What do I do out here?

I have averaged that question one time per day for the past 2 weeks and many more times before leaving. It is a very simple, and completely un-irritating, question that I would probably ask any one who packed up and went 15,000 miles away. So, all anger aside, I will do my best to answer the question without making myself sound like too much of a snob.

Most of my time during my first week here were full of Basic Operating Procedures for anyone who settles down into a new city. Now I have moved quite a few times, and a few times to different cities/states, but never out of country...so that adds an interesting twist and inconvenience to the whole settling-in phase. So initially I was spending my days doing the tedious duties: opening a bank account; searching for a place to live; activating a phone service; meeting with clients NGOs lawyers and a few friends; getting a monthly pass for railway(BTS); and doing random things in between there to keep my sanity(massages, manicures, facials, good food, lying on blogs). From my experiences of moving, I know that it is stressful and tiresome for the initial part of the move. Especially when moving to a new city, there are always those times where you may spend wondering what to do or may spend a meal alone, but this is such a great displeasure because it forces us into finding out more about oursevles and jump out of our comfort zone.

Now since my first week is clearly over, I have been fortunate to settle in and starting to feel like somewhat of a native--besides of course the white skin, facial hair, US passport, completely different language, lack of knowledge of the city, lack of knowledge of etiquette(you cant point ur toes at anyone here!), 6'1" frame that towers over many(pronounced mini)-people, and so many other very noticeable differences. I have been very warmly accepted by the locals and by the migrants. Thailand is known as "The Land of Smiles"; at a very young age the individuals are taught to smile at all times when talking with someone, no matter the level of anger or uncomfort. Now some people would try to get them to break that smile, like tourists tease the British gaurds at the gate of Royal quarters, but many tourists often find themselves smiling right along with them. It is exciting to see so much love and positive energy in a country flooded with poverty, curruption and crime. It is certainly an inspriing time for myself, to give up a sense of time and greed and money, and fall into the locals' way of life.

I have been fortunate to meet some great people here. Several international models have been kind enough to take me around with them on trips to eat, beach, yoga, nightlife or just tell me stories about other parts of the world. Thailand is the hub of SE Asia, so hundreds of Euros and Russian models flock to here each year to get a piece of the rice cake. Also, I have teamed up with a very kind and knowledgable group of lawyers, which I met during my last visit and have worked with several times a week during my time away from the country. We are currently working on a highly public case regarding a migrant from communist china who has lost his migrant status and is being deported next friday unless our appeal is strong enough. I was very fortunate to write the draft appeal, because of my knowledge of English writing and arguementive capabilities, and we are also releasing press for his case to gain even more public attention this week. The case has been published in the NY Times, Washington Post and of course every major medium out here.

I have started teaching English to the refugees who are here seeking a better way of life, free from oppression and violence in their home country. It is one of the nicer things I have done for myself and for others, giving them a chance to compete in a struggling economy and difficult market--English is the second language in many places, so having the ability to conversate in English makes them more marketbale...aka more MONEY HONEY. No money, No honey.

I am also volunteering at an orphanage. I will be going on a somewhat regular basis and so far it is exciting working with these children who have been kicked to the curb by their families. Whether it be because of death, poverty, rape, or pure chance...these kids have an unusually positive attitude towards there horrible living conditions.

Modeling out here is very different, in so many ways. Where I used to get MAYBE 2 castings a week, I am now getting 3-5 per day. Jobs are abbundant here; however, they are all low paying. Simliar to how NY clients would travel to surrounding states to find cheaper models, Asian clients seek models from Thailand because of the low wages that most models are paid down here. Now low wages, in the modeling world, is still by no means untolerable, but it is interesting to see the way that economy affects so many things in this industry. It is positive for myself, I am given the opportunity to get paid to go to amazing cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and Korea on a regular basis. I hope that the clients have the same enthusiasm towards me as I do towards them though, haha.

Other than that, I am still finding time to learn the language, work out, yoga and enjoy the great people I have met thus far. I will not go on such a bragging/talking streak in future blogs, but I suppose this was my one chance. Howd I do? haha (losing followers as we speak).

I wish you all well and appreciate you all for reading.

Checkmate