Stepping Out

After five and a half months in Thailand, I finally made it out of the Bangkok Airport. Coming into Bangkok after living in Chiang Mai for the past few months was a very unique experience. I realized as I rode the bus down the highway from the airport that I had not been in a major city in a very long time. It was a little shocking stepping off the bus and having to weave between people as I made my way down the street to my guest-house. Once I got my bearings, I began to understand the tourists in New York much better as I found myself simply staring up at the buildings. Added to that was the allure of the BTS Skytrain, which is Bangkok's version of a subway. The only difference is that rather than being underground, the city built the system over existing roadways. I think I can equate my experience to someone that lives in the rural midwest going to New York, Chicago, or any densely populated city for the first time. The sheer amount of everything is overwhelming. But at the same time, once I got myself settled in my room, and began walking around to get a lay of the land, I felt that same underlying energy I feel whenever I am in New York. It is an unspoken understanding, I think, amongst all the people of the city, that anything is possible. That is an exhilarating feeling that I think few cities can claim. I felt an instant attraction to my surroundings.

Tomorrow I will begin sightseeing in the city, and I'm sure I will take many, many pictures. So keep a look out for those. In the meantime, I need to get some sleep.

The End is Nigh

I have been in Thailand for nearly half a year now, and it is only recently that I feel myself beginning to understand life here. Coincidently, I also find myself at the end of my time here. I now have less than one month left in Thailand, and I don't really know how to feel about that fact. I have loved my time here, but at the same time I feel that I want to go home. Not for any homesickness, or dislike of my adopted life here. It's a strange feeling wanting to be in two places at once. When I return to the US, I know that my life will be an endless series of job interviews until I find a job. But I feel a strange pull back home.

I'm having a bout of writer's block, so I'll end by saying that it's hard to believe that 5 months have gone by already and my time here is almost up. But life marches onward. I've still got about a month left here, then who knows where my next adventure will be?

PIZZA PARTY!!

Yesterday was the last day of classes here at Dara Academy, so I thought what better way to end my class's immersion in Western culture than by throwing a good old fashion pizza party. Who doesn't love pizza?! These kids sure did. I brought in five big pies for the kids to devour. I also sent a letter home to all the parents, offering the suggestion (wink, wink) that they could send food or drinks to school with their student. The kids came with tons of food - chocolate, soda, candy. But the highlight was definitely the kid who brought in a huge tub of french fries. It must have weighed a good 10 pounds. The kids loved that too.

I took a lot of pictures, which can be seen here. I also recorded a video of them playing a game. I couldn't quite figure it out, but it seems to be a mix between ring around the rosie and freeze tag. I tried uploading it, but there appears to be some technical difficulties. I will try uploading it some other time.

All in all, it seems like the kids really enjoyed themselves during the party. I am definitely going to miss them, and teaching kids this young helped me see that I do have the patience for middle school, if I had no other options. It's strange to think that I am done teaching in Thailand. I still have more time here, but it feels like I just began this job and it's already over. But, so it goes. Hopefully my next pizza party will be with high schoolers in New York City.

Hittin the Road

Today was an exciting day for me. I taught my last class here in Thailand, renewed my passport (which, while still having all of my middle names, no longer has Laks-Marx as my last name), finalized my trip details and bought my plane tickets to Bangkok and Krabi. The end of classes was somewhat anti-climactic, as I was simply told by my co-teacher that they were going to review for the upcoming tests and didn't need me there. I still have one more class with my NP class, but that is a party class, so no more teaching. I will definitely take pictures of the kids stuffing their faces during the party, so don't worry about that.

As for my passport, I don't know if anyone has gotten a passport in recent years, but the new ones are pretty fancy. They apparently have a computer chip in them for tracking or scanning. A lot different than my old one. It was a little disappointing knowing I wouldn't be able to add more visas and stamps to my old passport (I was able to keep it though), but it was also exciting getting the new one, every page empty, full of possibilities. It is almost like the beginning of a new trip - one that will last until 2020 when I have to renew my passport again.

The first thing I did with my new passport was book my year end trip to Bangkok and Krabi. I'm still a little hesitant to go to Bangkok based on everyone's description of it to me. But I feel like I ought to see the capital of Thailand if I'm here. It may be a big, noisy, polluted city, but I like those. Plus I want to ride the SkyTrain. After a few days in Bangkok, I head down to Krabi, one of rock climbing's top 5 destinations. And now that I know how to lead climb, I can head down there confidently. After a few days of climbing, I'm hoping to find a smaller island and just relax there. I want to do absolutely nothing for about 3 days. Just lie on the beach, swim in the ocean, read books - that's it.

It's all coming up soon, and before I know it I'll be back in America. Prepare yourself, I know I am.