I got a phone called from my boss early morning asking if I would like to be an interpreter for the medical site survey in Prachinburi. As I was available and since I had rejected him for a few times earlier, I couldn't say more 'NO'.

The deal was I would meet up with the team at Banyan Tree Hotel, one of the most luxurious hotels in Bangkok, and perhaps in Asia. Then we would have some meeting in Bangkok and take the van to Prachinburi for another meeting.

8.45 AM? No problem. I woke up at 5 checking stuff again to make sure I would forget nothing, especially my dictionaries. Usually it should be 1-1.30 hr to arrive Sathorn area, but since it would be an important start of my career, I could not be any second late.

I left home before 7, waiting for taxi for almost 20 minutes. Awww....bad sign started... I looked at my luggage, there was no way I could make it in time getting on the bus or taxi now. Motorcycle taxis were offering some help. Right, I had no other choice...

'How much to Banyan Tree?' I asked while making the final decision whether or not to get on the fastest vehicle I could find at the moment.

'120 Baht. This is not expensive, or you will be late,' I guessed the driver knew I was in my hurry. Of course, who would travel by motorcycle with such a big bag and some more thick books???

'Well, the problem is not with money, just I am not sure if I could carry all these things worrying I will have no hand to grab the motorbike firmly. I don't want any accident you know'.

'It is ok, I will not drive fast,' he confirmed this before handing me a stink helmet. 'Please wear this, I don't want to be arrested by police'.

I thought to myself: Great! By the time I arrive the hotel, I would smell like I haven't washed my hair since I was born!

Amazingly with all stuffs I had and with the distance and terrible traffic, the guy sent me to the hotel by 25 minutes. I thought I took my personal jet there!

'Do you want to comb your hair? You can use my mirror,' NICE! The offer implied me there would be something wrong about my look. I spent a few minutes to calm myself down after seeing a monster in the mirror. NO! It was not a demon, it was me who was supposed to create the first impression with my new co-workers...well, new bosses more like.

'It is ok, I can just check myself at the hotel bathroom, thank you. Here's your 120 baht,' I told the motorbike guy while giving him money.

'Can I have 140 baht? I have to check my tires, you know. Your bag is so heavy and I feel like my tires are flat,' there he goes... I already expected something like this.

'Whatever,' I have no energy to bargain or anything.

I called my POC (Point of Contact) as soon as I finished disguising myself to be a human again. He sounded kind and could also speak some Thai, so I felt a bit relieved.

8.40 AM my sweat hand was shaken by 2 representatives from the US Air National Guard, and one from JUSMAG.

'Are you fluent in medical terms?' there I was shot to death... what could be my answer?

1. Yes and smile --> then I cannot fail anything...which is impossible as I cannot even name 32 organs of my body!

2. Not really (still smile) --> gradually let them know I have done lots of things but not medical stuff yet. Also guarantee them that I will try my best (and my friends already pray for me!)

3. No (and make sure they will smile back) --> this might be another option to consider. Better be honest than let them find out by themselves later that I am totally useless.

Even though my team was good, understanding and patient, I still couldn't help feeling depressed. Difficult and unfamiliar terminologies were used as soon as we met Thai representatives (in both Bangkok and Prachinburi). I told myself this could be the end of my career. I felt sorry for my team... they shouldn't have wasted money to hire me indeed. Oh well, in fact things were not that bad. I was only being exaggerated... (No, she is speaking the truth --> my team would say if they read this ;) )

Anyway, we managed to have some good time after work. We visited an Air Force Museum and took some pictures. No doubt the picture of me above is taken behind the children's stuff...yes, I am short, so I don't have to kneel down :p

We also got to stay at the resort ... which I have a story to write down here. As soon as I stepped my foot into the hotel room located in the middle of the quiet Khao Yai National Park (in fact the team and I already discussed it was like they were only four of us staying at the hotel as it was so unnaturally dark, quiet, and unnaturally dark again one more time!), I was freaked out by the Buddhist bible sitting on my bed... why the heck did they place it there??? I mean what kind of hotel to prepare such a thing for customers??? This had to imply something...and at that minute it could not be anything positive for me... yes, it reminded me of ghosts... Thai belief you know.... awww.... I just had to turn the lights on all night....right, the light I needed the most didn't work too (the one near my bed) and plus... others that worked were just so barely working...some had some strange sounds when you switched them on. And my room number was 113!. Good number! (there were four of us: 3 from USA and me and since I knew that they kind of having negative ideas about the number, I just was being devoted by offering to stay in that room...and this is what I deserve for being good????? LOL... I was stupid again it seemed!)