their advice and slowed it down. Things were going well until last monday when the chain came off again. No, I was not going too fast. Actually, I was going pretty slow because there was an unavoidable speed bump that I had to cross over. I managed to get the chain on by myself that time and although I was frustrated that it came off I was proud of myself that I put it back on even if it did get my hands all greasy.
Today (monday) I am on my way to class and the chain comes off for no reason at all. I put it back on really easily and continue on my way. I pedal once, maybe twice and the chain comes off AGAIN. This time the chain did not go on easily at all. After I struggled with it for about 10 minutes a Thai kid stops and helps me get it back on. I take off, already late for class. I start to pedal and the chain falls off. In frustration I give up and get a song-tow (basically, a taxi) to take me to class. Even though I was a 2 minute drive from class the guy ripped me off and charged me 40 baht (about $1.50). He claimed 20 was for me and 20 was for the bicycle. After class I try to put my chain back on. It goes back on easily, but also comes off easily. A guy in my class looks at the bike and tells me that somehow my back tire has come out of alignment which is preventing the chain from staying on. Rather than becoming more frustrated I got a song-tow back to the Mekong Center. This driver was much more merciful on me and my plight and charged 60 baht -- and he took me 4 times as far as the other guy.
That's just my commute on mondays. Class is stressful enough without being stressed out by the reliability of my bicycle. By the time I got back for lunch I was stressed out trying to figure out how I was going to get the bike fixed. And then I was surrounded by Swiss people...speaking Swiss. I figured I might as well be sitting alone. It was rather depressing.
Most days are not this bad. Mondays is by far the worst day of the week for me. For some reason they start horribly and that sets the pace for the rest of the day. By lunch time i end up wanting to cry because I am that frustrated with everything going on around me. However, there is good news. The bike has been fixed (at least for now) and it didn't cost me a thing. The building manager at the Mekong Center is a really handy guy and was able to fix it just be tightening a few bolts. The rest of the afternoon wasn't bad either, just typing up some info for Tim. I'm hopeful that next monday will be better. For starters, its a holiday so there is no class. Also, now that I've figured out mondays aren't the best days for me perhaps I'll be more prepared to handle the stress that monday brings.
[I should probably add here that I was extremely nervous about eating cake. The last time I ate cake in another country it ended up being the most disgusting thing I had ever eaten and I later became quite ill. So the whole time I am cutting the cake I am praying that it does not make sick...and it didn't, thank goodness!]
Anyway...back to class. After taking a break to eat cake, we took another break. Then we started to learn about Thai times, but that didn't last very long because a former classmate decided to stop by for my birthday. He had given up on Thai class the week before, but decided to come back for my birthday. With him he brought champagne for a celebratory toast (he's French). Needless to say class was definitely over for the day.
Then I returned to the Mekong Center to eat lunch and work. At lunch most of the Mekong Staff sang "Happy Birthday" to me and bought my lunch. Later in the afternoon a couple of Swiss ladies brought me some candy and some fried banana (more on this later). One of them also asked if I liked chips and proceeded to buy me chips. I also received honey as a present from the Mekong Center director and his wife. So I'm thinking people are trying to send me subliminal messages...
Mondays. are NOT my favorite day of the week. The first saturday after I arrived here I bought a bicycle. On monday the chain came off my bike when I was riding it back after class. Some Thai guys helped me put it back on and told me not to go too fast because the chain was kinda loose. So, I took their advice and slowed it down. Things were going well until last monday when the chain came off again. No, I was not going too fast. Actually, I was going pretty slow because there was an unavoidable speed bump that I had to cross over. I managed to get the chain on by myself that time and although I was frustrated that it came off I was proud of myself that I put it back on even if it did get my hands all greasy.
Today (monday) I am on my way to class and the chain comes off for no reason at all. I put it back on really easily and continue on my way. I pedal once, maybe twice and the chain comes off AGAIN. This time the chain did not go on easily at all. After I struggled with it for about 10 minutes a Thai kid stops and helps me get it back on. I take off, already late for class. I start to pedal and the chain falls off. In frustration I give up and get a song-tow (basically, a taxi) to take me to class. Even though I was a 2 minute drive from class the guy ripped me off and charged me 40 baht (about $1.50). He claimed 20 was for me and 20 was for the bicycle. After class I try to put my chain back on. It goes back on easily, but also comes off easily. A guy in my class looks at the bike and tells me that somehow my back tire has come out of alignment which is preventing the chain from staying on. Rather than becoming more frustrated I got a song-tow back to the Mekong Center. This driver was much more merciful on me and my plight and charged 60 baht -- and he took me 4 times as far as the other guy.
That's just my commute on mondays. Class is stressful enough without being stressed out by the reliability of my bicycle. By the time I got back for lunch I was stressed out trying to figure out how I was going to get the bike fixed. And then I was surrounded by Swiss people...speaking Swiss. I figured I might as well be sitting alone. It was rather depressing.
Most days are not this bad. Mondays is by far the worst day of the week for me. For some reason they start horribly and that sets the pace for the rest of the day. By lunch time i end up wanting to cry because I am that frustrated with everything going on around me. However, there is good news. The bike has been fixed (at least for now) and it didn't cost me a thing. The building manager at the Mekong Center is a really handy guy and was able to fix it just be tightening a few bolts. The rest of the afternoon wasn't bad either, just typing up some info for Tim. I'm hopeful that next monday will be better. For starters, its a holiday so there is no class. Also, now that I've figured out mondays aren't the best days for me perhaps I'll be more prepared to handle the stress that monday brings.
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