If you can speak three languages you're trilingual. If you can speak two languages you're bilingual. If you can speak only one language you're an American. ~Author Unknown

Trying to disprove the theory. I have been working on my Thai regularly and it's slowly coming along. It's always little victories, like explaining to the cab driver how to get me home or telling the people in the laundromat, "I'll be back, just getting food" or yelling to my roommates that they are totally crazy. The best part of it all is their reaction. Hearing Thai from a young farang's mouth is like having the alley cat ask you for a glass of milk in the morning. It also really helps when talking to the Mercy 2 boys. Since they day I arrived at Mercy, now almost a month and a half ago, they have always made me feel welcome. That's the beautiful thing about children, they let you in and have no expectations. I feel pretty great when I can just ask, "So what are you up to?" They smile and the go off about the fact that I haven't been to Mercy 2 in too long. I usually try to blame it on Ben and his case of being MIA, but what I really want to say is, "I want to be there, I want to spend more time with you!" The problem (apparently) is that when I come over they get so loud and rowdy and worked up. The noise disturbs the people around and their energy makes it hard for the housemoms to get them to bed. In all honesty, I would spend every day with the kids if I could. People tell me I'm a rare breed. Thank god for Ben.

Although, nothing is better than sitting outside, and having streams of children pass by, stop, say hello. A hug, a smile, and an inquisitive "tam-ah-rai?" Some just sit next to me as I type, others without a word of English point to my cell phone to play games.

But in this Bangkok heat I have officially sat here for 7 hours teaching, working, catching up with friends and even with the fan I have sweat through my clothes. While I hate to have to take back my phone, it's time for me to get in that run and get ready for another weekend in Bangkok.

((Today I looked through Jose's pictures of summer in Brattleboro - I miss you kids - hold up the fort until we all return.))

Love ABA