One Semester Down

Yesterday was the last day of the semester at Joy School and I experienced an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride looking at my students and acknowledging the growth and improvement each of them have accomplished in the  4 ½ months that I have known them. They are each so unique and they have each stolen a piece of my heart. I never could have imagined how intense a bond I feel towards my class.

Grace, Jin, Paipo & Grape

Being that they are only 5 years old and English is not their first language, our communication is largely physical in nature and their limited vocabulary leads to some hilarious conversation attempts! A few of my students in particular already have a great sense of humor and they are just to die for.

N'Pun, Namfah & In

It already feels like we’ve been through so much together! It seems like ages ago that TinTin broke his arm, or when Jin sliced her chin open when she slipped on wet tile in the bathrooms!! Or when Jin brought me an adorable little girl drawn on a cardboard toilet paper roll wearing a pink kimono and a white porcelain hat! Or when we took our field trip to the police training academy!

Class field trip @ Suratthani Police Training Academy

It was crazy to realize that we have completed ½ of the year and in another 6 months my kids are graduating to K3. I think to continue teaching I will have to figure out how to NOT get soo attached to each class, hopefully just because this is my first time doing this I didn’t know… But I can’t even imagine having to say goodbye to my 27 wild little children, I feel like no class could ever be as awesome as them. Yet at the same time I guess its just as crazy to think that every year is a chance to experience another set of amazing, unique, creative, and inspiring little people! In some ways it still feels so surreal that I am a teacher right now.

In

I feel so much gratitude for the people that have made my experience here even possible. I work at a great school, with a boss that I view more as a friend, and an amazing team of teachers that I have grown to love & respect as friends and fellow teachers. I have support in every aspect of my life here. We have an amazing teacher trainer, Lisa, who is always available for questions, concerns, advice, or anything related to teaching or culture here. I am thankful for Holly, who was so reassuring to me in my interview and really inspired me and encouraged me with her outlook and perspective after living in Thailand for 7 years and loving it. She met me over Skype and she was the one to hire me on at The Learning Network and ultimately give me this opportunity. Everything has been taken care of by the school as far as visas, immigration, work permits, taxes, insurance, and our housing is provided as well. And thanks to Holly, I even have an amazing yoga teacher! I just don't know what more I could even want!?

Deer, Pussorn, Pin & Grape

Everything is always working out for me.

I feel confident that I am on a path that is leading me towards alignment with my purpose and my highest bliss! How amazing that I get to do art, yoga, music, math, and English with my kids every single day!?!

And now.... just another 8 days and I will be meeting my mom in Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit a.k.a. Bangkok a.k.a. “The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam.” or in Thai script, กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตนราชธานีบูรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์.

Did you know that Bangkok is the capital with the longest name? Well.... it is. And I can't wait to get there and spend time exploring with my mom!!!!

Life is good.

Namaste friends 

XXX