Monday Morning.

I've come home from another long day today and after my usual inhaling of snacks and laying in the AC for awhile, I got to thinking of all I've done so far. I had an uneasiness settle over me that has been nagging me for a couple days. I hadn't really pieced it together yet, but I'm really starting to see the effect of the absence of God here in Thailand. Buddhist tradition dictates a large part of the Thai culture  which teaches wonderful morals that my own people could seriously use a lesson in. However, here in Thailand, I have not found the passion and power of faith in a savior. Of course, I got caught up in this awesome new experience, crazy things I could never do at home, new friends, but in the end I'm left feeling empty having not glorified God. Living by myself with my faith is a new experience for me and it has brought me to a turning point. In all of my other traveling, I've been surrounded by people of faith..mission trips etc. which makes things alottt easier. Now, sometimes I'll be sitting at school alone..or actually surrounding by strangers trying to talk to me and feel so lonely, wondering what exactly I'm here for. I read the poem "Invictus"the other day which ends with the lines:
"I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul."
At first I was like sweet, I need to take charge and find productive, meaningful things to do here. Thats not true and didn't help me out at all..After a few frustrating days of my efforts going nowhere and some prayer, I was reminded that God really conducts things down here. There's something for me here..something to learn, someone to meet, who knows! I know this is a simple idea, but I want this blog to be honest and document the really good stuff that I'm going through. My worst days keep turning out to be the most meaningful.
And now, I want to share this hope and peace with all of these beautiful people I meet everyday. Just like home, too many students in high school have self esteem issues. In Thailand, the teaching style tends to be pretty cold and machine. School is THE #1 priority for every young person, because it is believed that one can't succeed without an education. In high school, it is hard for someone to have a social life outside of school because of the amount of studying and homework they have to do to get a decent grade. At least a few days a week, most students in my grade don't leave school until 8:00. They also go to school on weekends or study most of Saturday and Sunday. Science and Math tends to be given priority over Language Arts so many in my class (i'm in the science and math program) say that their families made them study in this program, though some are tri-lingual! Teachers yell out students grades for everyone to hear after each test..sometimes with a less than positive comment. So anyway....
I think that US schools should take after the Thai's in class rigor..our classes are definitely too easy and behind the international standard..especially with languages. I do however wish that I could tell the students of Thailand that they are special and can be successful following their personal dreams and interests.
If you go to Red Hook: I know school is tough but keep working at it! Susu na ka.It Means something like "be a fighter" in Thai and it's something that I hear everyday. Some of my friends hadn't heard of a sleepover or ever been to a party. They're still awesome though.
I hope everyone is happy and doing well! If you have any questions about anything here, ask away!
Fun Facts:
They hardly eat cheese here. (it's so sad.)
It is culturally required that you take 2 showers a day.
There is often no toilet paper.
The food is SUPER SPICY.
We eat dinner and lunch food for breakfast all the time.
It is the rainy season, so flooding occurs in certain places quite often.
They have 7/11 here..otherwise we go to the market everyday!
Crocs and One Direction and Angry Birds are super popular.
I pay about 60 cents for a way better lunch than at home.
Most of these are about food because it's amazing here!
I LOVE THAILAND!  XOXO emily