What a start to 2009...

Hello all. Happy New Year to everyone. I hope everyone enjoyed the celebration, because I know that I did. It is strange that I got to see 2009 before everyone else back home. On New Year's eve, Till threw a party on top of the roof of his apartment building which is a sweet setup. I can say that I now have a total hatred for scotch, but a great time was had by all. There ended up being about 20 of us on the roof, and thank GOD I met with some other teachers that live in the building. Two were from the U.S., one from Canada, and two were from the UK. It was nice to be able to talk with people in my own language because at times I don't think the Thai people understand that I don't READ, WRITE, or SPEAK THAI! They will rattle off something in Thai and then look at me with this "you know what I am saying" look and all I can do is laugh. Anyway, it is quite the learning experience and I am enjoying every minute of it.
After the countdown we watched some fireworks and it is funny to see how crazy Thai people get when they see fireworks. Then a couple of the other teachers and I went to this club called "Barbie" and watched this band play songs that we cannot understand and finally made it home at about 4am. While at the club, I was using the bathroom and right before I started to pee these two gentlemen started giving me and my friend massages while we are trying to pee. I could only laugh because I have never felt more uncomfortable than I did being massaged by a complete strange while "rope-in-hand." Then while washing my hands I got my back and my neck cracked and figured that for the entertainment it was worth giving the two men 20 baht (about 60 cents) and they then bowed as if I had given them the gift of life.
On the 2nd of January I flew to Chiang Mai to visit a friend until the 8th and we are having a great time. However, she picked me and my giant suitcase up from the airport on her scooter and basic physics told me that there is no way this is going to work. However, we pulled it off, and although we make it safe and sound to any destination that we travel, I am always a little worried because she drives like a bat out of Hades. On my first ight here we met up with some of her friends and they said they would talk to some people they know that hire teachers if I was ever interested in teaching in Chiang Mai. I am so thankful for the connections I have made in my short time here. One of them is actually from France so I really had to change my opinion about them (at least this one) overall (I kinda always though of them to be a*******). Although the time has been fun, Jom is another one that thinks I have the ability to read and speak Thai as she told me to go to the Internet cafe as she continued to get ready. Let me just say that I ended up walking around for about 45 minutes before I got a call from here wondering how I was able to get lost. I have no idea. Again, maybe it is because I do not READ, WRITE, or SPEAK Thai:) Anwyay, I thought you would like these stories even though I have written a lot. I continue to have a lot of fun and am enjoying the experience. However, at all the clubs I have been taken to, if I have to hear about apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur, baggy sweat pants, reeboks with straps and some "dude" named Flo Rida givin' a big bootie a smack, I am just gonna snap! Hahaha, but seriously. Well, that is about it. I appreciate all of the comments from people. I am really enjoying this blog so far so please keep it up. Until next time, keep livin' the dream.