Last day at school..

I couldn't believe that I'm really going to America. In October 2010, after one night in Chiang Mai, I rushed back to Suphanburi when my boss called and told me about the announcement of this scholarship opportunity. There were only 3 days left before the application was due. I called and booked a bus ticket, hoping to get on the bus from Chiang Mai straight to Suphanburi. Unfortunately, it was fully booked so I had to take one night bus to Bangkok and then a couple hours in a mini van to Suphanburi. It was a tiring trip but I thought to myself 'if I can get this scholarship, it is worth doing'. And here I am..packing my stuff and ready to leave for America.
It's my last day at school and I'm now trying to complete all my work, searching for stuff and document to bring with me, and, the most important of all, tidying my desk. A new foreign teacher, Amy, is taking my desk for two months. She won't be happy to see the messy desk of mine.

Being Bostonians, a couple of my colleagues, Sarah and Nell, created Tuke's Personal Guided to Beantown (aka Boston) for me. They are so lovely, thoughtful, and being such a great Boston tour guide. Thanks a lot. I really appreciate that.

A pre-departure lunch party was held at Room 236 where Kru Wipa took this chance to show us her cooking skill. The food was so yummy that I wish I could bring the food to the US with me. God..I'm sure I'll miss Thai food. At least, I'm packing instant noodles with me just in case. Kru Chaht and Kru Wipa, on behalf of the EP staff, presented me with flowers and a congratulation card. It was such a lovely and touching moment. My  excitement was all over the places. My Thai colleagues were being so hilarious and I have had a great fun working and chatting with them. I told them to chat via Facebook so that I can laugh with them too.

4 days before departure

I've just received more information on my accommodation in Amherst. This is the ITD House or the Burnett house. It provides lodging to international participants during programs in Amherst. The house has eleven bedrooms and six bathrooms, a dining room, and a large living room which is equipped as an educational theater. A computer laboratory, laundry facilities, and a ping-pong room are available for all participants. The ITD House was previously known as the Burnett House. It was built in the colonial Revival style in 1898 by William A. Burnett, owner of the H.D. Fearing Haberdashery (hat-making business). This house is well known and loved in Amherst. 

I'll be accommodated here on the second floor. My house mates on the second floor include participants from Norway, France, Bulgaria, Belgium, and Russia. Third floor is for participants from Oman, Ecuador, China, and Togo. 

The rest of the participants will stay in Seelye dormitory in Amherst College, including participants from Barbados, Cameroon, Colombia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Latvia, Macedonia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, and Portugal.  

6 days before departure

Time is flying so quickly that I wish I could have 30 hours a day!! I had a seminar and a pre-departure cocktail party at the Dusit Hotel a couple days ago and had a great opportunity to meet the new Ambassador of the United States of America in person. She was so friendly, active and so diplomatic, god i love her so much. I also had an opportunity to meet with some of the interviewers who interviewed me for this scholarship and the best part was...they remember me!! 

With the US Ambassador , Kristie A. Kenney

Yesterday was my shopping day as I headed to Platinum Shopping Mall early morning with one of my former colleagues. We spent 9 hours shopping around and made a trip to Super Rich money exchange agency in Pratunam area. It was very tiring but it is something worth doing as I've now got pretty much all the thing I need for my trip. I've also got my second luggage from the mall which cost me only 1500 baht. I'll  have to wait and see if the bag is going to last the whole trip or not. I've now got less than a week to pack my bags and complete my work in Thailand and perhaps start my reading on topics to be discussed on my first week in the US.

I am planning to go back to my hometown this weekend to say goodbye to my mother before leaving Thailand for 6 weeks. It is not a long way from Suphanburi but I'm m already tired now. My driver won't arrive Suphanburi until 6 pm. and I don't even want to imagine driving at night!

16 days before departure

Feeling so tired and sleepy, I'm now sitting in front of my computer in the office. Last night, it was nearly 8 pm by the time I finished teaching. 30 minutes after that was spent in exercising. Before bed time I watched a documentary on American history and felt like I wanted to continue watching more on the next episode as it is so interesting. However, it was a little too late so I headed to bed. The alarm went off at 6 this morning and now I'm sitting here thinking of how unprepared I am. I haven't even started packing my bags yet. 16 days to go.. I didn't even have time to go shopping for my hair conditioner as I spent most of my time teaching and tutoring students. I've just realized how fast time flies these days as I've been so busy with my job and other commitment. My plan tonight is to watch the next episode of the American History: Civil War. It's all about slavery which caused conflict between American in the north and south. 

18 days before departure

Here is the Episode 3&4 (westward) of the great history of the States. It explained about the hardship of the pioneer trying to move to the west, especially the part about "cannibal".

19 days before departure

It's Sunday and I'm at school....again. I decided to check on this http://test.itd-amherst.org/?p=tsi_2010 and found some interesting tasks that should be done before my trip start. Reading..reading..and reading is what  I have to do. I printed out the document that is necessary for discussion only on June, 21..OMG..25 pages of them!! I knew it from the very first day of writing an application for this scholarship that i must read 25-30 pages a day for the whole 6 weeks period. However, when the time is getting closer..I have to admit that I'm getting a little bit scared. But I'm gonna be fine..that what I'm telling myself everyday!!

21 days before departure

It's been a long week and I'm getting tired of the whole lot of work that I have to complete before leaving for Amherst, MA. In fact, I don't even think of how I will travel to the airport until my boss said to me if I needed a school van. Last week I was very stressed about how I would survive the 25 hours flight. A couple of teachers told me to take some Thai herbal medicines and try to get as much sleep as I can.  I agree with them so now my bag is full of Thai herbal capsules and pills. I hope to enjoy my long distant flight now. Thank for the useful information from this link on how to enjoy my flight. http://blinklife.tv/how-to-enjoy-your-flight.html