FOOTBALL

My school works very closely with a lot of local businesses who consequently fund a lot of the schools activities. Suphan Buri FC is one of the schools most successful partnerships; The Thai people are mad-crazy for football anyway, so this program is regarded extremely highly- banners, posters, and shirts are hung all over school. So when the chairman of the club invited me to watch a game VIP style, we practically ran to the stadium with excitement. I was bought a Suphan Buri tishirt, key ring, scarf, bracelet and poster and actually quite enjoyed my first Thai football match- till the storm came anyway!

                                         I invited my friend Emma along for the game.

                                                  Everyone loves a selfie in Asia

SCHOOL LIFE

It took about three weeks for me to become a relatively normal fixture around school. I made sure to hang out with the students as much as possible, so break times, lunch times, any free lessons, I would sit outside and wait for them to dare to join me. They are all so sooo nice, I found that they are all quite young for their ages in comparison to English kids, so if they are talking in Thai and laughing it's not because they are telling you to piss off in Thai, its just jokey chat like 'i love you' or something. Considering how shy they are, its surprising how keen they are to get up and sing or dance for you. I have countless videos on my phone of the kids singing Beyonce and Lady Gaga, or more colloquial tunes like The Elephant Man, very funny. 

After telling them my full name I went home to find 75 friend requests on facebook- most nights. My news feed is now full Thai teenagers, they looove to update their status' and edit photos, for example...

DIRECTOR (HEADTEACHER)

All of this amazing stuff that I have done would never have happened if it wasn't for this man. My director is a very generous, extravagant character. He works very hard, I don't actually think he ever leaves the school, maybe just for a two hour nap at about 4am. He wears white jeans and white cowboy boots, does his hair like Elvis Presley and likes to shop more than me, it's a winning combination. 

This is him pretending to be a body guard in the supermarket...

IT'S THE QUEENS BIRTHDAY

On the 14th of August it was the Queens birthday here in Thailand. The Royal family are a huuuge deal here, so there was a big celebration here at my school. It was also ASEAN day, which I learnt is the equivalent of the EU for Asia- fun AND educational! My school love to put on a good show- lessons were cancelled and music, dancing and a feast were the events of the day. 

As a surprise for all the students, the headteacher of my school decided I would dress in traditional Thai dress, and could invite the other ETA's nearby to join! This was our idea of heaven! The girls came to stay at my house the night before and my mentor picked us up at 5am to go and get our hair and makeup done at the local salon run by a lady-boy. It was so fun, we had huge eyebrows, fake eyelashes, our hair was scraped flat to our heads and bright pink lips were drawn on. 

We were allowed to chose our own outfits at the dress shop, where the owner dressed us and covered us in gold jewelry- it was fancy dress heaven. I will never forget this day, we were paraded around the school and had millions of photos and were treated like royalty- I love Thailand. 

CHIANG MAI

Using some of our wages from teaching, Emma and I decided to take a trip to Chiang Mai one weekend. It was easy to get there- our mentors dropped us off at the bus and it took about 8 hours to drive there. We had booked 'first class' for around 500 baht (around 12 pounds), so got the luxury of reclining chairs, food and a TV. Had no idea what the TV was showing but still, it was a TV. When we arrived we found a cheap hotel and became tourists for the weekend. We also met up with some of the other ETA's from the facebook page. It was so good to chat to everyone and share experiences, and have a cocktail or two!

                                                             3D ART MUSEUM

                                                   BIKES ALL DAY- ONE POUND

                                                        AMAZING BAKERY

SPA

After the first week of teaching the headteacher decided it was only right to book me into a spa resort in the area to relax...what the hell. I tried to tell him I was fine, the house was MORE than enough, I didn't need this special treatment etc etc, but he wasn't having any of it- thankfully ha! I was driven to the resort and spent the weekend there, there was a swimming pool, trees and a river so it was all very tranquil and chilled. The breakfast was amazing and the beds were sooo comfy. I felt extremely guilty but soon learnt to enjoy it!!

ACCOMODATION

For the first week I had no idea where I was going to be living. I knew something was going on in regards to preparing somewhere- every now and then my mentor would appear with pink paint smeared across her cheek, or we would drop by the local housing shop to pick up a light fitting or something small like a fridge. I didn't like to ask as I didn't want to be a pest, PLUS they had put me up in an amazing hotel so far so I definitely wasn't complaining, I was living a life like Paris Hilton.

Anyway after a week I was told my house was ready. My mentor told me that they wanted to get to know me first so that they could decorate the house to suit me. I was already overwhelmed that I was being given an actual house, let alone a tailor made one?!
The headteacher and my two mentors (English teachers from the school, Euon- dad and Khubee-mum) picked me up from the hotel and drove me to the new house. The house is on the school grounds, tucked behind the English Block- perfect for lie-ins!
As we approached the house I was absolutely gob-smacked. It was bright blue, with a pink fence, a mini pool, dolls, welcome posters, music and party food. It felt like we were entering Disney Land!
Inside was even more extreme;\
Pink Fridge (filled with my favourite things)                               Dressing Room
Pink sink                                                                                 Photographs from the trip so far
Pink sofas                                                                               Giant teddy bear and dolls
Plasma TV                                                                              Disney wallpaper
DVD player                                                                            Manchester United bedding
Western style shower and toilet                                               TOMATO KETCHUP

I don't think it will ever really sink in, I will never be 'given' a house again in my life, I couldn't believe my luck. What on earth have I ever done to deserve this?! Going to sleep that night next to a teddy bear the same size as me felt quite surreal to say the least.