Life here in Thailand! sorry its been so long!

I should not be allowed to type these words anymore especially since I say it every time I blog but here it goes: “ Sorry it has been so long since my last post” haha.  I know, I know, I must do better and will try AGAIN this month.  In other news, I have successfully completed over ¼ of my service. Time is certainly flying!

         I am sure all of you are wondering what I have been up to since I wrote last, actually not much has changed.  We had about 3 weeks from site where we reconnected with all of the PCV’s, which was much needed, missed them quite a bit. I then went to Bangkok for PSN training, which is a support network for all volunteers here in Thailand and that is made up of 7 other volunteers as well.  Following training, I had a beach itch lol and had to go, so my friend Mayumi and I decided to go to Koh Samed.  We decided to call that weekend our “Jai Yen Yen Retreat”(ref. jai yen yen in previous post).  It was filled with lesson after lesson of jai yen yen as if I still needed practice. Although this is true, it was definitely a great weekend filled with laughter!  After only living in Nong Phai for what is now 5 months, I was missing my home, my family and my community. When I returned it was as if I had been gone for months maybe even years.  I was welcomed with smiles, lots of questions, and even HUGS (hugs are typically reserved for family, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends or those much younger in age, says a coworker).  It was great!  This is my home and it feels like it!   Now I am here, continuing with my language learning, jai yen yening and living day by day. Oh my pulled groin muscle is healing but Ive now had ecoli from pad thai( but was sick before that so immune system was down), an interesting trip to the dentist for a temporary cap on my tooth lol and tendonitis in my right hand ( which i still dont know why or how lol ).

Although I am enjoying this time here in Thailand, I recently had my first moment of homesickness due to sad news from home.   These times are so hard especially when you are so use to being right there whenever anyone needs you or when you are typically the family social worker (haha).  At this time, I was at a loss because there was nothing I could do all the way from Thailand.  This has definitely been a test of faith.  My family is most definitely my backbone and when one of them is sad or hurting, it hurts me more than anyone could possible imagine.  Anyone can say, write or do anything to me and I would brush it off I’m sure.  When it has to do with family that’s when it gets to me.  With that said had a rough week that ended with some great laughs with my awesome Thailand family, the PCVs.  If they only knew just how much this weekend helped soothe me! Thanks guys I LOVE U GUYS!
Also talking with my family often and seeing their strength is simply amazing.  I say if they are trucking along, I have no reason to be dragging.  It will be hard but I’m channel all of my loves from my siblings to each of the laughs I got this weekend to keep me smiling this week. Also, today I was searching my room for my brown glasses and instead stumbled upon what can only be referred to as a forgotten treasure.  My old HTC EVO but it wasn’t the phone that excited me most, it was what was inside of the phone... about 50 forgotten videos that seriously made my day! Videos from about 2 years ago up to right before I left! This was beautiful! Seeing all those smiling faces and crazies right here with me in Thailand was truly a gift from God.  The importance of friends being silly or siblings rapping on your phone is never known until a day like this! I can’t stop watching =).  This could not have been found at a more opportune time!   Today’s blog is simply to catch all of you up on Sasha’s life.    
I also want to thank those who support me, call me, send me packages (which are always welcome lol) write me and pray for me on this journey. I have already learned so much in my short time here, cant wait to see what the Lord has in store for these two years! With every disappointment comes a blessing…. (A quote I will never forget that my father texted me when I was in undergrad and the first time I made a D on anything in my life. I was surely sad about that D haha maybe a bit dramatic.) Although the news hurt, I’m sure we will get through this as we have done everything else in our lives’.

Lastly, FEELING ABSOLUTELY BLESSED not only due to my own blessings but also by the blessings all around me!!! FOR EXAMPLE: Tuttie Ross is returning from NY shortly after showing at NY fashion week! And she did great! Ohh and My Charlene is going to send me something GREAT =)!

Signing out… May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door. Have a great week (stolen from IG haha) 

Chok Dee Na Ka!(good luck)  Jer Gon Mai Na Ka ( See you)!

And now for the pictures!

Went to Suphan to visit my first family 

first host mom

First football( soccer)  game

Crazy and crazier ( Nay and Mimi) 

In our hotel room bored! and i ask her to see if she can fit and she does it lol! the friendships i create smh and then we proceed to prank away! lol 

                                                    We won the community photo project 

haha Cailyn Sandwich! 

MEXICAN!!!!

My message to the family! I love and miss u Udom 500

Fire show

Fire show

Me and Mayumi snorkeling

Visiting the elderly in my community! checking bp

Teaching!

Trying to work and this happens lol 

English Camp!

I want one!!! hes soo cute 

The nayok(mayor) asked me to braid her hair and I just learned how like 2 months ago lol 

At a English teacher training even though i am not a teacher! haha since i spoke English they made me work

Me and my PHETCHABUN twin! Brandon!!! ( We both live in Phetchabun) 

Me at teacher training 

Learning how to do my hair by myself lol! still going back to Stacy when i return! lol Cant wait for my products coming in the mail!!! =) I DEFINITELY NEED THEM! LOL 

CLICK THIS LINK CUTE 2 sec video that made me smile lol 

My message from my lil! made me smile at the end of his show! =)