It's really hard being an exchange student "in waiting". I will leave for a far away land, where Emerald Buddha's, "Mai Phen Rai" is the phrase of the day, and Thom Yam beckons — a place where people speak a language that I can barely utter a few words in. Even though I haven't left yet for this exciting experience so many of you have already enjoyed, I still am constantly flooded with many emotions and thoughts all of the time. What will my host family be like? What will Thai school sound like? Will I be able to get over the inevitable homesickness? Will I be able to get on the plane in Spokane to leave?
It's exhausting, too. Trying to get all of my ducks in a row - making sure I'll be able to go to college when I get back, making sure all of my high school credits are completed, making sure I get to my after-school job on time. But the way my heart skips a beat when I hear someone say "Thailand", and the way I was so exhilarated when I received an e-mail from my first host mom, and the way I think about learning about an ancient eastern culture. I just know this is the right thing for me. So that's why when I learn something new about Thailand, or my family, or Phanat Nikhom (my soon-to-be-city), I can't understand why my brother rolls his eyes out of boredom, or my friend in English class smiles sickly-sweet and says unconvincingly, "That's great, Zac!". I can't understand why they aren't as preoccupied with this, as I am.
So days go by, and I grow more excited and more nervous of that foreboding date - August 2nd, when I will pack up in America and, shortly, unpack in Siam. And as the days go by, I realize I've already started my journey and I've already started to move my thoughts mostly to Thailand, and the only people who seem to be moving along with me are my friends who are, will be, or were exchange students. I'm starting to see the curious and overwhelming bond that connects us all. I hope you hang on with me throughout my journey - not unlike the one you've also taken.