This has been the first “real” week of Thai language class. After listening to a rousing rendition of Jessica’s daily affirmations on Youtube just now in the ISDSI office, i am inspired to believe that I can learn Thai and do crossfit training and hike through the mountains. Which is good, because I am and will be challenged to do all of these things over the next few days and months.  Right now, even learning the Thai alphabet seems like something nearly unattainable in the near future.  And yet, Jessica tells us otherwise. and I think she’s a pretty convincing little child in a viral video.

This morning, after a rousing game of “why is Thai so confusing?” (a game that i made up in my head that is less of a game and more of something that i think to myself as we learn about how to distinguish tones-oy vey), My Thai instructor threw a bunch of English words on the board that are different based on the consonants. e.g. dose, lose, rose are all words pronounced differently. The examples continued of exceptions to the rule that exist in the English language and I was overwhelmed.  So, needless to say, here goes learning Thai without complaints from here on out! as Jessica says, “I can do anything good.” (She also says, “I can be a sark.” but who knows what that means?