I sit here now typing this entry from halfway across the world at 25,000 miles in the air.
Allow me to take a moment to describe a bit of what has gone on in the last few days. The last blog I wrote detailed the “turmoil” that was going on in Khon Kaen. Nothing ever ended up happening that night and everything was back to normal the following day. We had an emergency meeting with Prof. Siriporn to discuss our safety and general feelings of well-being. The absolute consensus between both the students and all of the professors was that we had nothing to fear so long as we complied with curfew.
As I often tell Joe, it’s like not going to Harrisburg, PA because there is political unrest in New York City; Kohn Kaen is 6 hours from Bangkok. Granted, it’s not that there wasn’t anything going on around KKU, but it was well contained and not near the villages of study. At any rate, when asked, we all agreed that we wanted to stay.
The rest of the day was spent on “self study”. We took that to mean “cultural study” and went shopping downtown with our buddies (the translators). We rode both the sontel and the tuk-tuk… Good times. Because of the political situation, many of the stores and malls closed early so we headed back to the dorms and hung out.
The following morning (5/21) we awoke to emails from the university notifying us that the Thailand MHIRT program had been canceled and that we were to come home effective immediately. Enclosed were our itineraries for travel. Needless to say, we were blind-sided. We met with the staff to discuss travel arrangements. It was decided that we would visit the closer of the 2 villages, Loomhin, the following day to say goodbye. The day then progressed as follows:
Noon – welcome party with the buddies and Adjans
6 P.M. – farewell party with the buddies and Adjans
I wish I was kidding.
After our second party, we all met up to Skype with the director of the MHIRT program to get more information about the sudden decision. She informed us that the Provost of something went over her head with some other people and made the decision to pull us out. I want to believe that their decision was completely unintelligible and based on footage from CNN, but I have to admit that it’s possible I was in the eye of the hurricane, unaware of dangers to come.
The drama started when the office of education abroad began demanding that grown-ass adults report to campus for a meeting on Monday. Oh no they di’ent. As far as we were concerned, if we were out of Thailand we were releasing them of any liability. You cannot force people with God-given rights to freedom to show up at your office and not allow them to live their lives as individuals with free will. Additionally, I may be placed as an alternate at the MHIRT site in Rome. I’m not trying to jet lag myself to death, so I will wait it our on a white, sandy beach near the Equator :). In the end, we students agreed that so long as we were out of Thailand we had completed our end of the bargain.
Which brings me to my next adventure… I am on my way to Malaysia!!! Anyone who knows me – really knows me – understands that a trip to Malaysia for me is like coming full circle in life. When I was a youngster, maybe 4 or 5, my parents thought they would control my brother and myself by threatening us in the following manner: If my brother was bad, they would return him to Sears, where they bought him, and exchange him for a much nicer and better behaved counterpart, Jimmy. If I was bad, my parents were going to send me back across the world in exchange for my much nicer and better behaved counterpart, Malicia; yes, Malicia from Malaysia. And so now here I am 1 hour shy of fulfilling the lifelong dream of returning to my home in Malaysia and seeking out Malicia. Wish me luck!!!!!
Showing posts with label Thailand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thailand. Show all posts
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Red Shirt Turmoil
So, apparently today while we were out conducting research in the village the Thai military storm the Red Shirt camp in Bangkok and forced the leaders of the rebel group to surrender. As a result, members of the party located in other parts of Thailand, mainly E-San, or the Northeast (where Khon Kaen is located) decided to demonstrate their dislike of the situation by burning down buildings, including Khon Kaen city hall, a government run broadcasting station across the street from Khon Kaen University (KKU) and Udon city hall (where a nurse from the village offered to take me when I stay in the village overnight).
On our ride home from the village, our first clue that something was amiss was the giant cloud of smoke emanating from somewhere near downtown. Shortly thereafter the retarded traffic began. Our translators immediately became concerned because in all of their time at KKU they had never seen such terrible traffic. I mean, it was bad. At one point I had to pee so badly I thought I was going to pass out, so two of the translators and I jumped out of the van, went inside a local business to pee and came back out with plenty of time to get back into the van exactly where we had left it.
One of the interpreters had a voicemail from Prof. Darani (who owns the dormitories we are living in) notifying us that our trips to the villages tomorrow would be cancelled and that we needed to be at the Faculty of Nursing at 8:30. We later learned that there is a curfew in place from 8PM to 6AM and that if the political situation gets any worse all power and communication networks will be shut down. This brings me to the current blog post. I was going to wait to post my journal in order, but I wanted to get this information out there first in the event that the situation escalates.
Currently, I am recharging every piece of electronic equipment I brought with me in the event that the government decides to shut off the power in the city. It's sad that such a wonderful day in the village has turned into a frenzy over political unrest. I find it hard to believe that a country as stable as Thailand that has been without conflict of any kind for so many years should suddenly go into a tailspin a few days after I arrive. I mean, I knew I had that effect on men, but I had no idea I transcended boundaries.
On our ride home from the village, our first clue that something was amiss was the giant cloud of smoke emanating from somewhere near downtown. Shortly thereafter the retarded traffic began. Our translators immediately became concerned because in all of their time at KKU they had never seen such terrible traffic. I mean, it was bad. At one point I had to pee so badly I thought I was going to pass out, so two of the translators and I jumped out of the van, went inside a local business to pee and came back out with plenty of time to get back into the van exactly where we had left it.
One of the interpreters had a voicemail from Prof. Darani (who owns the dormitories we are living in) notifying us that our trips to the villages tomorrow would be cancelled and that we needed to be at the Faculty of Nursing at 8:30. We later learned that there is a curfew in place from 8PM to 6AM and that if the political situation gets any worse all power and communication networks will be shut down. This brings me to the current blog post. I was going to wait to post my journal in order, but I wanted to get this information out there first in the event that the situation escalates.
Currently, I am recharging every piece of electronic equipment I brought with me in the event that the government decides to shut off the power in the city. It's sad that such a wonderful day in the village has turned into a frenzy over political unrest. I find it hard to believe that a country as stable as Thailand that has been without conflict of any kind for so many years should suddenly go into a tailspin a few days after I arrive. I mean, I knew I had that effect on men, but I had no idea I transcended boundaries.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Final Countdown
My Passport/Visa arrived this morning!!! It was like Christmas all over again. What a relief! Note to self: local consulate > embassy in DC. Tough lesson learned...
Today I cleared out and cleaned my fridge as I will be switching off the breakers in my apartment during my time away. I got some cash from the bank, paid any outstanding credit card balances and bills and started my laundry. I've already begun packing and the only things I have left to pack are the things I have yet to wash.
The other day I went on a shopping spree. While I hate shopping, I had to buy actual clothes, not spandex or stuff to work out in. It was devastating. I had to pick up "long" shorts, capri pants and some t-shirts. Additionally, I picked up an external hard drive (on which I will store pictures), a USB SD adapter (to transfer my pics from SD card to computer) and a foreign energy adapter. I plan to bring power strip to plug into that. I see myself blowing a Thai circuit in the near future.
I hope I have everything under control, but I have that nagging feeling that I'm missing something even though I think I may have the bases covered? I don't know.
On a different note, I booked all of Joe's airplane trips and our hotel stays. I am so excited to explore Phuket and surrounding areas with him. He has dubbed our trip an "exotic beach vacation." How appropriate. Now, I'm working with Robin to see what it is we're going to do after Joe leaves.
I tried to change my flights as I was told non-chalantly by the program director that it would only cost $150 to change a flight. Boy, was she ever mistaken!!! Making even 1 minor change to my flight itinerary increased the cost by $1000-2000!!!! Madness. I will have to work around that. Updates to come...
Take off in T-26 hours...
Today I cleared out and cleaned my fridge as I will be switching off the breakers in my apartment during my time away. I got some cash from the bank, paid any outstanding credit card balances and bills and started my laundry. I've already begun packing and the only things I have left to pack are the things I have yet to wash.
The other day I went on a shopping spree. While I hate shopping, I had to buy actual clothes, not spandex or stuff to work out in. It was devastating. I had to pick up "long" shorts, capri pants and some t-shirts. Additionally, I picked up an external hard drive (on which I will store pictures), a USB SD adapter (to transfer my pics from SD card to computer) and a foreign energy adapter. I plan to bring power strip to plug into that. I see myself blowing a Thai circuit in the near future.
I hope I have everything under control, but I have that nagging feeling that I'm missing something even though I think I may have the bases covered? I don't know.
On a different note, I booked all of Joe's airplane trips and our hotel stays. I am so excited to explore Phuket and surrounding areas with him. He has dubbed our trip an "exotic beach vacation." How appropriate. Now, I'm working with Robin to see what it is we're going to do after Joe leaves.
I tried to change my flights as I was told non-chalantly by the program director that it would only cost $150 to change a flight. Boy, was she ever mistaken!!! Making even 1 minor change to my flight itinerary increased the cost by $1000-2000!!!! Madness. I will have to work around that. Updates to come...
Take off in T-26 hours...
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Visa Mama Drama
Wow, ummmm... So, I'm feeling just about completely out of control right now. I just got off the phone with my health insurance company and it turns out that I paid for a policy that I cannot use. I purchased a full year of health care last August before I found out I received the scholarship to study abroad and they *WILL NOT*, under any circumstances, refund my money despite the fact that I WON'T BE IN THE COUNTRY. Thank goodness for health care reform. I feel robbed.
Additionally, I'm having issues with my Visa. The "local" Thai embassy is in Coral Gables. For those of you unfamiliar with South Florida geography, that is REALLY far from Fort Lauderdale. Apparently the office is open on Tuesday AND Friday, not from Tuesday TO Friday. When I went in last Wednesday they were closed and the woman at the desk informed me that I had plenty of time to mail my Visa to the embassy in DC.
While she was right about this, what she failed to mention was that the DC office is stricter than the local office. None of the other students were required to have a letter of invitation from the university in Thailand when they got their Visas at the local office, but the DC office requires one. Now my Passport and Visa app are sitting in some office in DC and they're waiting for me to get a letter from Thailand and I leave on Friday!!!!
Ugh. I keep calling the DC embassy, but no one picks up or returns my messages. The lady made it sound so easy. Stupid lady. I did what I could... I didn't get my plane ticket (required for Visa) til about 2 weeks ago and I have been in and out of town. I know I should have done it earlier, but, realistically, I did it as early as I could have. Let's face it; it's a learning process.
On a lighter note, we booked Joe's flight to SE Asia. He will be landing in Singapore thanks to Continental frequent flier miles (95,000 of them). We're looking at Phuket and surrounding islands and Koh Chang, a rainforesty island off the Eastern border of Thailand. Travel to Malaysia would have been too much. Robin is taking the 16-20th off of work in South Korea and we have to put together a second itinerary. She's thinking island hopping... I like, but we'll see if we can't get to Bali.
AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! I can't believe I leave in 3 days!!!!! I am ssooo nervous!!!!!
Additionally, I'm having issues with my Visa. The "local" Thai embassy is in Coral Gables. For those of you unfamiliar with South Florida geography, that is REALLY far from Fort Lauderdale. Apparently the office is open on Tuesday AND Friday, not from Tuesday TO Friday. When I went in last Wednesday they were closed and the woman at the desk informed me that I had plenty of time to mail my Visa to the embassy in DC.
While she was right about this, what she failed to mention was that the DC office is stricter than the local office. None of the other students were required to have a letter of invitation from the university in Thailand when they got their Visas at the local office, but the DC office requires one. Now my Passport and Visa app are sitting in some office in DC and they're waiting for me to get a letter from Thailand and I leave on Friday!!!!
Ugh. I keep calling the DC embassy, but no one picks up or returns my messages. The lady made it sound so easy. Stupid lady. I did what I could... I didn't get my plane ticket (required for Visa) til about 2 weeks ago and I have been in and out of town. I know I should have done it earlier, but, realistically, I did it as early as I could have. Let's face it; it's a learning process.
On a lighter note, we booked Joe's flight to SE Asia. He will be landing in Singapore thanks to Continental frequent flier miles (95,000 of them). We're looking at Phuket and surrounding islands and Koh Chang, a rainforesty island off the Eastern border of Thailand. Travel to Malaysia would have been too much. Robin is taking the 16-20th off of work in South Korea and we have to put together a second itinerary. She's thinking island hopping... I like, but we'll see if we can't get to Bali.
AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! I can't believe I leave in 3 days!!!!! I am ssooo nervous!!!!!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Newsflash: I'm a slut
Today was a loooooong day. I started out by taking Zazzy to the vet to get him his certificate of health so he could fly on the plane. What a pain in the butt this whole traveling a pet thing is turning into. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly tomorrow. Wish us luck!!!!
I followed that event up with a trip to school in monsoon-like conditions to pick up my letter for the consulate, pick up some paperwork for my research hours and attend a meeting for MHIRT scholars before we leave. The first batch of students ship out on Friday.
I had to leave early to go teach an SAT class, but before I stepped out Dr. Anderson stopped me to make sure I heard the next part of the lecture. It went a little something like this: Have safe sex and beware of foreigners trying to impregnate you; you will be sent home if you have a drinking problem; strangers will want to marry you for a Green Card -- you are a meal ticket. In short, by stopping me and following that up with this lecture she single-handedly insinuated I was: slutty; an alcoholic; not inherently interesting.
We all had a good laugh about it. I might have cried in the elevator.
I followed that event up with a trip to school in monsoon-like conditions to pick up my letter for the consulate, pick up some paperwork for my research hours and attend a meeting for MHIRT scholars before we leave. The first batch of students ship out on Friday.
I had to leave early to go teach an SAT class, but before I stepped out Dr. Anderson stopped me to make sure I heard the next part of the lecture. It went a little something like this: Have safe sex and beware of foreigners trying to impregnate you; you will be sent home if you have a drinking problem; strangers will want to marry you for a Green Card -- you are a meal ticket. In short, by stopping me and following that up with this lecture she single-handedly insinuated I was: slutty; an alcoholic; not inherently interesting.
We all had a good laugh about it. I might have cried in the elevator.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
I excite!!! :::in Borat accent:::
I spent today trying to create an itinerary for travel post-scholarship. WOW, IS IT CHEAP!!! I'm so psyched about some of the great places I plan on visiting. They include, but are not limited to, Phuket, Thailand, Singapore (iffy), and Palau Tioman, Malaysia.
Like mother, like daughter -- yo soy playera. This is not Spanish for player, but rather for a girl who likes the beach a lot. I plan to visit as many beaches as humanly possible!! Can't wait to take some amazing pics. Tioman also has lush tropical forests complete with waterfalls. Good times with shutter speed.
My only gripe is that I wish my love could be with me the entire trip, but alas... the 9 to 5 duty calls :::sigh:::
Time to focus on Family Guy. Giggity.
Like mother, like daughter -- yo soy playera. This is not Spanish for player, but rather for a girl who likes the beach a lot. I plan to visit as many beaches as humanly possible!! Can't wait to take some amazing pics. Tioman also has lush tropical forests complete with waterfalls. Good times with shutter speed.
My only gripe is that I wish my love could be with me the entire trip, but alas... the 9 to 5 duty calls :::sigh:::
Time to focus on Family Guy. Giggity.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Preparations
AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So much paperwork to file and so many copies to make and so many banks to call!!!
Yesterday, I ordered the international student card that was mandated by the program. I love how they didn't tell us it was mandatory until yesterday. I'm glad my trip isn't until mid-May; I feel sorry for those who are leaving in a few days and had to put a rush on their cards.
In general, the level of disorganization within the program is fairly disconcerting. Back in the fall I was so afraid that the disorganization would leave me stranded in a foreign country; however, time has shown me that things do get done eventually. Note to self: never bite off more than I can chew, especially when being in charge of students abroad is involved.
Today I received notification that my letter for the Consulate is ready. Additionally, I contacted BOA to prepare my debit card for study abroad and have been trying to get a hold of my credit card companies to determine the lowest interest on purchases. I definitely plan to NOT use my debit card for purchases. I'm paranoid about having my account cleared out by crooks.
Last night Joe booked a flight for me to see him and my parents for the last time before I leave. At that time I will pick up a mish-mosh Blackberry Tour. Joe's friend had one for sale for cheap because it's missing a battery and door. Luckily, my Dad has a tour and, since I got him the Powermat for Christmas, he has an extra batter and door :)
Ugh. I just got off the phone with Continental and, for the record, they do NOT allow you to pay for flying your pet in-cabin with Frequent Flier miles. Stupid Zazoo... He's lucky he's so cute and cuddly. He'll be staying with Joe's family. We'll see how he handles Valdez, their giant golden retriever. :::sigh::: I'm going to miss his ridiculous antics.
So much paperwork to file and so many copies to make and so many banks to call!!!
Yesterday, I ordered the international student card that was mandated by the program. I love how they didn't tell us it was mandatory until yesterday. I'm glad my trip isn't until mid-May; I feel sorry for those who are leaving in a few days and had to put a rush on their cards.
In general, the level of disorganization within the program is fairly disconcerting. Back in the fall I was so afraid that the disorganization would leave me stranded in a foreign country; however, time has shown me that things do get done eventually. Note to self: never bite off more than I can chew, especially when being in charge of students abroad is involved.
Today I received notification that my letter for the Consulate is ready. Additionally, I contacted BOA to prepare my debit card for study abroad and have been trying to get a hold of my credit card companies to determine the lowest interest on purchases. I definitely plan to NOT use my debit card for purchases. I'm paranoid about having my account cleared out by crooks.
Last night Joe booked a flight for me to see him and my parents for the last time before I leave. At that time I will pick up a mish-mosh Blackberry Tour. Joe's friend had one for sale for cheap because it's missing a battery and door. Luckily, my Dad has a tour and, since I got him the Powermat for Christmas, he has an extra batter and door :)
Ugh. I just got off the phone with Continental and, for the record, they do NOT allow you to pay for flying your pet in-cabin with Frequent Flier miles. Stupid Zazoo... He's lucky he's so cute and cuddly. He'll be staying with Joe's family. We'll see how he handles Valdez, their giant golden retriever. :::sigh::: I'm going to miss his ridiculous antics.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Returning to blog, leaving the country
Soooooo, I haven't blogged in for-ev-er. I'm creating this post to inform my many, many fans that I will return to blogging because I plan to chronicle my adventures studying and doing research abroad in Thailand this summer!
You'll notice that many of my old posts have been hidden. I did this in the event that important people decide to read the blog... I'm applying for my doctorate at Columbia in NYC in December. Hey, Dr. Garber!!!!!!
The approximate date of my departure will be May 14 and the approximate date of the termination of my tenure will be August 7. At that time my wonderful boyfriend, Joe, will likely be joining me and my good friend Robin, who is currently teaching English in South Korea, on tour de Asia. He got me this kick-ass SLR digital camera so I hope to capture some breath-taking images.
I will be accompanied by two other students from FIU -- one nursing student and one OT student. Ummmm, yeah... the OT student will provide me with some challenges. She will definitely be testing my growing patience. More to come.
Check back in soon!
You'll notice that many of my old posts have been hidden. I did this in the event that important people decide to read the blog... I'm applying for my doctorate at Columbia in NYC in December. Hey, Dr. Garber!!!!!!
The approximate date of my departure will be May 14 and the approximate date of the termination of my tenure will be August 7. At that time my wonderful boyfriend, Joe, will likely be joining me and my good friend Robin, who is currently teaching English in South Korea, on tour de Asia. He got me this kick-ass SLR digital camera so I hope to capture some breath-taking images.
I will be accompanied by two other students from FIU -- one nursing student and one OT student. Ummmm, yeah... the OT student will provide me with some challenges. She will definitely be testing my growing patience. More to come.
Check back in soon!
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