End of first stay in Bangkok

Wrote this a bit ago, but can just post 2/23/12
So here I am again at the airport. So hard to believe I've already been in Bangkok for 10 days, and gone from home 2 weeks! Time has just been flying by as I've been keeping very busy here, which is also why I'm so behind on writing about what I've been up to.  (Well, that and I'm verbose).
Okay so I'm going to work backward rather than pick up where I left off.
Yesterday I had my very first Thai Massage. It was an hour and a half long for an exorbitant cost of 180 baht ($6). They started with a lovely foot and leg massage that was greatly appreciated by my poor abused feet, then they worked on your back. I admit it wasnt exactly what I had expected; I'm guessing I'm more familiar with Swedish massage which is more rubbing, whereas Thai massage seems to involve more pressing. I was glad I'd had a chance to pamper before the 3 hours on my feet, or in cramped quarters while carrying my backpack on the way to the airport then standing in line. Ugh! So Sick of lines!!!
Before that I had gone to this huge, beautiful mall with Joann, where she had a return visit she needed to make. This mall is really something. In the middle of the food court they have a waterfall! They also have numerous other water features, some with fish, and these charming little bridges over them. In one spot they had large trees with twinkling blue lights and BIRDS! A few were in a large cage, but most of the Macaws were just out, sleeping on their tree. This mall was really something else! Apparently they have a whole waterpark on the roof that Alanna says we'll have to go to one day - it's free to those with an M Card (seems to be some kind of expat coupon card). The food court was something too. They had the normal restaurant stalls, but they also had what was like a street market inside. It was fun to walk through it with someone who had been here in Thailand a while as Joann could identify most of the things I hadnt a clue about-and could ask when she didnt know. I sampled the local icecream, the one had jackfruit in it, another was coconut and the third, believe it or not, had corn and red beans and jackfruit - they use beans in a number of their desserts here. I hadn't exactly planned on sampling the last, but when the lady handed me the spoon it seemed rude not to. Surprisingly enough it was my favorite of the three!
It was also just so spectacular going around with Joann because she is so good about witnessing to pretty much anybody that seems nice. She also taught me a few lines in Thai to improve my witnessing, and to be extra polite and respectful.
We did this as the end to our morning of witnessing, having met at the hall at 9 since we have CO this week - Man was my side trip to Kuala Lumpur poorly timed! But at least I was able to get one meeting and one day out in field service with them. And what a lovely morning it was, though I'll admit Im very seriously considering going by Lou since Kendal seems to be very hard for Thai speakers (most ask like Candle?) -the CO and all who met out repeated it about 10 times trying to help the CO get it.  Though then Terry was teasing that he'd introduce me as Lulu after I had stated I'm not a Lulu! Said I'd then just have to learn Thai in order to correct him.
But in the morning I worked out with a lovely Japanese sister named Chiaka. She knows a bit of English and I know a bit of Thai so we were able to generally know what the other was talking about - though we occasionally had to seek assistance from Alanna, Terry or Iku :) The plus was a picked up a few more Thai words and even a couple Japanese. The people we spoke with all seemed very nice to me (though admittedly I understand only a little Thai so I'm mostly going on faces and body language). Chiaka got at least one lady she's planning on calling back on who had an interest in learning what happens when we die. And I also got a lady who said I could call back anytime, but especially to try on Saturday or Sunday because she feels her son might be interested in learning more (she accepted a tract, invitation and mags, but says she herself is very busy; hm, now where have I hears that before...). We worked very close to the Kingdom Hall, so we actually walked the whole time, which I enjoy even though yesterday was quite hot.( Last night after the massage I finally bought an umbrella to block the sun when Im out, since it really does help. It has these two cute little bears on it and I was worried it might be inappropriate for field service, but Alanna said that at one point one of the brothers had an umbrella with Elmo and Cookie Monster on it!) I very much enjoy field service here. I feel like I can really help, the people are typically so sweet though I know I must be so hard to understand, and all the friends are just so encouraging and helpful.
Here I have to share a funny little language faux pas I made. I was trying to be good and use my Thai, and so after saying hi to a young Thai brother I asked how he was. Except I forgot to use the question word. So rather than asking how he was I said Im fine, to which he said (and Alanna translated) I didnt ask. Realizing my mistake I felt like such a duh, and apparently turned a bright shade of red, which Ray Watt, the brother, thought was hilarious (because apparently Thai people dont blush, or at least turn red), but also felt bad (I must have been Very red) so was apologizing and telling me to try again, whereupon I asked in English, which he answered perfectly, rotten boy :p It was fine though. I'll certainly be remembering to use Mai (the question word) from now on!
Let's see now, Tuesday night was meeting, which I had prepared for with Alanna and Terry on Monday night. They had even helped me to get together a comment in Thai for the Service Meeting part where we discussed the scriptures in Psalms and Mark. I'd been practicing it, but then there was some confusion as to when to raise my hand (they only read the first few verses, but then commented on all of it) so missed my opportunity to use my carefully prepared comment :( So Alanna, feeling bad, gave me her comment written out phonetically (though in Aussie), which I gave, but was so flustered by this point that I believe the only word understood by the conductor was Atitarn: Prayer.There is nothing like trying to learn a new language and comment in it to make you feel like a two year old babbling incomprehensively :) Still the brothers are again so very kind and encouraging.  It was funny because I had also commented last week, Alanna having found and written out a comment for me, and I had been surprised at the length, later remarking to Terry I'd been hoping for me of a Ya Ho Wah type comment, but he said for those questions theres always a sea of hands :) (I would say most of the congregation are foreign, the majority of which are Japanese.)
Before the meeting I stretched my painting skills (or lack thereof lol) along with Alanna, Terry and Beam (A Thai brother; Yes a nickname) who have been working to repaint a sister's house damaged by the flood. Hard work on a hot day, but had a lovely time, and of course Im always delighted to help a Sister, and as her father is not in the truth I dont doubt its a good witness. The painting was a little tricky (esp for a perfectionist like me) because it was like working with glue! But in the time I was able to learn more about Buddhism and local cultures, and over lunch, a real treat, we learned how Beam came into the truth. Its so extraordinary to me because were the same age but he is the only one in his family who is a Witness - and a regular pioneer and ministerial servant at that! - and he is truly always witnessing. He had walked with a group of us back to Thep Tonee late one evening, and we turn around to find Beam witnessing to our security guard! Terry told me he had at one point helped at Bethel and theyd invited him to stay, but he said he'd miss the ministry too much.