Rice Grains

Today I started back to school after having 2 1/2 weeks off. No more sleeping in--it's back to rising at 5:00. I thought I would be really tired, but I actually didn't mind it today. Maybe tomorrow.:) I am enjoying my teacher, Khruu Juttatip, who I had for a previous module. She is full of fun and laughter.

And I just had a brainstorm; in module 4, Khruu handed us each a class picture. So I just took a picture of the picture so I can show it to you! It is not the greatest, but the lady on the far left is Khruu Juttatip. The rest of us are either from Korea, Philippines, or US.

For homework today I had to write a story about my family: 3 paragraphs of at least 3 lines each. Not that much, but I think it took me an hour or hour and a half to write it in Thai script. But it is good practice. Actually, I think I like reading and writing better than speaking because I can see it and, oh, I don't know, it is just fun.

Anyway, I made myself finish my homework before going to buy supper, so I had supper around 7:00 tonight. I went to the stand of the guy who makes my favorite--soup?? It is called bamii giaw muu, an egg noodle soup with greens and pork in various forms, including roasted, fried rind, and pork-filled wantons. YUMMM! It absolutely one of my favorite foods here.

A few weeks ago, I asked the guy and gal running the stand what their names were, and I didn't quite get it, so I told them next time I would have them write down their names to help me remember. The next week, when I came back, they handed me a paper with their names written; but before they gave me the paper, Somchai, the guy, wrote down his phone number! So WHAt am I supposed to do with that!?? I just laughed, and he laughed, acted like he was holding a phone, and said, "Halloo, halloo". The lady's name, by the way, is Sirinuch, and she just laughed and said in very broken English, "he miss you". OK, whatever.:) They are both fun.

So, back to my supper tonight, after getting my bamii, I discovered my fruit vendors had a new in season fruit. In English it is called pomelo; in Thai it is called som-oh. It is very much like grapefruit. Next to fresh pineapple, I think pomelo is my favorite fruit here. It, like most fruit, comes with a little packet of seasoning in which to dip the fruit. I have so far not learned to enjoy that taste. It is a mix of salt, sugar, and chili peppers, I believe. Still not Thai enough to appreciate that flavor. Below is a picture of my meal.