"What is you favorite thing about living in America?" "Swim." How many of you would seriously count swimming as the favorite thing about your country? No, that has to come straight from the mouth of someone who'd never had the luxury before moving here. From someone who is grateful just to be in America and... Continue Reading →
Because Renee had a song stuck in her head and a little too much down time while playing goalie in soccer (sung to the tune of "Some Nights" by FUN): "Some nights I go eat food right off the street Some nights I want to throw up Some nights I wake up having diarrhea Some... Continue Reading →
(After a week of absolute busyness, I finally had a free day to sit down and write a post. Sorry for the wait. Thanks for bearing with me.) Let me preface this post by saying that if you have never before played the game "Quelf," you should get on that. I was first introduced to... Continue Reading →
Design to completion of my first tattoo. Final product. Copyright Renee Rhodes. July 7, 2013. So I have ink permanently drawn on my skin. In the shape of a raven. Done with a bamboo stick. In Thailand. Suffice to say, I'm feeling pretty cool. Per the suggestion of my good friend, I designed the tattoo... Continue Reading →
When I think of Bangkok, I can't help but quote my favorite musical "Chess." The song is catchy and fun and paints the picture of a beautiful city, despite it's shortcomings. I don't know if it molded my expectations at all, but only one line from the song really stuck true to my experience. "One... Continue Reading →
I would be lying if I said that my trip to Thailand wasn't – in part – an attempt to escape West Texas. It wasn't the whole reason. And it wasn't an escape like the kind I talked about in my post "Escape to Atlantis". I just needed a reprieve from the dull, rolling plains... Continue Reading →
Meet Lima. Lima lives in a tree near one of refugee camps in the mountains of Mae Hong Son. She hates cameras. Point a phone or camera at her and she'll screech and try and grab it away. Mainly it's the flash, but she is completely unwilling to get to know you. The first time... Continue Reading →
While showing me several video clips on YouTube, my Chinese friend Karen asked me if I like bubble shows. Lately, she's been showing me all of her favorite Thai, Chinese, and Taiwanese dramas and introducing me to some of the actors she likes. "You think he's cute, yeah?" she'll ask. Of course, I'll agree. It's... Continue Reading →
Shoes come off upon arrival, sandals slip off at the door. Heels hit hard on tile, feet flat to the floor. Shoes are considered the lowest part of the body in Thailand and it is a huge disrespect to wear any shoe within a school, church, or personal residence. Many salons and shops also require... Continue Reading →
(For the record, this was meant to post a week ago, but I was sick and the internet was down. So here it is now. It made a lot more sense a week ago. Because now I've already progressed a lot more. But I wrote it. So I'm posting it.) While I'm here, I intend... Continue Reading →
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