Soom-Saam

I'm clumsy, like this elephant that fell in a hole.

In terms of frequency, Soom-Saam, is in my top ten Thai words. It means clumsy and I say it at meals when I spill my water, at work when people comment on my latest bruises, and when I'm veer my bike off the rode while trying to read a Thai sign.

The clumsy friend who taught me this word said it will be the most useful thing my Thai vocabulary, he was right. It actually captures my essence. I've always been clumsy, but lately I've really stepped up my game. I haven't gone a whole meal without spilling in weeks. From all of my bruises you would think I either had an abusive boyfriend or didn't eat enough bananas. Neither is true.

My theory is this: just living my life in Thailand takes so much concentration that I don't have any left for simple things like not falling. By the time I go to work, come home, and feed myself, my concentration reserves all used up and I'm doomed to jam my knee in an excerisize machine.