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You should post comments...they are fun to read. Kaphun Ka aka, Thanks.

Hot weather and three legged dogs

Yesterday, I hung out with two older European ladies. They are the founders of Lanna Dog Rescue. The began by picking up a cat from a ladies house, who found the cat in the woods. This cat, still a kitten, was paralyzed in her back two legs, one of which was so stretched out it was straight and looked like a tail. It was the most mangled cat I have ever seen. We brought it to the vet, they x-rayed it and determined that there was nothing they can do for it and that the deformities were caused by an accident of some sort. They don't put animal downs here, so we took her back to the lady, she has decided to keep it as a pet. Hopefully the kitten will grow strong enough to be able to get around on its front legs. Next we went to the Lanna Dog Rescue shelter. There were probably over 20 dogs. A good amount of them were missing legs. One was paralyzed and missing a leg. She managed very well though. Even though many of the dogs had been there for years and had some sort of deformity, they seemed happy. They were all up for adoption, but since they are not puppies and not perfect no one will adopt them. That is the exact reason why some people get rid of their dogs to begin with. The situation for the dogs is actually quite nice; they have a huge area to run around in, with a place to swim and the kennels are all open so they can come and go as they please. There is a couple who lives in the house on the property that take care of the animals daily. Oh, I also went to one of their homes. She has adopted 6 dogs. One of them is 3 months old. When it was a baby another dog bit its leg off. Someone brought him to her. She had to have the leg re-amputated. He is probably the cutest dog I have ever seen. He had such a good personality. I might just have to steal him. So later the ladies took us to the Temple to look for puppies that people dropped off. We couldn't find them so they two ladies took Naomi and I to lunch. We learned about their lives. One of them is a anthropologist, she spent 6 year with a hill tribe in northern thailand. Very cool.  After, Naomi and I went and hung out in town and then went to a Chinese market. This market is not even remotely positioned for foreigners. It was very interesting to go to a market and have an authentic experience. I will be volunteering for Lanna Dog again on Saturday. 

First official week...

So sorry it took me this long to post. I have had a busy week. Here is a quick view of my week:
My school schedule is set in stone. I am taking: Thai Drama and Dance, Tourism and Sustainability, SE Asian Societies, Tourist Guide, and Environmental Problems. I am going to volunteer for Lanna Dog Rescue on my days off. I am in search of an air conditioned gym and a pool at hang out at, I have yet to find one at a bike-able distance. School does not seem very challenging, still. I am interested in the subjects though. I eat ice cream on a daily basis, it's necessary in this heat. This weekend I went in to town and on a safari. Town, on Saturday, was a sweaty adventure, but a good way to explore the city. I went to my first temple. The safari, on Sunday, was fun and not very expensive, but I was sad to see all of the elephants in a domestic setting, entertaining people like me. They are incredibly intelligent animals. The safari began with a elephant show, then a ride on them through the jungle, then we went on an ox ride, ate lunch, rafted down a river, went to a butterfly and orchid farm, and our last stop was at a elephant dung paper making facility. It was in interesting day. The night concluded with the Sunday night market. Overwhelming, but fun. It was an exhausting day, but the most eventful one yet. You can check my photos by clicking on this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2102233&l=df06f&id=6906696

I've been busy!

Tomorrow night, my time, photos and all...

Thai Fun

Yesterday, I was saved my a few of my friends from laying in my bed all day, bored. They brought me back to the mall, where I shopped for shirts that I forgot to bring. We ate in the Thai food court, I had a crepe type food. It was dough on the outside, like a crepe and on the inside was banana and egg mixed together, condensed milk and sugar on top. Sounds gross right? It was incredible. Anyway, after that I went to the night bizarre. It was the best place I have ever been. Tons of clothes, jewelry, food, drink, and the list goes on. I bought quite a bit. I got a 1/2 hr foot massage for not even $2, pretty sweet. I drank a coconut, freshly squeezed OJ and carrot juice, and ate sweet corn all for $2.40. Today, I had 3 classes. They are all going to be really easy I think. I will probably be cursed for saying that and they will be really hard. I am dropping the Ethics class for Thai Dance and Drama. That's all for now.

Also...

I slept all night! I think I am finally adjusting to Thai time.

Wake up call

So I woke up this morning to people screaming through the halls banging on our doors. Apparently, it was our first fire drill. Not only did we have to proceed to the parking lot at 6:30 am, but they decided that it would be fun to play a name game with all 60 of us, since we were all up. Most of us were still in our pj's and for me that includes being bra-less. So I just stood there with my arms crossed. Luckily I managed to sneak out and back up to my room to write this blog and read my book. As for the rest of them, they are now having relay races- it was over an hour ago from the initial alarm. Looking out my window, most of the white people have peaced out, but the Thai's look to be having fun. My roommate has not come back. I simply don't understand, how you can be forced out of bed to then play games outside in your pj's and be happy about it. I guess i have a lot to learn. Anyway, the past few days have been good. I had fun at orientation. My classes are: Thai 1, Ethics and Lifestyle, Foundations of SE Asian Society, Impact of Tourism and Sustainability, and Environmental Problems in Society. I am the only student here that does not go to church. So all afternoon, I don't exactly know what I will do. Read, I guess. Tonight I will be going to the famous Night Bizarre. I will update you later on how that goes. It should be a lot of fun, and I will probably buy a lot of crap. Very exciting. Anyway, I don't know if I will ever want to leave Thailand, it is soo cheap. Yesterday, my new Thai friend May brought me to the mall- not my first choice- but anyway we went to eat at a restaurant. I got garlic rice, miso soup, Thai tea, and bottled water for $2.40 US. The buffet, containing mostly meat, was only $5. One thing I am really struggling with, since I am one of the few here only for the semester, is no one wants to travel on the weekends and I cant go alone. So I am stuck. Hopefully, I can find someone. I also find it hard to find people who want to venture around Chiang Mai. The school is outside of the city, so it is challenging to even get a ride in. The bus runs every hour, but you don't know when it will come. Oh well. With time, I hope to see and do everything I want, or else my mother will have to put up with me wanting to not leave Thailand. That is all for now.

Plaid blanket with sail and bird sheets....pretty sweet

Finally awake

I am writing this blog entry at 8:26 am from my new dorm room in Thailand. Yesterday was a day I barely remember. I was exhausted, and slept all day. I went shopping with my new roommate in town for some things we needed. She is a sweet girl, almost 18 years old. Most of the people around here are about 18. There are 3 other Americans that are about 22-23 who are in the graduate program. I have only had a chance to talk with one of them so far. I met a Chinese girl this morning who is technically a junior and transferred here to finish her last 2 years of school. I barely slept a wink last night, not only because I slept all day but also because it was afternoon in my brain. Hopefully I'll make it through today without napping so I can adjust to the Thai time. I have a cell phone number it is 66 801 289 1688. Sawatdi Ka is how to say hello if you are a female in Thai if your a male it is Sawatdi Krap. I have posted some photos, check out my bed spread...probably the most attractive set I have ever seen. Also, my uniform is someting to brag about (note: I am cheating- the waist should be up to my tits with button covers, a broach, and a Payap belt). Anyway I have to go tog o to orientation!

Ugh.

I wrote a nice long post and for some reason it didn't show up. Pretty much it said, I am here safe and sound. I haven't had much time to interact or explore due to exhaustion and I get to wear a sick uniform. Nap time!