what is your dream?

The soft golden light twinkled as the plug adjusted in the socket. As his eyes became soft and distant, he chose his words very slowly and carefully.

"In high school, my mom told me to move from Ubon Ratchathani to Sukhothai.  Sukhothai was cheaper, she said. Go finish your studies there.

So I moved. I had no money, no friends, nothing. I started over in Sukhothai. I worked hard and saved because I really wanted to go to University.

During University, I had an English class in a huge lecture hall with many classmates. I didn't speak any English. I was just a poor boy from Isan. One day in class, the teacher asked some of us to come speak in front of the class. He had the prompt 'What is your dream?' displayed on the board.

Of course, I got chosen to speak. I nervously walked to the front of the room and looked out at all the staring faces.  I started to speak and immediately began crying. My face was displayed on a projector for everyone to see. I was so embarrassed, I ran out of the class.

I went home and decided that I wanted nothing to do with University and learning. I packed my bags and ran away to Chiang Mai to stay with my friend. I felt so lonely, poor, and stupid in Sukhothai that I didn't want to go back.

My teacher noticed my absence from the class. He called me while I was still in Chiang Mai and asked where I was. I don't fully remember what he said to me on that day, but he convinced me to come back to school.

From that day forward, I was determined to learn English. I didn't want to feel that shame again. I had been forced to learn how to be independent and I wanted to be able to travel to America and study there. I went to If You Want Hostel and asked them if I could work for free so that I could learn English. I made the beds, cleaned the toilets, did the dishes, all for free. I hung out with foreigners and sometimes slept at the hostel. I had no money but I wanted to learn.

Being in the army has given me a strong heart, but now I want a strong IQ. I want to study in America, make money, and then take it back to Thailand for my family. I don't know if I can do this, but it is my dream."