Don't be fooled by the red hair....I'm Thai

Last weekend, a group of Suphan farang decided to have one last hurrah on Khao San Rd. It had been a long while since I've gone wild on the most overstimulating street in the world, but we wanted to go big one last time. As we stepped into the hostel, which was bumping with backpackers from all over the world, I was instantly struck with anxiety and discomfort. I used to live for these kinds of places, so I was really thrown off by this feeling. I have been so enamored with Suphan, and thus traveling a lot less this semester. I've gotten really used to being one of few white people in a given place. I love Thinglish conversations and continual "Chon gao's" (Cheers') with Bia Singha. I love getting my photo taken with random Thai people and rocking the peace sign. I absolutely love awkwardly dancing to Thai bands at Thai bars where there are no other farang in sight. It's just the way it has been for the past year, and luckily, I love it. I embraced it long ago and have been reaping the benefits of pretty epic nights out in Suphan. So, after some thought, it was pretty understandable why I felt so out of place in a hostel teeming with farang. I forget how to interact with them. Which means only one thing..... I. Am. Thai. 


I use baby powder on a daily basis, I rely on Google Translate, I don't wait for others before eating, I only listen to Thai music, I'm a Thai band groupie, I cannot form a coherent English sentence, I double dip, I contribute to Facebook conversations (84 comments? chyeaaa), I very publicly use a toothpick after my meals, I text while tripling up on the back of a motorbike (okay it only happened once, but I felt very Thai), I cross the street at really inopportune times, I eat freaky things like deep fried shredded catfish with mango, I drink whiskey and coke, I 555 a lot, I try to avoid the sun, I crush on Thai superstars, I smell menthol tubes, I use bug spray as perfume, I eat rice every single day and miss it when I don't, the list goes on and on....


Seriously- I'm becoming Thai. When we walked into a bar later that night (to see my third 25 Hours concert in a month), we were pretty obviously the only white people in the bar, and everything felt right again. I have not only been introduced to a completely new culture this year, but I've been fully immersed in it, and somewhere along the way, I adapted to it. Which is all fine and dandy, but I am days away from embarking on a 6 week backpacking journey before going back to America. Is Thai Nell going to be completely overwhelmed or will I just 'snap' back into backpacker mode? I'm sure it will be fine...Mai Pen Rai....right?


Also- with that being said, I will have very limited access to the Internet in the next 6 weeks, and so blog posts will be far and few. 


BKK- Isaan- Laos- Siem Reap, Cambodia - BKK- some beautiful tropical island(s) TBD- Chiang Mai- Suphan- BKK - Seoul- Chicago- BOSTON (what?!?!?! ahhh!)


Suphan- I love you. I'm not ready to say goodbye. I still have a few more nights to cherish with you, so CHON GAO!

Some of my favorite people 

Mee Kwam Sook (Happiness)

I’ve been living in denial the past few weeks. I knew once September hit, it was the beginning of the end, and I wanted to push that thought far, far away. I thought I would be ready. I thought I would be craving Westernization again...ancy to resume ‘normal’ life. But here I am, days away from leaving Suphan, and dreading it more than ever. I’ve created a nice little life here in the middle of rice paddies and it feels wrong to just get up and leave. The past couple of months have been amazing. Everyday is full of smiles and happiness. I can’t remember the last time I have ever felt this happy in my life- which keeps me asking myself "Why am I leaving again?"

In reality, it's a silly question. I need to go home. Student loans (blah) beckon me. I miss my family. I want to get my Master's Degree. I know that anytime you leave a place you love, it's hard and it brings a lot of doubt. But I've been trying to ignore the sadness and focus on all of the good going on around me. And words cannot do justice to the happiness that has been filling up my life. But, here's a little reason why: 

Students:

I'm in love. Every single day they put a smile on my face. I've created such a bond with them and it kills me to leave them. I put a lot of work into being a good teacher. I didn't really write much about my teaching experience here, but it was dang hard. I struggled a lot. But, I did it. And I loved it...all because of them. They are so smart and so incredibly funny. They study all day and into the night, and still manage to be as silly as can be. The last few weeks have been especially hard, having to say goodbye to all these adorable kids. There have been some tears, a lot of hugs, and possibly a world record set for amount of Photobooth pictures taken. I wish I could pack them all up and bring them with me, but I'll just have to start saving my pennies so I can come back ASAP and see them all again. They are THE BEST. 

Suphan:

When I first came to Suphan, I didn't appreciate it nearly enough. I was more focused on traveling around Thailand and living a backpacker lifestyle. Luckily, second semester gave me a completely different experience and I feel like I have really become part of Suphan. I miss it when I'm away for a night. I've made great friends and have become a regular at certain establishments. I don't even want to think about saying goodbye to my life here. I am so thankful for people like Baanya, Wat, and the Sa-nguan Ying staff for looking out for us farang and making us feel at home. I never thought I would settle into a real life here in Suphanburi, Thailand, but somehow, it nestled itself right into my heart...and it's definitely established a permanent residence there. 

In general, life has been grand. I could spend hours writing about why I am so happy but 1. I'll cry and 2. Borrrring! Just between school, my social life, traveling, and let's not forget about seeing/talking to my favorite Thai band on more than one occasion, I have no complaints. So, now, here I am-  "ready" for my last week of Thai living. I'm sure I'll be overly emotional and I'm sure I'll gain 10 pounds trying to savour all of the Suphan deliciousness, but it's gotta happen. 

So here's to a fantastic year with amazing people and amazing experiences. Let's go out the best way possible...

Only in Thailand...

Only in Thailand...

Photo swiped from Srall

Can you say "Game, Spicy, Tong, and Got" and be referring to your friends. 


Can you say "Nine, Four, Arm, and Noon" and be referring to your students. 


Can you eat a dessert based around yellow beans and think it is delicious.


Can you wear a full denim outfit (jeans, shirt, shoes, scrunchie) outside of an 80s themed party. 


Can you hear fireworks on a weekly basis.


Can you drink Pepsi from a plastic bag.   


Can you see families of 5 on one motorbike. 


Can an elephant come up to you during your dinner. 


Can you have a conversation with the gecko in your room and not find it disturbing. 


Can you spend at least 5-6 hours per weekend on a mini-van. 


Only in Thailand...


Is paying more than $1 for amazing Pad Thai ludicrous. 



Is it normal to whip out a 'talking dick' in a bar, class, the store...wherever. A talking dictionary, that is. 


Is it okay to pull a bug (or 6) out of your food or drink and continue eating.  


Is it considered a bad day if no strangers call you beautiful or ask to take your photo.


Is it okay to use the peace sign in every. single. picture. 


Is drinking beer with ice the standard. 


Is it okay to destroy the English language to have a conversation. "Where you go?" "Go Bangkok....tomorrow."

(Google Image)

Are you not judged for having an intense dependency on 7-11.  


Are you given a spoon to eat a chicken wing. 


Only in Thailand....


Will you consistently be covered in bug bites. 


Can you get to a tropical island for $20.  


Can you sing karaoke- judgement free. 


Can you see people rocking black skinny jeans, long-sleeves and a full face-mask in obscene heat. 


Can you be granted celebrity status just for being white (and even get more 'I LOVE YOU' shouts from Thai people when in the presence of legit superstars....Jing it.)


But most of all, only in Thailand....


Can you be surrounded by the most genuine and kind people in the world. 


Seriously- I heart everyone. Jub jub!

Best. Night. Ever.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a farang named Nell. Nell was new to this land and though she embraced the food and the scorching sun, she was very hesitant to accept the Thai music scene. But then, one day, she heard this song and everything changed. 25 Hours had rocked her world and pranced their way into her heart. As the months passed by and her love for 25 Hours grew stronger, she knew she must see them live. But where? But how? She made it one of her top priorities to make it happen. 


The 25 Hours album had officially dominated her Itunes, circulating on repeat all day and into the night. Her friends, Sarah and Clare, also had a strong love for them, and so the three of them put their powers together to make their dreams come true. With lots of Google searches, Facebook and Twitter stalking and whole lot of Google Translate, they struck gold. 25 Hours playing in Ayutthaya, only 45 minutes away, at a small pub...that night. Excitement took hold of their bodies. 


Later that night, after many tuk-tuk and motorbike rides, there they were...sitting not more than 20 feet from the stage where P'Lam and his crew would soon come on and fill the room with their mellifluous music. As the pub filled up, their hearts grew big with anticipation. And then...it happened. 


Nell's heart was sent in a flutter when P'Lam came out and started singing their newest single, Lohk Bai Mai. At that moment she thought "I couldn't possibly be happier." She had no idea what the night had planned out for her. Within minutes, she was standing front row, inches away from the band members. She danced and grinned as they took notice of her. She let out a giddy yelp when P'Lam reached out and touched her hand. She nearly fainted when he stooped down to say something to the three girls at the end of the show. "No, really," she thought, "this night couldn't possibly get any better."


Before she knew it, they were outside posing for photos together and chatting with the members of the band. Hours whizzed by as they talked, laughed, sang and even got a preview of their not- yet released single. The night was pure bliss. 


Nell woke up the next morning with a giant smile plastered onto her face. She wondered if it had been real or just a beautiful dream. But, as she looked to her friends on either side of her, donning the same silly grins, she knew that this fairytale had been real...and she's been living on a high ever since....

It was seriously one of the best nights of my life. They were all super cool guys and they were really happy to find that they had some hardcore farang fans. Here are a couple of my favorites by them....listen- they are amazing!!!!