The Bangkok Bros!

Dylan and Spencer's super sweet surprise gift for all the female teachers! The first time I've gotten flowers since who knows how long! Unfortunately I took this picture 4-5 days after I received the flowers, so they're not looking as great as they did in the beginning, but thought I'd still share!

About two weeks ago two new teachers arrived from Idaho to teach English here at the BSC. Spencer (22) is a senior at the University of Idaho and an athlete on the track team. His younger brother Dylan (20) is coming back to Thailand after about two years (he previously taught for about 8 months right out of high school). Spencer will teach here for two terms and will head back to the US in December to finish up his last semester at university. Dylan will be here about a year, so will keep me company during me teaching days here. They’re very humorous brothers, but make me miss my own siblings dreadfully. There’s just a way you act around your siblings, or things that you can do, that you can’t really do with anyone else. But so far it’s been great having them around. They constantly surprise me and inspire me in many ways. The other day they bought roses for all the female teachers and left them in front of our bedroom doors. So sweet! They call themselves the “Bangkok Bros” and I think the name suites them quite well. We’ve already had some great adventures together, and I assume many more will come. I think more then anything, I’m grateful for people my age around that are from the US! I remember the first night they arrived we all went out and walked down a very busy market place, they fit right in and are usually up for just about anything. I definitely think God put us all together at the BSC during this time for a reason, to uplift one another and hold one another accountable. One of the many great things that they’ve done is started a regular prayer time with all the teachers every day before we teach classes. It’s a good reminder of why we are all here and a good time to prepare ourselves before interacting with your students. It’s an answer to prayers having them around.

Fellow Teachers & More

I am so blessed to have a fellow teacher that is more like a sister then anything else. Not sure what I would do without Dani, my favorite Aussie living in Thailand!

I have been so blessed to have a good friend, role model and accountability partner here in Thailand. Dani (Danielle or “Daniel” as some of the Thai’s call her!) is amazing. From late night tea dates, to chats about what God’s teaching us, swimming dates, fellowship and tasty meals and even skyping each other at 2am because neither of us can sleep… We have had some crazy and interesting times together! It is amazing the ease our friendship has and the similarities between us. We both feel that the other one is here just to motivate us (well, I’m sure there are other things too!), but boy, I don’t know what I would do without Dani around. I know I’ve talked about her often to friends and family, but she is a blessing. We just click, and it’s not often that you find a friend like that. From sense of humor to our space to habits, etc. God definitely has us both in Thailand for a reason, but again, he also put us here together for a good reason!

Things have been more difficult for me lately, I will not try to hide the fact that I have felt more homesick lately, less motivated and overall a little unsure about things. I keep trying to remind myself that if I wasn’t feeling these feelings, then I’d need to be worried, and that these are very normal when going through culture shock. But still, it has been harder on more days then one. However, to counter act the enemy and those feelings I have done several exciting things this past week:

1. started a strict diet & workouts have been regular–loved my hour run on Friday!

2. enjoyed leading a workout at a local university Tuesday night to some kids a group of friends and myself were sharing the gospel with!

3. decided on Friday to travel to Ayutthaya on Saturday for a day trip (the old capital of Thailand, have great photos!) Also renting a bike and traveling around the city all day 9a-4p & not getting lost! So proud of myself for planning a little day trip.

4. Finally found a church to call home in Bangkok! After much prayer and searching I’ve started attending Christ Church, a local English speaking Anglican church

5. meeting a new friend & kindred spirit Sally from Mexico, eating knock-off Thai Mexican food with her, talking about our life adventures and seriously laughing as we watched “Zoo Keeper” at the big fancy mall with free mini bags of popcorn.

6. Game night & pizza Saturday with friends from Mexico, Australia, Idaho, Thailand, South Africa & Bolivia! Sequence, Wii, Speed & much more. I even brought Thai desserts from a food vendor that spoke amazing English.

7. Trying to look on the bright side after getting lost TWICE this week. One time I was even thinking through scenario’s of how to knock the motorcycle man out because I thought he was taking me down an dark alley… Fortunately I realized that I gave him the wrong directions. We communicated with “hand gestures” (he spoke no English and my Thai had already led me down the wrong path once–12 and 20 sound oddly alike in my brain…) but he kindly took me to the real place I was supposed to go without charging me again. He was very kind (but mind you I WAS prepared for the worst)

8. Sitting at a coffee shop Sunday after noon and reading up on my Thai news (enjoying three newspapers with my coffee!)

9. Thai lessons with my wonderful teacher Suwanee

10. One of my students calling me up Saturday and asking me to go see a movie

I could say many more things, God is always giving me great opportunities. I am constantly reminded to look at the good, although it is still difficult with adjustment and culture shock. But God is good and he provides constantly. I am so grateful to have found a new church and community to refresh myself on Sundays!