The day I got a new family

On Saturday night, I had a terrifying dream. I moved in with my host family, but was just one man in his 60's with really thick glasses. I sat in the seat across from him, as he stared at me while stroking his cat (I hate cats....). Not a word was spoken, and the only noise in the place was a clock ticking in the background.
So I woke up Sunday, packed my things, and went to the maahaawityialay (univeristy in Thai.. basically i'm fluent) and waited to meet my new family. I was terrified. That dream did not help things, and I was afraid they wouldn't like me, or I would be too boring, or we wouldn't be able to communicate.... lots of things were running through my mind.

All of my fears were shattered as my khun mee appeared. She screamed "ARE YOU KITTY?!" and ran towards me and gave me a hug. I immediately waied her (bowed with my hands pointed to my chin.. very traditional and polite) but she pulled me up and said I was making her feel old. She won't even let me call her khun mee (mother) but I have to call her Phii Noi (older sister Noi). It was nice to meet someone so relaxed, but she is definitely anti-tradition which goes against everything I was taught here. She drove me to her house, which is 5 minutes away from campus and in the middle of the city, which is awesome! I have one of the simple, really small houses, while all of my friends in the program have mansions. But they are 45 minutes away, and I'm right in the city. I don't mind it at all! I have a younger brother named Guy. He's 13 and spends most of his time on the computer playing some war game. I tried to ask him what the name of the game was, but I have no idea what he said. He doesn't speak much English. There are also three bunnies in the house: Chopin ( who lives in the house.. and poops everywhere) Khaw Khaw (white rice) and Khaw Niaw (sticky rice) who live outside.

Phii Noi speaks really good English, which makes the transition really easy. She works at the library on campus, and its just her and her son living in the house. They sleep in the same room, while I get my own room (which makes me feel kind of bad..but apparently its common for Thai families to all sleep in the same room). The biggest things to get uesd to was the shower. The shower head is right over the toilet, with no shower curtain, so I can literally take a shower and use the restroom at the same time! Gives a whole new meaning to peeing in the shower.

Phii Noi is a very independent lady. She's very into politics, and was divorced 8 years ago (which is very uncommon in Thailand). She has worked hard to make a life for herself without men assisting her, and she really is an inspiration. She graduates on Monday (from grad school? or college.. I haven't figured that out yet) for Information Systems and she gets to meet the Crown Princess of Thailand! we are having a huge party next friday to celebrate.

Its still hard to feel like I belong and not feel like a hassle, but it gets more and more comfortable each day. I keep practicing my Thai, and although they laugh at me,  I keep going. Phii Noi is also a great cook, so I never go hungry. And she brings different fruit for me to try each day. Thailand has over 40 different fruits and vegetables that the United States doesn't have, which makes each meal exciting!

If anyone wants to send me letters you can send it to:

Kitty Robinson
c/o Chiang Mai University
Faculty of the Humanities
Chiang Mai, 50200
Thailand

OR you can call me! I have a cell phone.. its probably alot cheaper for me to call you than for you to call me ( its like 1 baht a minute.. so basically like 1/30th of a dollar) so if you want me to call you, tell me sometime!

<3 you all!

Kitty