Suchawadee "Ying" Treedecha

2008-09 Inbound from Thailand

Hometown: Suphanburi, Thailand

Sponsor: Pa LaeLai Rotary Club, District 3330, Thailand

Host: Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary Club, District 6950, Florida, USA

School: Zephyrhills High School, Zephyrhills, FL

Bio

Ying's Bio

My name is Suchawadee Treedecha. My American teachers and friends told me that it sounds pretty but hard to pronounce. Therefore, it’s easier for them to call me “Ying” which is my nickname. “Ying” means lady in English. I was born on 9 of May 1992 in Bangkok, capital city of Thailand. There are 4 people in my family. My father is a supervisor. My mother is a shopkeeper. My older brother is a stage actor. And I also have 2 dogs at home. I love them very much because they give me love and care.

We live in a small town name “Suphanburi” which is full with nature and fresh air. It’s in the central part of Thailand, about 2 hour drive to Bangkok. There are many beautiful attractions in Suphanburi such as Banhan tower, buffalo village, aquarium and etc. When I have free time, I enjoy to watch television, play on the internet, listen to music especially pop-rock, hang out with friends, shopping and read books. My favorite sports are swimming, badminton, skiing, and bicycling. I’m interested in languages, singing, acting and dancing.

I’m very proud of my country because we have our unique culture, customs, and belief. As you know, foreigners like to come to Thailand because attractions (beaches, temples) and most of Thai people are very nice. We like to smile, so they called us “land of smile”.

In the future, I would like to be a travel guide or work with languages because I think work with foreigners or in foreign country is exciting and I could earn a lot of money. Furthermore, I would like to travel around the world in order to meet new things, new people, and have more experiences.

Well, I have been in Florida for a month. I have lived with Clarence and Lea, who are very great, in Zephyrhills. I feel like they are my family and I love them. Moreover, I would like to thank Laurie who is my counselor district 6950 and also Al, who gave me a very warm welcome. At the moment, I am studying in grade 11 in Zephyrhills High School. I take 6 subjects which are Algebra2, English3, Marine Science, American History, Chorus and dance.

First of all, I am very glad I came here as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student because it’s a good opportunity for me to improve my English, exchange culture, have more friends, can make me more confident, active and fluent in English.

By the way, I promise I will be an outstanding youth exchange student and I have enjoyed Florida so far.

October 21 Journal

Time passed so quickly - almost 3 months. It has been accurately what I expected. Everything seems fantastic to me except my weight (lol). I have done many things I haven’t done before. For example, rode on the school bus, ate bunches of foods, went to church, play tube, ski, saw a very big match of baseball, etc.

It’s about 2 months in school and I have enjoyed school so far. I ride on the school bus in the morning and in the afternoon almost every single day. It’s a good experience though. What I have learned from school is not difficult for me at all, especially mathematics. I’m proud I got very good grades in every subject. Anyway, I have a lot of homework and I have to work hard and I won’t give up. I’ll do my best.

At the moment, I have a lot of friends who always laugh and enjoy with me. Even though some of them talk real fast and like to make fun of me, I still like them. My school starts at 7.30 A.M. and finishes at 1.55 P.M. The symbol of Zephyrhills High School is “Bulldog”. The beginning of the first period, we need to turn on the TV and someone says, “Good morning ZHS please stand for the pledge.” Then everyone stands up with their hands on their heart’s place and says, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to republic for which is stands one nation under god, indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all.” And then there are some announcement and information. This week is Homecoming Week so teachers and students can wear something special.

About food, there are many good American fast food restaurants such as Wendy’s, Subway, KFC, Pizza Hut and more. Moreover, there are many other restaurants such as Thai restaurants, Chinese, Mexican. Oh! It’s very yummy so I’m not surprised why I’ve gained a lot of weight. In the other hand, my parents often make healthy, tasty foods for me. And I want to cook Thai food for them someday, though I’m not very good at cooking.

I have some things to do every weekend, some I can remember but some I can’t.

I did many things last weekend because I have 4 days off. First day, I went to Orlando, which is about one and a half hour where I live. Next day, my friends came over to my house and spent a night to think about dance routine. I had a lot of fun.

In Tampa, there is an amusement park named “ Busch Gardens”. I went there 2 weeks ago, it’s so awesome. Hopefully, I will go there again with other exchange students in my district. From 17 of October to 1 of November, there is a special thing for Halloween called “Hallo Scream”. I’m sure we will have terrific time.

I can say now that I love Florida because of my host family, nice weather, attractions and people. By the way, I believe I will have more fabulous time here and maybe I won’t go back home (lol).

You will here from me pretty soon!

Bye