From the Land of Smiles...: August 2005

my host parents and I

me with some of the blue team (and mr. willian, on the left)

the yellow tent (my team)

holding the sign...before I led the "parade"

my thai outfit

me all dressed up

orientation

Hey everybody,

So, this Sunday my host family told me that I was going to be going to a Rotary meeting in Chon Buri (about 100km away) and that I had to be ready at 10:00...I never really thought anything of it, I just got ready, and went with my host mother. Then we went to pick up Na Pik, who was driving, and also went to pick up my counsellor's son. His name is Ming and he's 18 and was an exchange student to South Africa this past year. He's really really nice (and quite good looking, lol). Anyways, I wasn't really sure why he was coming with us, but I had no idea what the meeting was about, so I didn't question it.

I learned alot about Ming's exchange. He loved it in South Africa, and decribed Capetown as paradise...He also told me that his parents weren't allowed to visit him there, but he wouldn't have wanted them to come anyway. When I asked him why he told me that he felt like South Africa was his country, and he just didn't really want them to interfere or anything. I can understand how he would feel that way...but I definetly don't...I can't wait until my mom comes! and I wish that more people could come...

Anyways, we got to the meeting and only 2 people were there, but shortly after a few more people arrived, including one other exchange student. Then more came, and I found out that it was our orientation. There ended up being 6 of us there. There was a guy from ontario, near windsor (chris), a guy from the US (Hugo) a guy from Germany (Nicholas) and 2 girls from Japan (Airi and Chika). It was sooo good to meet other exchange students. I thought that I would have to wait until our trip in November...They mostly talked to us about the rules, and then talked about the culture alot. It was soo surprising, because I had no idea that I was coming to my orientation. I didn't have my blazer, or any pins to give anyone. It was okay though. I felt really bad for Ming through the whole thing though, he looked really really bored, and the orientation was about 3 hours.

Then later on Sunday night we went out to see my host dad's deer farm. Its up in the mountains and we had to drive on these crazy, unpaved roads (if you could call them roads) to get there. It was beautiful though (the mountain). I would love to spend more time up there. The deer are beautiful too. They cut off their antlers and sell them, which I was relieved to hear. I was really scared that they might kill them for some reason.

Oh, I also found out that on Wednesday, Na Pu (Nook's aunt), is taking Nook, Chia (her daughter) and I to Bangkok for the day to get a thai massage. I'm sooo excited! Its going to be soo nice, and I really want to go to Bangkok, plus, i don't have to go to school that day. Its going to be awsome. The only bad thing is that we're leaving our house at 4:00 am! Ahhh, thats soo early. I guess I can sleep in the van though.

Also, This Thursday and Friday at my school we're having "Sport of the Year". Its this crazy 2-day thing. The school is divided up into 5 teams. I'm on the yellow team. Everyday all the teams are getting together and practicing their chants and songs. Its insane! On the 2 days there's games and shows by the students and at the beginning there's a parade. I'm going to be holding the sign for the school in the Parade. This means that i'm going to be wearing a traditional thai dress. I'm excited, but its going to be sooo hot. I really hope that it isn't too hot that day because I have to be in the sun fora few hours for the parade I think. My host father is also going to help open the ceremony (he used to be a teacher at my school). I'll post lots of pictures.

I hope that everyone is doing great and I hope that you're still enjoying reading this.

Love, Lauren

snow white...

Hey everybody,

I had my drama performance yesterday…It went sooo well. I think that I spoke a bit too fast, but I don’t think that it mattered. We got 3rd place, out of 10 schools. Mr. William (the teacher running it, so the director) was really happy. Some of the other plays were quite elaborate, but I couldn’t understand what a lot of them were saying (even though they were all in English).

It was part of this really big “Academic Day” at a really big school that is kind of close to ours. There were so many people there, and there were competitions in almost every subject area. My friend Kran (from Australia) got 2nd in the English competition, and my friend Pu got 2nd in the singing competition. She was really good. She sang “My heart will go on” and “Hero” by Mariah Carey. The girl that won was even better though. She sang “My Heart will go on” and another Celine Dion song. There were also all of these little shops set up everywhere that we looked at during lunch.

Oh, and guess who was there, Intriguing boy. He saw our performance…and I wasn’t even embarrassed to be jumping around in front of all those people. I do hope that they didn’t take any pictures of my jumping around. Intriguing boy and some other guys were sitting in the front taking pictures throughout the performance. I’m going to try to see if he’ll send me the pictures and then I’ll post them

And then we took the school bus back (its actually the schools, and its painted fun colours). We got back just after the bell had rang for the last class to end.

Oh, and I got a picture of Intriguing boy (who’s nickname is Neil – pronounced Niew…I asked Kran what his name was). I took the picture on the bus and had to take a picture of a bunch of people so it wasn’t obvious…and the bus was bumpy, so its not a very good picture, but I tried. I’ll post it after. Oh, and I found out that Neiw is a year younger than me (Kran’s age), but I’m ok with that, lol…(Laura, I’m definetly beating you since you’re slow getting your assignment done). I just thought that I would let you all know about that…

I’ll also post the pictures from the performance after this.

Wow, I can’t believe that my day went so well…especially after it started out so badly. I woke up and one of my eyelids was all swollen. It was really weird, because I don’t have any allergies other than milk, and milk just gives me stomach cramps. And it shouldn’t have been anything that I ate because it didn’t show up after dinner. The swelling went down throughout the day (and I think the ibprofen that I took helped too). Oh, and Kran was 15 minutes early to pick me up today, so I wasn’t ready. But the day seemed to turn around once I got to school.

- Lauren

Nook and I on the bus

on the bus...Niel is on the left...its a bad picture, i know...

me as a monkey

the seven dwarves

young snow white, the evil queen, snow white (isn't her dress perfect, it looks just like hte one in the disney movie), and the prince

The animals (in Snow white)

me in my sports uniform

unfortunately, nothing overly exciting to report...

Hey everybody,

I have nothing completely exciting to say, I just wanted to mention a couple of things...

Did you all like my last post? lol...leave comments and let me know whether you all want to read about boys and things like that, because if you don't, I can leave that for personal emails...

Also, i'm very exciting because i'm going to learn to play the guitar! I hope so anyway. I have alot of free time at school, and so i'm going to be spending alot of time in the music rooms, and I hope the music teacher will teach me. Otherwise i'm going to try to teach myself. My host sister, who is in brazil, also left a nice guitar in her room, which i'm allowed to use, so i'll be able to practice at home. I'm very excited...

I also spent pretty much my entire morning in the music room today. It was awsome. First I had 2 music classes...the classes are doing singing tests and I sang in both of them. I was terrible both times. My voice was shaking and I messed up high notes (i didnt warm up), but I don't really care...I'm just happy that I did it. Then I spent most of the next 2 periods playing the piano. It was awsome because I was the only one in there.

We also had another play practice this afternoon...we've practiced all afternoon every day so far this week. We also came in on Sunday for 5 hours to practice. It seems sooo long, especially for such a short play, but its not too bad. The only bad thing is that its really hot. Oh, and its the dress rehersal tomorrow and they're making me wear all black (i don't have any brown) but I have to wear long sleeves and long pants! I'm going to die! I'm always boiling hot in a t-shirt and shorts! Its going to be brutal. Oh well, i'm sure i'll survive. And i'm finally getting used to jumping around and embarassing myself everyday...its not as bad anymore, lol. And i'm now the narrator too, as well as being the monkey (which is making for alot of running around). They tried out a bunch of people, but nobody's english was clear enough. I was the obvious choice...

Anyways, thats it for today...i told you it was nothing exciting. Hopefully i'll have something exciting soon, and i'll let you all know how the performance goes on friday.

Miss you all!

-Lauren

boys

Hey everyone,

I know you knew an entry about boys was coming eventually...lol...It's going to be short, don't worry...

I mainly just want to tell a few people about one...but i'll say this...whoever said that thai boys are not attractive don't know what they're talking about, lol...there are soo many good looking boys...and they all have beautiful dark skin....although I have been warned about them, lol (not certain ones, just boys, and thai boys in general, lol)...

Anyways, there's one in particular that I just want to mention. He's very intriging...He's definetly not the best looking that i've seen...and I'm not even sure what his name is...but he's a friend of a friend... Ok, the big thing is...he reminds me of Oliver James Hudson from the movie What a Girl Wants (with Amanda Bynes)...I thought that a bit at first, but now i really really think so. And we all know how much i love that movie (yes, it is extremely girly, but still).He's the thai version of him (but unfortunately not as devistatingly gorgeous). Ok, so I thought so when I saw him...he's got the faux-hawk and everything...and i saw him around the music room a few times...but it could have been a coincedence...

Nope, it wasn't...his band practices in there practically everyday...and its pretty much the only rock music i've heard since i've been here, and they're good... and he sings...and plays the guitar, and i saw him playing the bongo's before (don't worry, i'm not stalking him)...

Sorry, I just thought that a few people might like to know about him...mainly Laura, Amy, Meesh and Catie...but still...I wish i could send you photo to prove it...but that might be a little creepy and stalkerish to take one, lol

Anyways...sorry to bore you, the guys anyway...but i'm sure some of you liked to hear that, lol...

I'll post again soon...this time about something other than guys...

-Lauren

better

Hey everybody,

I just wanted to let you know that the rest of my day went alot better...I had ballroom dancing and learned a bunch of new steps. The teacher was impressed by how much I learned in just one lesson! And my art classes went well too... The teacher never showed up so I just read and talked to people throughout the whole class...

I hope you like the pictures...

-lauren

rant...sorry

Hey everybody,

I just got back from what was supposed to be my first cooking "lesson." I had cooking class yesterday morning, but they said I could leave because the teacher wasnt there. Then when I came for my afternoon class the teacher sent all of the class (and me) to an empty classroom where we sat for 2 hours. I had to sand down a peice of wood write the school name and my name on it and paint a picture. Then someone attached a key chain. I was so mad because I had no idea why I had to sit there for 2 hours with all these grade 10's just staring at me...and I have no idea what on earth making a wooden key chain had to do with cooking.

Anyways, the teacher said that this morning she was going to be making pad thai and that I should come and she would teach me. So I went. I got there and she had me going through a huge bowl of bean sprouts and picking out the brown seeds. Ok, this was just the first part, i thought, i'll be really learning something soon. Then the other teacher gave me a glass of water and motioned for me to come outside. When I did, I ended up sitting at the table for about 10 minutes doing nothing as 2 teachers peeled ginger. When she finally motioned to me if I could peel some I said yes and began to. She took the knife and garlic away from me, started laughing like a hiyena (i don't know how to spell that) and went in to tell everyone how I was peeling in the wrong direction. They all thought it was really funny too and started to laugh. The rest of the time they ignored me and never gave me a chance to try and do it properly. I think that was really rude of them, and i'm really surprised. You'd think that because they're teachers they'd show me how to do it properly and then let me try again, but no. I mean, I haven't peeled anything for a while, and we clearly do it differently in Canada, but that doesn't mean that they should laugh and then ignore me. I don't think that i'm going to be enjoying my cooking classes...and if they keep up this way I might request to take something else, or I just may not go to every class...

Sorry about the rant. I had to get it out. They were so mean, and there was nothing that I could do. I mean, even when I tried to ask for something to do they didn't even attempt to try and understand what I was saying, they basically just ignored me again.

Sorry.

Oh, and I never got a chance to post thost pictures, but hopefully i'll get a chance tonight.

-lauren

a bridge we walked across at the temple...it swayed alot and I slipped and almost fell because it was wet!

looking around the temple grounds

I really like this pond...

some of my host family and one of the statues...isn't it huge? And some of them there were even much bigger than that!

an elephant! Its the first one i've seen up close...and yes, i do realize that it's not real

bored

Hey everybody,

I'm at school again, and I have another free period...actually, I have free periods all afternoon...I don't know what to do with myself...

I had 2 music classes this morning and they were incredibly dissapointing...actually, the music department (not even a department really) is worse than dissapointing. They only have 1 piano, 1 electric and 1 acoustic guitar, 1 bass, 1 old rusty drum kit, and the 2 saxophones that they have barely work... Music was the class that I was most looking forward too... :( Hmmm...maybe i'll just stick with the piano this year, and maybe i'll try to learn how to play the guitar...

Oh, and in response to Steve's question, yes, the girls and guys are all in the same classes together...

I think that people here have a problem with being alone. Either that or they have a problem with me being alone. My host family gets worried that i'm lonely if I sit reading or writing for too long by myself. And at school people are always trying to get me to come to class with them on my free periods. Even today, I was sitting in the courtyard reading for 10 minutes and already 2 groups of people had come up to talk to me. The first tried to get me to come to class with them. They don't seem to understand that sometimes I just need to be by myself. Especially since i'm with people constantly. A break is good. Especially since at home i'm used to deciding how I want to spend my free time. It's just another thing that I have to get used to here.

Did I mention that i'm in a drama presentation at school. One of the english teachers, Mr William (from England) asked me to be in it yesterday. It's Snow white and the 7 dwarfs. Its for a 160 school competition on the 26th, and its in English. There were only 2 parts left when he asked me, the monkey and the bird. Stupidly, I chose the monkey, not thinking about all of the jumping around that a monkey does. We had our first practice (well, my first practice) yesterday. I felt so ridiculous jumping around. Maybe it will be good for me...i don't see how though. Maybe i'll post some pictures of me as a monkey after the presentation..if they're not too embarassing...

I'm going to post some more pictures of the temple later. My computer at home wouldnt let me post them all yesterday...

-lauren

random

Hey everybody,

This post is going to be full of random stuff...I have a post from yesterday, but its saved on my computer at home, so i'll post it after this...

Ok, there's a few things...first of all, My mailing address that I posted before was wrong...here's the new one:

Lauren Crickmore
25/15-16 M.2 Tombon Bankhai
Ampher Bankhai Rayong 21120
Thailand

So if anyone wants to send me a letter or anything (which wouls be awsome) send it to that address.

Also, I finally got my school timetable today...this is it: (i didnt include 12:30-1:20 b/c its lunch)

Day ..8:30-9:30.9:30-10:30.10:30 - 11:30.11:30-12:30.1:30-2:30.2:30-3:30
Mon......free ........-----Thai Language------ .......free ........-----Thai Dance-----
Tues......free .............free .................free............... free .......--------Art----------
Wed.......-------Music------ ...........free ................free .............free.......... free
Thurs...free .......-------Thai Cooking-----.......... free.......-----Thai Cooking----
Fri.........free ............free .........----Ballroom Dancing---- ...-------Art----------

I hope that you can understand that...Every time that it says free I'm not doing anything...so there's a good chance that i'll be on a computer and on msn...hopefully I can talk to some of you sometimes...

Also, I hope that some of you will add comments about my blog...I think underneith each post there is a link. Anyone can write a comment. If you tried before but it wouldnt let you i changed the setting so that it will work now...Also, my email address is applejax08@hotmail .com, if you want to email me.

Thanks, and i'll put the post from yesterday after this,

-lauren

my host family and I

some of my host family....my host mother (Kun Mae), my host aunt (Na Pik), my host sister (Nook), Nook's cousin (Chia) and Cchia's mother (Na Pu)...oh, and my chia's father (Na Chai) in the background

this is supposed to be hell...but i didn't think they had hell in buddhism...i guess i was wrong

another statue at the famous temple

statues at the famous temple

me

mothers day...and temples

Hey everybody, (this is from the 15th)

I hope you liked the pictures...I have more to come when I go home (i'm at school right now)... I wanted to tell you about the mother's day ceremonies...Mother's day is the Queen's birthday and it is on August 12. It is a national holiday and there is no school...In the morning my host father took us to a little fair type thing at a government building where schools had set up booths. That’s where Nook and I made the candles (in the pictures)...We walked around and painted some little figurine things and ate some sweets (thai doughnuts)... T

hat night we went to some big mother's day celebrations. They were at a really big park in Rayong that usually has alot of fitness stuff going on there (there's a track, and basketball and tennis courts, etc...) They had a big stage set up with a huge picture of the queen (in the pictures). There were dances on the stage (traditional thai dance is very beautiful)...the thing that I have to get used to is the music. There's alot of percussion, which is good, but one of the instruments tended to do this really high pitched squeal thing that kind of hurt my ears, lol...Then there were a bunch of speeches, and many people presented things on the stage (symbolizing their respect for the queen). Then there was alot of singing (by everyone)..there seem to be alot of national songs here...Then there were fireworks and stuff....In thailand there is a celebration like this every year. The thai people take their monarchy very seriously.

Yesterday, Sunday, I thought we were going to have a lazy day, not really doing much, until my host mother knocked on my door and told me that we were going to the temple in 30 minutes....ahhh, it was hard to get ready that fast, but i did it...then the entire family (including uncles and aunts and grandparents...and me) went to the temple to give alms. The temple was not the big beautiful thing that I thought that it would be. It was just a wooden building, and except for the Buddha images and displays around them, there wasn’t really anything special about it. The people gave food and baskets of things to the monks. Before and after this there was “praying”. We all sat facing the monks with our palms pressed together up to our chests and one of the monks (the oldest) chanted. Every so often we bowed our heads. I just followed everyone else, since I didn’t really know what was going on. The chanting was very beautiful sounding. Once all of this was done, the monks had eaten, and there was more chanting and praying, the monks left and we all ate. After that, the head monk gave gifts to everyone. A very very tiny silver Buddha image in a plastic box.

Ohhh, and outside I saw my first Thai monkey. It was outside the temple tied to a tree…I felt bad for it…I also took a picture…

After that we all got into cars and drove for a very long time. We drove to a very historic temple called Tammarod. It was very beautiful there. There were statues everywhere and we walked around for at least an hour looking at them all, they were beautiful. We also went to a little temple there. There was a monk there (he was wearing brown robes instead of orange, which I thought was weird). He spoke to us all, and he kept laughing and would occasionally point at me and say something and laugh. He gave out books. I didn’t get one, but Nook gave me hers after. At the end, Nook’s grandmother got up in front of him on her knees and wai-ed (bowed) down to the floor. He took his umbrella, said something and tapped her on the head 3 times. She then wai-ed to the ground 3 times. This happened with all of us. I’m not sure what it means…maybe he blessed us or something….wow, I got blessed by a monk, well, maybe…

Today I went to school again. It was pretty bad this time. I still didn’t have my timetable, so I just went along with one class all day. I went to social, thai language, computers, math, and thai dance. I didn’t like the teachers in thai language or thai dance, and I really hope that I don’t have to keep taking thai dance because I suck at dance (catie, amy, marcella and sarah know this). I also saw the music room…it’s really disappointing. The entire rest of the school is state of the art. Computers in every room, and whiteboards instead of chalkboards, many of the teachers talk with microphones hooked up to sound systems. They even have a multimedia computer lab just for languages where every computer has a microphone and you can learn English, Chinese, or Japanese…..but the music room is just a big, almost empty room, with very few instruments that all look very old…I’m quite disappointed…

Oh, and I got a cellphone…well, my host dad bought me one. I wasn’t going to buy one, but he bought it for me…I just had to buy the SIM card to make it work…so if any of you need, or want to call me you dial 011 66 145 42761…I think that 011 is the country code for calling long distance…I could be wrong though…Oh, and if anyone is going to call me, keep in mind that Thailand Is 11 hours ahead of Canada….and on Monday to Friday I’m at school between 7:30 and 4:00….

-lauren

my room

a picture of the queen (mother's day is her birthday)...notice the size compared to the girls dancing onstage...

my host mother and I at the mother's day celebrations

me giving a flag to the Rayong Rotary President

me introducing myself to the rotary club (not knowing what to say) and peep translating

the toilets here...well, the easier to use ones (notice the sprayer)

the Pitutacha house (those 2 front windows are my room)

my host sister (Nook) and I on Mother's Day

me in my school uniform

school

Hey,

Yesterday I had my very first day of school, and let me tell you, it was an eye opener...So many things happened...

First of all, when I got there, we had a ceremony because today it is the Queen's Birthday and also Mother's day, but there's a holiday today (no school) so we had the ceremony yesterday. I had to sit up at the front for the whole ceremony, and there was alot of talking and then many many songs ( all of which, i understood none of) and then the ceremony was done...Then someone introduced me and I had to go an introduce myself...I didnt know what to say. I saida few things and then they kept wanting me to say more, but i had no idea what. A girl named Kran was translating for me (she used to live in Australia)....But then I was finished and my host father went up to speak..oh, and they gave me a bouquet of roses (thats my 3rd one now)...

I spent the day with Kran and her class (i'll start with my class on monday). We played a bit of volleyball, and then watched some soccer, and then went to biology...I couldnt understand anything so i just read one of mybooks...I got a bit sad during this tho...thinking that my whole year will be like that (which of course it won't, but i was panicking)...and then we had lunch...rice and I had fish stuff on it (yes i'm eating fish now...i'll explain later)...it was sooo gross, i could barely eat it..i ended up just eating my rice and drinking my water...I really hope that all the food isnt like that all year...That was making me kind of want to go home...back to district food (well, canadian food anyway).

Then Kran had to practice her thai, so she left me in an empty classrooms with some of her friends...we attempted to talk a bit...ohhh, and i spoke a bit with a teacher who was walking by...he was young and really good looking, lol...then most of the boys in that class came into the classroom (about 6 of them) and they were trying to talk to me...it was a collective effort because none of them could speak english very well...Then they were all whispering, and I could here words like Sunday and movie. I was just thinking oh god, please don't ask me to the movies that would just be awkward...but they didn't say anything until Kran came back into the room. They whispered to her, and then she asked " Are you busy on Sunday?" and I said "I'm not sure" (everyone looking at me this whole time) and then she asked "What are you doing?" and I said "I'm going to see my host father's deer farm" (which I actually am)...she asked "when are you getting back?" and I said "I;m not sure, so i'm probably busy all day" (she translated all of this to them). The one guy said something to her and she said " He said that's too bad because he wanted to take you to go and see a thai movie" and then the guy said "We wanted to" and pointed to all the guys...Then we all laughed ( it was more of a nervous laughter for me)...I didn't really know what to say because on one hand I kind of wanted to go with them...it probably would have been fun, but on the other hand, I didn't even know all their names, and i'm not sure if that's really done here...

Then we had to go and clean a classroom (the students do it every mother's day and new years) and sweep the outdoor gym...and the girls taught me how to count to 10 in thai...then we hung out in an empty classroom (it had fans) and one of the girls wrote out all the thai letters one by one and I copied them (there are 44) we didnt do the vowels though (there are 36 i think)...

Then we went to the library for a bit before my host mom came and picked me up...

It was a pretty good day, in the end, even though it started out badly....I don't think i'm ever going to get used to wearing the uniform though (pictures to come) and having 2000 ppl looking at me whenever I go anywhere...

Hopefully monday will be even better, since i'm starting my classes

Anyways, about the fish thing, i'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but when I got here my host family asked about my vegetarianism and they asked if I eat fish...I said yes, because I was willing to try fish to make things easier....Well, it certainly did, because my host family has fish iwth every meal and i don't know what i would eat otherwise..I just can't get used to some of it...mainly the stuff that tastes like dead fish on the beach smells (eg. my school food)...

Anyways...this weekend i'm attemping to learn how to post pictures ( if joe would email me back...cough cough) so, look for them soon...

-Lauren

i finally got my camera!

Hey everybody,

just like my title says, i got my digital camera finally...so there will be pictures coming soon, i just have to figure out how to work it..

oh, and i went to my school yesterday, and they gave me my classes...music, cooking, thai language, math, art, history, and i'm going to be helping teach some english classes...ohhhh, and guess what....on thursday i have to go to school and introduce my self to the entire school...over 2000 people...ahhhh...i'm soo nervous, you all know how much i hate talking in front of people, and this is 2000...i'm so scared..oh and they gave me a thai name...its lalita (which means young girl) pitutacha (which is the last name of my host family)...its pretty eh?

ok, everyone seems to want to know the same things, so i'm going to post some stories here....and its going to be long, so i'm warning you now...

The plane rides were sooo long...my first flight was delayed, so i was waiting in the toronto airport for an extra 45 minutes...and then i had a 5 1/2 hour flight to LA where i was sitting next to a woman and her squirming toddler...but it was ok...and i watched monster-in-law on that flight...i also opened all my cards and presents...thank you sooo much guys...you made me cry soo much...but it was good crying because i new that you guys were all behing me supporting me, but i already missed you all...and then at the LA airport i had to run to a completely new building to my next flight...and believe me the LA airport is big, the biggest in the world i think. Then i got on to my next flight...19 1/2 hours to singapore..the plane was really nice, and they had tv's in the back of every headrest and you could watch tons of movies and start and stop them as you pleased...i watched fever pitch and slept alot...then in taipei we stopped to refill the gas and the crew switched, so we had to get off the plane for about an hour...and then i got on again and we flew to singapore...i watched the interpreter...then i got to the singapore airport, which was the nicest of all of them and had some time to walk around a bit before my 2 1/2 hour flight to bangkok....and don't worry...i never got hungry...they fed me all the time,. but it was so weird because you never really knew what time it was, because of all the time changes...so i just ate every few hours,lol.

Then I got to the bangkok airport and had to stand in line for about a half hour to go through customs..and then i went down the stairs to the baggage claim area...and there was a guy standing there with a sign with my name on it...i thought, yay, he's going to help me find my bags and go to my host family...but he just brought me over to the baggage assistance area and they told me that my bags had been delayed...great...i had to try sooo hard not to cry...i was tired and stressed. then I started walking out towards the exit, and the guy who had the sign before came running out and asked me if someone was coming for me...i think he could tell the frustration and the fact that i didnt know where i was going. He took me out to where people came to meet you. There was a huge crowd, everyone holding signs with people's names on them, and i couldnt see my name anywhere...then a guy came out and grabbed my arm and pulled me into the crowd...my family was waiting there, and they gave me a bouquet of red roses. My counsellor and a bunch of other people were there too... they gave me a cell ohone and told me to call my mother so i called my mom to let her know that i got there safely. this probably wasnt the best idea when i was so overwhelmed...i started to cry while i was on the phone and had to get off before i really lost control... then a guy came up to me (a very good looking guy, lol) and introduced himself as loiz..he's from brasil and is staying in korat...i think he's been here since the spring...he game me his cell number and told me to call if i need anything...

then we left and drove home...my host family lives in a house above the stationary store that my host mother and her sister own...the house is small, but nice...i think that all houses here are smaller than houses in canada...i have my own room and it is very big... about the same size as my room in canada...

my host faamily is sooo nice...they're so helpful, and always worried about me...my host sister's name is Nook...she is 17, but in grade 11..she goes to a different school than i will be going to but speaks a little english...

my whole host family tries very hard to speak english and to make sure that i am happy, and they are all very nice...

all of the neighbours are very very nice too...the woman with the shop a few doors down gave me some traditional thai skirts yesterday...they are very fancy and very beautiful.

i hope to continue hearing from all of you,

i miss you all,
love,
-lauren aka. lalita

homesickness sucks

hey everyone,

i'm just letting you know that homesickness sucks...this morning i was ready to get back on a plane and come home...but i'm much better now...but i know that theres going to be a bunch more mornings like that...unfortunately...but remembering that all of you are ther supporting me did sooo much to help get me through it, so thanks sooo much

ohhh, i saw my first elephant today...it was walking along the beach...i got sooo excited...oh and i met alot of my host family's famile..theres so many of them and so many names to remember...

i'll post again soon,

love you and miss you all
-lauren

I'm here!

Hey everybody,

I did it, I made it through the hours and hours and hours of flying and made it here to thailand...It's beautiful, and very hot...but the people are so friendly and i love my host family...ahhh, my bags got delayed...but hopefully i will get them tonight...i really hope so because i ran out of clothes...

I can't really say much more right now, because i can't stay onine for long, but i'll post again soon...oh, and pictures will come...its just that right now i haven't bought my camera yet...

-lauren

Goodbye everyone!

Hi everybody,

I'm going to be using this blog to keep in touch with you all year...so keep checking it...I'll be posting my pictures and all my crazy adventures!

My address in Thailand is:

25/15-16 Bankhai-Banbung Road
Bankhai City, Rayong Province 21120
Thailand

You'll be hearing from me very soon

-Lauren

From the Land of Smiles...

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

orientation

Saturday, August 27, 2005

snow white...

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

unfortunately, nothing overly exciting to report...

Monday, August 22, 2005

boys

Friday, August 19, 2005

better

rant...sorry

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

bored

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

random

Monday, August 15, 2005

mothers day...and temples

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Friday, August 12, 2005

school

Monday, August 08, 2005

i finally got my camera!

Sunday, August 07, 2005

homesickness sucks

Saturday, August 06, 2005

I'm here!

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Goodbye everyone!

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