Confessions of a Reformed Caffiene Addict

Prior to arriving in Thailand, I was aware and looking forward to many facets of my life that would change. The geography, language, diversity, culture, diet, and overall lifestyle were obvious variables. However, after two months in SE Asia, I've noticed some new changes that I didn't exactly expect, but, have come to appreciate nonetheless.

My hair has started to resemble that of Martha Washington's circa 1782. While we are sliding into winter here, it's not the same bone-chilling temperatures and howling winds that I am used to in Chicago. A balmy 97 degrees translates to even higher temps in a packed classroom with 45 kids and two tired fans sputtering loudly on the ceiling. Ten minutes in, I'm covered in sweat and chalk dust. Some people gauge a hard day's work by blisters on their hands. I've started measuring mine by how long it takes me to shake the chalk out of my hair.


I've started to remember that despite the innocent faces, Thai children can be just as devious as American children. The first week I fell victim to repeating after the students, assuming they were teaching me useful Thai. Finally, after collapsing into fits of giggles on the floor, one English-savvy student informed me that I was saying "I love to kiss boys". Also, just because an angel-faced 12 year old keeps trying to hug you does not mean that he is bestowing a Thai courtesy. Adult Thai people do not hug, and after watching him race back to his group of awaiting friends, giggling and excitedly gesturing at his chest, I quickly figured out what he was trying to do. Regardless of location, boys will be boys. Sigh.

I've started to stop asking questions about what I'm eating for lunch and dinner and just go with it. Luckily enough, we haven't encountered any issues of the hospitalization kind as we did in Bangkok. My poker face has also improved, as half the time, the food isn't exactly what we are used to in America, and, well, suffice it to say it's difficult to eat things with faces and tentacles. But hey, when in Rome, right???

I've stopped just smiling and nodding. You will never know when you are agreeing to come over and meet the son of a woman you've just met at dinner to counsel him on how to meet girls, or that you've agreed to just go join in on Thai dancing when you thought you would just be watching. Both are awkward. Trust me.

I've started to remember what it was like to be in middle school again. As I teach Prathom 5 and 6, which translates pretty accurately to 5th and 6th grades in the US, the most interesting part of my new job has been to observe the interactions between the students. Comprised of roughly 45 kids each, each class stays together all day, and it's interesting as they all tend to stick to their own classes when it comes to friend groups. Every day, there's always drama: some boy steals a girl's Hello Kitty pencil box; one of the bigger girls tries to break one of the 50 lb. boy over her knee; a group of boys end up hiding in the back on the floor looking at some lingerie spread in the Bangkok Post. I was so worried about entertaining the kids that I didn't realize the most entertaining thing wouldn't be me, but, just getting to know them and all their silly, loud, pre-teen antics.

I've stopped being so animal friendly. I was raised by a mother who never said "no" to a new pet (much to my father's chagrin) and never met a stray she wouldn't take in. She even takes neighboring dogs to the vet. So, while hard to admit, I've begun to dread the sight of dogs (being chased and nearly bitten twice by packs of mangy dogs will do that to you), cringe at the sight of cats (for some weird reason they are all missing their tails...I hope it's not some Thai delicacy I've been eating), and plot the death of the pigeons roosting in our roof and the geckos barking on my wall. It's utterly bone chilling to be startled awake by a gecko brawl/bark session on your ceiling, followed by a chorus of melodic howling from the neighboring Hounds Of Hell.

In conjunction with the above, I've started to appreciate afternoon naps much more due to lack of consistent Zzzzz's.

Last, but not least, and as the title of this post implies, I've stopped ingesting massive amount of caffeinated beverages every day. At first, it started as sort of a personal test, and, more importantly I drink water all day so that I don't die of dehydration. After a couple of weeks, I can safely (but a little sadly) say that I don't really miss my beloved Diet Coke. As many of my close friends know, Diet Coke and I have had a long and wonderful relationship (excluding, of course, the time it was almost my demise as it caused a painful tumble down a flight of stairs), but, I will not miss the disgusted looks on the faces of my friends and co-workers as I would open the 4th can of the day.