Two weeks in

I've been in Thailand for a little over two weeks now and what an adventure it's been!!  The first week was spent learning about Thai culture.  I got to meditate with a Buddhist monk, get up close and personal with elephants, learn basic phrases in Thai, take a Muay Thai class and buy ingredients needed to make a papaya salad at a market using only Thai.

The second week has been learning how to become a teacher.  Since I've been here I've been working with a company called XploreAsia.  They've been amazing.  The instructor has really made the learning experience top notch.  I might be slightly biased since Andrew is a fellow midwesterner and a Chiefs fan...but that aside he's making what could be long and daunting days exciting!

What has amazed me so far is the change I've seen in myself in these short two weeks.  I knew that by moving here I'd be taking a huge step outside my comfort zone.  But I honestly didn't realize how big of a step it'd be.  I'm living in a house with 9 other people (most who are still in their very early 20's...).  I told one of the girls that living in this house was roughing it for me.  I'm pretty sure she thought I was joking, but I wasn't!  I share a bathroom with 5 other girls.  I have a roommate that sleeps in very close proximity to my bed (which I'm still not convinced that she doesn't have the mattress and I have the box springs), there is a rodent of some sort that runs around in our walls constantly (we keep telling ourselves it's a squirrel and not a rat...) and in Thailand you don't flush anything but the waste from your body down the toilet (everything else goes in a trashcan next to the toilet and that has to be dumped by one of us...).

I sweat constantly.  I walk everywhere.  I shop at what is the equivalent to Thai Wal Mart.  I've only worn make up the very first day here and stopped once it sweated off (and into my eyes) within minutes of being outside.  I haven't blow dryed my hair once.  I'm using new words (rubbish is a much more pretty word than trash).  I let people hug or touch me without the slightest of a flinch now.

I really don't recognize who I am anymore.  And y'all I haven't been happier.  I still have some #PrincessBA moments but those are happening less and less.  I miss people from back home (the 12 and 14 hour time difference between my closest people and me is a big adjustment).  I miss queso (but oh how I love sticky rice and mango).  However, this is my new normal, I'm embracing it and loving every second of it!

Hello Tokyo

March 31^st/April 1^st will be the day that I made some impressive marks on my bucket list.

ü  Cross the International Date Line

ü  One more continent I’ve been on

ü  Eat sushi in Japan

It’s been an emotional day too.  Starting with having to tell someone that’s been a major part of my life good bye and not knowing if I’ll ever see this person again.  Then the anxiety of a 14-hour flight solo.  Then exhaustion from the 14-hour flight.  The melatonin I took did little to help me sleep.  The unknown of navigating the Tokyo airport (which was a wasted emotion.  I kept imagining the cluster that is the Johannesburg airport and was most scared about finding my gate. It’s been super easy and everything is in English).  Then the confusion of the airport bathroom in Tokyo. never have I seen instructions on the wall on how to work the toilet!

Now more exhaustion and dread of another 6 hour flight ahead of me to Bangkok.  But all those emotions are out weighed by the excitement of what lies ahead of me!! The texts and Facebook messages of support and encouragement have helped that along too!  It’s nice to know I’ve got so many people excited for me.