Thai's Perception of Beauty

Why is it that after a storm there is always sunshine?  Its like mother nature is laughing in your face saying "Time to clean up, sucker!"  The clean up effort was in full swing today.  The main priority was the pool.  Equipped with fishing nets Bow, Sa's dad, and I went for a swim.  This swim of ours lasted half the day, and we were only somewhat satisfied with the end results of our effort.
So to get on with the true meaning of this blog..
What do Thai's consider beautiful?  A female wishes to be as thin as possible, with big eyes, and as white as possible.  Basically, not Asian.  For men you could be old, fat, and ugly, but if your white you are still most likely to be called handsome.  Thai's especially women go through great lengths to try achieve the goal of pasty white skin.  Besides baby powder, which also helps keep the skin cool, there is a vast variety of whitening skin creams.    

Mama brings a new meaning to white and nerdy! :)

Thai's just don't go as far as purchasing whitening creams to achieve that sheet-white skin, but will cover themselves head to toe in clothes while working outside in the fields all day.  It may be +30 degrees out but you will see them wearing sweaters, pants, gloves, and ski masks, only leaving a slit for their eyes.  The extent that people will go through to try reach the perception of "Beauty!"  But what is the true definition of beauty?  The dictionary defines it as; "The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind."  But the truth is there is no true definition of beauty.  I believe a smile is a persons most beautiful attribute.  We, as members of society, are so caught up in trying to perfect our looks we forget to recognize the beautiful things we do have.  I myself, being human, can look in the mirror and list a thousand things that I would like to change about my body.  Instead of concentrating on my imperfections, which make me ME, I focus on my favourable attributes, like being a Ginger. :)  

When we where in Phitsanulok Mon's friend Nan asked me if I heard everyone calling me soo-ay, which means beautiful.  Not only am I considered beautiful because I have white skin but because I have such an unique hair color.  A hair color that is also considered unique back home. :)  It's weird to have all this "awe" attention when back home I am considered somewhat normal.  It's an ego boost, and I even might miss all the attention when I go back home.  Who could blame me though.  Who doesn't like to be called beautiful!  :)

    Speaking of beautiful, Sa looked extra Soo-ay today.  She attended a party that her school was hosting for all the students.  

So before you consider going through great lengths to change your bodies appearance, such as skin color, consider that there is someone, even if they are half way around the world, that wishes they looked like you.  Everyone is beautiful!!! :)

A Special Kind of Bonding

Mon took off yesterday with the family to go to a Monk ceremony out of town.  I decided to stay behind with Bow and Sa hoping to have some bonding time.  Which is exactly what Sa and I did.  It wasn't the usual bonding ritual though, like watching a movie or sitting and talking.  Instead we bonded by chasing after pieces of the roof and searching for a missing dog.  But before I get to all that I will start off with this morning.  After having breakfast Sa and I took the scooters to Bow's school to enroll Taiten.  After which we went to the University (Sa's school).  There I met some of her friends who were very nice.  She said they wished to speak to me but unfortunately know no english.  One of her guy friends even asked Sa to introduce us and mentioned she should bring me to visit more often. :P

We were having a pleasant evening Sa and I talking, cleaning the fish tanks, and sweeping the driveway.    That was until the black ominous cloud that lay over head split open, forcing us inside.  I have never experienced a rain storm as violent as this one!  It made the one in Pichit look like a pansy.  Not even exaggerating!  

Sa and I sat inside helpless as we watched the canopy to the pool disappear piece by piece.  The house slowly flooded with water and even the vast amount of towels we used couldn't keep up.  Soon we were consumed in total darkness the only light eliminating the way was the lightening outside and a flashlight I had grabbed.  We were forced to go outside only when the tarp over the garage broke free and wrapped itself around one of the scooters.  Just after we managed to cut the tarp free Mon and the others arrived home.  We welcomed them home with the gift of wet feet.  

We spent the rest of the evening kicking it old school, eating dinner by candle light. Thank goodness for a propane stove or we would have been feasting off bread and a few vegetables.  Well at least I would have been. :P  We splashed our way around the house until the power came back on a few hours later.  After the house was cleaned we went in search of the missing roof pieces.  In total three pieces had broken off.  One managed to stay in the yard.  Another took off and landed itself in the neighbours garage just missing his vehicle.  But Sa and her dad couldn't manage to find the third piece.  I went outside to help with the search only to find it moments later at the bottom of the pool.  Looks like I will be going for a swim tomorrow. :P

P.S. The dog came back on its own :)  The thunder and lightening scared it into hiding.  

The Next Julia Child?

Out of all the things in life the one thing I fear the most is cooking.
For two reasons;  1. I usually hate it and 2.  Nothing I make ever seems to turn out.

The only time that I enjoy cooking is when I'm listening to music or have a cooking partner.  Since my cooking partner Cole is not here I had to resort to music.  So if any male is reading this and contemplating marrying me, I'm giving you a fair warning that all cooking duties would be shared!!! :P

So feeling extra brave today I decided to test my luck and try cook dinner for the family.  And when I say family I mean Mon, Bow, Taiten, Sa, her parents, momma, and me.  I made dumplings filled with carrots, celery, corn,onion, peas, chicken, and mushroom soup.

I also made campfire styled potatoes made with onions, pepper, parsley, and cheddar cheese.  When they got home I showed them the surprise.  I was just expecting them to try it, but was flabbergasted when everyone came back for seconds.  "Aroi! Aroi!" they kept saying, which means delicious, while smiling and giving me the thumbs up.  And for a late night snack I made everyone popcorn.
If I didn't have their approval before I sure do now! :)

  

To Eat or Not to Eat

Taiten came home from the hospital today and after a total of six IV's is 100% back to normal.  
So the number one question people asked me when I first arrived in Thailand was "How is the food?"  The majority of people believe Thai food is spicy, foreign, and strange.  I will admit that was my assumption before I came down here.  That statement is somewhat true, but don't worry you can find all western style foods down here as well.  Each week I'm going to try post a blog showcasing some of Thailand's strange and unique food.  

<This fruit is called a Mangosteens.  You eat only the white pieces inside, which taste like a starburst candy.  We have to buy bags full of these since they get eaten so fast in this family.

Like back home chicken and pork are very popular.  Unlike back home absolutely nothing is wasted.  People down here enjoy eating everything! Intestines, guts, and even feet of animals such as chicken and pigs. 

Adaptation

An update on Taiten.  The doctor wants him to stay in the hospital for another night since the color in his face hasn't improved.  He is on his fifth IV now and is no longer getting sick to his stomach.
So out of all the things that I knew I would have to face when I came to Thailand, such as the different food, culture, and weather I never considered lack of human contact.  I never thought I would say this, but I'm craving for human interaction.  For the last few weeks I have been by myself most of the time.  Mon and Taiten have been going to the village leaving me behind, scared that I will be bored there.  They usually don't get back home until eight o'clock at night after they pick Bow up from taekwondo.  Sa usually comes home from school in between classes but always goes straight to her room, only coming out to eat.  When someone is home and not with closed within their room I make a point to hunt them down and try strike up a conversation.  Most times the conversation is just me talking but it just feels good to have someone to sit with.  I eat almost all my meals alone which I'm not used to, but whenever I can I try to eat with the family.  Don't get me wrong I love Thailand and this family!  I'm just not accustomed to being by myself so much yet.

 

One Month

January 28th marks exactly one month of me being away from home.  Time is sure going by fast!!  I have seen, experienced, and enjoyed so many incredible things already.  I am so grateful for those who have generously welcomed me into their homes, culture, and family.  I am amazed at the culture and how vastly different it is from the one which I grew up with.  Thats what I enjoy so immensely about traveling.  Being about to experience first hand this completely different society.  If I could travel all my life I would!  The difference between living in a foreign country and vacationing in one is how much richer of an experience you get.

 I am proud to say that I have been able to travel to 3 of the 5 continents all before the age of nineteen.  I have an amazing family who supports and encourages my decision to go galavanting all over the world.  I also have a wonderful and diverse group of friends who both despise and love me all at the same time.  (Well at least I hope they love me :P)  I love being able to show and tell everyone about all the amazing experiences that I've been so fortunate to have had.  I love waking up in the morning wondering what new and exciting adventure I will have.  It doesn't feel like I have been away for a month at all and I'm no where near ready to come home yet!! :)    

Hospital

Taiten has been very sick lately.  This started about a week ago in Pitsanulok when Taiten got a cold.  During the time that he has been sick he has hardly eaten anything.  Yesterday Taiten told us that he had a really sore stomach, which Mon believed to be from the lack of food.  We tried to talk him into eating, to see if that would help, but he refused to eat anything except a pomegranate and a piece of bread.  A few days ago Mon wanted to take him to see the doctor but Taiten wouldn't go.  He is a very stubborn child when he wants to be.    

Today Mon told me that Taiten was up all night sick to his stomach and she wanted to take him to the hospital with or without Taiten's blessing.  We went to go see his doctor but Mon forgot that he was away for the next two weeks.  Next she went to take him to another clinic but they didn't open for another hour.  She was planning on going back but just then Taiten started getting sick to his stomach again.  We decided it would be best to take him to the hospital.  There they told us that he would need to stay over night so that they could monitor his condition.  They took some blood to test and have him hooked up to an IV.  Mon is going to stay over night with him at the Hospital while I stay home with Bow.  We are hoping for a fast and speedy recovery.