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Published: June 22nd 2006
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Hey everyone! Sorry I havent written much lately, I've been too busy! My internship is taking up lots of time. However, it is more than worth it. I have met so many awesome Thai students and Physical therapists. Each week my schedule changes and I shadow someone different. This week I work at Siririja Hospital in the mornings and go to Pinklao OPD in the afternoons. At Sirirja, I am in the Acute Stroke Unit and Spinal Cord Injury department. In Pinklao I am in the Orthapedic dept. The only thing that kinda stinks about my internship is in order to get there in the mornings I take two or three buses and have to allow at least an hour and a half. So.....i leave my "Green Park" apartment at 6 30ish. Way before any of my roommates have even thought of getting up. I usually get home around 5 30. But like I said, it is all worth it. The people I work with are more than hospitable. I can tell they haven't been around many foreigners so they are definately excited for me to be there. They also love to practice their English. I have taught a few of
the PT's some "slang" words in English so they can expand their vocab. They have learned so far: awesome, cool, "hot", cute, whats up, and dude. They are definately so adorable when they say, "What's up Dude?" They in return, have taught me many Thai words and phrases. Oh yea, and the PT's and doctors all look extremely young. It reminds me of little kids in dress up clothes. However, they all believe me to look even younger than 19! grrr...haha. It takes four years to get your PT certification and six years to be a liscensed doctor (if you pass the exam at the end). I have to explain about ten times a day about "undergraduate" college and then you go to a graduate school. They love to ask what year I am, because in their schools this is very important. The people in your grade level are your family and you all have the same uniform to distinguish yourself from the others. The younger class always "wai" the older students, or clasp hands together and bow to show respect. All students thus, wai professors. I have to explain that all though I will be a third year, I
oh boonie....
she's so cute! haha do not know much about physical therapy because I am still in undergraduate. Some students and professors get this, others just nod in confusion. 😊 I met a group of med students yesterday and attended a seminar with them. They are just as nice as the PT students and invited me to dinner and to a "discotech" or club with them for tomorrow. Not sure if I'll go or not. I guess it depends if I see them again. They all wrote numbers down for me though in case I ever need anything when I'm in Thailand. SO NICE!! Also everyone here loves to offer to take me sightseeing. I am very excited about this, considering a local knows way more about the temples and such then my guide from the school.
Every afternoon a group of students usually take me with them to lunch. It is extremely nice to have someone order my food for me. So much easier than me trying to do it. I continue to love the food here. Usually in the afternoon someone gives me fruit to take home. So delicious! I am slowly getting used to feeling lost all the time in conversations
our huge group
me and the roomies, another kei student from cali, and the unforgettable group from Mexico! haha, so slow and basically just being ackward all the time. For example, I seriously just follow around any Thai student that seems half way interested in helping me out! Ha ha. Okay, its not as lame as it sounds.
So, outside of work, we have gone out only once lately. I met a guy last week that is from Canada but has been here for three years and knows a lot of good places to go. So last Friday night, Sean took me and a few of my roommates to a place called RCA. This place was pretty much awesome. It is a line of about twenty clubs, all huge with no cover. And outside their was a stage set up with different bands and dj's. I was extremely impressed.
Then on Sunday, me and my roommates, our guide Boon, and a group of high school kids from Mexico all went north to "Ayuttaya" It is Thailand's old capitol. Basically it was a bunch of extremely old ruins of the palace and city. But pretty cool considering how ancient it was.
I have almost been here three whole weeks! I can't believe it! I still have five more
to go. I am starting to feel like a local though! haha, still not blending in much though. Every now and then I escape to Siam Square or some other touristy place just to not get stared and and to remind myself that there are people here that aren't Asian! I love living here so far though. Thai people have to be the best in the world. Combine that with awesome, yet cheap food, exciting nightlife, the hugeness of Bangkok, the tropical feeling you get from all the plants and palm trees, the distinct culture and gorgeous temples in the middle of a huge city, and the laid back feeling of the whole country, and there ya go. A very cool place. Oh yea, the bad things (sadly, a few): rainy season just started and they mean that seriously, it rains like three times a day. Also traffic in the city is horrific.
On a good note, however. I found out at the end of the month I am going to an island for the weekend. Hopefully doing a little snorkeling...
.....and yes, I do miss a few things from America.....not much though 😊 oh, but of
course my family and friends!! Love ya! La Kawn!
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