Notable things

A collection of facts, lessons learned and fun stories:

• There are national designated colors to be worn on specific days of the week in observation and respect for the Monarchy and the gods:

Monday is yellow for the moon god--also the King's favorite color
Tuesday is pink for the Mars god
Wednesday is green for the Mercury god
Thursday is orange for the Jupiter god
Friday is blue for the Venus god-- the Queen's favorite color
Saturday is violet for the Saturn god
Sunday is red for the sun god.

• Everyday at 8 am and 6 pm, everyone immediately comes to a halt and stops what they are doing in respect for the King's announcements. Lara and I came across this national observance at the train station in Bangkok as the beginning of a deafening instrumental tuned in and everyone stood up, dropped everything they were doing and stood firm to show respect for the king. This event is far from a clamorous reaction. It was kind of interesting, we just stood there... in awe because everyone was in sudden silence
  
• To amplify the fact above, the Thai people absolutely LOVE their King. How many people can say that they truly are happy with their commander-in-chief? (Hmm, America may be the next?) If anyone was caught defacing any item displaying the King's image such as currency or a painting, they may face punishments as severe as imprisonment for several years.
• I have a colony of bug bites on my legs... uh and my butt. Ohp, sorry TMI!
  
• Peroxide removes blood stains. (and how coincidental that the moment we needed it, it's readily available on the shelf in our room)
  
• I teach kids with cool nick names like: Boom, New, Got, Toto, Pure (who wears cool Beer brand shirts, lol), PomPam, Top, Yolk and... Jenny
• Thai culture frowns upon bare shoulders (we learned this later after our first outing around Nong Khai in search of lunch when we left the house in tank tops and dresses and in return received several shocked/curious/awkward stares from locals). But it's hawwwwt!! -___-
  
• Kids love to play Pet Society on Facebook.
  
• I've been living off of an average of $2.50 a day in food expenses. Yes, I said $2.50.
• I love Pad Se Ewe
• Thai standards of spiciness is far beyond compare. Lara, who could tolerate spicy foods, ordered some sort of noodle dish the other night felt the spices burning off her taste buds instantly. Nook, one of the internship students (who hangs out with us) later tasted the dish and chuckled, claiming it wasn't spicy at all. She even added more spices. WOWWWWW.
• The typhoon from the Philippines is expected to hit Thailand. We're located near the Meekong river, the dividing river between Thailand and Laos. Despite the heavy rain and wind over here, I've been told that things should be fine.
• I haven't worn make-up since I've left the US
• A bat came into our classroom the first day Lara and I shadowed the classes. Scared the kids. They all scrambled around and hid underneath the tables.
  
• I've learned how to order iced coffee and Thai ice tea: "cafe yen" & "chai ron yen"
• MAC & Nars cosmetics are so cheap here
• Street food vendors are only a few steps away from our house! Yummmmm.
• Sony, a novice to become a Buddhist monk teaches with us. I've learned that a monk is not supposed to touch any part of a woman's body.
  
  Mistake: "Hi, I'm Ana" ::friendly ofference to shake hands:: Sony: "No, (shakes, head) sorry-- Can't" D'oh!
• Time flies by slower here. GOOD THING! Time for us to enjoy this space in terms of food (I don't feel pressured to finishing my food so quickly under the conditions of a busy schedule), quality of work ( we painted an extension room that is planned to become a radio station!) and activities too!
• It is considered disrespectful and belittling to touch a child on their head (guess I won't be giving the kids nuggies then?)
• The "Wai" (hands in prayer in front of heart) is shown as respect to all when greeting, Sa-wa-dee.
  

MORE TO BE ADDED!