First week in Thailand!

One of my biggest fears is being late. Whether it’s late for the bus, a meeting, work or like this situation; first day of school: I absolutely hate it.
Friday night as I was drowsily glazing upon the clock, to get the satisfying feeling of “Aah, I Have Another Two/Three/Four Hours To Cuddle Under My Blanket” I slowly process the number; “07.44”. Within seconds I was up, dressed, running around looking for the stuff that I hadn’t put out the night before because I had convinced myself I would just wake up early and enjoy a quiet morning and get everything ready within time. Unfortunately that’s not how things would work out. Thankfully I wasn’t “late enough” to be “really late”, I still made it to the bus and managed to bring everything that was needed.
However, not the best way to start the morning of my first day at the school.

(I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!!!) 

We drove to Sheraton Hotel first where the information would be given out. As we entered the hotel, we noticed that most people were standing in a line, waiting to have their picture taken, which meant that everyone was looking at each person while they were being photographed – rather awkward really. Turns out, they needed the photos for our Student ID, our bank card and our library card; which is all in one card!

Because both Anita, Lilou and I know each other, the whole process wasn’t so intimidating for us, as I could imagine it being for many others. We decided to go sit front row (mainly to start off our new >life< working hard and getting good results… and mainly because most seats were already taken in the back.)

The President of Webster Thailand held a beautiful and rather inspiring speech. He talked about the possibilities Webster students have, because it is so easy to transfer (they have more than 100 campuses worldwide, incl. Vienna, London and numerous more in the US) and that students at Webster are not just a number but a name. That is because the classes are held so small on purpose, as to give the professors and the students a chance to get to know each other; their strengths and weaknesses.

After that, the teachers were introduced, more speeches were held, we had lunch and eventually went to choose our classes. Unfortunately, because the classes are held so small, many of the classes I had wanted to choose before I came here, were already filled because students from last year had had a chance to pick their classes last year.
So, I ended up choosing; “Introduction to Business”, “Psychology”, “Introduction to Studio Art”, “Photoshop and Illustrator” and we were obligated to choose an English class as well.
In the short term, I’m quite happy about these subjects, because they are definitely already some of my strengths, however I’m scared in the long term I won’t be able to work as much as I would have wanted on my weaknesses (or the areas in which I know nothing of.)
But, one step at a time, I’m going to speak to the school tomorrow about my possibilities.

We eventually left to get a tour of the campus. The trip between the hotel and the campus was most likely less than 30 mins, however both Anita, Lilou and I managed to fall asleep in the bus. It was probably a mixture of having paid attention to so much previously and the fact that none of us are used to getting up “early” in the morning.

When we arrived to the campus, I was surprised. I had previously been warned about the campus by my father who had told me that it wasn’t anywhere near the standard of the schools I have previously attended in Thailand/Austria. However, they have been renovating it all summer and I was pleasantly surprised.

(Looking very excited upon the arrival on the campus)

After the tour, which featured tennis courts, fitness room, cafeteria, classes, green areas, nurses, officers and student lounges, we were taken to the beach to the “beach activities”. Unfortunately, at this point (it was late afternoon) we were all so tired so we decided to go back to our hotel instead and relax.
This turned out to be a good idea! We all fell asleep, but I was awoken by a call that confirmed that I could move into my current (amazing) room. I love it so much! I don’t want to seem too spoiled, but the other room was a little cramped for me, especially because I tend to feel a bit claustrophobic. Instead this room, which is around 1,5-2x bigger than my old one and also has a couch and two extra tables, is perfect. I also have my own kitchen, double bed, bathroom, a big tv and a balcony with the view of the swimming pool and the sea 🙂

(I apologize if it looks a bit messy, but I’m still trying to unpack and weighing various ideas of making the room as good as it can possibly be.. so therefore, the messiest areas have been excluded. Also, I took the photos at night, so therefore no photo of the view. I will try and see if I can remember to take a picture tomorrow)

.. but you get the overall picture. I love my room <3

Friday night we met some of the other Webster Students in the restaurant at our hotel and decided to join them for some drinking. It’s so great meeting new people, with new inputs and ideas. We played quite a few drinking games and all in all had a great time.
Later we went to a club, which was supposed to be okay… (considering that this is the Royal Holiday Resort–> where the Royal family goes on holiday, Hua Hin is very “clean” compared to other big cities in Thailand and there are therefore not many clubs/bars/prostitutes) .. unfortunately we were the ONLY foreigners in the bar and it was completely stuffed so it didn’t take long till we decided to leave and pass by 7/11 to buy the chips we so desperately were craving.
A young Thai boy followed us and seemed (to be honest) very interested in me and didn’t leave till I had promised him I would call him the following day. Lilou typed his number in as “creep” and I think, to his great regret, I probably wont ever call him.

We went back to our rooms and was on the phone with McD for half an hour, desperately trying to make them do take-away to our place. They put us on hold but never got back to us… weird…. 😉

(I believe the pictures speak for themselves; We had a great night!)

Saturday my dad came! I was so excited to see him again, despite it only being 2-3 days since I saw him last. Both him and his work colleague came. We spent most of the day shopping, as both Anita and I needed more necessary stuff, such as plates, knives, water and so forth.
We went out for dinner down town, at a really great place. The town all of sudden awoke and for a few moments I was reminded of the streets of Phuket (in Patong.. the main party city) with loud music, fake bags, blinking lights and men shouting “taxi madaaaam”…

For the first time since we left Denmark, I ordered western food (that is, I ordered a Tom Kha Gai soup first,  which is the traditional thai soup with coconut milk) followed by some spaghetti.
Anita ordered a coconut shake and drank it from the coconut it self; welcome to Thailand!

After dinner (and a couple of beers) we went for a massage. Anita and I had an oil massage which was lovely.

My dad and I spent the rest of the evening discussing various ways to get a car, finance, possible transfers, subjects, insurance and so forth while Anita and Lilou were just chilling in my room until we all went to bed.

However, I did NOT sleep well.

… I spent most of the night chasing sneaky little bastards (also called mosquitoes), as I had been awoken by one little guy who had bitten me in my face (TWICE!) and my hand. I was desperate at this point as I had no tiger balm and it was itching like crazy so I decided to stay up and catch him.
However, he lived up to his name (sneaky!) and I never caught him. Many times I thought I had him, especially at once where he was trapped in the lamp, but he managed to escape each time and eventually I was too tired and went to bed… without being bitten luckily.

As we woke up today, we all went to the swimming pool, had fun, tanned and relaxed.

After that, we went out for lunch and then unfortunately my dad had to go back to Denmark.
It was a bit sad, seeing him leave.. but I guess it should be like that, because if I wasn’t sad that would be a bit weird as well.

So we spent the night just chilling, ordering pizza, eating chips and cookies in Lilou’s room while watching a movie… until we got distracted by our schedules and started comparing them. I think we all can agree that Lilou’s schedule is the worst, because she has classes till 17.30 almost everyday! What a nightmare.. it will actually be dark before she returns! Currently working on perhaps changing a subject so she can get home a bit earlier (like Anita and I.)

Anyway, tomorrow is our first real day of school and I’m off to bed.

So much love
.. I miss you all

… but I’m having a great time!

Anna  <3