Hi Michele & Welcome--
(I'm new around here too.

)
Well, NYC is a looooong way from Bangkok, but a few years ago my brain was allergic to learning French or Italian 101 (even though they
are part of my heritage). So, I hopped a one-way flight to Thailand with Grand Plans to learn how to cook spicy yummy Thai food instead. However, I was not clever enough to (bother to) learn a few phrases, or pronunciation tips, or even memorize basic numerical characters.
After living there for a year, I now have a Kon Thai (family) with whom I write to & speak a very peculiar hybrid of "Thai-glish." And they LOVE it.
You *already* have a strong command of English, Michele. Keep posting & you'll do AWESOME!