i’ve gone over in my head and out loud multitudinous times and have discovered that it is, in fact, impossible to say the above without sounding snarky. i think this is because it is a question that would rarely be asked under any other circumstances besides moments of slight shock and/or dismay.

i had to ask this very question, as a couple of days ago i went to leave on the motorbike and saw MY CHUCKS ON THE BURN PILE. wut? i sat on the bike for a couple minutes. Phu Phu, A Moe and a guest were sitting on the porch chatting. i knew that anything i did would be recounted in Pa’o/Burmese immediately in my presence. this still drives me a little crazy. so i sat there chuckling to myself, as really, they were going to burn my shoes without asking me. it is far more hilarious than aggravating. this is perhaps because i have grown accustomed to things here.

i finally decided the best course of action would be to pluck the shoes off the pile, and set them down next to it. as i drove off i called to Phu Phu, “can you not burn my shoes?” to which she replied, “mumble mumble uh mumble.” choosing to be satisfied with this, i drove off to laugh about it for an hour with Kjersti.

a couple of weeks ago, i opened my folder labeled sara, filled with teaching materials and lesson things for my time here. oh! hey folder, someone permanently deleted your entire contents. that will make for some extra work. i never mentioned it. it seemed useless as it was all already gone, and again, i preferred to laugh over the pure absurdity.

i have had a few conversations with others working and volunteering here about similar occurrences. though i will admit, mine have been by far the most ridiculous. no matter how patient you were when you arrived, unless of course you refuse to adapt, your patience will inevitably quadruple. what an unexpected bonus.

other news: 11 days. holy maracas.