on the 22nd sept 2008, i made history by stepping out of my comfort zone into something unexpecting. a whole new life, new place, new journey ahead of me, in Bangkok, for 4 damn months.

this, 'back door coffin', will be a familiar hangout for me to rant out my thoughts daily, if possible.

and so we (4 others) touched-down at around 11.33am bangkok time. things we're a lil messy but we got it all in place. it was a delight to be told that my isolation only starts on wednesday, meaning i have 2 godforsaken days with them in NSTDA DORMITORY, northern bangkok.

but what disappoints me the most was when pee ying told me that i look like a thai. not a surprise but coming from a thai, it became a talk of the day.

we soon headed to Thammasat University canteen for lunch, which technically means, staring at my buddies eating. then off to our dorms.

then a brief orientation around Thailand Science Park after we settled some paperwork.

following which, we were handed over to our respective supervisors, but temporary supervisors for me and daniaal due to various reasons.

i was introduced to pee (elder sis) rainee, she showed me around and we chatted for a bit. they(thais) are pretty nice and shy people actually. never fail to put a smile in their faces. then i have to observe her as she was trying to classify a meristematic tissue of oil palm so that she can propagate it. but the irony is that, she somehow told me, there is no meristematic tissue in the sample she collected. she only did that for results sake.

at 5pm, she told me to rest at my dorm. i took a long walk back to the dorm with a pair of tired legs.

at 6.05pm, daniaal and i had mineral drink for buka. then we kinda shop for necessities. its funny how we pull through despite the language barrier. ahhh. i spent 249 baht for snacks.

then all five of us head for dinner, at Thammasat University canteen. at least 20 mins walk from the dorm.

i rushed to the only muslim stall. seriously, the food didn't look appealing at all. plus they are all cold. but we had no other options. i had rice and a few things. the 'only thing' i recognised was the egg. it all costed me 28 baht. and 5 baht for a bottle of ice tea.

we then dropped by the 7 eleven after the first meal in thailand. apparently the language barrier get the better of us. i bought a chewing gum that costed 10 baht. okay, everythings fine. i paid for it and she spoke some thai to me and i knodded. and yes, apparently i do look like a thai afterall, can't blame her. then i walked off with my buddies. as soon as i step out of the door, she called us back (in thai). she was showing me her index finger and speaking some thai which i know shit about. i thought i didn't pay enough, or one of us stole something. we tried to walk away, but she chased us. pointing to some box near the exit. Alden took the liberty to really look at it and saw 1-for-1 and some thai shit. and he took it and said "oh! buy one get one free lar! i thought she scold or what sia!" and she smiled. we said thank you and laughed.

went back, had some long sweet shower. prayed and here i am. waking up at 4am bangkok time for sahur tomorrow morning and work starts at 9am. have to attend some forum in thai. and then do some subculturing in the afternoon.

oh yar, there's alot of stray dogs here barking. i feel like a bangla longing for home.

so long not goodnight.