Monday, December 9, 2013

Two Months Home

The fact that my life as an exchange student on the other side of the planet is hitting pretty hard now. I'm back to regular classes (meaning actual studying now), being serious, not as many adventures, and my social awkwardness is coming back again (... how does that even work? Thailand DID cure that so why is it coming back?). It's like I was running on high for eleven months straight, have a wonderful time, then I float back down to the ground and hit the ground running, but any slips are totally at my own expense. Why doesn't anyone tell you about this before you go on exchange? Actually, they do, you're just so grateful for being able to go on exchange that you don't really acknowledge it. And that gratefulness sticks until you're home for a bit and realize that wonderful exchange you're so grateful for is done and has been done for a while. At this time last year, I was waking up at 2am to be dressed and have my hair done for that beautiful Thai outfit that first got my Facebook pretty popular. Actually, regarding the Facebook, there's a few things I'm noticing are quite different than before, and it's a bit interesting.

The little thing would be my Facebook. I realized that two years ago, whenever I posted stuff on Facebook, it wasn't much of a thing and I wasn't really the most popular person around. I'm still not; don't have the attitude for it and never have. However, since all my Thai friends added me, plus my Canadian friends, plus the interesting stuff I've added in the past year, suddenly my Facebook page is a little more busy. If we have to go by "likes", then suddenly I went from 6 to 200. 

I've kept a bit of Thai-ness upon returning, which has helped so much. First, I acquired a job as a waitress at the local Our Thai restaurant in Bayfield. The family is Thai and help me to keep speaking the language, as well as eating the food once in a while; both of which are EXTREMELY helpful. Secondly, I opened a small massage business. In the last months of exchange, I attended a Thai massage course and became certified. Alas, I do not have many customers, but just the idea that I'm actually doing something to maintain that skill is  a pretty nice thing.