For example g as in chicken and g as in elephant...

You must be wondering...WHAT is she talking about. Well long story short we had our first day of Thai writing today and the teacher said that exactly. You may not understand because it is actually the thai words for chicken which is gaye and elephant which is chang. Anyways he said it in english in our class and Marit and I couldn't stop laughing...sort of a funny story to start an interesting day.
TOMORROW is going to be the true test of my thai language knowledge. I have to speak thai for four minutes straight about myself. Try talking about yourself in English for four minutes and then tell me that it isn't hard. Point taken. Anyways today in oral thai class we had to present our speach in front of the class to practice. Most people were not prepared but I was because I have been working on it all weekend (mostly because my host father is one of the professors grading the speeches). I am not sure I can remember anything that I have prepared but at this point I want to say screw it and move on.
Well then we headed to the Buddhist university after lunch. Most times the monks are scared and won't come to chat with us but this time there was a monk for every person there (6). We each got to interview them for a period of time. My monk was very interesting and we ended up talking about buddhism for three hours. Needless to say I am going to become a buddhist. The things he said were so incredible. I thought I knew a lot about Buddhism but there is so much more that I didn't know. I could write a book about this monk. He wants to be a monk his whole life and has been one since he was 15. He almost speaks english perfectly and can describe his religion in english which is a feat because I couldn't describe my anything in english.
he talked about having freedom in Buddhism and how that draws him into the religion, but also that he believes in a God but his god doesn't act for him (which I tend to agree with). He says that what is within your mind and body is what coutns and acting with loving kindness is the most important part of living buddhism. He TOLD me I was already buddhist and that living in the way of the buddha is to not idolize him but learn from the great teacher. He said Buddha is not a god, he is someone to look up to and model our lives after him but mostly have self realization within our own hearts. A lot of this rings true in Christianity and he said you can be any religion and be buddhist.
I want you all to experience what I experienced today. Which in fact was true loving kindness and the absence of judgement. As a foreigner this man opened up to me in a way that comes straight from his heart. That was probably the most truth I have heard in a long time. I know I can't be perfect and there is suffering but there is also understanding and that is the most important part to understanding life.
It is so great that I have this opportunity to talk with these people because they admit that there are questions out there but don't look outside to solve them because the answer lies within yourself. The power is within you.
Anyways it was a good day and I can't wait to chat some more tomorrow!!!
Aubs