So, are you sure this is really happening?

Today was a roller coaster of a day. We began early by going to a temple. I never realized how complex and large temples can be. I also find it hard to believe that there aren't any security systems around with all of the relics and gold. This was my first time being denied entry into part of a temple due to my sex and apparently asking one of the boys what was in there is also a big no no that will get you a talking to. We then went to the elephant conservation center. Imagine here the most high pitch squeal of happiness possible and make it last about a minute. That describes my elephant day. We got to pet them, observe them taking a bath, see them paint and play ball. Then there came a point in the day where a friend of mine said to me: Do you realize we are riding an elephant through a mountainous jungle in Thailand? Yeah, I got to do that and there is nothing like it to really put you in there here and now. I am not a fan of heights but I knew that it would be worth it, and I was right. We even got to sit on its back while it swam across a pond. Oh, and I bought a painting. By an elephant.
The evening was a change of pace. We had our goodbye celebration and the program made us wait three hours to hear our placement to build the suspense. I am stationed in Uttaradit. I will be working with AP English students in conjunction with a university. I leave tomorrow. I had a slight freak out today just because I was placed 1.5 hours away from Lampang and I will be stationed by myself. However, it is an honor to be placed in such a high position and maybe it will teach me to be more mai pen rai. That is the universal motto of Thailand and it means relax, go with the flow and don't worry because things will turn out fine. Well tomorrow I will be writing from my new home.