The night the sorting hat sorted.

Since the very moment Tang told us we were moving into the new school, 

all attempts at "fooling all of our roommates into thinking we are calm, cool, and collected" 

flew right out the window on our nimbus 2000's. 

We were officially going to live in a school modeled after Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 

And we could not be more excited. 

Even those of us that were not huge HP fans to begin with. 

Were taken by the Magic of what was about to happen. 

So, naturally..

we had to be sorted into our houses. 

Shay, Marci and Angee being sorted. 

I swear I was too...for some reason I just don't have a picture of it that I can find... 

Shayla....GRYFFINDOR 

Marci.....RAVENCLAW

Angee.....SLYTHERINE 

Kaitlen.....HUFFLEPUFF! 

"These belong in Hufflepuff, 
Where they are just and loyal. 
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true 
And unafraid of toil."

It was a magical night indeed.

But would you expect anything less--

Living in Hogwarts? 

Meet the Roomies: Marci

Everybody meet Marci. 

From the very first week here, Marci and I were forced to get really close, really fast. 

We drew names--and her and I were chosen to share a bed. 

The girl is flippin hilarious. Together, we are comic gold. 

From the first time I rolled over, and she was on her laptop, under the covers so that she would not wake me up...I knew we would get along just wonderful.

As it turns out we love a lot of the same music.

And a lot of the same pointless but hilarious Youtube videos. 

After countless hours of laughter, 

laying next to each other not saying a word for hours as we watched our shows, 

being attacked by ants together, and sharing a fear of spiders. 

Our friendship just grew and grew... 

'

And now she's comfortable creepily crawling into my bed while I nap. 

I can tell that this friendship, is just beginning.

Phitsanulok!

This last weekend Dianna, Marci, Shayla, Angee and myself ventured to a nearby providence--Phitsanulok!

We had zero Idea what we were going to do once we got there but we were excited none-the-less.

After waiting for our train which was an hour late, we were finally on our way, and the adventures began!

This might be our groups favorite picture of all of us, idunno--ever? 

We all look so stupid hahahah. True personalities shining through right there.. 

As you can see, the train was a liiite crowded. 

The sucky thing was, it was crowded before 20 yellow-shirted students decided to all cram next to the American girls. 

When we finally arrived, we were starving! So like lost little puppies we wandered the streets aimlessly. 

This cute little Thai lady took pity on us, and pointed us in the direction of the local market, and said we would be able to find food there. Suuuure enough we found thee most delicious fried chicken I have ever partaken of in my life. Shayla and I enjoyed it a little too much I think.. 

After lunch that same little lady pointed us in the direction of some local attractions. 

We walked like pioneer children until we reached these awesome  Buddhist temple grounds. 

It was crazy because it was on a pretty busy main road but once you got on the grounds it was completely silent and really peaceful! And sooo pretty! These pictures don't even do it justice. We took advantage of the cool candle-lighting ceremony things and also "shook our fortunes free!" Mine was pretty dang funny...I'll have to post it on here sometime. All-in-all an awesome cultural experience! 

We saw thee cutest little bunnies at this market. 

Yep, they are dressed in fluffy dresses. 

We couldn't decide if this was cute or just sad...

We also saw this little cutie...just loungin around, comfortable as can be on a hot Thailand afternoon! 

The best part of this day? 

Okay, well maybe not the best part...but it was awesome. 

Is that we bought round-trip train tickets, lunch, and multiple drinks throughout the day..

for a whopping $3.20!! Not too shabby, I'd say. 

Ode To Sweetened-Condensed Milk.

Thailand is notorious for a few things we have come to find out: 

- Their beaches...which we have yet to experience) 

- Food on the streets...which is often the most delicious food we've found. 

- Buddist temples...which are AMAZING (More on that later) 

- Squatter toilets....definitely an experience, also..no toilet-paper. 

- No trash cans...seriously, there are zero trash cans up in these parts. 

- A disbelief in napkins...you WILL lick that chicken grease off your fingers. How dare you waste. 

And last but certainly not least. 

-Sweetened-Condensed Milk....Which we have at leasssst three times a day. 

As it turns out, Thai people use SCM in literally, everything. 

And it's probbbbably the best thing that has ever happened to us girls, idunno..ever? 

You want a smoothie? Sure! Add a little SCM to that. 

You want some fried chips? Absolutely. Heavy, or light SCM? 

How about some soda in a bag? Wonderful! Have a little soda with your SCM. 

You catch my drift here? 

It's in everything. And like I said, it's wonderful, and amazing, and delicious.

Obviously, because I felt the need to blog about it.  

It's quickly becoming an addiction, and we are quickly becoming giant fatties. 

But at this point. I don't even care.
Let the good times, and sweetened-condensed milk keep on rollin'.

Scenes from Phichit--overload.

"Would you like to tell me why this is in my bed Kaitlen?" 

"...Would YOU like to tell me why it's in your bed, Marci?"

The "Gingerbread Man" my older class made in Drama

Parawae and myself. 

Pay no mind to my seperated bangs.. 

I didn't intend for this picture to be so zoomed up, it just happened that way. 

But kind cute. Kaow Tung and myself!
This little boy, man he tugs at my heart strings. 

Plangs classic face. She loves to say words with "OO" sounds in them.

Just so she can make this face. It never gets old. 

Some of my older kids hiding from "Teacher Kaitlen" at milk time. 

Aren't they adorable?! Or am I just biased? 

You'll often find my bed looking like this during the week. 

Lesson planning, blogging, skyping family when possible. Oh the joys!

Ready for our first real "night on the town" 

We got all dolled up...in our hats...and star wars T-shirts..cute right? 

Action shot on the bizzike! Aww yeah!

Cute little roomie fries + live music night.
We're thinking this is going to be a weekly outing. 

Sometimes Marci and I like to creep up on Jack.. 

And occassionally we like to be cute. 

We made it in the newspaper!! 

Sooo green! See what I mean by the Jurassic park look? 

Marci and I...you know, just sharing a delicious muscle. 

"Is this how you're supposed to ride these things?" 

Every day peeps. This is our view from our window, every morning. 

Ahh...does it get much better? 

More scenes from our scenic bike exploring! 

I believe in a thing called love

Today was seriously such a great day. 

It being Friday and such, I thought for sure the kids would be wired and ready to leave, 

they were quite the opposite. Teaching today was SO FUN. 

After teaching today we ate lunch prepared by our personal Chef man--"Rose" 

After being spoiled by Grannys cooking for two weeks, we are always a little weary of Rose's cooking. 

But his stir-fry today was theee bomb diggity! And for the maybe the...2nd time since we have been here, 

I was full. It's a Christmas Miracle! 

After a couple hours of relaxing and one or two....or four episodes of Vampire Diaries, 

we strapped on our safety helmets and peddled ourselves out to the Countryside of Phichit. 

Seriously, breath taking. I can't believe how green it is here! 

We kept saying how it looked like we were in Jurassic Park. 

At any moment we were 100% prepared for a T-rex to come trompin through the trees at any moment. 

Alas, no T-rex. But I digress, the ride was amazing. And we can't wait to explore even more. 

Tonight we sat around and talked for like 3 hours straight after dinner.

That's the best thing about having roomies. 

Let me clarify, good roomies. 

We can sit around and talk and talk and talk for hours. Love it. 

Then we headed to this little outdoor restaurant place we pass every time we go to the clinic. 

It has such a laid back atmosphere and live music....and FRENCH FRIES.

So clearly, it is a hot spot. Everybody stares...and laughs at us and our safety helmets. 

And my inability to park a bike. 

Today was again, one of those "pinch me" days. 

I love days like today because it's like. 

HOLY COW I"M REALLY IN THAILAND. 

And I get all sorts of excited, all over again. 

Tomorrow, 

Pitsanalok adventure time.. 

Stay tuned! 

If you feel so inclined..

To send a letter...

parcel.. 

anything with delicious American food in it... 

Here is my address at the school!
What you will want to do is--

print this picture and tape it to the letter or package. 

You will also want to put the English interpretation of it on there as well, 

just to make sure it gets here. 

Imperial Phichit Bilingual School
51/9, Reabbuengsifai Road,
Moo. 4, Tumbon Tarlueng
Amper Moeng, Phichit
66000
Thailand.

Scenes from Phichit

Quite sad to be leaving our lovely Clinic home. 

Us jolly-greens on our first day of teaching!

Marci clearly using her brain while bug zapping. 

Chester!! He's on of my favorites. He's got thee cutest toothless grin. 

Great! Yep, that's her name. Love this girl. She reminds me of Jilly soo much!

Mmm....Panda E fried rice has got nothing on Thai fried rice. And I love me some Panda E!

You think I'm kidding when I say bug zapping is one of our favorite activities? I am not. 

"You won't find Thai food like this in America"= worried American girls=DELICIOUSNESS. 

After a 10 hour church day adventure. Yes, we do look like this--don't judge.

Our first adventure on a train! Turns out northern Thailand is liiiike amazing. Yep, amazing.