{oh, happiness}: sawatdii ka

Sawatdii Ka!

Don't worry. I'm alive!

Forgive me blog for I have neglected you!

Well its been about 2.5 weeks since I got to Bangkok and I apologize for the lack of updates. It took about a week or so to get our internet up and running and we have been going non-stop since we arrived!

How am I adjusting?
   Well I didn't suffer too badly from jet lag because we arrived in the evening and got to pick up a regular sleeping schedule after that, but I was pretty exhausted by about 8pm throughout the week. We were greeted at the airport by our teammate, Lonnie, and some of our new Thai friends from the church. Then we went to Lonnie and Courtney's house for little welcoming party, which was pretty much a blur and I'm sure I came off like a complete zombie to everyone we met. So much for first impressions.
   The first week we stayed so busy I barely had time to let my family know I made it. We spent the week getting our apt. set up, doing some orientation, helping work on our teammates', the Barnes, house which was damaged by the floods last year, hanging out at the church, and going to a church retreat.
   Kristen and I share a little one bedroom apt. with a bathroom and a small deck. Pics to come. Think more of a dorm room. No kitchen. Just beds and desks and dressers. That aspect has definitely been an adjustment as we eat out for every meal. However, there are tons of street vendors a little restaurants right by our house and it costs about $1-$2 to eat, which is wonderful! We live right down the street from Lonnie and his family and across the street from them Walker lives with 3 Thai guys. So we are all very close to one another which makes it very convenient.
   Honestly these last couple weeks have been me trying to survive and get adjusted and acquainted to my new life. Its the weirdest feeling to wake up and not know where you live, not know how to speak any language, not have a phone, not have any money, not know how to get anywhere, and not know where or how to get food. It's weird and extremely humbling. It has caused me to lose all my independence and become completely dependent on other people for everything. I'm finding it a little difficult and weird to talk to people back home about my life because everything is so new and I am still processing it all. But once I figure it out I will try and let you know.
   Last week was a big week because we started language school! I never thought I would be excited about it but after about 1 day being here I was so ready to start learning. The moment I finished my last final at A&M I can honestly say I never thought I would be going back to school but oh how funny life is. Everyday from 9am-12pm we go to school downtown. We leave at around 7:30am in order to get there on time because of the ridiculousness of Bangkok traffic. We either take a taxi or bus to the SkyTrain and then walk to our school. Lonnie and some of our other friends brought us to school the first day and we kept telling him we felt like he was the father dropping his kids off at school. Language school has been good and we are learning so many new words. Its amazing how fast we are learning things. It has really been a blessing to have so many Thai friends because they are very gracious and patient and help us with our Thai all the time.
   Definitely the best thing about being here is the people. They are so kind, so gracious, and so servant minded. I don't know if we would have made it without them. They are constantly welcoming us in, taking us places we need to go, helping us, translating, and just serving us in any way possible. It really challenged me to think what it would be like if they came to America and I was sad to admit that I don't think the majority of people would be that nice to them. How much I am learning from the Thai people already!
   Overall, I'm doing really well and God is teaching me so much already in these past few weeks about myself and about him. Its just crazy. Everyday we get up and pray at the church at 6:30am and it has been one of the best things. I have felt so challenged and encouraged by doing this and it gives me the strength I need to make it through the day. I'm just excited to see what is to come.

Well enough with the words here are some pictures from the last few weeks. I'm working on a video to post so be on the lookout for that....

arriving at the airport. please ignore our looks. we spent 2 days in travel. mao. me. kristen. pi da. pi tote (pastor of the church). walker. yay for new friends.