For the next 4 weeks, I’ll be in class to get my TESOL certification. The first week is all Thai culture and language. Then anyone that is already a certified teacher will move on to their jobs and the rest of us will continue on with the TESOL class.
Today we got into vans and drove down to Hua Hin. We are in houses near the school so we were given time to settle in. There are 5 of us in our house and our house is really nice, except the beds – I’m not happy with the bed – I can feel all the springs. I’m sure I’ll get use to it though.
(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore
Then they took us to the local mall and showed us where our bank was and the cell phone store. We had some time to shop and get lunch. Then we went back to the school for a talk about the area and logistics. Everyone in my class and at Xploreasia is wonderful. I am the oldest in the class by about 20 years. It’s a bit odd, but not an issue.
That evening a few of us went to a night market near our house. It had great food. It was a beautiful place. So much of Thailand feels run down or at the very least practical with no flare or artistic component to it. Other than the temples, of course, which are detailed, colorful and glittering. This market was beautiful with pretty lights, good food, and interesting shops.
Exhausted, I took a shower and went to bed early. The days of showering once every 3 or 4 days a week are over. It’s so hot here and it’s not their hot season. Hope I adjust quickly.
By the time I went to bed last night, I felt ready to go to Thailand. Then I woke up several times panicking, thinking I’m bringing too much stuff. But, it’s too late to rearrange stuff. Both of my connections were close so I woke up worrying about that. I purposfully booked one airline so I wouldn’t have issues with baggage and connections, but found out last night that I had two airlines. My first flight was at 7:30am so I got up super early and went to the airport. There was issue at check in. One of my bags was 4 pounds overweight. I asked if I could take some stuff out and put in my carry on. The lady kept telling me the bag was overweight and she couldn’t take it, but she wouldn’t give it back to me either. Finally, I got the bag back and moved some stuff out. It was still overweight and then I asked if I could just pay extra for it being overweight. She freaked out and told me she was going to get fired and she couldn’t help me. Again, she couldn’t take the bag and yet wouldn’t give it back to me. She called over her managers. Same story. I kept asking if I could pay extra and they kept saying they couldn’t help me. After 15 minutes of this round about conversation and a lot of crying on my part, I was able to get my bag back and had no choice but to pull more stuff out. Not my carry on was almost too much for me to handle. When I got to the gate, they announced that the flight was overbooked and some people would have to check their carry ons. So I checked my overstuffed carry on for free all the way to Bangkok. I may get to Bangkok and only have one change of clothes, but at this point, I don’t care. I cried for half the flight.
Whoa, What a roller coaster of a night. Every year the Fantastic Hosts put on a holiday party that is the best party of the year. Every year I hope that I will have a date to bring. Every year, I’m dressing up and going solo. This year I decided to take a date, a guy I’ve known for years. We’ve dated a couple times, but it never worked out because he would stand me up or say he’d do something and then flake or just stop calling altogether. However, whenever he does show up, he is delightful. He’s so much fun and is really present with me in person. I told him this party was a big deal for me. He spent weeks not giving me a straight yes or no. Then finally he confirmed and for some odd reason, I thought he might actually do what he said he would. But, around 8:00 pm I find out that he’s still working and needs to work again first thing in the morning and therefore is going to the party. He tried to call it off by text instead picking up the phone to call me. Eventually we did talk on the phone. I tried to be understanding. I wouldn’t want to be working on a Saturday night only to have to go work again the next morning either. At the end of it all, though, I just felt unimportant and disappointed.
Rraine Drops 