Things I Will Take With Me

By the title of this post, you may think I have included the wonderful things I've acquired in Thailand that I will be taking home to America. However, this post is about something entirely opposite of things. Yes, I have acquired beautiful wooden spoons, handmade dresses, and cute drawings from my students. However, the "things" I will treasure most from Thailand are not things at all; they are emotions, ideals, and values. I'm going to try my very best to explain these intangible "things" to you all.

1. Family. I love my family; always have and always will. However, the draw of family is huge here. Most young Thai people do not move out of their parent's house until they marry. Even after they are married, they typically still live very close to their families. Everyone is involved in everyone's life in the family and raising children is truly, truly a family effort.

2. Adopting the ไม่เป็นไร (English letters= main bpen lai) lifestyle. Main bpen lai essentially means it's ok or don't worry. I can honestly say I hear this phrase at least once a day here. Everything is "main bpen lai." When I first moved here, this lackadaisical attitude frustrated me. Now, I love the freedom and flexibility this mindset has brought to me.

3. Community Mindfulness. When something is wrong here, typically at least 5 people try (in any way they can) to help and fix the problem. I feel that people really work together as communities to help each other out; whether it be with childcare or just helping to pick up money you dropped.

4. The way children are raised. Here, babies are wrapped in a blanket and their mom holds them as their dad scoots around on their motorbike their mom holds them and then DRIVES the motorbike with the other hand. I'm not saying I want this. I believe car seats and safety restraints are great tools. However, kids need so much less "stuff" here. I think there is a lot less fussing over babies here, and you know what? They turn out just fine.

5. Kid's behavior. Although kids have to study a lot more here, when they are not studying, kids are allowed to just BE. No one to watch them and make sure they get along? That's ok, they learn to solve their problems on their own. Kid doesn't have pants on? Who cares, let them be a kid!

I have also found that in general I see far less tantrums here. Generally, children seem to be much happier even though they typically have "less" than most American kids.

6. Respect for teachers. I know this is something that has to come from the students, but it's SO nice to feel valued. I will take this feeling back to America with me since we aren't respected in quite the same, but dang it feels good.

7. Cultural Traditions. My family really only has 4 or 5 big traditions we celebrate/ partake in each year. However, we don't make too big of a deal out of them. In America: If they happen, they happen, but if they don't it's ok. But, in Thailand traditions are very important each year. All families or friends come together multiple times a year to celebrate Thai traditions. Special clothing is worn, special food is eaten, traditional Thai crafts are made, and lots of time is spent preparing for these events. I love that there are so many events that unite the people.

There are so many more I can think of; but there are just some things that can not easily be put into words, too special to exactly pinpoint.