Time, an Interesting Phenomenon

     Well I'm just lying here in bed, on the last night of my stay with the Suadongloy family. Now, I like to think of myself as somewhat of an optimist, but I still can't keep myself from thinking more and more of my departure date, and how rapidly it's approaching… Thinking about that sure doesn't put a smile on my face.  
     Don't get me wrong, I really do miss Canada, my friends, family, food, weather and so on and so on, but I know it will be there when I get back. Thailand isn't. My life here is finite, and that's a rather somber thought. I knew very well getting into this how long my journey was to last, and that at some point, I would have to hop back on a plane, and return to 'reality'.  But damn it sucks knowing when that actually is, and realizing how damn close it is. 4 months are all that I have left, which, at any other point in my life (especially during school) would seem like ages, but here, you sneeze and BAM. Another month just passed. 
     The hardest part of all of this time slipping away though, is that I'm not using it right now. I can't very well. My Thai friends are all off in other cities studying, I'm not allowed to travel without Rotary or my family, both of whom have other responsibilities than just me, so aren't exactly able to just take me out on a whim. I have no school, and all the sports or activities in Thai cities (smaller ones anyways) are also done through the currently closed school. I'm finding it really tough to keep busy. My days have become monotonous and repetitive, and there is nothing new. I love my exchange friends that I am spending the majority of my time with now, but I just wish we could really get out and DO something together, instead of go to Carol's and chill, or go to the river and chill, or go to Kokoro and chill. If you know me at all, you know I like to be active. That doesn't necessarily mean I need to run 1000kms every day though. It just means that sitting around for the majority of my day is actually quite taxing for me, mentally and physically. I find myself dead tired in the afternoons lately, partly because it's stupid hot here, but also just the lack of stimulation can be really draining, and my brain just goes into a lulled state.  
     I'm on our Summer Break right now, and have about another month and a half before school starts up again, during which time I will be heading on a 10 day trip to the south of Thailand with Rotary, which is supposed to be a spectacular time. I'm reeeally looking forward to that. but that still leaves me with another 35+ days to putter about and find something to do. It would be incredible if I could get out and do a bit more travelling on my own during the break, but Rotary here seems to be quite against that. So that still leaves me with aout 35+ days to putter about. I love my city and all, but it's not very big, and doesn't have a heck of a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. When I change host families, I will hopefully be starting Muay Thai up again, which is an absolute blast, but that depends on my situation with my next family, whether they're okay with it or not, and if it conflicts with my family's schedules at all. Okay… so there's 2 hours killed 5 days a week. That's still a lot of free time left over. What do I do??? Sure, I could pick up crocheting or stamp collecting to occupy myself, but I have all the time in the world to diversify my hoards of stamps when I return to Canada. I need to do things here that are, at least to an extent, unique to Thailand. That's why I came here. I didn't travel 13,000 kms around the world to perfect my knitting needlecraft with just a change of scenery. I do have a few things left on my list of 'To Do's' but they are dwindling quickly, and I think I  am only about a Thai massage (which I regretfully have yet to experience) and a dip in the River away from exhausting my ideas. 
Just let me get on a bus and go explore, or let me pack my bag, don my hikers and climb mountains and traverse rivers. Please! Heck, I would even love to put on an apron and learn how to cook Thai food, however none of that seems terribly likely to happen. 

Much Love,
William Cole

      PS Finally, as I gutlessly said I would post ages ago, here are a couple pictures from the trip. Some of the most important people in my exchange year. Wouldn't be the same without you guys. 

My fellow exchangers on Valentine's Day. Love 'em all!

Some of the Fam Jam on Chinese New Year. จะคิดถึงทุกคน!