Are You Happy?

My second day at site started with attending an Elderly group meeting in the morning which was primarily set up to give them their monthly stipend. There were some activities and games planned but nothing substantial in terms of skills or lifestyle improvement. Honestly I cannot even remember how three hours went by; although I did have to introduce myself, dance with the elderly and help out with serving lunch. After all that was done, I got taken to the Nayoke's house to set-up for the party that was being thrown for me and my Rong Nayoke (it was her Birthday). First of all, I don't think I can ever miss the Nayoke's house because it is the ONLY house that I've seen in Thailand with a sign in English that says “Hut of the Rising Sun (peace symbol)”. It is pretty cute :)

Anyhow, back to my point, as we pull in I see this huge poster with my picture on it with the Nayoke's and the words “ Welcome Miss Zailina Borhan from the U.S Peace Corps...” Never in my life have I ever had a poster with my face on it and I was trying to express my “ surprise” but I don't even think I know the word for 'surprise' so the only word that came out of my mouth was “ dichan...” (I...) At the end, I sort of just laughed and told them it was 'cute'. We were at his house for 4 hours during the most hottest times of the day and I was seriously helping out; setting up the table, helping with decorations...etc. After being able to go home around 5 to shower, we came back to the actual party.

The party itself was pretty fun and I was already told in the morning that I was not allowed to be 'tired'. So the whole time I'm there controlling my yawns and making sure I was smiling every moment; which worked until it was 10:30pm. While we were sitting around, my Balat asked me “ are you happy?”. I do not know what was going through his head or whether he saw through my “forced smiles” but of course I said “yes I am, I am very happy to be here”. Honestly, I was not “greng jay-ing” anybody here, I am really appreciative and really privileged to be here with everybody. And not for a second I want them to feel like I am taking their hospitality for granted; at the same time, as a human being it's hard to control certain emotions. Every day is better, although it has only been three days and I still do miss my friends and my family in Chainat. Anyways, after my self-introduction speech, watching the performances by the cute girls, mingling with everybody and singing Hotel California I was seriously drained. Finally at 11pm, I said “can I please sleep in the car? Throughout the entire night, everyone kept saying “You are not leaving till 2am” Well I thought they were kidding; but then at 11 when the last 10 people did not seem like were leaving anytime soon, I was mentally exhausted, and could no longer concentrate enough to listen to Thai/understand Thai/speak Thai, I asked for the key and slept in the front seat till I think around 1 am.

A smile can take you a long way
- Z