My mother finally decided to push the “Update” button, similar to the famed “Easy” button, but less red and much less to do with marketing.

She also says I’m changing, but I can’t confirm nor deny.  She says she can hear it in my writing.  What she doesn’t know is that my writing simply sucked in the last email I sent to her.  They’ve been wearing me down every day this week, starting at a tender 6:44 am every morning (oddly specific, yes, but that is exactly when I’ve been waking up, without fail).  By the time I get back home, I’m ready beyond ready to be snuggled up against the cold air the machine next to my bed blows out over me, lights out save for the soft green glow of stars and moons stuck to the ceiling (Note to self: Never be without glow in the dark stars) that really don’t give off much…light.  I just wanted to say that.

Things I’ve noticed:

Ladyboys are so much fun.  They’re like the hidden wild side of Thailand, but without the hidden.  In such a polite society, men with boobs wearing beads and feathers.  Could you not love it?

There is a Starbucks in Nong Khai, there is a Starbucks in Nong Khai, there is a Starbucks in Nong Khai, this was possibly the biggest news of last weekend.  Wow.  There’s a Starbucks.  In Nong Khai.

Guys do the huggy thing with guys and take pictures with their cellphones, and are generally more…happy around each other.  American boys?  Sit there and grunt at each other while leaning up against a wall, eat, or joke about hitting each other and accidentally break something, argue about who did it, and then brood for fifteen minutes before finding some food, or something incredibly stupid to do with something with a motor.

Mary was apparently pretty much the best thing since sliced bread to hit Ashiwa, if you ask anyone there.  I’m actually pretty confident that the next time I hear someone talk about her I’m going to go insane, except the people who keep bringing her up are teachers, so I’m forced to say, yes, I’ve heard of her.  Kaa.  She lives about an hour and 45 minutes by plane away from me, I have never met her, and telepathically I inform everyone in the room that I am not nor could be Mary.

There is an Asian counterpart to everyone you knew, and every celebrity.  I’ve found a John Cusack, a Ninomiya Kazunari, and a lot more I can’t remember right now.

Dogs and cats are not the same precious pets here as they are at home.  It’s strange to walk around and see all these dogs wandering around, and people just barely passing by in cars without a second thought.  At home, someone would at least mention getting some food for them, possibly a bath.

The things I have eaten for Thailand.   We’ll not discuss.

I’m good at badminton.

Things I’ve done:

Gone to an old folks’ home with Miss Thai Beauty (we also went shopping and played badminton, and I have never felt quite so ugly in a little while).

Boosted the broken ego by scoring two appearances on the local evening news.  The news worthy events included a couple classes of little Scouts chanting, “You’re beautiful!” and my name being called for more pictures over the mic.  Rotary dedicated two clean water systems to two local schools, we dedicated ‘em, and I have never had to smile so much in my life.

Attempted to get by knowing such limited Thai vocab it hurts.  School has been difficult.  At least I can ride the bus home no problem.

Fallen in love with Zach Braff and Scrubs.  Thank you, Bex.

Wanted my Mom, just for a little while.   Steve, Bo, and the dogs are permitted as well.  See, the thing about exchange is that you don’t realize how much you actually a) are embedded into your own culture b) do feel like home is home is home and will always be, could never be anything else c) like American food.

I’m tired, I have to go over Thai, which I’m finally finding a grip on, and I have to give food to kids at an orphanage tomorrow (TV appearance number 4, thank you very much).  In the morning.  When else?

More as I realize it.   Promise.