Last night with the family – Friday, September 23, 2011

I was a little nervous for my last night with my family. I wasn’t really sure how to act. Should I be really sad or hug them? I had no idea. I was definitely excited to have some freedom and fun in Chiang Mai in the apartments but at the same time, leaving was definitely going to be kind of sad! Big change! So, we headed home, I took a shower, and then I biked over to Meh’s house. It was kind of awkward. We didn’t really talk, just watched TV. Then it was dinnertime and I decided to give my family their gifts! I had a book with picture of DC and I had gotten pictures printed and bought a frame to give them. I had also made Nong Not a friendship bracelet. But, I think the best thing was my card! I spent 3 days of breaks at school with Ajan Sitorn writing a card. The first day I figured out how to say the sentences and wrote in English phonetics. Then I went home and tried to spell each word in Thai. Then Ajan helped me to correct my Thai! I put A LOT of effort into the card.

So, I gave them the presents (wrapped) and they just put them aside. This is normal in the Thai culture and they said to expect that. But I told them to open the card! Paw read it and I said “tuk mai?”…meaning, is it right? And he said no. I was REALLY disappointed. Then he came over and proceeded to show me every little thing I did wrong. I didn’t really take it well…I was kind of annoyed. I think he noticed and then said, “but it ok…I can understand.” So, that kind of threw off my mood. I know he didn’t mean any harm. He is always a little hard on me and I think it is really because he wants me to improve. I got over it because I wanted to enjoy my last night!!

When I said goodbye to Ba Plun (my aunt), I was REALLY sad. It hadn’t really hit me yet. I really like her. She is a hard one to explain. She was kind of serious but in a loving way and would sometimes be really sweet and funny. I think the best way to describe her is that she just has a strong personality. But she always spoke Thai to me and tried to incorporate me into things, which I loved. Anyways, I hugged her goodbye and said goodbye to Lung Tong (my uncle), who I also really like. My grandfather was in bed but I “whyed” him (said sahwaticah and put my hands to my chest) and he had a huge smile on his face! He always does when I come in. I wish I could have spoken to him!

Anyways, I headed back to Paw’s and packed…took FOREVER! I hate packing. I had SO MUCH STUFF. The next morning, they all made fun of my bags. They were huge and heavy. Meh made an amazing breakfast, which I helped with a little. First Paw and I had rice in a banana leaf and I thought that was it but then he said Meh was in the kitchen. So, I had a feast!

While we were waiting for breakfast, Paw gave me a rolled up canvas. He said he had taken my painting off of the frame and rolled it up for me! He also rolled in one of his paintings! That really made my day and was the BEST gift he could have given me. Now I wish I had worked a little harder to finish the painting!

Then, I put my bags in the little red car. ISDSI told us to buy sheets and not to accept sheets if our host families offered them to us. Sure enough, Meh whips out a brand new package of orange and green sheets (she knew those were my favorite colors). I said thank you but ISDSI said we should buy our own. Paw and Meh couldn’t understand why and were a little bit mad. I walked outside and Meh brought out a bag of pink sheets with teddy bears. I again told them what ISDSI said but Paw said, “why would you buy??? You only have 3 week!!! Too expensive!” Sheets are about $5 (by the way). I didn’t have the heart to say no so I took them. Sorry, ISDSI!! I am now sleeping on pink sheets with teddy bears…Thai style.

Anyways, I put all my bags in the car and got in and the car wouldn’t start! FIGURES! So, we had to take the bags out and put them in the pickup truck that Paw borrowed from a friend. Meh, Nong Not, Paw, and I all stuffed in the tiny cab in the front and took off. We got to the apartments and Meh and Nong Not made my bed in my new/old sheets! I unpacked and then eventually they left! The goodbye was a little awkward and I got a little emotional. But, I’ll see them again before I leave so I got over it pretty fast and was back to the excitement!