05.06.2014- In this bitty break

Hello, all,
I will try to make this as informative as possible.
If you have not heard yet, there was a military coup a few weeks ago (honestly, it was less than a week before my birthday). When you first think about it, a coup seems a bit scary, but one must examine the situation more closely. Look at the history of Thailand. There actually have been quite a few coups in the last fifteen years. So, right off the bat, Thailand is no stranger to this kind of thing. Secondly, there are not many events of radical protesters; they, for the most part, have been quite peaceful.
Now, if you want to ask, I will answer honestly. "How has the coup affected you?" My answer: It really hasn't had much of an effect, other than the curfew. Even with the curfew, if I wanted to go out, I had little difficulty to do that and have fun. What the curfew did, really, was just close down the businesses at a certain time at night. The first Saturday that there was a curfew...well, that was a little different, but after that, there wasn't much trouble. Other than the curfew, I went about my daily life activities: which consists mostly of work. That being said, I don't really have much I do that would get me into trouble, just work, grocery shopping, and the occasional dinner.

If you would like to know more about what is going on in Thailand, here is an 11-minute video which gives some good explanations behind what is going on, and the reasons to why. It is not even very violent or aggressive in speech, but rather, admitting that there is a problem, and whoever is involved is working on amending it so that stability can become more possible in the government.
Here it is
If you ignore that "war-time" music and read the subtitles, it is much less radical than you may have heard.

Second update: This is my observation week before my next section of students, will be mostly Inpatient nurses and staff. This, I feel will be exciting, because I had one session already, and I am beginning to get the hang of the lessons, and a good order. In addition, I will be working in a ptient room so that the nurses are more familiar in an environment they actually work in, rather than the setting as a classroom. Last time I checked, nurses don't treat patients in a classroom, other than at educational hospitals.
Third update: On Friday (tomorrow) I will be making mango curd for the first time (holla!) and making something else to go with it, so it should be yummy! (Aren't experiments always yummy!)

Fourth update: I had a full night's rest... kind of. By full night, I mean that I pass out around 10:30PM, and woke up around 6:30. (I woke up a few times, but that's fairly normal for me nowadays). It seems that my business is catching up with me. that being said, I still am adding more to my schedule to increase my productivity. One of the activities I would like to add into my agenda is running in the mornings, because running in the evenings, after I finish all my work isn't really too safe, and joining a gym isn't much of an option. The nice thing is that, if I choose to run in the mornings, I have an audio tape that I can use to listen and practice speaking Russian or Swedish. Of course, I would only be practicing what I have already learning, not new material because that's just crazy! (hardy-har-har). Now, when I say "running in the mornings" I actually mean that I would need to wake up around 5AM and start running around 5:45 until 7:00AM. Yes, I would have a busy schedule, and yes, I think I will accept that I might be a little crazy with my schedule (Some work days end at 6PM, some end at 8PM, and they all will start around 8AM).
This is my normal end of the work day view:

As I mentioned, that is the downside of being busy... you are always busy. The upside is that you learn a lot about your stamina and ability of time management. For example, being able to find time to work, to learn something new, to exercise, and to have something of a social life....I think a lot of mothers learn this lesson, too. (at least, I hope they do).
Now, I must plan for the future, because I need to request off a few days to visit BKK to get some other business done (flight changing, criminal background checks, etc) It all sounds so exciting doesn't it? Surprisingly enough, I am pretty stoked to go out to so these tasks. I need to change my flight, either the dates, or the location. Who knows? Not I, but that's okay. For now, I must hastily return to work for a busy day! Woohoo!

Until next time,
K.

22.3.2014 A Funny Culture Shock... But Not Really

Hello, fellow reader.
Although I have been living in Thailand for the past seven months, I came to a realization only today, which applies to the difference between the people in Thailand and the people in America and what they consider appropriate and inappropriate. Funny enough, the two cultures have switched views. The involve public displays of affections or promiscuity with bodily functions. The two cultures seem to have switched views.
For example, in America, many television shows, movies, and ads contains some aspect of sex, whether obvious or suggested. Think about it: popular HBO and Showtime shows, such as True Blood, Game of Thrones, and Masters of Sex splay full backsides, women's breasts, and even full frontal nudity, as well as the act of sexual intercourse. In the Thai media of entertainment, you will maybe see a kiss, but no nudity or partial nudity.
Now, when we talk about natural bodily functions, such as flatulence, hacking a lung, or cleaning the sinuses, that is more "hush, hush" in the culture of America, unless you have a person who is adamant about good health maintenance. If you have a booger, or an itch in the nose, you need to try to be discreet about it if you do not want to receive any dirty looks.
In Thailand, if you have an itch you need to scratch, you don't go to the toilet to do it, because you need to work. Just address it quickly and continue. The subject of vomiting and diarrhea is not taboo. If you have it, you will probably explain that to, not only your doctor, but also friends. In the American culture, if you have diarrhea, you just say that you're sick, and try your best to avoid having to inform your colleagues that you have it. In fact, you try to "pretty it up" as much as possible so that you do not feel embarrassed or ashamed. We use phrases like "active bowels," maybe, or "Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom/restroom/toilet," but nothing about the specifics. That is, again, if you are not discussing with someone is is familiar with the medical aspects and normal functions of the body. A good question to ask is

"Why do we need to feel so ashamed about something our body does naturally? We can't consciously control it, most often, so what is the big deal?"

 Another culture difference I have picked up on is the use of "holiday" in the Thai approach to English. When a Thai person does not have work for a day during the week, they call it a "holiday," whereas in America, we just say, "Day off," and while both terms mean the same thing (You aren't working that day), the connotation of the terms is different. "Holiday," in terms of American English, apply to taking a vacation, or that it is a special day in which many places are closed; it is highly valued. In contrast, to have a "day off," is not as highly regarded; yes, we can relax, and we are not working, but it also is known as something that happens more frequently than a holiday. For example, if I work Monday to Friday every week, Saturday and Sunday are my "Days off," BUT if I am on holiday, or taking a holiday, that means that I am planning a special trip to celebrate for a period of time. So, a picture to really help the imagination:

Day Off

Holiday

So, when you hear a Thai person say that someday is their holiday, just know, it means that is their day off, not a special holiday you may think about. If it is a special holiday, they normally just address the holiday itself. (I.E. "Songkran festival" <-Major holiday)

Until next time,

K.