The Dates They Are A-Changin'...

After going back and forth with myself numerous times, I have decided to wait until August to try and make my journey to Bangkok. This could all change again...we will be keeping a close eye on the political situation there as well as continuing to speak with locals. I will begin school at Text and Talk on August 16 and instead of taking the 4 week course, I will stay in school a couple of weeks longer for the 6 week course. These next couple of months will also be helpful so that I can earn some more money and have a little more of a cushion while I'm not making any money in school.

I'm still worried about what's going on over there but I'm hoping that things settle down before August. Some pictures that I see are amazing with literally thousands of soldiers lining the streets. There are people in Bangkok that are being optimistic that an ending to this will be soon so all I can do is hope!

Turmoil in Bangkok Worsens

I have, until now, been looking at the turmoil in Bangkok as something that I could have easily avoided. That was until I got the news of 5 bombs in the area. That article changed everything. The bombs, luckily, only took the life of one person (although they injured many more) but they have also been the reason behind Bangkok's main form of transportation, the MRT, to shut down or avoid stops. This is a major concern for me. The MRT would more than likely be the way I got to and from work on a daily basis. With it not running I could see myself having to leave hours before work just to hail a taxi, motorcycle taxi, or even a tuk tuk (which would leave me reeking of gasoline and fumes before school). Living there without an important form of transportation could be, put bluntly, miserable.

This had caused me to begin looking at other countries to possibly do the same thing in. At first, I looked at numerous places: Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, Shanghai, etc. I slowly started narrowing these choices down and have now decided that not only does Taiwan look amazing, but Vietnam also seems fascinating. I have looked at a school I could attend in Taiwan (for FREE!) that would train me as well as help me find employment.

Will I move to Taiwan? Will I be able to move to my favorite city on Earth, Bangkok, or will the Red Shirt protests worsen and keep me away from there? Only time will tell...

Countdown to Bangkok: 47 Days!

It's official! I move to Bangkok, Thailand on June 7 and begin school at Text and Talk a mere 5 days later. I am getting much more excited...and much more nervous as the days go by! I've never been so excited about anything in my life, but I've also never been so scared of anything.

My biggest worry, as of now, is the political situation in Bangkok at this time. This is the most violence they have seen in almost two decades. Thais are such calm, non confrontational people...it is completely bizarre that this is happening right now. The red shirts don't seem to be backing down from what they want either, only calming a little as they celebrate the Thai New Year. I read numerous articles a day just to prepare myself for this. I want to be as informed as possible so that I can stay safe while very far away from my home in the southern United States.

Another big worry is MONEY!!! I just put the downpayment on school a couple of weeks ago and only have the following left to pay for: airfare, the rest of school, an apartment, a cell phone, prescriptions before I leave, glasses and contacts before I leave, doctor's appointments, my Visa, etc. I have so many things to do and only 47 days left!

I'm also scared about leaving my parents. Granted, I'm about to be 24 years old and have lived on my own for several years now, the thought of leaving the country for at least a year and not being able to phone them for any problem is terrifying! My parents have been especially helpful though with this whole situation, especially my dad (as I write this we are sitting on my back porch enjoying a good ole Thailand Singha!). I'm thankful for them, which is another reason it will be so hard to leave. Regardless though I have made my decision, I leave for the Land of Smiles in precisely 47 days. Wish me luck, I think I'm going to need it! :)