My host mom and I at a recent rotary meeting.
Greetings from the other side of the world. I have now been in Hat Yai for a month and a couple of days and things are continuing to go really well. Here are some recent updates and pictures.
Life has settled into a comfortable sort of rhythm in these past few weeks. My school days are spent taking one hour of normal class per day, helping to teach English and piano classes, taking fun classes like gym and Thai music, and studying Thai both by myself and with a teacher. I spend my free time at school either reading or grading listening tests for the English class I help out with. I am enjoying a nice balance between learning and teaching at school which keeps me busy and engaged.
On our way to Satun we visited a rural elementary school where we gave the students school supplies and snacks. Afterwards, I played with some of them at the playground.
Below: On our way to Satun we visited a rural elementary school where we gave the students school supplies and snacks. Afterwards, I played with some of them at the playground.  Right: Later that day we helped rotary give reading glasses to elderly people who couldn't afford them. Myself and 8 others helped the people who came find the right glasses strength. |  |
On Wednesdays, as everyone my age at our all-boys school goes to mandatory military training, I head to the much more manly nearby elementary school where I spend the morning hanging out with very energetic 8 year olds. The kids have actually turned out to be good teachers, and seem like they enjoy talking in simple and slow thai with me.
Outside of school I lift weights at the gym, play tennis with my host dad and his friends, go to different rotary and toastmasters meetings and events, and hang out with friends and my host family. Some of my most exciting recent escapades have included travelling to a place called Satun on the west coast of southern Thailand with Rotary, visiting a giant stainless steel pagoda, and exploring a nearby national park with very cool rock formations. My host family continues to be very kind and time with them and with friends have been some of my favorite parts of my exchange so far.
 |  Above: On the way back we visited a national park with lots of cool rock formations. Left: The next day we went to visit some islands nearby in these boats. |
The next few months look filled with even more excitement and adventure. I am headed to rotary orientation in 
a city near Bangkok by train on Saturday and then to Krabi in early October with my third host family. In the beginning of November my parents and some rotary friends are bringing me on a trip to Vietnam, and in December I am headed to Singapore on a field trip with my school. I have also been invited on a trip to Cambodia with Toastmasters in mid-october which I may or may not be able to go on depending on when my year-long multiple entry visa will arrive. I am so grateful that I am being given so many opportunities to see Southeast Asia, and I will make sure to share pictures and stories with all of you along the way.
a city near Bangkok by train on Saturday and then to Krabi in early October with my third host family. In the beginning of November my parents and some rotary friends are bringing me on a trip to Vietnam, and in December I am headed to Singapore on a field trip with my school. I have also been invited on a trip to Cambodia with Toastmasters in mid-october which I may or may not be able to go on depending on when my year-long multiple entry visa will arrive. I am so grateful that I am being given so many opportunities to see Southeast Asia, and I will make sure to share pictures and stories with all of you along the way. Until then, thank you to every one of you for your continued support. The past month has been great, and I can't wait for what's next!
Left: This is an artsy picture of me looking off into the distance on a sandbar in the middle of the sea where we were seeing the islands.