It's been a very long week.
We had the last day of inset on Monday, with meetings. Meetings, and more meetings. Then we could finally get started doing something. The kids arrived on Tuesday morning, and after a bit of assembly, got right down to classes. Since then, I haven't left school any earlier than 5:30 each night- and one night I didn't get home until 8! I don't really find that all that strange, because I'm used to being at school late. In high school, I always had music or theatre rehersals until at least 5 or 6. A couple memorable times, when I was doing the musical and marching band at the same time, I was at school until 8:30 or 9. Each night. Most of the other teachers here, including two of the other music teachers, leave as soon as they can, when 3:30 rolls around. And there aren't that many after school activities that last long, so it's understandable. But still . . .
And to why we're here so long? The music department is a bit of a mess. We can't find any records from the past 3 or so years. We've found a few scattered programs, old tests, that sort of things from Mr. Jones, who left in 2004 I believe. Even the head of music email address still has his 'signature' on it. The last guy, nothing. Instruments are missing, we have no clue who was in the orchestra last year or who plays anything. It's almost like the guy didn't do anything. I mean, he has to have done something, but there's no record of it at all besides some pictures on a bulletin board.
I know I'm getting used to the heat, because I turned the aircon off because I'm too cold!
In addition to the lack of organization, I'm having a bit of a clash with the British curriculum. Or rather, I suppose, the interpretation of it. I had a look at a few websites before I left home, and the standards were just about the same. The curriculum . . . . Here's an example. The IGCSE book? Contains all of 1600-1900 in about five pages. That's Mozart, Bach, Beethoven . . .all of it. And then later on there's 15 pages detailing the history of electronica. It's not that the subject matter is wrong, at all. I just disagree with the interpretation, and the allocation of time moreso on certain things, and not others. Just veery diffrent than what I consider well-balanced, at least at first view.
I could go on longer, but I'm tired after this week. A lot of what I saw was regurgitation, honestly. They have to know four pieces for the A-level exam- and I think that's all they're expecting to study. In my experience, if you're studying the Baroque period, you'd look at as many examples of Baroque music as possible. These kids know the terms, know the pieces. But I think if we showed them a similar yet not the same piece of music, they'd be at a loss to discuss it. I don't think the knowledge is transferrable. I mean, it's only the first week, and these kids have SO much potential. By the end of my time here I want them to realize that life is not just a test- I want them to find the beauty in it!
It's been nice this week, a few good storms. I like thunderstorms, so that's good. It was just pelting down last night! I got caught in a storm last sunday at a market nearby my apartment. The sky lit up and then the crash was so loud, everyone jumped. And of course it was the one time that I didn't have my umbrella with me. The thing about Thailand is that a lot of buildings have tile floors outside. And they're very slippery when wet. Tell me, how is that logical when it rains every day? I've been slipping and sliding a lot, and I actually fell this morning outside the staff room. My right leg went forward, and the left leg, my foot kinda bent backwards, and my knee met the tile in a not-so-nice way. It's not going to feel good tonight.
Wednesday I got to go to the opera! One of our year 13 students was playing in the pit orchestra, and he had complimentary tickets. Kraig and I were in row G. The main floor, 7th row back. Free. It was Madama Butterfly, and pretty good, especially for Thailand. And really good, considering half the pit was high school students. Not perfect, like an opera company back home, but what an experience for a student! I couldn't do that back home, go play in the CSO! It was interesting though, an opera set in Japan, written by an Italian, Puccini, performed in Thailand, with English subtitles along with the Thai ones. It was partially performed in the Kabuki style, with these people in all black, holding props and moving set pieces. They looked like ninjas, with head coverings in black and all. I guess in Japan, people just ignore them and don't think anything of it. It was neat.
Tomorrow I'm 'chaperoning' the boarding girls to a trip to the Esplanade. It's a big shopping mall with a movie theater, bowling alley, ice rink, and a lot of neat things. It's also right near a lot of other stores. The boarding staff can't go, so I volunteered. Why not, free trip where I don't have to pay for the taxi! Not like the taxis are expensive, but still . . . I'm cheap. :D There are several girls here from Armenia and Estonia, studying and living at the school. The school's chairman was an ambassador to those countries before, so he sort of sponsors them. They get the experience of coming here, and the thai students get to meet international students.
And what else am I doing this weekend? NOT MUCH. I want food that's not from the school canteen- although I adore the food here, best food from a school EVER- but I want some more of those little I think corn cake things, and some dumplings . . .food. :D and rest, I think some lounging by the pool? :D
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
gigantic post number 1
I guess I can take time away from watching my DVDs of Heroes, to finally type this and update you all on what life is like in Bangkok, eh? And yes, Heroes DVDs, I'll explain that in a bit.
As I write this, it's Wednesday night, 10pm. 10am Wednesday back home in Chicago and Ripon. And I won't post this until tomorrow morning, because I STILL have no internet at my apartment. They say it's coming. I still have hope.
At this time last week, I was attempting to finish packing. I ended up taking not a whole lot of stuff, clothes, etc. And I'm proud of that. Normally I pack entirely too much. And as it turns out, I packed a few things I should have left at home, and vice versa. Ah well. I was also freaking out, due to lack of visa, and the normal OMG I'm going to live in ASIA for four months.
I got up early Thursday morning, finished packing, hugged my dog a lot, and had my mom's pancakes. It was slightly surreal, but I'm really glad I wasn't rushed. My flight was at almost 1pm, so I had a bit of time. I flew out of O'Hare once at 8:30 am, in the midst of a snowstorm that had been going on for over two days by then. Not ideal. This was much better. Mom and I got to the airport at around 9:30, 10, checked my bags, walked up and down the section of the terminal where the airline counters were, and got me some lunch. Extremely expensive stuff from corner bakery, but good mozzarella. We had a lady take our picture. Then I hugged my mom, teared up a bit, and went through security. They made me take my shoes off to be x-rayed, and take all the electronics out of my stuff, but not bad. The only really expensive things I was bringing with me- this laptop, the ipod, and the camera- were all in my carry-ons. I waited in the terminal for maybe 20 minutes. I was amused because there was a group of people from Grand Circle Travel- they do trips and tours for older people. My grandparents went to Thailand a few years ago with them, and now here was another group going! I met a girl who was going back to Japan, where she was teaching English- she was around my age.
The flight to Tokyo was LONG. 12 hours. After waiting an hour on the plane, at the terminal, for them to fix something on the plane. And it was packed. The guy next to me was named Rex. No joke, Rexford something. He was going to Japan to swim for the United States in something- Professor Katz, who knows stuff about swimming, figures it was some competition as a sort of pre-season for the people going to the Olympics next year. He was very nice, but kinda on the 'duh' side. We flew up north into Canada, over to Alaska, and then down, hugging the land as we went. I can see the logic in sticking close to land, but you'd think it would be a lot shorter just going straight across the ocean? I was kinda surprised- we got 2.5 meals on the plane, so I ate A LOT. The travel agent said we only got one meal.
We landed in Tokyo around 4pm their time. First priority was some water, as I was feeling horribly dehydrated, and a toothbrush- my mouth felt like it had been a week since I'd brushed my teeth. I went in the little duty-free shop. And they had Pocky. I LOVE pocky. And it was SO good- it was a lot fresher and better tasting than the stuff I've had at home. I ate the box of pocky in about ten minutes while I emailed my parents, grandparents, and a good friend to let them know I was alive and well in Tokyo. I was very pleased that the airport had free wireless!! I also left a facebook message for my friend Hikari who lives in Japan, saying I was there and thinking of her!
The flight to Bangkok was SO MUCH BETTER. I had a window seat, and nobody next to me in the row at all. We got one meal and one movie, and the flight attendants were really nice. There was one guy flight attendant who was just bugging me, because I couldn't figure out who he reminded me of. And then I got it. Picture an Asian Adam Krueger. Mannerisms, everything. It was uncanny. :D We landed in Bangkok around 10:30pm on Friday night- 24 hours since I'd left my house, but 36 when changing time zones. I was very nervous going through passport control, but they let me in no problem- only with a 30-day pass that's not even a tourist visa. Made Khun Miki cringe on Monday. Though she and Martin both reassured me that it's not my fault, and they'd figure it out. I got my bags, changed my money, waltzed right through customs, and then was faced with finding a taxi. I took the probably horribly expensive and touristy trap way and got a taxi in the airport- but I was so tired that I didn't care. Now I'm like, you idiot, you probably overpaid! But it was a long distance, so ah well. I got to Eakthanee, the apartment building around midnight. I proceeded to sign my life away in the form of one month rent plus 2 month deposit- 45,000 baht plus fee for the credit card transaction, got my key, paid another 500 baht for the beeper key ring to get into the building, and got to my apartment. And then I couldn't fall asleep until 3am.
Aaaaand then I woke up the next morning, Saturday, at 6am. And couldn't fall back to sleep again. I decided to get dressed and wander, see if I could find the school. They said it was really close, so I was hoping to find it and someone to tell me when I, oh, needed to be at the school! Hooray for not much communication! So I picked a direction, and started walking. And after about 20 or so minutes, I realized that I picked the wrong direction, and turned around. Bought some water, got back to the intersection, picked another direction. Another wrong direction. And so on. I went back to Eakthanee, changed my shirt as I'd sweated through the one, and picked another direction. I later learned that this was the right one, but I didn't go far enough. I was so HOT and frustrated that I went back to my apartment, put on my bathing suit, and went to the little pool on the third floor. Figured that I wasn't getting anywhere, I might as well cool off. And 15 minutes later two people walked in, and then the guy asked me if I was a new teacher at the Regent's. And I met Jen and Andrew- THANK GOD. I hadn't spoken to anyone who spoke english since I had really gotten off the plane. They also gave me Martin's number, the head, who then invited me to a get-together at his condo that evening. I went, got some food- the first real food I'd had in Thailand- and I met everyone, new and old teachers alike. It was SO wonderful to talk to people and find out what was happening, etc. And everyone was really nice, and sympathetic to the fact that I was horribly jet-lagged- and I was about ready to keel over with exhaustion by that time as well!
Most everyone of the new teachers is British, save me and a couple others. One of the guys is from New Zealand, and Kraig and I are American. Though I don't really count Kraig as the same as me because his wife, Anne, is Thai, and he's lived here for 4 years before. He speaks better Thai than anyone else besides the Thai staff! He's the new head of music, and technically my boss, I suppose. He's knows American things, but he knows all the good places in Bangkok, etc. He's very witty and this may sound bad, but I'm glad he was as clueless as to how the music department here worked as I was! Anne's really nice as well- she's a scientist, about to get her doctorate. She works on cancer drugs or something, with one of the Thai royal princesses, who I guess is also a scientist. There are also three gap students, taking a year off before they go to university. Heike and Lea are from Germany, and Natalie is from the UK. They're being kind-of teacher's aides, and I'm becoming good friends with them.
Enough narrative- time for things about Thailand I've learned.
The traffic is insane. And I thought I knew horrible traffic, having driven in Chicago in the worst of conditions. I guess people in Bangkok spend a good 2 hours in traffic every day, at least- and this is normal. The trip to the school in a taxi isn't bad, but it's only a 20-minute walk, in a straight line. And there's no real traffic . . . laws, though that's not the word. Everyone drives like maniacs. Switching lanes, going over the center line, cutting in and cutting people off- there's no such thing as right-of-way, I think- you just go. I can't watch the road when I'm in a cab, because it feels like we're going to crash every ten seconds. But we don't. And there are motorbikes and mopeds and even bicycles and bicycle-carts weaving in and out of traffic, it's insane.
A way to partially explain it- Kraig told me there are no zoning laws in Thailand. So nothing of the city was really planned- it just kind of got built, and there are big roads and little roads with no plan or rhyme or reason to it all. Makes no sense. Also, you can have really strange neighborhoods. Like, my apartment building. On one side there's a derelict gas station, I think it is. Then on the other side there's a clothing factory, a restaurant, and then a big vacant field and marshland thing. You can have a million-dollar home next to a shantytown. Again, no planning whatsoever. Some places smell really good, but then you go past the vacant field and there's dumped rubbish, smelling of rotting melon. And the canal-things smell of sewage something horrid. But you get used to it.
I was kinda freaked out when I was wandering that first day to see a dog. Loose. And then another. I asked someone that night, and they said that there are street dogs all over Bangkok. They're perfectly tame, but they don't really come up to you like a dog in America would. They're sometimes adopted by people, but they live on the streets. I was told just to ignore them, pretty much, and they wouldn't hurt me. Some of them are really cute, and they make me miss my dog, Luke.
It's really really hot. I mean hot. And I think it's more the humidity than anything else. I've never ever sweated this much in my life, not even at home when I'm outside all day or something. If I'm walking home from the school, in 20 minutes I can sweat completely through my clothes. And then you get in the air con and it's a complete shift. And the sun is really strong as well. I got so sunburnt my first day here. They said it's so strong here and westerners are so totally unprepared. I've been very good about putting sunscreen on.
Interesting thing about Thai culture- unlike Americans, it's desired to be as pale as possible here. It's the old if you're brown, you've been working in the fields like a peasant. Like it was in the US years ago. Nowadays, it's popular to be tan in the US because it means you don't work, and you spend your days lazing on the beach in the sunshine. But it's a really big thing here- almost every face lotion is whitening this, white beauty that. There's a lotion thing called Melanin- Away, or something. Seriously! 8 million products to whiten your skin!
Things here are really cheap. The baht is about 33 to the dollar. The taxi to the school is about 40 baht or less in the morning. I bought some shoes today for 200 baht a pair.
And yes, I have Heroes on DVD. I checked this morning on Amazon- around 35, 40 bucks there, 56 retail- and it's not available in the US until next week. But I got the entire season for 600 baht- around $18 bucks. Jen bought Ratatouille last night. You can get anything here- and probably cheaper than in the US. Though I'm still searching for some plain oatmeal- Kraig says you can get it here, but I've yet to find it.
It's 11pm now, so I'm off to bed. I have a lot more to write, but it's bedtime . . .
As I write this, it's Wednesday night, 10pm. 10am Wednesday back home in Chicago and Ripon. And I won't post this until tomorrow morning, because I STILL have no internet at my apartment. They say it's coming. I still have hope.
At this time last week, I was attempting to finish packing. I ended up taking not a whole lot of stuff, clothes, etc. And I'm proud of that. Normally I pack entirely too much. And as it turns out, I packed a few things I should have left at home, and vice versa. Ah well. I was also freaking out, due to lack of visa, and the normal OMG I'm going to live in ASIA for four months.
I got up early Thursday morning, finished packing, hugged my dog a lot, and had my mom's pancakes. It was slightly surreal, but I'm really glad I wasn't rushed. My flight was at almost 1pm, so I had a bit of time. I flew out of O'Hare once at 8:30 am, in the midst of a snowstorm that had been going on for over two days by then. Not ideal. This was much better. Mom and I got to the airport at around 9:30, 10, checked my bags, walked up and down the section of the terminal where the airline counters were, and got me some lunch. Extremely expensive stuff from corner bakery, but good mozzarella. We had a lady take our picture. Then I hugged my mom, teared up a bit, and went through security. They made me take my shoes off to be x-rayed, and take all the electronics out of my stuff, but not bad. The only really expensive things I was bringing with me- this laptop, the ipod, and the camera- were all in my carry-ons. I waited in the terminal for maybe 20 minutes. I was amused because there was a group of people from Grand Circle Travel- they do trips and tours for older people. My grandparents went to Thailand a few years ago with them, and now here was another group going! I met a girl who was going back to Japan, where she was teaching English- she was around my age.
The flight to Tokyo was LONG. 12 hours. After waiting an hour on the plane, at the terminal, for them to fix something on the plane. And it was packed. The guy next to me was named Rex. No joke, Rexford something. He was going to Japan to swim for the United States in something- Professor Katz, who knows stuff about swimming, figures it was some competition as a sort of pre-season for the people going to the Olympics next year. He was very nice, but kinda on the 'duh' side. We flew up north into Canada, over to Alaska, and then down, hugging the land as we went. I can see the logic in sticking close to land, but you'd think it would be a lot shorter just going straight across the ocean? I was kinda surprised- we got 2.5 meals on the plane, so I ate A LOT. The travel agent said we only got one meal.
We landed in Tokyo around 4pm their time. First priority was some water, as I was feeling horribly dehydrated, and a toothbrush- my mouth felt like it had been a week since I'd brushed my teeth. I went in the little duty-free shop. And they had Pocky. I LOVE pocky. And it was SO good- it was a lot fresher and better tasting than the stuff I've had at home. I ate the box of pocky in about ten minutes while I emailed my parents, grandparents, and a good friend to let them know I was alive and well in Tokyo. I was very pleased that the airport had free wireless!! I also left a facebook message for my friend Hikari who lives in Japan, saying I was there and thinking of her!
The flight to Bangkok was SO MUCH BETTER. I had a window seat, and nobody next to me in the row at all. We got one meal and one movie, and the flight attendants were really nice. There was one guy flight attendant who was just bugging me, because I couldn't figure out who he reminded me of. And then I got it. Picture an Asian Adam Krueger. Mannerisms, everything. It was uncanny. :D We landed in Bangkok around 10:30pm on Friday night- 24 hours since I'd left my house, but 36 when changing time zones. I was very nervous going through passport control, but they let me in no problem- only with a 30-day pass that's not even a tourist visa. Made Khun Miki cringe on Monday. Though she and Martin both reassured me that it's not my fault, and they'd figure it out. I got my bags, changed my money, waltzed right through customs, and then was faced with finding a taxi. I took the probably horribly expensive and touristy trap way and got a taxi in the airport- but I was so tired that I didn't care. Now I'm like, you idiot, you probably overpaid! But it was a long distance, so ah well. I got to Eakthanee, the apartment building around midnight. I proceeded to sign my life away in the form of one month rent plus 2 month deposit- 45,000 baht plus fee for the credit card transaction, got my key, paid another 500 baht for the beeper key ring to get into the building, and got to my apartment. And then I couldn't fall asleep until 3am.
Aaaaand then I woke up the next morning, Saturday, at 6am. And couldn't fall back to sleep again. I decided to get dressed and wander, see if I could find the school. They said it was really close, so I was hoping to find it and someone to tell me when I, oh, needed to be at the school! Hooray for not much communication! So I picked a direction, and started walking. And after about 20 or so minutes, I realized that I picked the wrong direction, and turned around. Bought some water, got back to the intersection, picked another direction. Another wrong direction. And so on. I went back to Eakthanee, changed my shirt as I'd sweated through the one, and picked another direction. I later learned that this was the right one, but I didn't go far enough. I was so HOT and frustrated that I went back to my apartment, put on my bathing suit, and went to the little pool on the third floor. Figured that I wasn't getting anywhere, I might as well cool off. And 15 minutes later two people walked in, and then the guy asked me if I was a new teacher at the Regent's. And I met Jen and Andrew- THANK GOD. I hadn't spoken to anyone who spoke english since I had really gotten off the plane. They also gave me Martin's number, the head, who then invited me to a get-together at his condo that evening. I went, got some food- the first real food I'd had in Thailand- and I met everyone, new and old teachers alike. It was SO wonderful to talk to people and find out what was happening, etc. And everyone was really nice, and sympathetic to the fact that I was horribly jet-lagged- and I was about ready to keel over with exhaustion by that time as well!
Most everyone of the new teachers is British, save me and a couple others. One of the guys is from New Zealand, and Kraig and I are American. Though I don't really count Kraig as the same as me because his wife, Anne, is Thai, and he's lived here for 4 years before. He speaks better Thai than anyone else besides the Thai staff! He's the new head of music, and technically my boss, I suppose. He's knows American things, but he knows all the good places in Bangkok, etc. He's very witty and this may sound bad, but I'm glad he was as clueless as to how the music department here worked as I was! Anne's really nice as well- she's a scientist, about to get her doctorate. She works on cancer drugs or something, with one of the Thai royal princesses, who I guess is also a scientist. There are also three gap students, taking a year off before they go to university. Heike and Lea are from Germany, and Natalie is from the UK. They're being kind-of teacher's aides, and I'm becoming good friends with them.
Enough narrative- time for things about Thailand I've learned.
The traffic is insane. And I thought I knew horrible traffic, having driven in Chicago in the worst of conditions. I guess people in Bangkok spend a good 2 hours in traffic every day, at least- and this is normal. The trip to the school in a taxi isn't bad, but it's only a 20-minute walk, in a straight line. And there's no real traffic . . . laws, though that's not the word. Everyone drives like maniacs. Switching lanes, going over the center line, cutting in and cutting people off- there's no such thing as right-of-way, I think- you just go. I can't watch the road when I'm in a cab, because it feels like we're going to crash every ten seconds. But we don't. And there are motorbikes and mopeds and even bicycles and bicycle-carts weaving in and out of traffic, it's insane.
A way to partially explain it- Kraig told me there are no zoning laws in Thailand. So nothing of the city was really planned- it just kind of got built, and there are big roads and little roads with no plan or rhyme or reason to it all. Makes no sense. Also, you can have really strange neighborhoods. Like, my apartment building. On one side there's a derelict gas station, I think it is. Then on the other side there's a clothing factory, a restaurant, and then a big vacant field and marshland thing. You can have a million-dollar home next to a shantytown. Again, no planning whatsoever. Some places smell really good, but then you go past the vacant field and there's dumped rubbish, smelling of rotting melon. And the canal-things smell of sewage something horrid. But you get used to it.
I was kinda freaked out when I was wandering that first day to see a dog. Loose. And then another. I asked someone that night, and they said that there are street dogs all over Bangkok. They're perfectly tame, but they don't really come up to you like a dog in America would. They're sometimes adopted by people, but they live on the streets. I was told just to ignore them, pretty much, and they wouldn't hurt me. Some of them are really cute, and they make me miss my dog, Luke.
It's really really hot. I mean hot. And I think it's more the humidity than anything else. I've never ever sweated this much in my life, not even at home when I'm outside all day or something. If I'm walking home from the school, in 20 minutes I can sweat completely through my clothes. And then you get in the air con and it's a complete shift. And the sun is really strong as well. I got so sunburnt my first day here. They said it's so strong here and westerners are so totally unprepared. I've been very good about putting sunscreen on.
Interesting thing about Thai culture- unlike Americans, it's desired to be as pale as possible here. It's the old if you're brown, you've been working in the fields like a peasant. Like it was in the US years ago. Nowadays, it's popular to be tan in the US because it means you don't work, and you spend your days lazing on the beach in the sunshine. But it's a really big thing here- almost every face lotion is whitening this, white beauty that. There's a lotion thing called Melanin- Away, or something. Seriously! 8 million products to whiten your skin!
Things here are really cheap. The baht is about 33 to the dollar. The taxi to the school is about 40 baht or less in the morning. I bought some shoes today for 200 baht a pair.
And yes, I have Heroes on DVD. I checked this morning on Amazon- around 35, 40 bucks there, 56 retail- and it's not available in the US until next week. But I got the entire season for 600 baht- around $18 bucks. Jen bought Ratatouille last night. You can get anything here- and probably cheaper than in the US. Though I'm still searching for some plain oatmeal- Kraig says you can get it here, but I've yet to find it.
It's 11pm now, so I'm off to bed. I have a lot more to write, but it's bedtime . . .
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
*Sweats*
I got here. I made it. And I finally got some internet access- but only at school. The internet at the apartment is forthcoming, or so they tell me.
Here's a link to some photos- narrated- Chicago to Bangkok.
It's very hot. And the AC in the arts building is apparently not getting any power, so we're simply dying. Dripping. Wilting. :D
I'm going to type up a big post soon, but right now- it's too hot.
Pics!
Here's a link to some photos- narrated- Chicago to Bangkok.
It's very hot. And the AC in the arts building is apparently not getting any power, so we're simply dying. Dripping. Wilting. :D
I'm going to type up a big post soon, but right now- it's too hot.
Pics!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
T minus 16 hours, and I'm remarkably calm.
I'm crossposting this so people have all my contact info, etc . . .
I leave tomorrow from O'Hare around noon. United Flight 883 to Narita Tokyo. Then United Flight 837 from Narita to Bangkok. I arrive in Thailand at 11 pm Bangkok time, Friday, which is approximately 11am here.
I should have internet access throughout the time I'm there (and really, if I end up not, I might go insane with the lack of communication.
I'll be making regular updates here, as well as my private journal. I'll also be posting photos on Facebook, as well as getting a flickr account.
I'll be checking my email regularly. My Ripon account is still active through the end of the semester, but my mail email is altorogue (at) yahoo dot com. I'll still be on Aim, as well as MSN and yahoo, all as altorogue.
I'm putting my cell phone on hold- I'll have it back when I return. I plan on making most my phone calls on skype, which is an awesome little program. If you want to call me, that's the best way. You can search for me as altorogue or Kali, and I'm listed as being from Chicago. The time change is going to be a bitch, but I suppose I'll figure it out somehow.
I don't have a mailing address yet, or a phone number there. Forthcoming.
I fly back on December 21. And due to me flying the other way around the world, I make the 22-ish hour flight in less than 12 hours- leaving at 6am and getting into O'Hare at dinnertime. Gotta love the time zones. :D
SOOOO . . . . I should finish packing. But So You Think You Can Dance was on! :D
I got a new, gigantic suitcase. I got a new expensive purse. I have a new travel wallet, and etc etc etc. And I am THE worst packer ever. Just ask my mother, or anyone who's ever lived with me/near me. Absolutely horrible. But I'm going to restrict myself to clothes, and essentials, and keep things light. I AM! (Don't laugh at me like that, Josh! And anyone else who is reading!)
I still have to call Verizon and put my cell account on hold. And make sure Humana knows I'm going, because my program-supplied health insurance stops covering me 5 days before I come back. Eek. :D
I got a Hepatitis A shot on Monday, and then I got not only Typhoid, but Diptheria/Tetanus and Polio this morning. And then I bought immodium, pepto-bismol, ibuprofen, and aspirin this morning. I'm set. The aspirin is for my paranoid mother, so I don't get a blood clot on the plane :D
And I HATE Visas. Specifically, I don't have one yet. Long story, but I can't get a student visa because I'm not a student of any school in Thailand. And I am not teaching and earning a wage, so that's out. Tourist visas it is for me, but I don't have one because the school sent me the letter too late for me to get one here at the consulate. So airport it is! *prays and hopes*
But really? It will all be ok. Whatever will be will be. The future's not ours to see! *sings* Que Sera, Sera!!
I leave tomorrow from O'Hare around noon. United Flight 883 to Narita Tokyo. Then United Flight 837 from Narita to Bangkok. I arrive in Thailand at 11 pm Bangkok time, Friday, which is approximately 11am here.
I should have internet access throughout the time I'm there (and really, if I end up not, I might go insane with the lack of communication.
I'll be making regular updates here, as well as my private journal. I'll also be posting photos on Facebook, as well as getting a flickr account.
I'll be checking my email regularly. My Ripon account is still active through the end of the semester, but my mail email is altorogue (at) yahoo dot com. I'll still be on Aim, as well as MSN and yahoo, all as altorogue.
I'm putting my cell phone on hold- I'll have it back when I return. I plan on making most my phone calls on skype, which is an awesome little program. If you want to call me, that's the best way. You can search for me as altorogue or Kali, and I'm listed as being from Chicago. The time change is going to be a bitch, but I suppose I'll figure it out somehow.
I don't have a mailing address yet, or a phone number there. Forthcoming.
I fly back on December 21. And due to me flying the other way around the world, I make the 22-ish hour flight in less than 12 hours- leaving at 6am and getting into O'Hare at dinnertime. Gotta love the time zones. :D
SOOOO . . . . I should finish packing. But So You Think You Can Dance was on! :D
I got a new, gigantic suitcase. I got a new expensive purse. I have a new travel wallet, and etc etc etc. And I am THE worst packer ever. Just ask my mother, or anyone who's ever lived with me/near me. Absolutely horrible. But I'm going to restrict myself to clothes, and essentials, and keep things light. I AM! (Don't laugh at me like that, Josh! And anyone else who is reading!)
I still have to call Verizon and put my cell account on hold. And make sure Humana knows I'm going, because my program-supplied health insurance stops covering me 5 days before I come back. Eek. :D
I got a Hepatitis A shot on Monday, and then I got not only Typhoid, but Diptheria/Tetanus and Polio this morning. And then I bought immodium, pepto-bismol, ibuprofen, and aspirin this morning. I'm set. The aspirin is for my paranoid mother, so I don't get a blood clot on the plane :D
And I HATE Visas. Specifically, I don't have one yet. Long story, but I can't get a student visa because I'm not a student of any school in Thailand. And I am not teaching and earning a wage, so that's out. Tourist visas it is for me, but I don't have one because the school sent me the letter too late for me to get one here at the consulate. So airport it is! *prays and hopes*
But really? It will all be ok. Whatever will be will be. The future's not ours to see! *sings* Que Sera, Sera!!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Tick . . .tock . . .tick . . .tock . . .
I have 55 minutes left of work. And then comes the hell.
What you have to know is I own entirely too much crap. I blame my mother. Because if something's on sale, you never know when you might need it! So she buys me stuff. I have a couple purses that I've never used, but I don't want to get rid of because you never know if I will!
And I also blame my major. I have copious amounts of sheet music. I want to say around 4 milk crates full right now. And there's more at home, and more I'm sure I'm not counting. Not to mention the books. And all my knitting stuff. And my dance shoes. And my computer stuff. I have too many hobbies that require too many specific things.
But what's the big problem? First, a lot of stuff just STAYED in Ripon for 4 years. I didn't bring it home during the summers or breaks, because I needed it up here. And now it all has to come home at once. :D My mom's currently on her way up, so we can fill her car and my car to the brim, and hope it all fits. I did give some stuff to the thrift store, and some is going to the house, and etc etc etc.
NOTE TO THE WISE: Never move out of an apartment by yourself. And also, never move out of an apartment into somebody else's home, so that you have all this extra furniture and kitchen stuff that you want to keep, that you like, but it sits around for months.
Boy am I rambly. And I still have packing to do before we leave. And stuff to take to Nate, stuff to take to the library, a couple books I found that I think belong in Rodman . . . :D And what am I doing? Sitting here, being bored because all of 4 people came in today. I wish I could mentally pack and go back to the house and have it all packed and waiting for me :D
Next stop, Berwyn!
What you have to know is I own entirely too much crap. I blame my mother. Because if something's on sale, you never know when you might need it! So she buys me stuff. I have a couple purses that I've never used, but I don't want to get rid of because you never know if I will!
And I also blame my major. I have copious amounts of sheet music. I want to say around 4 milk crates full right now. And there's more at home, and more I'm sure I'm not counting. Not to mention the books. And all my knitting stuff. And my dance shoes. And my computer stuff. I have too many hobbies that require too many specific things.
But what's the big problem? First, a lot of stuff just STAYED in Ripon for 4 years. I didn't bring it home during the summers or breaks, because I needed it up here. And now it all has to come home at once. :D My mom's currently on her way up, so we can fill her car and my car to the brim, and hope it all fits. I did give some stuff to the thrift store, and some is going to the house, and etc etc etc.
NOTE TO THE WISE: Never move out of an apartment by yourself. And also, never move out of an apartment into somebody else's home, so that you have all this extra furniture and kitchen stuff that you want to keep, that you like, but it sits around for months.
Boy am I rambly. And I still have packing to do before we leave. And stuff to take to Nate, stuff to take to the library, a couple books I found that I think belong in Rodman . . . :D And what am I doing? Sitting here, being bored because all of 4 people came in today. I wish I could mentally pack and go back to the house and have it all packed and waiting for me :D
Next stop, Berwyn!
Friday, August 10, 2007
7 days!
It's a week until I leave the country. Am I prepared? Nooooo. But first I suppose I have to get home first!
See, I spent this summer (and last summer) in Ripon instead of going home to Berwyn. And on top of that, a lot of my stuff has just stayed up here in storage instead of driving it home and back. So I have a LOT of stuff. Which is going home tomorrow, when my mom drives up so we have two cars to haul stuff back in.
But first that means I have to pack!!
In the past few years, Ripon has become home for me. And it's hard for me to think of leaving for good. Well, not for good. I'll be back for Tau live-in and formal. And if the high school choir job was open, I'd apply for it in a heartbeat. But for now, this is for good. Last time I check my mail, last time I walk the dogs, yeah.
I mean, I'm excited about going to Thailand. But for right now, I'm a bit scared, and a bit more melancholy.
Ah well. Packing awaits!
Dexter & Spice, my summertime dogs
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