Not Busy, Just Thai'd Up

OKAY! Sorry that my post is like two days late.  Between sucky internet that won't upload my pictures, and doing a crap ton of other things, like doing research for my term papers (UGH I'M STRESSIN!), I had a hard time making my Monday deadine.  WOOPS! So, please, enjoy my new post on Humpday.  Also, Happy Elections! :)

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you feel like you felt like you grew into yourself a little bit more?  Ya know that feeling of surprise after you try on this really great pair of pants or a pretty shirt that you think would never flatter your figure…and then it does?!  That’s how this past week has made me feel.  I’ve had such an excellent week, it’s ridiculous.

Let’s start on the Friday before Halloween! Which is also the Friday after I got back from Vietnam.  That night, the International Community thing was having a Halloween party at some place called Mr. Yum’s- I wasn’t going to attend, but four hours before the party, I decided that I was going to seize the chance to dress up like a weirdo because I love doing it, but never have a chance in Thailand where I feel like everyone is judging me.  Laura and Maia needed a third bear for their Three Litte Bears costume group, so I hopped in as Baby Bear!  We perused around Big C to gather all of our items for Big C, then rushed back to campus to hurriedly get dressed.

Seeing everyone dressed up was really fun- some had incredibly clever costumes like “Same, Same, but Different”, or Jason’s Chad Micheal Micheals (from Blazing Glory) using clothing from the free clothing box, or a Sims character.  It’s really funny because for most of the Thai people, dressing up does not constitute elaborate clothing- but rather normal clothing and a Halloween headband or some zombie makeup. As always, the people made the venue- Mr. Yum’s was kinda lame, except for the free sodas and French fries, until the dancing started.  I danced for four hours straight, and the next morning, my entire body was sore.  I threw my neck out during the dubstep part.  The band played some songs by the Carpenters, and I just about died with happiness, and everyone attempted dancing to slow songs, or salsa dancing, and our mock version of square dancing.  It was lovely.

The highlight of the night though: LAURA, MAIA AND I WON BEST COSTUME! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! I was absolutely certain no one was going to understand the reference to the Western fairy tale, and that we would not win, but WE DID! Our prize- a certificate, and a flask of rum J

On Monday night, it was Mickey’s birthday.  After a day of classes, and attempting to do research for my two term papers (omg I’m freaking out because I only have a month and a half to do research and write about 40 pages of intelligent sentences! Like really- I bit off all of my nails last night), about half of our SEAIGS groups went out to celebrate her birthday at this really delicious restaurant called Dash.  It has Thai food and Western food, including soup, salad, pizza, sandwiches, and pasta.  Holy crap.  Not only is the atmosphere beautiful (outdoors, candlelit, wooden furniture with colorful table cloths, and Christmas lights), but the food is absolutely delicious.  The spaghetti and the BLT were scrumptious, the Teak burger was juicy, the cheesecake with a mango sauce was to die for, and the brownie with ice cream was uncooked but slightly heaven.

The waiter was awesome too.  He spoke English in a manner that made him seem pretentious, but he’s actually a really weird and sweet fella.  He set up karaoke for us, and sang a few times- he was way too into it, but I loved it.  The night was filled with Disney karaoke, Gangnam style dancing, and embarrassing Mickey.  Check out the video that my friend made about the night (click on 'video')!  There’s nothing like great friends, great music, and great food all together.

"Hey Mickey, you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind, HEY MICKEY!"

 

Essentially, the same group of people went out to celebrate Cam’s birthday on Thursday.  We went to Sumo Sushi for dinner- absolutely delicious, and they work fast!  I learned that generally, women can’t become sushi masters because our hands are a warmer temperature than male hands.  So many people went to her birthday dinner, that some of us finished eating before the others even got their food, so Sam volunteered to go explore Niemanhamen with me in order to find Cam a birthday cake, but also to film me running down the street in pumpkin shoes.

Yes, I ran down the street in pumpkin shoes.  Why? Because Mischa Collins of the show Supernatural wanted me to.  How am I getting orders from such a man?  Through GISHWHES! Earlier this year, my friend asked me to join her team on GISHWHES, and I said YES! I kinda wish I hadn’t accepted because I have way to many other things to do and I’d been stressing about money and time conflicting with all of the other things that I want and have to do because this scavenger hunt is elaborate.  I will explain no further- you should just check it out because it’s worth it, especially if you are obsessed with Supernatural. 

During this adventure, we found a mini birthday cake that was presented to Cam at Sangdee Gallery!  Now, ever since the first night I went to Sangdee Gallery, I’d been wanting to perform.  I love to sing in the shower, I love to sing in my car, I love to sing while walking through campus.  Aside from the two times that I’d sung karaoke in Thailand, I had never performed for people.  That night, I set out to do so.  The timing was perfect because I could dedicate a song to Cam in response to all of the times that she has praised every person in our group, telling us how beautiful and awesome we are.  Lemme tell ya what.  Performing gives you such a high.  Such a high!  I felt liberated, and I felt like I grew a little bit, I felt as if I had made a lifelong dream come true. 

Now, the last main event of this past week was the weekend trip to Sukhothai, Siam's first Thai capital, founded in the 13th century.  We stayed at Sila Resort, which is this beautiful half hostel, half motel thing.  The walls were colorful, flowers were everywhere, and the room I was staying in had A/C.  The rooms were only 200 baht per night, which is excellent for the great conditions of the room.  The restaurant at the resort was delicious too!  They serve breakfast all day!  This includes muesli, yogurt, fresh fruit, pancakes, omelets, ham and eggs, and more!  It was amazing to have a light breakfast that did not involve over processed white bread.

We travelled through the ruins of the Old City’s historical park on the bikes that we had rented for 30 baht (HECK YEA I CAN RIDE A BIKE!).  Riding through the city through the ruins felt like we were travelling through history in a romantic way.  The trees gave wonderful shade, the manmade lakes glistened in the sun, and the light breeze was soothing as I pedaled past ancient buildings, eroding away with time.

The structures were impressive, and it felt so weird to be able to see and touch these buildings that have existed for hundreds of years.  The most exciting ruin to me was the Khmer temple originally built for Hindu gods, but converted to a Buddhist temple after it was discovered during the reign of Rama XI.  I was sorely disappointed that the siva linga and the statue of Vishnu laying on his Naga seat were no longer there.  Nearby, there was the most beautiful, reverential tree I’ve ever seen.  The roots twisted over top of each other, crushing the cement blocks in their grasp as if to give a fatalistic message to mankind, while also cradling statues of deities that the people gave to the tree in recognition of its sanctity.  I hugged it, but then I saw the red ants crawling over it.

The other awesome site was the giant Buddha.  He sat, in his ginormous glory, while a Thai family prayed to him, and a man with a tiny squirrel-ish pet added gold leafing to his elongated fingers.  I learned that one of the 32 marks of the Buddha is his long fingers; another is the flame that exudes from the top of his head as a symbol of his wisdom.

Emily and I marveled at how all of these sites made us feel.  Not being religious persons, we were surprised at how awed we were in their presence.  It’s the effort and meaning that people place on these objects and places that make them so inspiring.  I think about how much effort went into making these sites colossal, and intricately beautiful, because the people love their gods so much that they want to take the time, effort, and resources to pay respects to their gods in this physical expression of their love.  Others make a pilgrimage to see these sites and pray to the Buddha, admiring him with immense love and duty in their eyes.  Even though I am not a believer in any conventional belief systems, I cannot help but feel a tiny bit of the reverence, awe, and love for the Buddha, for Christ, for the saints, and any other sacred being or form when looking upon these stony embodiments of a people’s love, or watching people take the time to worship their gods.  This is why I like religion.

So, all in all, this past week has been a memorable one.  And there will be even more awesome weeks to come.  I only have a few more weeks left in Thailand, so I’m gonna make it count.