Life's for the living, so live it, or you're better off dead

These past 10 months have been the most exhilarating, exciting, scariest, and emotional experiences of my life.  I have changed in ways I never thought possible, experienced the bests and worsts and have truly grown into a better person.  Thailand has been a rollercoaster of a ride.  It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave this place I have fallen in love with and have called home.  This decision did not come lightly, nor quickly, but opportunities have risen and it is with much emotion, my time here has come to an end.  I know I will be back to the land of smiles, but what is life without an adventure.  That being said, I start a new chapter in my life, moving to Ho Chi Minh City, old Saigon, Southern Vietnam.  I never thought I would move to Vietnam, but life has a way of surprising you.  This time last year, I was starting to get rid of all my belongings, fit my whole life into suitcases, and embark on whirlwind of a journey to Thailand, and I never would have imagined

just how life changing that would be.

Although I have chosen to leave 2 months shy of a year and before the term ends, the time has come for me to experience a new adventure.  Even though I am leaving, I will greatly miss my wonderful students past and present that have taught me to do 1000 things at one time all while pulling fighting kids off each other.  I have learned as much from them as they have from me, like I can be as obnoxious and eccentric as possible, belt out Disney songs, and rediscover how educational and awesome the Magic School Bus videos are.

These past two weeks have been the perfect send off starting with an unnecessary visa trip to Laos with another teacher where we were created with such hospitality, warmth, and kind-hearted human beings which I can't even begin to put into words. We had dinner at the cutest hippy restaurant which reminded me of something you'd find in Portland, brunch that looked like London, and chatted with the couple whose hotel we were staying at. Even though there was such a language barrier, we were still able to understand each other. 

Immediately after Laos, we got two days off school for Buddhist Lent day, so off to Koh Chang the foreign teachers went. 

It was rainy season, but that weekend (and this weekend) was, without a doubt, one of my favorite weekends in Thailand. 

A week of teaching my last week in Thailand, and I was on my way back to where it all started: Bangkok. Before I left Chaiyaphum, I was blessed enough to have one of my best friends, Anne, through me an amazing bbq dinner. I definitely felt so much love from and for everyone who has been a part of my Bon voyage, I will never forget any of it. 

A quick 5 hour bus ride and 45 minute cab ride later, I was back on Khao San Road, aka backpackers paradise. Two teachers from Anuban were able to join me in sending me out of Bangkok in style. 

The morning was a bit rough, but water, multiple naps, bargain shopping (like I need more crap), and my last Thai massage and I'm all set to start my new journey and create new memories. 

As I sit at this restaurant, typing this and enjoying one of my favorite Issan meals, I find myself reminiscing on bittersweet moments and everything in-between. 

In the past 10 months I have really learned some major resume building skills, get ready for the important things.  I have learned the true meaning of Mai Pen Lai (no worries) and can't even count how many times I use that phrase a day.  Thai time is a real thing and nothing ever really starts when it's supposed to, or even an hour after for that matter.  Motorbikes are fun, especially when they go fast.  Farong while driving is a thing, so if foreigners aren't wearing a helmet, it's only a matter of time before you get pulled over and fined.  Motorbike crashes are inevitable, but I have been one of the lucky ones to not have crashed.....yet.  Pad thai gets old really quickly and you soon accept the fact sometimes when you order food, you'll get something completely random.  Thai belly is not something to joke about.  Visa runs can either be super fun, or a drag, but either way, it's a way of getting out of school for a few days, so mai pen lai.  Squatty potties are nothing to fret about.  Disney movies on jump drives become your best friend because most of the time the Internet is dodgy.  Grilled chicken, sticky rice, and spicy papaya salad is the literally the best comfort food ever.  7-elevens here are like Starbucks in the States, they're everywhere and life savers, which brings me to the Toastie, Thailand's best late night snack from said 7-elevens.
 
Until next time, Thailand. 

New Beginnings

It's been a hot minute since my last post, so that can only mean one thing besides the obvious laziness, school has started again.  New term, new school, new set of minds to mold, this time at a primary school teaching 4th grade.  It has been quite the transition from teaching high school girls to teaching 9 year old minions, but I love the energy they spew.
Just a little bit across town from my old school, lies the adorableness that is Anuban Chaiyaphum School, primary school, aka my work home for the next 4 months.
Without getting involved with the politics of the situation, I find myself quite challenged as I am no longer just teaching English, but am also teaching Science, Math (these poor kids), and Health now.  A giant plus, I do get to have one class of 35 wonderful minions, as I call them, and I mean it in the most affectionate way possible.  I am joyed at the fact I will be able to get to know each child and their names, as opposed to last term where teaching 12 classes of 50 students wasn't a conducive environment for learning names.

One thing is certain, if I enter the day with any emotion but happiness, these children turn it around, even if it's for a brief second, with their pure adorableness and love.  They misbehave more than they listen, but they're kids, what can you honestly expect from them?  They have the attention span of ants but it's those teachable moments when you see some of them struggle, then get so excited when they grasp a concept.

This term is also a lot more challenging given the fact I haven't taken a single math course since I was in high school (thank you Bachelor of Arts), so it is an ironic twist, I would teach 4th grade math.  All I can say is, Google is saving my life with all the worksheets I could ever imagine.

I am teaching what's called MEP (Mini English Program), and these kids are crazy smart, as in they know more English than most of my high schoolers last term.  I find I have to use my "back pocket teaching" to pull out random assignments to the students who finish working before the other kids do.  I am also discovering again the kids that disrupt the class the most are usually the ones that either are far more advanced than the subject matter, or don't understand the material at all.  Either way, I am so lucky to have a Thai co-teacher to help so we can give those students better attention.

While I do miss my old students, it's Chaiyaphum, which is quite small, so I still see them everywhere.  Everywhere being the night market, 7-11, and Tesco Lotus (basically Safeway).  It's interesting because some of my current students have older sisters who I taught last term at Satri (high school).

While I plan to leave Chaiyaphum at the end of the term, I already know it will be difficult to leave my students, of whom I've already fallen in love with.  I mean, come on, they are the cutest set of 4th graders.  Ever.

Ayuthaya, Koh Tao, and Bangkok

Summer break can only mean one thing for teachers, time to travel, travel, travel. The school year came and went, these 4 months have flown by and being here has already changed me in more ways than I ever could have imagined. I love my students, all 520 of them, so much so that I'm teaching another term at the same school. Teaching these kids has been such a whirlwind experience that I will forever be grateful for. 

Finals came and went, grades were turned in (our pink grade books will forever haunt me), and teachers began to travel. March was for traveling around the tinest bit of Thailand, April will bring Vietnam adventures. 

I was lucky to have company on my adventures with such an incredible human being. Our first stop on our mini vacation was Ayuthaya, the old capital of Thailand, to see ancient wats, and honestly, there was this head in a tree which or may not have been the sole reason we went there. It was worth it.

Old Ayuthaya is fairly small so we were able to get around by water taxis, and ended up rented a motorbike for the day to see some of the temples. It was quite the shock to suddenly be surrounded by foreigners, tourists, and people who spoke English, quite different than Chaiyaphum.

The hostel I stayed at offered a temple tour, with water taxi transportation. I visited three temples, watched the sunset on the water, and got to start playing tourist- the best start to a much deserved vacation. 

One night and two days later, it was time to embark on yet another journey, a day of travelling to Koh Tao (which included the most uncomfortable night train and a 2 hour ferry ride), on of the islands, turtle island for Scuba diving (and certification). I've always loved the water, but add the ability to breath underwater at 18m and its like I'm a real life mermaid.  The certification course for open water lasted about 3 days, I took quizzes, a test, water skills... it was legit. I spent about a week there, being one with the ocean.  Once I went scuba diving, I knew I would never be able to look at snorkeling the same way again. There's so much more you can see at 18m that you can't see at the surface. I saw a sea turtle, which was probably the coolest thing ever, mostly cause I was breathing underwater and was so close to the fella, I could pet it.  Also, barracudas are epic. The makers of Finding Nemo were spot on. I'm already planning how much I need to save from teaching so I can plan my next Scuba trip to some place new. 

Koh Tao was beautiful and amazing, and I will forever remember my first diving experience, the amazing people I met, and how much I've missed being an island girl. But, it was time to go to Bangkok, which was actually my first time visiting there since I moved to Thailand. This time was different because I actually had time to see the tourist attractions: the Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha, MBK (mega mall in Bangkok).  First stop on playing tourist, after checking in to the hostel, eating, and a nap, of course, the Grand Palace and yes, it was pretty grand. 

 The Grand Palace is huge, and of course it was humid hot that day, but oh so worth it. Some areas were closed off in true palace fashion and these pictures don't even come close to doing the site justice. Visiting this place was probably my favorite thing I saw in Bangkok, truly amazing. 

The Reclining Buddha an Emerald Buddha was just insane. Reclining Buddha is ginormous (reclining) Buddha and it was quite breathtaking. 

I wasn't able to get a picture of the Emerald Buddha because pictures of him weren't allowed, which is completely understandable and normal for temples. the Emerald Buddha was this itty bitty, troll doll sized Buddha encased in a glass case surrounded by this huge gold and colorful stand. It was quite the sight to see.

Ayuthaya, Koh Tao, and Bangkok were lovely. As I write this on a bus back to Chaiyaphum, I am filled with all sorts of emotions. In May, school starts again, this time with many new teachers, a whole new set of children to teach, and a new chapter. My two best friends I made here are embarking on their own journeys, the amazing people I have met along the way are on their new adventures and I know each and everyone of them have made me grow. This life changing experience has been such an ineffable one and I can't wait to see what more I can learn. 

Christmas and a Marathon

I figured I should really post my Christmas blog before another Christmas happens, especially given that it's almost the end of February.  My first Christmas in Chaiyaphum was amazing.  I still had school, but instead of teaching classes, we had a day full of activities.  Satri had a talent contest where we (foreign English teachers) judged our students on singing and dancing competitions.  

My M2/1 class sang the best version of "Last Christmas" and had the best dance to go with it. 

Foreign English department with our head 

The best part of my Christmas was my family coming to visit me.  My brother and dad's first time in Thailand, my family's first time in Chaiyaphum.  I felt so lucky to have them come see me where I teach, where I live, and who I hang out with.  It was difficult not being able to see them the year before for the holidays, so it was truly an amazing present and gift to have them here with me.

My family got to see a bit of the Christmas assembly with my students, I got to show them around Chaiyaphum, the night market, the little town I love and now call home.   I gave them rides on my scooter, the blueberry, my favorite mode of transportation.  I was excited to play tourist with them and got to sightsee and visit places I haven't yet seen.  They stayed for a few days, a short trip, but much needed.

Stone Henge

Flash forward a few weeks and we are now in 2015 (how did that happen?!) and Satri had our holiday party, cowboy themed included.  If you think Americans like themed parties, you haven't been to a Thai party, themed parties are no joke and they are pretty much the best things ever.  Not only was it an all you can eat feast (my favorite), there was free pitcher beer, and yes each of us had our own beer pitcher, because Thailand.

Every once in a while, you'll come across some batshit crazy people who just one day decide to run a marathon.  Yes, that person is me.  A couple girls here decided to start training for a half marathon, and because I have completed a marathon before, I thought, well, I can do a full, why not?  I woke up one Saturday and thought, if I can run 15 miles today, I'll sign up for the marathon, if not, oh well.  So, about two and a half weeks of training, so basically no training, I found myself in Khon Kaen, a two hour trip from my town, at 4 am, standing with hundreds (I wouldn't say thousands because there weren't thousands) of Thais, foreigners, and travelers of all ages all with one goal in mind: to finish a marathon and earn bragging rights and a badass status.  

I was so lucky to have some amazing friends come along on their scooter and cheer me on.  This marathon was very much Thailand in that it was a bit disorganized.  There weren't cheerleaders (except for Val and Sam), minimal water stations, and zero bathrooms-well, the bathrooms were at the gas stations we ran past.  

The route was beautiful through.  Marathoners ran through a temple, around the Khon Kaen college, and all around the town.  Now, because Thailand, it got hot, and got hot fast.  Struggles were real around mile 18-26, the wall hit me and hit me hard.  Unlike my Portland Marathon where I pretty much blacked out the entire time, I unfortunately felt every muscle, every thought, everything.  Things definitely became difficult around mile 18, especially when I tore a muscle, which had been acting up running the past couple weeks.  Running was painful and the mile markers were off.  This was also their first year using timing chips, so times were off as well, but like any race, I sprinted those last strides and earned my medal, and bragging rights- a twice marathon finisher!!

Running 26.2 miles and finding out you still have 2 more miles to run on the course.

 I definitely felt every muscle for a few days.  The bus ride back to Chaiyaphum was rough, but I am so glad I ran another marathon and so proud I not only got a medal, but more so I finished another marathon.  I admit, I'm extremely crazy, because not many people do things like this, but when else in my life, could I say I was able to successfully complete a marathon in another country, in Thailand, the land of many smiles?