Apartment Shopping!

The time has finally come to move out of the homestay...I am very sad but happy to be getting my own space and to be able to stay out after 9pm. We all went apartment shopping, and I served as translator...it made me realize how far my language has come, and also that I NEVER want to be a simultaneous translator..much to confusing going back and forth between two languages. But, me and the other girl on the trip, Sasha, are staying in the same building, on this cute street that has lots of shops and restaurant (like a Thai Elmwood for those of you from NY, or a Thai State Street for those from Wisconsin). The apartment is a one bedroom, with a large balcony, and the best part, an amazing pool with views of the mountains!!!! (Don't worry mom, I won't go swimming alone and drown because of a cramp like Martha Jackson). And all of this in a newly built building with 24 hour security guard (I am safe too) all for like 150 a month, (I love Thailand prices). I move in this Saturday, but I can still visit my family since they live actually inside the university, and my mom said I was welcome back any time. Nothing else much going on besides the apartment hunting and LOTS and LOTS of reading and research. But in a few weeks we are all taking a field trip to Chiang Rai (by the Golden Triangle where Opium is produced next to the Laotian border), so I will have more fun adventures soon!