Lessons Learned...

This episode of "Adventures in Student Teaching" will feature a list of things I've learned in Thailand.

1. Thailand's nickname, The Land of Smiles, is not a lie.
2. Hagar is every bit as important as Sari (Sarah).
3. "The King and I"/"Anna and the King" : banned for the portrayal of the king as foolish. Sorry, Yul.
4. Just when you think you cannot possibly squeeze another person on the the SkyTrain, 10 more people will come through those doors.
5. Mexican food exists in Thailand in the form of a sacred ground known as Sunrise Tacos.
6. Children are the same everywhere you go. They are blessings and beautiful reminders of how we ought to be.
7. Papaya salad is good, but very spicy.
8. Want to save face in Thailand? Use Kayleen's miracle mud mask!
9. If you want it, they will deliver it. McDelivery...just saying.
10. It's a small world after all. No, really.
11. When you travel to Thailand, never fear...7-11 is here...and over there...and everywhere!
12. During the hot season, it is hot. During the cool season, it is hot. During the rainy season, it rains. And it's hot.
13. Aretha Franklin would love Thailand: the most important word in their culture is respect. So awesome.
14. 100 Baht is like 33 US Dollars. Whoa, the shopping that has happened and is yet to come.
15. Siam Paragon, the largest mall in Southeast Asia, would probably take an entire day.
16. When a student asks "May I see your larva, please?" it is very hard not to laugh out loud.
17. I could totally live in Thailand.....someday.
18. No matter how cool you think you are, you will get homesick and miss the ones you love like crazy.
19. God is good. (okay, I already knew that one. but my time in Thailand just reiterated it. love me some Jesus in the Turn Around international church)
20. Life is good. Sure things are gonna suck from time to time, and the BTS officers will take your student pass away because you are too old and leave you with no ticket or money in a foreign country on a day you already feel crummy. Yeah, you'll be homesick and feel lonely. But if you dwell on the bad or hole yourself up in your fifth floor apartment, you're gonna miss all of the chances for the world to redeem itself ten-fold with all the goods it has to offer, like friendly people, learning experiences, the glories of Thai massage and ice cream, world renowned beaches, elephant treks, and friends that bail you out with a couple hundred baht.