how sweet it is to be in suphan

Suphanburi, I see you through new eyes this semester. I newly appreciate you and living within you for the following reasons:

1. The Morning Runs. Nicki and I have gotten some sense knocked into us and realized that duh, it's too hot to be outside exercising in the afternoon after school, and no wonder I could never force myself to go running when I sweat so much it stings my eyeballs. You know when the nicest temperature is in Suphan? at 6:00am, when the vicious sun has been absent for a solid 10 hours. upgrade, exercising routine!
2. The Seasonal Fruits. to be fair, the fruits here have always been incredible (ahh remember mango season?) but right now it's mangosteen/lychee/rambutin season, and this season rules. hard.
3. The Speaking of Thai. now that I've been making concerted, legitimate efforts to learn thai language, I'm finding whole new ways to love suphan. which is, of course, talking to the people here! Having even halfway decent conversation is so much more fun because I get to know more thai people (who are awesome, in general) and because I continually improve my thai. and keep my brain alive by learning a new language. it's an all-around wonderful situation.
4. Banyah the Coffee Lady. this awesome woman named Banya owns the cutest coffee place in town, just down the street from the school where I teach, and she's not only a badass person in general, she makes a mean cup of iced coffee, kicks it with all the foreigners, helps teach me thai, and last night, took a bunch of us out to her favorite fancy restaurant in her tricked-out black truck. 
5. Ban Loke! the world cup! Its existence is giving me and everyone else reason to support random countries, drink beer and actually learn the freaking rules to soccer (because it's about time). What a great month of smack-talk and big-screen sports.