Jun 22 2006
Concerning School
I’m taking 2 classes here, Chemistry for Engineers and Construction Management. As you know, I am not an engineer. Classes are 3 hours on 1 day. My Chemistry class meets on Wednesday from 9-12 and the lab is on Saturday from 9-12. Yes. Saturday. UGH! My Construction Management class is Thursday 9-12. I just left that class. Here’s a quick summary.
Construction Management - It’s for seniors in civil engineering, of which I am neither. It’s really more management than construction information, so i can handle that. Today my teacher, who is Thai but got his PHD from Texas A&M, asked who is not a senior in civil engineering. I raised my hand and he asked what kind of engineer I am. That led to me trying to explain that I am an International Affairs (but I have to say politics for it to make sense) major but that my school requires a technology credit. This was pretty much just met with confused looks from everyone. During our 15 minute break (because class is 3 hours) I explained to him my situation a little more indepth. He says I’ll be fine. It was pretty easy today, and he mentioned this book about leadership skills that my Dad had actually given me to read. He asked if anyone had heard of it, and it was pretty much just me - the only non - Thai and non- engineer in the room. Oh, and class starts at 9, right? Well, no. I got there at 9 and there was no one there, so I went to the bathroom and just sat in the air conditioning and then ate breakfast until 9:10. People didn’t start showing up for class until 9:15. I was the first one there.
Chemistry - I have class with Preston and Travis. We walked in, and the girls on the front row started giggling about the boys. I’m not even joking. So our attendance policy is strict in there. If we miss more than 3 classes, we get a 0 on our final. A ZERO on our FINAL! Seriously.
Oh, here’s the funny part. Class is canceled next Wednesday. Yay! Wait, class is canceled because we have to meet at school at 6:45 am to go to the Bankadi campus because Princess Sirindhorn (who SIIT is named for, as I understand) is going to be dedicating the campus, or something. That’s pretty cool, except for the 6:45 part. Attendance is required, and we have to find an attendance sheet once we get to the school to sign in. Finding an attendance sheet amongst tons of students at 6:45 a.m. so that we won’t lose points on our grade sounds disasterous to me. I mean, it should be a cool day, but that’s pretty early.
Oh, so class is canceled on Wednesday. We have to make up class on Friday afternoon. I’m so confused.
Overall, school is going to be just fine. I’m making friends. I got on a bus yesterday, and everyone in the surrounding seats turned around to start talking to me. That was pretty surprising. They wanted to know where I’m from and things like that. I also walked into the bathroom before chemistry class and this girl said “Hey! Are you in Chemistry too?” and I’m shocked because I’ve not been to chemistry yet. I hadn’t even walked in the room to put my stuff down, but I tell her that I am and we start talking a lot. It turns out that the bathrooms are a great place to meet other girls.
Thai Lessons with Kru Goi (Teacher Goi) - I’m taking Thai lessons from Goi for 2 hours on Tuesday with Preston. It’s so much fun. She’s so cool about it. She made us little worksheets and prepares lessons for us. She’s going to teach us lots of things that we’ll need to say and then later on she’s going to teach us to read and write! She taught us some simple conversations to introduce ourselves and make simple small talk. We practiced the conversations over and over again and would add more as we went along. it was a lot of fun. Something crazy - I have been told by 4 or 5 different people that when I say something in Thai that I do not have an American accent. I’m pretty excited about that.
It’s time for me to go. Hu maa. Bai gin khao. (I’m very hungry. I’m going to go eat.)
School sounds a little crazy! But I’m glad it’s only three days a week. That’s sort of nice.
Your pictures are amazing. It looks like you’re having a GREAT time. Sorry that, thus far, I have failed to be a good international penpal (even via e-mail). I read this thing every time you update it, and I’m so excited to see what God does this semester. I just don’t do a good job of sharing it.
I had a dream last night, and in it, Emily hated me. Then some other people did exactly what I did, so it didn’t really matter. Oh, and (in the dream) I was at Tech for two weeks before I went to Mexico, so I had to find someplace to store all of my stuff and stay. Thankfully, CCF was having their annual two week retreat. Is my subconscious weird, or what?
Hey darling, it sounds like your class schedules are all every loosely followed, even by the professor. The Flickr pictures have been amazing, please let me know when you post a few more. To say it has been hectic over here would be a huge understatement. I spent 5 hours in lab yesterday trying to do a train controller simulation and my TA was telling me the wrong thing. For five freaking hours. I literally wanted to decapitate him for telling me the wrong thing. So back to the lab today to try and finish this. This evening I will try to write you an email as I try to get back on schedule. I love you darling and I hope you are doing well.
hehe you made me laugh out loud with your “it turns out bathrooms are a great place to meet girls.” i can just see the scene in my head: “hey, you uhhh come here often?” i’m going to email you veeeeerrrrry soon dahlin’, i promise
Hi Meagan! I am enjoying your emails and your website. I have shown your website to several people. Mainly to show the pictures. I hope that is OK. I think everyone is looking forward to your next pictures. I think Chris might be missing you, just a little bit.
Ryan took a day off and went to see Gandma and Papa. They are doing fine, just a little tired. I think it was good for Ryan to see them.
I will send you a regular email soon.
Love you, Dad